bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quercetin prevented diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Liu Fang , Feng Qianqian , Yang Mengna , Yang Yichi , Nie Jiaqi , Wang Suqing 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes, posing a significant threat to human health. Currently, safe and effective preventive strategies for DN are lacking. The study aimed to explore the preventive effect and the underlying mechanism of quercetin against DN. In the in vivo experiments, we established a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by a combination of high‐fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) to explore the preventive effect of quercetin on DN and its protective role against renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. Subsequently, in vitro experiments using human tubular epithelial cells (HK‐2 cells) were conducted to further validate the protective effects of quercetin on renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. Additionally, we employed RNA sequencing analysis (RNA‐seq) and network pharmacology analysis to comprehensively elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved. In vivo, we observed a significant increase in the ratio of urinary microalbumin to creatinine in diabetic mice compared to control mice, accompanied by the activation of renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. Remarkably, all of these changes were reversed after quercetin treatment. In vitro, high‐glucose‐induced apoptosis in HK‐2 cells was significantly attenuated by quercetin. Subsequent RNA sequencing analysis and network pharmacology analysis revealed that quercetin was most likely to inhibit high‐glucose‐induced HK‐2 cell apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Western Blotting results further demonstrated that quercetin could inhibit the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in HK‐2 cells induced by high glucose. Our results supported that quercetin could prevent DN by inhibiting tubular epithelial cell apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Quercetin might be a promising candidate for the prevention of DN.
Effects of sulfur‐ and Fe‐deficient defects on the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 on pyrite surface
Authors: Feng Xinglong , Li Yuqiong , Luo Baolong , Liu Yingchao , Chen Jianhua 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThere is still a lack of research on the effect of the S and Fe vacancy on the adsorption mechanism of peroxide (H2O2) on the pyrite surface. In this work, the adsorption of H2O2 molecules on the perfect and defective pyrite surface is simulated based on density functional theory (DFT). The results indicated that the adsorption energy of H2O2 molecules on the S‐vacancy surface is relatively lower than that on the perfect surface and dissociative adsorption entirely occurs, while the adsorption behavior of H2O2 molecules on the S‐rich pyrite surface has not occurred. When the H2O2 molecules are adsorbed on the Fe‐rich pyrite surface, two products appear, one with two OH− species and the other with an H2O molecule and an O atom. The analysis of the transition state (TS) found that the dissociation of the H2O2 molecule producing two OH− species that bond with two Fe atoms is more likely to occur. In addition, based on the coordination chemistry, it is demonstrated that Fe atoms are more reactive around an S vacancy than on a perfect surface.
Concentrically expanded reversed halo sign caused by nivolumab‐related pneumonia
Authors: Tokuyasu Hirokazu , Sato Yoshitoshi , Sueda Yuriko , Sakai Hiromitsu , Esumi Chika , Yamasaki Akira 
Published: May 2024

Key messageAmong immune‐related adverse events, pneumonitis is relatively uncommon, and nivolumab‐related pneumonitis may present with a reversed halo sign.
