bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HexA-Enzyme Coated Polymer Nanoparticles for the Development of a Drug-Delivery System in the Treatment of Sandhoff Lysosomal Storage Disease
Authors: Calzoni Eleonora , Cesaretti Alessio , Montegiove Nicolò , Di Michele Alessandro , Pellegrino Roberto Maria , Emiliani Carla
Published: April 2022

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a set of metabolic diseases caused by mutations in genes that are in charge of the production of lysosomal enzymes, resulting in the buildup of non-degraded substrates and the consequent systemic damage that mainly involves the Central Nervous System (CNS). One of the most widely used and studied treatments is Enzyme Replacement Therapy, which is based on the administration of the recombinant deficient enzyme. This strategy has often proved fallacious due to the enzyme instability in body fluids and its inability to reach adequate levels in the CNS. In this work, we developed a system based on nanotechnology that allows a stable enzyme to be obtained by its covalent immobilization on nanoparticles (NPs) of polylactic acid, subsequently administered to a cellular model of LSDs, i.e., Sandhoff disease, caused by the absence or deficiency of the β-d-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase A (HexA) enzyme. The HexA enzymes, loaded onto the polymeric NPs through an immobilization procedure that has already been investigated and validated, were found to be stable over time, maintain optimal kinetic parameters, be able to permeate the plasma membrane, hydrolyze HexA’s natural substrate, and restore enzyme activity close to the levels of healthy cells. These results thus lay the foundation for testing the HexA-NPs in animal models of the disease and thus obtaining an efficient drug-delivery system.
Correction: Knobler et al. Wave Height Distributions and Rogue Waves in the Eastern Mediterranean. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 660
Authors: Knobler Sagi , Bar Daniel , Cohen Rotem , Liberzon Dan
Published: April 2022

Figure Legend [...]
Onychomycosis Caused by Fusarium Species
Authors: Uemura Eduardo Vinicius Grego , Barbosa Marcelo dos Santos , Simionatto Simone , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Al-Hatmi Abdullah M. S. , Rossato Luana
Published: April 2022

Onychomycosis is a nail fungal infection that produces nail discolouration, thickness, and separation from the nail bed. The species of the Fusarium genus that cause onychomycosis are emerging and the number of cases has increased throughout the years. Microscopic examination, as well as cultures, are required for the accurate diagnosis of onychomycosis. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the organism that causes the disease and restore the nail’s normal appearance. Here, we provide an overview of the onychomycosis cases that have been reported in literature over the last 24 years, which have been caused by the Fusarium species. We performed a review on the onychomycosis cases caused by the Fusarium species from January 1997 to January 2021. Patients aged between 40 and 49 years made up 30.23% of the cases. The most common aetiologic species was Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC), which accounted for 44.11% of the cases, followed by F. fujikuroi species complex (FFSC), which accounted for 17.64%; 14.70% of the cases were due to F. dimerum species complex (FDSC) and 14.70% of the cases were due F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC). Europe accounted for 29.06% of the cases caused by FOSC, whereas Africa accounted for 46.67% of the cases due to FSSC. The clinical presentation of onychomycosis due to Fusarium spp. is commonly the distal–lateral pattern of onychomycosis. Identification of the infectious agent in onychomycosis cases due to Fusarium is crucial in deciding the proper treatment. Although antifungal susceptibility tests have only been performed in a few cases, susceptibility testing can help with patient management.
Integration of In Silico and In Vitro Analysis of Gliotoxin Production Reveals a Narrow Range of Producing Fungal Species
Authors: Redrado Sergio , Esteban Patricia , Domingo María Pilar , Lopez Concepción , Rezusta Antonio , Ramirez-Labrada Ariel , Arias Maykel , Pardo Julián , Galvez Eva M.
Published: April 2022

Gliotoxin is a fungal secondary metabolite with impact on health and agriculture since it might act as virulence factor and contaminate human and animal food. Homologous gliotoxin (GT) gene clusters are spread across a number of fungal species although if they produce GT or other related epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs) remains obscure. Using bioinformatic tools, we have identified homologous gli gene clusters similar to the A. fumigatus GT gene cluster in several fungal species. In silico study led to in vitro confirmation of GT and Bisdethiobis(methylthio)gliotoxin (bmGT) production in fungal strain cultures by HPLC detection. Despite we selected most similar homologous gli gene cluster in 20 different species, GT and bmGT were only detected in section Fumigati species and in a Trichoderma virens Q strain. Our results suggest that in silico gli homology analyses in different fungal strains to predict GT production might be only informative when accompanied by analysis about mycotoxin production in cell cultures.
Development and Evaluation of a Machine Learning Prediction Model for Small-for-Gestational-Age Births in Women Exposed to Radiation before Pregnancy
Authors: Bai Xi , Zhou Zhibo , Luo Yunyun , Yang Hongbo , Zhu Huijuan , Chen Shi , Pan Hui
Published: April 2022

