bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unfolding potential and challenges in molecular field-coupled nanocomputing
Authors: Listo Roberto , Mo Fabrizio , Ravera Federico , Ardesi Yuri , Vacca Marco , Piccinini Gianluca , Krzywiecki Maciej , Vezzoli Andrea , Graziano Mariagrazia
Published: January 2025

Molecular Field-Coupled Nanocomputing (MolFCN) represents a revolutionary approach to computational technology, exploiting single molecules for encoding and processing logical information. MolFCN permits zero-current logical operations to achieve ultra-low power and hyper-miniaturized computing units. This perspective article explores the current state and future potential of MolFCN, highlighting recent technological advancements, potential applications, and the significant challenges that lie ahead. Despite the challenges, the pathway to practical implementation holds significant promise, with obstacles such as scalability, stability, integration, and practical considerations offering opportunities for innovation and advancement. MolFCN can shape the future of nanocomputing and contribute to current major challenges in nanoelectronics by opening key research directions.
Lipid Nanoparticles in Medicine: Advances in Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Future Directions
Authors: Tran Vy Anh , Vo Thu Thao Thi , Thanh Nguyen Chi , Tran Trung Dung , Tran Thi Ngoc Anh
Published: January 2025

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have become a critical tool in modern medicine, particularly in diagnostics and therapy. Various synthesis techniques, including ultrasonication, high-pressure homogenization, solvent evaporation, and microemulsion, have been employed to produce nanoparticles with desired properties. Modification techniques such as surface functionalization, polymer coating, PEGylation, and ligand conjugation further enhance their efficacy and biocompatibility. This study highlights the recent advances in the application of LNPs for improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes. In diagnostics, LNPs enhance visualization, bioimaging, and analytical methods, especially through genomic, proteomic, and immunoassay-based techniques, as well as plasmonic biosensors. In therapy, LNPs are utilized in innovative treatments such as plasmonic photothermal and photodynamic therapies, antibacterial applications, and drug delivery systems. These nanoparticles serve as effective carriers for drugs, genes, and antibodies, improving targeted delivery and therapeutic efficacy. Despite their promising potential, challenges related to safety, scalability, and long-term impacts remain, and this research outlines future perspectives on overcoming these barriers to further integrate LNPs into clinical applications.
Exploring perceived impacts of shifting Mopane woodland on medicinal plants in Vhembe, South Africa
Authors: Mufungizi Andisa A , Musakwa Walter , Chanza Nelson
Published: January 2025

Introduction. Shifting ecosystems, driven by climate change and human activities, are affecting various ecosystems around the globe. This is a phenomenon which unfolds spatially and temporally. Shifting ecosystems have significant consequences for communities that rely on ecosystem services. This is particularly true in rural areas where people depend on indigenous medicinal plants. Objective. This study investigates the impacts of shifting Mopane woodlands on medicinal plants used by local communities in Ward 12 of the Musina local municipality, Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa, focusing on the availability and effectiveness of these plants. Methods. A mixed study approach was used combining semi-structured interviews with a qualitative focus group discussion (FGD). These methods aimed to assess perceived changes in the availability and effectiveness of medicinal plants due to ecosystem shifts in Ward 12 of Musina local municipality in the Vhembe district of the Limpopo province. Results. The study identified 64 medicinal plants, of which 25 species are becoming extinct and rare, while some species are perceived to be less effective for treating ailments and other problems owing to diminishing quality of leaves (31 species) and roots (18 species). Implications. We recommend that community tree planting projects should integrate the growing of indigenous trees of medicinal value to minimise the threat on natural species and to perpetuate their use. The results provide actionable insights for local authorities, environmental policymakers, and health practitioners engaged in the conservation of natural resources and traditional medicine.
Nitrogen and phosphorus adsorption efficiency and mechanism of zeolite and biochar-based amendments in improving ecological substrate
Authors: Zhou Xinlong , Gui Lin , Xiao Henglin , Shi Yunfeng , Dou Jiaqi
Published: January 2025

Non-point source pollution severely affected water bodies of river through riparian buffers. Ecological substrate is an efficient approach to reducing non-point source pollution. This study proposes an ecological substrate amended by zeolite and biochar for riverbank protection. The surface morphological characteristics and elemental distribution of the substrates were analyzed. The adsorption capacities of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) under different substrate ratios were discussed. The results indicated that incorporating zeolite and biochar into the substrate significantly increases its specific surface area and pore volume, with BC-modified substrate (S-B) and composite-modified substrate (S-Z-B) showing a 273% and 45% enhancement, respectively, compared to the control group (S). The adsorption mechanisms for TN and TP on the amended substrates involve a synergistic effect of physical and chemical adsorption. Moreover, chemical interactions are the predominant controlling factors in the adsorption process of composite substrates. Comparably, the substrate amended by 6% zeolite and 1% biochar was identified as the optimal compositions for modified ecological revetment substrate.
Future yield growth in Africa mitigates agricultural greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Shah Saloni , Blaustein-Rejto Dan , Blomqvist Linus
Published: January 2025

