bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Analysis of Inverse Weibull Constant-Stress Partially Accelerated Life Tests with Adaptive Progressively Type I Censored Data
Authors: Nassar Mazen , Elshahhat Ahmed
Published: January 2023

In life-testing investigations, accelerated life testing is crucial since it reduces both time and costs. In this study, constant-stress partially accelerated life tests using adaptive progressively Type I censored samples are taken into account. This is accomplished under the assumption that the lifespan of products under normal use conditions follows the inverse Weibull distribution. In addition to using the maximum likelihood approach, the maximum product of the spacing procedure is utilized to obtain the point and interval estimates of the model parameters as well as the acceleration factor. Employing the premise of independent gamma priors, the Bayes point estimates using the squared error loss function and the Bayes credible intervals are obtained based on both the likelihood and product of spacing functions via the Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. To assess the effectiveness of the various approaches, a simulation study is used because it is not possible to compare the findings theoretically. To demonstrate the applicability of the various approaches, two real datasets for the lifetime of micro-droplets in the ambient environment and light-emitting diode failure data are investigated. Based on the numerical results, to estimate the parameters and acceleration factor of the inverse Weibull distribution based on the suggested scheme with constant-stress partially accelerated life tests, it is recommended to utilize the Bayesian estimation approach.
Ulam Stability Results of Functional Equations in Modular Spaces and 2-Banach Spaces
Authors: Tamilvanan Kandhasamy , Alkhaldi Ali H. , Jakhar Jyotsana , Chugh Renu , Jakhar Jagjeet , Rassias John Michael
Published: January 2023

In this work, we investigate the refined stability of the additive, quartic, and quintic functional equations in modular spaces with and without the Δ2-condition using the direct method (Hyers method). We also examine Ulam stability in 2-Banach space using the direct method. Additionally, using a suitable counterexample, we eventually demonstrate that the stability of these equations fails in a certain case.
A Heuristic Approach for Multi-Path Signal Progression Considering Traffic Flow Uncertainty
Authors: Hai Tianrui , Ren Gang , Chen Weihan , Cao Qi , Dong Changyin
Published: January 2023

The multi-path progression of an arterial signal model, generally, is applied to arterial traffic scenarios with large turning flows. However, existing methods generally fail to capture traffic flow uncertainty, which leads to high sensitivity to fluctuations in traffic flow. To bridge this gap, in this study, a heuristic approach for multi-path signal progression is proposed to deal with the uncertainties of flow fluctuation by using distributionally flow scenarios. The model varies the phase sequence and the offsets of each intersection to achieve optimal progression with weighting of efficiency and stability. The preference degree of the efficiency and stability of the model is selected by adjusting the efficiency stability coefficient and solved by using a genetic algorithm. A case study and comparison experiment with benchmark models is presented and analyzed to prove the advantages of the proposed model. The results show that the standard deviation of the proposed model decreases by 45% as compared with conventional methods. It indicates that the model proposed in this paper can reduce congestion due to uncertainties, and can significantly improve stability, on the premise of ensuring that the efficiency index maintains a better value.
Surface Approximation by Means of Gaussian Process Latent Variable Models and Line Element Geometry
Authors: De Boi Ivan , Ek Carl Henrik , Penne Rudi
Published: January 2023

