bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Lactobacillus Starter Cultures in Fermented Camel Milk: Effects on Viability, Antioxidant Properties, and Sensory Characteristics
Authors: Shori Amal Bakr
Published: November 2024

This research evaluated the impact of Lactobacillus starter cultures on post-acidification, viable cell counts (VCC), antioxidant activities (such as DPPH radical scavenging, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Ferrous Ion Chelating (FIC) activity), and sensory attributes of fermented camel milk (FCM) over a 21-day period at 4 °C. FCM was prepared with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis (control), as well as with three different Lactobacillus starter cultures individually: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, in co-cultures with S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis. The findings indicated that FCM with L. rhamnosus experienced the most significant pH decrease (p < 0.05) throughout the storage period. L. plantarum-FCM maintained the highest VCC (p < 0.05) compared with the other samples. Additionally, all three Lactobacillus strains showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP compared with the control by the end of the storage. However, L. casei exhibited the greatest FIC activity. Among the samples, L. plantarum was rated highest in taste, flavor, and overall preference. In conclusion, the incorporation of these Lactobacillus strains into camel milk during fermentation improved bacterial viability, enhanced antioxidant properties, and boosted sensory qualities, especially for flavor and texture, positioning it as a promising functional food product.
A Structural Equation Model for Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the Food Industry
Authors: Mastos Theofilos D. , Gotzamani Katerina , Ieromonachou Petros , Tsiotras George
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a model designed to measure and investigate the relationships between critical factors, practices, and performance of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the food industry. A survey of 423 firms in the Greek food industry was conducted to meet these objectives. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, to explore the relationships between the model’s constructs. The results indicate that “firm-level critical sustainability factors” and “supply chain critical sustainability factors” significantly enhance “supply chain collaboration” and “supply chain strategic orientation”. Additionally, “supply chain strategic orientation” positively influences “social performance” and “environmental performance”, while “supply chain collaboration” positively affects “economic performance” and “environmental performance”. Furthermore, “social performance” is found to have a significant positive impact on “economic performance”. This study provides empirical evidence that helps managers understand the importance of the relationships among SSCM critical factors, SSCM practices, and SSCM performance, and enables them to allocate resources effectively and design SSCM strategies. Finally, the developed constructs offer a measurement tool useful for both practitioners implementing SSCM in their firms and researchers who wish to apply or test the proposed scales in other projects or use them as benchmarks.
Valorization of Fruit By-Products Through Lactic Acid Fermentation for Innovative Beverage Formulation: Microbiological and Physiochemical Effects
Authors: Chiarini Elisabetta , Alessandria Valentina , Buzzanca Davide , Giordano Manuela , Seif Zadeh Negin , Mancuso Francesco , Zeppa Giuseppe
Published: November 2024

The increase in food production is accompanied by an increase in waste, particularly agricultural by-products from cultivation and processing. These residues are referred to as agricultural by-products. To address this issue, biotechnological processes can be used to create new applications for these by-products. This study explored the use of LAB strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum) on by-products such as white grape pomace, cocoa bean shells, apple pomace, and defatted roasted hazelnut to develop yoghurt-style fruit beverages. Microbial load and pH changes were monitored during a 24 h fermentation and 14-day shelf life at 5 °C. Concentrations of sugars, organic acids, and volatile organic compounds were also analyzed using HPLC and GC-qMS. The results showed that optimizing the matrix led to significant bacterial growth, with viable microbes remaining under refrigeration. In particular, the strain of L. plantarum tested on the cocoa bean shell yielded the most promising results. After 24 h of fermentation, the strain reached a charge of 9.3 Log CFU/mL, acidifying the substrate to 3.9 and producing 19.00 g/100 g of lactic acid. Aromatic compounds were produced in all trials, without off-flavours, and characteristic fermented food flavours developed. Additionally, secondary metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria may enhance the health benefits of these beverages.
Development and Validation of a Novel Gas-Washing Bottle Incubation System (GBIS) for Monitoring Microbial Growth in Liquid Media Under Well-Controlled Modified Atmosphere Conditions
Authors: Oguz Seren , Bonanni Eleonora , Kuuliala Lotta , Somrani Mariem , Devlieghere Frank
Published: November 2024