Increased use of nitrogen fertilizer and other agricultural inputs is important for raising crop yields and meeting growing food demand, but risks increasing greenhouse gas emissions. We project net greenhouse gas emissions from crop production in Africa in 2050 under different scenarios of yield growth. We find that increasing yields would reduce emissions-even if it requires greater use of nitrogen fertilizer, fuel, and pesticides-primarily due to avoided cropland expansion. If Africa more than doubled yields from 2025 levels to meet future food demand while avoiding cropland expansion, an estimated 2.0 gigatons of carbon-dioxide equivalent per year in emissions could be avoided, equivalent to nearly 81% of all Africa’s emissions from agriculture, forestry, and land use in 2021.
Optimizing electrical output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators by micro-/nano-morphology design and fabrication
Authors: Han Jiaxin , Dai Xingyi , Huang Long-Biao , Hao Jianhua
Published: January 2025

Fueled by the increasing imperative for sustainable energy solutions and the burgeoning emphasis on health awareness, self-powered techniques have undergone notable strides in advancement. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) stand out as a prominent device capitalizing on the principles of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction to generate electricity or electrical signals. In efforts to augment the electrical output performance of TENGs and broaden their range of applications, researchers have endeavored to refine materials, surface morphology, and structural design. Among them, physical morphological modifications play a pivotal role in enhancing the electrical properties of TENGs by increasing the contact surface area, which can be achieved by building micro-/nano-structures on the surface or inside the friction material. In this review, we summarize the common morphologies of TENGs, categorize the morphologies into surface and internal structures, and elucidate their roles in enhancing the electric output performance of devices. Moreover, we systematically classify the methodologies employed for morphological preparation into physical and chemical approaches, thereby furnishing a comprehensive survey of the diverse techniques. Subsequently, typical applications of TENGs with special morphology divided by energy harvesting and self-powered sensors are presented. Finally, an overview of the challenges and future trajectories pertinent to TENGs is conducted. Through this endeavor, the aim of this article is to catalyze the evolution of further strategies for enhancing performance of TENGs.
Air quality-related human health damages of wild capture seafood production in the United States
Authors: Gittlin Madisen L , Thakrar Sumil K , Faubion Madeline G , Hill Jason D
Published: January 2025

Exposure to air pollution is the greatest environmental health risk factor for mortality in the United States and globally, to which food production is a major contributor. Recent studies have estimated the human health impacts of air pollution from terrestrial livestock and crop production, but those of seafood production, which is an important component of many diets, are largely unknown. Here, we estimate the air quality-related human health damages of wild capture fisheries production in the United States via the emission and formation of particulate matter (PM2.5). We quantify annual deaths attributable to primary and secondary PM2.5 from commercial marine vessel emissions using county- and species-specific fishing activity and landings data. We find that, on average, wild caught seafood production is a low air quality-related health impact source of protein, with mortality health impacts 58× less than chicken, 321× less than pork, and 484× less than beef per gram of protein. The air quality-related health impacts of seafood vary widely by species and by fishing activity location. Notably, the highest impact seafood-based sources of protein production tend to be far less damaging than terrestrial animal-based sources of protein and are comparable to plant-based proteins, largely mirroring previously described broader trends for the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of these various protein sources. Our work suggests that as global protein demand rises, shifting diets towards increased seafood consumption to meet nutritional protein requirements may offer potentially large reductions in environmentally driven harm to human health relative to terrestrial animal-based proteins.
Triangular projection on 𝑆_{𝑝}, 0&𝑙𝑡;𝑝&𝑙𝑡;1, as 𝑆_{𝑝} approaches 1
Authors: Aleksandrov A. , Peller V.
Published: January 2025

This is a continuation of a recent paper by the authors. The study of properties of the triangular projection

P

n

\mathcal {P}_n

on the space of

n
×
n

n\times n

matrices is pursued further. Sharp estimates are established for the

p
p

-norms of

P

n

\mathcal {P}_n

as an operator on the Schatten–von Neumann class

S
p

\boldsymbol {S}_p

for

0
>
p
>
1

0>p>1

. These estimates are uniform in

n
n

and

p
p

as soon as

p
p

is separated away from 0. The main result of the paper shows that for

p
∈
(
0
,
1
)

p\in (0,1)

, the

p
p

-norms of

P

n

\mathcal {P}_n

on

S
p

\boldsymbol {S}_p

behave as

n
→
∞

n\to \infty

and

p
→
1

p\to 1

as

n

1

/

p
−
1

min

{

(
1
−
p

)

−
1

,
log
⁡
n

}

n^{1/p-1}\min \big \{(1-p)^{-1},\log n\big \}

.
Direct and inverse theorems of approximation theory in Banach function spaces
Authors: Vinogradov O.
Published: January 2025

The paper deals with approximation of functions defined on 

R

\mathbb {R}

in spaces that are not translation invariant. The spaces under consideration are Banach function spaces in which Steklov averaging operators are uniformly bounded. It is proved that operators of convolution with a kernel whose bell shaped majorant is integrable are bounded in these spaces. With the help of convolution operators, direct and inverse theorems of the theory of approximation by trigonometric polynomials and entire functions of exponential type are established. As structural characteristics, the powers of deviations of Steklov averages are used, including nonintegral powers. Theorems for periodic and nonperiodic functions are obtained in a unified way. The results of the paper generalize and refine a lot of known theorems on approximation in specific spaces such as weighted spaces, Lebesgue variable exponent spaces and others.
On infinitely generated homology of Torelli groups
Authors: Gaifullin A.
Published: January 2025

