bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Catalysis of SnO2/Reduced Graphene Oxide for VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+ Redox Reactions
Authors: Liu Yongguang , Jiang Yingqiao , Lv Yanrong , He Zhangxing , Dai Lei , Wang Ling
Published: August 2021

In spite of their low cost, high activity, and diversity, metal oxide catalysts have not been widely applied in vanadium redox reactions due to their poor conductivity and low surface area. Herein, SnO2/reduced graphene oxide (SnO2/rGO) composite was prepared by a sol–gel method followed by high-temperature carbonization. SnO2/rGO shows better electrochemical catalysis for both redox reactions of VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+ couples as compared to SnO2 and graphene oxide. This is attributed to the fact that reduced graphene oxide is employed as carbon support featuring excellent conductivity and a large surface area, which offers fast electron transfer and a large reaction place towards vanadium redox reaction. Moreover, SnO2 has excellent electrochemical activity and wettability, which also boost the electrochemical kinetics of redox reaction. In brief, the electrochemical properties for vanadium redox reactions are boosted in terms of diffusion, charge transfer, and electron transport processes systematically. Next, SnO2/rGO can increase the energy storage performance of cells, including higher discharge electrolyte utilization and lower electrochemical polarization. At 150 mA cm−2, the energy efficiency of a modified cell is 69.8%, which is increased by 5.7% compared with a pristine one. This work provides a promising method to develop composite catalysts of carbon materials and metal oxide for vanadium redox reactions.
Synthesis of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Hydrotalcite-Like Materials Intercalated with Duplex Herbicides: The Characterization and Simultaneous Release Properties
Authors: Ghazali Sheikh Ahmad Izaddin Sheikh Mohd , Fatimah Is , Bohari Farah Liyana
Published: August 2021

In this study, a controlled-release formulation of duplex herbicides, namely, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxybutyric acid (TBA) and 3,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (3,4D), was simultaneously embedded into Zn-Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The resulting nanohybrid Zinc-Aluminium-3,4D-TBA (ZADTX) was composed of a well-ordered crystalline layered structure with increasing basal spacing from 8.9 Å to 20.0 Å in the Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) with 3,4D and TBA anions located in the gallery of LDHs with bilayer arrangement. The release of 3,4D and TBA fit the pseudo-second-order model. This duplex nanohybrid possessed a well-controlled release property (53.4% release from TBA and 27.8% release from 3,4D), which was highly effective, requiring the use of a small quantity and, hence, environmentally safer.
Interaction between Curcumin and β-Casein: Multi-Spectroscopic and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Methods
Authors: Zhao Ruichen , Qin Xiaoli , Zhong Jinfeng
Published: August 2021

Effect of temperature and pH on the interaction of curcumin with β-casein was explored by fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. The spectroscopic results showed that curcumin could bind to β-casein to form a complex which was driven mainly by electrostatic interaction. The intrinsic fluorescence of β-casein was quenched by curcumin through static quenching mechanism. The binding constants of curcumin to β-casein were 6.48 × 104 L/mol (298 K), 6.17 × 104 L/mol (305 K) and 5.73 × 104 L/mol (312 K) at pH 2.0, which was greater than that (3.98 × 104 L/mol at 298 K, 3.90 × 104 L/mol at 305 K and 3.41 × 104 L/mol at 312 K) at pH 7.4. Molecular docking study showed that binding energy of β-casein-curcumin complex at pH 2.0 (−7.53 kcal/mol) was lower than that at pH 7.4 (−7.01 kcal/mol). The molecular dynamics simulation study showed that the binding energy (−131.07 kJ/mol) of β-casein-curcumin complex was relatively low at pH 2.0 and 298 K. α-Helix content in β-casein was decreased and random coil content was increased in the presence of curcumin. These results can promote a deep understanding of interaction between curcumin and β-casein and provide a reference for improving the bioavailability of curcumin.
Fungal α-1,3-Glucan as a New Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern in the Insect Model Host Galleria mellonella
Authors: Stączek Sylwia , Zdybicka-Barabas Agnieszka , Wojda Iwona , Wiater Adrian , Mak Paweł , Suder Piotr , Skrzypiec Krzysztof , Cytryńska Małgorzata
Published: August 2021

Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by appropriate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is a key step in activating the host immune response. The role of a fungal PAMP is attributed to β-1,3-glucan. The role of α-1,3-glucan, another fungal cell wall polysaccharide, in modulating the host immune response is not clear. This work investigates the potential of α-1,3-glucan as a fungal PAMP by analyzing the humoral immune response of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella to Aspergillus niger α-1,3-glucan. We demonstrated that 57-kDa and 61-kDa hemolymph proteins, identified as β-1,3-glucan recognition proteins, bound to A. niger α-1,3-glucan. Other hemolymph proteins, i.e., apolipophorin I, apolipophorin II, prophenoloxidase, phenoloxidase activating factor, arylphorin, and serine protease, were also identified among α-1,3-glucan-interacting proteins. In response to α-1,3-glucan, a 4.5-fold and 3-fold increase in the gene expression of antifungal peptides galiomicin and gallerimycin was demonstrated, respectively. The significant increase in the level of five defense peptides, including galiomicin, corresponded well with the highest antifungal activity in hemolymph. Our results indicate that A. niger α-1,3-glucan is recognized by the insect immune system, and immune response is triggered by this cell wall component. Thus, the role of a fungal PAMP for α-1,3-glucan can be postulated.
Fluorescent Azasteroids through Ultrasound Assisted Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Moldoveanu Costel , Mangalagiu Ionel , Zbancioc Gheorghita
Published: August 2021