The close relation between spatial kinematics and line geometry has been proven to be fruitful in surface detection and reconstruction. However, methods based on this approach are limited to simple geometric shapes that can be formulated as a linear subspace of line or line element space. The core of this approach is a principal component formulation to find a best-fit approximant to a possibly noisy or impartial surface given as an unordered set of points or point cloud. We expand on this by introducing the Gaussian process latent variable model, a probabilistic non-linear non-parametric dimensionality reduction approach following the Bayesian paradigm. This allows us to find structure in a lower dimensional latent space for the surfaces of interest. We show how this can be applied in surface approximation and unsupervised segmentation to the surfaces mentioned above and demonstrate its benefits on surfaces that deviate from these. Experiments are conducted on synthetic and real-world objects.
The Association between Party Horn Use and Respiratory Function in Patients with Dementia: An Experimental Study
Authors: Higashijima Misako , Hayashi Hisako , Ueda Tomotaka , Hirano Yuko , Shiozu Hiroyasu , Matsuo Moemi
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Respiratory diseases account for 55.5% and 33.1% of all mortality rates in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, respectively. However, the widespread use of spirometers is often difficult due to challenges in performing the procedure. Therefore, the use of spirometers is usually unfeasible in patients with dementia and hinders the provision of preventive measures for aspiration pneumonia. The party horn is a common toy in many countries and can potentially be used as a novel tool. This study was conducted to analyze the usefulness of the party horn as an assessment tool for respiratory function, and to detect eating-related behavioral problems in patients with dementia. Materials and Methods: A total of 62 inpatient participants with dementia (34 males, 28 females; age, mean ± SD, 80.4 ± 7.59 years) were included in the study. The respiratory functions of patients were assessed using a party horn and a spirometer. Assessment items pertaining to cognitive function, mental and behavioral disorders, eating-related behavioral problems, and the required dietary modifications were evaluated to compare between patient groups stratified by respiratory function. Results: Significant differences between groups were noted in length of hospital stay, cognitive functions, mental and behavioral disorders, eating-related behavioral problems, and dietary modifications. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak expiratory flow, and eating-related behavioral problems were significantly associated with the party-horn-integrated value (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Party-horn-based evaluation can facilitate the screening and evaluation of older dementia patients for eating-related behavioral problems and aspiration risk.
ARHGAP21 Is Involved in the Carcinogenic Mechanism of Cholangiocarcinoma: A Study Based on Bioinformatic Analyses and Experimental Validation
Authors: Wang Zhihuai , Wu Siyuan , Wang Gaochao , Yang Zhen , Zhang Yinjie , Zhu Chunfu , Qin Xihu
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Rho GTPase-activating protein (RhoGAP) is a negative regulatory element of Rho GTPases and participates in tumorigenesis. Rho GTPase-activating protein 21 (ARHGAP21) is one of the RhoGAPs and its role in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has never been disclosed in any publications. Materials and Methods: The bioinformatics public datasets were utilized to investigate the expression patterns and mutations of ARHGAP21 as well as its prognostic significance in CCA. The biological functions of ARHGAP21 in CCA cells (RBE and Hccc9810 cell) were evaluated by scratch assay, cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK8) assay, and transwell migration assay. In addition, the underlying mechanism of ARHGAP21 involved in CCA was investigated by the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and the most significant signaling pathway was identified through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and the Western blot method. The ssGSEA algorithm was further used to explore the immune-related mechanism of ARHGAP21 in CCA. Results: The ARHGAP21 expression in CCA tissue was higher than it was in normal tissue, and missense mutation was the main alteration of ARHGAP21 in CCA. Moreover, the expression of ARHGAP21 had obvious differences in patients with different clinical characteristics and it had great prognostic significance. Based on cell experiments, we further observed that the proliferation ability and migration ability of the ARHGAP21-knockdown group was reduced in CCA cells. Several pathological signaling pathways correlated with proliferation and migration were determined by GO and KEGG analysis. Furthermore, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was the most significant one. GSEA analysis further verified that ARHGAP21 was highly enriched in PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and the results of Western blot suggested that the phosphorylated PI3K and Akt were decreased in the ARHGAP21-knockdown group. The drug susceptibility of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway targeted drugs were positively correlated with ARHGAP21 expression. Moreover, we also discovered that ARHGAP21 was correlated with neutrophil, pDC, and mast cell infiltration as well as immune-related genes in CCA. Conclusions: ARHGAP21 could promote the proliferation and migration of CCA cells by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and ARHGAP21 may participate in the immune modulating function of the tumor microenvironment.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion vs. Multiple Daily Injections in Type-2 Diabetes
Authors: Chatziravdeli Vasiliki , Lambrou George I. , Samartzi Athanasia , Kotsalas Nikolaos , Vlachou Eugenia , Komninos John , Tsartsalis Athanasios N.
Published: January 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a growing prevalence worldwide, even in developing countries. Many antidiabetic agents are used to improve glycemic control; however, in cases of an insufficient outcome, insulin is administered. Yet, the timing of proper insulin administration is still a subject of intense research. To date, there have been no recommendations or guidelines for the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). In the present study, we have performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the use of CSII in patients with T2DM. An extensive literature search was conducted through the electronic databases Pubmed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from October 2019–May 2022, for interventional studies related to T2DMI and CSII versus multiple daily injections (MDI). We included articles published in the English language only, yielding a total of thirteen studies. We found better outcomes in patients receiving CSII, in regard to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and total insulin dose. In contrast, fasting plasma glucose and body weight did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. Our analyses showed that CSII could be beneficial in patients with T2DM in order to achieve their glucose targets.
Cancer-Oriented Comprehensive Nursing Services in Republic of Korea: Lessons from an Oncologist’s Perspective
Authors: Ha Suk Hun , Kim Moonho , Kim Hyojin , No Boram , Go Ara , Choi Miso , Lee Seol , Ahn Yongchel
Published: January 2023

