bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Water Content in Semidry Grinding on the Quality of Glutinous Rice Flour
Authors: Huang Tao , Ouyang Dan , Sang Shangyuan , Li Caiming , Wang Xiaosan , Wang Xiao , Xing Jiali , Luo Xiaohu
Published: October 2024

The grinding process is one of the key factors affecting the quality of glutinous rice flour (GRF). As an emerging grinding method, semidry grinding aims to solve the problems of the high yield of wastewater in traditional wet grinding and the high content of damaged starch in dry grinding, in which the water content has a great influence on the quality of GRF. However, semidry grinding has not yet been formally put into production due to limitations such as the long time required to adjust the water content of rice grains. Therefore, this work was carried out to shorten the soaking time of glutinous rice (GR) by hot air pretreatment, and to conduct a systematic and in-depth study of the effect of water content on the quality of GRF, including water distribution, water hydration properties, thermal properties, rheological properties, and microstructure. The results showed that the GRF with higher water content had lower water solubility and higher enthalpy of pasting, which were due to the low content of damaged starch and the high degree of crystallization. The particle size of the GRF became smaller as the interaction between water and starch was enhanced and the GR was softened. In addition, the viscosity and elasticity of the GRF were also improved with an increase in water content. This work provides theoretical guidance for the improvement of semidry grinding to a certain extent.
Biodiversity of Aspergillus Species and Their Mycotoxin Production Potential in Dry Meat
Authors: Dada Toluwase Adeseye , Ekwomadu Theodora Ijeoma , Ngoma Lubanza , Mwanza Mulunda
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to examine fungi diversity in dried beef meat sold in Ekiti State, characterize the isolated fungi, and determine the aflatoxin-producing ability of the Aspergillus fungi in the samples. Dried beef meat was collected from different markets in Ekiti State and screened for the presence of filamentous fungi using molecular methods. Samples were cultured aseptically on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for fungi isolation, and molecular identification was performed using DNA extraction, Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR), ITS-1/ITS-4 primer pair, and nucleotide sequencing. The results obtained indicated a range of filamentous fungi genera including Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and other fungi species contaminating the dried meat at (43%), (42%), (3%), (2%), (2%), (1%), and (7%), respectively. High incidences were recorded for Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus fumigatus in most of the screened samples. Aspergillus flavus accounted for (24.7%) of all the Aspergillus species isolated with the presence of the gene needed for aflatoxin production. The occurrences of these filamentous fungal species pose a cause for concern, as most of these fungal species are known producers of certain toxic substances. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed a high similarity index score, which indicated a good relationship between isolated Aspergillus Species and the closely related strains from GenBank, isolated from different sources and countries. The implication of this study is that consumer health may be at risk through exposure to contaminated dried meat.
Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds and Analysis of Aroma Characteristics in Ten Pear Syrups
Authors: Wang Yang , Tong Wei , Wang Wenhui , Du Yanmin , Jia Xiaohui , Wang Zhihua , Zhang Jianyi , Sun Hailong
Published: October 2024

Aroma in food plays an important role in food perception and acceptance, which depends on various mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Moreover, VOCs are of great significance for aroma identification. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technology was used to determine the VOCs in 10 pear syrups. A total of 127 VOCs were quantitatively determined, including 9 common VOCs and 46 characteristic VOCs of 10 pear syrups. The pear syrups were divided into three categories by cluster analysis, and thirty-eight differential VOCs were obtained using orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) and fourteen key VOCs were selected by odor activity value (OAV). It was revealed that the key and common aroma components of pear syrups were butanoic acid, methyl ester, 2-methyl-, methyl ester and Hexanoic acid, and ethyl ester. The characteristic and differential VOCs were 10-Undecen-1-ol, Hexadecanal, n-Propylacetate, Cyclohexanol, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-, (1S,2R,5S)-, Methional, Disulfide, dimethyl, 8-Nonenoic acid, ethyl ester, Naphthalene, 1,2-dihydro-1,1,6-trimethyl-, 3H-Purin-6-amine, N,N,3-trimethyl-, 2-Octanol,2,6-dimethyl-, Furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, Heptane, 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-, and Butanoic acid,2-methyl-,methyl ester. The above results showed that different pear syrups had rich diversity in aroma compounds, with some components being shared among them while others are exclusive to specific syrups.
Rapid Identification of the Geographical Origin of the Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Renhao , Li Qingxu , Zhang Hongzhou
Published: October 2024