Habitat persistency analysis with HEM‐PEAK: A novel approach for the assessment of hydropeaking impacts and mitigation measure design
Authors: Hauer C. , Unfer G. , Holzapfel P. , Tritthart M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHydropeaking is one of the most severe pressures of hydropower on aquatic ecosystems. The discharge fluctuations due to turbine operations cause frequent shifts in hydraulic habitat characteristics such as flow velocity and water depth. Those rapid changes on a daily or sub daily basis, however, are beyond the possibilities of evolutionary adaptations of aquatic organisms, especially for fish in their sensitive early life stages. Thus, one central aim in terms of the evaluation of hydropeaking impacts or the design of mitigation measures is the analysis or establishment of hydraulically stable habitat conditions. This study presents a novel habitat assessment tool to quantify hydraulically stable habitat conditions in the form of a persistency of suitable habitats in hydropeaking reaches. The HEM‐PEAK tool determines areas that contain equal ranges of depth‐averaged flow velocity and water depth for both base flow and peak flow in three categories. Those areas also exclude dewatering sites, which have to be seen as ‘residual risk for stranding’. In the present study, the model was used to evaluate the YOY habitats of brown trout and grayling. The model was tested for 14 hydropeaking reaches to evaluate the quantity of habitat persistency for different morphological characteristics, such as straight, winding, alternating gravel bars and bifurcation reaches. The findings reveal that there is no relationship between hydraulically stable habitat conditions with reach scale bed slope or the magnitude of dewatering areas. However, the changes in specific discharge in relation to bankfull width could be negatively related to the magnitude of hydraulically stable habitat conditions independent of the morphological type. This relationship is minor for summer scenarios compared to spring, as the initial habitat quality during the increased base flow conditions is already limiting the availability of suitable habitats which might have persistency during peak flow. In detail, several self‐forming bars like point bars and artificial structures like groins and coarse rip‐rap could be determined, which could be explicitly addressed in terms of mitigation measure design based on the application of the HEM‐PEAK tool.
Value‐centric analysis of user adoption for sustainable urban micro‐mobility transportation through shared e‐scooter services
Authors: Çallı Levent , Çallı Büşra Alma 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMicro‐mobility services, which are considered a sustainable alternative to traditional transportation modes, have gained substantial popularity due to advancements in mobile technology. As one of those modes of transportation, shared e‐scooter services have encouraged several startups in urban areas, allowing them to reach massive numbers of consumers in a highly competitive environment. This study aims to explore gains and barriers that affect the intention of consumers to use shared e‐scooter services, all within the framework of sustainability‐driven considerations. The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) Algorithm was used to analyse 24.798 reviews from the Google Play Store, uncovering eight topics. Those topics were used to discover customer value perceptions in the shared e‐scooter context and compare them with the related literature on perceived value. Besides, their impact on user ratings on the mobile application platform was measured using machine learning algorithms. The study's findings are expected to contribute to developing regulations for shared e‐scooter services, which have gained popularity as an eco‐friendly mode of transportation sustainability in urban areas by introducing a novel perspective.
Nanodiamond Coating in Energy and Engineering Fields: Synthesis Methods, Characteristics, and Applications
Authors: Zhao Ningkang , Song Meiqi , Zhang Xifang , Xu Wei , Liu Xiaojing 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNanodiamonds are metastable allotropes of carbon. Based on their high hardness, chemical inertness, high thermal conductivity, and wide bandgap, nanodiamonds are widely used in energy and engineering applications in the form of coatings, such as mechanical processing, nuclear engineering, semiconductors, etc., particularly focusing on the reinforcement in mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, heat transfer, and electrical behavior. In mechanical performance, nanodiamond coatings can elevate hardness and wear resistance, improve the efficiency of mechanical components, and concomitantly reduce friction, diminish maintenance costs, particularly under high‐load conditions. Concerning chemical inertness and corrosion resistance, nanodiamond coatings are gradually becoming the preferred manufacturing material or surface modification material for equipment in harsh environments. As for heat transfer, the extremely high coefficient of thermal conductivity of nanodiamond coatings makes them one of the main surface modification materials for heat exchange equipment. The increase of nucleation sites results in excellent performance of nanodiamond coatings during the boiling heat transfer stage. Additionally, concerning electrical properties, nanodiamond coatings elevate the efficiency of solar cells and fuel cells, and great performance in electrochemical and electrocatalytic is found. This article will briefly describe the application and mechanism analysis of nanodiamonds in the above‐mentioned fields.
