Search

The unstable plume mode of hollow cathodes should be avoided in practical applications because it severely degrades the overall cathode lifetime. In this study, we investigate the spot-plume transition and plasma stability characteristics of an unused segmented lanthanum hexaboride emitter. The expansion of the unstable plume mode region is observed during a discharge experiment. Subsequently, the segmented emitter is retrieved, the inner surface of the emitter is observed, and the work function on the surface is measured at room temperature. The emitter surface exhibits color variations with oxygen and carbon detection. The downstream edge shows the original purple color and almost no degradation in the work function. The high temperature in this region promotes the desorption of carbon and oxygen. In the spot mode, this region mainly contributes to thermionic electron emission; therefore, the discharge voltage in the spot mode does not change during the discharge experiment. Carbon or carbide is detected in the middle of the axial direction on the emitter surface, where the surface temperature is not sufficiently high to desorb carbon during discharge. Based on the surface analysis results, the dominant substance in the region where carbon is detected was lanthanum carbide. An increase in the work function is indicated in the region, which appears to increase the plasma instability. According to previous studies, an increase in the work function results in a rise in the potential in the emitter, and an increase in the electron temperature in the outside plume region induces the plasma instability. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanism connecting the rise in the work function and the rise in the electron temperature in the plume region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GaAs surfaces require electrical and chemical passivation for semiconductor devices, but in order to have air stable passivation, high temperatures have been previously required in the passivation step. Here, we demonstrate air-stable, ex situ plasma passivation of GaAs using consecutive hydrogen and nitrogen plasmas at room temperature. No pre-clean using deoxidizing wet chemistry or other means is required. The hydrogen plasma step removes surface oxides and As, which leaves a Ga-rich layer that the nitrogen plasma then turns to GaN. The formed GaN layer efficiently passivates the surface. The plasma-passivated GaAs shows upto 5 × room-temperature photoluminescence after 1 year, and room-temperature time-resolved photoluminescence demonstrates robust passivation even after 3 years, both comparisons to similarly aged unpassivated GaAs. Atomic force microscopy was used to confirm that the passivated surfaces can be made smooth enough for microelectronic applications. Grazing incidence x-ray diffraction indicated that the nitride films are amorphous, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was used to estimate the nitrogen content. We used a common inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching system for plasma passivation, thus enabling the rapid adoption of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature plasma ablation has been recently used for minimally invasive surgeries. However, more research is still needed on its generation process during tissue ablation and the underlying mechanism of tissue thermal damage. In this paper, high-speed camera footage, voltage–current signal collection, temperature analysis, and histological analysis were used to investigate the dynamic process of plasma tissue ablation and its thermal effect of dual-needle electrodes immersed in normal saline, which were driven by a high-frequency DC power supply with an output voltage ranging from 220 V to 320 V and a squire wave of 100 kHz. Microbubbles occurred around the ground electrode and merged to form a vapor layer that could completely cover the ground electrode. Plasma capable of ablating tissue would occur in the vapor layer between the ground electrode and tissue. The effect of electrical parameters on plasma generation and its thermal effect are analyzed by statistical results. The experimental results indicated that the voltage applied to the electrodes significantly influenced both the generation and stability of plasma, as well as the heat generation and tissue damage around the electrodes. Furthermore, under the same voltage, the existence of biological tissue promotes the formation of a vapor layer around the electrode, thereby facilitating the generation and stability of plasma. Notably, the temperature rise around the ground electrode is much higher than that around the powered electrode. These results have direct application to the design of plasma tissue ablation systems, which could achieve tissue ablation effects with minimal thermal damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The orexin receptor (OXR) plays a role in drug addiction and is aberrantly expressed in colorectal tumors. Subtype-selective OXR PET ligands suitable for in vivo use have not yet been reported. This work reports the development of 18F-labeled OXR PET ligand candidates derived from the OXR antagonist suvorexant and the OX1R-selective antagonist JH112. Results: Computational analysis predicted that fluorine substitution (1e) and introduction of the fluorobenzothiazole scaffold (1f) would be suitable for maintaining high OX1R affinity. After multi-step synthesis of 1a–1f, in vitro OXR binding studies confirmed the molecular dynamics calculations and revealed single-digit nanomolar OX1R affinities for 1a–f, ranging from 0.69 to 2.5 nM. The benzothiazole 1f showed high OX1R affinity (Ki = 0.69 nM), along with 77-fold subtype selectivity over OX2R. Cu-mediated 18F-fluorination of boroxine precursors allowed for a shortened reaction time of 5 min to provide the non-selective OXR ligand [18F]1c and its selective OX1R congener [18F]1f in activity yields of 14% and 22%, respectively, within a total synthesis time of 52–76 min. [18F]1c and [18F]1f were stable in plasma and serum in vitro, with logD7.4 of 2.28 ([18F]1c) and 2.37 ([18F]1f), and high plasma protein binding of 66% and 77%, respectively. Dynamic PET imaging in rats showed similar brain uptake of [18F]1c (0.17%ID/g) and [18F]1f (0.15%ID/g). However, preinjection of suvorexant did not significantly block [18F]1c or [18F]1f uptake in the rat brain. Pretreatment with cyclosporine A to study the role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in limiting brain accumulation moderately increased brain uptake of [18F]1c and [18F]1f. Accordingly, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the P-gp inhibitor zosuquidar only moderately inhibited polarized, basal to apical transport of 1c (p < 0.05) and had no effect on the transport of 1f, indicating that P-gp does not play a relevant role in brain accumulation of [18F]1c and [18F]1f in vivo. Conclusions: The in vitro and in vivo results of [18F]1c and [18F]1f provide a solid basis for further development of suitable OXR PET ligands for brain imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peptide CIGB‐210 inhibits HIV replication, inducing a rearrangement of vimentin intermediate filaments. The assessment of the in vitro serum and plasma stability of this peptide is important to develop an optimal pharmacological formulation. A half‐life of 17.68 ± 0.59 min was calculated for CIGB‐210 in human serum by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Eight metabolites of CIGB‐210 were identified with this methodology, all of them lacking the N‐terminal moiety. A previously developed CIGB‐210 in‐house competitive ELISA was used to compare the stability of CIGB‐210 derivatives containing either D‐amino acids, acetylation at the N‐terminus, or both modifications. The half‐life of CIGB‐210 in serum was five times higher when measured by ELISA than by HPLC/MS, and twice higher in plasma as compared to serum. The substitution of D‐asparagine on position 6 doubled the half‐life, while D‐amino acids on positions 8 and 9 did not improve the stability. The acetylation of the N‐terminus resulted in a 24‐fold more stable peptide in plasma. The positive effect of N‐terminal acetylation on CIGB‐210 serum stability was confirmed by the HPLC/MS method, as the half‐life of the peptide was not reached after 2 h of incubation, which represents more than a 6.8‐fold increase in the half‐life with respect to the original peptide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Design and synthesis of quaternization or dimerization norharmane analogues are described. • Their anti-MRSA activities are evaluated, and SARs are summarized. • Compound 5a exhibits potent bactericidal activity in vitro and in vivo with low toxicity. • Compound 5a could disrupt bacterial biofilm and damage the membrane. • Metabolomics analysis is used to systematically investigate the mechanisms. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-caused infections greatly threaten public health. The discovery of natural-product-based anti-MRSA agents for treating infectious diseases has become one of the current research focuses. This study aims to identify promising anti-MRSA agents with a clear mechanism based on natural norharmane modified by quaternization or dimerization. A total of 32 norharmane analogues were prepared and characterized. Their antibacterial activities and resistance development propensity were tested by the broth double-dilution method. Cell counting kit-8 and hemolysis experiments were used to assess their biosafety. The plasma stability, bactericidal mode, and biofilm disruption effects were examined by colony counting and crystal violet staining assays. Fluorescence microscopy, metabolomic analysis, docking simulation and spectra titration revealed its anti-MRSA mechanisms. The mouse skin infection model was used to investigate the in vivo efficacy. Compound 5a was selected as a potential anti-MRSA agent, which exhibited potent anti-MRSA activity in vitro and in vivo , low cytotoxicity and hemolysis under an effective dose. Moreover, compound 5a showed good stability in 50% plasma, a low tendency of resistance development and capabilities to disrupt bacterial biofilms. The mechanism studies revealed that compound 5a could inhibit the biosynthesis of bacteria cell walls, damage the membrane, disturb energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, and interfere with protein synthesis and nucleic acid function. These results suggested that compound 5a is a promising candidate for combating MRSA infections, providing valuable information for further exploiting a new generation of therapeutic antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plastic pollution is a problem that threatens the future of humanity, and various methods are being researched to solve it. Plastic biodegradation using microorganisms is one of these methods, and a recent study reported that plastic-degrading microorganisms activated by plasma increase the plastic decomposition rate. In contrast to microbial sterilization using low-temperature plasma, microbial activation requires a stable plasma discharge with a low electrode temperature suitable for biological samples and precise control over a narrow operating range. In this study, various plasma characteristics were evaluated using SDBD (Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge) to establish the optimal conditions of plasma that can activate plastic-degrading microorganisms. The SDBD electrode was manufactured using low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology to ensure chemical resistance, minimize impurities, improve heat conduction, and consider freedom in designing the electrode metal part. Plasma stability, which is important for microbial activation, was investigated by changing the frequency and pulse width of the voltage applied to the electrode, and the degree of activation of plastic-degrading microorganisms was evaluated under each condition. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for research on the activation of useful microorganisms using low-temperature plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technologies associated with using concentrated energy flows are increasingly used in industry due to the need to manufacture products made of hard alloys and other difficult-to-process materials. This work is devoted to expanding knowledge about the processes accompanying the impact of laser pulses on material surfaces. The features of these processes are reflected in the acoustic emission signals, the parameters of which were used as a tool for understanding the accompanying phenomena. The influence of plasma formations above the material surface on self-oscillatory phenomena and the self-regulation process that affects pulse productivity were examined. The stability of plasma formation over time, its influence on the pulse performance, and changes in the heat flux power density were considered. Experimental data show the change in the power density transmitted by laser pulses to the surface when the focal plane is shifted. Experiments on the impact of laser pulses of different powers and durations on the surface of a hard alloy showed a relationship between the amplitude of acoustic emission and the pulse performance. This work shows the data content of acoustic emission signals and the possibility of expanding the research of concentrated energy flow technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the Kv11.1 (or hERG) channel that conducts the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr). Naturally occurring mutations in hERG impair the channel function and cause long QT syndrome type 2. Many missense hERG mutations lead to a lack of channel expression on the cell surface, representing a major mechanism for the loss-of-function of mutant channels. While it is generally thought that a trafficking defect underlies the lack of channel expression on the cell surface, in the present study, we demonstrate that the trafficking defective mutant hERG G601S can reach the plasma membrane but is unstable and quickly degrades, which is akin to WT hERG channels under low K+ conditions. We previously showed that serine (S) residue at 624 in the innermost position of the selectivity filter of hERG is involved in hERG membrane stability such that substitution of serine 624 with threonine (S624T) enhances hERG stability and renders hERG insensitive to low K+ culture. Here, we report that the intragenic addition of S624T substitution to trafficking defective hERG mutants G601S, N470D, and P596R led to a complete rescue of the function of these otherwise loss-of-function mutant channels to a level similar to the WT channel, representing the most effective rescue means for the function of mutant hERG channels. These findings not only provide novel insights into hERG mutation-mediated channel dysfunction but also point to the critical role of S624 in hERG stability on the plasma membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Faraday-effect radial interferometer–polarimeter is designed for the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) to measure multiscale magnetic and density fluctuations critical to understanding fusion plasma confinement and stability, including those originating from magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, energetic particle-driven modes, and turbulence. The diagnostic will utilize the three-wave technique with 5 MHz bandwidth to simultaneously measure line-integrated magnetic and density fluctuations up to the ion-cyclotron frequency. Probe beams will be launched radially from the low-field side at the NSTX-U midplane, where the measured Faraday fluctuations mainly correspond to radial magnetic fluctuations that directly link to magnetic transport. A correlation technique will be employed to reduce the measurement noise to below 0.01° enabling detection of small amplitude fluctuations. Two toroidally displaced chords with 7° separation will be installed to measure toroidal mode numbers up to n = 25 for mode identification. Solid-state microwave sources operating at 321 μm (935 GHz) will be used to minimize the impact of the Cotton–Mouton effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motional Stark effect polarimetry is a key diagnostic for plasma fusion research since its usage on PBX-M. The MSE diagnostic measures the radial magnetic pitch angle profile in a plasma from a neutral beam by observation of Stark split D-alpha emission from atoms excited by collision with ions and electrons in the plasma. The pitch angle measurement is used with equilibrium reconstruction codes to determine the q-profile for studies of plasma stability, confinement, and transport. Historically, the algorithm was used in a post-processing fashion. The goal of our work was to apply this method in real time and pass the results to the plasma control system computer for real-time equilibrium reconstruction and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In commercial hatcheries, chicken embryos are incubated in complete darkness. However, in a natural environment, chicken embryos receive light stimulation during the incubation process as hens need to leave the nest to feed or turn the eggs. Therefore, providing light during incubation is closer to the natural growth environment of chicken embryos, which may have a positive effect on their growth and development. This study investigated the effects of providing different wavelengths of light during incubation on the behaviour, growth, immunity, and stress responses of post-hatch chicks. The results indicated that providing white light during incubation may enhance the growth performance of post-hatch chicks and potentially improve their ability to cope with environmental changes. This study aims to determine the effects of light exposure during incubation on the growth and development of post-hatch chicks and to provide a basis for the development of effective lighting strategies during the incubation period. Manipulation of light during incubation may have an effect on post-hatch chicks through the role of prenatal stage. The effects of providing different wavelengths of light (white, blue, and green lights, dark as control) during incubation on the growth performance, organ development, immune response, stress related hormones, digestive enzymes and behaviour of post-hatch chicks were investigated for 1–42 days. A total of 60 chicks per light treatment in three batches were used in this study. The results showed that the percentage of chicks accessing to feed and water resources appeared not to be affected by incubation light. Chicks hatched under white light were found to have a growth advantage (p < 0.05). The weight of organs (except thymus), IgA, IgY, IgM and heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio for post-hatch chicks were not affected by incubation light (p > 0.05). Thymus weight was reduced in chicks incubated under blue light compared to dark incubation (p < 0.05). The jejunum amylase and ileum lipase activities were significantly affected by the light treatments (p < 0.01). All light incubation chicks had stable plasma corticosterone levels and may have better ability to cope with environmental changes. Hence, white light photoperiod incubation may have potential to improve post-hatch chicks' growth performance and environmental adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of add-on testing in high-scale automated clinical laboratories constitute a valuable instrument not only for the clinicians and the general patient care, but also for the laboratory itself. Knowledge on sample quality and analytical stability upon storage is necessary to be able to offer add-on testing. The objectives of this study were to examine the analytical stability of 63 biochemical analytes in plasma and urine samples stored at 16 °C. Samples were collected by professional laboratory technicians, analyzed at automated analyzers and stored in their primary, capped tube without separator for 10, 12, 16, 20 or 24 h at 16 °C. Stability was assessed by inspecting mean concentration of samples at baseline and examining if (A) mean concentration over time violated limits of bias, or if (B) individual sample concentrations violated limits of total error. The majority of the 63 analytes were stable for up to 24 h of storage. Few of the analytes were only suitable for add-on testing for 4, 6, 10, 12, 16 or 20 h of storage. One analyte, P-lactate dehydrogenase, was not found suitable for add-on testing when stored at 16 °C. Due to the increasing number of intelligent solutions for high-scale clinical laboratories, add-on testing has come to stay. Loss of stability could not be demonstrated for the majority of analytes after 10, 12, 16, 20 or 24 h of storage. This feature of analytical stability suggests that add-on testing is an acceptable tool for these analytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens have emerged as a serious threat to public health. To develop new antibacterial agents to combat such drug-resistant bacteria, a class of novel amphiphilic xanthoangelol-derived compounds were designed and synthesized by mimicking the structure and function of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Among them, compound 9h displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive strains tested (MICs = 0.5–2 μg/mL), comparable to vancomycin, and with low hemolytic toxicity and good membrane selectivity. Additionally, compound 9h demonstrated rapid bactericidal effects, low resistance frequency, low cytotoxicity, and good plasma stability. Mechanistic studies further revealed that compound 9h had good membrane-targeting ability and was able to destroy the integrity of bacterial cell membranes, causing an increase in intracellular ROS and the leakage of DNA and proteins, thus accelerating bacterial death. These results make 9h a promising antimicrobial candidate to combat bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GACR) is a rare genetic disease for which no definitive cure is available. GACR is due to the deficit of ornithine aminotransferase (hOAT), a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzyme responsible for ornithine catabolism. The hallmark of the disease is plasmatic ornithine accumulation, which damages retinal epithelium leading to progressive vision loss and blindness within the fifth decade. Here, we characterized the biochemical properties of tetrameric and dimeric hOAT and evaluated hOAT loaded in red blood cells (RBCs) as a possible enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for GACR. Our results show that (i) hOAT has a relatively wide specificity for amino acceptors, with pyruvate being the most suitable candidate for ornithine catabolism within RBCs; (ii) both the tetrameric and dimeric enzyme can be loaded in RBC retaining their activity; and (iii) hOAT displays reduced stability in plasma, but is partly protected from inactivation upon incubation in a mixture mimicking the intracellular erythrocyte environment. Preliminary ex vivo experiments indicate that hOAT-loaded RBCs are able to metabolize extracellular ornithine at a concentration mimicking that found in patients, both in buffer and, although with lower efficiency, in plasma. Overall, our data provide a proof of concept that an RBC-mediated ERT is feasible and can be exploited as a new therapeutic approach in GACR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology is the property of Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Case studies are needed to demonstrate the use of human‐relevant New Approach Methodologies in cosmetics ingredient safety assessments. For read‐across assessments, it is crucial to compare the target chemical with the most appropriate analog; therefore, reliable analog selection should consider physicochemical properties, bioavailability, metabolism, as well as the bioactivity of potential analogs. To complement in vitro bioactivity assays, we evaluated the suitability of three potential analogs for the UV filters, homosalate and octisalate, according to their in vitro ADME properties. We describe how technical aspects of conducting assays for these highly lipophilic chemicals were addressed and interpreted. There were several properties that were common to all five chemicals: they all had similar stability in gastrointestinal fluids (in which no hydrolysis to salicylic occurred); were not substrates of the P‐glycoprotein efflux transporter; were highly protein bound; and were hydrolyzed to salicylic acid (which was also a major metabolite). The main properties differentiating the chemicals were their permeability in Caco‐2 cells, plasma stability, clearance in hepatic models, and the extent of hydrolysis to salicylic acid. Cyclohexyl salicylate, octisalate, and homosalate were identified suitable analogs for each other, whereas butyloctyl salicylate exhibited ADME properties that were markedly different, indicating it is unsuitable. Isoamyl salicylate can be a suitable analog with interpretation for octisalate. In conclusion, in vitro ADME properties of five chemicals were measured and used to pair target and potential analogs. This study demonstrates the importance of robust ADME data for the selection of analogs in a read‐across safety assessment. We evaluated the suitability of three potential analogues homosalate and octisalate (UV filters), according to their in vitro ADME properties. Technical aspects of testing these highly lipophilic chemicals were addressed. Main differentiating properties were plasma stability, hepatic clearance, and hydrolysis to salicylic acid. Cyclohexyl salicylate, octisalate, and homosalate were identified suitable analogues for each other, whereas butyloctyl salicylate exhibited ADME properties that were markedly different, as a unsuitable analogue. Isoamyl salicylate can be a suitable analogue with interpretation for octisalate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring tritium fuel self-sufficiency while maintaining continuous and high-specification fuel flow to the tokamak via a low tritium inventory and controllable fuel cycle is a significant challenge to the STEP plant design. Effective and high-quality fuelling and exhaust design is required to sustain and control a stable plasma, whereas fuel sufficiency is required to prevent depletion of available tritium supply. Concerns regarding the lack of tritium availability preventing continuous tritium import are countered by breeding, where highly energetic neutrons from the core fusion reactions interact with lithium atoms suspended in the surrounding breeder blanket to produce tritium. The compact nature of STEP prohibits the integration of inboard breeder blankets posing a significant challenge for the design team looking to ensure more tritium is bred and made available than consumed within the core plasma. This paper outlines how purposeful technology selection and system architecting has converged on the outline of a conceivable and tritium-capable fuel cycle and breeder blanket design. Before introducing the STEP fuel cycle design outline and summarizing the approach undertaken to address the challenges facing plasma fuelling, key aspects of fuel self-sufficiency are discussed. This includes discussing a proposed helium-cooled liquid lithium breeder blanket and possible technology options for tritium extraction from lithium. Lastly, there is a brief process modelling overview, which emphasizes the central contribution of various employed modelling methods. Reflections on the presented fuel cycle design outline conclude that substantial development work is still required to realize a continuous tritium fuel cycle design and overcome the major challenges posed by tritium and lithium handling. Reflections on the presented breeder blanket design proposal conclude that while many substantial risks and blockers remain to achieve fuel self-sufficiency, high breeding ratios are expected to be achievable with a compact spherical tokamak configuration. Nonetheless, it is recognized that further consideration is required to ensure that the selection of liquid lithium as a breeder medium provides the overall simplest route to a self-sufficient and realizable design. This article is part of the theme issue 'Delivering Fusion Energy – The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulsed inductively coupled plasma (ICP) has considerable potential to satisfy multiple stringent scaling requirements for use in the semiconductor industry. However, overshoot of plasma parameters during the rising period of the pulse affects the stability and uniformity of the plasma and can lead to a breakdown of the wafer and over-sputtering of the film. In this study, a step waveform modulation method is used to reduce the overshoot at the initial stage of the pulse. The behavior of the discharge is monitored by measuring (i) the modulated step waveform signal on the function generator, (ii) the input power (by a time-resolved VI-probe), and (iii) the amplitudes of the coil voltage and current (by voltage and current probes, respectively), as well as (iv) the plasma parameters including the electron density, the effective electron temperature, and the electron energy probability distribution function (by a time-resolved Langmuir probe). It was found that the state of the plasma can be controlled by changing the waveform, such as varying the time of the rising edge, varying the initial amplitude, and varying the duration of the low-high amplitude. The results indicated that the overshoot value of the electron density can be reduced by using a low-high step waveform. When the amplitude of the waveform was 500/550 mV and the duration was 200/300 μs, the overshoot value observed was 1/4 of that of the conventional ICP pulse discharge. In addition, increasing the duty cycle of the pulse could also reduce the overshoot value due to the high electron density that occurs during the afterglow period. Moreover, the plasma can reach a steady state more quickly at high pressure by using a step waveform of high amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cathepsin B (CTSB) is a lysosomal protease that is overexpressed in tumor cells. Radioimmunoconjugates (RICs) composed of CTSB‐recognizing chelating agents are expected to increase the molecular weights of their radiometabolites by forming conjugates with CTSB in cells, resulting in their improved retention in tumor cells. We designed a novel CTSB‐recognizing trifunctional chelating agent, azide‐[111In]In‐DOTA‐CTSB‐substrate ([111In]In‐ADCS), to synthesize a RIC, trastuzumab‐[111In]In‐ADCS ([111In]In‐TADCS), and evaluated its utility to improve tumor retention of the RIC. [111In]In‐ADCS and [111In]In‐TADCS were synthesized with satisfactory yield and purity. [111In]In‐ADCS was markedly stable in murine plasma until 96 h postincubation. [111In]In‐ADCS showed binding to CTSB in vitro, and the conjugation was blocked by the addition of CTSB inhibitor. In the internalization assay, [111In]In‐TADCS exhibited high‐level retention in SK‐OV‐3 cells, indicating the in vitro utility of the CTSB‐recognizing unit. In the biodistribution assay, [111In]In‐TADCS showed high‐level tumor accumulation, but the retention was hardly improved. In the first attempt to combine a CTSB‐recognizing unit and RIC, these findings show the fundamental properties of the CTSB‐recognizing trifunctional chelating agent to improve tumor retention of RICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the last decade the development of new PSMA-ligand based radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging and therapy of prostate cancer has been a highly active and important area of research. The most promising derivative in terms of interaction with the antigen and clinical properties has been found to be "PSMA-617", and its lutetium-177 radiolabelled version has recently been approved by EU and USA regulatory agencies for therapeutic purposes. For the above reasons, the development of new derivatives of PSMA-617 radiolabelled with fluorine-18 may still be of great interest. This paper proposes the comparison of two different PSMA-617 derivatives functionalized with NODA and RESCA chelators, respectively, radiolabelled via [18F]AlF2+ complexation. Results: The organic synthesis of two PSMA-617 derivatives and their radiolabelling via [18F]AlF2+ complexation resulted to proceed efficiently and successfully. Moreover, stability in solution and in plasma has been evaluated. The whole radiosynthesis procedure has been fully automated, and the final products have been obtained with radiochemical yield and purity potentially suitable for clinical studies. The biodistribution of the two derivatives was performed both in prostate cancer and glioma tumour models. Compared with the reference [18F]F-PSMA-1007 and [18F]F-PSMA-617-RESCA, [18F]F-PSMA-617-NODA derivative showed a higher uptake in both tumors, faster clearance in non-target organs, and lower uptake in salivary glands. Conclusion: PSMA-617 NODA and RESCA derivatives were radiolabelled successfully via [18F]AlF2+ chelation, the former being more stable in solution and human plasma. Moreover, preclinical biodistribution studies showed that [18F]F-PSMA-617-NODA might be of potential interest for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-phase gliding arc discharge reactors are devices in which it is difficult to maintain stable plasma parameters, be it electrically, physically, or chemically. The main cause of plasma instability is the source, which is freely burning arcs in a three-phase system. In addition, these arcs burn at low currents and are intensively cooled, further increasing their instability. These instabilities translate into the electrical characteristics of the plasma reactor. The analysis for the four gases nitrogen, argon, helium, and air shows that the type of plasma-generating gas and its physical parameters have a strong influence on the operational characteristics of the plasma reactor. Current–voltage, power and frequency characteristics of the plasma reactor were plotted experimentally. Characteristics obtained in this way make it possible to determine the areas of effective operation of the plasma reactor, and to estimate the quality of the generated plasma. Based on the characteristics obtained, a method of controlling the plasma parameters can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Midostaurin is an oral multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Therapeutic drug monitoring of midostaurin may support its safe use when suspecting toxicity or combined with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Methods: A stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination and quantification of midostaurin in human plasma and serum. Midostaurin serum concentrations were analyzed in 12 patients with FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)‐mutated AML during induction chemotherapy with cytarabine, daunorubicin, and midostaurin. Posaconazole was used as prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections. Results: Linear quantification of midostaurin was demonstrated across a concentration range of 0.01–8.00 mg/L. Inter‐ and intraday imprecisions of the proposed method were well within ±10%. Venous blood samples were taken in nine and three patients in the first and second cycle of induction chemotherapy. Median (range) midostaurin serum concentration was 7.9 mg/L (1.5–26.1 mg/L) as determined in 37 independent serum specimens. Conclusion: In a real‐life cohort of AML patients, interindividual variability in midostaurin serum concentrations was high, highlighting issues concerning optimal drug dosing in AML patients. A personalized dosage approach may maximize the safety of midostaurin. Prospective studies and standardization of analytical methods to support such an approach are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into investigating the stability of solutions pertaining to the generalized Davey–Stewartson ( D S ) equation by employing the generalized rational method and projective Riccati equations method within the Hamiltonian system framework. The central focus lies in unraveling the physical significance of this model within the realm of plasma physics, shedding light on its intricate connections with analogous equations. The generalized D S equation, a pivotal nonlinear evolution model, serves as a vital tool in comprehending the evolution of coupled waves across various physical systems, notably within the domains of fluid dynamics and plasma physics. Its significance lies in its capacity to elucidate the intricate interplay among different wave components, offering a holistic perspective on wave interactions within plasma mediums. Through the meticulous application of rigorous analytical methods, this investigation uncovers pivotal insights into the stability of solutions, thereby enriching our understanding of mathematical models in plasma physics. The findings presented in this research contribute significantly to advancing the understanding of nonlinear dynamics, with profound implications for future exploration in plasma physics and related fields. In essence, this study underscores the analytical prowess of the generalized rational and projective Riccati equations methods, accentuating their relevance and applicability to the generalized D S equation and, by extension, their role in enhancing our comprehension of coupled wave phenomena within diverse plasma systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spermatozoa cryopreservation has been practiced for decades and is a very useful technique for long-term preservation of sperm fertility. The capability for semen cryopreservation varies across species, seasons, latitudes, and