We report here the synthesis and optical spectral properties of several new azasteroid derivatives. The formation of these compounds was explained based on the most probable mechanism. The luminescent heterocycles were synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions between benzo[f]quinoline and methylpropiolate or dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD). A selective and efficient way for [3+2]-dipolar cycloaddition of benzo[f]quinolinium ylides under ultrasound (US) irradiation (20 kHz processing frequency) is presented. We report substantially higher yields under US irradiation, whereas the solvent amounts required are at least three-fold less compared to classical heating. The azasteroid derivatives are blue emitters with λmax of fluorescence around 430–450 nm. A certain influence of the azasteroid substituents concerning absorption and fluorescent properties was observed. Compounds anchored with a bulky pivaloyl group or without a C=O carbonyl group have shown increased fluorescence intensity.
Protein Adducts and Protein Oxidation as Molecular Mechanisms of Flavonoid Bioactivity
Authors: Joyner P. Matthew
Published: August 2021

There are tens of thousands of scientific papers about flavonoids and their impacts on human health. However, despite the vast amount of energy that has been put toward studying these compounds, a unified molecular mechanism that explains their bioactivity remains elusive. One contributing factor to the absence of a general mechanistic explanation of their bioactivity is the complexity of flavonoid chemistry in aqueous solutions at neutral pH. Flavonoids have acidic protons, are redox active, and frequently auto-oxidize to produce an array of degradation products including electrophilic quinones. Flavonoids are also known to interact with specificity and high affinity with a variety of proteins, and there is evidence that some of these interactions may be covalent. This review summarizes the mechanisms of flavonoid oxidation in aqueous solutions at neutral pH and proposes the formation of protein-flavonoid adducts or flavonoid-induced protein oxidation as putative mechanisms of flavonoid bioactivity in cells. Nucleophilic residues in proteins may be able to form covalent bonds with flavonoid quinones; alternatively, specific amino acid residues such as cysteine, methionine, or tyrosine in proteins could be oxidized by flavonoids. In either case, these protein-flavonoid interactions would likely occur at specific binding sites and the formation of these types of products could effectively explain how flavonoids modify proteins in cells to induce downstream biochemical and cellular changes.
Assessment of Volatile Aromatic Compounds in Smoke Tainted Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Using a Low-Cost E-Nose and Machine Learning Modelling
Authors: Summerson Vasiliki , Gonzalez Viejo Claudia , Pang Alexis , Torrico Damir D. , Fuentes Sigfredo
Published: August 2021

Wine aroma is an important quality trait in wine, influenced by its volatile compounds. Many factors can affect the composition and levels (concentration) of volatile aromatic compounds, including the water status of grapevines, canopy management, and the effects of climate change, such as increases in ambient temperature and drought. In this study, a low-cost and portable electronic nose (e-nose) was used to assess wines produced from grapevines exposed to different levels of smoke contamination. Readings from the e-nose were then used as inputs to develop two machine learning models based on artificial neural networks. Results showed that regression Model 1 displayed high accuracy in predicting the levels of volatile aromatic compounds in wine (R = 0.99). On the other hand, Model 2 also had high accuracy in predicting smoke aroma intensity from sensory evaluation (R = 0.97). Descriptive sensory analysis showed high levels of smoke taint aromas in the high-density smoke-exposed wine sample (HS), followed by the high-density smoke exposure with in-canopy misting treatment (HSM). Principal component analysis further showed that the HS treatment was associated with smoke aroma intensity, while results from the matrix showed significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between ammonia gas (sensor MQ137) and the volatile aromatic compounds octanoic acid, ethyl ester (r = −0.93), decanoic acid, ethyl ester (r = −0.94), and octanoic acid, 3-methylbutyl ester (r = −0.89). The two models developed in this study may offer winemakers a rapid, cost-effective, and non-destructive tool for assessing levels of volatile aromatic compounds and the aroma qualities of wine for decision making.
The VISTA Approach in Canine Disimpaction
Authors: Galluccio Gabriella , Impellizzeri Alessandra , Pietrantoni Alessandra , De Stefano Adriana , La Monaca Gerardo , Pippi Roberto
Published: August 2021

