bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Soil and its Organisms in the City
Authors: Deeb Maha , Egerer Monika
Published: June 2024

In cities, the soil under our feet is important for making our cities green and giving us natural places to enjoy. Soil helps plants to grow, holds onto water when it rains, breaks down old materials, and cleans up harmful substances in the ground. Urban soils are also home for many animals and plants. But urban soils encounter tough challenges unique to cities. Soil does not have much space in the city, and it gets flooded with dirty water filled with pollutants. People walking, driving, and building on soils results in packed-down soil, which some plant species do not like to live in. When city soils experience such pressures, they cannot do their jobs well anymore and cannot provide us with the benefits they normally offer us. Fortunately, there are steps we can all take to improve this important resource.
Toward a knowledge-synthesis heuristic for sport leaders: the strategic leader synthesis model
Authors: Cairney John , Richard Veronique , Legg David
Published: June 2024

Sport management leadership research has predominantly focused on leadership behaviours, particularly transformative leadership, without fully acknowledging the complex, multifaceted nature of leadership within the sports context. This perspective overlooks the reality that sports leaders operate within complex organizations and varied contexts that significantly influence their behaviours. Leadership in sports demands core capabilities in decision-making, communication, and strategic thinking, and a mindset that influences perception, decision-making, and behaviour. Consequently, a singular focus on transformative leadership may undervalue the importance of other attributes. This paper thus argues for a comprehensive leadership framework that integrates behaviours, roles, capabilities, and mindset, and draws insights from business management. By proposing this framework organized across four domains—Context, Roles, Capabilities, and Mindset—this paper aims to foster a deeper understanding of sports leadership dynamics, highlighting the necessity of a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of these elements.
A comparative nutritional life cycle assessment of processed and unprocessed soy-based meat and milk alternatives including protein quality adjustment
Authors: Herrmann Moritz , Mehner Eric , Egger Lotti , Portmann Reto , Hammer Laila , Nemecek Thomas
Published: June 2024

Efforts towards sustainable food systems have stimulated the development of plant-based alternatives to meat and milk. However, the debate on the nutritional quality of (processed) plant products compared to animal products remains unresolved, and combined assessments are needed to assess the benefits and trade-offs of these products in future diets. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) combined with nutrient density measurements and the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS), this case study evaluates different processing stages of soy-based products, including cooked soybeans, tofu, soy drink, and a processed soy-based meat analogue (SBMA) produced in Switzerland. The nutritional LCA (n-LCA) showed that the environmental impact of all soy-based meat alternatives was 4–20 times lower than that of beef, especially when locally sourced soy was used. The differences were smaller when compared to chicken meat. All soy-based products showed lower DIAAS compared to animal products, but the results from the combined n-LCA were always less favourable for animal products in this case study. Contribution analyses showed that despite the high level of processing, the raw materials contributed significantly to the environmental footprint of SBMA, exceeding 50% in some environmental impact categories. Moreover, comparisons within the soy-based alternatives revealed a lower environmental impact of the minimally processed products. The higher protein quality and quantity of the processed SBMA were not sufficient to offset its higher environmental impact in this case study. SBMA also contained highest level of sodium and saturated fatty acids, highlighting the need for careful food formulation. Overall, this study showed the potential of soy-based alternatives to meat and milk to reduce the environmental impact of food production whilst highlighting the importance of considering their nutritional quality and the role of processing. Overall, this research provides insight into the potential of plant-based alternatives to meat and milk for sustainable diets amid the global challenge of climate change and changing dietary patterns.
Engineering a colorimetric yeast-based assay to detect small molecules in the gastrointestinal system
Authors: Dacquay Louis C. , Samman Bana , Newman Matthew P. , Philpott Dana J. , McMillen David R.
Published: June 2024

The procedures involved in diagnoses of intestinal diseases are often costly, invasive, expensive and dependent on specific technical expertise; these factors can hinder clinicians’ efforts to monitor and treat inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions. Simpler, less expensive and more widely accessible methods could help evaluate the efficacy of treatments and assess the risk of relapse. Yeast, including the probiotic strain Saccharomyces boulardii, can access the gastrointestinal tract, coming into contact with otherwise difficult-to-access disease biomarkers. These yeast cells can be recovered from patient stool samples after ingestion and used to report on prevailing conditions within the gastrointestinal tract during their passage. Here, we report a yeast-based assay offering a simple output based on colour change of colonies plated from recovered stool samples and demonstrate that the reporter can respond to an externally-supplied small-molecule signal while passing through the gastrointestinal system of mice.
Yeast peptides alleviate lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal barrier damage in rabbits involving Toll-like receptor signaling pathway modulation and gut microbiota regulation
Authors: Fan Jiaqi , Li Chong , Han Wenxiao , Wu Fengyang , Fan Huimin , Fan Dongfeng , Liu Yajuan , Gu Zilin , Wang Yuanyuan , Chen Saijuan , Chen Baojiang
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Yeast peptides have garnered attention as valuable nutritional modifiers due to their potential health benefits. However, the precise mechanisms underlying their effects remain elusive. This study aims to explore the potential of yeast peptides, when added to diets, to mitigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal damage and microbiota alterations in rabbits.