Exposure to radiation has been associated with increased risk of delivering small-for-gestational-age (SGA) newborns. There are no tools to predict SGA newborns in pregnant women exposed to radiation before pregnancy. Here, we aimed to develop an array of machine learning (ML) models to predict SGA newborns in women exposed to radiation before pregnancy. Patients’ data was obtained from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project from 2010 to 2012. The data were randomly divided into a training dataset (n = 364) and a testing dataset (n = 91). Eight various ML models were compared for solving the binary classification of SGA prediction, followed by a post hoc explainability based on the SHAP model to identify and interpret the most important features that contribute to the prediction outcome. A total of 455 newborns were included, with the occurrence of 60 SGA births (13.2%). Overall, the model obtained by extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) achieved the highest area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC) in the testing set (0.844, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.713–0.974). All models showed satisfied AUCs, except for the logistic regression model (AUC: 0.561, 95% CI: 0.355–0.768). After feature selection by recursive feature elimination (RFE), 15 features were included in the final prediction model using the XGBoost algorithm, with an AUC of 0.821 (95% CI: 0.650–0.993). ML algorithms can generate robust models to predict SGA newborns in pregnant women exposed to radiation before pregnancy, which may thus be used as a prediction tool for SGA newborns in high-risk pregnant women.
Assessment of Agricultural Drought Based on Reanalysis Soil Moisture in Southern China
Authors: Shangguan Wei , Zhang Ruqing , Li Lu , Zhang Shulei , Zhang Ye , Huang Feini , Li Jianduo , Liu Wei
Published: April 2022

Accurate assessment of agricultural drought is useful for ecosystem services. This is a successive work of our previous study that assessed agricultural drought using the soil water deficit index (SWDI) based on ERA5-Land in the four southern provinces of China from 2017 to 2019. Firstly, in addition to ERA5-Land, the suitability of CLDAS (China Land Data Assimilation System) soil moisture for drought assessment was investigated. Then, the study was extended with more comprehensive analysis and a much longer period (1981–2020). Based on three climate zones, in situ soil moisture was used for evaluation of both reanalysis datasets and agricultural drought. It was found that ERA5-Land_SWDI and CLDAS_SWDI have a good correlation with the in situ SWDI. ERA5-Land and CLDAS demonstrate some differences in representing agricultural drought but have a similar performance evaluated by in situ soil moisture. Droughts from 2001 to 2010 were more serious than in the other three decades, and droughts have become longer and severer in some areas in the last 40 years. There was a good correlation between agricultural drought and meteorological drought. Our work offers important insights for agricultural drought risk management in the four southern provinces of China.
The Transformation of Indigenous Landscape in the First Colonized Region of the Caribbean
Authors: Herrera Malatesta Eduardo
Published: April 2022

This paper presents an archaeological reconstruction of indigenous landscape transformations in the first colonized region of the Caribbean. The arrival of Columbus in 1492 in the northern region of the island of Haytí (the current Dominican Republic and Haiti) signified a profound change in the lives of the island’s communities, transforming their everyday actions and their perceptions of landscape. To address this complex topic, this research tackled a key problem in landscape archaeology: while the “landscape” concept has been extensively debated, there is a growing tendency to use the concept without clear definitions and to obscure important methodological aspects of how scholars bridge the divide between their conceptual definitions and the archaeological record. This paper approaches this problem by applying the concepts of ‘sites as tendencies’ and ‘contested taskscapes’. This theoretical and methodological framework allows for the reconstruction of the indigenous landscape and, more importantly, highlights how the colonization process impacted the everyday tasks and perceptions of Hayti’s indigenous people through the profound transformation of their landscape.
Physiotherapeutic Methods in the Treatment of Cervical Discopathy and Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Prospective Study
Authors: Mańko Grzegorz , Jekiełek Małgorzata , Ambroży Tadeusz , Rydzik Łukasz , Jaszczur-Nowicki Jarosław
Published: April 2022

Spinal dysfunctions are very common in the population. However, there is still a lack of information on how to diagnose and treat them properly. The common causes of spinal dysfunctions are cervical discopathy and degenerative cervical myelopathy. The aims of the study are to examine whether a combination of manual therapy and stabilometer platform exercises can be effective in treating cervical discopathy and degenerative cervical myelopathy, and the possibility of observing the differences between patients suffering from the above diseases. The study involved 40 patients referred for rehabilitation, who formed two groups of 20 people. The first group consisted of patients suffering from cervical discopathy, the second group consisted of patients affected by degenerative cervical myelopathy. During therapy, manual therapy techniques and a stabilometric platform were used. The Neck Disability Index and Pain Numeric Rating Scale were used for clinical evaluation. The correlation between the existing diseases and the results obtained in the Neck Disability Index and Pain Numeric Rating Scale was examined. The distribution of patient responses in questions of the Neck Disability Index was also checked. Clinical evaluation was performed twice, before the start of therapy and after a two-week rehabilitation treatment. The study showed a significant difference between the patients’ results before the start of therapy and after the end of the rehabilitation stay in both used questionnaires (p = 0.00). A difference in the distribution of responses between the two groups after therapy was also found in the Neck Disability Index (p = 0.018) and in the Pain Numeric Rating Scale (p = 0.043). The study shows that manual therapy and exercises using the stabilometric platform are effective methods of treating both patients with cervical discopathy and patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy. It was also noted that, when comparing groups of patients, patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy tend to have greater disturbances in concentration-related activities, such as reading, focusing, driving, sleeping, and resting.
Magnetic Properties of A2Ni2TeO6 (A = K, Li): Zigzag Order in the Honeycomb Layers of Ni2+ Ions Induced by First and Third Nearest-Neighbor Spin Exchanges
Authors: Vasilchikova Tatyana , Vasiliev Alexander , Evstigneeva Maria , Nalbandyan Vladimir , Lee Ji-Sun , Koo Hyun-Joo , Whangbo Myung-Hwan
Published: April 2022