Canine disimpaction is always a challenging orthodontic treatment overall, even when the impacted permanent canine is in a high position, especially when in tight relation with the upper incisors’ roots. Conventional treatment methods are usually not capable of performing the correct force direction, consisting of the contemporary movement in the distal and vestibular directions of the canine crown, often provoking, as side effects, the presence of decubitus on the mucous of the lips and cheeks or a poor final appearance of the periodontal support of the disimpacted canine. Among the different approaches, the vertical incision subperiosteal tunnel access (VISTA) technique shows good performance with regard to the direction of the forces and the canine’s periodontal conditions when erupted; it is usually realized through an elastic chain connected to a temporary anchorage device (TAD) in the posterior area. In this paper, a different protocol for the VISTA method is also presented, to be resorted to in cases of difficult miniscrew positioning due to the anatomic conditions or stage of dentitions. The new protocol also considers the use of nickel–titanium coil springs in order to avoid the need of frequent reactivation of the device and consequent patient discomfort, highlighting its advantages and indications with respect to the traditional approach.
Mesocrystals from Platinum Nanocubes
Authors: Jenewein Christian , Cölfen Helmut
Published: August 2021

Platinum nanoparticles are widely known for their numerous electrochemical and catalytic applications. Enhanced or novel properties that may arise when ordering such particles in a highly defined manner, however, are still subject to ongoing research, as superstructure formation on the mesoscale is still a major challenge to be overcome. In this work, we therefore established a reproducible method to fabricate micrometer-sized superstructures from platinum nanocubes. Through small-angle X-ray scattering and electron diffraction methods we demonstrate that the obtained superstructures have a high degree of ordering up to the atomic scale and, therefore, fulfill all criteria of a mesocrystal. By changing the solvent and stabilizer in which the platinum nanocubes were dispersed, we were able to control the resulting crystal habit of the mesocrystals. Aside from mesocrystal fabrication, this method can be further utilized to purify nanoparticle dispersions by recrystallization with respect to narrowing down the particle size distribution and removing contaminations.
Characterization and Tribological Performances of Graphene and Fluorinated Graphene Particles in PAO
Authors: Chen Yanjie , Hu Enzhu , Zhong Hua , Wang Jianping , Subedi Ayush , Hu Kunhong , Hu Xianguo
Published: August 2021

Graphene has been widely used as a lubricating additive to reduce the energy consumption of engines and improve fuel economy because of its unique crystal structure. Herein, graphene (GR) and fluorinated graphene (F-GR) nanoparticles were prepared by ball milling and liquid-phase exfoliation. The SEM/EDS, HRTEM, XPS, Raman spectrometer, X-ray spectrometer, FTIR were used to investigate the morphologies, surface groups, and crystal structure of two kinds of graphene materials. The influence of loads on the tribological properties of two kinds of particles was investigated in Poly Alpha Olefin (PAO6) using a UMT-2 reciprocating tribometer. Results showed that the crystal structure of GR is better than F-GR. F-GR can improve the lubrication performance of PAO6. For PAO6 containing 1 wt% F-GR at 10 N, the average friction coefficient and average wear rate decreased by 12.3% and 87% relative to pure PAO6, respectively. However, the high load resulted in an inconspicuous anti-wear and anti-friction effect. The influence of F-GR on the tribological behavior of PAO6 was more substantial than that of GR. The friction and wear mechanisms attributed to F-GR quickly entered the interface between the friction pairs. Friction-induced F-GR nanosheets mainly took the tribo-chemical reactions to participate in the lubrication film formation and helped achieve a low friction coefficient and wear rate.
Strong Polyamide-6 Nanocomposites with Cellulose Nanofibers Mediated by Green Solvent Mixtures
Authors: Sridhara Pruthvi K. , Masso Ferran , Olsén Peter , Vilaseca Fabiola
Published: August 2021

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) as a bio-based reinforcement has attracted tremendous interests in engineering polymer composites. This study developed a sustainable approach to reinforce polyamide-6 or nylon-6 (PA6) with CNFs through solvent casting in formic acid/water mixtures. The methodology provides an energy-efficient pathway towards well-dispersed high-CNF content PA6 biocomposites. Nanocomposite formulations up to 50 wt.% of CNFs were prepared, and excellent improvements in the tensile properties were observed, with an increase in the elastic modulus from 1.5 to 4.2 GPa, and in the tensile strength from 46.3 to 124 MPa. The experimental tensile values were compared with the analytical values obtained by micromechanical models. Fractured surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy to examine the interface morphology. FTIR revealed strong hydrogen bonding at the interface, and the thermal parameters were determined using TGA and DSC, where the nanocomposites’ crystallinity tended to reduce with the increase in the CNF content. In addition, nanocomposites showed good thermomechanical stability for all formulations. Overall, this work provides a facile fabrication pathway for high-CNF content nanocomposites of PA6 for high-performance and advanced material applications.
Phototransformation of Graphene Oxide on the Removal of Sulfamethazine in a Water Environment
Authors: Liu Fei-Fei , Li Meng-Ru , Wang Su-Chun , Zhang Yu-Xue , Liu Guang-Zhou , Fan Jin-Lin
Published: August 2021