Methods

A total of 160 35-day-old Hyla line rabbits (0.96 ± 0.06 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 groups. These groups constituted a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: basal diet (CON), 100 mg/kg yeast peptide diet (YP), LPS challenge + basal diet (LPS), LPS challenge +100 mg/kg yeast peptide diet (L-YP). The experiment spanned 35 days, encompassing a 7-day pre-feeding period and a 28-day formal trial.

Results

The results indicated that yeast peptides mitigated the intestinal barrier damage induced by LPS, as evidenced by a significant reduction in serum Diamine oxidase and D-lactic acid levels in rabbits in the L-YP group compared to the LPS group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in the jejunum, the L-YP group exhibited a significantly higher villus height compared to the LPS group (p < 0.05). In comparison to the LPS group, the L-YP rabbits significantly upregulated the expression of Claudin-1, Occludin-1 and ZO-1 in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the YP group significantly reduced the levels of rabbit jejunal inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and decreased the relative mRNA expression of jejunal signaling pathway-associated inflammatory factors such as TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB and IL-1β (p < 0.05). Additionally, notable changes in the hindgut also included the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) of the YP group was significantly higher than that of the CON group (p < 0.05). 16S RNA sequencing revealed a substantial impact of yeast peptides on the composition of the cecal microbiota. Correlation analyses indicated potential associations of specific gut microbiota with jejunal inflammatory factors, tight junction proteins, and SCFA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yeast peptides have shown promise in mitigating LPS-induced intestinal barrier damage in rabbits through their anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of the gut microbiota, and maintenance of intestinal tight junctions.
Domain-Specific Few-Shot Table Prompt Question Answering via Contrastive Exemplar Selection
Authors: Mo Tianjin , Xiao Qiao , Zhang Hongyi , Li Ren , Wu Yunsong
Published: June 2024

As a crucial task in natural language processing, table question answering has garnered significant attention from both the academic and industrial communities. It enables intelligent querying and question answering over structured data by translating natural language into corresponding SQL statements. Recently, there have been notable advancements in the general domain table question answering task, achieved through prompt learning with large language models. However, in specific domains, where tables often have a higher number of columns and questions tend to be more complex, large language models are prone to generating invalid SQL or NoSQL statements. To address the above issue, this paper proposes a novel few-shot table prompt question answering approach. Specifically, we design a prompt template construction strategy for structured SQL generation. It utilizes prompt templates to restructure the input for each test data and standardizes the model output, which can enhance the integrity and validity of generated SQL. Furthermore, this paper introduces a contrastive exemplar selection approach based on the question patterns and formats in domain-specific contexts. This enables the model to quickly retrieve the relevant exemplars and learn characteristics about given question. Experimental results on the two datasets in the domains of electric energy and structural inspection show that the proposed approach outperforms the baseline models across all comparison settings.
Structural Damage Assessment of an Airfoil Anti-Icing System under Hailstorm Conditions
Authors: Ferro Carlo Giovanni , Cellini Alessandro , Maggiore Paolo
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative study of the resilience of leading edge anti-icing systems on business jets when exposed to severe hailstorm conditions. Using advanced simulation models correlated with experimental data, the study aims to determine the overall effectiveness of these systems when exposed to the adverse effects of hail impact. Key aspects of the study include the examination of system structural response to varying sizes and densities of hailstones, and the impact on the leading edge structural integrity and on the overall aircraft safety. The simulations are designed to replicate realistic hailstorm scenarios, considering factors such as hailstone velocity, size, and impact angle. Results from the study reveal significant differences in the performance of piccolo-tube anti-icing system under hailstorm conditions. The study assesses the operational limitations and the energy absorption of a business jet anti icing system, providing valuable insights for anti-icing robust design in this category.
Flow Topology Optimization at High Reynolds Numbers Based on Modified Turbulence Models
Authors: Wu Chenyu , Zhang Yufei
Published: June 2024

Flow topology optimization (TopOpt) based on Darcy’s source term is widely used in the field of TopOpt. It has a high degree of freedom, making it suitable for conceptual aerodynamic design. Two problems of TopOpt are addressed in this paper to apply the TopOpt method to high-Reynolds-number turbulent flow that is often encountered in aerodynamic design. First, a strategy for setting Darcy’s source term is proposed based on the relationship between the magnitude of the source term and some characteristic variables of the flow (length scale, freestream velocity, and fluid viscosity). Second, we construct two modified turbulence models, a modified Launder–Sharma k − ϵ (LSKE) model and a modified shear stress transport (SST) model, that consider the influence of Darcy’s source term on turbulence and the wall-distance field. The TopOpt of a low-drag profile in turbulent flow is studied using the modified LSKE model. It is demonstrated by comparing velocity profiles that the model can reflect the influence of solids on turbulence at Reynolds numbers as high as one million. The TopOpt of a rotor-like geometry, which is of great importance in aerodynamic design, is conducted using the modified SST model. In all the cases considered, the drag, the total pressure loss, and the energy dissipation are significantly reduced by TopOpt, indicating the proposed model’s ability to handle the TopOpt of turbulent flow.
Polyphenolic Profiling and Antioxidant Activity in Berry Extracts of Pyracantha Wild Varieties from the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Del Sole Roberta , Montefusco Maria Assunta , Filippini Raffaella , Mergola Lucia
Published: June 2024