The static and dynamic magnetic properties and the specific heat of K2Ni2TeO6 and Li2Ni2TeO6 were examined and it was found that they undergo a long-range ordering at TN = 22.8 and 24.4 K, respectively, but exhibit a strong short-range order. At high temperature, the magnetic susceptibilities of K2Ni2TeO6 and Li2Ni2TeO6 are described by a Curie–Weiss law, with Curie-Weiss temperatures Θ of approximately −13 and −20 K, respectively, leading to the effective magnetic moment of about 4.46 ± 0.01 μB per formula unit, as expected for Ni2+ (S = 1) ions. In the paramagnetic region, the ESR spectra of K2Ni2TeO6 and Li2Ni2TeO6 show a single Lorentzian-shaped line characterized by the isotropic effective g-factor, g = 2.19 ± 0.01. The energy-mapping analysis shows that the honeycomb layers of A2Ni2TeO6 (A = K, Li) and Li3Ni2SbO6 adopt a zigzag order, in which zigzag ferromagnetic chains are antiferromagnetically coupled, because the third nearest-neighbor spin exchanges are strongly antiferromagnetic while the first nearest-neighbor spin exchanges are strongly ferromagnetic, and that adjacent zigzag-ordered honeycomb layers prefer to be ferromagnetically coupled. The short-range order of the zigzag-ordered honeycomb lattices of K2Ni2TeO6 and Li2Ni2TeO6 is equivalent to that of an antiferromagnetic uniform chain, and is related to the short-range order of the ferromagnetic chains along the direction perpendicular to the chains.
In Vitro Hydrolytic Degradation of Polyester-Based Scaffolds under Static and Dynamic Conditions in a Customized Perfusion Bioreactor
Authors: Alamán-Díez Pilar , García-Gareta Elena , Napal Pedro Francisco , Arruebo Manuel , Pérez María Ángeles
Published: April 2022

Creating biofunctional artificial scaffolds could potentially meet the demand of patients suffering from bone defects without having to rely on donors or autologous transplantation. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a promising tool to fabricate, by computer design, biodegradable polymeric scaffolds with high precision and accuracy, using patient-specific anatomical data. Achieving controlled degradation profiles of 3D printed polymeric scaffolds is an essential feature to consider to match them with the tissue regeneration rate. Thus, achieving a thorough characterization of the biomaterial degradation kinetics in physiological conditions is needed. Here, 50:50 blends made of poly(ε-caprolactone)–Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PCL-PLGA) were used to fabricate cylindrical scaffolds by 3D printing (⌀ 7 × 2 mm). Their hydrolytic degradation under static and dynamic conditions was characterized and quantified. For this purpose, we designed and in-house fabricated a customized bioreactor. Several techniques were used to characterize the degradation of the parent polymers: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), evaluation of the mechanical properties, weigh loss measurements as well as the monitoring of the degradation media pH. Our results showed that flow perfusion is critical in the degradation process of PCL-PLGA based scaffolds implying an accelerated hydrolysis compared to the ones studied under static conditions, and up to 4 weeks are needed to observe significant degradation in polyester scaffolds of this size and chemical composition. Our degradation study and characterization methodology are relevant for an accurate design and to tailor the physicochemical properties of polyester-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
Health Assessment of Complex System Based on Evidential Reasoning Rule with Transformation Matrix
Authors: Li Zhigang , Zhou Zhijie , Wang Jie , He Wei , Zhou Xiangyi
Published: April 2022

In current research of complex system health assessment with evidential reasoning (ER) rule, the relationship between the indicators reference grades and pre-defined assessment result grades is regarded as a one to one correspondence. However, in engineering practice, this strict mapping relationship is difficult to meet, and it may degrease the accuracy of the assessment. Therefore, a new ER rule-based health assessment model for a complex system with a transformation matrix is adopted. First, on the basis of the rule-based transformation technique, expert knowledge is embedded on the transformation matrix to solve the inconsistent problems between the input and the output, which keeps completeness and consistency of information transformation. Second, a complete health assessment model is established via the calculation and optimization of the model parameters. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed model can be validated in contrast with other methods.
Utilization of Additive Manufacturing in the Thermal Design of Electrical Machines: A Review
Authors: Sarap Martin , Kallaste Ants , Shams Ghahfarokhi Payam , Tiismus Hans , Vaimann Toomas
Published: April 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a key technology for advancing many fields, including electrical machines. It offers unparalleled design freedom together with low material waste and fast prototyping, which is why it has become to focus of many researchers. For electrical machines, AM allows the production of designs with optimized mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal parameters. This paper attempts to give the reader an overview of the existing research and thermal solutions which have been realized with the use of AM. These include novel heat sink and heat exchanger designs, solutions for cooling the machine windings directly, and additively manufactured hollow windings. Some solutions such as heat pipes, which have been produced with AM but not used to cool electrical machines, are also discussed, as these are used in conventional designs and will certainly be used for additively manufactured electrical machines in the future.
Regression Analysis of Macroeconomic Conditions and Capital Structures of Publicly Listed British Firms
Authors: Homapour Elmina , Su Larry , Caraffini Fabio , Chiclana Francisco
Published: April 2022

