bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RUSSIA IN THE 2020S: CONSTITUTIONALISM AND LEGAL AWARENESS IN THE FACE OF THE CHALLENGE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors:   Institute of Sociology of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation, KURIUKIN ANDREY
Published: September 2022

In the article, the author, using a broad socio-legal material, highlights the question of the place of constitutionalism in modern Russian legal consciousness and the reaction of Russians, as its bearers, to the challenges and trends generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected all, without exception, aspects of our lives. Considering constitutionalism from the standpoint of the social science discourse of its study, the author raises questions of its essence, interpretation in the works of jurists, both domestic and foreign, conceptualizes it in relation to the mass consciousness of Russians. In turn, considering constitutionalism in the prism of its sociological dimension, in the legal consciousness of Russians, the author identifies and explores the following incarnations: Knowledge of the Constitution as the basic law and personal attitude to it; Attitude towards civil rights; Assessments of state-political institutions; Practice of implementation of constitutional provisions; Implementation of social behavior models guaranteed by the constitution. A separate issue in the article is the definition of the directions and essence of the transformations generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this direction, the author, summarizing the data of sociological studies conducted by such national centers as FOM, VTsIOM, the Institute of Sociology of the Federal Scientific Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, draws a complex model of transformations and draws a conclusion about the current state of Russian constitutionalism and the legal consciousness of Russians under the influence of the pandemic.
DEIDEOLOGIZATION AND REIDEOLOGIZATION: WORLD AND DOMESTIC EXPERIENCE
Authors:   Military University of Radioelectronics of the Russian Federation, Defense Ministry, Chepovets, Vologda region, Russian Federation, POGORELY ALEXANDER
Published: September 2022

The purpose of the study. The article examines the processes of “deideologization” and “reideologization”, which had a significant impact on spiritual processes in the second half of the XX - early XXI centuries both in the West and in our country. The causes and consequences of these processes, their difference and intersection have become the object of this article. Conclusion. There are both common positions and significant differences between the processes of “deideologization” and “reideologization” in the West and in Russia. The current state of Russian society is characterized by increasing attention to the process of forming a national idea.
PROBLEMS FORMATION OF IDEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF CADETS OF EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF RUSSIA
Authors:   Voronezh institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (VI the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia), Voronezh, Russian Federation, TALYNEV VALERY , ANDRIENKO OLESYA , PROTASOV YURI
Published: September 2022

The article presents the author’s view on the problem of ideological stability in modern realities. The article examines the essence and features of the process of forming the ideological stability of cadets of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia as a social component of the moral and psychological support of their official activities. Based on the results of the study, the paper presents an analysis of the modern approach to the formation of ideological stability of cadets of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in educational and service activities. The article considers the methodological approach to the interdisciplinary concept of “personality”, the features of ensuring professional orientation and the process of adaptation of cadets to educational activities. The article reflects the nuances of the alarming state of ideological confrontation with Western apologists, provides a number of modern analytical examples with characteristics of the main areas of counteraction. As today’s practice shows, in the conditions of a frenzied propaganda campaign, against the background of a migration explosion, security, the standard of living of ordinary citizens and GDP growth, the level of value orientations in the European Union is also gradually decreasing, and Western political scientists are trying to denigrate the achievements and great exploits of the Russian people in all ways, and not only the media. In accordance with the logic and purpose of the article, the main directions for the ideological and humanistic formation of the personality of a cadet, a future law enforcement officer, a citizen of Russia in the conditions of educational activity and further service are presented.
A Discussion on Alternative Fuel Criteria for Maritime Transport
Authors: BİLGİLİ Levent
Published: September 2022

Alternative marine fuels are considered an important solution for reducing ship emissions from fossil fuels. These fuels have similar energy content with fossil fuels, but they create much less environmental burden during their use due to the elements they contain (or not), the ratio of elements to each other and different combustion characteristics. On the other hand, for these fuels to replace fossil fuels, they must meet a number of important criteria and conditions. These are divided under four main titles: Economic, technical, environmental, social and other. In addition, examining the environmental impacts of alternative fuels from a life-cycle perspective is also important for determining the holistic and cumulative impacts. In this study, the criteria determined for alternative marine fuels were evaluated from the life cycle perspective and it was investigated which criterion is the most important in terms of life cycle. Thus, it is aimed to summarize the assessments of the criteria for acceptance of the alternative fuels.
Osteoblast Derived Exosomes Alleviate Radiation- Induced Hematopoietic Injury
Authors: Xue Jianqi , Du Ruikai , Ling Shukuan , Song Jinping , Yuan Xinxin , Liu Caizhi , Sun Weijia , Li Yuheng , Zhong Guohui , Wang Yinbo , Yuan Guodong , Jin Xiaoyan , Liu Zizhong , Zhao Dingsheng , Li Youyou , Xing Wenjuan , Fan Yuanyuan , Liu Zifan , Pan Junjie , Zhen Zhen , Zhao Yunzhang , Yang Qinna , Li Jianwei , Chang Yan-Zhong , Li Yingxian
Published: September 2022