Pyracantha is a genus of wild perennial shrubs native in an area extending from Southwest Europe to Southeast Asia, and it is used in traditional medicine for the diuretic, cardiac, and tonic properties of its fruits, which can also be cooked to make jellies, jams, and sauces. This work aims to study and compare the antioxidant activity and the phenolic and anthocyanin composition of three varieties of Pyracantha coccinea: Red Column (PCR), Orange Glow (PCO), and Soleil d’Or (PCS), and one of Pyracantha angustifolia: Orange glow (PAO), collected from the spontaneous flora of the Mediterranean region (Southern Italy). Two different extraction processes were tested using methanol and an aqueous methanol solution (80% MeOH) to evaluate the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of freeze-dried berries. The highest total phenolic content was found in PCR and PAO berries (174.21 ± 0.149 and 168.01 ± 0.691 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry matter, respectively) extracted with an aqueous methanol solution (80% MeOH). Polyphenolic extracts analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS confirmed the presence of rutin, quercetin hexose, neoeriocitrin, procyanidin B, and resveratrol. Moreover, the total antioxidant activity of the berries’ extracts was measured by comparing two different spectrophotometric methods (ABTS and DPPH), showing that the varieties with the highest total phenolic content, PCR and PAO, also had the highest scavenging activity. Finally, a suitable extraction process was chosen for the evaluation of the anthocyanins’ composition of all frozen berries, and in all MS spectra of Pyracantha varieties, two ionic species at 449 m/z attributable to two cyanidin derivatives were found.
Erythroid Differentiation Regulator 1 as a Regulator of Neuronal GSH Synthesis
Authors: Bhadhprasit Wattanaporn , Kinoshita Chisato , Matsumura Nobuko , Aoyama Koji
Published: June 2024

Erythroid differentiation regulator 1 (Erdr1) is a cytokine known to play important roles in cell survival under stressful conditions, maintenance of cellular growth homeostasis, and activation of the immune system. However, the impact of Erdr1 on neurons remains undefined. In this study, we present novel evidence that Erdr1 plays a role in regulating glutathione (GSH) synthesis via glutamate transporter-associated protein 3-18 (GTRAP3-18), an anchor protein in the endoplasmic reticulum that holds excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) in neurons. Both DNA microarray and quantitative real-time PCR analyses revealed an approximately 2-fold increase in Erdr1 levels in the hippocampus of GTRAP3-18-deficient mice compared to those of wild-type mice. Knockdown of Erdr1 in vitro resulted in a decrease in GTRAP3-18 levels, leading to an increase in EAAC1 expression and intracellular GSH levels, and subsequently, cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress. Our findings shed light on the regulatory mechanisms involving Erdr1, GTRAP3-18, EAAC1, and GSH in the context of neuronal defense against oxidative stress. Understanding the intricate interplay among these molecules may pave the way for the development of promising therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.
Mechanisms of Phytoremediation by Resveratrol against Cadmium Toxicity
Authors: Mognetti Barbara , Franco Francesco , Castrignano Chiara , Bovolin Patrizia , Berta Giovanni Nicolao
Published: June 2024

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity poses a significant threat to human health and the environment due to its widespread occurrence and persistence. In recent years, considerable attention has been directed towards exploring natural compounds with potential protective effects against Cd-induced toxicity. Among these compounds, resveratrol (RV) has emerged as a promising candidate, demonstrating a range of beneficial effects attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This literature review systematically evaluates the protective role of RV against Cd toxicity, considering the various mechanisms of action involved. A comprehensive analysis of both in vitro and in vivo studies is conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of RV efficacy in mitigating Cd-induced damage. Additionally, this review highlights the importance of phytoremediation strategies in addressing Cd contamination, emphasizing the potential of RV in enhancing the efficiency of such remediation techniques. Through the integration of diverse research findings, this review underscores the therapeutic potential of RV in combating Cd toxicity and underscores the need for further investigation to elucidate its precise mechanisms of action and optimize its application in environmental and clinical settings.
Research on Feature Fusion Method Based on Graph Convolutional Networks
Authors: Wang Dong , Chen Xuelin
Published: June 2024