Using an unbalanced panel of 922 non-financial companies publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange during January 1995 and September 2014, this article tests the predictions of Pecking Order Theory (POT), Trade-off Theory (TOT) and Market Timing Theory (MTT) of capital structure through the lens of macroeconomic conditions. We find strong evidence that leverage is negatively associated with the business cycle but positively related to stock market performance, which is consistent with POT. In addition, leverage is negatively related to financial market risk, as predicted by TOT. Furthermore, leverage is positively related to credit supply, which is in line with both the POT and TOT. Finally, there is no evidence in support of MTT. The above results are robust with respect to the measurement of macroeconomic variables, the choice of estimation methods and the inclusion of a dummy variable to account for the effect of the 2008 financial crisis. An important implication is that, because firms tend to be highly levered during business cycle downturns, expansionary fiscal and monetary policies to encourage more business borrowings may not be effective after all.
An Analysis of Travel Patterns in Barcelona Metro Using Tucker3 Decomposition
Authors: Frutos-Bernal Elisa , Martín del Rey Ángel , Mariñas-Collado Irene , Santos-Martín María Teresa
Published: April 2022

In recent years, a growing number of large, densely populated cities have emerged, which need urban traffic planning and therefore knowledge of mobility patterns. Knowledge of space-time distribution of passengers in cities is necessary for effective urban traffic planning and restructuring, especially in large cities. In this paper, the inbound ridership in the Barcelona metro is modelled into a three-way tensor so that each element contains the number of passenger in the ith station at the jth time on the kth day. Tucker3 decomposition is used to discover spatial clusters, temporal patterns, and the relationships between them. The results indicate that travel patterns differ between weekdays and weekends; in addition, rush and off-peak hours of each day have been identified, and a classification of stations has been obtained.
Characterization of an Unknown Region Linked to the Glycoside Hydrolase Family 17 β-1,3-Glucanase of Vibrio vulnificus Reveals a Novel Glucan-Binding Domain
Authors: Kumagai Yuya , Kishimura Hideki , Lang Weeranuch , Tagami Takayoshi , Okuyama Masayuki , Kimura Atsuo
Published: April 2022

The glycoside hydrolase family 17 β-1,3-glucanase of Vibrio vulnificus (VvGH17) has two unknown regions in the N- and C-termini. Here, we characterized these domains by preparing mutant enzymes. VvGH17 demonstrated hydrolytic activity of β-(1→3)-glucan, mainly producing laminaribiose, but not of β-(1→3)/β-(1→4)-glucan. The C-terminal-truncated mutants (ΔC466 and ΔC441) showed decreased activity, approximately one-third of that of the WT, and ΔC415 lost almost all activity. An analysis using affinity gel containing laminarin or barley β-glucan revealed a shift in the mobility of the ΔC466, ΔC441, and ΔC415 mutants compared to the WT. Tryptophan residues showed a strong affinity for carbohydrates. Three of four point-mutations of the tryptophan in the C-terminus (W472A, W499A, and W542A) showed a reduction in binding ability to laminarin and barley β-glucan. The C-terminus was predicted to have a β-sandwich structure, and three tryptophan residues (Trp472, Trp499, and Trp542) constituted a putative substrate-binding cave. Linker and substrate-binding functions were assigned to the C-terminus. The N-terminal-truncated mutants also showed decreased activity. The WT formed a trimer, while the N-terminal truncations formed monomers, indicating that the N-terminus contributed to the multimeric form of VvGH17. The results of this study are useful for understanding the structure and the function of GH17 β-1,3-glucanases.
Phosphatidylglycerol Supplementation Alters Mitochondrial Morphology and Cardiolipin Composition
Authors: Chu I , Chen Ying-Chih , Lai Ruo-Yun , Chan Jui-Fen , Lee Ya-Hui , Balazova Maria , Hsu Yuan-Hao Howard
Published: April 2022

The pathogenic variant of the TAZ gene is directly associated with Barth syndrome. Because tafazzin in the mitochondria is responsible for cardiolipin (CL) remodeling, all molecules related to the metabolism of CL can affect or be affected by TAZ mutation. In this study, we intend to recover the distortion of the mitochondrial lipid composition, especially CL, for Barth syndrome treatment. The genetically edited TAZ knockout HAP1 cells were demonstrated to be a suitable cellular model, where CL desaturation occurred and monolyso-CL (MLCL) was accumulated. From the species analysis by mass spectrometry, phosphatidylethanolamine showed changed species content after TAZ knockout. TAZ knockout also caused genetic down-regulation of PGS gene and up-regulation of PNPLA8 gene, which may decrease the biosynthesis of CLs and increase the hydrolysis product MLCL. Supplemented phosphatidylglycerol(18:1)2 (PG(18:1)2) was successfully biosynthesized to mature symmetrical CL and drastically decrease the concentration of MLCL to recover the morphology of mitochondria and the cristae shape of inner mitochondria. Newly synthesized mature CL may induce the down-regulation of PLA2G6 and PNPLA8 genes to potentially decrease MLCL production. The excess supplemented PG was further metabolized into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine.
Effects of Membrane Structure on Oil–Water Separation by Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics
Authors: Liu Jie , Xie Xiaoping , Meng Qingbang , Sun Shuyu
Published: April 2022