Graphene oxide (GO) is widely used in various fields and has raised concerns regarding its potential environmental fate and effect. However, there are few studies on its influence on coexisting pollutants. In this study, the phototransformation of GO and coexisting sulfamethazine (SMZ) under UV irradiation was investigated, with a focus on the role of reactive oxygen species. The results demonstrated that GO promoted the degradation of SMZ under UV irradiation. The higher the concentration of GO, the higher the degradation rate of SMZ, and the faster the first-order reaction rate. Two main radicals, ∙OH and 1O2, both contributed greatly in terms of regulating the removal of SMZ. Cl−, SO42−, and pH mainly promoted SMZ degradation by increasing the generation of ∙OH, while humic acid inhibited SMZ degradation due to the reduction of ∙OH. Moreover, after UV illumination, the GO suspension changed from light yellow to dark brown with increasing absorbance at a wavelength of 225 nm. Raman spectra revealed that the ID/IG ratio slightly decreased, indicating that some of the functional groups on the surface of GO were removed under low-intensity UV illumination. This study revealed that GO plays important roles in the photochemical transformation of environmental pollutants, which is helpful for understanding the environmental behaviors and risks of nanoparticles in aquatic environments.
Lysozyme–AuNPs Interactions: Determination of Binding Free Energy
Authors: Gomes Axel , Carnerero Jose M. , Jimenez-Ruiz Aila , Grueso Elia , Giráldez-Pérez Rosa M. , Prado-Gotor Rafael
Published: August 2021

Investigation and optimization of lysozyme (Lys) adsorption onto gold nanoparticles, AuNPs, were carried out. The purpose of this study is to determine the magnitude of the AuNPs–lysozyme interaction in aqueous media by simple spectrophotometric means, and to obtain the free energy of binding of the system for the first time. In order to explore the possibilities of gold nanoparticles for sensing lysozyme in aqueous media, the stability of the samples and the influence of the gold and nanoparticle concentrations in the detection limit were studied. ζ potential measurements and the shift of the surface plasmon band showed a state of saturation with an average number of 55 Lys per gold nanoparticle. Lysozyme–AuNPs interactions induce aggregation of citrate-stabilized AuNPs at low concentrations by neutering the negative charges of citrate anions; from those aggregation data, the magnitude of the interactions has been measured by using Benesi–Hildebrand plots. However, at higher protein concentrations aggregation has been found to decrease. Although the nanocluster morphology remains unchanged in the presence of Lys, slight conformational changes of the protein occur. The influence of the size of the nanoclusters was also investigated for 5, 10, and 20 nm AuNPs, and 10 nm AuNPs was found the most appropriate.
Application of MXenes in Perovskite Solar Cells: A Short Review
Authors: Shah Syed , Sayyad Muhammad , Khan Karim , Sun Jinghua , Guo Zhongyi
Published: August 2021

Application of MXene materials in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has attracted considerable attention owing to their supreme electrical conductivity, excellent carrier mobility, adjustable surface functional groups, excellent transparency and superior mechanical properties. This article reviews the progress made so far in using Ti3C2Tx MXene materials in the building blocks of perovskite solar cells such as electrodes, hole transport layer (HTL), electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite photoactive layer. Moreover, we provide an outlook on the exciting opportunities this recently developed field offers, and the challenges faced in effectively incorporating MXene materials in the building blocks of PSCs for better operational stability and enhanced performance.
Application of the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 and the Dietary Inflammatory Index for Assessing Maternal Dietary Quality in Japan: A Single-Center Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Imai Chihiro , Takimoto Hidemi , Fudono Ayako , Tarui Iori , Aoyama Tomoko , Yago Satoshi , Okamitsu Motoko , Sasaki Satoshi , Mizutani Shuki , Miyasaka Naoyuki , Sato Noriko
Published: August 2021

The maternal diet can potentially influence the life-course health of the child. A poor-quality maternal diet creates nutrient deficiencies and affects immune–metabolic regulation during pregnancy. The nutrient-based overall dietary quality can be assessed using the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 (NRF9.3), which measures adherence to the national reference daily values of nutrient intake. Pro- and anti-inflammatory nutrient intake can be assessed using the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII), a comprehensive index of diet-derived inflammatory capacity. Using these indices, we assessed the overall dietary quality and inflammatory potential of pregnant women during mid-gestation in an urban area of Japan (n = 108) and found that there was a strong inverse correlation between the NRF9.3 and E-DII scores. Comparison of the scores among the tertiles of NRF9.3 or E-DII indicated that dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and magnesium mainly contributed to the variability of both indices. Intake of vegetables and fruits was positively associated with high NRF9.3 scores and negatively associated with high E-DII scores, after adjustment for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and educational level. Consistent with the previous studies that used dietary pattern analysis, this study also demonstrated that vegetables and fruits were the food groups chiefly associated with high dietary quality and low inflammatory potential among pregnant Japanese women.
Hypoglycaemic and Antioxidant Properties of Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd Ex Mart. Extract Are Associated with Better Vascular Function of Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Monteiro-Alfredo Tamaeh , Oliveira Sara , Amaro Andreia , Rosendo-Silva Daniela , Antunes Katia , Pires Ana Salomé , Teixo Ricardo , Abrantes Ana Margarida , Botelho Maria Filomena , Castelo-Branco Miguel , Seiça Raquel , Silva Sónia , de Picoli Souza Kely , Matafome Paulo
Published: August 2021