As hematopoietic stem cells can differentiate into all hematopoietic lineages, mitigating the damage to hematopoietic stem cells is important for recovery from overdose radiation injury. Cells in bone marrow microenvironment are essential for hematopoietic stem cells maintenance and protection, and many of the paracrine mediators have been discovered in shaping hematopoietic function. Several recent reports support exosomes as effective regulators of hematopoietic stem cells, but the role of osteoblast derived exosomes in hematopoietic stem cells protection is less understood. Here, we investigated that osteoblast derived exosomes could alleviate radiation damage to hematopoietic stem cells. We show that intravenous injection of osteoblast derived exosomes promoted WBC, lymphocyte, monocyte and hematopoietic stem cells recovery after irradiation significantly. By sequencing osteoblast derived exosomes derived miRNAs and verified in vitro, we identified miR-21 is involved in hematopoietic stem cells protection via targeting PDCD4. Collectively, our data demonstrate that osteoblast derived exosomes derived miR-21 is a resultful regulator to radio-protection of hematopoietic stem cells and provide a new strategy for reducing radiation induced hematopoietic injury.
Sulfated carboxymethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan immobilization on 3D-printed poly-ε-caprolactone scaffolds differentially promote pre-osteoblast proliferation and osteogenic activity
Authors: Abbasi-Ravasjani Sonia , Seddiqi Hadi , Moghaddaszadeh Ali , Ghiasvand Mohammad-Ehsan , Jin Jianfeng , Oliaei Erfan , Bacabac Rommel Gaud , Klein-Nulend Jenneke
Published: September 2022

The lack of bioactivity in three-dimensional (3D)-printing of poly-є-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds limits cell-material interactions in bone tissue engineering. This constraint can be overcome by surface-functionalization using glycosaminoglycan-like anionic polysaccharides, e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a plant-based carboxymethylated, unsulfated polysaccharide, and κ-carrageenan, a seaweed-derived sulfated, non-carboxymethylated polysaccharide. The sulfation of CMC and carboxymethylation of κ-carrageenan critically improve their bioactivity. However, whether sulfated carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) and carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan (CM-κ-Car) affect the osteogenic differentiation potential of pre-osteoblasts on 3D-scaffolds is still unknown. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of surface-functionalization by SCMC or CM-κ-Car on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of 3D-printed PCL scaffolds, as well as the osteogenic response of pre-osteoblasts. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were seeded on 3D-printed PCL scaffolds that were functionalized by CM-κ-Car (PCL/CM-κ-Car) or SCMC (PCL/SCMC), cultured up to 28 days. The scaffolds’ physicochemical and mechanical properties and pre-osteoblast function were assessed experimentally and by finite element (FE) modeling. We found that the surface-functionalization by SCMC and CM-κ-Car did not change the scaffold geometry and structure but decreased the elastic modulus. Furthermore, the scaffold surface roughness and hardness increased and the scaffold became more hydrophilic. The FE modeling results implied resilience up to 2% compression strain, which was below the yield stress for all scaffolds. Surface-functionalization by SCMC decreased Runx2 and Dmp1 expression, while surface-functionalization by CM-κ-Car increased Cox2 expression at day 1. Surface-functionalization by SCMC most strongly enhanced pre-osteoblast proliferation and collagen production, while CM-κ-Car most significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization after 28 days. In conclusion, surface-functionalization by SCMC or CM-κ-Car of 3D-printed PCL-scaffolds enhanced pre-osteoblast proliferation and osteogenic activity, likely due to increased surface roughness and hydrophilicity. Surface-functionalization by SCMC most strongly enhanced cell proliferation, while CM-κ-Car most significantly promoted osteogenic activity, suggesting that surface-functionalization by CM-κ-Car may be more promising, especially in the short-term, for in vivo bone formation.
Comparative appraisal of nutrient recovery, bio-crude, and bio-hydrogen production using Coelestrella sp. in a closed-loop biorefinery
Authors: Kopperi Harishankar , Mohan S. Venkata
Published: September 2022

