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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202403.1669.v1

Heparan Sulfate 3-O-Sulfotransferase 3B1 (HS3ST3B1) Is Associated with Invasive and Mesenchymal-Like Phenotype in Breast Cancer Cells and Promotes Chemo-Resistance through Activation of PDGF-Rβ Pathway

Agnès Denys, Mariama Diawara, Clémence Messmer, Emilie Cadart, Fabrice Allain

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: heparan sulfate; sulfotransferase; breast cancer; invasion; survival; PDGFR-Rβ ; chemo-resistance

Online: 27 March 2024 (10:46:06 CET)

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Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202311.0760.v1

Comparative Characterisation of Proliferation and Apoptosis of Colonic Epithelium after Electron Irradiation with 2 GY and 25 GY

Grigory Demyashkin, Elza Karakaeva, Susanna Saakian, Natalia Tarusova, Amina Guseinova, Anita Vays, Konstantin Gotovtsev, Dmitri Atiakshin, Peter Shegay, Andrey D. Kaprin

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Pathology And Pathobiology Keywords: radiotherapy; electrons; irradiation; colon; caspase-3; Ki-67

Online: 13 November 2023 (10:19:44 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202309.0617.v1

Recent Advances in Psychotherapeutic Treatment and Understanding of Alexithymia in Patients with Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Filip Mustač, Tin Galijašević, Eva Podolski, Andrej Belančić, Martina Matovinović, Darko Marčinko

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Psychiatry And Mental Health Keywords: alexithymia; obesity; diabetes mellitus type 2; psychodynamic psychotherapy

Online: 11 September 2023 (09:21:26 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202308.0317.v1

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antifungal and Antibacterial Abilities of Carbon Nanotubes Grafted to Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Nanocomposites

Karina Sandoval-García, Abraham G. Alvarado-Mendoza, Eulogio Orozco-Guareño, María A. Olea-Rodríguez, Leonardo A. Cajero-Zul, Sergio M. Nuño-Donlucas

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Ceramics And Composites Keywords: carbon nanotubes; nanocomposites; poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate); antifungal capacity; antibacterial ability

Online: 3 August 2023 (11:38:26 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202307.0375.v1

Serological Assay for SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic and Wild Animals in Middle and Southeast Regions in Brazil

Julia Maldi Dias, Mariana Oliveira Costa, Amanda Oliveira De Souza, Majela Lima Faria, Daniel Hofman Golcman, Mariana Baroni Selim, Emília Patrícia Medici, Guilherme Shin Iwamoto Haga, Adriana Hellmeister de Campos Nogueira Romaldini, Liria Hiromi Okuda

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; animals; antibodies; seroprevalence

Online: 6 July 2023 (07:17:54 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0631.v1

Anti-Hypercholesterolemia Effects of Edible Seaweeds Extracts and Metabolomic Changes in Hep-G2 and Caco-2 Cell Lines

Rita Pacheco, Mariana Coelho

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Food Science And Technology Keywords: cholesterol; Eisenia bicylis; Porphyra tenera; hypercholesterolemia; metabolomics; 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A redutase; Hep-G2; Caco-2

Online: 9 May 2023 (09:52:50 CEST)

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Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the main cause of mortality worldwide, and it is characterized by high levels of circulating cholesterol. The drugs currently available for hypercholesterolemia control have several side effects, so it is necessary to develop new effective and safer therapies. Seaweeds serve as sources of several bio-active compounds with claimed beneficial effects. Eisenia bicyclis (Aramé) and Porphyra tenera (Nori) are edible seaweeds which were previously recognized as rich in bioactive compounds. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the anti-hypercholesterolemia effect of these two seaweeds ex-tracts and their health potential. Both extracts, but more efficiently Aramé extract demonstrated to have liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) inhibitory activity and to reduce approximately 30 % cholesterol permeation through human Caco-2 cells simulating the intestinal lining, targets for hypercholesterolemia treatments. An untargeted metabolomic assay on human intestinal Caco-2 and liver Hep-G2 cells lines exposed to Aramé and Nori extracts revealed changes in the cell’s metabolism as indicators of the extract’s health beneficial effects. The metabolic pathways affected by exposure to both extracts were associated to lipid metabolism, such as phospholipids, and fatty acid metabolism, pathways of amino acid, cofactors and vitamins and cellular respiration metabolism. More profound for Aramé treated cells, but also seen for Nori ex-posed cells, the metabolites modifications were associated with the protection against CVDs and other diseases and, to the improvement of cells oxidative stress tolerance. The results obtained for the anti-hypercholesterolemia properties, in addition to the revelation of the positive impact on cells metabolism, are an important contribution for further evaluation of these seaweeds extracts as functional foods or for CVDs prevention.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0180.v1

The Portuguese Public Hospitals Performance and Sustainability Evolution Before and During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic (2017-2022)

Paulo Caldas, Miguel Varela

Subject: Business, Economics And Management, Economics Keywords: Hospital performance; Hospital quality; Sustainability; Performance evolution; Data Envelopment Analysis

Online: 9 March 2023 (13:07:25 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202209.0169.v1

Integration of Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 Data for Crop Classification Improvement: Barley and Wheat as an Example

Gaylan R. Faqe Ibrahim, Azad Rasul, Haidi Abdullah

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Remote Sensing Keywords: Synthetic Aperture Rader (SAR); Optical image (Sentinel 2); Random Forest (RF); CART; GEE

Online: 13 September 2022 (10:06:14 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202205.0234.v1

Physical Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Routes: from Primary Production and Emissions to Exposures and COVID-19 Infection

Gjalt Huppes, Ruben Huele

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biophysics Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; virions mass balance; spatial modelling of toxics concentrations; human exposure to airborne substances; Substance Flow Analysis (SFA); environmental routes of toxic viruses; primary production of SARS-2 virions

Online: 17 May 2022 (14:19:43 CEST)

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Working Paper ARTICLE

Banana Lectin from Musa paradisiaca is Mitogenic for Cow and Pig PBMC via IL-2 Pathway and ELF1

Roxane L. Degroote, Lucia Korbonits, Franziska Stetter, Kristina J. H. Kleinwort, Marie-Christin Schilloks, Barbara Amann, Sieglinde Hirmer, Stefanie M. Hauck, Cornelia A. Deeg

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: PBMC; polyclonal cell stimulation; complement pathway; plant lectin; Musa paradisiaca; banana lectin; BanLec; LC-MS/MS; proteomics; ELF1; IL-2

Online: 2 August 2021 (13:02:07 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0021.v2

Expression and Clinical Significance of SARS-CoV-2 Human Targets in Lung Tissues: Normal, Primary Tumor and Metastasis

Karthikeyan Subbarayan, Kamatchi Ulagappan, Claudia Wickenhauser, Barbara Seliger

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Oncology And Oncogenics Keywords: COVID-19; metastasis; lung adenocarcinoma; smoking; aging; ACE2

Online: 6 July 2020 (10:14:03 CEST)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0084.v1

Nsp7 and Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 Are Envisaged as Potential Targets of Vitamin D and Ivermectin

Jhimli Dasgupta, Udayaditya Sen, Abhisek Bakshi, Abhijit Dasgupta, Krishnendu Manna, Chinmay Saha, Rajat K. De, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, Nitai P. Bhattacharyya

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Vitamin D; Ivermectin; RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase; Spike glycoprotein; Knowledge based docking

Online: 5 May 2020 (15:18:30 CEST)

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COVID-19 has emerged as deadly pandemic worldwide with no vaccine or suitable antiviral drugs to prevent or cure the disease. Because of the time-consuming process to develop new vaccines or antiviral agents, there has been a growing interest in repurposing some existing drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2. Vitamin D is known to be protective against acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia and cytokine storm. Recently it has been used as a repurposed drug for the treatment of H5N1 virus-induced lung injury. Circumstantial evidences indicate that people with low level of vitamin D are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Although, vitamin D was suggested to interfere with viral replication, its interaction with any SARS-CoV-2 protein is unexplored yet. Beside this, ivermectin, a well-known anti-parasitic agent, exhibits potent anti-viral activities in vitro against viruses such as HIV-1 and dengue. Very recently, ivermectin has been found to reduce viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. We have analyzed available structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins to identify probable binding partner(s) of vitamin D and ivermectin through knowledge-based docking studies and figured out possible implication of their binding in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our observations suggest that the non-structural protein nsp7 possesses a potential site to house 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (VDY) or the active form of Vitamin D, calcitrol. Binding of vitamin D with nsp7 likely to hamper the formation of nsp7-nsp8 complex which is required to bind with RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), nsp12 for optimal function. On the other hand, potential binding site of ivermectin has been identified in the S2 subunit of trimeric spike(S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. We propose that deeply inserted mode of ivermectin binding at three inter-subunit junctions may restrict large scale conformational changes of S2 helices which is necessary for efficient fusion of viral and host membrane. Our study, therefore, opens up avenues for further investigations to consider vitamin D and ivermectin as potential drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201803.0055.v1

Performance of Clay, SiO₂, Ca(OH)₂and CaCO₃ - Polymeric Nanocomposites for Conservation and Preservation of Limestone Artworks

Mohammad Ateeq Aldoasri, Sawsan Darwish, Mahmoud Adam, Nagib Elmarzugi, Sayed Ahmed

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Materials Science And Technology Keywords: Polymeric nanocomposites; limestone artworks; cultural heritage conservation; consolidation; colorimetric measurements.

