bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prokineticin System Is a Pharmacological Target to Counteract Pain and Its Comorbid Mood Alterations in an Osteoarthritis Murine Model
Authors: Galimberti Giulia , Amodeo Giada , Magni Giulia , Riboldi Benedetta , Balboni Gianfranco , Onnis Valentina , Ceruti Stefania , Sacerdote Paola , Franchi Silvia
Published: September 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease associated with chronic pain. OA pain is often accompanied by mood disorders. We addressed the role of the Prokineticin (PK) system in pain and mood alterations in a mice OA model induced with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). The effect of a PK antagonist (PC1) was compared to that of diclofenac. C57BL/6J male mice injected with MIA in the knee joint were characterized by allodynia, motor deficits, and fatigue. Twenty-eight days after MIA, in the knee joint, we measured high mRNA of PK2 and its receptor PKR1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and MMP13. At the same time, in the sciatic nerve and spinal cord, we found increased levels of PK2, PKR1, IL-1β, and IL-6. These changes were in the presence of high GFAP and CD11b mRNA in the sciatic nerve and GFAP in the spinal cord. OA mice were also characterized by anxiety, depression, and neuroinflammation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In both stations, we found increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, PK upregulation and reactive astrogliosis in the hippocampus and microglia reactivity in the prefrontal cortex were detected. PC1 reduced joint inflammation and neuroinflammation in PNS and CNS and counteracted OA pain and emotional disturbances.
When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It: Wnt Signaling Activates Multiple Pathways through the APC/Axin/GSK-3 Complex
Authors: Li Chenchen , Furth Emma E. , Rustgi Anil K. , Klein Peter S.
Published: September 2023

The Wnt signaling pathway is a highly conserved regulator of metazoan development and stem cell maintenance. Activation of Wnt signaling is an early step in diverse malignancies. Work over the past four decades has defined a “canonical” Wnt pathway that is initiated by Wnt proteins, secreted glycoproteins that bind to a surface receptor complex and activate intracellular signal transduction by inhibiting a catalytic complex composed of the classical tumor suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC), Axin, and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3). The best characterized effector of this complex is β-catenin, which is stabilized by inhibition of GSK-3, allowing β-catenin entrance to the nucleus and activation of Wnt target gene transcription, leading to multiple cancers when inappropriately activated. However, canonical Wnt signaling through the APC/Axin/GSK-3 complex impinges on other effectors, independently of β-catenin, including the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), regulators of protein stability, mitotic spindle orientation, and Hippo signaling. This review focuses on these alternative effectors of the canonical Wnt pathway and how they may contribute to cancers.
In Silico Investigation of AKT2 Gene and Protein Abnormalities Reveals Potential Association with Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Elangeeb M. E. , Elfaki Imadeldin , Elkhalifa M. A. , Adam Khalid M. , Alameen A. O. , Elfadl Ahmed Kamaleldin , Albalawi Ibrahim Altedlawi , Almasoudi Kholoud S. , Almotairi Reema , Alsaedi Basim S. O. , Alhelali Marwan H. , Mir Mohammad Muzaffar , Amle Dnyanesh , Mir Rashid
Published: September 2023

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) develops from insulin resistance (IR) and the dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells. The AKT2 protein is very important for the protein signaling pathway, and the non-synonymous SNP (nsSNPs) in AKT2 gene may be associated with T2D. nsSNPs can result in alterations in protein stability, enzymatic activity, or binding specificity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nsSNPs on the AKT2 protein structure and function that may result in the induction of IR and T2D. The study identified 20 variants that were considered to be the most deleterious based on a range of analytical tools included (SIFT, PolyPhen2, Mut-pred, SNAP2, PANTHER, PhD-SNP, SNP&Go, MUpro, Cosurf, and I-Mut). Two mutations, p.A179T and p.L183Q, were selected for further investigation based on their location within the protein as determined by PyMol. The results indicated that mutations, p.A179T and p.L183Q alter the protein stability and functional characteristics, which could potentially affect its function. In order to conduct a more in-depth analysis of these effects, a molecular dynamics simulation was performed for wildtype AKT2 and the two mutants (p.A179T and p.L183Q). The simulation evaluated various parameters, including temperature, pressure, density, RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and Region, over a period of 100 ps. According to the simulation results, the wildtype AKT2 protein demonstrated higher stability in comparison to the mutant variants. The mutations p.A179T and p.L183Q were found to cause a reduction in both protein stability and functionality. These findings underscore the significance of the effects of nsSNPs (mutations p.A179T and p.L183Q) on the structure and function of AKT2 that may lead to IR and T2D. Nevertheless, they require further verifications in future protein functional, protein–protein interaction, and large-scale case–control studies. When verified, these results will help in the identification and stratification of individuals who are at risk of IR and T2D for the purpose of prevention and treatment.
Causal Effects of Gut Microbiota on Sleep-Related Phenotypes: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yue Min , Jin Chuandi , Jiang Xin , Xue Xinxin , Wu Nan , Li Ziyun , Zhang Lei
Published: September 2023

