bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial distribution of Dechlorane Plus and dechlorane related compounds in European background air
Authors: Skogeng Lovise P. , Lunder Halvorsen Helene , Breivik Knut , Eckhardt Sabine , Herzke Dorte , Moeckel Claudia , Krogseth Ingjerd S. 
Published: January 2023

The highly chlorinated chemical Dechlorane Plus (DP) was introduced as a replacement flame retardant for Mirex, which is banned through the Stockholm Convention (SC) for its toxicity (T), environmental persistence (P), potential for bioaccumulation (B) and long-range environmental transport potential (LRETP). Currently, Dechlorane Plus is under consideration for listing under the Stockholm Convention and by the European Chemical Agency as it is suspected to also have potential for P, B, T and LRET. Knowledge of atmospheric concentrations of chemicals in background regions is vital to understand their persistence and long-range atmospheric transport but such knowledge is still limited for Dechlorane Plus. Also, knowledge on environmental occurrence of the less described Dechlorane Related Compounds (DRCs), with similar properties and uses as Dechlorane Plus, is limited. Hence, the main objective of this study was to carry out a spatial mapping of atmospheric concentrations of Dechlorane Plus and Dechlorane Related Compounds at background sites in Europe. Polyurethane foam passive air samplers were deployed at 99 sites across 33 European countries for 3 months in summer 2016 and analyzed for dechloranes. The study showed that syn- and anti-DP are present across the European continent (&lt;MDL-2.6 pg/m3 and &lt;MDL-12.3 pg/m3, respectively), including parts of the Arctic. This supports that these compounds have potential for long-range atmospheric transport to remote regions. The highest concentrations of Dechlorane Plus were observed in central continental Europe, with anti-DP fractions close to the commercial mixture of Dechlorane Plus. The only detected Dechlorane Related Compounds was Dechlorane-602, which was found in 27% of the samples (&lt;MDL-0.33 pg/m3). The measured concentrations and spatial patterns of Dechlorane Plus and Dechlorane-602 in air across Europe indicate the influence of primary sources of these compounds on background concentrations in European air. Future air monitoring efforts targeting dechloranes is needed in both background and source areas, including consistent temporal trends.
Poly-γ-glutamic acid-producing bacteria reduce wheat Cd uptake by promoting Cd transfer from macro-to micro-aggregates in Cd-contaminated soil
Authors: Wang Xiaohan , Liu Xiaoyu , Ji Haikuan , Xia Tao 
Published: January 2023

Heavy metal immobilization using poly-γ-glutamic acid-producing bacteria is a novel and environmentally friendly technique for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of γ-PGA-producing bacteria on the Cd uptake of wheat plants and the Cd distribution in soil aggregates in Cd-polluted soils. In this study, solution culture and pot experiments were used to investigate the Cd immobilization effect and mechanism of the γ-PGA-producing bacteria Bacillus subtilis W7 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens W25. In the two bacteria-inoculated culture media, the concentration of Cd decreased, whereas the pH, cell growth, γ-PGA production and cell-immobilized Cd significantly increased over time. Strain W25 exhibited a higher ability to produce γ-PGA and immobilize Cd than strain W7. In the pot experiments, the grain Cd content of wheat was reduced by 24–35% and the DTPA-Cd content was decreased by 22–37% in the rhizosphere soils inoculated with both strains compared to the control. Furthermore, strain W25 had a greater ability to decrease the grain Cd uptake than strain W7. Inoculation with the two strains significantly increased the pH, organic matter content, and urease activity and promoted the migration of Cd from large fractions (&gt;0.25 mm) to small fractions (&lt;0.048 mm) and the transformation of available Cd to unavailable Cd in wheat rhizosphere soil. Our results highlight the potential of γ-PGA-producing bacteria in remediating Cd-polluted soils for safe wheat producing.
Application of textile (PAN-based) activated carbon fibers decorated with silver nanoparticles in water treatment
Authors: Martins Isabela M. , Sampaio Aline G. , Lima Gabriela M. G. , Oliveira e Campos Maria A. C. , Rodgher Suzelei , Rodrigues-Siqueli Aline C. , Baldan Maurício R. , Marcuzzo Jossano S. , Koga-Ito Cristiane Y. 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Water treatment deficit and poor health, hygiene and sanitation infrastructure can contribute to disease transmission by dissemination of contaminants and microorganisms. As an alternative, carbon-based materials coated with antimicrobial molecules have been proposed for water treatment, but few supporting data are available so far. Hence, this study investigates the potential use of PAN-based activated carbon fibers (ACF) decorated with silver nanoparticles in water treatment.Methods: Silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the material using a cheap and electroless method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterized the whole material. The textile was mounted on a water filter prototype and had its capacity to remove bacterial (Escherichia coli) and fungal (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium funiculosum) cells evaluated. Composition and toxicity of the filtered water were determined.Results: Water filtered by Ag@ACF for 2 and 24 h contained 0.254 mg/L and 0.964 mg/L Ag, respectively. Ag@ACF filtering successfully removed E. coli, C. albicans, and A. niger from the suspensions, but not P. funiculosum. Treated water was non-toxic for Vero cells and Drosophila melanogaster, but toxic for Raphidocelis subcapitata. Ag@ACF showed efficient microbial elimination when applied in water treatment. Silver nanoparticles released in aqueous medium may be responsible for R. subcapitata toxicity. Future studies should be conducted to reduce silver nanoparticles release from the carbon fiber.