Online: 7 March 2018 (13:50:06 CET)

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Environmental deterioration factors are constantly increasing, causing unwanted aesthetic changes to stone artworks due to exposure to various physical and chemical deterioration factors. Inorganic nanoparticle-filled polymer composites have extended their multiple functionalities to various applications, including cultural heritage conservation. Therefore, this study has examined the effects of clay, SiO2, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 nanomaterials in the enhancement of the physicomechanical properties of limestone monuments, the aim of the present work being to evaluate comparatively the effectiveness of nanoparticles as consolidation and protection material for limestone artworks. The nanoparticles were added to an acrylic-based copolymer (polyethylmethacrylate (EMA)/methylacrylate (MA) (70/30), in order to improve its physiochemical and mechanical properties, and produced a significant improvement in the ability of the polymers to consolidate and protect the stone. The synthesis process of nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposite has been prepared by an in situ emulsion polymerization system. The nanocomposites contained poly (EMA/MA) with a solid content of 3% [poly (EMA/MA)] in the absence and presence of 5% nanoparticles (0.15 g nanoparticles). Samples were subjected to artificial aging by relative humidity/temperature and acid/salt crystallization weathering to show the optimum conditions of durability and the effectiveness of the nano-mixture in improving the physical and mechanical properties of the stone material. To ensure that the treatment had no negative effects on the physical characteristics of the limestone, the properties of the treated limestone samples were evaluated comparatively before and after artificial aging by the conduct of microstructural (phase morphology studied by means of scanning electron microscopy) and aesthetic (colour and lightness measured by spectrophotometry) analyses. Also used were measurement of static contact angle of water droplets on the surface of the samples, total immersion water absorption, compressive strength, and abrasion resistance test. Results demonstrated that the addition of nanoparticles to an acrylic-based polymer enhanced its capability to consolidate and protect the limestone samples.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0334.v1

Computational Biology and Machine Learning Approaches to Identify the Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis L.) Genome Encoded Potential MicroRNAs Targeting Rubber Tree Virus 1

Muhammad Aleem Ashraf, Hafiza Kashaf Tariq, Jallat Khan, Han Cheng

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Plant Sciences Keywords: Rubber tree capillovirus 1; microRNAs; plant-virus interaction; RNAi: computational algorithms; gene silencing, minimum free energy

Online: 22 July 2022 (09:52:38 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202409.2426.v1

Recurrent Lower Urinary Infection in Diabetic and Non Diabetic Patients: Retrospective Analysis on the Effect of a Multi-Strain Probiotic (vsl#3) plus Rifaximin as Prophylaxis

ALESSANDRO PERRELLA, ALFONSO LANZA, PIERPAOLO DI MICCO, MARINA SARNO, GIUSY DI FLUMERI, UGO TRAMA, FRANCESCA FUTURA BERNARDI, ADA MAFFETTONE

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Internal Medicine Keywords: diabetes; bacterial infections; urinary infections

Online: 30 September 2024 (14:30:03 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202212.0091.v1

Understanding the Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction Asso-Ciated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD): Early Effect on Mitochon-Dria and Krebs Cycle Due to Type 3 Deiodinase Dysfunction

Rafael Aguiar Marschner, Ana Cristina Roginski, Rafael Teixeira Ribeiro, Larisse Longo, Laura Bainy Rodrigues de Freitas, Mario Reis Álvares-da-Silva, Simone Magagnin Wajner

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: Thyroid metabolism; Krebs cycle; Mitochondria; MAFLD

Online: 6 December 2022 (02:36:44 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0453.v1

Detection of Novel Biomarkers in Saliva of Rheumatoid Arthritis Model Mice by Proteomics and Pathological Analysis

Wakako Sakaguchi, Juri Saruta, Shinya Fuchida, Yuko Yamamoto, Masahiro To, Tomoko Shimizu, Mayumi Yakeishi, Keiichi Tsukinoki

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Pathology And Pathobiology Keywords: anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA); alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT); DBA/1JJmsSlc mice Proteome analysis; rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Online: 28 December 2021 (14:44:54 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202408.2017.v1

Equilibrium Strategies for Overtaking-Free Queueing Networks under Partial Information

David Barbato, Alberto Cesaro, Bernardo D’Auria

Subject: Computer Science And Mathematics, Probability And Statistics Keywords: overtaking-free networks; equilibrium strategies; Jackson networks; tree networks

Online: 28 August 2024 (05:21:58 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202407.2360.v1

Application of Attribute-Based Encryption in Military Internet of Things Environment

Łukasz Pióro, Jakub Sychowiec, Krzysztof Kanciak, Zbigniew Zieliński

Subject: Computer Science And Mathematics, Security Systems Keywords: Internet of Things; Blockchain; Attribute-Based Encryption

Online: 30 July 2024 (07:39:03 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202404.1736.v1

Optimal Scheduling for Automated Wetetch Stations with One Robot in Semiconductor Manufacturing via Constraint Answer Set Programming

Carmen L. García-Mata, Larysa Burtseva, Frank Werner

Subject: Computer Science And Mathematics, Discrete Mathematics And Combinatorics Keywords: scheduling; optimization; knowledge representation and reasoning; constraint answer set programming; semiconductor manufacturing system

Online: 28 April 2024 (07:13:37 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201612.0089.v1

Selection of Prebiotic Molecules in Amphiphilic Environments

Christian Mayer, Ulrich Schreiber, Maria J. Davila

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: origin of life; selection; accumulation; prebiotic chemistry; molecular evolution; vesicles

Online: 16 December 2016 (08:46:10 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202308.0944.v1

Development of Polycistronic Baculovirus Surface Display Vectors to Simultaneously Express Viral Proteins of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Analysis of Its Immunogenicity in Swine

Chao Yu Hsu, Yun Jang, Wei Ru Huang, Chi Young Wang, Hsiao Wei Wen, Pei Chien Tsai, Cheng Yao Yang, Muhammad Munir, Hung Jen Liu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biology And Biotechnology Keywords: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus; baculovirus surface display vectors; neutralizing antibody; IFN-γ; IL-4

Online: 14 August 2023 (09:48:24 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.0931.v1

Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis and Energy Framework Calculations of Different Metal Complexes of a Biphenol-based Ligand: Role of Solvent and Transition Metal Ion

Eleonora Macedi, Patrizia Rossi, Mauro Formica, Luca Giorgi, Martina Lippi, Riccardo Montis, Daniele Paderni, Paola Paoli, Vieri Fusi

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Inorganic And Nuclear Chemistry Keywords: biphenol ligands; transition metal complexes; crystal structure; Hirshfeld surfaces; energy frameworks; crystallization solvent

Online: 13 June 2023 (11:02:25 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1345.v1

Comparing the Performance of Different Classification Algorithms for Mapping and Assessing Land Cover Changes in Areas with Surface Mining and Complex Landscape Using Landsat Imagery

Iosif Vorovencii

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Remote Sensing Keywords: Support Vector Machine; Maximum Likelihood; Minimum Distance; machine learning; classification algorithm; Landsat

Online: 18 May 2023 (12:39:51 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202101.0417.v1

Effects of Heating and Cooling of Injection Mold Cavity Surface and Melt Flow Control on Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Semi-Aromatic Polyamide Molded Products

Yasuhiko Murata, Ryota Kanno

Subject: Engineering, Industrial And Manufacturing Engineering Keywords: heating and cooling of injection mold; melt flow control; carbon fiber reinforced semi-aromatic polyamide; fiber orientation; bending strength; weld line; crystallization

Online: 21 January 2021 (12:29:40 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202407.1620.v1

Impact of the Deletion of Genes of the Nitrogen Metabolism on Triacylglycerol, Cardiolipin and Actinorhodin Biosynthesis in Streptomyces Coelicolor

Abreu Sonia, Lejeune Clara, David Michelle, Chaminade Pierre, Marie-Joelle Virolle

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biology And Biotechnology Keywords: nitrogen limitation; triacylglycerol; cardiolipin; oxidative stress; antibiotic

Online: 19 July 2024 (14:40:44 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202409.1552.v1

Polysaccharide-Based Bioplastics: Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Solutions for Packaging

Ashoka Gamage, Punniamoorthy Thiviya, Anuradhi Liyanapathiranage, M.L. Dilini Wasana, Yasasvi Jayakodi, Amith Bamdara, Asanga Manamperi, Rohan S. Dassanayake, Philippe Evon, Othmane Merah, Terrence Madhujith

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Surfaces, Coatings And Films Keywords: Active packaging; Alginates; Bioplastics; Carrageenan; Cellulose; Chitin; Chitosan; Gellan gum; Intelligent packaging; Polysaccharides; Starch

Online: 20 September 2024 (05:46:39 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints201610.0125.v1

Herbal Products in Italy: The Thin Line between Phytotherapy, Nutrition and Parapharmaceuticals; a Normative Overview of the Fastest Growing Market in Europe

Marco Biagi, Rita Pecorari, Giovanni Appendino, Elisabetta Miraldi, Anna Rosa Magnano, Paolo Governa, Giulia Cettolin, Daniela Giachetti

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Plant Sciences Keywords: herbal medicinal products; food supplements; botanicals; normative; phytotherapy; Italian pharmaceutical market; parapharmaceuticals

Online: 28 October 2016 (08:06:07 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202311.0456.v1

Beeswax Alcohol (BWA) Protects Lipoproteins From Oxidation to Rescue Embryo Death From Acute Toxicity and to Exert Antioxidant Activities in Serum of Subjects With Sixties Individuals After 12 Weeks Consumption of BWA 100 mg/Day