Oxidative stress is involved in the metabolic dysregulation of type 2 diabetes (DM2). Acrocomia aculeata (Aa) fruit pulp has been described for the treatment of several diseases, and recently we have proved that its leaves have phenolic compounds with a marked antioxidant effect. We aimed to assess whether they can improve metabolic, redox and vascular functions in DM2. Control Wistar (W-Ctrl) and non-obese type 2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki (GK-Ctrl) rats were treated for 30 days with 200 mg.kg−1 aqueous extract of Aa (EA-Aa) (Wistar, W-EA-Aa/GK, GK-EA-Aa). EA-Aa was able to reduce fasting glycaemia and triglycerides of GK-EA-Aa by improving proteins related to glucose and lipid metabolism, such as GLUT-4, PPARγ, AMPK, and IR, when compared to GK-Ctrl. It also improved viability of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes exposed by H2O2. EA-Aa also increased the levels of catalase in the aorta and kidney, reduced oxidative stress and increased relaxation of the aorta in GK-treated rats in relation to GK-Ctrl, in addition to the protective effect against oxidative stress in HMVec-D cells. We proved the direct antioxidant potential of the chemical compounds of EA-Aa, the increase in antioxidant defences in a tissue-specific manner and hypoglycaemic properties, improving vascular function in type 2 diabetes. EA-Aa and its constituents may have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of DM2 complications.
Water Quality and Mortality from Coronary Artery Disease in Sardinia: A Geospatial Analysis
Authors: Dore Maria Pina , Parodi Guido , Portoghese Michele , Errigo Alessandra , Pes Giovanni Mario
Published: August 2021

The role of water hardness on human health is still debated, ranging from beneficial to harmful. Before the rise of drinking bottled water, it was a common habit to obtain supplies of drinking water directly from spring-fed public fountains. According to the geographic location, spring waters are characterized by a variable content of mineral components. In this ecological study, for the first time in Sardinia, Italy, the spatial association between spring water quality/composition and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for coronary artery disease (CAD) in the decade from 1981 to 1991 was investigated using data retrieved from published databases. In a total of 377 municipalities, 9918 deaths due to CAD, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ICD-9 code 410, and ischemic heart disease (IHD), ICD-9 code 411–414, were retrieved. A conditional autoregressive model with spatially structured random effects for each municipality was used. The average SMR for CAD in municipalities with a predominantly “soft” (<30 mg/L) or “hard” (≥30 mg/L) water was, respectively, 121.4 ± 59.1 vs. 104.7 ± 38.2 (p = 0.025). More specifically, an inverse association was found between elevated calcium content in spring water and cardiovascular mortality (AMI: r = −0.123, p = 0.032; IHD: r = −0.146, p = 0.009) and borderline significance for magnesium (AMI: r = −0.131, p = 0.054; IHD: r = −0.138, p = 0.074) and bicarbonate (IHD: r = −0.126, p = 0.058), whereas weak positive correlations were detected for sodium and chloride. The lowest CAD mortality was observed in geographic areas (North-West: SMR 0.92; South-East: SMR 0.88), where calcium- and bicarbonate-rich mineral waters were consumed. Our results, within the limitation of an ecological study, confirm the beneficial role of waters with high content in calcium and bicarbonate against coronary artery disease.
Evaluation of an Infant Formula with Large, Milk-Phospholipid Coated Lipid Droplets on Long-Term Growth and Development of Singaporean Infants: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Shek Lynette , Chong Yap , Winokan Antoinette , Abrahamse-Berkeveld Marieke , Van Der Beek Eline , Teoh Oon ,   on behalf of the VENUS Working Group
Published: August 2021

A concept infant formula (IF) was developed with physical properties of lipid droplets mimicking more closely those in human milk. This paper describes the unique design of a randomised controlled trial evaluating the impact of the concept IF on infant growth and body composition development whilst applying a cohort-like recruitment approach that fully supports breastfeeding practices of the study population. Subjects entered the study between birth and 1 months of age, and whenever parents decided to introduce formula were randomised to one of three study formulas; the concept IF comprising large lipid droplets coated by milk phospholipids and containing a specific mixture of prebiotics, a standard IF with the specific prebiotic mixture or a standard IF without the prebiotic mixture. The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of the concept IF on growth and body composition outcomes during the first year of life with a follow-up at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years of age. In addition, stool, saliva and buccal smear samples and parameters assessing safety, gastrointestinal tolerance and cognitive outcomes were collected. The applied cohort-like enrolment approach is distinctly different from standard clinical safety or efficacy studies and may provide valuable insights on trial design for the evaluation of IF while carefully considering breastfeeding practices.
The Accumulation and Molecular Effects of Trimethylamine N-Oxide on Metabolic Tissues: It’s Not All Bad
Authors: Krueger Emily S. , Lloyd Trevor S. , Tessem Jeffery S.
Published: August 2021