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is highly valued by consumers for its delicious taste and high nutritional content, including proteins and trace elements, giving it significant economic value. However, variations in taste and nutritional value among crabs from different regions lead to considerable price differences, fueling the prevalence of counterfeit crabs in the market. Currently, there are no rapid detection methods to verify the origin of Chinese mitten crabs, making it crucial to develop fast and accurate detection techniques to protect consumer rights. This study focused on Chinese mitten crabs from different regions, specifically Hongze Lake, Tuo Lake, and Weishan Lake, by collecting near-infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance spectral data from both the abdomen and carapace regions of the crabs. To eliminate noise from the spectral data, pretreatment was performed using Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing, Standard Normal Variate (SNV) transformation, and Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC). Key wavelengths reflecting the origin of Chinese mitten crabs were selected using Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS), Bootstrap Soft Shrinkage (BOSS), and Uninformative Variable Elimination (UVE) algorithms. Finally, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and Back Propagation Neural Network (BP) models were developed for rapid detection of crab origin. The results demonstrated that MSC provided the best preprocessing performance for NIR spectral data from both the abdomen and back of the crabs. For abdomen data, the SVM model developed using feature wavelengths selected by the CARS algorithm after MSC preprocessing achieved the highest accuracy (Acc) of 90.00%, with precision (P), recall (R), and F1-score for crabs from Weishan Lake at 89.29%, 86.21%, and 87.72%, respectively; for crabs from Tuo Lake at 86.96%, 95.24%, and 90.91%; and for crabs from Hongze Lake at 90.00%, 93.10%, and 91.53%. For carapace data, the SVM model based on wavelengths selected by the BOSS algorithm after MSC pretreatment achieved the best performance, with an Acc of 87.50%, and P, R, and F1 for crabs from Weishan Lake at 77.14%, 93.10%, and 84.38%; for Tuo Lake crabs at 100%, 90.47%, and 95.00%; and for Hongze Lake crabs at 92.31%, 80.00%, and 85.71%. In conclusion, NIR spectroscopy can effectively detect the origin of Chinese mitten crabs, providing technical support for developing rapid detection instruments and thereby safeguarding consumer rights.
Classification of Sesame Oil Based on Processing-Originated Differences in the Volatile Organic Compound Profile by a Colorimetric Sensor
Authors: Liu Tianyi , Shi Hai-Ming , Elejalde Untzizu , Chen Xiaodong
Published: October 2024

Fragrant edible sesame oil is popular for its unique aroma. The aroma of sesame oil is determined by its volatile organic compound (VOC) profile. Sesame oils produced by different techniques could have different VOC profiles. In addition, blending fragrant sesame oil with refined oil could also alter the VOC profile of the final product. Current practices in aroma analysis, such as sensory evaluation and gas chromatography (GC), still face many restraints. Hence, there is a need for alternatives. We present a novel 14-unit multiplexed paper-based colorimetric sensor for fragrant sesame oil VOC analysis. The sensor was designed to visualize the VOC profile as a color “fingerprint”. The sensor was validated with 55 branded sesame oil samples produced by two different techniques, i.e., hot pressing and small milling; the experimental results suggested a processing dependency in color VOC fingerprints. The sensor also demonstrated the potential to detect the change in sesame oil VOC profile due to blending with refined oil, with an estimated limit of detection down to 20% v/v of the refined oil. The colorimetric sensor might be used as a simple, rapid, and cost-effective analytical tool in the production and quality control of fragrant sesame oil.
M 1-92: The Death of an AGB Star Told by Its Isotopic Ratios
Authors: Masa Elisa , Alcolea Javier , Santander-García Miguel , Bujarrabal Valentín , Sánchez Contreras Carmen , Castro-Carrizo Arancha
Published: October 2024

Ongoing improvements in the sensitivity of sub-mm- and mm-range interferometers and single-dish radio telescopes allow for the increasingly detailed study of AGB and post-AGB objects in molecular species other than CO12 and CO13. With a new update introduced in the modelling tool SHAPE + shapemol, we can now create morpho-kinematical models to reproduce observations of these AGB and post-AGB circumstellar shells in different molecular species, allowing for an accurate description of their physical features as well as their molecular abundances and isotopic ratios. The pre-planetary nebula M1-92 (Minkowski’s Footprint) is one of the most complex objects of this kind, with a wide range of physical conditions and more than 20 molecular species detected. We model this nebula, reproducing the observational data from IRAM-30m and HSO/HiFi spectra and NOEMA interferometric maps, trying to understand the unusual evolution of its central star in the last phases of its life. The results show interesting features that tell us the story of its death. According to standard evolution models, a O17/O18 isotopic ratio of 1.6 implies a stellar initial mass of ∼1.7M⊙. Such a star should have turned C-rich by the end of the AGB phase, in striking contrast to the O-rich nature of the nebula. The most plausible way of reconciling this discrepancy is that M1-92 resulted from a sudden massive ejection event, interrupting the AGB evolution of the central source and preventing its transformation into a C-rich star. We also detect a changing C12/C13 ratio across the nebula, which is particularly relevant in the inner equatorial region traced by HCO+ and H13CO+, indicating an isotopic ratio variation taking place at some point during the last 1200 yr.
Development, Optimization, and Evaluation of New Gel Formulations with Cyclodextrin Complexes and Volatile Oils with Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Stancu Alina Ionela , Oprea Eliza , Dițu Lia Mara , Ficai Anton , Ilie Cornelia-Ioana , Badea Irinel Adriana , Buleandra Mihaela , Brîncoveanu Oana , Ghica Mihaela Violeta , Avram Ionela , Pîrvu Cristina Elena Dinu , Mititelu Magdalena
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to develop and evaluate hydrogels containing a cyclodextrin complex with clove essential oil and other free volatile oils with antimicrobial properties (tea tree and rosemary essential oils), focusing on their pharmaco-technical and rheological characteristics. The formulations varied in the Carbopol 940 (a hydrophilic polymer) and volatile oils’ concentrations. Rheological analysis indicated that the gels displayed pseudoplastic behavior, with the flow index (n) values below 1, ensuring appropriate consistency and handling. The results showed that increasing the Carbopol concentration significantly enhanced the yield stress, consistency index, and viscosity, with gel B, containing 1% Carbopol, 1.5% tea tree essential oil, and 1.5% rosemary essential oil, demonstrating optimal stability and rheological properties. At the same time, the concentration of volatile oils was found to modulate the gels’ flow parameters, but their effect was less pronounced than that of the gel-forming polymer. Antimicrobial testing revealed that both gel B and gel E (containing 1% Carbopol, 2% tea tree essential oil, and 2% rosemary essential oil) exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida spp., with gel E showing superior efficacy against Candida tropicalis. The antimicrobial effects were likely influenced by the higher concentrations of tea tree and rosemary essential oils in gel E. Overall, the study demonstrates that the concentration of Carbopol 940 primarily determines the gel’s rheological behavior, while volatile oil concentration modulates antimicrobial effectiveness.
Dual-Self-Crosslinking Effect of Alginate-Di-Aldehyde with Natural and Synthetic Co-Polymers as Injectable In Situ-Forming Biodegradable Hydrogel
Authors: Begum Bushra , Koduru Trideva Sastri , Madni Syeda Noor , Fathima Anjum Noor , Seetharaman Shanmuganathan , Veeranna Balamuralidhara , Gupta Vishal Kumar
Published: October 2024