Kyung-Hyun Cho, Julio César Fernández Travieso, Ashutosh Bahuguna, Vivian Molina Cuevas, Yohani Pérez Guerra, Ambar Oyarzabal Yera, Sarahi Mendoza Castaño

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: beeswax alcohol; clinical trials; high-density lipoproteins; low-density lipoproteins; oxidative stress; paraoxonase-1; zebrafish

Online: 8 November 2023 (03:35:56 CET)

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Oxidative stress is one of the primary instigators of the onset of various human ailments, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. Particularly, oxidative stress has a severe effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, leading to several detrimental health effects. Thereof, in this study, the effect of beeswax alcohol (BWA) was evaluated to prevent LDL oxidation, enhancement of paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) activity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and zebrafish embryo survivability. Furthermore, the implication of BWA consumption on the oxidative plasma variables was assessed by a preliminary clinical study on middle and older human subjects (n=50). Results support BWA augmentation of PON-1 activity in a dose-dependent manner (10-30 μM), which was significantly better them the effect exerted by coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Moreover, BWA significantly curtails CuSO4 (final 0.5 μM) evoked LDL/apo-B oxidation and a marked reduction of lipid peroxidation in LDL. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed a healing effect of BWA towards the restoration of LDL morphology and size impaired by the exposure of Cu2+ ions (final 0.5 μM). Additionally, BWA counter carboxymethyllysine (CML, 500 ng) induced toxicity and rescued zebrafish embryos from development deformities and apoptotic cell death. A completely randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled preliminary clinical study on middle and older-aged human subjects (n=50) exhibited that 12 weeks of BWA (100 mg/day) supplementation efficiently diminished serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total hydroperoxides, and enhanced total antioxidant status by 25%, 27%, and 22%, respectively, compared to the placebo control and baseline values. Furthermore, the consumption of BWA did not exhibit any noteworthy changes in anthropometric profile, lipid profile, glucose levels, and biomarkers pertinent to kidney and liver function, thus confirming the safety of BWA for consumption. Conclusively, BWA prevents LDL oxidation, enhances PON-1 activity in HDL, and has a positive impact on the oxidative variables of human subjects.

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202011.0174.v1

Effect of the Marine β-carboline Alkaloid Manzamine A on RSK1 vs RSK2 Inhibition: a Biochemical and Computational Study

Alejandro Mayer, Mary L. Hall, Joseph M. Lach, Jonathan Clifford, Kevin Chandrasena, Caitlin Canton, Maria Kontoyianni

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biology And Biotechnology Keywords: MZA, Manzamine A; CTKD, C-terminal kinase domain; ras-ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) pathway; RSK1, 90kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1; RSK2, 90kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 2; NTKD, N-terminal kinase domain

Online: 4 November 2020 (08:27:07 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202309.0318.v2

Altered Expression of Vitamin D Metabolism Genes and Circulating MicroRNAs in PBMCs of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes: Their Association with Vitamin D Status and Ongoing Islet Autoimmunity

Hakeemah Al-nakhle, Ihsan Mohsen, Bashir Elnaem, Abdullah Alharbi, Ibtisam Alnakhli, Shareefa Almoarfi, Jameela Fallatah

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: Type 1 diabetes mellitus; 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D; PBMCs; 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1); 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1); miRNA; Ongoing Islet Autoimmunity

Online: 9 October 2023 (09:28:37 CEST)

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Background: The immunomodulatory role of 1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) is exerted through its interaction with the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) present on pancreatic and immune cells. While a deficiency in Vitamin D has been linked to Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), the exact molecular mechanism driving this down-regulation in T1DM is yet to be fully understood. This study aimed to decipher differences in the expression of genes associated with Vitamin D metabolism in T1DM patients and to ascertain if there is a correlation between serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels and the expression of these genes. We also sought to understand the influence of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) on the expression of Vitamin D metabolism genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of T1DM patients. Furthermore, the study delved into the potential implications of altered Vitamin D metabolism genes and miRNAs on autoimmune processes. Methods: Utilizing real-time PCR, we assessed the expression profiles of genes encoding for 1-hydroxylases (CYP27B1) and 24-hydroxylases (CYP24A1), as well as related miRNAs, in PBMCs from 30 T1DM patients and 23 healthy controls. ELISA tests facilitated the measurement of 1,25(OH)2D3, GAD65, and IA-2 levels. Results: Our findings showcased down-regulated CYP27B1 mRNA levels, while CYP24A1 expression remained stable compared to healthy subjects (CYP27B1, p = 0.0005; CYP24A1, p = 0.205, respectively). In T1DM patients, the levels of has-miR-216b-5p were found to be increased, while the levels of has-miR-21-5p were decreased in comparison to the control group. Notably, no correlation was identified between the expression of CYP27B1 in T1DM patients and the levels of has-miR-216b-5p, has-miR-21-5p, and 1,25(OH)2D3. A significant negative correlation was identified between CYP27B1 mRNA levels in PBMCs of T1DM and IA2, but not with GAD65. Conclusions: The study highlights there were reduced levels of both CYP27B1 mRNA and has-miR-21-5p, along with elevated levels of has-miR-216b-5p in the PBMCs of T1DM. However, the absence of a correlation between the expression of CYP27B1, levels of has-miR-216b-5p, and the status of 1,25(OH)2D3 suggests the possible existence of other regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, the inverse relationship between IA2 autoantibodies and CYP27B1 expression in T1DM patients indicates a potential connection between this gene and the autoimmune processes inherent in T1DM.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202405.1650.v1

Three-Dimensional Bowing Measurement of Distal Femur at Actual Size and Clinical Implications of Total Knee Arthroplasty

Gu-Hee Jung, Young Jue An, Dong-Geun Kang

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Orthopedics And Sports Medicine Keywords: Asian femur 1; three-dimensional model 2; computational simulation 3; total knee arthroplasty 4; cortical abutment 5

Online: 27 May 2024 (09:59:01 CEST)

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Background and Objectives: To assess femoral shaft bowing (FSB) in the coronal and sagittal planes and introduce the clinical implications of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by analyzing a three-dimensional (3D) model with virtual implantation of the femoral component. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight patients (average age: 69.1 years) underwent 3D model reconstruction, incorporating medullary canals, by importing computed tomography (CT) data into Mimics® software. A mechanical axis (MA) line was drawn from the midportion of the femoral head to the center of the intercondylar notch; proximal/distal straight centerlines (length, 60 mm; diameter, 1 mm) were placed in the center of the medulla canal. Acute angles between the two centerlines were measured as lateral and anterior bowing. The acute angle by distal centerline and MA line was measured as distal coronal and sagittal alignment in both anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views. The diameter of curve (DOC) of the medulla along the posterior border was measured. Results: The mean lateral bowing on the AP view was 3.71°, and the mean anterior bowing on the lateral view was 11.82°. The average DOC of the medullary canal was 1501.68 mm. The distal coronal alignment of all femurs was an average of 6.40°, and the distal sagittal alignment was 2.66°. Overall, 22 femurs had coronal bowing, 42 had sagittal bowing, and 15 had both. Conclusion: In Asians, FSB is present in coronal, sagittal, or both directions. Increased anterolateral FSB may lead to cortical abutment in the sagittal plane despite limited space in the coronal plane. During TKA, distal coronal alignment can guide distal femoral valgus cut angle, whereas distal sagittal alignment helps anticipate femoral component positioning, avoiding anterior notching. Osteotomy along the anterior cortical bone to prevent notching may result in outliers due to differences between distal sagittal alignment and distal anterior cortical axis.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202109.0408.v1

Assessing the Vertical Displacement of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam during its Filling using DInSAR technology and its Potential Acute Consequences on the Downstream Countries

Hesham El-Askary, Amr Fawzy, Rejoice Thomas, Wenzhao Li, Nicholas LaHaye, Erik Linstead, Thomas Piechota, Daniele Struppa, Mohamed Abdelaty Sayed

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Geography Keywords: Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam; Main and Saddle Dams; Ground Displacement; Sentinel-1; Dam Filling; Geological Structures

Online: 23 September 2021 (12:32:03 CEST)

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The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), formerly known as the Millennium Dam, is currently under construction and has been filling at a fast rate without sufficient known analysis on possible impacts on the body of the structure. The filling of GERD not only has an impact on the Blue Nile Basin hydrology, water storages and flow but also pose massive risks in case of collapse. Rosaries Dam located in Sudan at only 116 km downstream of GERD, along with the 20 million Sudanese benefiting from that dam, would be seriously threatened in case of the collapse of GERD. In this study, through the analysis of Sentinal-1 satellite imagery we show concerning deformation patterns associated with different sections of the GERD’s Main Dam (structure RCC Dam type) and the Saddle Dam (Embankment Dam type). We processed 109 descending mode scenes from Sentinel-1 SAR imagery, from December 2016 to July 2021, using the Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry technique to demonstrate the deformation trends of both - the GERD’s Main and Saddle Dams. The time-series generated from the analysis clearly indicates different displacement trends at various sections of the GERD as well as the Saddle Dam. Results of the multi temporal data analysis on and around the project area show inconsistent subsidence at the extremities of the GERD Main Dam, especially the west side of the dam where we recorded varying displacements in the range of 10 mm to 90 mm at the crest of the dam. We conducted the current analysis after masking the images with a coherence value of 0.9 and hence, the subsequent results are extremely reliable and accurate. Further decomposition of the subsiding rate has revealed higher vertical displacement over the west side of the GERD’s Main Dam as compared to the east side. The local geological structures consisting of weak zones under the GERD’s accompanying Saddle Dam adds further instability to its structure. We identified seven critical nodes on the Saddle Dam that match the tectonic faults lying underneath it, and which display a varying degree of vertical displacements. In fact, the nodes located next to each other displayed varying displacement trends: one or more nodes displayed subsidence since 2017 while the other node in the same section displayed uplift. The geological weak zones underneath and the weight of the Saddle Dam itself may somewhat explain this inconsistency and the non-uniform vertical displacements. For the most affected cells, we observed a total displacement value of ~90 mm during the whole study period (~20 mm/year) for the Main Dam while the value of the total displacement for the Saddle dam is ~380 mm during the same period (~85 mm/year). Analysis through CoastSat tool also suggested a non-uniformity in trends of surface water-edge at the two extremities of the Main Dam.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202408.1297.v1