PD-1 expression in transbronchial biopsies of lung transplant recipients is a possible early predictor of rejection
Authors: Righi Ilaria , Vaira Valentina , Morlacchi Letizia Corinna , Croci Giorgio Alberto , Rossetti Valeria , Blasi Francesco , Ferrero Stefano , Nosotti Mario , Rosso Lorenzo , Clerici Mario 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionChronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is the main cause of the reduced survival of lung transplanted (LTx) patients. The possible role of immune checkpoint molecules in establishing tolerance has been scarcely investigated in the setting of lung transplantation.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational pilot study on a consecutive series of transbronchial cryobiopsies (TCB) obtained from 24 patients during LTx follow-up focusing on PD-1, one of the most investigated immune checkpoint molecules.ResultsResults showed that PD-1-expressing T lymphocytes were present in all TCB with a histological diagnosis of acute rejection (AR; 9/9), but not in most (11/15) of the TCB not resulting in a diagnosis of AR (p=0.0006). Notably, the presence of PD-1-expressing T lymphocytes in TCB resulted in a 10-times higher risk of developing chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), the main cause of the reduced survival of lung transplanted patients, thus being associated with a clearly worst clinical outcome.DiscussionResults of this pilot study indicate a central role of PD-1 in the development of AR and its evolution towards CLAD and suggest that the evaluation of PD-1-expressing lymphocytes in TCB could offer a prognostic advantage in monitoring the onset of AR in patients who underwent lung transplantation.
The detrimental effect of donor-specific antibodies is irrespective of its level in highly-immunized living donor kidney transplant recipients: A case-control series
Authors: Tramper T. , Roelen D. L. , Brand-Schaaf S. H. , Kal-van Gestel J. A. , Kho M. M. L. , Reinders M. E. J. , Roodnat J. I. , van de Wetering J. , Betjes M. G. H. , de Weerd A. E. 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThe impact of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) in (highly-) immunized living donor kidney transplant recipients is reported differentially in various patient cohorts.MethodsWe have performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive HLA-incompatible living donor kidney transplant recipients in our center between 2010-2019. Recipients who underwent plasmafiltration for a positive CDC-crossmatch were excluded. For each DSA+ recipient (DSA+), one immunized recipient without DSA (pPRA+) and two non-immunized recipients (pPRA-) were included. Patient and graft survival were analyzed and a subgroup analysis of DSA+ recipients was performed.ResultsFor 63 DSA+ recipients, 63 PRA+ and 126 PRA- recipients were included. 26 (41%) had class I, 24 (38%) class II and 13 (21%) combined HLA class I and II DSA. Death-censored graft survival was inferior in DSA+ recipients compared to pPRA+ (HR 2.38 [95% CI 1.00-5.70]) as well as to pPRA- (HR 3.91 [1.86-8.22]). In multivariate analysis, DSA remained of negative influence on death-censored graft survival. Flowcytometric crossmatch, MFI value, HLA class and origin of DSA were not of significant impact.ConclusionIn our cohort of (highly-) immunized recipients, pretransplant DSA led to inferior death-censored graft survival. There were no “safe” DSA characteristics since only DSA per se impacted death-censored graft survival.
Wind effect on sediment suspensions over silt-dominated mixtures: An experimental study
Authors: Chen Yongping , Pu Jinshan , Zhu Qin , Su Min , Zhou Zeng , Qiao Zhongxing , Xu Chunyang , Yao Peng 
Published: January 2023

A series of laboratory experiments have been conducted to explore the wind effect on Sediment Suspended Concentrations (SSCs) in fine-grained coastal systems. The paddle waves were overplayed with surface-blowing winds in a wind-wave flume to mimic offshore swells coupling with local wind waves during rough weather. Both SSCs and water turbulences under different wind and wave conditions have been investigated over two kinds of sediment beds (Sediment 1, S1, D50 = 52µm and Sediment 2, S2, D50 = 90µm). The High Concentration Layers (HCL) were formed under most of the wave-only conditions, while with the introduction of the stronger wind, more sediment suspensions were transported upward, increasing SSCs in upper water elevations. The finer sediment S1 is easier to suspend than S2 under the same conditions. The enhancement of the vertical turbulence intensity (σw) by winds is the main reason for the increase in SSCs. Meanwhile, because the wind-induced turbulence can hardly penetrate the HCL, the turbulence intensities outside the HCL can be further amplified compared to the experiment without a sediment bed. The wind contributes over 65% of the SSC enlargement above the HCL under a wind of 10m/s for S1, while less than 20% inside the HCL in most wind conditions. The sediment mixing coefficient (ϵs), a crucial parameter for suspended sediment modeling, was enhanced with stronger winds. Although the existing formulas for the vertical distribution of ϵs are valid under both wave-only and small winds (2.5 m/s) for both sediment beds, the enhancement of ϵs caused by strong winds cannot be captured, requiring further research.