Injectable, in situ-forming hydrogels, both biocompatible and biodegradable, have garnered significant attention in tissue engineering due to their potential for creating adaptable scaffolds. The adaptability of these hydrogels, made from natural proteins and polysaccharides, opens up a world of possibilities. In this study, sodium alginate was used to synthesize alginate di-aldehyde (ADA) through periodate oxidation, resulting in a lower molecular weight and reduced viscosity, with different degrees of oxidation (54% and 70%). The dual-crosslinking mechanism produced an injectable in situ hydrogel. Initially, physical crosslinking occurred between ADA and borax via borax complexation, followed by chemical crosslinking with gelatin through a Schiff’s base reaction, which takes place between the amino groups of gelatin and the aldehyde groups of ADA, without requiring an external crosslinking agent. The formation of Schiff’s base was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. At the same time, the aldehyde groups in ADA were characterized using FT-IR, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), which determined its molecular weight. Furthermore, borax complexation was validated through boron-11 nuclear magnetic resonance (¹¹B NMR). The hydrogel formulation containing 70% ADA, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and 9% gelatin exhibited a decreased gelation time at physiological temperature, attributed to the increased gelatin content and higher degree of oxidation. Rheological analysis mirrored these findings, showing a correlation with gelation time. The swelling capacity was also enhanced due to the increased oxidation degree of PEG and the system’s elevated gelatin content and hydrophilicity. The hydrogel demonstrated an average pore size of 40–60 µm and a compressive strength of 376.80 kPa. The lower molecular weight and varied pH conditions influenced its degradation behavior. Notably, the hydrogel’s syringeability was deemed sufficient for practical applications, further enhancing its potential in tissue engineering. Given these properties, the 70% ADA/gelatin/PEG hydrogel is a promising candidate and a potential game-changer for injectable, self-crosslinking applications in tissue engineering. Its potential to revolutionize the field is inspiring and should motivate further exploration.
Effects of Anthropic Structures on Morphodynamic Beach Evolution along the Gulf of Roses (Northwestern Mediterranean, Spain)
Authors: Calafat Antoni , Salvador Manel , Guinau Marta , Casamor José L.
Published: October 2024