Unveiling the Role of Schwann Cell Plasticity in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Nurul Husna Abd Razak, Jalilah Idris, Nur Hidayah Hassan, Fazlin Zaini, Noorzaid Muhamad, Muhammad Fauzi Daud

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Neuroscience And Neurology Keywords: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN); schwan cell plasticity; neurodegenerative disease

Online: 19 August 2024 (09:49:25 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202310.1452.v1

Water Entry: A Classical Naval Hydrodynamics Problem Enhanced with the Heat and Mass Transfer, and Applied in an Immersion Quenching Simulation

Alen Cukrov, Darko Landek, Yohei Sato, Ivanka Boras, Bojan Ničeno

Subject: Engineering, Marine Engineering Keywords: immersion quenching; film boiling; arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation; remeshing; moving mesh; turbulence modeling; water entry

Online: 23 October 2023 (13:27:36 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.1940.v1

Changes of Water and Sediment Processes in the Yellow River and their Responses to Ecological Protection during the Last Six Decades

Suiji Wang, Xumin Wang

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Geography Keywords: runoff and sediment load; hydrologic regime; change trend; influence factors; Yellow River

Online: 26 May 2023 (14:34:27 CEST)

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The variation of river hydrologic process can not only reflect the impact of natural factors, but also the impact of human activities. The purpose of this study is to reveal the change trend of the hydrologic regime of the Yellow River and its response to ecological protection in the river basin. Based on the daily water and sediment observation data of representative gauging stations in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, it was analyzed the variation trend of the annual and monthly runoff and suspended sediment load (SSL), and monthly mean runoff, suspended sediment transport rate (SSTR), sediment inflow coefficient, and hydrological regime in decadal average of the gauging stations during the period 1960-2019. The results show that the variation of annual runoff and SSL, as well as the monthly mean runoff and SSTR in decadal average, has a significant decreasing trend in the 1960’s-1990’s, which was mainly in response to the gradual implementation of ecological protection measures such as afforestation, grass planting, terrace construction, and check dam construction, etc. in the basin. In 2000’s and 2010’s, the annual runoff increased, while the SSL increased slightly. This was a response to the implementation of new river management measures such as ensuring the ecological water demand of the lower reaches and scouring the riverbed by manually regulated clear water discharged from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir. In the same time, the monthly mean runoff and SSTR for the flood season (Jun.-Oct.) decreased remarkably, while the process curve of the monthly mean discharge and sediment concentration, changed from a clockwise loop to a counterclockwise loop in the river reach below the Xiaolangdi dam. This was a comprehensive response to the environmental protection measures in the Yellow River basin, in which the construction and operation of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir played a key role. This study can provide reference for river basin management.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202301.0437.v1

Responses in the Coupling of Carbon and Water Vapor Exchanges of Irrigated and Rainfed Andean Potato (Solanum Tuberosum Subsp. Andigenum) Agroecosystems

Fabio Ernesto Martinez Maldonado, Angela Maria Castaño Marín, Gerardo Antonio Góez Vinasco, Fabio Ricardo Marin

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Environmental Science Keywords: NEE; IWUE; ET-GPP coupling; omega; potato

Online: 25 January 2023 (03:27:31 CET)

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We studied the link between carbon and water fluxes to understand the response of net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE) to water availability conditions of three different potato water regimes cropping systems [full irrigation (FI), deficit irrigation (DI) and rainfed (RF)]. Through the eddy covariance technique, we measured CO₂ and water vapor exchanges and determined surface resistances, omega factor, and inherent water use efficiency (IWUE). Additionally, continuous plant growth determinations of leaf area index (LAI) and specific leaf area (SLA) were made over the three cropping systems. The RF potato was a net carbon source (NEE = 187.21 ± 3.84 g C m⁻²), while both, FI (NEE= −311.96 ± 12.82 g C m⁻²) and DI (−17.3 ± 4.6 g C m⁻²) were a net carbon sink. Greater sink activity is due to high fluxes of gross primary productivity (GPP) [where the GPP > ecosystem respiration (R_eco)] and evapotranspiration (ET), and the high efficiency in the exchange of carbon and water. Without water limitations, the larger canopy, with greater photosynthetic activity (GPP/R_eco > 2) as well as with low internal resistance offers a greater area for water and carbon exchange, and the highly coupled and synchronized ET – GPP fluxes are primarily controlled by the radiative environment. The lower sink capacity of the DI potato crop and the carbon source activity from the RF, are consequences of a smaller area for water and carbon exchange due to the smaller canopy, and a low IWUE from decoupled and desynchronized carbon and water exchange caused by unbalanced restrictions on ET and GPP fluxes. Specifically, at DI potato, ET remained at a high rate, while GPP was reduced by means of non-stomatal limitations. In the rainfed potato, vapor pressure deficit (VPD) played a significant role increasing midday canopy resistance (Rc) up to 13 times compared to irrigated sites, when VPD was around 0.8 kPa. In consequence, ET and GPP fluxes decreased together, but GPP decreased more than ET because of stomatal and non-stomatal limitations.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201812.0125.v1

Comparative Study of Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Laser Ablation of Zn Target in Water and Air

Ekaterina A. Gavrilenko, Daria A. Goncharova, Ivan N. Lapin, Anna L. Nemoikina, Valery A. Svetlichnyi, Ali A. Aljulaih, Neli Mintcheva, Sergei A. Kulinich

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Nanotechnology Keywords: pulsed laser ablation in water; pulsed laser ablation in air; ZnO nanoparticles; biomedical materials; PLLA-scaffold; antibacterial properties

Online: 11 December 2018 (10:32:20 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201806.0426.v1

When water runs dry and temperature heats up: Understanding the mechanisms in rice tolerance to drought and high temperature stress conditions

Roel Rabara, Joseph Msanne, Marilyn Ferrer, Supratim Basu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Agricultural Science And Agronomy Keywords: rice, abiotic stress, high temperature, drought, physiological responses, molecular mechanisms, systems biology

Online: 26 June 2018 (15:30:20 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202312.1841.v1

A Possible Therapeutic Application of The Selective Inhibitor of Urate Transporter 1, Dotinurad, for Metabolic Syndrome, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Cardiovascular Disease: A Significance of Inhibition of Urate Transporter 1 and Non-inhibition of Other Urate Transporters for Such Diseases

Hidekatsu Yanai, Hiroki Adachi, Mariko Hakoshima, Sakura Iida, Hisayuki Katsuyama

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Urology And Nephrology Keywords: ATP-binding cassette transporter G2; chronic kidney disease; dotinurad; hyperuricemia; organic anion transporter1/3; urate transporter 1

Online: 26 December 2023 (03:03:41 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202405.0840.v1

Genetic Architecture of CHD in NICU patients – UMC Ljubljana Experience

Ana Peterlin, Sara Bertok, Karin Writzl, Luca Lovrečić, Aleš Maver, Maruša Debeljak, Gregor Nosan

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Cardiac And Cardiovascular Systems Keywords: congenital heart disease; chromosomal microarray analysis; next-generation sequencing

Online: 13 May 2024 (12:12:36 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202407.0796.v1

StarDICE II: calibration of an uncooled infrared thermal camera for atmospheric gray extinction characterization

Kélian Sommer, Bertrand Plez, Johann Cohen-Tanugi, Sylvie Dagoret-Campagne, Marc Moniez, Jérémy Neveu, Marc Betoule, Sébastien Bongard, Fabrice Feinstein, Laurent Le Guillou, Claire Juramy, Eduardo Sepulveda, Thierry Souverin

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Remote Sensing Keywords: uncooled infrared thermal camera calibration; cirrus cloud; atmosphere monitoring; gray extinction; low radiances

Online: 10 July 2024 (11:35:05 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202408.0315.v1

Evaluation of Anopheline Diversity and Abundance across Outdoor Collection Schemes Utilizing CDC Light Traps in Nchelenge District, Zambia

Christine M Jones, Ilinca I Ciubotariu, Mary E Gebhardt, James Sichivula Lupiya, David Mbewe, Mbanga Muleba, Jennifer C Stevenson, Douglas E Norris

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Insect Science Keywords: malaria; outdoor transmission; Anopheles funestus; Anopheles gambiae; Zambia; residual transmission

Online: 5 August 2024 (23:23:19 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202402.1603.v1

Molecular and Cellular Characterization of Primary Endothelial Cells from a Familial Cavernomatosis Patient

Laura Lorente-Herraiz, Angel M Cuesta, Jaime Granado, Lucía Recio-Poveda, Luisa María Botella, Virginia Albiñana

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Other Keywords: Cavernous malformations; cerebral cavernous malformation; CCM; cavernomatosis; vascular malformations; primary endothelial cells; splicing; CCM signaling complex; Krit-1

Online: 28 February 2024 (10:54:12 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0316.v2