Membrane has been considered an effective tool for oil–water separation. By using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method, the effects of membrane structure on fluid separation were studied thoroughly in this paper. The oil–water two-phase fluid was generated as particles, while the membrane was built with solid particles, which was able to select the fluid particles. In general, the developed SPH method in this paper can evaluate separation performance with different membrane shapes, pore size distributions, membrane thickness and fluid properties. We suggest to the industry a potential approach to promote separation based on our simulation results, including adding the external force in the selected direction and demulsification for the bulk phase liquid particles. The triangular membrane performs well with the conditions for various parameters, as a result of its insensitivity to inhibiting factors. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed SPH scheme was validated by a number of numerical experiments, and we assessed the optimized membrane structure and operation manners in order to improve separation efficiency and long-term safety.
Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Deformation Behavior of Fe-28.7Mn-10.2Al-1.06C High Specific Strength Steel
Authors: Ma Liang , Tang Zhengyou , You Zeyu , Guan Guofu , Ding Hua , Misra Devesh
Published: April 2022

The microstructure, properties and deformation behavior of Fe-28.7Mn-10.2Al-1.06C high specific strength steel were studied. The results showed that the density of experimental steel is about 6.59 g/cm3 and the microstructure is austenite. With the increase in the annealing temperature, the tensile strength decreases and the elongation increases. When the annealing temperature is 950 °C, the strength-plastic product of the experimental steel is 54.82 GPa%, and the specific strength is 1.48 × 105 N·m/kg. Compared with 20Mn2CrNb high strength automobile steel, the specific strength of laboratory steel is increased by more than 20%. The deformation behavior of experimental steel is mainly: At the low strain, spacing of slip surface decreases; at high strain, dislocation walls and micro-strips are formed, and the austenite grains are segmented, increasing the dislocation density and starting more secondary slips.
Efficacy, Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mediterranean Diet Intervention on Hormonal, Metabolic and Anthropometric Measures in Overweight and Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Study Protocol
Authors: Scannell Nicole , Moran Lisa , Mantzioris Evangeline , Cowan Stephanie , Villani Anthony
Published: April 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition in reproductive-aged women associated with metabolic, reproductive and psychological features. Lifestyle modification (diet/physical activity) is considered first-line treatment for PCOS. However, there is limited high-quality evidence to support therapeutic dietary interventions for PCOS beyond general population-based healthy eating guidelines. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), with or without energy restriction, improves cardiometabolic health in populations including persons with or at high risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, there is limited research examining the MedDiet in PCOS. Therefore, this 12 week randomized controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of a MedDiet on cardiometabolic and hormonal parameters and explore its acceptability and feasibility in PCOS. Forty-two overweight and obese women with PCOS (aged 18–45 years) will be randomized to receive dietary advice consistent with Australian Dietary Guidelines or an ad libitum MedDiet intervention. All participants will receive fortnightly counselling to facilitate behaviour change. The primary outcomes will be changes in insulin resistance, glucose, total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. Secondary outcomes include changes in body weight and feasibility and acceptability of the MedDiet intervention. The results of this study will provide further evidence on specific dietary approaches for management of PCOS.
A Ring-Type Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Rotational Mechanical Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Rotational Speed Sensing
Authors: Xin Yida , Du Taili , Liu Changhong , Hu Zhiyuan , Sun Peiting , Xu Minyi
Published: April 2022

In recent years, sensors have been moving towards the era of intelligence, miniaturization and low power consumption, but the power-supply problem has always been a key issue restricting the popularization and development of machine-mounted sensors on the rotating machinery. Herein, we develop a ring-type triboelectric nanogenerator (R-TENG) that functions as a sustainable power source as well as a self-powered rotational speed sensor for rotating machinery. The R-TENG adopts a freestanding mode and consists of a ring-type container unit, an end cover and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cylinders. In this study, the influence of the number of cylinders, the PTFE cylinder’s diameter and the rotational speed on the electrical output are systematically examined, and the motion law of the PTFE cylinders in the container is revealed by the experimental results and verified by kinetic simulation. At a rotational speed of 400 rpm, the output voltage, current and transferred charge of the designed R-TENG reached 138 V, 115 nC and 2.03 μA, respectively. This study provides an attractive power supply strategy for machine-mounted sensors of the rotating machinery, and the rotational speed measurement test also suggests the potential application of the R-TENG as a self-powered rotational speed sensor.
Accelerated Skin Wound Healing Using Flexible Photovoltaic-Bioelectrode Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Han Chao , Huang Junfei , Zhangji Aodi , Tong Xufeng , Yu Kaige , Chen Kai , Liu Xinlan , Yang Yang , Chen Yuxin , Ali Memon Waqar , Amin Kamran , Gao Wanlei , Deng Zexing , Zhou Kun , Wang Yuheng , Qi Xiangdong
Published: April 2022