The transition towards more sustainable packaging calls for improving our ability to predict, control, and inhibit microbial growth. Despite the importance of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in food preservation, the exact relations between MAP gases (CO2, O2, N2) and microbial behavior are still poorly understood. Addressing this major knowledge gap requires a specific infrastructure to gain precise control over the gas composition during storage time. Thus, this study aimed at developing and validating an innovative gas-washing bottle incubation system (GBIS) with an adapted pH methodology for monitoring microbial growth in liquid media under different well-controlled conditions. Listeria monocytogenes—a psychrotrophic pathogen raising severe safety concerns under refrigerated conditions—was used as a representative microorganism. The results showed that daily gas flushing effectively dominated overnight headspace variations, allowing incubating L. monocytogenes and daily sampling for 13 days under static conditions. Subsequently, storage experiments were performed at 4 °C under stable pH and anaerobic conditions with different CO2 levels (20–40–60%). Significant growth reduction was observed from 6.0 to 4.8 log CFU/mL as CO2 increased from 20% (pH = 6.7) to 60% (pH = 6.2) (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, GBIS shows great potential in data collection for predictive modeling and, consecutively, for boosting decision-making in the food packaging sector.
Drying of Saffron Petals as a Critical Step for the Stabilization of This Floral Residue Prior to Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Criado-Navarro Inmaculada , Barba-Palomeque Francisco , Pérez-Juan Pedro , Ledesma-Escobar Carlos A. , Priego-Capote Feliciano
Published: November 2024

Saffron petals represent floral biomass generally wasted due to rapid deterioration. Previous characterization studies have revealed the presence of bioactive compounds in petals, such as flavonols and anthocyanins. Petal stabilization is a challenge for the efficient isolation of these compounds. This research evaluated three different drying techniques before the solid–liquid extraction of bioactive compounds: oven-drying (40 and 60 °C), lyophilization, and vacuum evaporation (25 and 50 °C). The characterization of the extracts allowed the annotation of 22 metabolites with a quantitative predominance of anthocyanins and derivatives of kaempferol and quercetin. Oven-drying at 60 °C was the most suitable approach for extracting minor compounds, such as crocins and safranal, at concentrations below 1 mg/g dry weight. Vacuum evaporation (50 °C) and lyophilization were the most recommended strategies for efficiently isolating flavonoids. Therefore, drying saffron petals is crucial to ensure the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds.
On Riemann–Liouville Integral via Strongly Modified (h,m)-Convex Functions
Authors: Koam Ali N. A. , Nosheen Ammara , Khan Khuram Ali , Bukhari Mudassir Hussain , Ahmad Ali , Alatawi Maryam Salem
Published: November 2024

The generalization of strongly convex and strongly m-convex functions is presented in this paper. We began by proving the properties of a strongly modified (h,m)-convex function. The Schur inequality and the Hermite–Hadamard (H-H) inequalities are proved for the proposed class. Moreover, H-H inequalities are also proved in the context of Riemann–Liouville (R-L) integrals. Some examples and graphs are also presented in order to show the existence of this newly defined class.
Analysis of Time-Fractional Delay Partial Differential Equations Using a Local Radial Basis Function Method
Authors: Kamran  , Athar Kalsoom , Khan Zareen A. , Haque Salma , Mlaiki Nabil
Published: November 2024