This study conducts a morphodynamic analysis of beaches located in the northern sector of the Gulf of Roses (NW Mediterranean, Spain). The primary objective is to investigate mid-short (2004–2020) term spatial and temporal variations in shoreline position and sedimentological behaviour. The study area covers the northern part of the gulf, spanning 9.86 km, and includes both natural beaches and heavily anthropized ones. The following GIS methodologies were employed to study the variations in the coastline: QGIS for areas and DSAS-ArcGIS for transects, quantifying coastal changes from 2004 to 2020. Sediment samples were collected from both the dry beach and swash areas for each profile. The results reveal minor discrepancies in shoreline evolution data, depending on the method used (transects or areas). Profile-based analysis shows an average annual rate of −0.11 m·y−1 (ranging between 0.53 and −0.55 m·y−1), while areal-based results (2004–2020) indicate a total loss of −20,810 m2 (−1300 m2·y−1). Sediment grain size decreases northward (from 745 to 264 µm in the swash zone). Changes in shoreline position and grain size illustrate the impact of various anthropogenic structures on morphodynamic behaviour. These structures preferentially deposit specific grain sizes and impede sediment transport, which will cause an advance in the position of the shoreline and sediment grain sizes upstream and a reverse process downstream. This study underscores the influence of coastal anthropization on beach morphology and sedimentology, generating distinct morphodynamic behaviour.
The Use of Social Media in Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery Education: A Cross-Sectional Survey of German-Speaking Residents and Medical Students
Authors: Schmidt Sebastian , Darwich Ali , Leutheuser Sebastian , Krahl Daniel , Navas Luis
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Social media has become a significant part of daily life, with platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp dominating usage. The COVID-19 pandemic further increased social media activity, including within the orthopedic community due to restrictions on physical gatherings. Despite the benefits of instant access to educational resources and interaction with experts, the lack of regulated editorial oversight on social media raises concerns about misinformation and privacy. This study aimed to evaluate the role of social media in orthopedic and trauma surgery education, focusing on platform use, user behavior, and engagement with educational content. Methods: A web-based survey was distributed to 912 residents and 728 medical students from the German-speaking Association for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery (AGA) between June and July 2022. The questionnaire included 21 items covering demographics, platform use, activity patterns, engagement with educational content, and concerns about privacy. Results: Of the 339 respondents (129 medical students), 87% reported daily social media use, primarily via smartphones (93%). The most commonly used platforms were WhatsApp (84%), Instagram (68%), and YouTube (54%). About 26% of the content consumed was related to orthopedics or trauma surgery. While 70% engaged with specialist content by liking, commenting, or sharing, only 32% posted their own content. Additionally, 77% followed healthcare professionals or institutions, and 65% benefited from case presentations with images. Notably, 15% observed content that could violate patient privacy. Conclusions: Orthopedic residents and students are high-volume social media users but engage more passively with professional content. While most value educational material, concerns about privacy violations and inappropriate posts remain prevalent.
Exchange Rate Pass-Through on Prices in Nigeria—A Threshold Analysis
Authors: Oyadeyi Olajide O. , Oyadeyi Oluwadamilola A. , Iyoha Faith A.
Published: October 2024

Persistent exchange rate depreciation and its debilitating effects on rising inflation have remained a concern in Nigeria. This article explores the effects of exchange rate pass-through on producer prices, consumer prices, export prices, import prices and the Taylor rule from 2000 to 2023, using quarterly data and adopting threshold autoregression and self-exciting smooth threshold regression methods. The findings suggest that there are non-linearities in the way that exchange rate depreciation affects prices in Nigeria. Furthermore, the findings suggest a threshold of 5 percent depreciation. Two sub-sample analyses corroborate the main findings, showing that a threshold of 5 percent is the optimum benchmark if demand and supply are not to be weakened. At this level or below, the effects of exchange rate depreciation on inflation are much lower, even though prices will rise. However, above this benchmark, the effects of depreciation on inflation are much larger, weakening consumer demand for both imported and domestic goods as well as producer supply of both exported and domestic goods and services in the economy. This result implies that an average exchange rate depreciation not higher than 5 percent within a quarter is reasonable if the Nigerian economy is to remain competitive both domestically and globally. Finally, the results suggest that the exchange rate pass-through to prices is considerably higher in Nigeria below the threshold, while it overshoots for producer prices, export prices, and import prices above the threshold. To keep inflation in check, this paper suggests that the monetary authorities should try to keep exchange rate depreciation below the established thresholds, while also considering adjusting the policy rate to take into account the exchange rate depreciation thresholds in order to keep domestic prices stable.
In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Activity against Acne-Causing Bacteria and Phytochemical Analysis of Galangal (Alpinia galanga) and Bitter Ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) Extracts
Authors: Na Nongkhai Tanat , Maddocks Sarah E. , Phosri Santi , Sangthong Sarita , Pintathong Punyawatt , Chaiwut Phanuphong , Chandarajoti Kasemsiri , Nahar Lutfun , Sarker Satyajit D. , Theansungnoen Tinnakorn
Published: October 2024