Increasing evidence suggests a correlation between changes in the composition of gut microbiota and sleep-related phenotypes. However, it remains uncertain whether these associations indicate a causal relationship. The genome-wide association study summary statistics data of gut microbiota (n = 18,340) was downloaded from the MiBioGen consortium and the data of sleep-related phenotypes were derived from the UK Biobank, the Medical Research Council-Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Jones SE, the FinnGen consortium. To test and estimate the causal effect of gut microbiota on sleep traits, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach using multiple methods was conducted. A series of sensitive analyses, such as horizontal pleiotropy analysis, heterogeneity test, MR Steiger directionality test and “leave-one-out” analysis as well as reverse MR analysis, were conducted to assess the robustness of MR results. The genus Anaerofilum has a negative causal effect on getting up in the morning (odd ratio = 0.977, 95% confidence interval: 0.965–0.988, p = 7.28 × 10−5). A higher abundance of order Enterobacteriales and family Enterobacteriaceae contributed to becoming an “evening person”. Six and two taxa were causally associated with longer and shorter sleep duration, respectively. Specifically, two SCFA-produced genera including Lachnospiraceae UCG004 (odd ratio = 1.029, 95% confidence interval = 1.012–1.046, p = 6.11 × 10−4) and Odoribacter contribute to extending sleep duration. Two obesity-related genera such as Ruminococcus torques (odd ratio = 1.024, 95% confidence interval: 1.011–1.036, p = 1.74 × 10−4) and Senegalimassilia were found to be increased and decreased risk of snoring, respectively. In addition, we found two risk taxa of insomnia such as the order Selenomonadales and one of its classes called Negativicutes. All of the sensitive analysis and reverse MR analysis results indicated that our MR results were robust. Our study revealed the causal effect of gut microbiota on sleep and identified causal risk and protective taxa for chronotype, sleep duration, snoring and insomnia, which has the potential to provide new perspectives for future mechanistic and clinical investigations of microbiota-mediated sleep abnormal patterns and provide clues for developing potential microbiota-based intervention strategies for sleep-related conditions.
Recent Advances in CoSex and CoTex Anodes for Alkali-ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Sun Zhonghui , Qu Dongyang , Han Dongxue , Niu Li
Published: September 2023

Transition metal selenides have narrow or zero band-gap characteristics and high theoretical specific capacity. Among them, cobalt selenide and cobalt telluride have some typical problems such as large volume changes, low conductivity, and poor structural stability, but they have become a research hotspot in the field of energy storage and conversion because of their high capacity and high designability. Some of the innovative synthesis, doping, and nanostructure design strategies for CoSex and CoTex, such as CoSe-InCo-InSe bimetallic bi-heterogeneous interfaces, CoTe anchoring MXenes, etc., show great promise. In this paper, the research progress on the multistep transformation mechanisms of CoSex and CoTex is summarized, along with advanced structural design and modification methods such as defect engineering and compositing with MXenes. It is hoped that this review will provide a glimpse into the development of CoSex and CoTex anodes for alkali-ion batteries.
Determination of the Size of Complex Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Various Physical Experimental Methods
Authors: Kiiamov Airat G. , Ivanova Anna G. , Solodov Alexander N. , Cherosov Mikhail A. , Tayurskii Dmitrii A. , Khannanov Artur
Published: September 2023

A series of organically coated iron oxide nanoparticles obtained via the thermal decomposition of iron–oleate complexes via a “heating-up” process were investigated using the methods of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and fine magnetometry, accompanied by elaborate mathematical analysis. The analysis of dependencies of field dependencies on the magnetization of the shape and broadening of maxima of X-ray diffraction patterns and fine refinement of transmission electron microscopy data allowed us to demonstrate that all of the samples under consideration had a tripartite structure: (i) the magnetic crystalline core of iron oxide, (ii) the paramagnetic stratum of amorphous iron oxide and (iii) the organic coater. The new approach toward synthesis for organic coated iron oxide shows that it could be applied to the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles with different and controlled magnetic properties and sizes depending on necessary applications, especially biomedical.
Prevalence of Incidental Maxillary Sinus Anomalies on CBCT Scans: A Radiographic Study
Authors: Ahmed Junaid , Gupta Aditya , Shenoy Nandita , Sujir Nanditha , Muralidharan Archana
Published: September 2023