Delay partial differential equations have significant applications in numerous fields, such as population dynamics, control systems, neuroscience, and epidemiology, where they are required to efficiently model the effects of past states on current system behavior. This work presents an RBF-based localized meshless method for the numerical solution of delay partial differential equations. In the suggested numerical scheme, the localized meshless method is combined with the Laplace transform. The main attractive features of the localized meshless method are its simplicity, adaptability, and ease of implementation for complex problems defined on complex shaped domains. In a localized meshless scheme, a linear system of equations is solved. The Laplace transform, which is one of the most powerful techniques for solving integer- and non-integer-order problems, is used to represent the desired solution as a contour integral in the complex plane, known as the Bromwich integral. However, the analytic inversion of contour integral becomes very laborious in many situations. Therefore, a contour integration method is utilized to numerically approximate the Bromwich integral. The aim of utilizing the Laplace transform is to handle the costly convolution integral associated with the Caputo derivative and to avoid the effects of time-stepping techniques on the stability and accuracy of the numerical solution. We also discuss the convergence and stability of the suggested scheme. Furthermore, the existence and uniqueness of the solution for the considered model are studied. The efficiency, efficacy, and accuracy of the proposed numerical scheme have been demonstrated through numerical experiments on various problems.
MIR27A rs895819 CC Genotype Severely Reduces miR-27a Plasma Expression Levels
Authors: Ragia Georgia , Pallikarou Myria , Michou Chrysoula , Manolopoulos Vangelis G.
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: MIR27A rs895819 polymorphism has emerged as a potential additional pharmacogenomic marker of fluoropyrimidine response. Current evidence on its potential effect on miR-27a expression, which represses DPD activity, leading to DPD deficiency and increased fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity risk, is scarce and inconsistent. We have analyzed the effect of MIR27A rs895819 polymorphism on miR-27a-3p plasma expression levels under different models of inheritance to contribute further evidence on its plausible biological role in miR-27a expression. Methods: A total of 59 individuals with no medical history of cancer were included in this study. MIR27A rs895819 genotyping and miR-27a-3p expression were analyzed by using predesigned TaqMan assays. Results: The frequency of TT, TC, and CC genotypes was present at a prevalence of 50.8%, 44.1%, and 5.1%, respectively. Individuals carrying the CC genotype presented with decreased miR-27a-3p expression (0.422 fold-change versus TT, p = 0.041; 0.461 fold-change versus TC, p = 0.064), whereas no differences were present between TT and TC individuals (1.092 fold-change, p = 0.718). miR-27a-3p expression was decreased in CC individuals under a recessive model of inheritance (0.440 fold-change, p = 0.047). No differences were found in dominant (TT vs. TC+CC, 0.845 fold-change, p = 0.471) or over dominant (TT+CC vs. TC, 0.990 fold-change, p = 0.996) models of inheritance. Conclusions: MIR27A rs895819CC genotype leads to severely reduced miR-27a-3p expression in plasma. Further study of this association is warranted in cancer patients to apply MIR27A genotyping in therapeutics to identify fluoropyrimidine-treated patients who are at a decreased risk of experiencing fluoropyrimidine-induced severe toxicity.
Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Rice Germplasm Innovation and Genetic Improvement
Authors: Chen Jijin , Miao Zhening , Kong Deyan , Zhang Anning , Wang Feiming , Liu Guolan , Yu Xinqiao , Luo Lijun , Liu Yi
Published: November 2024

Improving the efficiency of germplasm innovation has always been the aim of rice breeders. Traditional hybrid breeding methods for variety selection rarely meet the practical needs of rice production. The emergence of genome-editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, provides a new approach to the genetic improvement of crops such as rice. The number of published scientific papers related to “gene editing” and “CRISPR/Cas9” retrievable on websites both from China and other countries exhibited an increasing trend, year by year, from 2014 to 2023. Research related to gene editing in rice accounts for 33.4% and 12.3% of all the literature on gene editing published in China and other countries, respectively, much higher than that on maize and wheat. This article reviews recent research on CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in rice, especially germplasm innovation and genetic improvement of commercially promoted varieties with improved traits such as disease, insect, and herbicide resistance, salt tolerance, quality, nutrition, and safety. The aim is to provide a reference for the precise and efficient development of new rice cultivars that meet market demand.
Genome Insights and Identification of Sex Determination Region and Sex Markers in Argyrosomus japonicus
Authors: Liu Yike , Li Wanbo , Yekefenhazi Dinaer , Yang Xianfeng , Zhu Qihui , Ye Kun , Han Fang , Xu Dongdong
Published: November 2024

Background: Argyrosomus japonicus, a member of the Sciaenidae family, is widely distributed across the sea areas near China, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. The aim of this study is to provide a high-quality genome with new technology and to understand the sex determination mechanism of this species. Methods: We generated a high-quality chromosome-level genome for Argyrosomus japonicus using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing technologies. To map the sex determination region, we employed re-sequencing data from 38 A. japonicus and conducted genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on sex phenotypes. Results: Utilizing Hifiasm, we assembled a 708.8 Mb genome with a contig N50 length of 30 Mb. Based on Hi-C data, these contigs were organized into 24 chromosomes. The completeness of the assembly was assessed to be 99% using BUSCO, and over 98% according to Merqury. We identified a total of 174.57 Mb of repetitive elements and annotated 24,726 protein-coding genes in the genome. We mapped a 2.8 Mb sex determination region on chromosome 9, within which we found two sex-linked markers. Furthermore, we confirmed that the XX-XY sex determination system is adopted in A. japonicus. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide significant insights into genetic breeding, genome evolution research, and sex control breeding in A. japonicus.
Development of a Standard Tool of Pattern Identification for Functional Dyspepsia: A Cross-Sectional Study from Korea
Authors: Ha Na-Yeon , Ko Seok-Jae , Park Jae-Woo , Kim Jinsung
Published: November 2024