Background and objectives: As is well known, cancer patients require extensive medical attention as they undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care. The importance of high-quality cancer-directed nursing, combined with precision medicine, to maximize their survival outcomes and help them achieve a better quality of life cannot be overemphasized. In this context, we offered a new cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing system to our inpatients and reviewed its clinical outcomes in comparison with those from the preexisting general cancer ward. Materials and Methods: From March 2019 to February 2020, a total of 102 cancer patients and 42 nurses were enrolled in this pilot study. We aimed to analyze their performance in three main categories: structure, process, and patient/nurse outcomes. Results: First, structural (nurse staffing and environment) upgrades were installed in the cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing ward, including an improved nurse-patient ratio (1:8 in the comprehensive ward as compared with 1:14 in the general ward), wider space between beds (1.5 m versus 1.0 m), fully automatic beds with fall prevention sensors, etc. Second, the nursing process was improved (missed care 0.1 event/month vs. 1.3 event/month). Third, both patient and nurse outcomes showed preferable results in the comprehensive ward. The patient satisfaction level was higher in the comprehensive nursing ward than in the general ward (willing to revisit: 91.7% and 78.4%, respectively; willing to recommend to others: 95.0% and 76.8%, respectively). Pressure ulcers, as a patient safety indicator, were also decreased (0.3 events/month vs. 0.8 events/month). However, the fall incidence was similar in both groups (1.6 events/month vs. 1.5 events/month). In terms of nurse outcomes, turnover intention was stabilized and nurses’ job satisfaction in the comprehensive ward was superior to that of their counterparts. Conclusions: Our study was a pilot study to demonstrate that cancer patient-oriented comprehensive nursing services can be helpful in improving the quality of cancer treatment and nurses’ job satisfaction. Continued interest in and efforts to improve nursing care delivery are also crucial in achieving and maintaining the best possible cancer patient care.
Defect Detection Sensitivity of Bubble-Point-Type Tests for Sterilizing-Grade Membrane Cartridge Filters
Authors: Giglia Sal , Alembath Anand , Hersey Joseph
Published: January 2023

Bubble point tests are widely used for assessing the integrity of sterilizing-grade membrane cartridge filters. While many authors have considered the limitations of bubble point tests as applied to cartridge filters, the level of bacterial retention assurance provided by this test as conducted with automated integrity testers (AITs) has not, until now, been quantified. Contrary to the notion that filter leaks result in a depressed bubble point, it was shown that the bubble point as reported by AITs was insensitive to defect size up until the point where the AIT either determined a gross leak failure or was not able to return a valid result. For the three AITs used in this study, the minimum laser hole defect diameter in 10-inch (25.4 cm) sterilizing-grade cartridge filters that resulted in a failing bubble point test was between about 30 and 60 µm, depending on the filter type and test conditions. These defect sizes were associated with bacterial log reduction values in the 4.0 to 4.5 range. This study supports the generally recommended practice of pairing the bubble point test (which does confirm proper pore size rating) with a complementary gas–liquid diffusion test (better suited for detecting defects) to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of filter integrity.
Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility of Corrosion-Resistant Spring Rod Used in High-Speed Railway
Authors: Li Jinbo , Gao Xiuhua , Chen Hongwei , Wu Hongyan , Du Linxiu , Chen Chen
Published: January 2023

The corrosion of spring steel is very important for vehicle safety. In this work, we conducted an experiment on multi-element micro-alloy composition design; the corrosion resistance of a 60Si2Mn spring was improved by adding Cr, Ni, Cu and other corrosion-resistant elements, and the corrosion resistance index (I) was increased from 3.21 to 8.62. Hydrogen embrittlement resistance was studied using a hydrogen permeation experiment and a slow strain rate tensile experiment. For this study, the following steps were performed: Firstly, the material composition was designed, and the experimental materials that met the experimental design were prepared according to the corresponding deformation and heat treatment process; secondly, the experimental materials were charged with hydrogen; and finally, conventional tensile testing, slow tensile testing and fracture morphology testing were carried out. A hydrogen permeation experiment was carried out for the materials. The result showed that, with the increase of hydrogen charging time, the hydrogen content of two steel samples increased, and the plasticity indexes such as elongation and reduction of the area appeared in three different stages which rapidly decreased, slowly declined, and then tended to balance. The uniform NbC nano precipitated phase can double the number of irreversible hydrogen traps (Nir) per unit volume, and decreased the effective hydrogen diffusion coefficient (Deff) from 1.135 × 10−10 to 6.036 × 10−11. It limited the free diffusion of hydrogen and made the immersed hydrogen harmless, thus improving the hydrogen embrittlement resistance of corrosion-resistant spring steel 60Si2Mn.
Study on Characteristics of Compression Deformation and Post-Peak Stress Rebound for Solid Waste Cemented Body
Authors: Zhao Xinyuan , Yang Ke , He Xiang , Wei Zhen , Zhang Jiqiang , Yu Xiang
Published: January 2023