CBCT significantly impacts dental procedures and has brought significant reforms to our approach to diagnosis and treatment planning despite its limitations in differentiating soft tissues. It is an excellent imaging modality and quickly identifies sinus opacification and provides valuable insight into paranasal sinus pathologies, with considerably lower radiation exposure. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of maxillary sinus abnormalities in CBCT scans, identify the frequency, type, and location of these findings, and find the correlation between the distance of periapical lesions and radiographic changes in the maxillary sinus. Two examiners independently evaluated 117 patients to diagnose and classify the cases into different abnormality subtypes. The periapical lesions most closely related to the sinus were recorded. The diameters of the left and right maxillary sinus ostium and the distance of the ostium’s lower border to the sinus’s osseous floor were recorded. The findings were correlated with the age and gender of these patients. The present study reveals that sixty-one patients were diagnosed with mucosal thickening (52.1%). The sinus wall most affected by mucosal thickening was the maxillary sinus floor, followed by the medial and lateral walls. Of 19 patients with periapical lesions, 15 had maxillary sinus mucosal thickening, which is statistically significant (p = 0.004). The high occurrence of abnormalities in the maxillary sinus emphasizes the importance for the radiologist to comprehensively interpret the whole volume acquired in CBCT images, including the entire sinus. Incidental findings may be considered in the individual clinical context of signs and symptoms, reducing the risk of overestimating the real impact of radiographic findings.
The Utility of Low-Dose-Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: An Update
Authors: Tsigkriki Lamprini , Kleitsioti Panagiota , Dimitriadis Fotis , Sidiropoulos George , Alkagiet Stelina , Efstratiou Dimitris , Kalaitzoglou Maria , Charisopoulou Dafni , Siarkos Michail , Mavrogianni Angeliki-Despoina , Giannakopoulou Pinelopi , Zarifis John , Koulaouzidis George
Published: September 2023

Despite significant advancements in medical therapy, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) continues to be a significant cause of death and disability. Reversible ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction due to viable myocardium is one such contributing factor. In these cases, coronary revascularization has shown promise in improving left ventricular function and prognosis. For patients with HFrEF and wide QRS, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective option to address electromechanical dyssynchrony. However, approximately 30% of patients do not respond positively to CRT, highlighting the need to refine candidate selection for this treatment. In some patients with reduced HFrEF, there is a condition known as classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (AS) that may be observed. This condition is characterized by a low transaortic flow, which leads to reductions in both the transaortic mean gradient and aortic valve area. Decision-making regarding revascularization, CRT, and pharmacological treatment play a crucial role in managing HFrEF. Cardiac imaging can be valuable in guiding decision-making processes and assessing the prognosis of patients with HFrEF. Among the imaging modalities, dobutamine stress echocardiography has come a long way in establishing itself as a feasible, safe, effective, relatively cheap non-invasive technique. The aim of this review is to explore the current literature on the utility of low-dose stress echocardiography in diagnosing and prognosticating patients with HFrEF.
Influence of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Diagnostic Tools on Treatment Decision-Making in Early Childhood Caries: A Systematic Review of Accuracy and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Al-Namankany Abeer
Published: September 2023

Early detection and accurate prediction of the risk of early childhood caries (ECC) are essential for effective prevention and management. This systematic review aims to assess the performance and applicability of machine learning algorithms in ECC prediction and detection. A comprehensive search was conducted to identify studies utilizing machine learning algorithms to predict or detect ECC. The included (n = 6) studies demonstrated high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) values related to predicting and detecting ECC. The application of machine learning algorithms contributed to enhanced clinical decision-making, targeted preventive measures, and improved ECC management. The studies also highlighted the importance of considering multiple factors, including demographic, environmental, and genetic factors, when developing dental caries prediction models. Machine learning algorithms hold significant potential for ECC prediction and detection, having promising performance outcomes. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, no meta-analysis could be performed. Moreover, further research is needed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of integrating these algorithms into dental practice. This approach would ultimately contribute to enabling more effective and personalized dental caries management and improved oral health outcomes for diverse populations.
A Systematic Review on Teachers’ Well-Being in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Katsarou Eirene , Chatzipanagiotou Paraskevi , Sougari Areti-Maria
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 health crisis has wrought substantial challenges on individuals, societies, and organizations worldwide that have significantly transformed the way people function in their workplace on a daily basis, resulting in heightened levels of physical, psychological, and social deprivation. Available empirical evidence in the field of education has explicitly foregrounded the negative impact of the pandemic on teachers’ well-being (TWB) and mental health as existing pressures became exacerbated and additional stressors accumulated in the workplace in search of the requisite TWB remedial interventions to be used in times of crises. As frontline education providers, teachers were not only called upon to confront difficulties associated with the shift to COVID-19-induced online modes of instruction supporting students’ academic development and well-being but also effectively navigate adversity and stress in their own personal and professional lives. Given that teacher well-being has consistently been reported as a key determinant of quality education and excellence ensuring the stability of a well-qualified workforce, this study uses a systematic review approach to investigate educators’ well-being status, identify predictors, and report on the effective strategies for TWB utilized by educators themselves during the COVID-19 era. Fifty-three empirical studies published between 2020 and 2023, collected within the PRISMA-statement framework, were included in the final analysis. Implications for policy and school administrators are also discussed followed by insights for future research avenues in the area of teacher education and professional development.
Fast and Accurate SNN Model Strengthening for Industrial Applications
Authors: Zhou Deming , Chen Weitong , Chen Kongyang , Mi Bing
Published: September 2023