even for different ejaculates from the same animal. This article summarizes research results on sperm cryotolerance biomarkers in several species, focusing on three areas: spermatozoa cryotolerance biomarkers, seminal plasma proteins cryotolerance biomarkers, and other cryotolerance biomarkers. We discovered that sperm cryoresistance biomarkers are primarily related to sperm plasma membrane stability, the presence of antioxidant substances in sperm or seminal plasma, sperm cell energy metabolism, water and small molecule transport channels in the sperm plasma membrane, and antistress substances in sperm or seminal plasma. The research conducted using diverse livestock models can be employed to enhance the basic and applied reproduction of other mammals through the study of sperm cryotolerance biomarkers, as well as the substantial similarities between livestock and other organisms, including endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Determination of the functional liver mass is important in a variety of clinical settings including liver surgery and transplantation. [99mTc]Tc-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) is a radiotracer targeting the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) and is routinely used in Japan for this purpose. Here we describe the development and evaluation of [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-TriGalactan a low molecular weight PET-tracer targeting this structure. Results: For synthesis TRIS as branching unit and NODAGA as chelator for labelling with [68Ga]Ga are included. Three galactose moieties are conjugated via a click chemistry approach resulting in the desired labelling precursor.68Ga-labelling could be accomplished in high radiochemical yield and purity. [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-TriGalactan is very hydrophilic and revealed high plasma stability and low plasma protein binding. Fluorescence imaging showed binding on ASGR-positive organoids and the IC50-value was in the nanomolar range. Most importantly, both biodistribution as well as animal imaging studies using normal mice demonstrated high liver uptake with rapid elimination from all other organs leading to even higher liver-to-background ratios as found for 99mTc-GSA. Conclusion: [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-TriGalactan shows high in vitro stability and selectively binds to the ASGR allowing imaging of the functional liver mass with high contrast. Thus, our first generation compound resulted already in an alternative to 99mTc-GSA for imaging the functional liver reserve and might allow the broader use of this imaging technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Clinical laboratories should guarantee sample stability in specific storage conditions for further analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stability of plasma samples under refrigeration for 29 common biochemical analytes usually ordered within an emergency context, in order to determine the maximum allowable period for conducting add-on testing. Materials and methods: A total of 20 patient samples were collected in lithium heparin tubes without gel separator. All analyses were performed using Alinity systems (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, USA) and samples were stored at 2-8 °C. Measurements were conducted in primary plasma tubes at specific time points up to 48 hours, with an additional stability study in plasma aliquots extending the time storage up to 96 hours. The stability limit was estimated considering the total limit of change criteria. Results: Of the 29 studied parameters, 24 demonstrated stabilities within a 48-hour storage period in primary plasma tubes. However, five analytes: aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, inorganic phosphate and potassium evidenced instability at different time points (7.9 hours, 2.7 hours, 2.9 hours, 6.2 hours and 4.7 hours, respectively). The stability study in plasma aliquots showed that all parameters remained stable for 96 hours, except lactate dehydrogenase, with a stability limit of 63 hours. Conclusions: A reduced stability of primary plasma samples was observed for five common biochemical analytes ordered in an emergency context. To ensure the quality of add-on testing for these samples, plasma aliquots provide stability for a longer period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Several targeted anticancer drugs entered clinical practice and improved survival of cancer patients with selected tumor types, but therapy resistance and metastatic disease remains a challenge. A major class of targeted anticancer drugs are therapeutic antibodies, but their use is limited to extracellular targets. Hence, alternative binding scaffolds have been investigated for intracellular use and better tumor tissue penetration. Among those, monobodies are small synthetic protein binders that were engineered to bind with high affinity and selectivity to central intracellular oncoproteins and inhibit their signaling. Despite their use as basic research tools, the potential of monobodies as protein therapeutics remains to be explored. In particular, the pharmacological properties of monobodies, including plasma stability, toxicity and pharmacokinetics have not been investigated. Here, we show that monobodies have high plasma stability, are well-tolerated in mice, but have a short half-life in vivo due to rapid renal clearance. Therefore, we engineered monobody fusions with an albumin-binding domain (ABD), which showed enhanced pharmacological properties without affecting their target binding: We found that ABD-monobody fusions display increased stability in mouse plasma. Most importantly, ABD-monobodies have a dramatically prolonged in vivo half-life and are not rapidly excreted by renal clearance, remaining in the blood significantly longer, while not accumulating in specific internal organs. Our results demonstrate the promise and versatility of monobodies to be developed into future therapeutics for cancer treatment. We anticipate that monobodies may be able to extend the spectrum of intracellular targets, resulting in a significant benefit to patient outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research study, the effects of an atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on the stability of selected colorants (pigments: red lead, vermilion, azurite, verdigris, smalt, ultramarine, raw sienna, vine black, champagne chalk, Bolognese chalk; dye: alizarin red) were investigated. In order to gain knowledge about the effect of a plasma on the more stable part of colorant-binder systems in works of art, binder-free colorants were first investigated. For this purpose, the samples were briefly exposed to an atmospheric pressure argon or air plasma and then stored for several weeks in two different climates: an indoor climate and a humid climate. Slight color changes were recorded in red lead, verdigris, alizarin red, and Bolognese chalk by photometric investigations and evaluation of the color values in the CIEL*a*b* system. Scanning electron microscopy revealed morphological changes in the plasma-treated verdigris samples. With the help of infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry, it could be shown that the degradation processes of some of the examined colorants were influenced by the preceding plasma treatment. Nonetheless, atmospheric pressure plasma treatment could be of interest in art restoration as a tool for decontamination and surface activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our laboratory has shown that calpain‐2 activation in the brain following acute injury is directly related to neuronal damage and the long‐term functional consequences of the injury, while calpain‐1 activation is generally neuroprotective and calpain‐1 deletion exacerbates neuronal injury. We have also shown that a relatively selective calpain‐2 inhibitor, referred to as C2I, enhanced long‐term potentiation and learning and memory, and provided neuroprotection in the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice. Using molecular dynamic simulation and Site Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation (SILCS) software, we generated about 130 analogs of C2I and tested them in a number of in vitro and in vivo assays. These led to the identification of two interesting compounds, NA‐112 and NA‐184. Further analyses indicated that NA‐184, (S)‐2‐(3‐benzylureido)‐N‐((R,S)‐1‐((3‐chloro‐2‐methoxybenzyl)amino)‐1,2‐dioxopentan‐3‐yl)‐4‐methylpentanamide, selectively and dose‐dependent inhibited calpain‐2 activity without evident inhibition of calpain‐1 at the tested concentrations in mouse brain tissues and human cell lines. Like NA‐112, NA‐184 inhibited TBI‐induced calpain‐2 activation and cell death in mice and rats, both male and females. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses indicated that NA‐184 exhibited properties, including stability in plasma and liver and blood–brain barrier permeability, that make it a good clinical candidate for the treatment of TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "Switching from oral ropinirole to ropinirole transdermal patch in patients with Parkinson's Disease: an observational study," discusses the efficacy and safety of switching from oral ropinirole to a ropinirole transdermal patch (TP) in patients with Parkinson's Disease. The study found that discontinuation of ropinirole TPs may occur due to poor efficacy early in the initiation phase, and the dose of the patch is established based on the equivalent conversion of the area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) of oral ropinirole. The study emphasizes the need for patients to be informed about the delay in the onset of efficacy when switching to ropinirole TPs. [Extracted from the article]