Since elevated serum levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) were first associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), TMAO research among chronic diseases has grown exponentially. We now know that serum TMAO accumulation begins with dietary choline metabolism across the microbiome-liver-kidney axis, which is typically dysregulated during pathogenesis. While CVD research links TMAO to atherosclerotic mechanisms in vascular tissue, its molecular effects on metabolic tissues are unclear. Here we report the current standing of TMAO research in metabolic disease contexts across relevant tissues including the liver, kidney, brain, adipose, and muscle. Since poor blood glucose management is a hallmark of metabolic diseases, we also explore the variable TMAO effects on insulin resistance and insulin production. Among metabolic tissues, hepatic TMAO research is the most common, whereas its effects on other tissues including the insulin producing pancreatic β-cells are largely unexplored. Studies on diseases including obesity, diabetes, liver diseases, chronic kidney disease, and cognitive diseases reveal that TMAO effects are unique under pathologic conditions compared to healthy controls. We conclude that molecular TMAO effects are highly context-dependent and call for further research to clarify the deleterious and beneficial molecular effects observed in metabolic disease research.
Reduction of In Vivo Placental Amino Acid Transport Precedes the Development of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in the Non-Human Primate
Authors: Rosario Fredrick J. , Kramer Anita , Li Cun , Galan Henry L. , Powell Theresa L. , Nathanielsz Peter W. , Jansson Thomas
Published: August 2021

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with reduced placental amino acid transport (AAT). However, it remains to be established if changes in AAT contribute to restricted fetal growth. We hypothesized that reduced in vivo placental AAT precedes the development of IUGR in baboons with maternal nutrient restriction (MNR). Baboons were fed either a control (ad libitum) or MNR diet (70% of control diet) from gestational day (GD) 30. At GD 140, in vivo transplacental AA transport was measured by infusing nine (13)C- or (2)H-labeled essential amino acids (EAAs) as a bolus into the maternal circulation at cesarean section. A fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio for each EAA was measured. Microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) system A and system L transport activity were determined. Fetal and placental weights were not significantly different between MNR and control. In vivo, the fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio was significantly decreased for tryptophan in MNR. MVM system A and system L activity was markedly reduced in MNR. Reduction of in vivo placental amino acid transport precedes fetal growth restriction in the non-human primate, suggesting that reduced placental amino acid transfer may contribute to IUGR.
Forsythia Fruit Prevents Fulminant Hepatitis in Mice and Ameliorates Inflammation in Murine Macrophages
Authors: Jeong Yun Hee , Hwang Youn-Hwan , Kim Tae In , Oh You-Chang , Ma Jin Yeul
Published: August 2021

Forsythia Fruit (FF), the fruit of Forsythia suspensa, has been used since ancient times as an herbal medication in East Asia to treat inflammation, gonorrhea, and pharyngitis. However, the efficacy of FF against liver damage due to inflammation has not been studied. Here, we explored the protective effects of FF in a mouse hepatitis model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (GalN) treatment. We measured inflammatory cytokine and aminotransferase levels in mouse blood and analyzed the effects of FF on inflammatory gene and protein expression levels in liver tissue. Our results show that FF treatment effectively lowers inflammatory cytokine and serum aminotransferase levels in mice and inhibits the expression of hepatic cytokine mRNA and inflammatory proteins. Furthermore, treatment with FF activated the antioxidant pathway HO-1/Nrf-2 and suppressed severe histological alteration in the livers of LPS/D-GalN-treated mice. Further investigation of the effects of FF on inflammatory reactions in LPS-stimulated macrophages showed that pretreatment with FF inhibits inflammatory mediator secretion and activation of inflammatory mechanisms both in a mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and in primary peritoneal macrophages. These results show that FF has potential worth as a candidate for the treatment of fulminant inflammatory reactions and subsequent liver injury.
Daily Triglyceride Kinetics When Consuming a Realistic Western Diet in at-Risk Individuals across the Metabolic Spectrum: A Case Study
Authors: Keirns Bryant H. , Sciarrillo Christina M. , Poindexter Kara L. , Emerson Sam R.
Published: August 2021

High postprandial triglycerides are a strong cardiovascular disease risk factor. However, the extent triglycerides rise during daily living due to multiple meals remains poorly defined, especially in at-risk individuals. The aim of this case study was to quantify 24-h triglycerides in an individual with normal-weight obesity (NWO), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) consuming a Western-style diet. In the morning, an indwelling catheter was inserted into a forearm vein and metabolic markers were measured hourly for 18-h and every 3-h for the last 6-h. The participants with NWO and T2D both experienced peak triglycerides ~280 mg/dL, which is considered an adverse response. The participant MetS had a similar relative change in triglycerides, but only reached 214 mg/dL. Interestingly, The participant with NWO displayed the greatest triglyceride area under the curve. Overall, we report that all three participants’ triglycerides nearly tripled with Western diet consumption, despite considerably different risk-profiles.
Study of Superoscillating Functions Application to Overcome the Diffraction Limit with Suppressed Sidelobes
Authors: Khonina Svetlana N. , Ponomareva Ekaterina D. , Butt Muhammad A.
Published: August 2021