Galangal (Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd) and bitter ginger (Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe) are aromatic rhizomatous plants that are typically used for culinary purposes. These rhizomatous plants have many biological properties and the potential to be beneficial for pharmaceutics. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, with a specific focus on acne-causing bacteria, as well as the phytochemical constituents, of different parts of galangal and bitter ginger. The rhizomes, stems, and leaves of galangal and bitter ginger were separately dried for absolute ethanol and methanol extractions. The extracts were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity using a DPPH radical scavenging assay (0.005–5000 μg/mL), antimicrobial activity against acne-causing bacteria (0.50–31.68 mg/mL), and in vitro cytotoxicity toward human keratinocytes and fibroblasts (62.5–1000 μg/mL), as well as analyses of bioactive phytochemicals via GC-MS and LC-MS/MS (500 ppm). The ethanol and methanol extracts of bitter ginger and galangal’s rhizomes (BRhE, BRhM, GRhE, and GRhM), stems (BStE, BStM, GRhE, and GRhM), and leaves (BLeE, BLeM, GLeE, and GLeM), respectively, showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The extracts of all parts of bitter ginger and galangal were greatly antioxidative with 0.06–1.42 mg/mL for the IC50 values, while most of the extracts were strongly antimicrobial against C. acnes DMST 14916, particularly BRhM, BRhE, GRhM, and GRhE (MICs: 3.96–7.92 mg/mL). These rhizome extracts had also antimicrobial activities against S. aureus TISTR 746 (MICs: 7.92–31.68 mg/mL) and S. epidermidis TISTR 518 (MICs: 7.92–15.84 mg/mL). The extracts of bitter ginger and galangal rhizomes were not toxic to HaCaT and MRC-5 even at the highest concentrations. Through GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analysis, phytochemicals in bitter ginger rhizome extracts, including zerumbone, tectorigenin, piperic acid, demethoxycurcumin, and cirsimaritin, and galangal rhizome extracts, including sweroside and neobavaisoflavone, were expected to provide the antioxidant and anti-microbial activities. Therefore, the results suggest that the bitter ginger and galangal extracts could be natural anti-acne compounds with potential for pharmaceutic, cosmetic, and aesthetic applications.
Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Alterations in Overweight or Obese Adult Population after Weight-Loss Bifidobacterium breve BBr60 Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bai Zhouya , Wu Ying , Gao Dejiao , Dong Yao , Pan Yujia , Gu Shaobin
Published: October 2024

Probiotics, known for regulating gut microbiota, may aid those with overweight or obesity, but their mechanisms require more research. This study involved 75 overweight or obese young adults, randomly assigned to either a Bifidobacterium breve BBr60 (BBr60) group or a placebo group. Both groups received diet guidance and took either BBr60 (1 × 1010 CFU/day) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers analyzed body composition, serum glucose, lipids, liver and kidney function, comprehensive metabolome, and intestinal homeostasis before and after the intervention. After 12 weeks, BBr60 significantly reduced weight and BMI compared to pretreatment levels and outperformed the placebo. The BBr60 group also showed improved blood biochemistry, with notably lower fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels than the placebo group (p < 0.05). Additionally, BBr60 influenced vital serum and fecal metabolites related to three amino acid metabolic pathways and regulated the bacteria Dialister, Klebsiella, and Bacteroides, which correlated strongly with serum metabolites. These findings indicate that BBr60 can safely and effectively regulate BMI, body weight, serum glucose, lipids, and liver function markers, which may involve BBr60’s impact on key gut bacteria, which influence metabolites related to the valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism.
Recent Advances of Exosomes Derived from Skeletal Muscle and Crosstalk with Other Tissues
Authors: Luo Jia , Pu Qiang , Wu Xiaoqian
Published: October 2024

Skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in movement, metabolism, and energy homeostasis. As the most metabolically active endocrine organ in the body, it has recently attracted widespread attention. Skeletal muscle possesses the ability to release adipocytokines, bioactive peptides, small molecular metabolites, nucleotides, and other myogenic cell factors; some of which have been shown to be encapsulated within small vesicles, particularly exosomes. These skeletal muscle exosomes (SKM-Exos) are released into the bloodstream and subsequently interact with receptor cell membranes to modulate the physiological and pathological characteristics of various tissues. Therefore, SKM-Exos may facilitate diverse interactions between skeletal muscle and other tissues while also serving as biomarkers that reflect the physiological and pathological states of muscle function. This review delves into the pivotal role and intricate molecular mechanisms of SKM-Exos and its derived miRNAs in the maturation and rejuvenation of skeletal muscle, along with their intercellular signaling dynamics and physiological significance in interfacing with other tissues.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) during 2020–2022 and Isolation of a Variant Recombinant PEDV Strain
Authors: Peng Qianling , Fu Ping , Zhou Yutong , Lang Yifei , Zhao Shan , Wen Yiping , Wang Yiping , Wu Rui , Zhao Qin , Du Senyan , Cao Sanjie , Huang Xiaobo , Yan Qigui
Published: October 2024

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is an acute, highly contagious, and infectious disease caused by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). PEDV can affect pigs of all ages, with 50~100% mortality in neonatal piglets and substantial economic losses in the swine industry. In the present study, 347 fecal and intestinal samples were collected from seven regions in China during 2020–2022. A comprehensive molecular investigation of the spike (S) gene of PEDV strains was carried out, which included phylogenetic analysis of the obtained PEDV sequences. Epidemiological surveillance data indicate that the GIIc subgroup strains are widely distributed among pigs. A PEDV strain was successfully isolated from positive small intestine samples and identified through RT-PCR detection using specific N gene primers of PEDV, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), TEM analysis, genome sequencing, and full-length S gene analysis, named PEDV/SC/2022. RDP and SimPlot analysis showed that the isolate originated from the recombination of PEDV/AH2012 and PEDV/AJ1102. In conclusion, our findings contribute to the current understanding of PEDV epidemiology and provide valuable information for the control of PED outbreaks in China.
Detection of KIT Mutations in Systemic Mastocytosis: How, When, and Why
Authors: Cilloni Daniela , Maffeo Beatrice , Savi Arianna , Danzero Alice Costanza , Bonuomo Valentina , Fava Carmen
Published: October 2024