A closed loop algal-biorefinery was designed based on a three-stage integration of dairy wastewater (DWW) treatment, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of defatted algal biomass, and acidogenic process in a semi-synthetic framework. Initially, Coelestrella sp SVMIICT5 was grown in a 5 L photo-bioreactor and scaled up to a 50 L flat-panel photo-bioreactor using DWW. The microalgal growth showed higher photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in a biomass growth of 3.2 g/L of DCW with 87% treatment efficiency. The biomolecular composition showed 26% lipids with a good fatty acid profile (C12-C21) as well as carbohydrate (24.9%) and protein (31.8%) content. In the second stage, the de-oiled algal biomass was valorized via HTL at various temperatures (150°C, 200°, and 250°C) and reaction atmospheres (N2 and H2). Among these, the 250°C (H2) condition showed a 52% bio-crude fraction and an HHV of ∼29.47 MJ/kg (bio-oil) with a saturated hydrocarbon content of 64.3% that could be further upgraded to jet fuels. The energy recovery (73.01%) and elemental enrichment (carbon; 65.67%) were relatively greater in H2 compared to N2 conditions. Finally, dark fermentation of the complex-structured HTL-AF stream resulted in a total bio-H2 production of 231 ml/g of TOC with a 63% treatment efficiency. Life cycle analysis (LCA) was also performed for the mid-point and damage categories to assess the sustainability of the integrated process. Thus, the results of this study demonstrated comprehensive wastewater treatment and valorization of de-oiled algal biomass for chemical/fuel intermediates in the biorefinery context by low-carbon processes.
The application of collagen in the repair of peripheral nerve defect
Authors: Li Xiaolan , Zhang Xiang , Hao Ming , Wang Dongxu , Jiang Ziping , Sun Liqun , Gao Yongjian , Jin Ye , Lei Peng , Zhuo Yue
Published: September 2022

Collagen is a natural polymer expressed in the extracellular matrix of the peripheral nervous system. It has become increasingly crucial in peripheral nerve reconstruction as it was involved in regulating Schwann cell behaviors, maintaining peripheral nerve functions during peripheral nerve development, and being strongly upregulated after nerve injury to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Moreover, its biological properties, such as low immunogenicity, excellent biocompatibility, and biodegradability make it a suitable biomaterial for peripheral nerve repair. Collagen provides a suitable microenvironment to support Schwann cells’ growth, proliferation, and migration, thereby improving the regeneration and functional recovery of peripheral nerves. This review aims to summarize the characteristics of collagen as a biomaterial, analyze its role in peripheral nerve regeneration, and provide a detailed overview of the recent advances concerning the optimization of collagen nerve conduits in terms of physical properties and structure, as well as the application of the combination with the bioactive component in peripheral nerve regeneration.
Microfluidics combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for Candida spp. detection
Authors: Barbosa Violina Baranauskaite , Rodrigues Célia F. , Cerqueira Laura , Miranda João M. , Azevedo Nuno F.
Published: September 2022

One of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infection is the urinary tract infection (UTI), caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Candida albicans or non-albicans Candida species (NACS). Urine culture methods are routinely used for UTI diagnostics due to their specificity, sensitivity and low-cost. However, these methods are also laborious, time- and reagent-consuming. Therefore, diagnostic methods relying on nucleic acids have been suggested as alternatives. Nucleic acid-based methods can provide results within 24 h and can be adapted to point-of-care (POC) detection. Here, we propose to combine fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a microfluidic platform for the detection of Candida spp. As a case study we used C. tropicalis, which is reported as the second most common NACS urine isolate obtained from patients suspected with UTI. The microfluidic platform proposed in this study relies on hydrodynamic trapping, and uses physical barriers (e.g., microposts) for the separation of target cells from the suspension. Using a specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe, the FISH procedure was applied onto previously trapped C. tropicalis cells present inside the microfluidic platform. Fluorescence signal intensity of hybridized cells was captured directly under the epifluorescence microscope. Overall, the PNA probe successfully detected C. tropicalis in pure culture and artificial urine (AU) using FISH combined with the microfluidic platform. Our findings reveal that FISH using nucleic acid mimics (PNA) in combination with microfluidics is a reliable method for the detection of microorganisms such as C. tropicalis. As such, this work provides the basis for the development of a POC detection platform in the future.
The comparative analysis of the indoor air pollutants in occupied apartments at residential area and industrial area in dubai, united arab emirates
Authors: Jung Chuloh , Alqassimi Nahla , El Samanoudy Gamal
Published: September 2022

Most of the research on indoor air pollutants in the United Arab Emirates focus on the state before moving in. There are no studies on the evaluation and characteristics of Indoor Air Quality in living conditions. This study aims to obtain primary data by measuring the concentration of indoor hazardous chemical substances in apartment housings with different area characteristics and to identify the external and internal pollutants that affect them. As a methodology, a comparative analysis was conducted between residential (Business Bay) and industrial areas (Ras Al Khor) to investigate the indoor air pollutants level with the comparison of the outdoor environment, elapsed time after construction, finished materials, temperature, relative humidity, renovation, purchase of furniture and electric appliances, built-in closets, and air cleaning methods. The result showed that Benzene (C6H6), Toluene (C7H8), Ethylbenzene (C8H10), Xylene (C8H10), and Styrene (C8H8) were at a stable level. However, in the case of formaldehyde (HCHO), points exceeding or close to the WHO IAQ standard were found, suggesting that long-term attention is required. The differences between residential and industrial areas were marginal in terms of the size of the house, temperature and humidity, and the building materials. It was proven that the emission of indoor air pollutants from building materials lessened under 18 months after construction.
Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration has fundamentally different effects on proliferation, cell survival and stress response in immature versus differentiated cardiomyocyte cell lines
Authors: Grün Bent , Tirre Michaela , Pyschny Simon , Singh Vijay , Kehl Hans-Gerd , Jux Christian , Drenckhahn Jörg-Detlef
Published: September 2022