The problem of overcoming the diffraction limit does not have an unambiguously advantageous solution because of the competing nature of different beams’ parameters, such as the focal spot size, energy efficiency, and sidelobe level. The possibility to overcome the diffraction limit with suppressed sidelobes out of the near-field zone using superoscillating functions was investigated in detail. Superoscillation is a phenomenon in which a superposition of harmonic functions contains higher spatial frequencies than any of the terms in the superposition. Two types of superoscillating one-dimensional signals were considered, and simulation of their propagation in the near diffraction zone based on plane waves expansion was performed. A comparative numerical study showed the possibility of overcoming the diffraction limit with a reduced level of sidelobes at a certain distance outside the zone of evanescent waves.
The Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Regarding COVID-19 among Trinidad and Tobago Dentists. A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Hoyte Trudee , Kowlessar Anne , Mahabir Adilah , Khemkaran Kamilia , Jagroo Priya , Jahoor Sadiyah
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 virus is highly infectious, and it places both patients and dental health care providers at high risk for contracting the disease. Therefore, it is crucial for dental teams to practice preventative measures against COVID-19 by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), handwashing, ensuring adequate ventilation and sticking to strict protocols when conducting aerosol-generating procedures. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using an online platform was conducted to assess dentists’ knowledge, attitude and awareness of COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher exact test were performed. Results: One hundred and ninety-two dentists participated in the survey. The age group, 30–39, comprised 40.6% of the respondents. General dentists comprised 80.7% of the sample. The majority of the respondents evaluated their awareness of COVID-19 as above average. There was no difference in knowledge between dentists and specialists regarding routes of transmission and preventative techniques. More female dentists reported feeling anxious and fearful. Conclusions: There was a high level of agreement between different professionals about the preventative measures, routes of transmission and incubation period. There was a lot of variation in knowledge about the survivability of the virus on innate objects. More education campaigns, seminars, and rehabilitation services targeting dentists in Trinidad and Tobago are required.
On the Shape of Nucleons at High Energies
Authors: Nekrasov Maksim L.
Published: August 2021

A scenario of the evolution of the shape of nucleons with increasing energy is described in the framework of an extended parton model, which consistently takes into account the transverse motion of the partons. At the energy E up to LHC, the nucleons have the form of a spheroid which expands as lnE in the transverse directions and grows linearly in E in the longitudinal direction. With a further increase in the energy, a mode of correlated behavior of the partons is established, which stops the longitudinal growth. Simultaneously, the expansion in the transverse directions changes to lnE, and a hollow mostly free of partons is formed inside the nucleons along the central axis in the direction of their motion. Numerical estimates of the corresponding parameters are obtained.
The Risk of False-Positive Serological Results for Paratuberculosis in Mycobacterium bovis-Infected Cattle
Authors: Didkowska Anna , Krajewska-Wędzina Monika , Klich Daniel , Prolejko Kinga , Orłowska Blanka , Anusz Krzysztof
Published: August 2021

Both bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and paratuberculosis (paraTB) continue to cause significant economic losses in cattle breeding; in addition, their etiological agents have zoonotic potential. Although the diagnostics of both diseases are still being improved, problems still remain, such as the potential for cross-reactivity to the antigens used in tests. The aim of the present study was to confirm whether animals known to harbor Mycobacterium bovis antibodies are at increased risk of yielding positive results in paraTB serotesting and, additionally, to verify the accuracy of three commonly used methods for confirming M. bovis infection: ELISA, the tuberculin skin test (TST), and the presence of gross lesions. Material was collected from 98 dairy cattle suspected of BTB due to TST-positive results. During postmortem examination, gross lesions were assessed visually. Blood, lymph nodes, and TB-suspected organs were collected. Serum was obtained from the collected blood and tested serologically for TB and paraTB. The tissues underwent standard microbiological testing for M. tuberculosis complex. Among the 98 TST-positive individuals, tuberculous gross lesions were detected in 57 (58.1%), MTBC were isolated in 83 (84.7%), and the ELISA test was positive for 21 (21.4%). None of the lesions characteristic for paraTB were detected. The chance of obtaining a positive TB result by ELISA was seven times higher using the ELISA-paraTB method; hence, there is a significant risk of obtaining false-positive serological results for paraTB in M. bovis-infected cattle. However, the hypothesis that infection of M. bovis or prior TST performance may have boosted the host immune response and therefore increased the sensitivity of the paraTB-ELISA cannot be excluded.
A Systematic Review of Epstein–Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) Gene Variants in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Banko Ana , Miljanovic Danijela , Lazarevic Ivana , Cirkovic Andja
Published: August 2021

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an aggressive tumor with a complex etiology. Although Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is known environmental factor for NPC development, the degree to which EBV naturally infects nasopharyngeal epithelium and the moment when and why the virus actively begins to affect cell transformation remains questionable. The aim of this study was to explore the association between LMP1 gene variability and potential contribution to NPC development. A systematic review was performed through searches of PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and SCOPUS electronic databases. Additionally, meta-analysis of the difference in the frequency of seven LMP1 gene variants in NPC and control individuals was accomplished. The results from this study give a proof of concept for the association between 30 bp deletion (OR = 3.53, 95% CI = 1.48–8.43) and Xhol loss (OR = 14.17, 95% CI = 4.99–40.20) and NPC susceptibility when comparing biopsies from NPC and healthy individuals. Otherwise, 30 bp deletion from NPC biopsies could not distinguish NPC from EBV-associated non-NPC tumors (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 0.81–3.75). However, B95-8, China1 and North Carolina variants were uncommon for NPC individuals. Much more efforts remains to be done to verify the biological significance of the differences observed, define so-called “high-risk” EBV variants and make it available for clinical application.
Propagation of CJD Prions in Primary Murine Glia Cells Expressing Human PrPc
Authors: Wälzlein Joo-Hee , Schwenke Karla A. , Beekes Michael
Published: August 2021