In spiking neural networks (SNN), there are emerging security threats, such as adversarial samples and poisoned data samples, which reduce the global model performance. Therefore, it is an important issue to eliminate the impact of malicious data samples on the whole model. In SNNs, a naive solution is to delete all malicious data samples and retrain the entire dataset. In the era of large models, this is impractical due to the huge computational complexity. To address this problem, we present a novel SNN model strengthening method to support fast and accurate removal of malicious data from a trained model. Specifically, we use untrained data that has the same distribution as the training data. We can infer that the untrained data has no effect on the initial model, and the malicious data should have no effect on the final refined model. Thus, we can use the model output of the untrained data with respect to the initial model to guide the final refined model. In this way, we present a stochastic gradient descent method to iteratively determine the final model. We perform a comprehensive performance evaluation on two industrial steel surface datasets. Experimental results show that our model strengthening method can provide accurate malicious data elimination, with speeds 11.7× to 27.2× faster speeds than the baseline method.
Interdecadal Variation Trend of Arctic Wind Energy
Authors: Wang Kaishan , Wu Di , Wu Kai , Yu Kun , Zheng Chongwei
Published: September 2023

The Arctic’s navigation and utilization have garnered global interest due to the economic and strategic significance of its open shipping routes. The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of Arctic wind power generation depend largely on the potential of wind energy, which in turn influences the construction of new ports. In order to effectively harness polar wind energy, we must understand and adapt to its ever-changing rules. This study leverages ERA5′s 40-year wind field data to estimate the Theil–Sen Median slope and perform Mann–Kendall trend analysis. We consider factors such as wind power density, effective wind speed occurrence, energy level frequency, stability, and resource reserves to comprehensively analyze the intergenerational variations in Arctic wind energy resources. Our findings indicate that Northeast Passage, Davis Strait, and Baffin Bay possess favorable wind power density (1~2 W/m2·yr−1), effective wind speed occurrence (0.1~0.2%·yr−1), energy level frequency (0.1~0.2%·yr−1), stability (−0.005 yr−1), and resource reserves (1 kWh/m2·yr−1). However, these indicators are inferior in the Barents Sea, Canada’s northern archipelagos, and Greenland’s vicinity, where wind energy is relatively poor and unfavorable for development. Autumn dominates the annual change trend of Arctic wind energy, while spring and summer show no significant trends.
Use of Post-Consumer Plastics in the Production of Wood-Plastic Composites for Building Components: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ribeiro Leticia S. , Stolz Carina M. , Amario Mayara , Silva Ana Lúcia Nazareth da , Haddad Assed N.
Published: September 2023

This systematic review study adopted the PRISMA methodology to investigate recent research on wood-plastic composites (WPC) utilizing post-consumer plastics in the construction industry. Initially, 3111 articles were selected from academic databases using keywords such as “wood and plastic composites”, “WPC”, “polymer”, “recycled”, “waste”, “construction”, and “sustainability.” After stringent exclusion criteria, 15 relevant studies on plastic waste composites were identified. These studies often employ post-consumer plastics like polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, along with plant-based fillers, aiming to enhance mechanical properties and reduce reliance on virgin materials. Analysis of these studies revealed that the optimal plastic composition in the composites ranged from 40% to 45% wood and from 50% to 60% plastic, with the extrusion process being the most employed for shaping. Specific factors, such as the use of compatibilizers and the particle size of raw materials, were identified as significant influencers on composite strength. These materials exhibited high thermal stability, rendering them suitable for construction applications exposed to high temperatures. The diversity of plastic waste explored in the studies underscores the potential to tailor thermal properties to specific application demands. These composites facilitate closed-loop plastic recycling, enabling their reintegration into the production chain and offering opportunities for lightweight, durable, and high-performance products in the construction industry. However, beyond the factors examined in the studies, a meticulous assessment of the fire resistance, weather resistance, ultraviolet resistance, moisture absorption, dimensional stability, degradation, long-term durability, impact strength, recyclability, and cost-effectiveness of the material is crucial. Thoughtful consideration of these factors is essential to achieving a comprehensive understanding of the potential and limitations of recycled plastic composites in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability in the construction industry.
Isolated Third Cranial Nerve Palsy Associated with Sudden Worsening of Hypotonic Hyponatremia Secondary to Ischemic Pituitary Apoplexy
Authors: Varaldo Emanuele , Berton Alessandro Maria , Maccario Mauro , Gasco Valentina
Published: September 2023

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare medical emergency. The sudden pressure increase in the sella turcica may determine compression on the surrounding structures determining the classical symptomatology associated, especially visual field impairment and/or ocular palsies and hypopituitarism; hypotonic hyponatremia may occur too, even if it is not common. Although already described in the literature, cases of isolated III cranial nerve palsies are extremely rare events. We report the case of a mid-60-year-old man with a known pituitary adenoma accessing the Emergency Department (ED) for worsening headaches unresponsive to analgesics, with a morphological picture consistent with ischemic PA, despite no dimensional increase of the pituitary lesion; upon ED access, a mild paucisymptomatic hyponatremia was also observed. Dexamethasone and mannitol were empirically introduced upon neurosurgical indication and tramadol and ketorolac were promptly administered as well, but without benefit. In the next days, a severe hypotonic hyponatremia was evidenced and a clear left III cranial nerve palsy developed, but no clear signs of cerebral bleeding or ischemia, nor a significant compression on the homolateral cavernous sinus, were observed. Upon ruling out other possible causes, a likely diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) was made, confirmed by the quick response to fluid restriction. Overall, the sudden fall in tonicity plasma levels seemed to contribute to the exacerbation of the neurological deficit since the normalization of sodium levels was associated with a rapid and complete reversion of the III cranial nerve palsy.
Microplastics, a Global Issue: Human Exposure through Environmental and Dietary Sources
Authors: Borriello Lucrezia , Scivicco Marcello , Cacciola Nunzio Antonio , Esposito Francesco , Severino Lorella , Cirillo Teresa
Published: September 2023