Owing to the complex and long-term treatment of foot wounds due to diabetes and the limited mobility of patients, advanced clinical surgery often uses wearable flexible devices for auxiliary treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for self-powered biomedical devices to reduce the extra weight. We have prepared an electrically stimulated MEMS (Micro Electromechanical System) electrode integrated with wearable OPV (Organic photovoltaic). The wearable OPV is constructed of a bio-affinity PET-ITO substrate and a hundred-nanometer organic layer. Under sunlight and near-infrared light irradiation, a voltage and current are supplied to the MEMS electrode to generate an exogenous lateral electric field directed to the center of the wound. The results of in vitro cell experiments and diabetic skin-relieving biological experiments showed the proliferation of skin fibroblasts and the expression of transforming growth factors increased, and the skin wounds of diabetic mouse healed faster. Our research provides new insights for the clinical treatment of diabetes.
Molecular Epidemiology of Rhinovirus/Enterovirus and Their Role on Cause Severe and Prolonged Infection in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Giardina Federica A. M. , Piralla Antonio , Ferrari Guglielmo , Zavaglio Federica , Cassaniti Irene , Baldanti Fausto
Published: April 2022

Rhinovirus is one of the most common respiratory viruses, causing both upper and lower respiratory tract infections. It affects mainly children and could cause prolonged infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Here we report our data on a 15-month surveillance of Rhinovirus seasonality and circulation in Lombardy Region, Italy. All rhinovirus/enterovirus-positive samples were amplified with RT-PCR for the VP4-VP2 region to assign the correct genotype. The median age of RV/EV-positive patients is 9 years, with a range of 0–96. RV-A and RV-C were detected in the majority of cases, while RV-B accounted for less than 10% of cases. An enterovirus species was detected in 6.45% of the cases. A total of 7% of the patients included in this study had a prolonged infection with a median duration of 62 days. All these patients were immunocompromised and most of them were pediatric with an RV-A infection. Two outbreaks were identified, mainly in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and Oncohematology Department, caused by RV A89 and C43, respectively. Nearly 4.5% of the patients were admitted to the ICU requiring mechanical ventilation; all of which had preexisting comorbidities.
Correction: Stewart et al. Adjuvant Strategies for More Effective Tuberculosis Vaccine Immunity. Microorganisms 2019, 7, 255
Authors: Stewart Erica , Triccas James A , Petrovsky Nikolai
Published: April 2022

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
The Effect of Amino Acids on Production of SCFA and bCFA by Members of the Porcine Colonic Microbiota
Authors: Van den Abbeele Pieter , Ghyselinck Jonas , Marzorati Massimo , Koch Anna-Maria , Lambert William , Michiels Joris , Chalvon-Demersay Tristan
Published: April 2022

Functional amino acids supplementation to farm animals is considered to not only be beneficial by regulating intestinal barrier, oxidative stress, and immunity, but potentially also by impacting the gut microbiota. The impact of amino acids on a piglet-derived colonic microbiota was evaluated using a 48-h in vitro batch incubation strategy. The combination of 16S rRNA gene profiling with flow cytometry demonstrated that specific microbial taxa were involved in the fermentation of each of the amino acids resulting in the production of specific metabolites. Branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) strongly increased branched-chain fatty acids (+23.0 mM) and valerate levels (+3.0 mM), coincided with a marked increase of Peptostreptococcaceae. Further, glutamine and glutamate specifically stimulated acetate (~20 mM) and butyrate (~10 mM) production, relating to a stimulation of a range of families containing known butyrate-producing species (Ruminococcaceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Christensenellaceae). Finally, while tryptophan was only fermented to a minor extent, arginine and lysine specifically increased propionate levels (~2 mM), likely produced by Muribaculaceae members. Overall, amino acids were thus shown to be selectively utilized by microbes originating from the porcine colonic microbiota, resulting in the production of health-related short-chain fatty acids, thus confirming the prebiotic potential of specific functional amino acids.
Synthesis of Superionic Conductive Li1+x+yAlxSiyTi2−xP3−yO12 Solid Electrolytes
Authors: Jeong Hyeonwoo , Na Dan , Baek Jiyeon , Kim Sanggil , Mamidi Suresh , Lee Cheul-Ro , Seo Hyung-Kee , Seo Inseok
Published: April 2022

Commercial lithium-ion batteries using liquid electrolytes are still a safety hazard due to their poor chemical stability and other severe problems, such as electrolyte leakage and low thermal stability. To mitigate these critical issues, solid electrolytes are introduced. However, solid electrolytes have low ionic conductivity and inferior power density. This study reports the optimization of the synthesis of sodium superionic conductor-type Li1.5Al0.3Si0.2Ti1.7P2.8O12 (LASTP) solid electrolyte. The as-prepared powder was calcined at 650 °C, 700 °C, 750 °C, and 800 °C to optimize the synthesis conditions and yield high-quality LASTP powders. Later, LASTP was sintered at 950 °C, 1000 °C, 1050 °C, and 1100 °C to study the dependence of the relative density and ionic conductivity on the sintering temperature. Morphological changes were analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and structural changes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Further, the ionic conductivity was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Sintering at 1050 °C resulted in a high relative density and the highest ionic conductivity (9.455 × 10−4 S cm−1). These findings corroborate with the activation energies that are calculated using the Arrhenius plot. Therefore, the as-synthesized superionic LASTP solid electrolytes can be used to design high-performance and safe all-solid-state batteries.
Magnonic Metamaterials for Spin-Wave Control with Inhomogeneous Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interactions
Authors: Zhuo Fengjun , Li Hang , Cheng Zhenxiang , Manchon Aurélien
Published: April 2022