This paper proposes an enhanced BertGCN-Fusion (BGF) model aimed at addressing the limitations of Graph Convolutional Networks (GCN) in processing global text features for text categorization tasks. While traditional GCN effectively capture local structural features, they face challenges when integrating global semantic features. Issues such as the potential loss of global semantic information due to local feature fusion and limited depth of information propagation are prevalent. To overcome these challenges, the BGF model introduces improvements based on the BertGCN framework: (1) Feature fusion mechanism: Introducing a linear layer to fuse BERT outputs with traditional features facilitates the integration of fine-grained local semantic features from BERT with traditional global features. (2) Multilayer fusion approach: Employing a multilayer fusion technique enhances the integration of textual semantic features, thereby comprehensively and accurately capturing text semantic information. Experimental results demonstrate that the BGF model achieves notable performance improvements across multiple datasets. On the R8 and R52 datasets, the BGF model achieves accuracies of 98.45% and 93.77%, respectively, marking improvements of 0.28% to 0.90% compared to the BertGCN model. These findings highlight the BGF model’s efficacy in overcoming the deficiencies of traditional GCN in processing global semantic features, presenting an efficient approach for handling text data.
Attention Mechanism-Based Neural Network for Prediction of Battery Cycle Life in the Presence of Missing Data
Authors: Wang Yixing , Jiang Benben
Published: June 2024

As batteries become widespread applications across various domains, the prediction of battery cycle life has attracted increasing attention. However, the intricate internal mechanisms of batteries pose challenges to achieving accurate battery lifetime prediction, and the inherent patterns within temporal data from battery experiments are often elusive. Meanwhile, the commonality of missing data in real-world battery usage further complicates accurate lifetime prediction. To address these issues, this article develops a self-attention-based neural network (NN) to precisely forecast battery cycle life, leveraging an attention mechanism that proficiently manages time-series data without the need for recurrent frameworks and adeptly handles the data-missing scenarios. Furthermore, a two-stage training approach is adopted, where certain network hyperparameters are fine-tuned in a sequential manner to enhance training efficacy. The results show that the proposed self-attention-based NN approach not only achieves superior predictive precision compared with the benchmarks including Elastic Net and CNN-LSTM but also maintains resilience against missing-data scenarios, ensuring reliable battery lifetime predictions. This work highlights the superior performance of utilizing attention mechanism for battery cycle life prognostics.
Ni3S2@NiMo-LDH Composite for Flexible Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: He Qi , Wu Xiang
Published: June 2024

Ni3S2 is a kind of transition metal sulfide (TMD) with excellent electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity. To further enhance the specific capacity of Ni3S2-based supercapacitors, we synthesize several nanosheet-decorated Ni3S2@NiMo-LDH nanostructures by a combination of hydrothermal and electrodeposition processes. The mesoporous structure provides a large number of electroactive sites, which shortens the charge transfer distance and increases the specific surface area of electrode materials. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor shows an energy density of 62.8 W h kg−1 at 2701.6 W kg−1 and long-term cycling stability.
Identifying First-Trimester Risk Factors for SGA-LGA Using Weighted Inheritance Voting Ensemble Learning
Authors: Van Sau Nguyen , Cui Jinhui , Wang Yanling , Jiang Hui , Sha Feng , Li Ye
Published: June 2024

The classification of fetuses as Small for Gestational Age (SGA) and Large for Gestational Age (LGA) is a critical aspect of neonatal health assessment. SGA and LGA, terms used to describe fetal weights that fall below or above the expected weights for Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) fetuses, indicate intrauterine growth restriction and excessive fetal growth, respectively. Early prediction and assessment of latent risk factors associated with these classifications can facilitate timely medical interventions, thereby optimizing the health outcomes for both the infant and the mother. This study aims to leverage first-trimester data to achieve these objectives. This study analyzed data from 7943 pregnant women, including 424 SGA, 928 LGA, and 6591 AGA cases, collected from 2015 to 2021 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China. We propose a novel algorithm, named the Weighted Inheritance Voting Ensemble Learning Algorithm (WIVELA), to predict the classification of fetuses into SGA, LGA, and AGA categories based on biochemical parameters, maternal factors, and morbidity during pregnancy. Additionally, we proposed algorithms for relevance determination based on the classifier to ascertain the importance of features associated with SGA and LGA. The proposed classification solution demonstrated a notable average accuracy rate of 92.12% on 10-fold cross-validation over 100 loops, outperforming five state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, we identified significant latent maternal risk factors directly associated with SGA and LGA conditions, such as weight change during the first trimester, prepregnancy weight, height, age, and obstetric factors like fetal growth restriction and birthing LGA baby. This study also underscored the importance of biomarker features at the end of the first trimester, including HDL, TG, OGTT-1h, OGTT-0h, OGTT-2h, TC, FPG, and LDL, which reflect the status of SGA or LGA fetuses. This study presents innovative solutions for classifying and identifying relevant attributes, offering valuable tools for medical teams in the clinical monitoring of fetuses predisposed to SGA and LGA conditions during the initial stage of pregnancy. These proposed solutions facilitate early intervention in nutritional care and prenatal healthcare, thereby contributing to enhanced strategies for managing the health and well-being of both the fetus and the expectant mother.
Relationship between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Periodontal Disease, and Systemic Inflammation Biomarkers in an Adult Population
Authors: Latorre Uriza Catalina , Roa Nelly S. , Velosa-Porras Juliana , Villamil Poveda Jean Carlos , Otero Liliana , Ruiz Alvaro J. , Escobar Arregoces Francina María
Published: June 2024