Background/objective: The diagnosis and treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) require a systematic and tailored approach. In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), pattern-identification tools help analyze clinical information and guide treatment. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the standard tool of pattern identification for functional dyspepsia (STPI-FD) and subsequently assess its reliability and validity. Methods: Common patterns and symptoms were identified through a systematic review of the clinical studies conducted in Korea and China. An importance survey for each pattern and symptom was conducted using the Delphi method and refined through expert consensus. A draft STPI-FD comprising six patterns and 38 items was developed. Ninety-five patients with FD completed the STPI-FD along with the Visual Analog Scale, Total Dyspepsia Symptom scale, Single Dyspepsia Symptom scale, and Functional Dyspepsia-related Quality of Life questionnaire. Results: Two items were excluded from the STPI-FD due to their negative impact on reliability, resulting in a 36-item tool. The revised STPI-FD demonstrated high internal consistency, with an overall Cronbach’s alpha of 0.942. In contrast, the Cronbach’s alpha values for each pattern ranged from 0.7 to 0.9. To assess its validity, significant differences in the pattern characteristics and associated symptoms were confirmed, indicating its clinical relevance. Statistically significant positive correlations between the revised STPI-FD and other dyspepsia-related scales underscore the differentiation between patterns. Conclusion: The final STPI-FD is a moderately reliable and valid tool for diagnosing specific patterns in FD, supporting the selection of interventions and the evaluation of symptom improvement in patients treated with TKM.
Intergeneric Transfer of Simple Sequence Repeat Molecular Markers for the Study of Chaenomeles as Fruit Crop Breeding Material
Authors: Lācis Gunārs , Kārkliņa Katrīna , Bartulsons Toms , Kaufmane Edīte
Published: November 2024

The genus Chaenomeles, part of the subfamily Maloideae within the Rosaceae family, comprises five recognized species and has long been valued for its ornamental qualities. However, the use of Chaenomeles japonica as a fruit crop is relatively recent, with its introduction into targeted breeding activities only occurring in the 1950s. Due to this, genetic information on the genus remains limited, and the application of molecular markers in crop breeding and further development have been narrow, relying primarily on non-specific marker applications in germplasm analysis. One potential solution is the transfer of molecular markers between genera, specifically from the related Maloideae genera. This study aimed to test the transferability of SSR markers developed for Malus to Chaenomeles, and to analyze the structure of available Chaenomeles germplasm. By including 74 Chaenomeles genotypes, 95 SSR markers originally developed for Malus were tested, with 25 proving effective for characterizing Chaenomeles germplasm. These adapted SSR markers successfully differentiated among Chaenomeles species, including Chaenomeles japonica, Chaenomeles speciosa, Chaenomeles cathayensis, and hybrids like Chaenomeles × superba and Chaenomeles × californica. The markers demonstrated high stability and repeatability, indicating their suitability for large-scale genetic research, species composition assessment, and breeding material evaluation. Given the limited studies on SSR markers in Chaenomeles, this research lays the foundation for further exploration, potentially expanding into the genetic diversity assessment and trait screening for breeding. As genetic research on Chaenomeles is still in its early stages, the development of additional markers will be crucial for advancing this crop.
The Transcription Factor BrNAC19 Acts as a Positive Regulator of the Heat Stress Response in Chinese Cabbage
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Yong Xiaoping , Lu Yuxin , Lei Yuxin , Li Weijian , Shi Qiuli , Yao Xiuhong
Published: November 2024