More than 90% of patients affected by mastocytosis are characterized by a somatic point mutation of KIT, which induces ligand-independent activation of the receptor and downstream signal triggering, ultimately leading to mast cell accumulation and survival. The most frequent mutation is KIT p.D816V, but other rarer mutations can also be found. These mutations often have a very low variant allele frequency (VAF), well below the sensitivity of common next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods used in routine diagnostic panels. Highly sensitive methods are developing for detecting mutations. This review summarizes the current indications on the recommended methods and on how to manage and interpret molecular data for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with mastocytosis.
Functional and Physiological Characterization of Tyrosine Decarboxylases from Olea europaea L. Involved in the Synthesis of the Main Phenolics in Olive Fruit and Virgin Olive Oil
Authors: Luaces Pilar , Sánchez Rosario , Expósito Jesús , Pérez-Pulido Antonio J. , Pérez Ana G. , Sanz Carlos
Published: October 2024

The phenolic composition of virgin olive oil (VOO) primarily depends on the phenolic content of the olive fruit. The purpose of this work was to characterize the first metabolic step in the synthesis of tyrosol (Ty) and hydroxytyrosol (HTy), whose derivatives are by far the predominant phenolics in both olive fruit and VOO. To this end, two genes encoding tyrosine/DOPA decarboxylase enzymes, OeTDC1 and OeTDC2, have been identified and functionally and physiologically characterized. Both olive TDC proteins exclusively accept aromatic amino acids with phenolic side chains, such as tyrosine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), as substrates to produce tyramine and dopamine, respectively. These proteins exhibited a higher affinity for DOPA than for tyrosine, and the catalytic efficiency of both proteins was greater when DOPA was used as a substrate. Both olive TDC genes showed a fairly similar expression profile during olive fruit ontogeny, with OeTDC1 consistently expressed at higher levels than OeTDC2. Expression was particularly intense during the first few weeks after fruit set, coinciding with the active accumulation of Ty and HTy derivatives. The data suggest that both olive TDCs are responsible for the initial step in the synthesis of the most important phenolics, both quantitatively and functionally, in VOO.
Serpin Family B Member 2 Polymorphisms in Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease: An Association Study
Authors: Tziastoudi Maria , Pissas Georgios , Golfinopoulos Spyridon , Filippidis Georgios , Poulianiti Christina , Tsironi Evangelia E. , Dardiotis Efthimios , Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Stefanidis Ioannis
Published: October 2024

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a serious microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite the numerous genetic loci that have been associated with the disease in T2DM, the genetic architecture of DKD remains unclear until today. In contrast to SERPINE1, the contribution of SERPINB2 has not been examined in DKD. Therefore, we conducted the first genetic association study of SERPINB2 to elucidate its role in DKD. In total, the study involved 197 patients with DKD, 155 patients with T2DM without microvascular complications (diabetic kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy), and 246 healthy controls. The generalized odds ratio (ORG) was calculated to estimate the risk on DKD development. The present association study regarding SERPINB2 SNPs (rs4941230, rs3819335, rs13381217, rs6140) did not reveal any significant association between SERPINB2 variants and DKD. Additional studies in other populations are necessary to further investigate the role of this gene in the progression of diabetes mellitus and development of DKD.
Obesity Control and Supplementary Nutraceuticals as Cofactors of Brain Plasticity in Multiple Sclerosis Populations
Authors: Ciumărnean Lorena , Sârb Oliviu-Florențiu , Drăghici Nicu-Cătălin , Sălăgean Octavia , Milaciu Mircea-Vasile , Orășan Olga-Hilda , Vlad Călin-Vasile , Vlad Irina-Maria , Alexescu Teodora , Para Ioana , Țărmure Simina-Felicia , Hirișcău Elisabeta-Ioana , Dogaru Gabriela-Bombonica
Published: October 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system. Brain plasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt its structure and function, plays a crucial role in mitigating MS’s impact. This paper explores the potential benefits of lifestyle changes and nutraceuticals on brain plasticity in the MS population. Lifestyle modifications, including physical activity and dietary adjustments, can enhance brain plasticity by upregulating neurotrophic factors, promoting synaptogenesis, and reducing oxidative stress. Nutraceuticals, such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, have shown promise in supporting brain health through anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective mechanisms. Regular physical activity has been linked to increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and improved cognitive function. Dietary interventions, including caloric restriction and the intake of polyphenols, can also positively influence brain plasticity. Integrating these lifestyle changes and nutraceuticals into the management of MS can provide a complementary approach to traditional therapies, potentially improving neurological outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for the MS population.
Genotype–Phenotype Correlation of GNAS Gene: Review and Disease Management of a Hotspot Mutation
Authors: Cipriano Lorenzo , Ferrigno Rosario , Andolfo Immacolata , Russo Roberta , Cioffi Daniela , Savanelli Maria Cristina , Pellino Valeria , Klain Antonella , Iolascon Achille , Piscopo Carmelo
Published: October 2024