The Collective Mind: An Experimental Analysis of Imitation and Self‑organization in Humans

Emmanuel Olarewaju

Subject: Social Sciences, Cognitive Science Keywords: ; Social interaction; Self-organization; Imitation; Coordination dynamics; Group normalization; Interpersonal symmetry

Online: 13 September 2022 (15:59:57 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202406.1683.v1

Central Actions of Leptin Induce an Atrophic Pattern and Improves Heart Function in Lean Normoleptinemic Rats via PPARβ/δ Activation

Blanca Rubio, Cristina Pintado, Lorena Mazuecos, Marina Benito, Antonio Andrés, Nilda Gallardo

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Cardiac And Cardiovascular Systems Keywords: PPARβ /δ ; leptin; MRI; cardiac remodeling; Wistar rat

Online: 24 June 2024 (12:03:48 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202403.0033.v1

Community Battery for Collective-Self-Consumption and Energy Arbitrage: Techno-Economic Simulations Assessing Energy Balances, Battery Ageing and Different Market Scenarios

Mattia Pasqui, Lorenzo Becchi, Marco Bindi, Matteo Intravaia, Francesco Grasso, Gianluigi Fioriti, Carlo Carcasci

Subject: Engineering, Energy And Fuel Technology Keywords: renewable energy community; battery energy storage system; scheduling; ageing; collective-self-consumption; energy arbitrage

Online: 4 March 2024 (06:12:07 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202404.0108.v1

Bioinformatics-Based Design Strategy and Development of an Antigen Test for SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein

Partha Ray, Melissa Ledgerwood-Lee, Howard Brickner, Alex E. Clark, Aaron Garretson, Rishi Graham, Westley Van-Zant, Aaron F. Carlin, Eliah S. Aronoff-Spencer

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Nucleocapsid protein; Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies; Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay; Peptide epitope mapping; Viral Quality Assurance; RADx; COVID-19 diagnostics

Online: 1 April 2024 (17:21:17 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202402.0200.v1

SARS-CoV-2-Specific Immune Responses in Vaccination and Infection during the Pandemic in 2020–2022

Wakana Inoue, Yuta Kimura, Shion Okamoto, Takuto Nogimori, Akane Sakaguchi-Mikami, Takuya Yamamoto, Yasuko Tsunetsugu-Yokota

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Other Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; infection and vaccination; serum and saliva; RBD and N-specific; IgG and IgA; T-cell responses

Online: 5 February 2024 (03:43:25 CET)

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Preprint CASE REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202312.1336.v1

Missense Variants in COL4A1/2 Are Associated with Cerebral Aneurysms: A Case Report and Literature Review

Masahiro Uemura, Natsuki Tanaka, Shoichiro Ando, Takehiko Yanagihara, Osamu Onodera

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Neuroscience And Neurology Keywords: COL4A1; COL4A2; cerebral aneurysm; small vessel disease; large vessel abnormality

Online: 18 December 2023 (12:50:43 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202311.1976.v1

SARS‐COV‐2 ORF8 as a Modulator of Cytokine Induction: Evidence and Search for Molecular Mechanisms

Marilia Inês Móvio, Giovana Carneiro, Isabella Lopes Martines, Gilmara Barros de Lima, Sergio Daishi Sasaki, Alexandre Hiroaki KIhara, Emma Poole, Michael Nevels, Maria Cristina Carlan da Silva

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS CoV-2; COVID-19; ORF8, cytokine storm

Online: 30 November 2023 (10:29:01 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202311.1835.v1

A Portable and Disposable Electrochemical Sensor Utilizing Laser-Scribed Graphene for Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Detection

Runzhong Wang, Bicheng Zhu, Paul Young, Yu Luo, John Taylor, Alan J Cameron, Christopher J. Squire, Jadranka Travas-Sejdic

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Materials Science And Technology Keywords: Laser-scribed graphene; biosensor; nanobody; electrochemistry; COVID-19

Online: 29 November 2023 (09:57:13 CET)

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 has been the greatest global threat to human health in the last three years. The most widely used methodologies for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), used to detect the viral genome, and rapid antigen tests (RATs), also known as lateral flow tests, that employ specific antibodies to detect the viral spike protein. While PCR is considered the gold standard test in terms of specificity and sensitivity, it is time-consuming and requires specialized instrumentation operated by skilled personnel. In contrast, RATs can be used in-home or at point-of care but are less sensitive leading to a higher rate of false negative results. An alternative methodology for the detection of virus is the use of electrochemical biosensors that employ disposable strip electrodes to which binding of viral components elicits a change in electrical signal. Laser-scribed graphene (LSG) electrodes are attractive candidates for use as biosensors electrodes suitable for SARS-COV-2 detection due to their low-cost, patternability and ease of fabrication. In this work, we describe the development of a biosensor for COVID-19 detection that exploits a split-ester bond ligase system (termed ‘EsterLigase’) for immobilization of a virus-specific nanobody to maintain the out-of-plane orientation of the probe to ensure the efficacy of the probe-target recognition process. An anti-spike VHH E nanobody, genetically fused with the EsterLigase domain, was used as the specific probe for the spike receptor-binding domain (SP-RBD) protein as the target. The recognition between the two was measured by the change in the charge transfer resistance, determined by fitting the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) spectra. The developed LSG-based biosensor achieved a linear detection range for the SP-RBD from 15 pM to 150 nM with a sensitivity of 0.0866 [log(M)]-1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 7.68 pM.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202311.1518.v1

Genomic and Phylogenetic Characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes Isolated in Patients from Lambayeque Region, Peru

Sergio Luis Aguilar-Martinez, Gustavo Adolfo Sandoval-Peña, José Arturo Molina-Mora, Pablo Tsukayama-Cisneros, Cristian Díaz-Vélez, Franklin Rómulo Aguilar-Gamboa, D. Katterine Bonilla-Aldana, Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Tropical Medicine Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; genome; sequencing; phylogenetic analysis; Peru

Online: 23 November 2023 (11:07:09 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202310.1502.v1

Arabinose Plays an Important Role in Regulating the Growth and Sporulation of Bacillus subtilis NCD-2

Yifan Fu, Xiaomeng Liu, Zhenhe Su, Peipei Wang, Qinggang Guo, Ping Ma

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Agricultural Science And Agronomy Keywords: Phenotype Microarrays; Bacillus subtilis; L-arabinose; sporulation; transcriptome

Online: 24 October 2023 (13:28:42 CEST)

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Bacillus subtilis NCD-2 showed a promising biocontrol effect against plant soil-borne diseases, and was developed as a commercial microbial fungicide against cotton verticillium wilt in China. Spores were main ingredient of the fungicide and played the crucial role in biological control of plant diseases. Therefore, the key to reducing the cost of fungicide was to find ways to increase the number of spores of strain NCD-2 during fermentation. In this study, 755 substances were evaluated by Phenotype Microarray technology, and 5 kinds of carbon sources and 1 kind of nitrogen source were found to promote the metabolism of strain NCD-2. Among carbon sources L-arabinose showed strongest ability to promote the bacteria growth and sporulation of strain NCD-2. When L-arabinose was used as a single carbon source, it could increase the bacteria concentration and the sporulation efficiency of strain NCD-2 by 2.04 times and 1.99 times, respectively, compared with D-glucose. Moreover, L-arabinose could significantly decrease the autolysis of strain NCD-2 revealed by microscopy observation. The mechanism for promoting the sporulation by L-arabinose was analysed by RNA-seq sequencing. Results showed that total of 790, 923 and 1270 genes were up-regulated and 639, 850 and 1001 genes were down-regulated under L-arabinose supplies when cultured at 8 h, 12 h and 16 h, respectively. Fourteen differentially expressed genes associated with arabinose transportation and sporulation were selected for qRT-PCR analysis, and the result showed basically consistent expression trend with transcriptome. Notably, genes associated with arabinose metabolism, sporulation, spore resistance to heat and spore coat formation were significantly up-regulated, and genes associated with sporulation-delaying protein were significantly down-regulated under L-arabinose supplies. msmX gene which was involved in arabinose transport in Bacillus genus was deleted, and the mutant decreased the growth and sporulation by 53.71% and 86.46%, respectively, when compared to strain NCD-2 wild type. Complementary of the mutant by importing intact msmX gene could restore the growth and sporulation of the mutant strain. In conclusion, arabinose played an important role in regulating the growth and sporulation of strain NCD-2.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202310.0978.v1

Oncostatin M’s Involvement in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Focus on Type 1 and 2 Inflammation

Chie Ishikawa, Sachio Takeno, Yukako Okamoto, Tomohiro Kawasumi, Takashi Kakimoto, Kota Takemoto, Manabu Nishida, Takashi Ishino, Takao Hamamoto, Tsutomu Ueda, Akio Tanaka

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Otolaryngology Keywords: paranasal sinus; chronic rhinosinusitis; CRS; epithelial cell; eosinophil; oncostatin M; OSM; OSM receptor; OSMR

Online: 17 October 2023 (08:05:36 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202310.0889.v1

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Vaccination: A Comparative Review

Zeinab Mohseni Afshar, Homa Mazaherinia, Hosein Nazari rostami, Arefeh Babazadeh, Mohammad Barary, Erfan Hashemi, Soheil Ebrahimpour

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Primary Health Care Keywords: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS); COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination

Online: 13 October 2023 (10:58:23 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202310.0859.v1

Comorbidity of Type 2 Diabetes and Dementia Among Hospitalized Patients in Los Angeles County, 2019-2021