Plastic production has grown dramatically over the years. Microplastics (MPs) are formed from the fragmentation of larger plastic debris by combining chemical, physical, and biological processes and can degrade further to form nanoplastics (NPs). Because of their size, MPs and NPs are bioavailable to many organisms and can reach humans through transport along the food chain. In addition to the risk from ingesting MPs themselves, there are risks associated with the substances they carry, such as pesticides, pathogenic microorganisms, and heavy metals, and with the additives added to plastics to improve their characteristics. In addition, bioaccumulation and biomagnification can cause a cumulative exposure effect for organisms at the top of the food chain and humans. Despite the growing scientific interest in this emerging contaminant, the potential adverse effects remain unclear. The aim of this review is to summarize the characteristics (size, shape, color, and properties) of MPs in the environment, the primary sources, and the transport pathways in various environmental compartments, and to shed more light on the ecological impact of MPs and the potential health effects on organisms and humans by identifying human exposure pathways.
Combined Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure and Proteolytic Fraction P1G10 from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis Latex against Botrytis cinerea in Grape Juice
Authors: Torres-Ossandón María José , Castillo Luis , Uribe Elsa , Bilbao-Sainz Cristina , Ah-Hen Kong Shun , Vega-Gálvez Antonio
Published: September 2023

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and the proteolytic fraction P1G10 from papaya latex was studied to find out whether a synergy exists in the growth inhibition of Botrytis cinerea in grape juice, contributing to the improvement of conservation techniques and extending the shelf life and quality of food products. Grape juice (GJ) diluted to 16 °Brix with a water activity (aw) of 0.980 was prepared from a concentrated GJ and used in this study. Results indicated a 92% growth inhibition of B. cinerea when exposed to 1 mg/mL of P1G10 and 250 MPa/4 min of pressure treatment. The proximate composition and antioxidant compounds present in the GJ were not significantly affected after the treatments. Eight phenolic compounds and two flavonoids in GJ were identified and quantified, with values fluctuating between 12.77 ± 0.51 and 240.40 ± 20.9 mg/L in the control sample (0.1 MPa). The phenolic compounds showed a significant decrease after the applied treatments, with the HHP sample having a content of 65.4 ± 6.9 mg GAE/100 mL GJ. In conclusion, a synergistic effect at moderate HHP of 250 MPa/4 min with the addition of P1G10 was observed, and the successful development of a stable and acceptable GJ product was possible.
Injectable Gamboge-Based In Situ Gel for Sustained Delivery of Imatinib Mesylate
Authors: Jitrangsri Kritamorn , Khaing Ei Mon , Intaraphairot Torsak , Phaechamud Thawatchai , Mahadlek Jongjan
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize the imatinib mesylate (IM)-loaded gamboge-based ISG system for local administration of an anticancer agent against colorectal carcinoma. The ISG formulations were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). The physicochemical properties, drug release profile, and cytotoxicity of the developed formulations were assessed. The developed ISG demonstrated Newtonian flow behavior with acceptable rheological and mechanical properties. The viscosity of the developed ISG, measured at less than 80 cP, and the applied forces of less than 50 N·mm, indicated easy administration using clinical injection techniques. Upon contact with an aqueous phase, the ISG immediately formed a porous cross-sectional structure, enabling sustained release of IM over 14 days. The release profile of IM was fitted to the quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism, and the release rate could be controlled by the types of solvent and the amount of IM content. The developed IM-loaded gamboge ISG effectively inhibited colorectal cancer cells, including HCT116 and HT29 cell lines, with less than 20% cell viability observed at a concentration of 1% w/w IM after 2 days of incubation. This suggests that the developed ISG may potentially serve as an injectable system for localized anticancer delivery against colorectal cells, potentially reducing the side effects of systemic chemotherapy and improving patient adherence.
Utilization of Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Gels for Chronic Wound Management
Authors: Luo Peili , Shu Lei , Huang Zhengwei , Huang Ying , Wu Chuanbin , Pan Xin , Hu Ping
Published: September 2023