Defects of the GNAS gene have been mainly associated with pseudohypoparathyroidism Ia. To date, pathogenic missense, frameshift, non-sense and splicing variants have been described in all the 13 exons of the GNAS gene. Of them, a specific mutation, namely the 4 bp deletion c.565_568delGACT, is currently considered a mutation hotspot. Recent articles performed genotype–phenotype correlations in patients with GNAS-related pseudohypoparathyroidism Ia (PHP1a) but a specific focus on this hotspot is still lacking. We reported two cases, from our department, of PHP1a associated with c.565_568delGACT deletion and performed a literature review of all the previously reported cases of the 4 bp deletion hotspot. We found a higher prevalence of brachydactyly, round face, intellectual disability and subcutaneous/heterotopic ossifications in patients with the c.565_568delGACT as compared to the other variants in the GNAS gene. The present study highlights the different prevalence of some clinical features in patients with the c.565_568delGACT variant in the GNAS gene, suggesting the possibility of a personalized diagnostic follow-up and surveillance for these patients.
Balancing Tumor Immunotherapy and Immune-Related Adverse Events: Unveiling the Key Regulators
Authors: Huang Jianshang , Xiong Lei , Tang Sainan , Zhao Junhao , Zuo Li
Published: October 2024

Tumor immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach in cancer treatment in recent years, offering vast potential. This method primarily involves targeting and inhibiting the suppressive checkpoints present in different immune cells to enhance their activation, ultimately leading to tumor regression. However, tumor cells exploit the surrounding immune cells and tissues to establish a tumor microenvironment (TME) that supports their survival and growth. Within the TME, the efficacy of effector immune cells is compromised, as tumor cells exploit inhibitory immune cells to suppress their function. Furthermore, certain immune cells can be co-opted by tumor cells to facilitate tumor growth. While significantly enhancing the body’s tumor immunity can lead to tumor regression, it can also result in severe toxic side effects and an inflammatory factor storm. As a consequence, patients often discontinue treatment due to immune-related adverse events (irAEs) or, in extreme cases, succumb to toxic side effects before experiencing tumor regression. In this analysis, we examined several remission regimens for irAEs, each with its own drawbacks, including toxic side effects or suppression of tumor immunotherapy, which is undesirable. A recent research study, specifically aimed at downregulating intestinal epithelial barrier permeability, has shown promising results in reducing the severity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) while preserving immune function. This approach effectively reduces the severity of IBD without compromising the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, which are crucial for maintaining the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. Based on the substantial similarities between IBD and ICI colitis (combo immune checkpoint inhibitors-induced colitis), this review proposes that targeting epithelial cells represents a crucial research direction for mitigating irAEs in the future.
Hemodiafiltration May Be Associated with Senescence-Related Phenotypic Alterations of Lymphocytes, Which May Predict Mortality in Patients Undergoing Dialysis
Authors: Lioulios Georgios , Fylaktou Asimina , Xochelli Aliki , Tourountzis Theodoros , Christodoulou Michalis , Moysidou Eleni , Stai Stamatia , Vagiotas Lampros , Stangou Maria
Published: October 2024

Senescence-resembling alterations on the lymphocytes of patients undergoing dialysis have been widely described. However, the pathophysiology behind these phenomena has not been clarified. In this study, we examined the impact of dialysis prescription on T and B lymphocytes, in patients undergoing dialysis.: T and B cell subsets were determined with flow cytometry in 36 patients undergoing hemodialysis and 26 patients undergoing hemodiafiltration, according to the expression of CD45RA, CCR7, CD31, CD28, CD57, and PD1 for T cells, and IgD and CD27 for B cells. The immune phenotype was associated with dialysis modality, hemofiltration volume, and mortality. Compared with hemodialysis, patients undergoing hemodiafiltration had a significantly decreased percentage of CD4+CD28-CD57- T cells [3.8 (2.4–5.3) vs. 2.1 (1.3–3.3)%, respectively, p = 0.002] and exhausted CD4+ T cells [14.1 (8.9–19.4) vs. 8.5 (6.8–11.7)%, respectively, p = 0.005]. Additionally, the hemofiltration volume was negatively correlated with CD8+ EMRA T cells (r = −0.46, p = 0.03). Finally, the increased exhausted CD4+ T cell percentage was associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients undergoing dialysis, independent of age. Hemodiafiltration, especially with high hemofiltration volume, may have beneficial effects on senescence-related immune phenotypes. Immune phenotypes may also be a predicting factor for mortality in patients undergoing dialysis.
DeepIndel: An Interpretable Deep Learning Approach for Predicting CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Editing Outcomes
Authors: Zhang Guishan , Xie Huanzeng , Dai Xianhua
Published: October 2024