Manipulating 2D Membrane Interlayer Channels with Accelerated Mass‐Transfer Behavior to Boost Solar Desalination
Authors: Du Yuping , Zhang He , Zou Lie , Li Xiaoke , Lv Xingbin , Ye Jiahui , Deng Kuan , Tian Wen , Ji Junyi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe scarcity of fresh water necessitates sustainable and efficient water desalination strategies. Solar‐driven steam generation (SSG), which employs solar energy for water evaporation, has emerged as a promising approach. Graphene oxide (GO)‐based membranes possess advantages like capillary action and Marangoni effect, but their stacking defects and dead zones of flexible flakes hinders efficient water transportation, thus the evaporation rate lag behind unobstructed‐porous 3D evaporators. Therefore, fundamental mass‐transfer approach for optimizing SSG evaporators offers new horizons. Herein, a universal multi‐force‐fields‐based method is presented to regularize membrane channels, which can mechanically eliminate inherent interlayer stackings and defects. Both characterization and simulation demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach across different scales and explain the intrinsic mechanism of mass‐transfer enhancement. When combined with a structurally optimized substrate, the 4Laponite@GO‐1 achieves evaporation rate of 2.782 kg m−2 h−1 with 94.48% evaporation efficiency, which is comparable with most 3D evaporators. Moreover, the optimized membrane exhibits excellent cycling stability (10 days) and tolerance to extreme conditions (pH 1–14, salinity 1%–15%), verifies the robust structural stability of regularized channels. This optimization strategy provides simple but efficient way to enhance the SSG performance of GO‐based membranes, facilitating their extensive application in sustainable water purification technologies.
Enzymatic Reaction Enhanced Diffusion Accelerates Cargo Transport through Micro/Nano‐Channels
Authors: Wang Liying , Jin Dongdong , Peng Yixin , Khan Mohd Yasir , Zhao Dongfang , Xu Chengyan , Chen Wenjun , Wang Wei , Ma Xing 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEnergy conversion and transfer of enzyme‐catalyzed reactions at molecular level are an interesting and challenging scientific topic that helps understanding biological processes in nature. In this study, it is demonstrated that enzyme‐catalyzed reactions can enhance diffusion of surrounding molecules and thus accelerate cargo transport within 1D micro/nanochannels. Specifically, urease is immobilized on the inner walls of silica micro/nano‐tubes to construct bio‐catalytically active micro/nanochannels. The catalytic reaction inside the channels drives a variety of cargoes, including small dye molecules, polymers, and rigid nanoparticles (e.g., quantum dots, QDs), to pass through these micro/nanochannels much faster than they will by free diffusion. The enhanced diffusion of molecular species inside the channels is validated by direct observation of the Brownian motion of tracer particles, and further confirmed by significantly enhanced Raman intensity of reporter molecules. Finite element and Brownian dynamics simulations provide a theoretical understanding of these experimental observations. Furthermore, the effect of the channels’ size on the diffusion enhancement is examined. The acceleration effect of the cargo transport through these enzymatically active micro/nanochannels can be turned on or off via chemical activators or inhibitors. This study provides valuable insights on the design of biomimetic channels capable of controlled and efficient transmembrane transport.