In the diagnosis of plasma microwave transmission, when the plasma size is large and the electron density is high, the microwave will cause a phase period ambiguity problem. In order to solve the phase ambiguity, a novel method of using the phase shift group delay (PSGD) to recover the true phase shift is proposed. The PSGD method is used to recover the simulated phase shift and diagnose the plasma. The diagnostic accuracy is all greater than 91%, which verifies the method. And the new method is used to diagnose the real inductively coupled plasma with high precision. Through analysis, the method of group delay recover phase shift is more suitable for stable plasma or slow-varying plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric arc dynamics in plasma torches have an influence of the plasma jet stability and could impact coating properties. Depending on the plasma torch design, arc voltage fluctuations may vary from a hundred to only a few percent of the mean arc voltage. A cascaded-anode plasma torch particularly leads to very low arc voltage fluctuation, due to the presence of neutrodes limiting the amplitude of arc fluctuations. However, the electric arc dynamics and electrode erosion process are still poorly understood in this kind of plasma torches. The aim of this work is to refine the knowledge on the influence of the nozzle's diameter on electric arc dynamics and on zirconia-yttria coating properties. Two plasma-forming gas compositions were studied, connecting several analysis methods (end-on imaging, arc current and arc voltage time monitoring, plasma light fluctuations at nozzle exit, thermal balance evaluation and in-flight particles assessment) to coatings characterization (porosity and hardness measurements). Reducing the nozzle's diameter from 9 to 6.5 mm results in higher arc voltage fluctuations and lower thermal efficiency of the plasma torch. This is due to the warm plasma gas being more evenly distributed in the anode nozzle. After testing, surveys of the 6.5-mm-diameter nozzle show significant longitudinal wear, which may highlight an axial movement of the electric arc on the anode's surface, leading to high arc voltage fluctuations. Finally, the particle velocity is higher in a 6.5-mm-diameter nozzle, resulting in a lower particle temperature and a higher coating porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionospheric plasma introduces nonlinear perturbations in regular EM wave propagation which in turn affects the signal transmission in a highly nonlinear manner. Often the signals are distorted by a varied degree of nonlinearity. The wireless communication mechanism is affected by small perturbations which take gigantic rogue wave structures with the possibility of damaging sophisticated equipments. To study the evolution of rogue wave-type solitons starting from initial small-amplitude perturbations, we have considered a three-component electron–ion plasma system with degeneracy pressure as well as quantum diffraction effects. A solitary wave structure is formed due to the interplay of nonlinear and dispersive forces. Such a formation under an external force gets modified and the stability criteria are altered. The interesting fact thus obtained here shows that relativistic and thermal degeneracy favour stability whereas quantum diffraction leads to instability. In this paper, we have studied how solitary wave structures behave under an external force. Next, we study how the nonlinear effects cause an amplitude modulation and the envelope soliton is formed. Such an envelope soliton is studied by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation that we derive in the later part of the work. We have carried out simulation studies and compared our results with the analytical findings of other workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The centrifugal mirror confinement scheme incorporates supersonic rotation of a plasma into a magnetic mirror device. This concept has been shown experimentally to drastically decrease parallel losses and increase plasma stability as compared with prior axisymmetric mirrors. MCTrans++ is a dimensionless (0-D) scoping tool which rapidly models experimental operating points in the Centrifugal Mirror Fusion Experiment (CMFX) at the University of Maryland. In the low-collisionality regime, parallel losses can be modelled analytically. A confining potential is set up that is partially ambipolar and partially centrifugal. Due to the stabilizing effects of flow shear, the perpendicular losses can be modelled as classical. Radiation losses such as bremsstrahlung and cyclotron emission are taken into account. A neutrals model is included, and, in some circumstances, charge-exchange losses are found to exceed all other loss mechanisms. We use the SUNDIALS ARKODE library to solve the underlying equations of this model; the resulting software is suitable for scanning large parameter spaces, and can also be used to model time-dependent phenomena such as a capacitive discharge. MCTrans++ has been used to verify results from prior centrifugal mirrors, create an experimental plan for CMFX and find configurations for future reactor-scale fusion devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasisymmetry (QS), a hidden symmetry of the magnetic field strength, is known to support nested flux surfaces and provide superior particle confinement in stellarators. In this work, we study the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium and stability of high-beta plasma in a large-aspect-ratio stellarator. In particular, we show that the lowest-order description of a near-axisymmetric equilibrium vastly simplifies the problem of three-dimensional quasisymmetric MHD equilibria, which can be reduced to a standard elliptic Grad–Shafranov equation for the flux function. We show that any large-aspect-ratio tokamak, deformed periodically in the vertical direction, is a stellarator with approximate volumetric QS. We discuss exact analytical solutions and numerical benchmarks. Finally, we discuss the ideal ballooning and interchange stability of some of our equilibrium configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of drug stability in biological evidence during the processes of collection and storage poses a substantial obstacle to the progress of forensic investigations. In conjunction with other constituents, the microorganisms present in the samples play a vital role in this investigation. The present investigation employed the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique to assess the stability of (1R,2 S)-(–)-2-methylamino-1-phenyl-1-propanol hydrochloride in plasma and urine samples that were inoculated with Escherichia coli. These samples were subjected to storage conditions of 37 °C for 48 h and − 20 °C for a duration of 6 months. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of MPPH against E. coli were determined using microdilution method. The stability of MPPH in plasma and urine samples inoculated with E. coli was investigated using HPLC method. The results showed the MIC and MBC of MPPH were 87.5 ± 25 ppm and 175 ± 50 ppm, respectively. While MPPH remained stable in plasma for 48 h at 37 °C, it showed a notable decrease of about 11% in stability when stored in urine for the same period and temperature. From the beginning of the first month, a decrease in the stability of the compound appeared in all samples that were stored at − 20 °C, and the decrease reached 7% for plasma samples and about 11% for urine samples. The decrease in the stability reached its peak in the sixth month, reaching more than 30% and 70% of plasma and urine samples preserved at − 20 °C. This work concluded that E. coli can negatively affect the stability of MPPH in plasma and urine samples. This may lead to incorrect conclusions regarding the analysis of biological samples in criminal cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plasma process plays a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry, facilitating the creation of transistors and memory storage cells. This fourth state of matter is achieved by energizing a gas with radio-frequency electrical power, initiating and maintaining a stable plasma during the process cycles. Given that plasma behaves as an impedance component, an impedance-matching network becomes essential for optimizing power transfer from the source to the load (plasma). While various control strategies have been proposed for different network configurations, such as L, T, and Π networks, our work focuses on the L-type network due to its simplicity and extensive application in this domain. Several significant challenges have been identified in the existing literature, including slow dynamics, a non-monotonic decline in the reflected power, and substantial deviation in the capacitors' path. These issues collectively impact the overall performance of the matching control system. In this article, we present a new methodology to obtain a nonlinear state-space model of the matching network for its analysis and design a proportional-integral combined with