Most of the previous studies focused on the mechanical characteristics before the stress peak of solid waste cemented backfill, but in the compression process of a solid waste cemented body, the phenomenon of post-peak stress rebound often occurs. Through the uniaxial compression experiment of a solid waste cemented body composed of coal gangue, fly ash, desulfurization gypsum, gasification slag, and furnace bottom slag, this paper analyzed the compression deformation characteristics of a solid waste cemented body with different mix proportions before and after the stress peak, established the stress–strain curve model of rebound stress in the rising and descending section after the stress peak, and revealed the reasons for the rebound stress and secondary unloading of the cemented body after the stress peak. The results showed that the maximum rebound stress accounts for 40%–80% of the compressive strength, and the changes in the two are positively correlated. The stress–strain curve model is a cubic function in the post-peak stress rising section and a quadratic rational function in the descending section. With the increase in the maximum compressive strength of the cemented body, its maximum rebound stress also increases, but its corresponding compressive strain generally shows a downward trend. There is a positive correlation between the rebound stress increment and strain increment of the cemented body. The change in the supporting structure and the evolution of the failure form of the cemented body before and after the maximum rebound stress indicate that the compression failure of the residual supporting structure caused by the main crack is the main reason for the rebound of the stress after the peak value of the cemented body to the complete unloading.
Myrcene Salvages Rotenone-Induced Loss of Dopaminergic Neurons by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Autophagy
Authors: Azimullah Sheikh , Jayaraj Richard L. , Meeran Mohamed Fizur. Nagoor , Jalal Fakhreya Y. , Adem Abdu , Ojha Shreesh , Beiram Rami
Published: January 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, resulting in motor deficits. The exact etiology of PD is currently unknown; however, the pathological hallmarks of PD include excessive production of reactive oxygen species, enhanced neuroinflammation, and overproduction of α-synuclein. Under normal physiological conditions, aggregated α-synuclein is degraded via the autophagy lysosomal pathway. However, impairment of the autophagy lysosomal pathway results in α-synuclein accumulation, thereby facilitating the pathogenesis of PD. Current medications only manage the symptoms, but are unable to delay, prevent, or cure the disease. Collectively, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy play crucial roles in PD; therefore, there is an enormous interest in exploring novel bioactive agents of natural origin for their protective roles in PD. The present study evaluated the role of myrcene, a monoterpene, in preventing the loss of dopaminergic neurons in a rotenone (ROT)-induced rodent model of PD, and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Myrcene was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg, 30 min prior to the intraperitoneal injections of ROT (2.5 mg/kg). Administration of ROT caused a considerable loss of dopaminergic neurons, subsequent to a significant reduction in the antioxidant defense systems, increased lipid peroxidation, and activation of microglia and astrocytes, along with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Rotenone also resulted in impairment of the autophagy lysosomal pathway, as evidenced by increased expression of LC3, p62, and beclin-1 with decreased expression in the phosphorylation of mTOR protein. Collectively, these factors result in the loss of dopaminergic neurons. However, myrcene treatment has been observed to restore antioxidant defenses and attenuate the increase in concentrations of lipid peroxidation products, pro-inflammatory cytokines, diminished microglia, and astrocyte activation. Myrcene treatment also enhanced the phosphorylation of mTOR, reinstated neuronal homeostasis, restored autophagy-lysosomal degradation, and prevented the increased expression of α-synuclein following the rescue of dopaminergic neurons. Taken together, our study clearly revealed the mitigating effect of myrcene on dopaminergic neuronal loss, attributed to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, and favorable modulation of autophagic flux. This study suggests that myrcene may be a potential candidate for therapeutic benefits in PD.
N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Iridium Complexes as Photosensitizers for In Vitro Photodynamic Therapy to Trigger Non-Apoptotic Cell Death in Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Xing , Zhang Chen , Madji Ryma , Voros Camille , Mazères Serge , Bijani Christian , Deraeve Céline , Cuvillier Olivier , Gornitzka Heinz , Maddelein Marie-Lise , Hemmert Catherine
Published: January 2023

A series of seven novel iridium complexes were synthetized and characterized as potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. Among them, four complexes were evaluated in vitro for their anti-proliferative activity with and without irradiation on a panel of five cancer cell lines, namely PC-3 (prostate cancer), T24 (bladder cancer), MCF7 (breast cancer), A549 (lung cancer) and HeLa (cervix cancer), and two non-cancerous cell models (NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and MC3T3 osteoblasts). After irradiation at 458 nm, all tested complexes showed a strong selectivity against cancer cells, with a selectivity index (SI) ranging from 8 to 34 compared with non-cancerous cells. The cytotoxic effect of all these complexes was found to be independent of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL. The compound exhibiting the best selectivity, complex 4a, was selected for further investigations. Complex 4a was mainly localized in the mitochondria. We found that the loss of cell viability and the decrease in ATP and GSH content induced by complex 4a were independent of both Bcl-xL and caspase activation, leading to a non-apoptotic cell death. By counteracting the intrinsic or acquired resistance to apoptosis associated with cancer, complex 4a could be an interesting therapeutic alternative to be studied in preclinical models.
Essential Oil from Coriandrum sativum: A review on Its Phytochemistry and Biological Activity
Authors: Al-Khayri Jameel M , Banadka Akshatha , Nandhini Murali , Nagella Praveen , Al-Mssallem Muneera Q. , Alessa Fatima M.
Published: January 2023