The frequent occurrence of excessive heat events driven by global warming poses a great threat to plant growth and food security. To survive in heat stress (HS) environments, plants have evolved sophisticated response mechanisms, and the transcriptional network that controls the expression levels of HS-inducible genes serves as an essential component of this process. NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors (TFs) play key regulatory roles in the abiotic stress responses of plants. However, the functional roles of NAC TFs in the heat stress response of Chinese cabbage remain elusive. In the present study, we identified the Brassica rapa NAC family transcription factor BrNAC19 as a close homologue of Arabidopsis NAC019 and found that it serves as a positive regulator of the HS response. BrNAC19 displayed inducible gene expression in response to HS, and its subcellular localization showed that it was localized in the nucleus. Heterologous expression of BrNAC19 significantly enhanced the heat tolerance of plants and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under HS conditions. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that BrNAC19 directly targeted and promoted the expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (CSD1) and catalase 2 (CAT2), two antioxidant-enzyme coding genes in Chinese cabbage. Altogether, our results suggest that BrNAC19 enhances heat stress tolerance by positively regulating the expression of genes involved in the HS response and ROS scavenging and exhibits potential as a target gene in Chinese cabbage breeding to increase heat stress tolerance.
Identification and Analysis of the Content of Biologically Active Substances of Juniper Cone Berries and Their Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Hrytsyna Myroslava , Salamon Ivan , Peleno Ruslan , Vargova Vladimira
Published: November 2024

Juniper cones are widely used in the food industry and medicine. The aim of this study was to identify juniper growth sites with the highest concentrations of carbohydrates, fats, organic acids and phenols in their cone berries, as well as to assess their antioxidant properties. Research was conducted on 23 different populations from Slovakia, along with fruits purchased from commercial sources in Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. The content of fermentable sugars in industrial samples was higher in Juniperus communis than in J. oxycedrus (360 and 197 g/kg, respectively), and 20% higher in samples from Albania than those from Slovakia. The carbohydrates included glucose and fructose; the latter was 35% less. We selected groups based on a cluster analysis of the content of organic substances in juniper cone berries and their antioxidant activity, collected from different Slovakian populations. So, based on the conducted research, it was established that the content of organic substances, particularly sugars, in cone berries decreased with elevation in the mountains and was the best at medium altitudes. At the same time, the antioxidant effect was better in cone berries collected on the north side at all altitudes. The best in terms of the content of phenols and antioxidant activity were the populations located on the northern, rather steep slopes in the lowlands of the Slovak Carpathians. These indicators fell with the increase in altitude in the mountains, especially from the southern side. The best places to collect raw materials are populations from middle latitudes: Chhrámec, Teplá dolina, lokalita 1, Horné lazy, Iliaš, Priechod-South, Priechod-West, Spišsky hrad, Selčianske sedlo, Cerovo, Poprad, Kišovce–Hôrka, Ostrá hora, Teplá dolina 2, Kráľová 2, and Kráľová 1. The cone berries can be used as the raw material base for producing the Slovak national alcoholic drink “Borovichka”.
The Antioxidant Profile of Some Species of Microgreens Cultivated on Hemp and Coconut Substrate Under the Action of a Biostimulator Based on Humic Acids
Authors: Marta Alina Elena , Stoica Florina , Ostaci Ștefănica , Jităreanu Carmenica Doina
Published: November 2024

Microplants are vegetables, grains and aromatic herbs that are consumed in the stage of young plants, without roots, developed after the germination stage, in the stage of cotyledons and which have a high content of nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, lutein, β-carotene, proteins and fibers, etc.), which makes them functional, concentrated foods capable of feeding the world’s ever-growing population. The significant amounts of antioxidants in microgreens have the role of neutralizing free radicals and reducing their harmful impact on human health. The microgreens studied were spinach (Spinacia oleracea) cultivar ‘Lorelay’, mustard (Sinapis alba) cultivar ‘White’ and radish (Raphanus sativus) cultivar ‘Red Rambo’, tested on hemp and coconut substrates and under the influence of the organic biostimulator Biohumussol, based on humic acids. The antioxidant content of the plants was determined by analyzing total carotenoids, lycopene, chlorophyll, β-carotene, polyphenols and flavonoids, as well as the antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH methods. The obtained results indicated that the reaction of the plant material depends on the composition of the substrate and the presence of the applied biostimulator. The highest contents of substances with an antioxidant role were obtained from the microgreens on the hemp substrate, especially mustard and radishes, and the biostimulator proved to be compatible with the spinach microgreens.
Influence of Nb Content on Structure and Functional Properties of Novel Multicomponent Nb–Ni–Ti–Zr–Co Alloy for Hydrogen Separation Membrane Application
Authors: Kashkarov Egor B. , Svyatkin Leonid A. , Gusev Kirill S. , Ognev Sergey S. , Koptsev Maksim , Terenteva Daria V. , Murashkina Tatyana L. , Lider Andrey M.
Published: November 2024