feedforward control and a control Lyapunov-barrier function to assess their effectiveness in achieving convergence to the desired matching value and guiding the path of the capacitors. These approaches aim to mitigate the recurring issues caused by capacitors moving in the wrong direction, thus improving the stability and efficiency of the impedance-matching process over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An atmospheric pressure jet that effectively prevents inner wall deposition has been developed, and its precursor distribution and thin-film deposition characteristics have been studied. The laser scattering and fluid simulation results show that the precursor (C4H10Zn) flow out of the eight holes of the central electrode and diffuse into the discharge region. Under the action of a discharge gas (Ar) of 2 slm is blown out of the plasma jet device, and will not diffuse to the inner wall of the plasma jet device. The optical photographs of the discharge show that the site of the monomer cleavage is about 1 mm closest to the inner wall of the jet device. With optical emission spectra (OES), a large number of characteristic emission peaks of Zn and CH were detected. The pattern of the deposited film closely resembles the diffusion pattern of the precursor within the plasma jet apparatus. By investigating deposited films in different regions, the influence of precursor distribution on film morphology and composition has been studied. XPS detected films near (black film) and far (white film) from the central region, and the results showed that films near the central region contained more organic components. This plasma device offers a stable plasma plume for thin film deposition and nanoparticle preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion propulsion systems with a small thrust can be used in space missions for highly accurate controllability while possessing low power and propellant consumption. At the University of Giessen, radio-frequency ion thrusters are miniaturized with thrusts in the order of micro-Newtons (μ N-RIT). As the size of the thruster becomes smaller the plasma properties can not be measured inside a closed plasma chamber. The simulations are needed to investigate plasma properties like temperature, density profile which would aid further opimization. In this work, we discuss kinetic simulations of plasma inside the RIT-1.0 thruster using in-house developed PlasmaPIC code that incorporates Monte-Carlo collisions (MCC) and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) for neutral gas distribution. We briefly present the features of PlasmaPIC and simulation of stable plasma generation. We also show the influence of neutral gas and extraction properties for the RIT-1.0 thruster under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of endoscopic transcervical catheterization (ETC) in the queen increases the interest in handling fresh and cryopreserved feline semen. The ETC requires a small volume of the insemination dose with a high concentration, not easily reached with the actual frozen technique in this species. Centrifugation is widely used to concentrate spermatozoa for several purposes, but this process is detrimental to spermatozoa. This study verified the effects of conventional and cushioned centrifugation on fresh and cryopreserved feline spermatozoa. To this, semen was collected from 20 toms, grouped in seven pools and diluted. After dilution, the pools were divided into two aliquots, the first used for centrifugation on fresh semen, and the second, after freezing, on cryopreserved semen. Centrifugation regimens were: conventional at 500× g , conventional at 1000× g , and cushioned (iodixanol) at 1000× g. The sperm recovery rate was calculated for the three centrifugation regimens, and sperm kinematics, membrane and acrosome integrity, and plasma membrane stability on viable spermatozoa were assessed as endpoints. The data reported in this study showed that the centrifugation at 500× g resulted in negligible effects on both fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa, but the lower recovery rate (62.4 ± 3.1 % and 60.2 ± 1.6 %, respectively) underlines the loss of a large proportion of spermatozoa, unfavourable in a species with small total sperm ejaculated. On the other hand, the centrifugation at 1000× g improved the recovery rate (86.9 ± 4.3 % and 89.8 ± 2.4 % in fresh and cryopreserved samples, respectively), but was more deleterious for feline spermatozoa, especially in cryopreserved samples (i.e. total motility of 40.7 ± 5.4 % compared with 57.2 ± 9.8 % in cryopreserved uncentrifuged samples, P < 0.05), resulting in artificial insemination doses of lower quality. The recovery rate in cushioned centrifugation appeared less efficient, likely due to the small volume of feline samples, which makes difficult the separation of sperm pellet and cushioned fluid. Interestingly, in cryopreserved samples centrifuged at 1000× g the number of viable spermatozoa with membrane destabilization (31.3 ± 3.2 %) was greater than uncentrifuged (4.1 ± 0.7 %, P < 0.05) and those centrifuged at 500× g (9.8 ± 1.3 %, P < 0.05), suggesting modifications induced by the cryopreservation amplifies centrifugation sublethal damage on feline spermatozoa. Cushioned centrifugation on cryopreserved samples showed kinematics similar to uncentrifuged samples, but higher viable spermatozoa with membrane destabilization (37.4 ± 3.4 % vs 4.1 ± 0.7 %; P < 0.05). In felines, g-force is crucial for sperm recovery rate during centrifugation, with better results at 1000× g ; on the other hand, greater g-forces could have a significant impact on the quality of feline insemination dose, especially in cryopreserved samples. • Centrifugation is crucial for feline fresh and cryopreserved semen handling. • Centrifugation strategies to optimize sperm recovery and safety are studied. • G-force is crucial for feline sperm recovery but affects cell quality. • Cushion centrifugation does not improve sperm recovery quality. • Cryopreservation amplifies centrifugation sublethal damage in feline spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidazopyridine scaffold holds significant pharmacological importance in the treatment of cancer. An in‐house synthesized imidazopyridine‐based molecule was found to have promising anticancer activity against breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. The molecule is an inhibitor of pyruvate kinase M2, the enzyme that elevates tumor growth, metastasis and chemoresistance by directly controlling tumor cell metabolism. Screening of the physicochemical properties of any lead molecules is essential to avoid failure in late‐stage drug development. In this research, the physicochemical properties of the molecule including log P, log D, pKa, and plasma protein binding were assessed to check its drug‐likeness. Plasma and metabolic stability of the molecule were also evaluated. Moreover, pharmacokinetic profiles of the lead molecule in Sprague‐Dawley rats and in vitro metabolite identification studies were also performed. Finally, an in silico software, Pro‐Tox‐II, was used to predict toxicity of the molecule and its metabolites. Log P, Log D (pH 7.4), pKa, and plasma protein binding of the molecule were found to be 2.03%, 2.42%, 10.4%, and 98%, respectively. The molecule was stable in plasma and metabolic conditions. A total of nine new metabolites were identified and characterized. Cmax and t½ of this molecule were found to be 4016 ± 313.95 ng/mL and 9.57 ± 3.05 h, respectively. Based on the previously reported study and this finding, the molecule can be considered as a promising anticancer lead with potential drug‐likeness properties. Further preclinical and clinical drug discovery studies may be initiated in continuation of this study in search of a potential anticancer lead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of the plasma stability against the resistive wall modes is considered from two sides, theoretical and experimental. The main subject is the dispersion relation and its verification, which is commonly understood as a comparison of the predicted and observed stability thresholds. As in the conventional magnetohydrodynamics, the growth rate γ and the angular rotation frequency ω of the mode are found from the energy balance with account of some dissipation in the plasma, additional to the resistive losses in the vacuum vessel wall. The resulting relations are integral, which allows the same γ and ω with different integrands. It is shown explicitly that only two fitting parameters are needed for getting a perfect agreement of such results with measured γ and ω. This explains why all attempts with so-called kinetic relations have been good in that. This also reveals the reason for the earlier finding [A. M. Garofalo, Fusion Sci. Technol. 