A positive relationship has been reported between advanced periodontitis and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurement. The aim of this study was to investigate this relationship with parameters for periodontitis, such as PISA and systemic inflammation biomarkers. An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A blood sample was collected from 75 subjects to analyze glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and cytokine values. Increased cIMT was found in 32% of the patients with fewer teeth. Patients with periodontitis had a larger periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) (p = 0.000) and had a 1.42-times-higher risk of having increased cIMT values compared to periodontally healthy individuals, though without a statistically significant association. Higher values in the left cIMT, IL-8, and TNF-α were found in men than in women with significant differences. In the multivariate analysis involving cytokines, age continues to be linked to increased cIMT values. INF-γ showed a trend towards a protective effect; as the IMT-M decreases, there is an increase in the expression of INF-γ, and a higher proportion of subjects with elevated INF-γ concentrations demonstrated normal IMT-C. This study did not find a statistically significant association between cIMT and periodontal disease, but the risk of having increased cIMT is 1.42-times higher for individuals with periodontitis.
PGC1-Alpha/Sirt3 Signaling Pathway Mediates the Anti-Pulmonary Fibrosis Effect of Hirudin by Inhibiting Fibroblast Senescence
Authors: He Bin , Zeng Qian , Tian Yumei , Luo Yuyang , Liao Minlin , Huang Wenjie , Wu Bin , Luo Ziqiang , Huang Xiaoting , Liu Wei , Tang Siyuan
Published: June 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive fibrotic lung disease for which there is a lack of effective pharmacological treatments. Hirudin, a natural peptide extracted from leeches, has been used for broad pharmacological purposes. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of hirudin on IPF and its related mechanism of action. By constructing a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis and treating it with hirudin in vivo, we found that hirudin exerted anti-fibrotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-fibroblast senescence effects. Moreover, using an in vitro model of stress-induced premature senescence in primary mouse lung fibroblasts and treating with hirudin, we observed inhibition of fibroblast senescence and upregulation of PGC1-alpha and Sirt3 expression. However, specific silencing of PGC1-alpha or Sirt3 suppressed the anti-fibroblast senescence effect of hirudin. Thus, the PGC1-alpha/Sirt3 pathway mediates the anti-fibroblast senescence effect of hirudin, potentially serving as a molecular mechanism underlying its anti-fibrosis and anti-oxidative stress effects exerted on the lungs.
Haemostatic Gene Expression in Cancer-Related Immunothrombosis: Contribution for Venous Thromboembolism and Ovarian Tumour Behaviour
Authors: Tavares Valéria , Savva-Bordalo Joana , Rei Mariana , Liz-Pimenta Joana , Assis Joana , Pereira Deolinda , Medeiros Rui
Published: June 2024

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynaecological malignancy. Identifying new prognostic biomarkers is an important research field. Haemostatic components together with leukocytes can drive cancer progression while increasing the susceptibility to venous thromboembolism (VTE) through immunothrombosis. Unravelling the underlying complex interactions offers the prospect of uncovering relevant OC prognostic biomarkers, predictors of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), and even potential targets for cancer therapy. Thus, this study evaluated the expression of F3, F5, F8, F13A1, TFPI1, and THBD in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) of 52 OC patients. Those with VTE after tumour diagnosis had a worse overall survival (OS) compared to their counterparts (mean OS of 13.8 ± 4.1 months and 47.9 ± 5.7 months, respectively; log-rank test, p = 0.001). Low pre-chemotherapy F3 and F8 expression levels were associated with a higher susceptibility for OC-related VTE after tumour diagnosis (χ2, p < 0.05). Regardless of thrombogenesis, patients with low baseline F8 expression had a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than their counterparts (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.54; p = 0.021). Among those who were not under platelet anti-aggregation therapy, low F8 levels were also associated with a shorter OS (aHR = 6.16; p = 0.006). Moving forward, efforts should focus on external validation in larger cohorts.
FLAIR Hyperintense Cortical Lesions in a 4-Year-Old Child with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG)-Associated Encephalitis and Seizures: A Case Report
Authors: Bernardi Luca , Mussi Nicole , Grandinetti Roberto , Turco Emanuela , Piccolo Benedetta , Ormitti Francesca , Principi Nicola , Esposito Susanna
Published: June 2024