Myocardial tissue homeostasis is critically important for heart development, growth and function throughout the life course. The loss of cardiomyocytes under pathological conditions ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease due to the limited regenerative capacity of the postnatal mammalian heart. Inhibition of electron transport along the mitochondrial respiratory chain causes cellular stress characterized by ATP depletion as well as excessive generation of reactive oxygen species. Adult cardiomyocytes are highly susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction whereas embryonic cardiomyocytes in the mouse heart have been shown to be resistant towards mitochondrial complex III inhibition. To functionally characterize the molecular mechanisms mediating this stress tolerance, we used H9c2 cells as an in vitro model for immature cardiomyoblasts and treated them with various inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration. The complex I inhibitor rotenone rapidly induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis whereas the complex III inhibitor antimycin A (AMA) had no effect on proliferation and only mildly increased cell death. HL-1 cells, a differentiated and contractile cardiomyocyte cell line from mouse atrium, were highly susceptible to AMA treatment evident by cell cycle arrest and death. AMA induced various stress response mechanisms in H9c2 cells, such as the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), integrated stress response (ISR), heat shock response (HSR) and antioxidative defense. Inhibition of the UPR, ISR and HSR by siRNA mediated knock down of key components does not impair growth of H9c2 cells upon AMA treatment. In contrast, knock down of NRF2, an important transcriptional regulator of genes involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species, reduces growth of H9c2 cells upon AMA treatment. Various approaches to activate cell protective mechanisms and alleviate oxidative stress in HL-1 cells failed to rescue them from AMA induced growth arrest and death. In summary, these data show that the site of electron transport interruption along the mitochondrial respiratory chain determines cell fate in immature cardiomyoblasts. The study furthermore points to fundamental differences in stress tolerance and cell survival between immature and differentiated cardiomyocytes which may underlie the growth plasticity of embryonic cardiomyocytes during heart development but also highlight the obstacles of cardioprotective therapies in the adult heart.
TRPV1 channel in spermatozoa is a molecular target for ROS-mediated sperm dysfunction and differentially expressed in both natural and ART pregnancy failure
Authors: Swain Nirlipta , Samanta Luna , Goswami Chandan , Kar Sujata , Majhi Rakesh Kumar , Kumar Sugandh , Dixit Anshuman
Published: September 2022

Bi-directional crosstalk between Ca2+ signaling and ROS modulates physiological processes as a part of a regulatory circuit including sperm function. The role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in this regard cannot be undermined. This is the first report demonstrating the Ca2+-sensitive TRPV1 channel to be under-expressed in spermatozoa of subfertile men, idiopathic infertile men, and normozoospermic infertile males with high ROS (idiopathic infertility and unilateral varicocele). To study the effect of TRPV1 in determining the fertility outcome, we compared the expression profile of TRPV1 in spermatozoa of male partners who achieved pregnancy by natural conception (NC+, n = 10), IVF (IVF+, n = 23), or ICSI (ICSI +, n = 9) and their respective counterparts with failed pregnancy NC (n = 7), IVF (n = 23), or ICSI (n = 10), by both immunocytochemistry and flow-cytometry. Reduced expression of TRPV1 in sperm of IVF ± and ICSI ± men with respect to that NC+ men imply its role in mediating successful fertilization. Unsuccessful pregnancy outcome with an underexpression of TRPV1 in sperm of NC-/IVF-/ICSI-men suggests its role in conception and maintenance of pregnancy. Since ROS is regarded as one of the major contributors to sperm dysfunction, the effect of H2O2 +/- TRPV1 modulators (RTX/iRTX) on acrosomal reaction and calcium influx was evaluated to confirm TRPV1 as a redox sensor in human sperm. A significant increment in the percentage of acrosome reacted spermatozoa along with augmented Ca2+-influx was observed after H2O2 treatment, both in the presence or absence of TRPV1 agonist resiniferatoxin (RTX). The effect was attenuated by the TRPV1 antagonist iodoresiniferatoxin (iRTX), indicating the involvement of TRPV1 in mediating H2O2 response. Enhancement of motility and triggering of acrosomal reaction post TRPV1 activation suggested that disruption of these signaling cascades in vivo, possibly due to down-regulation of TRPV1 in these subfertile males. Bioinformatic analysis of the crosstalk between TRPV1 with fertility candidate proteins (reported to influence IVF outcome) revealed cell death and survival, cellular compromise, and embryonic development to be the primary networks affected by anomalous TRPV1 expression. We therefore postulate that TRPV1 can act as a redox sensor, and its expression in spermatozoa may serve as a fertility marker.
Regulation of Tubulin Gene Expression: From Isotype Identity to Functional Specialization
Authors: Gasic Ivana
Published: September 2022