Let

I

g

\mathcal {I}_g

be the Torelli group of an oriented closed surface 

S
g

S_g

of genus 

g
g

, that is, the kernel of the action of the mapping class group on the first integral homology group of 

S
g

S_g

. It is proved that the

k
k

th integral homology group of 

I

g

\mathcal {I}_g

contains a free Abelian subgroup of infinite rank, provided that

g
≥
3

g\ge 3

and

2
g
−
3
≤
k
≤
3
g
−
6

2g-3\le k\le 3g-6

. Earlier the same property was known only for

k
=
3
g
−
5

k=3g-5

(Bestvina, Bux, Margalit, 2007) and in the special case where

g
=
k
=
3

g=k=3

(Johnson, Millson, 1992). It is also proved that the hyperelliptic involution acts on the constructed infinite system of linearly independent homology classes in

H

k

(

I

g

;

Z

)

\mathrm {H}_k(\mathcal {I}_g;\mathbb {Z})

as multiplication by 

−
1

-1

, provided that

k
+
g

k+g

is even. This solves negatively a problem by Hain. For

k
=
2
g
−
3

k=2g-3

, it is shown that the group 

H

2
g
−
3

(

I

g

;

Z

)

\mathrm {H}_{2g-3}(\mathcal {I}_g;\mathbb {Z})

contains a free Abelian subgroup of infinite rank generated by Abelian cycles and an infinite system of Abelian cycles generating such a subgroup is constructed explicitely. As a consequence of our results, it is shown that an Eilenberg–MacLane CW complex of type 

K
(

I

g

,
1
)

K(\mathcal {I}_g,1)

cannot have a finite

(
2
g
−
3
)

(2g-3)

-skeleton. The proofs are based on the study of the spectral sequence for the action of 

I

g

\mathcal {I}_g

on the complex of cycles constructed by Bestvina, Bux, and Margalit.
Inequalities for mixed means
Authors: Khrabrov A.
Published: January 2025

The relation
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="script upper M Subscript p Baseline ring script upper M Subscript q Baseline left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis less-than-or-equal-to script upper M Subscript q Baseline ring script upper M Subscript p Baseline left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis">

M

p

∘

M

q

(
x
)
≤

M

q

∘

M

p

(
x
)

\mathcal {M}_p\circ \mathcal {M}_q(x)\leq \mathcal {M}_q\circ \mathcal {M}_p(x)

between mixed power means for absolutely continuous measures (with respect to Lebesgue measure) is proved along with several other inequalities for mixed means. Equality cases and discrete analogs are studied.
Nighttime Systolic Blood Pressure a Major Factor of Retinal Vascular Caliber Changes in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Nikolaidou Barbara , Triantafyllou Areti , Anyfanti Panagiota , Gavriilaki Eleni , Lazaridis Antonios , Dolgyras Panagiotis , Gavriilaki Maria , Stoimeni Anastasia , Mastrogiannis Konstantinos , Trakatelli Christina , Doumas Michael , Gkaliagkousi Eugenia
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Changes in retinal vessel caliber are crucial for detecting early retinopathy, a significant cause of blindness in individuals with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (T2DM). This study aims to evaluate the changes in retinal vessel caliber and identify factors associated with these changes in recently diagnosed T2DM patients.

METHODS

The study included newly diagnosed T2DM patients (within 6 months of diagnosis) who were free of antidiabetic treatment (except metformin) and matched individuals based on age and blood pressure (BP). Data collected included somatometric measurements, BP (office and 24-h), hematological data, albuminuria (via 24-h urine collections), ten-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk (ASCVD score), endothelial dysfunction (measured by Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, ADMA), retinal microvascular changes, assessed as central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), and arteriovenous ratio (AVR) using specialized software on nonmydriatic fundus photographs.

RESULTS

The study involved 87 T2DM patients and 90 controls, aged 57±11 years. Key findings include no significant differences in CRAE, CRVE, and AVR between T2DM patients and controls. Age (P=0.019) and nighttime systolic BP (SBP) (P=0.002) were independent predictors of AVR. CRAE was independently associated with nighttime SBP (P=0.048). CRVE was independently associated with age (P=0.016), dipping (P=0.002), and smoking (P=0.018). In normotensive subjects, AVR was significantly lower in T2DM patients (P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

The study concludes that increased nighttime SBP is a more critical factor than hyperglycemia in affecting retinal vascular caliber changes in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. This highlights the importance of managing nocturnal hypertension to prevent retinal damage in this patient population.
PPIXpress and PPICompare webservers infer condition-specific and differential PPI networks
Authors: Do Hoang Thu Trang , Thangamurugan Sudharshini , Helms Volkhard
Published: January 2025

We present PPIXpress and PPICompare as two webservers that enable analysis of protein–protein interaction networks (PPINs). Given a reference PPIN and user-uploaded expression data from one or multiple samples, PPIXpress constructs context-dependent PPINs based on major transcripts and high-confidence domain interactions data. To derive a differential PPIN that distinguishes two groups of contextualized PPINs, PPICompare identifies statistically significant altered interactions between multiple context-dependent PPINs from PPIXpress. We present a case study where PPIXpress and PPICompare webservers were used in combination to construct the PPINs specific for melanocytic nevi and primary melanoma cells, and to detect the rewired protein interactions between these two sample types.