Enhanced Nanoparticle Sensing in a Highly Viscous Nanopore
Authors: Kawaguchi Taiga , Tsutsui Makusu , Murayama Sanae , Leong Iat Wai , Yokota Kazumichi , Komoto Yuki , Taniguchi Masateru 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSlowing down translocation dynamics is a crucial challenge in nanopore sensing of small molecules and particles. Here, it is reported on nanoparticle motion‐mediated local viscosity enhancement of water‐organic mixtures in a nanofluidic channel that enables slow translocation speed, enhanced capture efficiency, and improved signal‐to‐noise ratio by transmembrane voltage control. It is found that higher detection rates of nanoparticles under larger electrophoretic voltage in the highly viscous solvents. Meanwhile, the strongly pulled particles distort the liquid in the pore at high shear rates over 103 s−1 which leads to a counterintuitive phenomenon of slower translocation speed under higher voltage via the induced dilatant viscosity behavior. This mechanism is demonstrated as feasible with a variety of organic molecules, including glycerol, xanthan gum, and polyethylene glycol. The present findings can be useful in resistive pulse analyses of nanoscale objects such as viruses and proteins by allowing a simple and effective way for translocation slowdown, improved detection throughput, and enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Engineering the Spatial Distribution of Amphiphilic Molecule within Complex Coacervate Microdroplet via Modulating Charge Strength of Polyelectrolytes
Authors: Yin Chengying , Yu Xinran , Chen Chong , Jin Xiaofen , Tian Liangfei 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe investigation of the interplay between complex coacervate microdroplets and amphiphilic molecules offers valuable insights into the processes of prebiotic compartmentalization on the early Earth and presents a promising avenue for future advancements in biotechnology. Herein, the interaction between complex coacervate microdroplets and amphiphilic molecule (decanoic acid) is systematically investigated by varying charge strengths of negatively charged polyelectrolytes (DNA and PAA) and positively charged polyelectrolytes (PDDA and DEAE‐Dextran). It is found that the interaction between amphiphilic molecule and complex coacervate microdroplets depended on the delicate balance between the interaction between decanoic acid and polyelectrolyte and the interaction between two polyelectrolytes. The different spatial distribution of amphiphilic molecule can result in differences in the internal microenvironment, which can further alter the uptake or exclusion of small molecules and biomolecules with different charges and polarities and functional biological process.
Sustainable edge computing: Challenges and future directions
Authors: Arroba Patricia , Buyya Rajkumar , Cárdenas Román , Risco‐Martín José L. , Moya José M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe advent of edge computing holds immense promise for advancing the digitization of society, ushering in critical applications that elevate the overall quality of life. Yet, the practical implementation of the edge paradigm proves more challenging than anticipated, encountering disruptions primarily due to the constraints of applying conventional cloud‐based strategies at the network's periphery. Increasingly influenced by sustainability commitments, industry regulations currently view edge computing as a potential threat, primarily due to the energy inefficiency of solutions situated in close proximity to data generation sources and the rising density of computing. This paper presents a proactive strategy to transform the perceived threat into an opportunity, steering the sustainable evolution of future edge infrastructures to make them both environmentally and economically competitive for accelerated adoption. The vision outlined addresses key challenges associated with edge deployment and operation, emphasizing energy efficiency, fault‐tolerant automation, and collaborative orchestration. The proposed approach integrates two‐phase immersion cooling, formal modeling, machine learning, and federated management to effectively harness heterogeneity, propelling the sustainability of edge computing. To substantiate the efficacy of this approach, the paper details initial efforts towards establishing the sustainability of an edge infrastructure designed for an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems application.
A biocompatible O‐carboxymethyl chitosan/acrylic acid copolymer over magnetic graphene oxide used for determination of catechins in urine prior to ion monitoring‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Golmohammadi Golnaz , Sereshti Hassan , Samadi Soheila , Rashidi Nodeh Hamid 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCatechins, as powerful flavonoids with antioxidant properties, are crucial for the preservation of the human body against free radicals and for promoting overall health. Research has shown that the presence of catechins in urine is linked to a reduced risk of gastric and esophageal cancer. This study introduces an innovative approach using a novel nano‐composite material, composed of magnetic graphene oxide coated with a biocompatible O‐carboxymethyl chitosan/acrylic acid copolymer, for extracting catechins from human urine. The extracted catechins were then analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry‐selected ion monitoring analysis. Under the optimum conditions, the analytical figures of merit for catechin and epicatechin were linear dynamic range: 0.5–1000 ng/mL, R2 of 0.9991; limit of detection equal to 0.1 ng/mL; relative standard deviation: 4.1 and 3.1 (C = 50 ng/mL, n = 3); and relative recovery was 94%, respectively. The application of this method holds significant promise for advancing clinical and toxicological studies, as well as establishing potential associations between tea consumption and disease prevention.