Genomes of higher eukaryotes encode a large tubulin gene superfamily consisting of at least six α and six β-tubulin isotypes. While some α and β-tubulin isotypes are ubiquitously expressed, others are cell-type specific. The subset of α and β-tubulins that is expressed in a given cell type is defined transcriptionally. But the precise mechanisms of how cells choose which α and β isotypes to express and at what level remain poorly understood. Differential expression of tubulin isotypes is particularly prominent during development and in specialized cells, suggesting that some isotypes are better suited for certain cell type-specific functions. Recent studies begin to rationalize this phenomenon, uncovering important differences in tubulin isotype behavior and their impact on the biomechanical properties of the microtubule cytoskeleton. I summarize our understanding of the regulation of tubulin isotype expression, focusing on the role of these complex regulatory pathways in building a customized microtubule network best suited for cellular needs.
B cell-T cell interplay in immune regulation: A focus on follicular regulatory T and regulatory B cell functions
Authors: Tan Diaoyi , Yin Wei , Guan Fei , Zeng Wanjiang , Lee Pamela , Candotti Fabio , James Louisa K , Saraiva Camara Niels Olsen , Haeryfar S.M. Mansour , Chen Yan , Benlagha Kamel , Shi Lewis Zhichang , Lei Jiahui , Gong Quan , Liu Zheng , Liu Chaohong
Published: September 2022

B cells are the core components of humoral immunity. A mature B cell can serve in multiple capacities, including antibody production, antigen presentation, and regulatory functions. Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key players in sustaining immune tolerance and keeping inflammation in check. Mounting evidence suggests complex communications between B cells and Tregs. In this review, we summarize the yin-yang regulatory relationships between B cells and Tregs mainly from the perspectives of T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells and regulatory B cells (Bregs). We discuss the regulatory effects of Tfr cells on B cell proliferation and the germinal center response. Additionally, we review the indispensable role of B cells in ensuring homeostatic Treg survival and describe the function of Bregs in promoting Treg responses. Finally, we introduce a new subset of Tregs, termed Treg-of-B cells, which are induced by B cells, lake the expression of FoxP3 but still own immunomodulatory effects. In this article, we also enumerate a sequence of research from clinical patients and experimental models to clarify the role of Tfr cells in germinal centers and the role of convention B cells and Bregs to Tregs in the context of different diseases. This review offers an updated overview of immunoregulatory networks and unveils potential targets for therapeutic interventions against cancer, autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection.
Deep Investigation Into the Electrodeposition Model of Mg Battery Anode
Authors: Zhou Yingmei , Wei Zhengnan , Xu Jing , Chen Changguo
Published: September 2022

Analysis of nucleation/growth dynamics is important to understand the molecular mechanism on the electrode surface. The electrocrystallization mechanism of Mg anode in aqueous electrolyte was comprehensively investigated which can help us understand the surface discharge mechanism of Mg anode and provide a new theoretical idea for the development of high performance magnesium ion battery. The influence of applied potential signals on normal growth constant and active site numbers was studied using i-t transient curves. The dimensionless processed transient curves confirmed that the initial nucleation/growth process of Mg electrode in aqueous solution followed the diffusion-controlled three-dimensional instantaneous nucleation model.
Property-governed performance of platinum-modified titania photocatalysts
Authors: Wang Kunlei , Kowalska Ewa
Published: September 2022