Availability and implementation

PPIXpress and PPICompare webservers are available at https://service.bioinformatik.uni-saarland.de/ppi-webserver/index_PPIXpress.jsp and https://service.bioinformatik.uni-saarland.de/ppi-webserver/index_PPICompare.jsp, respectively. Alternatively, the webservers and application updates can be found at https://service.bioinformatik.uni-saarland.de/ppi-webserver/.
A semi-supervised fracture-attention model for segmenting tubular objects with improved topological connectivity
Authors: Zhou Yanfeng , Zhong Liqun , Wang Zichen , Ge Yang
Published: January 2025

Motivation

Ensuring connectivity and preventing fractures in tubular object segmentation are critical for downstream analyses. Despite advancements in deep neural networks that have significantly improved tubular object segmentation, existing methods still face limitations. They often rely heavily on precise annotations, hindering their scalability to large-scale unlabeled image datasets. Additionally, current evaluation metrics are insufficient for effectively capturing segmentation fractures.

Results

To address these challenges, we propose a semi-supervised fracture-attention model (SSFA) for tubular object segmentation. SSFA enhances connectivity, reduces fractures, and maintains volumetric accuracy. It outperforms state-of-the-art models in topological performance. Extensive experiments on four public datasets validate the effectiveness of SSFA. Furthermore, we introduce a novel evaluation metric, the fracture rate, which provides an intuitive and quantitative assessment of segmentation fractures.

Availability and implementation

Our source code is available at http://github.com/Yanfeng-Zhou/SSFA.
A cost-effective and scalable approach for DNA extraction from FFPE tissues
Authors: Geisenberger Christoph , Chimal Edgar , Jurmeister Philipp , Klauschen Frederick
Published: January 2025

Genomic profiling of cancer plays an increasingly vital role for diagnosis and therapy planning. In addition, research of novel diagnostic applications such as DNA methylation profiling requires large training and validation cohorts. Currently, most diagnostic cases processed in pathology departments are stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded tissue blocks (FFPE). Consequently, there is a growing demand for high-throughput extraction of nucleic acids from FFPE tissue samples. While proprietary kits are available, they are expensive and offer little flexibility. Here, we present ht-HiTE, a high-throughput implementation of a recently published and highly efficient DNA extraction protocol. This approach enables manual and automated processing of 96-well plates with a liquid handler, offers two options for purification and utilizes off-the-shelf reagents. Finally, we show that NGS and DNA methylation microarray data obtained from DNA processed with ht-HiTE are of equivalent quality as compared to a manual, kit-based approach.
Development of novel patient-reported outcome instruments to assess atopic dermatitis-associated dyspigmentation and xerosis in patients with skin of colour
Authors: Hartford Christopher , Alexis Andrew , Wang Zhixiao , Levit Noah A , Banderas Benjamin , Yaworsky Andrew , Love Emily , Shumel Brad , Bégo-Le-Bagousse Gaëlle , Rofail Diana
Published: January 2025

Background

The prevalence and burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) are disproportionately high in people with skin of colour. Previous research has shown that the risk of xerosis and/or dyspigmentation is heightened in this population and may be more bothersome. However, no patient-reported instruments have been developed specifically for these disease sequelae in patients with skin of colour.

Objectives

To develop and perform content validation of patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires to assess AD-related xerosis and dyspigmentation in patients with skin of colour.

Methods

A targeted literature review was conducted to understand and identify AD-related disease sequelae and quality-of-life impacts relevant to patients with skin of colour and any instruments used to assess AD in the target population. Two draft PRO questionnaires assessing xerosis (X-AD) and dyspigmentation (D-AD) were developed and refined following advice meetings with three clinical experts. Questionnaire content validity was explored during hybrid concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews with 15 adult and adolescent patients with skin of colour who have moderate-to-severe AD.

Results

Ten concept-focused articles, 3 websites, 17 labels, 1 U.S. Food and Drug Administration compendium and 1 clinical trial confirmed that xerosis and dyspigmentation are important AD-related disease sequelae. Patients with skin of colour [47% girls/women; mean (SD) age 33.3 (21.2) years] reported that the questionnaires were relevant to their AD experience in an appropriate recall timeframe and were readily understood, and that meaningful responses were easy to select. The final X-AD consisted of one 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) assessing xerosis severity and two items assessing the level of bother associated with xerosis appearance and feeling over the past week (0–4 verbal rating scale). The final D-AD consisted of two 11-point NRS items assessing dyspigmentation severity and two items assessing the level of bother associated with how dyspigmentation looked over the past week.