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG-associated disease (MOGAD) is a relatively uncommon autoantibody demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. In recent years, a rare MOGAD subtype characterized by distinct clinical and MRI findings has been described. Seizures and cortical hyperintensities best seen on MRI T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences, associated with headache and cerebral spine fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, are the most important characteristics of this MOGAD entity that is named FLAMES (FLAIR hyperintense cortical lesions in MOG-associated encephalitis with seizures). Because of its rarity and the peculiarities of the brain damage and clinical manifestations, it can be under-recognized and confused with focal viral encephalitis, meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, CNS vasculitis, or mitochondrial cytopathy. We described the case of a 4-year-old previously healthy girl who was admitted for focal-onset, tonic-clonic seizures, fever, and headache, combined with optic neuritis. MRI was characterized by FLAIR imaging showing hyperintense cortical lesions, and a mild leukocytosis in the CSF was detected. Efficacy and rapid response to steroid therapy was observed, and no recurrences of neurological problems or further seizures were reported in the following 12 months. This case report can help in understanding FLAMES characteristics in pediatrics in order to favor early diagnosis and prompt therapy.
Optimizing Newborn Outcomes in Cesarean Sections: A Comparative Analysis of Stress Indicators under General and Spinal Anesthesia
Authors: Uram-Benka Anna , Fabri-Galambos Izabella , Pandurov-Brlić Marina , Rakić Goran , Bošković Nikola , Uram-Dubovski Jasminka , Antić Jelena , Dobrijević Dejan
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: The moment of birth represents a complex physiological process that is followed by adaptive changes in the vital systems of the newborn. Such reactions have their positive but also negative effects. The aim of this research was to determine the difference in laboratory values of stress indicators in newborn children delivered by cesarean section (CS) with general and spinal anesthesia. We attempted to make a recommendation about the optimal type of anesthesia based on our results. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 150 healthy term newborns delivered by urgent or planned CS. Samples for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, triglycerides, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were analyzed. Results: Leukocyte numbers, triglycerides, and blood sugar values were normal for the newborns’ age, with statistically significantly lower values of blood sugar and triglycerides in newborns delivered by CS in spinal anesthesia (p < 0.005) compared to general anesthesia. There were no significant differences in ACTH, cortisol, and IL-6 levels between those newborns delivered via CS after spinal or general anesthesia. Conclusions: In cases where vaginal delivery is not possible, when CS is indicated, the use of well-controlled spinal anesthesia is followed by lower degrees of metabolic, inflammatory, and stress responses and better vitality of the baby upon birth.
The Relevance of β-Thalassemia Heterozygosity in Pediatric Clinical Practice: Croatian Experience
Authors: Dordevic Ana , Ugrin Milena , Sutic Ines Mrakovcic , Roganovic Jelena , Pavlovic Sonja
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: Thalassemia syndromes are common monogenic disorders that represent a significant global health issue. No systematic epidemiological or molecular investigations on thalassemias in the Croatian population have been reported to date. (2) Methods: This prospective study included 70 children with a presumptive diagnosis of thalassemia and their 42 first-degree relatives. Molecular characterization was performed using direct sequencing and gap-PCR methods. (3) Results: We identified 46 (30 children and 16 first-degree relatives) β-thalassemia heterozygous carriers from 24 unrelated families, carrying eight different mutations and one hemoglobin variant. Five variants account for approximately 85% of all affected β-globin alleles: Hb Lepore-Boston-Washington (32.6%), HBB:c.93-21G>A (19.6%), HBB:c.315+1G>A (13.1%), HBB:c.92+1G>A (10.9%), and HBB:c.92+6T>C (8.7%) variants. (4) Conclusions: β-thalassemia carriers need more detailed genetic profiling since genetic modifiers can significantly impact their phenotype. Our study provides important new insights into the relevance of β-thalassemia heterozygosity in pediatric clinical practice.
Examining How Diet and Lifestyle Influence Skin Appearance through a Common Risk Factor: Excess Iron—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Yang Tianshu , Chen Lungchi , Huang Xi
Published: June 2024

In the contemporary era, youthful and healthy skin is a pivotal determinant of beauty. Choices pertaining to one’s dietary and lifestyle practices wield substantial influence over skin health. Currently, the focal point of attention lies in strategies that delay skin aging and maintain skin quality. Remarkably, the skin, the body’s largest organ, serves as the primary defense barrier against external elements. Skin aging encompasses intrinsic and extrinsic categories, both susceptible to genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Given the strides in science and technology, the pursuit of effective and safe interventions for skin aging assumes paramount importance. Thus, this review delves into the intricate relationship between diet, lifestyle, and skin aging, culminating in an exploration of the crucial role played by excess iron in this intricate nexus. Understanding these dynamics holds promise for advancing our knowledge of skincare and the quest for timeless vitality.
Evaluation of Machine Learning Regression Techniques for Estimating Winter Wheat Biomass Using Biophysical, Biochemical, and UAV Multispectral Data
Authors: Chiu Marco Spencer , Wang Jinfei
Published: June 2024