Titania is probably the most widely investigated semiconductor photocatalyst because of various advantages, such as high activity, thermal and chemical stability, low price, abundance, and negligible toxicity. However, pristine titania is also characterized by charge carriers’ recombination, and thus lower quantum yields of photocatalytic reactions than theoretical 100%. Moreover, its wide bandgap, despite being recommended for excellent redox properties, means also inactivity under visible part of solar radiation. Accordingly, titania has been surface modified, doped and coupled with various elements/compounds. For example, platinum deposited on the surface of titania has shown to improve both UV activity and the performance under vis. Although the studies on titania modification with platinum started almost half a century ago, and huge number of papers have been published up to now, it is unclear which properties are the most crucial and recommended to obtain highly efficient photocatalyst. In the literature, the opposite findings could be found on the property-governed activities that could result from huge differences in the reaction systems, and also examined photocatalysts. Considering the platinum properties, its content, the size of nanoparticles and the oxidation state, must be examined. Obviously, the characteristics of titania also influence the resultant properties of deposited platinum, and thus the overall photocatalytic performance. Although so many reports on Pt/TiO2 have been published, it is hardly possible to give indispensable advice on the recommended properties. However, it might be concluded that usually fine platinum NPs uniformly deposited on the titania surface result in high photocatalytic activity, and thus in the low optimal content of necessary platinum. Moreover, the aggregation of titania particles might also help in the lowering the necessary platinum amount (even to 0.2 wt%) due to the interparticle electron transfer mechanism between titania particles in one aggregate. In respect of platinum state, it is thought that it is highly substrate-specific case, and thus either positively charged or zero valent platinum is the most recommended. It might be concluded that despite huge number of papers published on platinum-modified titania, there is still a lack of comprehensive study showing the direct correlation between only one property and the resultant photocatalytic activity.
Design principles of bioinspired interfaces for biomedical applications in therapeutics and imaging
Authors: Shih Chun-Pei , Tang Xiaofang , Kuo Chiung Wen , Chueh Di-Yen , Chen Peilin
Published: September 2022

In the past two decades, we have witnessed rapid developments in nanotechnology, especially in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging. The most commonly used nanomaterials in biomedical applications are nanoparticles, which serve as carriers for various therapeutic and contrast reagents. Since nanomaterials are in direct contact with biological samples, biocompatibility is one of the most important issues for the fabrication and synthesis of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. To achieve specific recognition of biomolecules for targeted delivery and biomolecular sensing, it is common practice to engineer the surfaces of nanomaterials with recognition moieties. This mini-review summarizes different approaches for engineering the interfaces of nanomaterials to improve their biocompatibility and specific recognition properties. We also focus on design strategies that mimic biological systems such as cell membranes of red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets, cancer cells, and bacteria.
Combined Non-Invasive Prediction and New Biomarkers of Oral and Fecal Microbiota in Patients With Gastric and Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhang Chaoyang , Hu Asheng , Li Jingxing , Zhang Fangfang , Zhong Pei , Li Yaxian , Li Yongxiang
Published: September 2022

Background

There is no information on the commonality and specificity of oral and fecal microbiota in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

The high-throughput 16S rRNA gene V4 region sequencing was used to perform bioinformatics analysis of oral, fecal, and tissue microbiota in GC (76 subjects), CRC (53), and healthy controls (HC, 70). Furthermore, we determined the microbial characteristics of each part, constructed and verified three classifiers for GC and CRC, and evaluated curves of receiver operating characteristic and precision–recall with probability of disease.

Results

Compared to HC, the microbial richness and diversity of GC and CRC decreased in oral cavity and increased in stool; additionally, these indexes in GC tissue were higher than those in CRC tissue. In GC and CRC patients, Haemophilus, Neisseria, Faecalibacterium, and Romboutsia were significantly reduced compared to the relative abundance value of oral or fecal bacterial genera in the HC group, while the Streptococcus, Gemella, Escherichia-Shigella, and Fusobacterium were significantly increased. The oral and tissue microbiota have similar and abundant shared bacterial networks. The single and combined microbial detection have good AUC values based on POD indices for predicting GC, CRC, and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers (GC and CRC).

Conclusion

This study is the first to examine the characteristics of oral, fecal, and tumor microbiota in GC and CRC patients, and the similarities and differences in their microbial changes are reported. These oral or fecal bacteria (Haemophilus, Neisseria, Faecalibacterium, Romboutsia, Streptococcus, Gemella, Escherichia-Shigella, and Fusobacterium) may be involved in tumor evolution as potentially characteristic genera. In addition, both oral and fecal microbial detection may provide a solid theoretical foundation for the non-invasive prediction of these cancers.
Leishmania infection-induced multinucleated giant cell formation via upregulation of ATP6V0D2 expression
Authors: Hong Jing , Sanjoba Chizu , Fujii Wataru , Yamagishi Junya , Goto Yasuyuki
Published: September 2022

Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. In both clinical and experimental visceral leishmaniasis, macrophage multinucleation is observed in parasitized tissues. However, the feature and the mechanism of macrophage multinucleation remained unclear. Here, we report that infection of Leishmania donovani, a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, induces multinucleation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in vitro. When these infection-induced multinucleated macrophages were compared with cytokine-induced multinucleated giant cells, the former had higher phagocytic activity on red blood cells but no apparent changes on phagocytosis of latex beads. BMDMs infected with L. donovani had increased expression of ATP6V0D2, one of the components of V-ATPase, which was also upregulated in the spleen of infected mice. Infection-induced ATP6V0D2 localized in a cytoplasmic compartment, which did not overlap with the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or lysosomes. When ATP6V0D2 expression was recombinantly induced in BMDMs, the formation of multinucleated macrophages was induced as seen in the infected macrophages. Taken together, L. donovani infection induces multinucleation of macrophages via ATP6V0D2 upregulation leading to a unique metamorphosis of the macrophages toward hemophagocytes.
Cell compensatory responses of fungi to damage of the cell wall induced by Calcofluor White and Congo Red with emphasis on Sporothrix schenckii and Sporothrix globosa. A review
Authors: Ortiz-Ramírez Jorge A. , Cuéllar-Cruz Mayra , López-Romero Everardo
Published: September 2022