Essential oils are hydrophobic liquids produced as secondary metabolites by specialized secretory tissues in the leaves, seeds, flowers, bark and wood of the plant, and they play an important ecological role in plants. Essential oils have been used in various traditional healing systems due to their pharmaceutical properties, and are reported to be a suitable replacement for chemical and synthetic drugs that come with adverse side effects. Thus, currently, various plant sources for essential oil production have been explored. Coriander essential oil, obtained from the leaf and seed oil of Coriandrum sativum, has been reported to have various biological activities. Apart from its application in food preservation, the oil has many pharmacological properties, including allelopathic properties. The present review discusses the phytochemical composition of the seed and leaf oil of coriander and the variation of the essential oil across various germplasms, accessions, at different growth stages and across various regions. Furthermore, the study explores various extraction and quantification methods for coriander essential oils. The study also provides detailed information on various pharmacological properties of essential oils, such as antimicrobial, anthelmintic, insecticidal, allelopathic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, and hepatoprotective properties, as well as playing a major role in maintaining good digestive health. Coriander essential oil is one of the most promising alternatives in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Starch from Rejected Chestnut: Hydrothermal and High-Pressure Processing Dependence
Authors: Pino-Hernández Enrique , Fasolin Luiz Henrique , Ballesteros Lina F. , Pinto Carlos A. , Saraiva Jorge A. , Abrunhosa Luís , Teixeira José António
Published: January 2023

The quality standards for the export of chestnuts generate large quantities of rejected fruits, which require novel processing technologies for their safe industrial utilization. This study aimed to investigate the impact of high-pressure processing (HPP) and hydrothermal treatments (HT) on the physicochemical properties of rejected chestnut starch. Chestnuts were treated by HPP at 400, 500, and 600 MPa for 5 min and HT at 50 °C for 45 min. In general, all HPP treatments did not induce starch gelatinization, and their granules preserved the integrity and Maltese-cross. Moreover, starch granules’ size and resistant starch content increased with the intensity of pressure. Native and HT chestnut starches were the most susceptible to digestion. HPP treatments did not affect the C-type crystalline pattern of native starch, but the crystalline region was gradually modified to become amorphous. HPP-600 MPa treated starch showed modified pasting properties and exhibited the highest values of peak viscosity. This study demonstrates for the first time that after HPP-600 MPa treatment, a novel chestnut starch gel structure is obtained. Moreover, HPP treatments could increase the slow-digesting starch, which benefits the development of healthier products. HPP can be considered an interesting technology to obtain added-value starch from rejected chestnut fruits.
Thermal and Electrochemical Properties of Ionic Liquids Bearing Allyl Group with Sulfonate-Based Anions—Application Potential in Epoxy Resin Curing Process
Authors: Szpecht Andrea , Zielinski Dawid , Galinski Maciej , Smiglak Marcin
Published: January 2023

Sulfonate-based ionic liquids (ILs) with allyl-containing cations have been previously obtained by us, however, the present study aims to investigate the thermal, electrochemical and curing properties of these ILs. To determine the temperature range in which ionic liquid maintains a liquid state, thermal properties must be examined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Melting, cold crystallization and glass transition temperatures are discussed, as well as decomposition temperatures for imidazolium- and pyridinium-based ionic liquids. The conductivity and electrochemical stability ranges were studied in order to investigate their potential applicability as electrolytes. Finally, the potential of triflate-based ILs as polymerization initiators for epoxy resins was proven.
Effects of Drying Temperature and Solvents on In Vitro Diabetic Wound Healing Potential of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts
Authors: Muzammil Saima , Neves Cruz Jorddy , Mumtaz Rabia , Rasul Ijaz , Hayat Sumreen , Khan Muhammad Asaf , Khan Arif Muhammad , Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Lima Rafael Rodrigues , Zubair Muhammad
Published: January 2023

The delayed healing of wounds among people with diabetes is a severe problem worldwide. Hyperglycemia and increased levels of free radicals are the major inhibiting factors of wound healing in diabetic patients. Plant extracts are a rich source of polyphenols, allowing them to be an effective agent for wound healing. Drying temperature and extraction solvent highly affect the stability of polyphenols in plant materials. However, there is a need to optimize the extraction protocol to ensure the efficacy of the final product. For this purpose, the effects of drying temperature and solvents on the polyphenolic composition and diabetic wound healing activity of Moringa oleifera leaves were examined in the present research. Fresh leaves were oven dried at different temperatures (10 °C, 30 °C, 50 °C, and 100 °C) and extracted in three solvents (acetone, ethanol, and methanol) to obtain twelve extracts in total. The extracts were assessed for free radical scavenging and antihyperglycemic effects using DPPH (2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) and α- glucosidase inhibition assays. Alongside this, a scratch assay was performed to evaluate the cell migration activity of M. oleifera on the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line. The cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was assessed on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell lines. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, phenolic compounds in extracts of M. oleifera were identified. We found that an ethanol-based extract prepared by drying the leaves at 10 °C contained the highest amounts of identified polyphenols. Moringa oleifera extracts showed remarkable antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cell migration properties. The best results were obtained with leaves dried at 10 °C and 30 °C. Decreased activities were observed with drying temperatures of 50 °C and above. Moreover, M. oleifera extracts exhibited no toxicity on RPE cells, and the same extracts were cytotoxic for Huh-7 cells. This study revealed that M. oleifera leaves extracts can enhance wound healing in diabetic conditions due to their antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and cell migration effects. The leaves of this plant can be an excellent therapeutic option when extracted at optimum conditions.
Manipulation of Morphology, Particle Size of Barium Sulfate and the Interacting Mechanism of Methyl Glycine Diacetic Acid
Authors: Li Jing , Zhou Yanan , Wang Jingkang , Wang Na , Bi Jingtao , Li Xin , Chen Kui , Hao Hongxun
Published: January 2023