Management of chronic wounds is becoming a serious health problem worldwide. To treat chronic wounds, a suitable healing environment and sustained delivery of growth factors must be guaranteed. Different therapies have been applied for the treatment of chronic wounds such as debridement and photodynamic therapy. Among them, growth factors are widely used therapeutic drugs. However, at present, growth factor delivery systems cannot meet the demand of clinical practice; therefore new methods should be developed to meet the emerging need. For this reason, researchers have tried to modify hydrogels through some methods such as chemical synthesis and molecule modifications to enhance their properties. However, there are still a large number of limitations in practical use like byproduct problems, difficulty to industrialize, and instability of growth factor. Moreover, applications of new materials like lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) on chronic wounds have emerged as a new trend. The structure of LLC is endowed with many excellent properties including low cost, ordered structure, and excellent loading efficiency. LLC can provide a moist local environment for the wound, and its lattice structure can embed the growth factors in the water channel. Growth factor is released from the high-concentration carrier to the low-concentration release medium, which can be precisely regulated. Therefore, it can provide sustained and stable delivery of growth factors as well as a suitable healing environment for wounds, which is a promising candidate for chronic wound healing and has a broad prospective application. In conclusion, more reliable and applicable drug delivery systems should be designed and tested to improve the therapy and management of chronic wounds.
Pathological Features and Genetic Polymorphism Analysis of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in Infected Tomato Fruit
Authors: Lv Junheng , Mo Yunrong , Deng Minghua , Xu Junqiang , Xu Bin , Li Xinyun , Li Jing , Jiang Caiqian , Zhou Ying , Wang Ziran , Yang Zhengan , Zhao Kai
Published: September 2023

An in-house tomato inbred line, YNAU335, was planted in a greenhouse in spring from 2014 to 2017, and showed immunity to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). YNAU335 was infected with TSWV in the spring from 2018 to 2020, and disease was observed on the leaves, sepals, and fruits. In 2021 and 2022, YNAU335 was planted in spring in the same greenhouse, which was suspected of being infected with TSWV, and visible disease symptoms were observed on the fruits. Transmission electron microscopy, deep sequencing of small RNAs, and molecular mutation diagnosis were used to analyze the pathological features and genetic polymorphism of TSWV infecting tomato fruit. Typical TSWV virions were observed in the infected fruits, but not leaves from YNAU335 grown between 2021 and 2022, and cross-infection was very rarely observed. The number of mitochondria and chloroplasts increased, but the damage to the mitochondria was greater than that seen in the chloroplasts. Small RNA deep sequencing revealed the presence of multiple viral species in TSWV-infected and non-infected tomato samples grown between 2014–2022. Many virus species, including TSWV, which accounted for the largest proportion, were detected in the TSWV-infected tomato leaves and fruit. However, a variety of viruses other than TSWV were also detected in the non-infected tissues. The amino acids of TSWV nucleocapsid proteins (NPs) and movement proteins (MPs) from diseased fruits of YNAU335 picked in 2021–2022 were found to be very diverse. Compared with previously identified NPs and MPs from TSWV isolates, those found in this study could be divided into three types: non-resistance-breaking, resistance-breaking, and other isolates. The number of positive clones and a comparison with previously identified amino acid mutations suggested that mutation F at AA118 of the MP (GenBank OL310707) is likely the key to breaking the resistance to TSWV, and this mutation developed only in the infected fruit of YNAU335 grown in 2021 and 2022.
Positive Allosteric Modulators of SERCA Pump Restore Dendritic Spines and Rescue Long-Term Potentiation Defects in Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Rakovskaya Anastasiya , Erofeev Alexander , Vinokurov Egor , Pchitskaya Ekaterina , Dahl Russell , Bezprozvanny Ilya
Published: September 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory formation and storage processes. Dysregulated neuronal calcium (Ca2+) has been identified as one of the key pathogenic events in AD, and it has been suggested that pharmacological agents that stabilize Ca2+ neuronal signaling can act as disease-modifying agents in AD. In previous studies, we demonstrated that positive allosteric regulators (PAMs) of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump might act as such Ca2+-stabilizing agents and exhibit neuroprotective properties. In the present study, we evaluated effects of a set of novel SERCA PAM agents on the rate of Ca2+ extraction from the cytoplasm of the HEK293T cell line, on morphometric parameters of dendritic spines of primary hippocampal neurons in normal conditions and in conditions of amyloid toxicity, and on long-term potentiation in slices derived from 5xFAD transgenic mice modeling AD. Several SERCA PAM compounds demonstrated neuroprotective properties, and the compound NDC-9009 showed the best results. The findings in this study support the hypothesis that the SERCA pump is a potential therapeutic target for AD treatment and that NDC-9009 is a promising lead molecule to be used in the development of disease-modifying agents for AD.
Influence of Complexation with β- and γ-Cyclodextrin on Bioactivity of Whey and Colostrum Peptides
Authors: Halavach Tatsiana M. , Kurchenko Vladimir P. , Tarun Ekaterina I. , Dudchik Natalia V. , Yatskou Mikalai M. , Lodygin Aleksey D. , Alieva Ludmila R. , Evdokimov Ivan A. , Ulrih Natasa Poklar
Published: September 2023