A magnonic metamaterial in the presence of spatially modulated Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction is theoretically proposed and demonstrated by micromagnetic simulations. By analogy to the fields of photonics, we first establish magnonic Snell’s law for spin waves passing through an interface between two media with different dispersion relations due to different Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions. Based on magnonic Snell’s law, we find that spin waves can experience total internal reflection. The critical angle of total internal reflection is strongly dependent on the sign and strength of Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. Furthermore, spin-wave beam fiber and spin-wave lens are designed by utilizing the artificial magnonic metamaterials with inhomogeneous Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions. Our findings open up a rich field of spin waves manipulation for prospective applications in magnonics.
MoSe2-WS2 Nanostructure for an Efficient Hydrogen Generation under White Light LED Irradiation
Authors: Padma Tatiparti , Gara Dheeraj Kumar , Reddy Amara Nadha , Vattikuti Surya Veerendra Prabhakar , Julien Christian M.
Published: April 2022

In this work, MoSe2-WS2 nanocomposites consisting of WS2 nanoparticles covered with few MoSe2 nanosheets were successfully developed via an easy hydrothermal synthesis method. Their nanostructure and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) performance are investigated by a series of characterization techniques. The PHE rate of MoSe2-WS2 is evaluated under the white light LED irradiation. Under LED illumination, the highest PHE of MoSe2-WS2 nanocomposite is 1600.2 µmol g−1 h−1. When compared with pristine WS2, the MoSe2-WS2 nanostructures demonstrated improved PHE rate, which is 10-fold higher than that of the pristine one. This work suggests that MoSe2-WS2 could be a promising photocatalyst candidate and might stimulate the further studies of other layered materials for energy conversion and storage.
Optically Controlled Terahertz Dynamic Beam Splitter with Adjustable Split Ratio
Authors: Yin Shan , Zeng Dehui , Chen Yuting , Huang Wei , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Wentao , E Yiwen
Published: April 2022

The beam splitter is an important functional device due to its ability to steer the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The split-ratio-variable splitter is of significance for optical, terahertz and microwave systems. Here, we are the first (to our knowledge) to propose an optically controlled dynamic beam splitter with adjustable split ratio in the terahertz region. Based on the metasurface containing two sets of reversed phase-gradient supercells, we split the terahertz wave into two symmetrical beams. Associated with the reconfigurable pump laser pattern programmed with the spatial light modulator, dynamic modulation of the split ratio varying from 1:1 to 15:1 is achieved. Meanwhile, the beam splitter works at a split angle of 36° for each beam. Additionally, we obtain an exponential relationship between the split ratio and the illumination proportion, which can be used as theoretical guidance for beam splitting with an arbitrary split ratio. Our novel beam splitter shows an outstanding level of performance in terms of the adjustable split ratio and stable split angles and can be used as an advanced method to develop active functional devices applied to terahertz systems and communications.
Retinoids in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Liver Diseases
Authors: Melis Marta , Tang Xiao-Han , Trasino Steven E. , Gudas Lorraine J.
Published: April 2022

Vitamin A (VA), all-trans-retinol (ROL), and its analogs are collectively called retinoids. Acting through the retinoic acid receptors RARα, RARβ, and RARγ, all-trans-retinoic acid, an active metabolite of VA, is a potent regulator of numerous biological pathways, including embryonic and somatic cellular differentiation, immune functions, and energy metabolism. The liver is the primary organ for retinoid storage and metabolism in humans. For reasons that remain incompletely understood, a body of evidence shows that reductions in liver retinoids, aberrant retinoid metabolism, and reductions in RAR signaling are implicated in numerous diseases of the liver, including hepatocellular carcinoma, non-alcohol-associated fatty liver diseases, and alcohol-associated liver diseases. Conversely, restoration of retinoid signaling, pharmacological treatments with natural and synthetic retinoids, and newer agonists for specific RARs show promising benefits for treatment of a number of these liver diseases. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the literature demonstrating a role for retinoids in limiting the pathogenesis of these diseases and in the treatment of liver diseases.
Pro-Inflammatory Profile of Adipokines in Obesity Contributes to Pathogenesis, Nutritional Disorders, and Cardiovascular Risk in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Czaja-Stolc Sylwia , Potrykus Marta , Stankiewicz Marta , Kaska Łukasz , Małgorzewicz Sylwia
Published: April 2022