48, 918 (2005)] that a number of models provided the stability regardless of the type of dissipation as long as the dissipation was sufficiently large. It is shown here that such "degeneracy" is a general property. One consequence is that a similar success with any model cannot guarantee its validity, and none of them can be recommended to ITER immediately. It is also explained that the edge harmonic oscillations can be a promising candidate for testing the dissipation channels missing in the kinetic dispersion relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deriving active pharmaceutical agents from renewable resources is crucial to increasing the economic feasibility of modern biorefineries and promises to alleviate critical supply‐chain dependencies in pharma manufacturing. Our multidisciplinary approach combines research in lignin‐first biorefining, sustainable catalysis, and alternative solvents with bioactivity screening, an in vivo efficacy study, and a structural‐similarity search. The resulting sustainable path to novel anti‐infective, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer molecules enabled the rapid identification of frontrunners for key therapeutic indications, including an anti‐infective against the priority pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae with efficacy in vivo and promising plasma and metabolic stability. Our catalytic methods provided straightforward access, inspired by the innate structural features of lignin, to synthetically challenging biologically active molecules with the core structure of dopamine, namely, tetrahydroisoquinolines, quinazolinones, 3‐arylindoles and the natural product tetrahydropapaveroline. Our diverse array of atom‐economic transformations produces only harmless side products and uses benign reaction media, such as tunable deep eutectic solvents for modulating reactivity in challenging cyclization steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of kinetic lability or reactivity on in vitro cytotoxicity, stability in plasma, in vivo tumor and tissue accumulation, and antitumor efficacy of functional platinum(II) (Pt) anticancer agents containing a O˄O β‐diketonate leaving ligand remain largely unexplored. To investigate this, we synthesized Pt complexes [(NH3)2Pt(L1‐H)]NO3 and [(DACH)Pt(L1‐H)]NO3 (L1=4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐ferrocenylbutane‐1,3‐dione, DACH=1R,2R‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine) containing an electron deficient [L1‐H]– O˄O leaving ligand and [(NH3)2Pt(L2‐H)]NO3 and [(DACH)Pt(L2‐H)]NO3 (L2=1‐ferrocenylbutane‐1,3‐dione) containing an electron‐rich [L2‐H]– O˄O leaving ligand. While all four complexes have comparable lipophilicity, the presence of the electron‐withdrawing CF3 group was found to dramatically enhance the reactivity of these complexes toward nucleophilic biomolecules. In vitro cellular assays revealed that the more reactive complexes have higher cellular uptake and higher anticancer potency as compared to their less reactive analogs. But the scenario is opposite in vivo, where the less reactive complex showed improved tissue and tumor accumulation and better anticancer efficacy in mice bearing ovarian xenograft when compared to its more reactive analog. Finally, in addition to demonstrating the profound but contrasting impact of kinetic lability on in vitro and in vivo antitumor potencies, we also described the impact of kinetic lability on the mechanism of action of this class of promising antitumor agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) phototherapy is the cornerstone of vitiligo treatment. Its combination with other treatments usually yields a better response. Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2α analog, and autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) have been reported to be effective for vitiligo. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of NB‐UVB combined with intralesional latanoprost or PRP for stable nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV). Methods: Sixty patients with stable NSV were recruited and randomly allocated to two equal groups. NB‐UVB phototherapy was administered twice a week for all patients. Additionally, group A received intralesional latanoprost injections once weekly, while group B received intralesional autologous PRP injections every 2 weeks. Results: At 24 weeks, excellent repigmentation response was observed in 26.7% and 13.3% of patients in the latanoprost/NB‐UVB and PRP/NB‐UVB groups, respectively, with no significant difference in degrees of repigmentation between the two groups. However, the Vitiligo Extent Score for a Target Area (VESTA) score was significantly higher in the latanoprost/NB‐UVB group (p =.032). Moreover, lesions located on nonacral skin responded significantly better than those on acral skin. Only erythema was significantly higher in the PRP/NB‐UVB group, while the recurrence of depigmentation was significantly higher in the latanoprost/NB‐UVB group. Conclusions: Both latanoprost and PRP have the potential to be effective add‐on therapies to NB‐UVB phototherapy for stable NSV, with latanoprost resulting in a greater repigmentation response and PRP producing a more stable response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energetic electrons (EEs) produced from auxiliary heatings have been found to destabilize various Alfven eigenmodes (AEs) in recent experiments. To investigate EE relevant kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) processes, a global fluid-kinetic hybrid model is formulated and verified in this work, which consists of Landau-fluid bulk plasmas and drift-kinetic EEs that incorporates the dominant damping and drive mechanisms, respectively. The numerical capability of Landau-fluid bulk plasmas is obtained based on a well-benchmarked eigenvalue code multiscale analysis for plasma stability (MAS) using general geometry (Bao et al 2023 Nucl. Fusion 63 076021), and the comprehensive EE responses to the low frequency ( ω ≪ Ω c i ) MHD fluctuations are analytically derived and implemented in MAS, which not only cover contributions from trapped and passing particles, but also take into account the effects of adiabatic fluid convection and non-adiabatic kinetic compression. The linear properties of EE-driven beta-induced AEs (e-BAEs) are systematically studied using both MAS model and gyrokinetic toroidal code (GTC) particle-in-cell simulations. Building on the good agreements on the mode structure and dispersion relation, several key issues of e-BAE physics are analyzed and discussed, including the parametric dependences of e-BAE stability on EE mass, temperature and density with corresponding phase space dynamics, EE non-perturbative effects on the symmetry breaking of mode structure, and the EE density and temperature thresholds for e-BAE excitation that overcome bulk plasma damping. With these efforts, the upgraded MAS model is superior than initial-value simulations restricted by stringent electron Courant condition for fast linear analyses of most EE-AE problems with ω ≪ Ω c i , of which wave–particle resonance can be used to analyze the analogous effect of alpha particle driven AEs in future fusion reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plasma equilibrium plays a crucial role in nuclear fusion studies, serving as the foundation for various aspects of fusion research, including plasma stability, transport, and current drive. In this paper, a new Grad–Shafranov equation solver is developed for the fixed-boundary plasma equilibria with toroidal flow. This solver utilizes the pressure profile, safety factor profile (not current profile), and any two profiles of the toroidal angular velocity, plasma temperature, and square of the Mach number as inputs. The numerical results obtained by this solver exhibit good agreement with known analytic solution under identical parameters, and the potential applications of the solver are demonstrated through several numerical equilibria with toroidal flow. It is very convenient to apply this code to simulate the tokamak equilibrium with a smooth plasma shape. In addition, the effect of toroidal flow on the plasma equilibria is investigated as a simple application. The results reveal a notable outward shift in the contour profiles of magnetic flux surface, density, pressure, and temperature induced by toroidal flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the chemical changes caused during plasma treatment is essential to enhance food quality. In this work, the influence of two cold plasma technologies, dielectric barrier discharge plasma and glow discharge plasma, on the phenolic profile of araça-boi (Eugenia stipitata) juice was investigated and assessed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Eight phenolic compounds were identified in araça-boi, with cinnamic acid being the major phenolic compound of the fruit juice, followed by protocatechuic acid. The effects of excitation frequency and plasma flow rate were evaluated because these are the main operating conditions that can be set for plasma treatments. The phenolic profile slightly changed due to the reaction of the phenolics with the reactive plasma species produced during the treatment, with the highest increase in phenolic content observed in the dielectric barrier discharge plasma operating at 1000 Hz. Both plasma systems increased the bioavailability of phenolic compounds in the juice, which could be increased by up to 201% using the dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Plasma application increased the concentration of cinnamic, hydrocinnamic, benzoic, and p-coumaric acids. Overall, plasma treatment improved the bioavailability of the phenolic compounds and resulted in slight changes to the phenolic profile of araça-boi juice. Thus, the technology showed a positive effect on araça-boi juice. This work advanced our further understanding of the changes induced by cold plasma treatment on phenolic compounds and characterization of araça-boi (Eugenia stipatata). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]