Morphological changes in a macro-tidal estuary during extreme flooding events
Authors: Du Yixiao , Cheng Zhixin , You Zaijin 
Published: January 2023

River discharge is a controlling factor in estuarine morphological changes; estuarine topography can be significantly altered even by only one flooding event. However, the mechanism of morphological changes in mountain-stream macro-tidal estuaries during wet seasons is not fully understood. Taking the Yalu River Estuary (YRE), China, as an example, this study aims to explore the effects of extreme flooding events on estuarine morphology. An improved Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) was applied in the YRE to reproduce the distribution of bed sediment erosion and deposition during dry years, normal years, and wet years. Sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the responses of the estuarine system to river discharge. The influence of the Yalu River on the magnitude of estuarine bed change was examined. With an increase in river discharge, the bed thickness in the main estuarine channel first increased and then decreased after reaching a threshold of 0.4 × 104m3/s. Simultaneously, density stratification became stronger with the increase in runoff. Subsequently, vertical mixing of water was weakened after a certain threshold, which in turn, enhanced the density stratification and changed the location of the Estuarine Turbidity Maxima (ETM). In addition, river effects contributed to nearly half of the bed erosion under 0.6 × 104m3/s (flooding with 50-year return period). The ETM extended and moved approximately 8 km seaward during flooding events. The West River channel experienced strong siltation, which was more significant during flood events. The results of this study demonstrate that estuarine circulation plays a key role in morphology change. The magnitude of bed thickness erosion can reach 22% of the total initial thickness during one flooding event. This rapid change is a threat to the stability of port infrastructures, and actions should be taken to maintain the safety of coastal construction.
Development of magnetorheological elastomer railway pads with a tunable stiffness/damping property for railway fastening systems
Authors: Cui Shukun , Liu Bingtong , Zhou Yao , Liu Changxi , Wang Yazhou , Xiao Junheng 
Published: January 2023

The railway pad plays an irreplaceable role in isolating the vibration and noise from rail/wheel interaction in railway components. A railway pad with variable stiffness and damping properties can adapt to various railway operating conditions for suppressing of railway noise and vibration. Unfortunately, to meet the practical requirements in railway fastening systems, which the railway pad should be able to bear heavy loads with low stiffness, both the material development and structural design need to be addressed for the application of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). In this work, an MRE railway pad is designed, developed and experimentally tested. As illustrated by experimental results, the obtained MRE materials illustrate an obvious magnetorheological effect with the highest efficiency of 171% on storage modulus and 70% on loss factor. Coupling with the magnet controlling unit, the MRE railway pad is capable to control the stiffness and damping property under high loads. By adjusting the coil’s current from 0 A to 5 A, its static stiffness exhibits an enhancement from 37.9 kN/mm to 68.4 kN/mm, and the damping property increases from 8776.3 N•s/m to 10866.3 N•s/m. These results in this study are not only a successful demonstration of delivering a tunable stiffness and damping capability of the railway pad, but also pave the way for the development of MRE materials to achieve more rational applications.
Impact of manganese diffusion into non-oriented electrical steel on power loss and permeability at different temperatures
Authors: Elgamli Elmazeg , Anayi Fatih , Shouran Mokhtar 
Published: January 2023

Minimising power losses and their consequences is a significant matter in electrical steel applications. Increasing the resistivity of the steel strips has been confirmed as a successful method to overcome the problem of power losses. To increase the resistivity of the strip, different effective methods have been proposed and tested. In this work, a new material has been proposed to achieve the objective of increasing the resistivity of the steel samples by adding Manganese (IV) oxide based on a diffusion technique. The surface of the samples is to be coated with the proposed Manganese oxide. This should guarantee an increase in the resistivity of the samples, which in turn reduces the power losses caused by the eddy current. The samples tested were of non-oriented electrical steels containing 2.4 wt% Si-Fe (with a thickness of 0.305 mm*300 mm*30 mm). It was measured for losses and permeability before and after treatment by a Single Strip Tester (SST) at 0.5–1.7 T using an Alternating Current magnetic properties measurement system under controlled sinusoidal at different frequencies. The obtained results revealed that the depth of Manganese oxide diffusion is inversely proportional to the increase in the temperature. It was demonstrated that the best amount of diffusion of the element into the strips was achieved at 525°C, which was 60 weight % in comparison with 700°C which was 20 wt%. Likewise, at 800°C it was 7 wt%. However, the depth of diffusion of the manganese was the same at those tested temperatures, which were equal to 200 µm deep on each of the side strips. The diffusion of the material was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, from the results, it was concluded that the power losses in the coating samples were improved by 9% as compared with uncoated samples.