Conclusions

The X-AD/D-AD questionnaires were well understood and effective in capturing the experiences of xerosis and dyspigmentation in the target population in an appropriate and comprehensive way. This study supports the initial development of the questionnaires in accordance with regulatory guidelines and best practices; however, psychometric validation is required to evaluate the properties of each questionnaire and develop score interpretation guidelines.
Perianal melanosis
Authors: Zhao Xiya , Li Junqin
Published: January 2025

A 56-year-old man noticed a black plaque around the anus 3 days prior to presentation, without subjective symptoms. Histological examination confirmed perianal melanosis.
Insights into radiation property prediction for numerical simulation of pulverized coal/biomass oxy-fuel combustion
Authors: Yan Linbo , Liu Yang , Li Kexin , Geng Cong , He Boshu
Published: January 2025

The radiation property of flue gas in pulverized coal/biomass oxyfuel combustion distinguishes obviously from that in air combustion. Moreover, the particle emissivity and scattering factor can vary during its thermal conversion. Both phenomena challenge the accurate prediction of radiative heat transfer in coal/biomass oxyfuel combustion. As one solution to surmount this challenge, a new efficient exponential wide band model + particle radiation property model is proposed in this work. For validation, the proposed model is compared with other parallel models and their predictions are compared against experimental data. It is found that the efficient exponential wide band model + particle radiation property model can give reliable prediction at different operating conditions. The maximum relative errors between the prediction and the experimental surface incident radiation are within 7% at the burner outlet and 2.5% at the peak point. Moreover, the iteration time consumptions are 0.55s and 0.87s for the 0.5 MW case, and 35.45 s and 35.66 s for the 600 MW case with the parallel radiation model and the proposed model. After validation, the feasibility and characteristic of the coal/biomass oxyfuel co-combustion process in a 600 MW tangentially fired boiler is predicted. It is found that the boiler can run stably and the CO2 mass fraction in the discharged flue gas can be around 90%
Association between haemolysis markers and neuron-specific enolase in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock patients supported with a microaxial flow pump
Authors: Alaoui-Ismaili Zakaria , Klein Anika , Josiassen Jakob , Helgestad Ole Kristian Lerche , Korsholm Jeppesen Karoline , Berg Ravn Hanne , Kjærgaard Jesper , Hassager Christian , Møller Jacob Eifer
Published: January 2025

Aims

Acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS) is frequently preceded by out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), with risk of anoxic brain injury. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is central to neuroprognostication; however, concomitant haemolysis can increase NSE independent of neuronal injury due to the presence of NSE in erythrocytes. This consideration is critical in AMICS patients treated with a microaxial flow pump (Impella, Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA), where haemolysis is frequent.

Methods and results

We identified consecutive AMICS patients receiving microaxial flow pump support ≥6 h from 2014 to 2022 in a tertiary Danish heart centre. Peak NSE and haemolysis biomarkers within 72 h following microaxial flow pump placement were used for analysis. Haemolysis was defined as plasma-free haemoglobin levels >31.5 µmol/L within 72 h from device placement. The population was stratified according to the presence or absence of haemolysis. The final study population comprised 44 patients with eligible NSE and haemolysis biomarkers. The median NSE was 85 µg/L. Patients with haemolysis had significantly higher NSE levels than those without (115 vs. 69 µg/L, P = 0.018). Neuron-specific enolase levels were similar between OHCA and non-OHCA patients. No significant difference in death from anoxic brain injury was observed between patients with NSE levels above and below 60 µg/L. Neuron-specific enolase revealed a significantly moderate correlation with all investigated haemolysis markers.

Conclusion

Neuron-specific enolase was associated with haemolysis, and not anoxic brain injury, in AMICS patients supported with a microaxial flow pump.
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a paradigm for advancing precision medicine
Authors: Gonzalez-Lopez Esther , Maurer Mathew S , Garcia-Pavia Pablo
Published: January 2025

Development of specific therapies addressing the underlying diseases’ mechanisms constitutes the basis of precision medicine. Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is an exemplar of precise therapeutic approach in the field of heart failure and cardiomyopathies. A better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, more precise data of its epidemiology, and advances in imaging techniques that allow non-invasive diagnosis have fostered the development of new and very effective specific therapies for ATTR-CM. Therapeutic advances have revolutionized the field, transforming a rare, devastating, and untreatable disease into a more common disease with several therapeutic alternatives available. Three main types of therapies (stabilizers, suppressors, and degraders) that act at different points of the amyloidogenic cascade have been developed or are currently under investigation. In this review, the key advances in pathophysiology and epidemiology that have occurred in the last decades along with the different therapeutic alternatives available or under development for ATTR-CM are described, illustrating the role of precision medicine applied to cardiovascular disorders. Pending questions that would need to be answered in upcoming years are also reviewed.
Coronary atherosclerosis in athletes: emerging concepts and preventive strategies
Authors: Claessen Guido , Eijsvogels Thijs M H , Albert Christine M , Baggish Aaron L , Levine Benjamin D , Marijon Eloi , Michos Erin D , La Gerche Andre
Published: January 2025