Mass spectrometry and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy profiles of red and pink Rhododendron flower petals establish them as rich sources of bioactive secondary metabolites
Authors: Shagun Shagun , Lingwan Maneesh , Masakapalli Shyam Kumar 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRhododendron petals are considered high‐value owing to their commercial utility, national/state flower status in certain countries, and bioactive potential from recent studies. Profiling and quantitative analysis of the bioactive metabolites would evaluate if they can be natural sources. This study is focused on the comprehensive profiling of secondary metabolites in the hot aqueous petal extracts of Red and Pink Rhododendron flowers (Rhododendron arboreum and Rhododendron campanulatum) using separation and fragmentation patterns from mass spectrometry (MS) (gas chromatography‐MS and liquid chromatography‐tandem MS) and chemical shifts from proton‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The complementary analytical platforms highlighted the petals to be rich in promising bioactive molecules such as quinic acid, chlorogenic acid (caffeoyl quinic acid), protocatechuic acid, coumaroyl quinic acids, catechin, epigallocatechin, and shikimic acid. The analysis also reflected the activity of shikimic acid, phenolic acid, and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways in Rhododendron flowers. These metabolites are well reported for their bioactive potential as anti‐oxidative, anti‐viral, anti‐cancerous, anti‐diabetic, anti‐inflammatory, etc. While the quantitative and multivariate analysis showed variations in the levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids, it is established that red and pink Rhododendron flower petals are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals of interest to the phytochemical Industry.
Pharmacokinetics of cyproheptadine hydrochloride in mice and beagle dogs, tissue distribution, and excretion properties of cyproheptadine hydrochloride in mice
Authors: Liu Ting , Cui Chunying , Zhou Jielin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCyproheptadine hydrochloride (CYP) is a typical antihistamine with antiserotonergic, blocking H1 receptor, anticholine, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐allergic effects. To investigate the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and excretion, the liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was established and validated the CYP concentrations in the plasma of beagle dogs and the biological matrix of mice. CYP was quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and widely distributed to various tissues. The area under the curve (AUC)0–t and peak concentration of CYP were increased with the dose after administration. At the equal dose, the bioavailability of intramuscular injection in mice and beagle dogs was 81.1% and 79.1%. The tissue distribution experiments suggested that CYP would not accumulate for a long time in vivo. CYP levels in tissues peaked after 15 min of injection, and the drug concentrations in the kidney and lung were higher than those in other tissues. For excretion, the cumulative urinary excretion of CYP within 156 h after intramuscular injection in mice accounted for (1.2 ± 0.1)% of the total administration dose. The feces excretion of the drug prototype was below the lower limit of quantitation. High sensitivity and strong specificity are observed based on the established method of LC‐MS/MS, which was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and excretion studies of CYP.
A validated high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of irinotecan and two major metabolites in rat plasma: Application for the pharmacokinetics study
Authors: Liangzhu Jiang , Nan Gu , Yuzhi Peng , Yuxin Liao , Limin Zhou , Yongbing Sun 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for the determination of irinotecan, 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin (SN38), and SN38 glucuronide (SN38G) in rat plasma in the present study. The analytes were separated on a C18 column and a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry equipped with an electrospray ionization source was applied for detection. Irinotecan, SN38 and SN38G could be well retained in the C18 column after optimization of mobile phase. A simple protein precipitation was used to pretreat the plasma. The extraction recovery was above 90% and the matrix effect could be negligible. The method was linear over the concentration ranges of 3.46–3458.8 ng/mL for irinotecan, 2.53–2530.0 ng/mL for SN38 and 2.5–2500.0 ng/mL for SN38G. The precision and accuracy was within the acceptable limits. The simple and convenient method was validated and successfully applied to support the pharmacokinetic study and elucidate the mechanism of irinotecan‐induced diarrhea after irinotecan was intravenously injected to the Sprague‐Dawley rats.