In this paper, methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) was found to have great influence on the morphology and particle size of barium sulfate. The effects of additive, concentration, value of pH and reaction temperature on the morphology and particle size of barium sulfate were studied in detail. The results show that the concentration of reactant and temperature have little effect on the particle size of barium sulfate. However, the pH conditions of the solution and the dosage of MGDA can apparently affect the particle size distribution of barium sulfate. The particle size of barium sulfate particles increases and the morphology changes from polyhedral to rice-shaped with the decreasing of the dosage of MGDA. In solution with higher pH, smaller and rice-shaped barium sulfate was obtained. To investigate the interacting mechanism of MGDA, the binding energy between MGDA and barium sulfate surface was calculated. It was found that the larger absolute value of the binding energy would result in stronger growth inhibition on the crystal face. Finally, the experimental data and theoretical calculations were combined to elucidate the interacting mechanism of the additive on the morphology and particle size of barium sulfate.
The Influence of Exogenous Phenylalanine on the Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Agitated Shoot Cultures of Ruta graveolens L.
Authors: Szewczyk Agnieszka , Paździora Wojciech , Ekiert Halina
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to examine the influence of the addition of a precursor (phenylalanine) on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in agitated shoot cultures of Ruta graveolens. Cultures were grown on Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium, with plant growth regulators (0.1 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid—NAA—and 0.1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine—BAP). Phenylalanine was added to the cultures at a concentration of 1.25 g/L after 4 and 5 weeks of growth cycles. Biomass was collected after 2, 4, and 7 days of precursor addition. Both control and experimental cultures had the same secondary metabolites accumulated. Using the HPLC method, linear furanocoumarins (bergapten, isoimperatorin, isopimpinellin, psoralen, and xanthotoxin), furoquinoline alkaloids (γ-fagarine, 7-isopentenyloxy-γ-fagarine, and skimmianine), and catechin were detected and quantified in the methanolic extracts. In turn, phenolic acids, such as gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid were detected in hydrolysates. The production of phenolic acids and catechin (1.5-fold) was significantly increased by the addition of precursor, while there was no significant effect on the production of coumarins and alkaloids. The highest total content of phenolic acids (109 mg/100 g DW) was obtained on the second day of phenylalanine addition (the fourth week of growth cycles). The dominant phenolic compounds were p-coumaric acid (maximum content 64.3 mg/100 g DW) and ferulic acid (maximum content 35.6 mg/100 g DW). In the case of catechins, the highest total content (66 mg/100 g DW) was obtained on the third day of precursor addition (the fourth week of growth cycles). This study is the first to document the effect of feeding the culture medium with phenylalanine on the accumulation of bioactive metabolites in in vitro cultures of R. graveolens.
Global Search for Stable C4H5NO Compounds—Guinness Molecules and Stability Islands
Authors: Mikhaylov Oleg A. , Gridnev Ilya D.
Published: January 2023

Global reaction route mapping (GRRM) analysis for compounds with the formula C4H5NO allowed for the detection of the corresponding “Guinness molecules” 000 and 001, as well as around 150 other stable minima of the same composition. The results suggest that compounds of similar functionality form a kind of “Stability Island” with their free energies of formation falling within s relatively limited range.
Reticular Coordination Induced Interfacial Interstitial Carbon Atoms on Ni Nanocatalysts for Highly Selective Hydrogenation of Bio-Based Furfural under Facile Conditions
Authors: Liu Dandan , Fu Qiuju , Feng Chao , Xiang Taisan , Ye Han , Shi Yuting , Li Liangjun , Dai Pengcheng , Gu Xin , Zhao Xuebo
Published: January 2023

A rational design of transition metal catalysts to achieve selective hydrogenation of furfural (FFR) to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) under facile conditions is a promising option. In this work, a series of Ni catalysts were synthesized by controlled thermal treatment of Ni-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with the purpose of modulating the interface of nickel nanoparticles by the reticular coordination in MOF precursors. The catalytic performance indicates that Ni/C catalyst obtained at 400 °C exhibits efficient conversion of FFR (>99%) and high selectivity to THFA (96.1%), under facile conditions (80 °C, 3 MPa H2, 4.0 h). The decomposition of MOF at low temperatures results in highly dispersed Ni0 particles and interfacial charge transfer from metal to interstitial carbon atoms induced by coordination in MOF. The electron-deficient Ni species on the Ni surface results in an electropositive surface of Ni nanoparticles in Ni/C-400, which ameliorates furfural adsorption and enhances the hydrogen heterolysis process, finally achieving facile hydrogenation of FFR to THFA.
Evaluation of the Rheological Behavior and the Development of Performance Equations of Asphalt Composites Produced with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Staub de Melo João Victor , Manfro Alexandre Luiz , Barra Breno Salgado , Dell’Antonio Cadorin Natália , Borba Broering Wellington
Published: January 2023