There are various existing cell models for the propagation of animal prions. However, in vitro propagation of human prions has been a long-standing challenge. This study presents the establishment of a long-term primary murine glia culture expressing the human prion protein homozygous for methionine at codon 129, which allows in vitro propagation of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) prions (variant CJD (vCJD) and sporadic CJD (sCJD) type MM2). Prion propagation could be detected by Western blotting of pathological proteinase K-resistant prion protein (PrPSc) from 120 days post exposure. The accumulation of PrPSc could be intensified by adding a cationic lipid mixture to the infectious brain homogenate at the time of infection. Stable propagation of human prions in a long-term murine glia cell culture represents a new tool for future drug development and for mechanistic studies in the field of human prion biology. In addition, our cell model can reduce the need for bioassays with human prions and thereby contributes to further implementation of the 3R principles aiming at replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experiments.
TNF Decoy Receptors Encoded by Poxviruses
Authors: Alvarez-de Miranda Francisco Javier , Alonso-Sánchez Isabel , Alcamí Antonio , Hernaez Bruno
Published: August 2021

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine produced in response to viral infections that promotes the recruitment and activation of leukocytes to sites of infection. This TNF-based host response is essential to limit virus spreading, thus poxviruses have evolutionarily adopted diverse molecular mechanisms to counteract TNF antiviral action. These include the expression of poxvirus-encoded soluble receptors or proteins able to bind and neutralize TNF and other members of the TNF ligand superfamily, acting as decoy receptors. This article reviews in detail the various TNF decoy receptors identified to date in the genomes from different poxvirus species, with a special focus on their impact on poxvirus pathogenesis and their potential use as therapeutic molecules.
Pharmacokinetic Investigation of Commercially Available Edible Marijuana Products in Humans: Potential Influence of Body Composition and Influence on Glucose Control
Authors: Ewell Taylor Russell , Abbotts Kieran Shay Struebin , Williams Natasha N. Bondareva , Butterklee Hannah Michelle , Bomar Matthew Charles , Harms Kole Jerel , Rebik Jordan Douglas , Mast Sarah Margaret , Akagi Natalie , Dooley Gregory P. , Bell Christopher
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the study was to describe and compare the pharmacokinetics of five commercial edible marijuana products, determine the influence of body composition on pharmacokinetics, and, in light of epidemiology suggesting marijuana may offer diabetes protection, explore the influence of edible marijuana on glucose tolerance. Seven regular users of marijuana self-administered five edible products in a randomized crossover design; each product contained 10 mg of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Thirty minutes following marijuana ingestion, participants imbibed a 75 g glucose beverage. Time-to-peak plasma THC concentration ranged between 35 and 90 min; maximal plasma THC concentration (Cmax) ranged between 3.2 and 5.5 ng/mL. Differences between products in plasma THC concentration during the first 20–30 min were detected (p = 0.019). Relations were identified between body composition and pharmacokinetic parameters for some products; however, none of these body composition characteristics were consistently related to pharmacokinetics across all five of the products. Edible marijuana had no effect on oral glucose tolerance compared with a marijuana-free control (Matsuda Index; p > 0.395). Commercially available edible marijuana products evoke different plasma THC concentrations shortly after ingestion, but do not appear to influence acute glucose regulation. These data may allow recreational marijuana users to make informed decisions pertaining to rates of edible marijuana ingestion and avoid overdose.
Sedative and Immunosuppressive Effects of Dexmedetomidine in Transplantation
Authors: Lee Chen-Fang , Cheng Chih-Hsien , Hung Hao-Chien , Lee Jin-Chiao , Wang Yu-Chiao , Wu Tsung-Han , Wu Ting-Jung , Chou Hong-Shiue , Chan Kun-Ming , Lee Wei-Chen
Published: August 2021

Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is used as an anti-anxiety medication. It exerts a cholinergic effect, thereby reducing the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). We hypothesized that the use of dexmedetomidine as a sedative agent in transplantation would also protect allografts. We examined our patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation. Subsequently, we generated a series of mouse models to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on sedation-based tolerance post transplantation. A total of 49 liver recipients were enrolled in this study, of which 23 (47%) were administered dexmedetomidine through 24 h infusion on postoperative day 1. A trend toward the improvement of hepatocyte injury along with better liver function was observed in the dexmedetomidine-treated group during the first postoperative week. In animal models, dexmedetomidine inhibited the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner. We used dexmedetomidine to treat skin-transplanted mice and observed a significantly prolonged graft survival in mice that were administered a higher dose of dexmedetomidine. Our results revealed that dexmedetomidine exerts a dual effect of sedation and immunosuppression. This light-sedation approach will not only make patients calmer in the intensive care unit but also protect allografts from injury.