Moist exposed burn ointment accelerates diabetes-related wound healing by promoting re-epithelialization
Authors: Gong Yuanxun , Jiang Yan , Huang Jinmei , He Zuofen , Tang Qianli 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThe incidence of diabetes-related wounds is widespread, and the treatment is challenging. We found that Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) promotes the healing of diabetes-related wounds, but the mechanism is not clear.MethodsThis study aimed to explore the mechanism of MEBO on diabetic wound healing, which may be related to the promotion of re-epithelialization. A full-thickness skin resection model was established in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. MEBO and Kangfuxin (KFX) were applied to the wound area, and the wound healing rate was analyzed by photographing. The granulation tissue and epidermal thickness, the collagen remodeling rate, and the expression of cytokeratin 10 (CK10), cytokeratin 14 (CK14), Ki67, Collagen I, and Collagen III in the regenerated skin were detected by H&amp;E staining, Masson staining, and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. MEBO and KFX were applied to human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT), mouse dermal fibrolasts (MDF) cells, and cell viability, cell migration, and differentiation were determined by CCK-8, scratching assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blot (WB), respectively.ResultsWe found that MEBO significantly promoted the formation of wound granulation tissue and collagen remodeling in diabetic mice. The application of MEBO to diabetic wounds not only promoted the formation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands but also promoted the expression of Ki67, CK10, and CK14 in epidermal cells. MEBO had no significant effect on the differentiation process of keratinocytes.ConclusionOur study further proved that MEBO plays a positive role in diabetic wound healing, and its excellent ability to promote re-epithelialization may be an important reason for promoting wound healing.
The gene regulatory network of Staphylococcus aureus ST239-SCCmecIII strain Bmb9393 and assessment of genes associated with the biofilm in diverse backgrounds
Authors: Costa Maiana de Oliveira Cerqueira e , Nascimento Ana Paula Barbosa do , Martins Yasmmin Cortes , Santos Marcelo Trindade dos , Figueiredo Agnes Marie de Sá , Perez-Rueda Ernesto , Nicolás Marisa Fabiana 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionStaphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent and relevant pathogens responsible for a wide spectrum of hospital-associated or community-acquired infections. In addition, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus may display multidrug resistance profiles that complicate treatment and increase the mortality rate. The ability to produce biofilm, particularly in device-associated infections, promotes chronic and potentially more severe infections originating from the primary site. Understanding the complex mechanisms involved in planktonic and biofilm growth is critical to identifying regulatory connections and ways to overcome the global health problem of multidrug-resistant bacteria.MethodsIn this work, we apply literature-based and comparative genomics approaches to reconstruct the gene regulatory network of the high biofilm-producing strain Bmb9393, belonging to one of the highly disseminating successful clones, the Brazilian epidemic clone. To the best of our knowledge, we describe for the first time the topological properties and network motifs for the Staphylococcus aureus pathogen. We performed this analysis using the ST239-SCCmecIII Bmb9393 strain. In addition, we analyzed transcriptomes available in the literature to construct a set of genes differentially expressed in the biofilm, covering different stages of the biofilms and genetic backgrounds of the strains.Results and discussionThe Bmb9393 gene regulatory network comprises 1,803 regulatory interactions between 64 transcription factors and the non-redundant set of 1,151 target genes with the inclusion of 19 new regulons compared to the N315 transcriptional regulatory network published in 2011. In the Bmb9393 network, we found 54 feed-forward loop motifs, where the most prevalent were coherent type 2 and incoherent type 2. The non-redundant set of differentially expressed genes in the biofilm consisted of 1,794 genes with functional categories relevant for adaptation to the variable microenvironments established throughout the biofilm formation process. Finally, we mapped the set of genes with altered expression in the biofilm in the Bmb9393 gene regulatory network to depict how different growth modes can alter the regulatory systems. The data revealed 45 transcription factors and 876 shared target genes. Thus, the gene regulatory network model provided represents the most up-to-date model for Staphylococcus aureus, and the set of genes altered in the biofilm provides a global view of their influence on biofilm formation from distinct experimental perspectives and different strain backgrounds.