This research evaluated the rheological behavior of conventional asphalt binders modified with TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles and proposed mathematical equations for performance prediction. First, composites were evaluated at high temperatures to investigate the Performance Grade (PG), non-recoverable creep compliance, and Aging Index (AI). Subsequently, the fatigue damage tolerance was determined at a temperature of 20 °C through the Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) test. At high temperatures, for both nanoparticles, stiffness gain was observed as the nanomaterial content increased, evidenced by the increase in the dynamic shear modulus. This resulted in an increase in the Performance Grade and reduction in non-recoverable creep compliance, leading to greater resistance to permanent deformations. Furthermore, it was found that nanoparticles were able to reduce the effects of oxidation of the asphalt matrix, corroborated by the reduction of the Aging Index (AI). Regarding the fatigue damage tolerance, for both nanoparticles, an increase in performance was observed at low deformation amplitudes and a decrease at high deformation amplitudes. Finally, the analysis of each rheological parameter allowed to define the mathematical equations capable of predicting the performance of conventional asphalt binders when modified with nano-TiO2 or nano-ZnO.
Effect of Steam to Carbon Dioxide Ratio on the Performance of a Solid Oxide Cell for H2O/CO2 Co-Electrolysis
Authors: Bimpiri Naouma , Konstantinidou Argyro , Tsiplakides Dimitrios , Balomenou Stella , Papazisi Kalliopi Maria
Published: January 2023

The mixture of H2 and CO, the so-called syngas, is the value-added product of H2O and CO2 co-electrolysis and the feedstock for the production of value-added chemicals (mainly through Fischer-Tropsch). The H2/CO ratio determines the process in which syngas will be utilized and the type of chemicals it will produce. In the present work, we investigate the effect of H2O/CO2 (steam/carbon dioxide, S/C) ratio of 0.5, 1 and 2 in the feed, on the electrochemical performance of an 8YSZ electrolyte-supported solid oxide cell and the H2/CO ratio in the outlet, under co-electrolysis at 900 °C. The B-site iron doped lanthanum strontium chromite La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.9Fe0.1O3-δ (LSCF) is used as fuel electrode material while as oxygen electrode the state-of-the art LSM perovskite is employed. LSCF is a mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) operating both under a reducing and oxidizing atmosphere. The cell is electrochemically characterized under co-electrolysis conditions both in the presence and absence of hydrogen in the feed of the steam and carbon dioxide mixtures. The results indicate that under the same concentration of hydrogen and different S/C ratios, the same electrochemical performance with a maximum current density of approximately 400 mA cm−2 is observed. However, increasing p(H2) in the feed results in higher OCV, smaller iV slope and Rp values. Furthermore, the maximum current density obtained from the cell does not seem to be affected by whether H2 is present or absent from the fuel electrode feed but has a significant effect on the H2/CO ratio in the analyzed outlet stream. Moreover, the H2/CO ratio seems to be identical under polarization at different current density values. Remarkably, the performance of the LSCF perovskite fuel electrode is not compromised by the exposure to oxidizing conditions, showcasing that this class of electrocatalysts retains their reactivity in oxidizing, reducing, and humid environments.
Exploring the Magnetic and Electrocatalytic Properties of Amorphous MnB Nanoflakes
Authors: Fu Boxiao , Tzitzios Vasileios , Zhang Qiancheng , Rodriguez Brian , Pissas Michael , Sofianos Maria Veronica
Published: January 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) metal borides are a class of ceramic materials with diverse structural and topological properties. These diverse material properties of metal borides are what forms the basis of their interdisciplinarity and their applicability in various research fields. In this study, we highlight which fundamental and practical parameters need to be taken into consideration when designing nanomaterials for specific applications. A simple one-pot chemical reduction method was applied for the synthesis of manganese mono-boride nanoflakes at room temperature. How the specific surface area and boron-content of the as-synthesized manganese mono-boride nanoflakes influence their magnetic and electrocatalytic properties is reported. The sample with the highest specific surface area and boron content demonstrated the best magnetic and electrocatalytic properties in the HER. Whereas the sample with the lowest specific surface area and boron content exhibited the best electric conductivity and electrocatalytic properties in the OER.
Effect of Inlet Flow Strategies on the Dynamics of Pulsed Fluidized Bed of Nanopowder
Authors: Ali Syed Sadiq , Arsad Agus , Roberts Kenneth L. , Asif Mohammad
Published: January 2023