D’Artagnan M. Robinson, Dalia Regos-Stewart, Mariana A Reyes, Tony Kuo, Noel C Barragan

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public Health And Health Services Keywords: diabetes; Alzheimer’s disease; dementia; hospitalization

Online: 13 October 2023 (08:26:02 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202310.0184.v1

The Proinflammatory Effects of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 in New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes

Aysen Kutan Fenercioglu, Mustafa Sait Gonen, Hafize Uzun, Nurver Turfaner Sipahioglu, Gunay Can, Ebru Tas, Zehra Kara, Hande Mefkure Ozkaya, Pinar Atukeren

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Endocrinology And Metabolism Keywords: Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, inflammation, interleukins, TNF-α, NF-kB, MAPK

Online: 4 October 2023 (13:09:57 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202309.1552.v1

Diverse Bioactive Secondary Metabolites from Aspergillus terreus: Antimicrobial, Anticancer and Anti- SARS-CoV-2 Activity Studies

Abdelaaty Hamed, Ahmed S. Abdel-Razek, AHMED B Abdelwahab, Ahmed El Taweel, Mohamed Gaballah, Norbert Sewald, Mohamed Shaaban

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Medicine And Pharmacology Keywords: marine Aspergillus terreus; bioactive metabolites; antimicrobial; cytotoxicity; anti-coronavirus activities

Online: 22 September 2023 (10:07:13 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202308.0520.v1

A Comprehensive Analysis of Structural and Functional Changes Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Mutations

Aganze Gloire-Aimé Mushebenge, Samuel Chima Ugbaja, Nonkululeko Avril Mbatha, Rene M. Khan, Hezekiel M. Kumalo

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Epidemiology And Infectious Diseases Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; spike protein; mutations; viral infectivity; pathogenesis; vaccine efficacy; immune evasion; antibody neutralization; T-cell response; therapeutic targeting

Online: 7 August 2023 (10:12:28 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202307.0800.v1

Forest Monitoring Based on Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery, Google Earth Engine Cloud Computing, and Machine Learning

Tamás Molnár, Géza Király

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Forestry Keywords: forest monitoring; remote-sensing; satellite image; bark beetle damage; Sentinel-2; vegetation index; water index

Online: 12 July 2023 (11:13:47 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.2087.v1

SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Dynamic Perspective

Valentina Gerussi, Maddalena Peghin, Alvisa Palese, Maria De Martino, Elena Graziano, Stefania Chiappinotto, Federico Fonda, Giulia Bontempo, Tosca Semenzin, Luca Martini, Miriam Isola, Carlo Tascini

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Epidemiology And Infectious Diseases Keywords: Influenza; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Green-Pass; Vaccination; Immunization; Vaccine-hesitancy; Pandemic

Online: 29 June 2023 (10:23:58 CEST)

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Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.2007.v1

Ct-Value from qRT-PCR Can Predict SARS-CoV-2 Virus Assembly and Lineage Assignment Success

Dominik Hadzega, Klaudia Babisova, Michaela Hyblova, Nikola Janostiakova, Peter Sabaka, Pavol Janega, Gabriel Minárik

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; RNA genome assembly; RT-qPCR; SPAdes

Online: 29 June 2023 (02:12:07 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.1238.v1

A Miniaturized System for Rapid, Isothermal Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Human and Environmental Samples

Jake Staples, Athanasia-Maria Dourou, Irene Liampa, Calvin Sjaarda, Emily Moslinger, Henry Wong, Prameet Sheth, Stilianos Arhondakis, Ravi Prakash

Subject: Engineering, Bioengineering Keywords: loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP); soft microfluidic chip; Nucleic Acid Tests; severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2); System-on-board Integrated Detector

Online: 16 June 2023 (12:02:22 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.0226.v1

Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ Interaction with the Recognition Interface of ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

Alessio Pelucelli, Massimiliano F Peana, Bartosz Orzeł, Elzbieta Gumienna-Kontecka, Serenella Medici, Maria Antonietta Zoroddu

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Applied Chemistry Keywords: ACE2; peptides; zinc complexes; copper complexes; metal interaction; potentiometry; spectroscopy; NMR

Online: 4 May 2023 (08:09:22 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202212.0008.v1

Screening and Druggability Analysis of Marine Active Metabolites against SARS-CoV-2: An Integrative Computational Approach

Selvakumar Murugesan, Chinnasamy Ragavendran, Amir Ali, Safir Ullah Khan, Velusamy Arumugam, Dinesh Kumar Lakshmanan, Palanikumar Palanichamy, Manigandan Venkatesan, Chinnaperumal Kamaraj, Zia-ur-Rehman Mashwani, Muhammad Younas, Juan Pedro Luna-Arias, Fabian Fernández-Luqueño

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; molecular docking; ADMET; marine natural products; Chrysophaentin A; Hymenidin

Online: 1 December 2022 (03:51:30 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202209.0390.v1

Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Seroprevalence in Accra, Ghana during the Delta-Omicron Waves

Irene Owusu Donkor, Elvis Suatey Lomotey, Jewelna Akorli, Millicent Opoku, Emmanuel Frimpong Gyekye, Kojo M. Sedzro, Nana Efua Andoh, Yvonne Ashong, Benjamin Abuaku, Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Vincent Munster

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; asymptomatic; seroprevalence; Delta variant; Omicron variant; vaccination

Online: 26 September 2022 (09:41:01 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202209.0241.v1

Epidemiological and Clinical Features of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Circulating between April-December 2021 in Italy

Alessia Lai, Annalisa Bergna, Carla Della Ventura, Stefano Menzo, Bianca Bruzzone, Fabio Sagradi, Francesca Ceccherini-Silberstein, Alessandro Weisz, Nicola Clementi, Gaetano Brindicci, Ilaria Vicenti, Lolita Sasset, Sara Caucci, Benedetta Corvaro, Silvia Ippoliti, Carla Acciarri, Vanessa De Pace, Leonardo Lanfranchi, Maria Concetta Bellocchi, Giorgio Giurato, Roberto Ferrarese, Antonella Lagioia, Daniela Francisci, Martina Laura Colombo, Samuel Lazzarin, Matilde Ogliastro, Maria Rosa Cappelletti, Marco Iannetta, Francesca Rizzo, Carmen Rita Santoro, Chiara Fraccalvieri, Sophie Testa, Luca Carioti, Teresa Rocco, Annalisa Saracino, Annamaria Cattelan, Massimo Clementi, Loredana Sarmati, Agostino Riva, Spinello Antinori, Gianguglielmo Zehender

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: variants circulation; SARS-CoV-2; Italy; epidemiology

Online: 16 September 2022 (08:07:10 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202208.0430.v1

Anticipating the Next Chess Move: Blocking SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Simultaneously Disarming Viral Escape Mechanisms

Samir Mansour Moraes Casseb, André Salim Khayat, Jorge Estefano Santana de Souza, Edivaldo Herculano Correa de Oliveira, Sidney Emanuel Batista dos Santos, Pedro Fernando da Costa Vasconcelos, Paulo Pimentel de Assumpção

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; siRNA; Treatment

Online: 25 August 2022 (10:00:27 CEST)

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The COVID-19 pandemic initiated a race to determine the best measures to control the disease and to save as many people as possible. Efforts to implement social distancing, the use of masks, and massive vaccination programs turned out to be essential in reducing the devastating effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, the high mutation rates of SARS-CoV-2 challenge the vaccination strategy and maintain the threat of new outbreaks due to the risk of infection surges and even lethal variations able to resist the effects of vaccines and upset the balance. Most of the new therapies tested against SARS-CoV-2 came from already available formulations developed to treat other diseases, so they were not specifically developed for SARS-CoV-2. In parallel, the knowledge produced regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in this disease was vast due to massive efforts worldwide. Taking advantage of such a vast molecular understanding of virus genomes and disease mechanisms, a targeted molecular therapy based on siRNA specifically developed to reach exclusive SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences was tested in a non-transformed human cell model. Since coronavirus can escape from siRNA by producing siRNA inhibitors, a complex strategy to simultaneously strike both the viral infectious mechanism and the capability of evading siRNA therapy was developed. The combined administration of the chosen produced siRNA proved to be highly effective in successfully reducing viral load and keeping virus replication under control, even after many days of treatment, unlike the combinations of siRNAs lacking this anti-anti-siRNA capability. Additionally, the developed therapy did not harm the normal cells, which was demonstrated because, instead of testing the siRNA in nonhuman cells or in transformed human cells, a non-transformed human thyroid cell was specifically chosen for the experiment. The proposed siRNA combination deeply reduced the viral load throughout the experiment and allowed cellular recovery, thus representing a potential innovation, to be considered as an additional weapon for therapy of COVID-19 and even other infectious diseases.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0384.v1

Clinical and Evolutionary Features of SARS Cov-2 Infection (COVID-19) in Children, A Romanian Perspective

George Jugulete, Daniela Pacurar, Mirela Luminita Pavelescu, Mihaela Safta, Elena Gheorghe, Bianca Borcos, Carmen Pavelescu, Mihaela Oros, Madalina Merisescu

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Pediatrics, Perinatology And Child Health Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; children; clinical features; comorbidities; male genderSARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, children, clinical features, comorbidities, male gender

Online: 26 July 2022 (04:43:02 CEST)