The cell wall (CW) of fungi exhibits a complex structure and a characteristic chemical composition consisting almost entirely of interacting crystalline and amorphous polysaccharides. These are synthesized by a number of sugar polymerases and depolymerases encoded by a high proportion of the fungal genome (for instance, 20% inSaccharomyces cerevisiae). These enzymes act in an exquisitely coordinated process to assemble the tridimensional and the functional structure of the wall. Apart from playing a critical role in morphogenesis, cell protection, viability and pathogenesis, the CW represents a potential target for antifungals as most of its constituents do not exist in humans. Chitin, β-glucans and cellulose are the most frequent crystalline polymers found in the fungal CW. The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) is critical for CW elaboration. Also known as the Leloir pathway, this pathway ends with the formation of UDP-N-GlcNAc after four enzymatic steps that start with fructose-6-phosphate and L-glutamine in a short deviation of glycolysis. This activated aminosugar is used for the synthesis of a large variety of biomacromolecules in a vast number of organisms including bacteria, fungi, insects, crustaceans and mammalian cells. The first reaction of the HBP is catalyzed by GlcN-6-P synthase (L-glutamine:D-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase; EC 2.6.1.16), a critical enzyme that has been considered as a potential target for antifungals. The enzyme regulates the amount of cell UDP-N-GlcNAc and in eukaryotes is feedback inhibited by the activated aminosugar and other factors. The native and recombinant forms of GlcN-6-P synthase has been purified and characterized from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and demonstrated its critical role in CW remodeling and morphogenesis after exposure of some fungi to agents that stress the cell surface by interacting with wall polymers. This review deals with some of the cell compensatory responses of fungi to wall damage induced by Congo Red and Calcofluor White.
Genome deletions to overcome the directed loss of gene function in Leishmania
Authors: Alpizar-Sosa Edubiel A. , Kumordzi Yasmine , Wei Wenbin , Whitfield Phillip D. , Barrett Michael P. , Denny Paul W.
Published: September 2022

With the global reach of the Neglected Tropical Disease leishmaniasis increasing, coupled with a tiny armory of therapeutics which all have problems with resistance, cost, toxicity and/or administration, the validation of new drug targets in the causative insect vector borne protozoa Leishmania spp is more important than ever. Before the introduction of CRISPR Cas9 technology in 2015 genetic validation of new targets was carried out largely by targeted gene knockout through homologous recombination, with the majority of genes targeted (~70%) deemed non-essential. In this study we exploit the ready availability of whole genome sequencing technology to reanalyze one of these historic cell lines, a L. major knockout in the catalytic subunit of serine palmitoyltransferase (LCB2), which causes a complete loss of sphingolipid biosynthesis but remains viable and infective. This revealed a number of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, but also the complete loss of several coding regions including a gene encoding a putative ABC3A orthologue, a putative sterol transporter. Hypothesizing that the loss of such a transporter may have facilitated the directed knockout of the catalytic subunit of LCB2 and the complete loss of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis, we re-examined LCB2 in a L. mexicana line engineered for straightforward CRISPR Cas9 directed manipulation. Strikingly, LCB2 could not be knocked out indicating essentiality. However, simultaneous deletion of LCB2 and the putative ABC3A was possible. This indicated that the loss of the putative ABC3A facilitated the loss of sphingolipid biosynthesis in Leishmania, and suggested that we should re-examine the many other Leishmania knockout lines where genes were deemed non-essential.
Publication trends of research on sepsis and programmed cell death during 2002–2022: A 20-year bibliometric analysis
Authors: Li Jing-yan , Yao Ren-qi , Xie Min-yue , Zhou Qi-yuan , Zhao Peng-yue , Tian Ying-ping , Yao Yong-ming
Published: September 2022

Background

Sepsis is considered an intractable dysfunction that results from the disordered host immune response to uncontrolled infection. Even though the precise mechanism of sepsis remains unclear, scientific advances have highlighted the key role of various programmed cell death processes in the pathophysiology of sepsis. The current study aims to explore the worldwide research trend on programmed cell death in the setting of sepsis and assesses the achievements of publications from various countries, institutions, journals, and authors globally.

Material and methods

Associated publications during 2002–2022 with the topical subject of sepsis and programmed cell death were extracted from the Web of Science. VOSviewer was utilized to evaluate and map the published trend in the relevant fields.