CRISPR/Cas9 has been applied to edit the genome of various organisms, but our understanding of editing outcomes at specific sites after Cas9-mediated DNA cleavage is still limited. Several deep learning-based methods have been proposed for repair outcome prediction; however, there is still room for improvement in terms of performance regarding frameshifts and model interpretability. Here, we present DeepIndel, an end-to-end multi-label regression model for predicting repair outcomes based on the BERT-base module. We demonstrate that our model outperforms existing methods in terms of accuracy and generalizability across various metrics. Furthermore, we utilized Deep SHAP to visualize the importance of nucleotides at various positions for DNA sequence and found that mononucleotides and trinucleotides in DNA sequences surrounding the cut site play a significant role in repair outcome prediction.
Integration of Transcriptome and Metabolome Reveals Wax Serves a Key Role in Preventing Leaf Water Loss in Goji (Lycium barbarum)
Authors: Wang Xingbin , Li Sitian , Zhang Xiao , Wang Jing , Hou Tong , He Jing , Li Jie
Published: October 2024

Drought stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that limit plant growth and affect fruit quality and yield. Plants primarily lose water through leaf transpiration, and wax effectively reduces the rate of water loss from the leaves. However, the relationship between water loss and the wax formation mechanism in goji (Lycium barbarum) leaves remains unclear. ‘Ningqi I’ goji and ‘Huangguo’ goji are two common varieties. In this study, ‘Ningqi I’ goji and ‘Huangguo’ goji were used as samples of leaf material to detect the differences in the water loss rate, chlorophyll leaching rate, wax phenotype, wax content, and components of the two materials. The differences in wax-synthesis-related pathways were analyzed using the transcriptome and metabolome methods, and the correlation among the wax components, wax synthesis genes, and transcription factors was analyzed. The results show that the leaf permeability of ‘Ningqi I’ goji was significantly lower than that of ‘Huangguo’ goji. The total wax content of the ‘Ningqi I’ goji leaves was 2.32 times that of the ‘Huangguo’ goji leaves, and the epidermal wax membrane was dense. The main components of the wax of ‘Ningqi I’ goji were alkanes, alcohols, esters, and fatty acids, the amounts of which were 191.65%, 153.01%, 6.09%, and 9.56% higher than those of ‘Huangguo’ goji, respectively. In the transcriptome analysis, twenty-two differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and six transcription factors (TFs) were screened for wax synthesis; during the metabolomics analysis, 11 differential metabolites were screened, which were dominated by lipids, some of which, like D-Glucaro-1, 4-Lactone, phosphatidic acid (PA), and phosphatidylcholine (PE), serve as prerequisites for wax synthesis, and were significantly positively correlated with wax components such as alkanes by the correlation analysis. A combined omics analysis showed that DEGs such as LbaWSD1, LbaKCS1, and LbaFAR2, and transcription factors such as LbaMYB306, LbaMYB60, and LbaMYBS3 were strongly correlated with wax components such as alkanes and alcohols. The high expression of DEGs and transcription factors is an important reason for the high wax content in the leaf epidermis of ‘Ningqi I’ goji plants. Therefore, by regulating the expression of wax-synthesis-related genes, the accumulation of leaf epidermal wax can be promoted, and the epidermal permeability of goji leaves can be weakened, thereby reducing the water loss rate of goji leaves. The research results can lay a foundation for cultivating drought-tolerant goji varieties.
The Goat Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-Associated Antigen-4 Gene: mRNA Expression and Association Analysis of Insertion/Deletion Variants with the Risk of Brucellosis
Authors: Wang Congliang , Liu Xiaoyu , Ren Zhaofei , Du Xiaomin , Li Na , Song Xiaoyue , Wu Weiwei , Qu Lei , Zhu Haijing , Hua Jinlian
Published: October 2024

The cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA4) gene, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. Studies have shown that polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene are linked to an increased risk of brucellosis in humans, but its association with brucellosis in goats remains unexplored. In this study, the tissue expression profile of CTLA4 in goats was investigated, and the correlation between InDel polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene and susceptibility to brucellosis in goats was examined. The findings reveal the widespread expression of CTLA4 in goat tissues, particularly in the spleen and testes. The tested goat populations presented genotypes insertion/insertion (II), insertion/deletion (ID), and deletion/deletion (DD) at both the P1 and P2 loci, and an association analysis revealed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies at the P1 and P2 loci of the CTLA4 gene between the Brucella goat case and the control groups (p < 0.05). Specifically, compared with the II genotype, the P1 and P2 loci were significantly associated with an elevated risk of brucellosis development in goats under both the codominant (ID/II) and dominant (ID + DD/II) models (P1, p = 0.042, p = 0.016; P2, p = 0.011, p = 0.014). Additionally, haplotype analysis indicated that haplotypes IP1DP2, DP1IP2, and DP1DP2 were significantly associated with an increased risk of brucellosis in goats compared to the reference haplotype IP1IP2 (p = 0.029, p = 0.012, p = 0.034). Importantly, the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of peripheral blood monocytes and/or macrophages from goats with the II, ID, and DD genotypes resulted in increased CTLA4 expression levels in the II genotype, leading to a robust LPS-induced inflammatory response. Through bioinformatic analysis, the observed effect of the InDel locus on Brucella pathogenesis risk in goats could be attributed to the differential binding of the transcription factors nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα). These findings offer potential insights for breeding strategies against brucellosis.