There should be no assumption that an athlete is immune to coronary artery disease (CAD), even when traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors appear well-managed. Excelling in certain aspects of health does not equate to total CV protection. Recent data from cardiac imaging studies have raised the possibility that long-term, high-volume, high-intensity endurance exercise is associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Whilst the risk of CV events has not been shown to rise with athletic activity, the potential for CAD should not be overlooked as it is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes >35 years of age (i.e. ‘Masters athletes’). Evaluating both traditional and non-traditional risk factors for CAD is the most important part of pre-participation evaluation in Masters athletes. When managing athletes at risk of CAD it is important to adopt a shared decision-making approach regarding lifestyle adaptation and lipid-lowering treatments. In the great majority of athletes, after excluding the presence of symptoms and inducible ischaemia, this advice should include encouragement to continue exercising as available data indicate that higher levels of fitness are associated with a markedly attenuated incidence of coronary events regardless of the severity of coronary disease. Future research is needed to establish the relationship between clinically relevant CAD outcomes and coronary artery calcification in Masters Athletes, the role of sex, as well as exploration of the mechanisms underpinning these unexpected CV adaptations.
In vitro evolution of ciprofloxacin resistance in Neisseria commensals and derived mutation population dynamics in natural Neisseria populations
Authors: Robinson Leah R , McDevitt Caroline J , Regan Molly R , Quail Sophie L , Wadsworth Crista B
Published: January 2025

Commensal Neisseria are members of a healthy human oropharyngeal microbiome; however, they also serve as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance for their pathogenic relatives. Despite their known importance as sources of novel genetic variation for pathogens, we still do not understand the full suite of resistance mutations commensal species can harbor. Here, we use in vitro selection to assess the mutations that emerge in response to ciprofloxacin selection in commensal Neisseria by passaging four replicates of four different species in the presence of a selective antibiotic gradient for 20 days; then categorized derived mutations with whole genome sequencing. Ten out of sixteen selected cells lines across the four species evolved ciprofloxacin resistance (≥1 ug/ml); with resistance-contributing mutations primarily emerging in DNA gyrase subunit A and B (gyrA and gyrB), topoisomerase IV subunits C and E (parC and parE), and the multiple transferable efflux pump repressor (mtrR). Of note, these derived mutations appeared in the same loci responsible for ciprofloxacin-reduced susceptibility in the pathogenic Neisseria, suggesting conserved mechanisms of resistance across the genus. Additionally, we tested for zoliflodacin cross-resistance in evolved strain lines and found 6 lineages with elevated zoliflodacin minimum inhibitory concentrations. Finally, to interrogate the likelihood of experimentally derived mutations emerging and contributing to resistance in natural Neisseria, we used a population-based approach and identified GyrA 91I as a substitution circulating within commensal Neisseria populations and ParC 85C in a single gonococcal isolate. A small cluster of gonococcal isolates shared commensal alleles at parE, suggesting recent cross-species recombination events.
Msh2-Msh3 DNA-binding is not sufficient to promote trinucleotide repeat expansions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Casazza Katherine M , Williams Gregory M , Johengen Lauren , Twoey Gavin , Surtees Jennifer A
Published: January 2025

Mismatch repair (MMR) is a highly conserved DNA repair pathway that recognizes mispairs that occur spontaneously during DNA replication and coordinates their repair. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Msh2-Msh3 and Msh2-Msh6 initiate MMR by recognizing and binding insertion or deletion (in/del) loops up to ∼17 nucleotides (nt.) and base–base mispairs, respectively; the 2 complexes have overlapping specificity for small (1–2 nt.) in/dels. The DNA-binding specificity for the 2 complexes resides in their respective mispair binding domains (MBDs) and has distinct DNA-binding modes. Msh2-Msh3 also plays a role in promoting CAG/CTG trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansions, which underlie many neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Models for Msh2-Msh3's role in promoting TNR tract expansion have invoked its specific DNA-binding activity and predict that the TNR structure alters its DNA binding and downstream activities to block repair. Using a chimeric Msh complex that replaces the MBD of Msh6 with the Msh3 MBD, we demonstrate that Msh2-Msh3 DNA-binding activity is not sufficient to promote TNR expansions. We propose a model for Msh2-Msh3-mediated TNR expansions that requires a fully functional Msh2-Msh3 including DNA binding, coordinated ATP binding, and hydrolysis activities and interactions with Mlh complexes that are analogous to those required for MMR.
Serum Periostin is Able to Stratify Type 2-Dominant Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Takedomi Hironobu , Nunomura Satoshi , Nanri Yasuhiro , Honda Yuko , Yokomizo Kanako , Akutagawa Takashi , Tsuruoka Nanae , Sakata Yasuhisa , Conway Simon , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Aishima Shinichi , Esaki Motohiro , Izuhara Kenji
Published: January 2025

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a heterogeneous disease composed of different endotypes. It is important to develop useful biomarkers for endotyping UC; however, available biomarkers are insufficient. We have already established that periostin is a surrogate biomarker of type 2 inflammation. In this study, we examined the usefulness of periostin as a biomarker of UC and the role of periostin in its pathogenesis.