Crop above-ground biomass (AGB) estimation is a critical practice in precision agriculture (PA) and is vital for monitoring crop health and predicting yields. Accurate AGB estimation allows farmers to take timely actions to maximize yields within a given growth season. The objective of this study is to use unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery, along with derived vegetation indices (VI), plant height, leaf area index (LAI), and plant nutrient content ratios, to predict the dry AGB (g/m2) of a winter wheat field in southwestern Ontario, Canada. This study assessed the effectiveness of Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models in predicting dry ABG from 42 variables. The RF models consistently outperformed the SVR models, with the top-performing RF model utilizing 20 selected variables based on their contribution to increasing node purity in the decision trees. This model achieved an R2 of 0.81 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 149.95 g/m2. Notably, the variables in the top-performing model included a combination of MicaSense bands, VIs, nutrient content levels, nutrient content ratios, and plant height. This model significantly outperformed all other RF and SVR models in this study that relied solely on UAV multispectral data or plant leaf nutrient content. The insights gained from this model can enhance the estimation and management of wheat AGB, leading to more effective crop yield predictions and management.
Study on Liquid Hydrogen Leakage and Diffusion Behavior in a Hydrogen Production Station
Authors: Fu Xiang , Li Guodong , Chen Shiyu , Song Chunyan , Xiao Zhili , Luo Hao , Wan Jiaqi , Yang Tianqi , Xu Nianfeng , Xiao Jinsheng
Published: June 2024

Liquid hydrogen storage is an important way of hydrogen storage and transportation, which greatly improves the storage and transportation efficiency due to the high energy density but at the same time brings new safety hazards. In this study, the liquid hydrogen leakage in the storage area of a hydrogen production station is numerically simulated. The effects of ambient wind direction, wind speed, leakage mass flow rate, and the mass fraction of gas phase at the leakage port on the diffusion behavior of the liquid hydrogen leakage were investigated. The results show that the ambient wind direction directly determines the direction of liquid hydrogen leakage diffusion. The wind speed significantly affects the diffusion distance. When the wind speed is 6 m/s, the diffusion distance of the flammable hydrogen cloud reaches 40.08 m, which is 2.63 times that under windless conditions. The liquid hydrogen leakage mass flow rate and the mass fraction of the gas phase have a greater effect on the volume of the flammable hydrogen cloud. As the leakage mass flow rate increased from 5.15 kg/s to 10 kg/s, the flammable hydrogen cloud volume increased from 5734.31 m3 to 10,305.5 m3. The installation of a barrier wall in front of the leakage port can limit the horizontal diffusion of the flammable hydrogen cloud, elevate the diffusion height, and effectively reduce the volume of the flammable hydrogen cloud. This study can provide theoretical support for the construction and operation of hydrogen production stations.
Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Unsupervised Methods for Advanced Saffron Authenticity Screening
Authors: De Angelis Elisabetta , Al-Ayoubi Omar , Pilolli Rosa , Monaci Linda , Bejjani Alice
Published: June 2024

Saffron, renowned for its aroma and flavor, is susceptible to adulteration due to its high value and demand. Current detection methods, including ISO standards, often fail to identify specific adulterants such as safflower or turmeric up to 20% (w/w). Therefore, the quest continues for robust screening methods using advanced techniques to tackle this persistent challenge of safeguarding saffron quality and authenticity. Advanced techniques such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), with its molecular specificity and high sensitivity, offer promising solutions. Samples of pure saffron and saffron adulterated with safflower and turmeric at three inclusion levels (5%, 10%, and 20%) were analyzed without prior treatment. Spectral analysis revealed distinct signatures for pure saffron, safflower, and turmeric. Through principal component analysis (PCA), TOF-SIMS effectively discriminated between pure saffron and saffron adulterated with turmeric and safflower at different inclusion levels. The variation between the groups is attributed to the characteristic peaks of safflower and the amino group peaks and mineral peaks of saffron. Additionally, a study was conducted to demonstrate that semi-quantification of the level of safflower inclusion can be achieved from the normalized values of its characteristic peaks in the saffron matrix.
Brown Seaweed Byproduct Extracts Improve Intestinal Motility and Auto-Inflammation in Mice with Loperamide-Induced Constipation
Authors: Koh Eun-Jeong , Shin Kwang-Soon , Sunwoo In Yung , Kim Junseong , Choi Woon-Yong
Published: June 2024

Sargassum fusiforme and Sargassum fulvellum are types of brown algae used for their nutritional value and medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Despite their importance in various industries, many seaweed byproducts containing dietary fiber and polysaccharides are discarded in landfills. These byproducts can be recycled and repurposed for different applications. In this study, we investigated the impact of S. fusiforme food processing byproducts (MbP-SFF) and S. fulvellum food processing byproducts (MbP-SFV) on improving intestinal motility and reducing inflammation in mice with constipation induced by loperamide. To evaluate this, mice were orally administered 500 mg/kg/day of the byproducts once daily for 8 days. Constipation was induced by 5 mg/kg/day of loperamide for two days after oral administration for 6 days. Each sample contained approximately 70% carbohydrates. MbP-SFF had 52.0% mannuronic acid and 18.8% guluronic acid, while MbP-SFV had 36.9% mannuronic acid and 32.9% guluronic acid. These byproducts enhanced fecal excretion and intestinal motility by modulating inflammatory responses. Furthermore, they restored the balance of the gut microbiota disrupted by loperamide, increasing beneficial Bifidobacterium and reducing harmful Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, MbP-SFF and MbP-SFV improved intestinal motility and inflammation by influencing the gut microbiota and inflammatory responses in a loperamide-induced mouse model. These byproducts show potential as ingredients in functional foods aimed at enhancing gut health, potentially reducing waste disposal costs and addressing environmental concerns associated with their utilization.
Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) Protein Hydrolysate as a New Ingredient of Functional Foods
Authors: Lemus-Conejo Ana , Villanueva-Lazo Alvaro , Martin Maria E. , Millan Francisco , Millan-Linares Maria C.
Published: June 2024