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Background: Given the potential for additional development to clarify a better knowledge of the overall impact of COVID-19 on the pediatric population, the clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents are still being explored. Morbidity in children is characterized by a variable clinical course. Our study's goal was to compare clinical aspects of 230 pediatric patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and were hospitalized between April 2020 and March 2022. Methods: In a retrospective analysis, we compared two groups hospitalized in the infectious diseases clinical ward IX at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals," Bucharest, Romania. The first group of 88 patients was admitted between (April–December 2020) and their clinical manifestations were compared with the second group of 142 children followed between July 2021 and March 2022. Results: Of 230 children, the median age was 4.5 (interquartile range 0.6-17) years, 53.9% were male. 88 (36.21%) patients (first group) were admitted during the second wave in Romania, mostly aged < 5 years old, and experienced digestive manifestations like fever (p=0.001), and diarrhoea (p=0.004). The second group experienced different clinical signs when compared with the first group, with higher temperature and increased respiratory symptoms analogous to those of acute respiratory viral infections. The proportion in the second group increased, and 64.5% had symptoms for a median interval of 5 days; age (0-4 -years old) and length of stay were both proportionally inversely (p<0.01) and with correlation with hospital admission (p = 0.04). We report two Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS) in the second group, with favourable evolution under treatment. Comorbidities were risk factors for complications appear (p < 0.001) in both groups. All paediatric cases admitted to our clinic evolved favourably and no death was recorded. Conclusions: In the first group children experienced digestive symptoms, whereas the second group experienced mild and moderate respiratory symptoms. We confirmed risk factors for severe cases as manifestations across the age spectrum, 0-4 (digestive symptoms) and 5-12 years old (for respiratory symptoms), associated comorbidities, fever, and male gender. The potential effects of COVID-19 infection in children older than 5 years should encourage caregivers to vaccinate and improve the prognosis among pediatric patients at risk.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0380.v1

Molecular Mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and Human Endocrinocytes: A Prerequisite of Post-COVID Endocrine Autoimmunity

Leonid P. Churilov, Muslimbek G. Normatov, Vladimir J. Utekhin

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Pathology And Pathobiology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; autoantibodies; autoimmune endocrinopathies; long-COVID syndrome; molecular mimicry; thyroid gland; adrenals; pituitary; Langerhans’ islets

Online: 26 July 2022 (03:42:01 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0155.v1

Susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants to Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Kaiming Tao, Philip L. Tzou, Sergei L. Kosakovsky Pond, John P.A. Ioannidis, Robert W. Shafer

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Omicron variant; Monoclonal antibody; Neutralization; Spike protein

Online: 10 March 2022 (14:30:25 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202106.0650.v1

Cellular and humoral immunogenicity of a candidate DNA Vaccine Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Subunit 1

Khalid A. Alluhaybi, Rahaf H. Alharbi, Rowa Y. Alhabbab, Najwa D Aljehani, Sawsan S. Alamri, Mohammad Basabrain, Rehaf Alharbi, Wesam H. Abdulaal, Mohamed A. Alfaleh, Levi Tamming, Wanyue Zhang, Mazen Hassanain, Abdullah Algaissi, Adel M. Abuzenadah, Xuguang Li, Anwar M Hashem

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Immunology And Allergy Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 vaccine; cellular and humoral immunogenicity; DNA vaccine

Online: 28 June 2021 (13:40:25 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202105.0264.v1

Applying Philosophy, Logic, and Rational Argumentation to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Pandemic Response

Ari Joffe, David Redman

Subject: Social Sciences, Anthropology Keywords: COVID-19; critical scrutiny; logic; pandemic; response; SARS-CoV-2

Online: 12 May 2021 (10:48:05 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202104.0481.v1

Minimizing Errors in RT-PCR Detection and Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for Wastewater Surveillance

Warish Ahmed, Stuart Simpson, Paul Bertsch, Kyle Bibby, Aaron Bivins, Linda Blackall, Silvia Bofill-Mas, Albert Bosch, Joao Brandao, Phil Choi, Mark Ciesielski, Erica Donner, Nishita D'Souza, Andreas Farnleitner, Daniel Gerrity, Raul Gonzalez, John Griffith, Pradip Gyawali, Charles Haas, Kerry Hamilton, Chanditha Hapuarachchi, Valerie Harwood, Rehnuma Haque, Greg Jackson, Stuart Khan, Wesaal Khan, Masaaki Kitajima, Asja Korajkic, Giuseppina La Rosa, Blythe Layton, Erin Lipp, Sandra McLellan, Brian McMinn, Gertjan Medema, Suzanne Metcalfe, Wim Meijer, Jochen Mueller, Heather Murphy, Colleen Naughton, Rachel Noble, Sudhi Payyappat, Susan Petterson, Tarja Pitkanen, Veronica Rajal, Brandon Reyneke, Fernando Roman, Joan Rose, Marta Rusinol, Michael Sadowsky, Laura Sala-Comorera, Yin Xiang Setoh, Samendra Sherchan, Kwanrawee Sirikanchana, Wendy Smith, Joshua Steele, Rosalie Sabburg, Erin Symonds, Phong Thai, Kevin Thomas, Josh Tynan, Simon Toze, Janelle Thompson, Andy Whiteley, Judith Wong, Daisuke Sano, Stefan Wuertz, Irene Xagoraraki, Qian Zhang, Amity Zimmer-Faust, Orin Shanks

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Waste Management And Disposal Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Wastewater; Surveillance; False-positive; False-negative; RT-PCR

Online: 19 April 2021 (13:08:13 CEST)

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Wastewater surveillance for pathogens using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is an effective, resource-efficient tool for gathering additional community-level public health information, including the incidence and/or prevalence and trends of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater may provide an early-warning signal of COVID-19 infections in a community. The capacity of the world’s environmental microbiology and virology laboratories for SARS-CoV-2 RNA characterization in wastewater is rapidly increasing. However, there are no standardized protocols nor harmonized quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance. This paper is a technical review of factors that can lead to false-positive and -negative errors in the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, culminating in recommendations and strategies that can be implemented to identify and mitigate these errors. Recommendations include, stringent QA/QC measures, representative sampling approaches, effective virus concentration and efficient RNA extraction, amplification inhibition assessment, inclusion of sample processing controls, and considerations for RT-PCR assay selection and data interpretation. Clear data interpretation guidelines (e.g., determination of positive and negative samples) are critical, particularly during a low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Corrective and confirmatory actions must be in place for inconclusive and/or potentially significant results (e.g., initial onset or reemergence of COVID-19 in a community). It will also be prudent to perform inter-laboratory comparisons to ensure results are reliable and interpretable for ongoing and retrospective analyses. The strategies that are recommended in this review aim to improve SARS-CoV-2 characterization for wastewater surveillance applications. A silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic is that the efficacy of wastewater surveillance was demonstrated during this global crisis. In the future, wastewater will play an important role in the surveillance of a range of other communicable diseases.

Working Paper ARTICLE

XEN Glaucoma Implant for Refractory Glaucoma Management: Results and Complications during a 2-year Follow-up

Katarzyna Lewczuk, Joanna Konopińska, Joanna Joablonska, Zofia Mariak, Marek Rękas

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Immunology And Allergy Keywords: refractory glaucoma; XEN implant; management; retrospective study, MIGS, glaucoma surgery, bleb, subconjunctival stent

Online: 2 March 2021 (14:25:54 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202102.0432.v1

Biomedical Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Success in Sars-Cov-2 and Other Infectious Diseases

Nuno S. Osório, Maria Isabel Veiga

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Immunology And Allergy Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Infectious disease; Pandemics; Epidemics; Biomedical Research

Online: 19 February 2021 (10:03:47 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0345.v1

ACEII Gene Analysis Exposes SARS-CoV-2 As A Potential Threat to Agricultural and National Security

Michael Ruhl, Tracie Jenkins

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Agricultural Science And Agronomy Keywords: food safety; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; ACEII; agricultural security; national security

Online: 16 September 2020 (03:57:36 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0293.v1

PhotonLabeler: An Inter-disciplinary Platform for Visual Interpretation and Labeling of ICESat-2 Geolocated Photon Data

Lonesome Malambo, Sorin C. Popescu

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Remote Sensing Keywords: ICESat-2; photon-counting lidar; photon labeling; visualization; ATL03; ATL08; visual interpretation; solar-induced noise

Online: 13 August 2020 (08:08:40 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0086.v2

An Overview of Basic Molecular Biology of SARS-CoV-2 and Current COVID-19 Prevention Strategies

Ankur Das, Raja Ahmed, Suraiya Akhtar, Khaleda Begum, Sofia Banu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Genome organisation and expression; Polyproteins; Prevention strategies

Online: 14 June 2020 (16:49:10 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0376.v1

Computational Strategies to Combat COVID-19: Useful Tools to Accelerate SARS-CoV-2 and Coronavirus Research

Franziska Hufsky, Kevin Lamkiewicz, Alexandre Almeida, Abdel Aouacheria, Cecilia Arighi, Alex Bateman, Jan Baumbach, Niko Beerenwinkel, Christian Brandt, Marco Cacciabue, Sara Chuguransky, Oliver Drechsel, Robert D. Finn, Adrian Fritz, Stephan Fuchs, Georges Hattab, Anne-Christin Hauschild, Dominik Heider, Marie Hoffmann, Martin Hölzer, Stefan Hoops, Lars Kaderali, Ioanna Kalvari, Max von Kleist, René Kmiecinski, Denise Kühnert, Gorka Lasso, Pieter Libin, Markus List, Hannah F. Löchel, Maria J. Martin, Roman Martin, Julian Matschinske, Alice C. McHardy, Pedro Mendes, Jaina Mistry, Vincent Navratil, Eric Nawrocki, Áine Niamh O'Toole, Nancy Palacios-Ontiveros, Anton I. Petrov, Guillermo Rangel-Piñeros, Nicole Redaschi, Susanne Reimering, Knut Reinert, Alejandro Reyes, Lorna Richardson, David L. Robertson, Sepideh Sadegh, Joshua B. Singer, Kristof Theys, Chris Upton, Marius Welzel, Lowri Williams, Manja Marz