Results

All 2,037 relevant manuscripts with a total citation of 71,575 times were screened out by the end of 1 January 2022. China accounted for the largest number of publications (45.07%) and was accompanied by corporate citations (11,037) and H-index (48), which ranked second globally. The United States has been ranked first place with the highest citations (30,775) and H-index (88), despite a low publication number (29.95%), which was subsequent to China. The journal Shock accounted for the largest number of publications in this area. R. S. Hotchkiss, affiliated with Washington University, was considered to have published the most papers in the relevant fields (57) and achieved the highest citation frequencies (9,523). The primary keywords on the topic of programmed cell death in sepsis remarkably focused on “inflammation” “immunosuppression”, and “oxidative stress”, which were recognized as the core mechanisms of sepsis, eventually attributing to programmed cell death. The involved research on programmed cell death induced by immune dysregulation of sepsis was undoubtedly the hotspot in the pertinent areas.

Conclusions

The United States has been academically outstanding in sepsis-related research. There appears to be an incompatible performance between publications and quantity with China. Frontier advances may be consulted in the journal Shock. The leading-edge research on the scope of programmed cell death in sepsis should preferably focus on immune dissonance-related studies in the future.
Shaheen Bagh: Muslim women contesting and theorizing citizenship and belonging during COVID-19
Authors: Kapoor Priya
Published: September 2022

This paper documents an important slice of global South COVID-19 history, of primarily Muslim women's protests against the Indian Government and Legislature for taking away their constitutional rights as citizens. The Shaheen Bagh mobilization has already become an important disruption in contemporary Indian history stirring public intellectuals to probe the question: “who is a citizen of India?” in their scholarship and public-community work. By virtue of the disruption the event has caused in the enactment of the citizenship law, including other biometric directives, CAA-NRC-NPR, it has ceased to be regarded a minority or marginalized occurrence. This paper examines the writings of 4 prominent academics, public scholars, and thinkers (Romila Thapar, N. Ram, Gautam Bhatia, Gautam Patel) examining citizenship in contemporary India. In order to juxtapose expert musings on citizenship with embodied voices from the protest ground, I am critically reading two volumes with multiple essays, one edited (Seema Mustafa) and the other co-written by civically-engaged journalists (Ziya Us Salam and Uzma Ausaf) and members of the Shaheen Bagh protests. As an Indian-non-Muslim, I understand scholarship regarding Shaheen Bagh as an essential part of contemporary history, insofar as secularism is a worthy intercultural political philosophy to uphold at this temporal juncture of hate, intolerance and minority- baiting globally.
A time-dependent offset field approach to simulating realistic interactions between beating hearts and surgical devices in virtual interventional radiology
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Wu Jianhuang
Published: September 2022

Endovascular interventional radiology (IR) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of vascular diseases. This procedure requires physicians to be highly skilled at manipulating interventional devices under the guidance of two-dimensional X-ray imaging. By offering a non-error-sensitive and radiation-free environment, a virtual reality-based simulator provides a promising alternative for surgical skills training and surgery planning. Building a realistic and interactive simulator is a challenging task. To achieve better realism, this paper proposes a novel method of simulating the heartbeat for both standard and patient-specific anatomical data. A time-dependent offset field approach is proposed to efficiently and stably simulate the interactive behavior between the dynamic heart mesh and surgical devices. For medical imaging simulation, we propose a GPU-based linear depth subtraction method to approximate fluoroscopic images based on the attenuation of the X-ray. On this basis, a topology-based flow map method is proposed to simulate the propagation of the contrast medium in angiography. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can simulate heartbeat stably for meshes with varying geometrical shapes and complexities. In efficiency, the dynamic heart mesh can interact with surgical devices stably at 60 frames/s. Under the simulated fluoroscopic imaging effect, the injected contrast medium can realistically visualize both dynamic and static vessels. In a face validity by medical students and clinicians, the category of effectiveness score 8.35 out of 10 on average, demonstrating that our simulator is useful in surgical skills training and surgery planning.
Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries in a patient double-seropositive for anti-glomerular basement membrane and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies: A case report
Authors: Krall Marcell , Gollmer Johannes , Pollheimer Marion J. , Reiter Clemens , Kolland Michael , Kirsch Alexander H. , Kronbichler Andreas , Eller Kathrin , Rosenkranz Alexander R. , Odler Balazs
Published: September 2022

We report a case of a patient double-seropositive for anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) who reported retrosternal chest pain during a regular hemodialysis session associated with ST-segment depression in electrocardiogram and an increase of serum high-sensitivity troponin T. Urgent coronary angiography excluded obstructive coronary artery disease, suggesting the diagnosis of ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries. This case illustrates an unusual presentation of cardiovascular involvement in a patient with double-positive ANCA/anti-GBM disease, emphasizing the possible relevance of coronary microvascular dysfunction and the need for close cardiovascular follow-up in this patient population.