Methods

We examined periostin expression in the colons of UC patients. We next investigated serum periostin in UC patients and its correlation with eosinophilic infiltration in their colons. We then examined whether serum periostin could predict the efficacy of oral prednisolone. Finally, we investigated the role of periostin in UC pathogenesis by creating its genetic deficiency using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mice.

Results

Periostin expression and serum periostin were significantly high in UC patients compared to healthy controls; however, both were diverse, showing heterogeneity of the underlying mechanism of UC. Both serum periostin and tissue periostin expression, but not blood eosinophils, were significantly associated with eosinophil infiltration. Type 2-dominant UC patients as defined by serum periostin showed significantly higher clinical remission rates for the treatment with oral prednisolone. Genetic deficiency in periostin improved colonic inflammation in a DSS-treated mouse model.

Conclusions

Periostin can be a useful biomarker to stratify type 2-dominant UC patients, thereby predicting the efficacy of oral prednisolone. Moreover, periostin plays an important role in the setting of type 2-dominant UC.
Long-term population trend of northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) in the California Current system
Authors: Hinchliffe Charles , Kuriyama Peter T , Punt André E , Field John C , Thompson Andrew R , Santora Jarrod A , Muhling Barbara A , Koenigstein Stefan , Hernvann Pierre-Yves , Tommasi Desiree
Published: January 2025

Ecosystem function and variability of eastern boundary upwelling systems is linked to the population dynamics of coastal pelagic fish. Developing population dynamics models of coastal pelagic species over many decades has unique challenges, and can benefit from the integration of multiple disparate sources of fisheries and resource survey information. Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) are vital trophic links in the food web of the California Current Ecosystem. Previous studies of this anchovy population had relatively narrow temporal ranges or focused on a single data source (e.g. larval abundance data). Here, we combine data sets that have informed previous studies, into one integrated statistical catch-at-age population dynamics model to estimate extended biomass and recruitment trends, providing a comprehensive account of anchovy dynamics from 1965–2021. Our results are consistent with previous biomass estimates but show an earlier peak in the 1970s that coincided with the peak of the US reduction fishery. Our results can facilitate an in-depth analysis of the environmental drivers influencing successful anchovy recruitment, serve to parameterize and evaluate performance of ecological models that mechanistically link the environment and food web to anchovy population dynamics and distribution, and provide the basis for a management strategy evaluation of this anchovy stock.
Inactivation of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity in mangosteen pericarp via blanching: correlation between anthocyanins and enzyme activities
Authors: Ijod Giroon , Nawawi Nur Izzati Mohamed , Sulaiman Rabiha , Khalid Nurul Izzah , Anwar Farooq , Adzahan Noranizan Mohd , Azman Ezzat Mohamad
Published: January 2025

Mangosteen pericarp (MP), rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, is often discarded as agro-waste. Its anthocyanins (ACNs), potential natural colourants, are compromised by high polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity. This study examined the effects of hot water and steam blanching on PPO and POD inactivation in MP. Blanching for 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s at 100 °C. Hot water inactivated 89.57% PPO (t1/2 = ~67 s) and 92.13% POD (t1/2 = ~33.6 s), while steam inactivated 52.81% PPO (t1/2 = ~113.7 s) and 97.07% POD (t1/2 = ~61.8 s). Despite better enzyme inactivation with hot water, it adversely affected ACNs stability. Steam blanching for 90 s, as determined by principal component analysis, preserved the highest ACNs, phenolics, and antioxidant activities. Cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were identified via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, offering insights for preserving ACNs as natural colourants.
Potential utilisation methods for brewer’s spent grain: a review
Authors: Dancker Philipp , Glas Karl , Gastl Martina
Published: January 2025

Brewing is an energy- and water-intensive operation. Efforts to increase the resource efficiency of a brewery usually only focus on the production itself in the form of internal measures. Wastewater and residual materials are usually neglected, although they have a high potential for reuse in a circular economy and energy recovery. To be prepared for a sustainable future, breweries need to act. This review gives an overview over the possibilities for the brewing industry to effectively utilise their highly abundant and perishable brewer’s spent grain to eliminate a potentially environmentally harmful disposal, redesign their biowaste into a biosorbent, and contribute their part in a circular economy.
Functional characteristics, anti-microbial, and textural effects of mustard flour in Vienna type sausages
Authors: Ramos-Calonico Kimberly , Verástegui-Quevedo Mariana , Chávez-Murillo Carolina Estefanía , de la Rosa-Millan Julián
Published: January 2025

Sausages are one of the most convenient meat products due to their relative ease of preparation and versatility in consumption. Ingredients like mustard flour may improve functional properties like emulsion capacity and water retention in meat pastes to replace phosphate salts (monosodium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate) that may have adverse health connotations. Additionally, mustard flour has chemical compounds that can inhibit yeast or bacteria growth and add to product flavour and aroma. In this work, two mustard flours differing in pungency strength were used to substitute the phosphate salts in a Vienna sausage system. Both flours increased the production yield of Vienna sausage by 4%, while improving the protein content from 17.92% to 19.36%. Sensory analysis of sausages with non-trained panelists showed that mustard flours improved Vienna sausage springiness during the 21 day storage time with values of 10.14 to ≈16 kg/mm. The addition of mustard flour showed a remarkable anti-microbiological property that was superior to the use of phosphate salts in the control sausage, maintaining significantly lower levels of Staphylococcus aureus and mesophilic bacteria compared with the control sausage.
Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles from extracts of Daucus carota subsp. sativus whole vegetable, peel, pomace, and juice and their application as antibacterial agents and Fenton-like catalysts
Authors: Uncu Kirtiş Evrim Burcu , Yiğit Koçak Deniz , Elderviş Ukba , Tuna Süheyla , Bayraç Ceren
Published: January 2025