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: virus bioinformatics; SARS-CoV-2; sequencing; epidemiology; drug design; tools

Online: 23 May 2020 (11:01:11 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0510.v1

A Structural View at SARS-CoV-2 RNA Replication Machinery: RNA Synthesis, Proofreading and Final Capping

Maria Romano, Alessia Ruggiero, Flavia Squeglia, Giovanni Maga, Rita Berisio

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biophysics Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID19; RNA replication; protein structure; infectious disease

Online: 29 April 2020 (12:52:18 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0425.v1

Non-Coding RNAs and Innovative Therapeutic Strategies to Target the 5’UTR of SARS-CoV-2

Antonella Baldassarre, Alessandro Paolini, Stefania Paola Bruno, Cristina Felli, Alberto Eugenio Tozzi, Andrea Masotti

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 5’UTR; miRNAs; RNAi; GapmeRs

Online: 24 April 2020 (04:16:20 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0377.v1

The Dynamics of Humoral Immune Responses Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Potential for Reinfection

Paul Kellam, Wendy Barclay

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; immune response; antibodies

Online: 21 April 2020 (06:56:12 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0308.v1

Pharmacoinformatics and Molecular Dynamic Simulation Studies Reveal Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease 3CL^pro

Mubarak A. Alamri, Muhammad Tahir ul Qamar, Safar M. Alqahtani

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Pharmacology And Toxicology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 3CL protease; molecular docking; molecular dynamics and simulations

Online: 23 February 2020 (02:17:46 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202408.1690.v1

Generating Renewable Energy Based on a Circuit Approach (Part 2)

Shinichi Ishiguri

Subject: Physical Sciences, Applied Physics Keywords: current source; voltage source; electric power; renewable energy; circuit; light-emitting diode; super-condenser

Online: 23 August 2024 (09:17:28 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202407.0434.v1

Inhibition of Protease Activated Receptor-2 Activation in Parkinson’s Disease

Santina Quarta, Michele Sandre, Mariagrazia Ruvoletto, Marta Campagnolo, Aron Emmi, Alessandra Biasiolo, Patrizia Pontisso, Angelo Antonini

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Neuroscience And Neurology Keywords: Neuroinflammation; Microglia; Neurodegenerative diseases; PAR2 inhibition

Online: 4 July 2024 (11:05:00 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202405.1032.v1

Changjiang River (China) Suspended Sediment Concentration Estimation with Sentinel-2

Michael Nones, Chao Guo

Subject: Environmental And Earth Sciences, Water Science And Technology Keywords: Changjiang River; suspended sediment concentration; Sentinel-2; reflectance bands

Online: 15 May 2024 (17:12:26 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202405.1042.v1

SU(2)-Symmetric Exactly Solvable Models of Two Interacting Qubits

Roberto Grimaudo

Subject: Physical Sciences, Quantum Science And Technology Keywords: SU(2) symmetry; Interacting qubits; Time-dependent Hamiltonians; Quantum control; Dynamical entanglement generation

Online: 15 May 2024 (13:24:33 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202403.1755.v1

Neuregulin 2 Is a Candidate Gene for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Wei-Hsien Chien, Chia-Hsiang Chen, Min-Chih Cheng, Yu-Yu Wu, Susan Shurfen Gau

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; neuregulin 2 (NRG2); insertion/deletion polymorphism (indel)

Online: 28 March 2024 (10:52:32 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202401.1457.v1

Environmental Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Virus by Liquid Hyperoxygen

Alberto Izzotti, Zumama Khalid, Alessandra Pulliero, Claudio Angelinetta, Ubaldo Prati, Giovanni Barco

Subject: Public Health And Healthcare, Public, Environmental And Occupational Health Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 virus; COVID-19 infection; oxidative cure; environmental disinfection; prevention

Online: 19 January 2024 (07:51:23 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202310.0269.v1

Echocardiographic Changes in Saudi Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Turky H. Almigbal, Dina S. Almunif, Khaled H. Aburisheh, Mazen M. Barhoush, Reem A. Aldhahi, Mohammed Jamal Anabi, Obeed A. Alotaibi

Subject: Medicine And Pharmacology, Endocrinology And Metabolism Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; diabetes cardiomyopathy; echocardiography

Online: 5 October 2023 (10:57:29 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202306.0648.v1

Insights into the SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 Mechanism of Action

Elena Krachmarova, Peicho Petkov, Elena Lilkova, Nevena Ilieva, Miroslav Rangelov, Nadezhda Todorova, Kristina Malinova, Rossitsa Hristova, Genoveva Nacheva, Anastas Gospodinov, Leandar Litov

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 – RAE1 binding; 3D molecular structure modelling; molecular dynamics simulations; cell cycle, cyclin E; R-loops; DNA replication stress

Online: 8 June 2023 (13:52:38 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202305.2045.v1

Preventive Epigenetic Mechanisms of Functional Foods for Type 2 Diabetes

Abubakar Bilyaminu, Dawoud Usman, Kamaldeen Olalekan Sanusi, Nur Hanisah Azmi, Mustapha Umar Imam

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Food Science And Technology Keywords: diabetes; epigenetic inheritance; functional foods.; transgenerational

Online: 30 May 2023 (04:53:35 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202304.0522.v1

A Tiny Viral Protein, SARS-CoV-2-ORF7b: Structural Features.

Giovanni Colonna

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: ORF7b; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 3D-structure; molecular dynamics; dipole vector; Electrostatic properties of alpha-helix.

Online: 18 April 2023 (11:14:01 CEST)

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ORF7b-2 is an accessory protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus of only 43 amino acids. It has been implicated in various functional hypotheses, some of which predict its involvement as a trans-membrane protein. In this study, ORF7b-2 has often been compared to ORF7b-1 of the SARS virus to highlight differences and similarities with a protein that should have a similar biological role. Structural analysis of ORF7b-2 and its electrostatic characteristics show a polypeptide with both ends negatively charged and a diffuse negative charge over the entire structure. Therefore, its behavior in solution is like that of a weak negative polyelectrolyte, more precisely a polyanion with a net charge of – 4 at neutral pH. Its structure was modeled with two different modeling systems, one of which was ab initio. The two best models are similar, as confirmed by the Ramachandran plot, and show a central alpha-helical structure with two disordered and mobile ends. A normal mode analysis characterized the low-frequency dynamic aspects of the protein. The analysis of the structural shows a rigid central segment with mobile and fluctuating extremities, involved in a conformational equilibrium of the helix ↔ coil type. The calculation of the dipole moment shows its vector is not aligned with the main axis of the structure with an outward tilt of 24°. Molecular dynamics simulations were also conducted and the one in water is in good agreement with the previous results. While, the simulation performed by inserting a pre-oriented dimer (OMP) into a solvated lipid showed the low tendency of the protein to solvate in the apolar environment of the membrane. ORF7b-2 also shows a widespread distribution of negative surfaces that dynamically adjust to changes in structural organization. The BioGrid platform's [Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets] through the BioGrid COVID-19 Coronavirus Curation Project shows a very large number of experimentally proven physical interactions unique to ORF7b-2, some of them with cytoplasmic proteins. These features of ORF7b-2, evaluated together, suggest a remarkable propensity of ORF7b-2 to interact with multiple molecular partners on both an electrostatic and hydrophobic basis. All this makes it unreasonable that the only biological function of this protein should be that exerted as an intramembrane protein.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202211.0566.v1

Determine the Exact Value of the Square Root of 2

Qing Li

Subject: Computer Science And Mathematics, Algebra And Number Theory Keywords: the square root of 2 ,the decimal point; jump; change in direction; the infinitely great

Online: 30 November 2022 (06:18:32 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0366.v2

Mapping the Non-Structural Transmembrane Proteins of SARS-CoV-2

Sunil Thomas

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; coronavirus; non-structural proteins; nsps; nsp3; nsp4; nsp6; Orf1ab; Orf3a; endoplasmic reticulum; double membrane vesicle

Online: 11 October 2022 (16:19:20 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0065.v1

Advances in the Developing of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitors

Laura Agost-Beltrán, Sergio de la Hoz-Rodríguez, Lledó Bou-Iserte, Santiago Rodríguez, Adrián Fernández-de-la-Pradilla, Florenci V. González

Subject: Chemistry And Materials Science, Medicinal Chemistry Keywords: COVID-19; Main protease; Mpro; inhibitors

Online: 8 April 2022 (03:01:37 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0040.v1

Class 2 Heating Cycles: A New Class of Thermodynamic Cycles

Hua-Yu Li, Hong-Rui Li

Subject: Engineering, Energy And Fuel Technology Keywords: heating cycles; thermodynamic cycles; thermodynamics; temperature difference utilization; heating; cold energy utilization; sustainable energy; cogeneration; thermal science

Online: 2 November 2021 (10:49:58 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202107.0604.v2

RT-qPCR Diagnostics: The “Drosten” Sars-Cov-2 Assay Paradigm

Stephen Bustin, Sara Kirvell, Jim F Huggett, Tania Nolan

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: COVID-19; reverse transcription; qPCR; SARS-CoV-2; molecular diagnosis

Online: 3 August 2021 (15:34:05 CEST)

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