Obesity is a disease which leads to the development of many other disorders. Excessive accumulation of lipids in adipose tissue (AT) leads to metabolic changes, including hypertrophy of adipocytes, macrophage migration, changes in the composition of immune cells, and impaired secretion of adipokines. Adipokines are cytokines produced by AT and greatly influence human health. Obesity and the pro-inflammatory profile of adipokines lead to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) through different mechanisms. In obesity and adipokine profile, there are gender differences that characterize the male gender as more susceptible to metabolic disorders accompanying obesity, including impaired renal function. The relationship between impaired adipokine secretion and renal disease is two-sided. In the developed CKD, the concentration of adipokines in the serum is additionally disturbed due to their insufficient excretion by the excretory system caused by renal pathology. Increased levels of adipokines affect the nutritional status and cardiovascular risk (CVR) of patients with CKD. This article aims to systematize the current knowledge on the influence of obesity, AT, and adipokine secretion disorders on the pathogenesis of CKD and their influence on nutritional status and CVR in patients with CKD.
EatWellNow: Formative Development of a Place-Based Behavioral “Nudge” Technology Intervention to Promote Healthier Food Purchases among Army Soldiers
Authors: McGuirt Jared T. , Gustafson Alison , Ammerman Alice S. , Tucker-McLaughlin Mary , Enahora Basheerah , Moore Courtney , Dunnagan Danielle , Prentice-Dunn Hannah , Bedno Sheryl
Published: April 2022

Approximately 17% of military service members are obese. Research involving army soldiers suggests a lack of awareness of healthy foods on post. Innovative approaches are needed to change interactions with the military food environment. Two complementary technological methods to raise awareness are geofencing (deliver banner ads with website links) and Bluetooth beacons (real-time geotargeted messages to mobile phones that enter a designated space). There is little published literature regarding the feasibility of this approach to promote healthy behaviors in retail food environments. Thus, we conducted a formative feasibility study of a military post to understand the development, interest in, and implementation of EatWellNow, a multi-layered interactive food environment approach using contextual messaging to improve food purchasing decisions within the military food environment. We measured success based on outcomes of a formative evaluation, including process, resources, management, and scientific assessment. We also report data on interest in the approach from a Fort Bragg community health assessment survey (n = 3281). Most respondents agreed that they were interested in receiving push notifications on their phone about healthy options on post (64.5%) and that receiving these messages would help them eat healthier (68.3%). EatWellNow was successfully developed through cross-sector collaboration and was well received in this military environment, suggesting feasibility in this setting. Future work should examine the impact of EatWellNow on military service food purchases and dietary behaviors.
Effect of an Acute Insect Preload vs. an Almond Preload on Energy Intake, Subjective Food Consumption and Intestinal Health in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Miguéns-Gómez Alba , Sierra-Cruz Marta , Rodríguez-Gallego Esther , Beltrán-Debón Raúl , Blay M Teresa , Terra Ximena , Pinent Montserrat , Ardévol Anna
Published: April 2022

Protein is considered the most satiating macronutrient, and its effect on satiety and food intake is source-dependent. For the first time, we compared the effect of the administration of an insect or almond preload, both containing 20 g of protein, on appetite and food intake in human subjects. Participants consumed both foods and a vehicle as a liquid preload on three separate days. They were then offered a breakfast and lunch buffet meal at which food intake was measured. Visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaires were completed following the three preloads to assess appetite and other sensations. At breakfast, reduced energy intake was observed for both preloads compared with vehicle. At lunch, food intake only differed in the insect group, which consumed more than the vehicle. Insect preload increased the total amount of protein ingested with a slight increase in total energy consumed, differently than almond, which significantly increased total protein and energy consumed. There was no correlation between indigestion-sensation ratings and food intake. Moreover, the insect preload resulted in lower sleepiness and tiredness ratings compared with the almond preload. Thus, insect-derived protein may be suitable as a safe ingredient for snacks intended for elderly or infirm patients who require increased protein intake.
Antioxidant and Anti-Atherogenic Activities of Essential Oils from Myrtus communis L. and Laurus nobilis L. in Rat
Authors: Odeh Dyana , Oršolić Nada , Berendika Marija , Đikić Domagoj , Domjanić Drozdek Sandra , Balbino Sandra , Repajić Maja , Dragović-Uzelac Verica , Jurčević Irena Landeka
Published: April 2022

Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic and medicinal plants, such as myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) and Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), are gaining popularity as a potential ingredient in functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study aims to investigate whether the essential oils (EOs) could be effective in weight control, antioxidative and antilipidemic status of rats by affecting microbiota and its enzymes activity and whether changes in intestinal enzyme activity affect the health of rats. The intragastric application of laurel and myrtle EOs to rats for two weeks affects weight loss, reduces glycolytic activity, lipid parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C)) and atherogenic indicators, leading to cardiovascular protection. Laurel EO can be an excellent candidate for the treatment of drug-induced obesity and related diseases, since it affects lipid metabolism in the liver and inhibits the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates into glucose in the digestive tract, leading to weight loss. In contrast, myrtle EO shows a better antioxidant capacity in most tissues, except kidneys, where it causes a pro-oxidative effect, compared to laurel EO. Myrtle EO increases the permeability and instability of the erythrocyte membrane, resulting in a loss of selectivity for the entry of toxic substances into the cell. On the other hand, myrtle EO leads to intestinal inflammation by reducing the number of probiotic bacteria and increasing Enterobacter.