Dairy protein hydrolysates possess a broad spectrum of bioactivity and hypoallergenic properties, as well as pronounced bitter taste. The bitterness is reduced by complexing the proteolysis products with cyclodextrins (CDs), and it is also important to study the bioactivity of the peptides in inclusion complexes. Hydrolysates of whey and colostrum proteins with extensive hydrolysis degree and their complexes with β/γ-CD were obtained in the present study, and comprehensive comparative analysis of the experimental samples was performed. The interaction of CD with peptides was confirmed via different methods. Bioactivity of the initial hydrolysates and their complexes were evaluated. Antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by fluorescence reduction of fluorescein in the Fenton system. Antigenic properties were studied by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Antimutagenic effect was estimated in the Ames test. According to the experimental data, a 2.17/2.78-fold and 1.45/2.14-fold increase in the AOA was found in the β/γ-CD interaction with whey and colostrum hydrolysates, respectively. A 5.6/5.3-fold decrease in the antigenicity of whey peptides in complex with β/γ-CD was detected, while the antimutagenic effect in the host–guest systems was comparable to the initial hydrolysates. Thus, bioactive CD complexes with dairy peptides were obtained. Complexes are applicable as a component of specialized foods (sports, diet).
Differences in Male-Killing Rickettsia Bacteria between Lineages of the Invasive Gall-Causing Pest Leptocybe invasa
Authors: Peng Xin , Wang Hantang , Yang Zhende
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a global invasive pest that seriously damages eucalyptus plants and has caused serious harm to forestry production in many countries. Two genotypically distinct lineages of L. invasa have been detected outside of Australia, namely, lineage A and lineage B. However, the composition and abundance of endosymbiotic bacteria in L. invasa are still unclear between lineages. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the bacterial communities in female adults of L. invasa of different lineages distributed in the same domain; (2) Methods: The PacBio Sequel II platform was used to compare bacterial community composition between lineages of L. invasa by sequencing the V1–V9 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to compare the relative expression of Rickettsia between lineages of L. invasa; (3) Results: A total of 437 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained. These OTUs were subdivided into 20 phyla, 32 classes, 77 orders, 129 families, and 217 genera. At the genus level, the dominant bacteria in lineage A and lineage B were Rickettsia and Bacteroides, respectively. There were differences in the bacterial community of L. invasa between lineages, and the abundance and relative expression of Rickettsia in lineage A were significantly higher than those in lineage B; (4) Conclusions: There were differences in the bacterial community of L. invasa between lineages, and the abundance and relative expression of Rickettsia in lineage A were significantly higher than those in lineage B.
The Influence of Hypothyroid Metabolic Status on Blood Coagulation and the Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome
Authors: Hoffmann Manuela Andrea , Knoll Sarah N. , Baqué Pia-Elisabeth , Rosar Florian , Scharrer Inge , Reuss Stefan , Schreckenberger Mathias
Published: September 2023

The intent of this prospective study aimed to identify the influence of hypothyroid metabolic status on the coagulation and fibrinolytic system and association with the acquired von Willebrand syndrome (VWS-ac). We compared 54 patients without substitution therapy after radical thyroidectomy with 58 control subjects without pathological thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH)-values. Patients with TSH > 17.5 mU/L over a period of >4 weeks were included. The control-collective was selected based on age and sex to match the patient-collective. The data were collected using laboratory coagulation tests and patient questionnaires; a bleeding score was determined. There were significant differences in the measurement of activated-partial-thromboplastin-time (aPTT/p = 0.009), coagulation-factor VIII (p < 0.001) and von-Willebrand-activity (VWF-ac/p = 0.004) between the patient and control groups. The patient cohort showed an increased aPTT and decreased factor VIII and VWF-ac. 29.7% of the patient-collective compared to 17.2% of the control subjects met the definition of VWS-Ac (p = 0.12). The bleeding score showed significantly more bleeding symptoms in patients with a laboratory constellation of VWS-ac (no family history; p = 0.04). Our results suggest hypocoagulability in hypothyroid patients. Hypothyroidism appears to have a higher incidence of VWS-ac. The increased risk of bleeding complications in hypothyroid patients may be of relevant importance for the outcome, especially in the context of invasive interventions.
The Increase in Childhood Obesity and Its Association with Hypertension during Pandemics
Authors: Vasile Corina Maria , Padovani Paul , Rujinski Stefan Dumitrache , Nicolosu Dragos , Toma Claudia , Turcu Adina Andreea , Cioboata Ramona
Published: September 2023