The green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) with catalytic and antimicrobial activities from the extracts of different parts of Daucus carota subsp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef. was demonstrated in this study. The extracts of whole vegetable, peel, pomace, and juice acted as a reducing agent for the bio-reduction of Fe3+ into Fe-NPs. The synthesis of Fe-NPs was indicated by surface plasmon peaks within the range of 200–300 nm, as well as characteristic iron oxide bond formation in the region of 400–850 cm−1 using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and FT-IR spectrophotometer, respectively. The green synthesised Fe-NPs from the whole vegetable and its byproduct extracts had uniform quasi-spherical structures, with average particle sizes of 87.13, 80.95, 103.14, and 86.26 nm from whole vegetable extract, peel extract, pomace extract, and juice, respectively. All synthesised particles exhibited excellent Fenton-like catalytic activities on the discoloration of methylene blue best fitting the pseudo-first order kinetic model for Fe-NPs from whole vegetable extract, pomace extract, and juice and the pseudo-second order kinetic model for Fe-NPs from peel extract. In addition to catalytic activity, Fe-NPs showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. The antibacterial effects of Fe-NPs alone and their synergistic effects with antibiotics have been observed in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Effect of traditional and novel processing technologies on the thermo-pasting, microstructural, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of finger millet and Bambara groundnut flours
Authors: Mudau Masala , Adebo Oluwafemi Ayodeji
Published: January 2025

This study examined the impact of traditional (fermentation and malting) and novel (ultrasonication) processing technologies on the thermo-pasting, microstructural, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of finger millet (FM) and Bambara groundnut (BGN) flours. Fermentation, malting, and ultrasonication enhanced the water/oil absorption capacity (WAC/OAC) of FM, while in the BGN samples, only malting decreased the WAC and OAC. An increase in protein and fibre content was observed in all processed samples. The ash content increased in fermented/malted FM flour (FFM/MFM) and fermented BGN flour (FBGN), while a decrease was observed in ultrasonicated FM/BGN flour (UFM/UBGN) and malted BGN flour (MBGN). In terms of antioxidant activity, an increase in the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was observed in FFM (22.69 mol TE/g), FBGN (37.40 mol TE/g), and UBGN (49.90 mol TE/g) compared to their respective control samples. Considering these findings, future studies should focus more on developing functional foods such as weaning foods, jelly foods, and confectionaries from FFM and FBGN.
Protein extraction technologies for foxtail, pearl, and proso millets along with their structural and techno-functional properties: a review
Authors: Karki Sanjaya , Bhattarai Susma , Singh Ranjit , Anal Anil Kumar
Published: January 2025

As the world’s population grows, so does the demand for protein, and the growing population is actively seeking alternative protein sources that are affordable and available locally. Millet, a resilient crop with a remarkable ability to adapt to unfavourable conditions, has emerged as a potential alternative in recent years. Millet contains protein levels ranging from 7% to 21%, depending on the variety, growing condition, maturity of seeds, and species. This review looks closely into the current protein extraction technologies used on three popular millets: pearl, foxtail, and proso millet. Aside from the extraction technologies, this review provides a thorough critical analysis of structural and techno-functional properties of millet proteins, namely, solubility, emulsifying activity, water and oil holding capacity, and foaming ability, which are important attributes impacting the potential use of millet proteins in food and beverages. Thus, the insights gained from this review provide a strong foundation for future research and development on pearl, foxtail, and proso millet as an ingredient in a wide range of gluten-free food products, meat analogue formulations, and nutraceuticals.
From fear to fork—exploring food neophobia and the inclination towards entomophagy in Italy
Authors: Tolve Roberta , Zanoni Matteo , Sportiello Lucia , Musollini Simone , Tchuenbou-Magaia Fideline Laure , Favati Fabio
Published: January 2025

This study explored how sociodemographic factors, food preferences, and individual characteristics influence food neophobia and the acceptance of insect-based foods among Italian consumers. Findings revealed that age, monthly income, and education level significantly influenced food neophobia, while gender, age, and education level were associated with the propensity for entomophagy. Additionally, there was a correlation between food neophobia and the inclination towards entomophagy, indicating that more neophobic individuals were less willing to consume insects or insect-based foods. The research underscored the importance of prior experience with insect-based products, familiarity with entomophagy, species, and presentation form of insects in shaping consumer acceptance. Crickets emerged as the most popular insect species for consumption, with cricket flour being the preferred form for incorporation, particularly in pasta and bakery products. Overall, the study underscores the importance of understanding consumer profiles and utilizing attractive insect species or developing appealing attributes for insect-based products to overcome psychological barriers and increase acceptance of entomophagy.