The use of fluidization assistance can greatly enhance the fluidization hydrodynamics of powders that exhibit poor fluidization behavior. Compared to other assistance techniques, pulsed flow assistance is a promising technique for improving conventional fluidization because of its energy efficiency and ease of process implementation. However, the inlet flow configuration of pulsed flow can significantly affect the bed hydrodynamics. In this study, the conventional single drainage (SD) flow strategy was modified to purge the primary flow during the non-flow period of the pulse to eliminate pressure buildup in the inlet flow line while providing a second drainage path to the residual gas. The bed dynamics for both cases, namely, single drainage (SD) and modified double drainage (MDD), were carefully monitored by recording the overall and local pressure drop transients in different bed regions at two widely different pulsation frequencies of 0.05 and 0.25 Hz. The MDD strategy led to substantially faster bed dynamics and greater frictional pressure drop in lower bed regions with significantly mitigated segregation behavior. The spectral analysis of the local and global pressure transient data in the frequency domain revealed a pronounced difference between the two flow strategies. The application of the MDD inlet flow strategy eliminated the disturbances from the pulsed fluidized bed irrespective of the pulsation frequency.
Bariatric Surgery as Treatment Strategy of Obesity in Saudi People: Effects of Gut Microbiota
Authors: Alqahtani Seham J. , Alfawaz Hanan A. , Moubayed Nadine M. S. , Hassan Wail M. , Almnaizel Ahmad T. , Alshiban Noura M. S. , Abuhaimed Jawahir M. , Alahmed Mohammed F. , AL-Dagal Mosffer M. , El-Ansary Afaf
Published: January 2023

Obesity prevalence is rising globally, as are the number of chronic disorders connected with obesity, such as diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Bariatric surgery is also becoming more common, and it remains the most effective and long-term treatment for obesity. This study will assess the influence of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) on gut microbiota in people with obesity before and after surgery. The findings shed new light on the changes in gut microbiota in Saudi people with obesity following LSG. In conclusion, LSG may improve the metabolic profile, resulting in decreased fat mass and increased lean mass, as well as improving the microbial composition balance in the gastrointestinal tract, but this is still not equivalent to normal weight microbiology. A range of factors, including patient characteristics, geographic dispersion, type of operation, technique, and nutritional and caloric restriction, could explain differences in abundance between studies. This information could point to a novel and, most likely, tailored strategy in obesity therapy, which could eventually be incorporated into health evaluations and monitoring in preventive health care or clinical medicine.
A Synthetic Polymicrobial Community Biofilm Model Demonstrates Spatial Partitioning, Tolerance to Antimicrobial Treatment, Reduced Metabolism, and Small Colony Variants Typical of Chronic Wound Biofilms
Authors: Khalid Ammara , Cookson Alan R. , Whitworth David E. , Beeton Michael L. , Robins Lori I. , Maddocks Sarah E.
Published: January 2023

Understanding chronic wound infection is key for successful treatment and requires accurate laboratory models. We describe a modified biofilm flow device that effectively mimics the chronic wound environment, including simulated wound fluid, a collagen-based 3D biofilm matrix, and a five-species mixture of clinically relevant bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Citrobacter freundii). Mixed biofilms were cultured for between 3 and 14 days with consistent numbers of bacteria that exhibited reduced metabolic activity, which increased with a high dose of glucose. S. aureus was recovered from biofilms as a small colony variant, but as a normal colony variant if P. aeruginosa was excluded from the system. Bacteria within the biofilm did not co-aggregate but formed discrete, species-specific clusters. Biofilms demonstrated differential tolerance to the topical antimicrobials Neosporin and HOCl, consistent with protection due to the biofilm lifestyle. The characteristics exhibited within this model match those of real-world wound biofilms, reflecting the clinical scenario and yielding a powerful in vitro tool that is versatile, inexpensive, and pivotal for understanding chronic wound infection.
Genotypic Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from an Egyptian University Hospital
Authors: Taha Marwa S. , Hagras Maha M. , Shalaby Marwa M. , Zamzam Yosra Abdelmonem , Elkolaly Reham M. , Abdelwahab Marwa A. , Maxwell Sara Youssef
Published: January 2023

Globally, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) has been identified as a serious source of infections. The objectives of our study were to investigate the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae in Tanta University Hospitals, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt; characterize their carbapenem resistance profiles; and identify their different capsular serotypes. We identified and isolated 160 (32%) K. pneumoniae from 500 different clinical samples, performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and then used multiplex PCR to detect carbapenemase genes and capsular serotypes K1, K2, K3, K5, K20, K54, and K57. We detected phenotypic carbapenem resistance in 31.3% (50/160) of the isolates; however, molecular assays revealed that 38.75% (62/160) of isolates were carrying carbapenemase-encoding genes. Generally, blaOXA-48 was the prevalent gene (15.5%), followed by blaVIM (15%), blaIMP (7.5%), blaKPC (4%), and blaNDM (3.8%). BlaVIM and blaOXA-48 correlated with phenotypic resistance in 91.67% and 88% of the isolates that harbored them, respectively. Capsular typing showed that the most prevalent pathotype was K1 (30.6%), followed by K57 (24.2%), K54 (19.35%), K20 (9.67%), and K2 (6.45%). A critical risk to community health is posed by the high incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) virulent K. pneumoniae isolates from our hospital, and our study examines this pathogen’s public health and epidemiological risks.