There has been a major ongoing health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s lives, including lifestyle and overall health. Enforcement of prevention measures, such as school closures and social distancing, has significantly affected children’s daily routines and activities. This perspective manuscript aims to explore the rise in childhood obesity and its association with hypertension during pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions in children’s routines, including reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behavior, and changes in dietary patterns. These factors, coupled with the psychological impact of the pandemic, have contributed to an alarming increase in childhood obesity rates. This paper has highlighted the concerning increase in childhood obesity and hypertension during pandemics. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behaviors, and changes in dietary patterns, have contributed to the rise in these health conditions. It is crucial to recognize the long-term consequences of childhood obesity and hypertension and the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address them.
Enhanced Recovery after Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery
Authors: Tresch Caroline , Lallemant Marine , Ramanah Rajeev
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to review on the influence of enhanced rehabilitation in pelvic organ prolapse surgery outcomes, specifically focusing on length of hospital stay, hospital costs, pain, morbidity, and patient satisfaction. Following the PRISMA model and using PubMed as a source, eight articles pertaining to prolapse surgery and two articles concerning vaginal hysterectomies were selected, all published between 2014 and 2021. These studies revealed no significant difference in terms of operating time, intra- and post-operative complications, intra-operative blood loss and post-operative pain scores before and after the introduction of the ERAS program. Only one study noted a difference in readmission rates. There was, however, a noticeable decrease in intra-operative and post-operative intravenous intakes, opioid administration, length of stay, and overall hospital costs with the adoption of ERAS. Additionally, with ERAS, patients were able to mobilize more rapidly, and overall patient satisfaction significantly improved.
Assessing the Potential for Energy Efficiency Improvement through Cold Ironing: A Monte Carlo Analysis with Real Port Data
Authors: Tang Daogui , Jiang Tao , Xu Chaoyuan , Chen Zhe , Yuan Yupeng , Zhao Wuyou , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: September 2023

Ports in China are facing significant pressure to reduce carbon emissions in alignment with carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. Onshore power supply (OPS) is regarded as a promising approach to accomplish these targets, necessitating a thorough evaluation of its impact for port authorities to make informed decisions regarding its adoption. This research focuses on Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the largest port globally, as a case study. Two metrics are proposed to quantify the energy efficiency of ships powered by onshore energy while berthed. The installation and connection status of OPS in the port area are analyzed. Subsequently, the energy demand of berthed ships is assessed, and the potential for energy efficiency improvement resulting from OPS implementation is evaluated using Monte Carlo methods. The findings reveal untapped potential in the studied port area, with OPS demonstrating the ability to improve energy efficiency of berthed ships at a rate parallel to the connection rate, excluding indirect emissions. However, considering indirect emissions and energy loss diminishes the effectiveness of OPS. The paper discusses practical implications for enhancing the energy efficiency of OPS, enabling port authorities to make well-informed decisions. These findings are invaluable for Chinese port authorities striving to achieve carbon reduction goals and enhance sustainability in the maritime industry.
An Optimized Class Incremental Learning Network with Dynamic Backbone Based on Sonar Images
Authors: Chen Xinzhe , Liang Hong
Published: September 2023

Class incremental learning with sonar images introduces a new dimension to underwater target recognition. Directly applying networks designed for optical images to our constructed sonar image dataset (SonarImage20) results in significant catastrophic forgetting. To address this problem, our study carefully selects the Dynamically Expandable Representation (DER)—recognized for its superior performance—as the baseline. We combine the intrinsic properties of sonar images with deep learning theories and optimize both the backbone and the class incremental training strategies of DER. The culmination of this optimization is the introduction of DER-Sonar, a class incremental learning network tailored for sonar images. Evaluations on SonarImage20 underscore the power of DER-Sonar. It outperforms competing class incremental learning networks with an impressive average recognition accuracy of 96.30%, a significant improvement of 7.43% over the baseline.
Severe Acute Ischemia of Glans Penis after Achieving Treatment with Only Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Rare Case Report and Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Hașegan Adrian , Mihai Ionela , Bratu Dan , Bacilă Ciprian , Roman Mihai Dan , Mohor Cosmin Ioan , Teodoru Adrian , Birsan Sabrina , Mutu Cosmin , Chibelean Călin , Totan Maria , Grigore Nicolae , Iancu Gabriela , Dura Horatiu , Boicean Adrian
Published: September 2023

Acute ischemia of the glands is a severe complication after circumcision. We outline the challenging case of a seventeen-year-old boy with glandular ischemia (GI) that appeared shortly after circumcision. Methods: We present a case report and literature review related to glans ischemia, and the complications of circumcision are reviewed. We note that there are very few cases described in the literature. Our patient was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) after four days of no positive effect after all medical and surgical treatments written in the literature: Subcutaneous enoxaparin, local application of a glyceryl trinitrate, continuous epidural perfusion, intravenous pentoxifylline, alprostadil, intraoperative drainage, and aspiration with saline solution and epinephrine. Clinical improvement was noted at the first session of HBOT. A number of days after the operation, the penis looked normal and was healing. Complete healing of the penile glans was successfully realized one month after surgery. Conclusion: Based on the review and the case presented, we conclude that HBOT is the treatment of choice for acute ischemia of the penile glans, especially when other treatments do not work.
Comment on Neupert, T.; Bartel, D. Evaluation of Various Shear-Thinning Models for Squalane Using Traction Measurements, TEHD and NEMD Simulations. Lubricants 2023, 11, 178
Authors: Bair Scott
Published: September 2023

The field of EHL (elastohydrodynamic lubrication) may be the only one in science in which a model for shear-dependent viscosity would be evaluated by means other than viscometer measurements [...]