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) is an under-exploited crop with great potential due to its nutritional and medicinal characteristics. A Sacha inchi protein isolate (SII), obtained from defatted Sacha inchi flour (SIF), was hydrolyzed by Bioprotease LA 660 under specific conditions. The hydrolysates were characterized chemically, and their digestibility and antioxidant capacity were evaluated by in vitro cell-free experiments to select the hydrolysate with major antioxidant activity. Sacha inchi protein hydrolysate at 20 min (SIH20B) was selected, and the anti-inflammatory capacity was evaluated by RT-qPCR and ELISA techniques, using two different doses in monocytes THP-1 stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results obtained showed that the in vitro administration of SIH20B down-regulated the TNF-α gene and reduced the release of this cytokine, whereas the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4 were up-regulated in LPS-stimulated monocytes and co-administrated with SIH20B. The peptides contained in SIH20B were identified, and the 20 more relatively abundant peptides with a mass by 1 kDa were subjected to in silico analysis to hypothesize those that could be responsible for the bioactivity reported in the hydrolysate. From the identified peptides, the peptides AAGALKKFL and LGVKFKGGL, among others, are proposed as the most biologically actives. In conclusion, SIH20B is a novel, natural source of high-value-added biopeptides that could be used as an ingredient in formulations of food or nutraceutical compounds.
Lactobacillus brevis M2-Fermented Whey Protein Hydrolysate Increases Slow-Wave Sleep via GABAA Receptors in Rodent Models
Authors: Lee Hyowon , Kim Hyeongyeong , Chang Yeok Boo , Han Kisoo , Choi Hyeon-Son , Han Sung Hee , Suh Hyung Joo
Published: June 2024

In this study, we investigated the effects of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) fermented with Lactobacillus brevis on sleep behavior and GABAergic mechanisms in rodent models. Fermentation converted the glutamate in WPH to high (3.15 ± 0.21 mg/mL) levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Fermented WPH (WP-SF) enhanced sleep duration in mice by increasing GABA content in the brain. The increase in sleep duration induced by WP-SF resulted from an increase in delta wave activity during non-rapid eye movement sleep, and its sleep-promoting effect in a caffeine-induced insomnia model was characterized by an increase in delta waves. WP-SF increased GABAergic receptors at both mRNA and protein levels. Cotreatment with GABAA receptor antagonists abolished the sleep-promoting effects of WP-SF, indicating that WP-SF shares binding sites with antagonists on GABAA receptors. Collectively, WP-SF effectively increased sleep duration by enhancing delta wave activity through GABAergic activation; thus, it is suggested as a functional food-grade ingredient for promoting sleep.
Consumer Response to Novel Foods: A Review of Behavioral Barriers and Drivers
Authors: Günden Cihat , Atakan Pelin , Yercan Murat , Mattas Konstadinos , Knez Marija
Published: June 2024

There is a pressing need for a transition toward more sustainable diets, which has become a shared priority for both consumers and businesses. Innovation is becoming increasingly widespread across all facets of the food supply chain. This innovation spans various domains related to production, including sustainable cultivation methods as well as new food technologies like gene editing, new product development like functional foods, and revitalizing underutilized and genetically diverse varieties to preserve biodiversity. However, not all innovative efforts are accepted by consumers and survive in markets. The interwoven and long agri-food supply chains often obscure the feedback loop between production and consumption. Consequently, it is important to understand to what extent consumers embrace these food innovations and form new eating habits. This review aims to investigate the consumer response to novel foods, focusing on behavioral factors, which have yet to receive as much attention as sensory factors. Peer-reviewed empirical articles from the last decade are examined inductively to develop a bird’s-eye view of the behavioral barriers to and drivers of consumer acceptance of novel foods. In addition, strategies to overcome the identified challenges associated with the behavioral barriers are reviewed and examined. Based on this, the study links cognitive biases with behavioral factors influencing consumer acceptance of novel foods. This study concludes that the inconvenience associated with abandoning established eating habits is typically perceived as a loss, and avoiding this inconvenience is deemed more worth the risk than the potential gains associated with novel food consumption. This study suggests that framing and placing pro-diversity labels could serve as effective behavioral interventions for marketing strategists and food policymakers.