Novel multicomponent Nb–Ni–Ti–Zr–Co alloys with 20–55 at.% Nb were synthesized from metal powders by arc melting. The resulting alloys consist primarily of Nb-rich and eutectic body-centered (BCC) phases. The content of the eutectic BCC phase is highest for an equimolar composition, while the content of the Nb-rich BCC phase increases with Nb content in the alloy. The content of secondary phases is the highest for the alloy with 32 at.% Nb. According to ab initio calculations, hydrogen occupies tetrahedral interstitial sites in the Nb-rich phase and octahedral sites in the eutectic BCC phase. For different Nb concentrations, hydrogen-binding energies were calculated. An increase in the Nb-rich phase leads to softening of multicomponent alloys. The alloys with 20 and 32 at.% Nb demonstrate high hydrogen permeability (1.05 and 0.96 × 10−8 molH2m−1s−1Pa−0.5, respectively) at 400 °C, making them promising for hydrogen purification membrane application. Multicomponent alloys with a high Nb content (55 at.%) have low resistance to hydrogen embrittlement.
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Hospitalizations Due to Primary Care–Sensitive Conditions Related to Diabetes Mellitus in a State in the Northeast of Brazil
Authors: Mendes Júnior Afonso Abreu , de Sousa Álvaro Francisco Lopes , Santos Guilherme Reis de Santana , Lima Shirley Verônica Melo Almeida , dos Santos Allan Dantas , Almeida Valdemar Silva , dos Santos Ernanes Menezes , Oliveira Maria Idelcacia Nunes , Góis José Cleyton Santana , Souza Regina Cláudia Silva , Carneiro Liliane Moretti , de Oliveira Maria do Carmo , Camargo Emerson Lucas Silva , Ribeiro Caíque Jordan Nunes
Published: November 2024

Hospitalizations due to primary care–sensitive conditions (PCSCs) can be considered a proxy for the effectiveness of primary healthcare (PHC), especially diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to analyze the temporal, spatial, and space–time patterns of PCSCs associated with DM in a state in Northeast Brazil from 2008 to 2022. An ecological and time–series study that included all records related to PCSCs–DM from the 75 municipalities of Sergipe was conducted. Segmented linear regression, global (I) and local (LISA) Moran indices, spatial scanning, Spearman correlation tests, bivariate I, and LISA were used in our analysis to examine the temporal trends and clusters of high spatial risk. Overall, 14,390 PCSCs–DM were recorded between 2008 and 2022. There was a higher prevalence of PCSCs–DM among women (53.75%) and individuals over 70 years old (57.60%). Temporal trends in PCSCs–DM were increasing with regard to the overall rate (AAPC: 2.39); males (AAPC: 3.15); age groups ≤ 19 years (AAPC: 6.13), 20–39 years (AAPC: 4.50), and 40–59 years (AAPC: 2.56); and 3 out of the 7 health regions. There was a positive spatial correlation between per capita income (I = −0.23; p = 0.004) and diabetic foot examination being performed by a nurse in a PHC (I = −0.18; p = 0.019) setting. The heterogeneous spatial distribution of DM hospitalizations demonstrated that this condition is a persistent public health problem in Sergipe.
Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Infertility Among US Reproductive-Aged Women
Authors: Martinez Valerie , Yen Irene H. , Alvarez Camila , Williams Andrew D. , Ha Sandie
Published: November 2024

Environmental chemical exposure has been rising over the past few decades but its impact on fertility remains uncertain. We assessed exposures to 23 common chemicals across a range of sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship with self-reported infertility. The analytic sample was non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years without a history of hysterectomy or oophorectomy (n = 2579) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2016). Environmental chemical exposure was assessed with biospecimens and dichotomized as high and low levels of exposure based on the median. Logistic regression models estimated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between high levels of exposure and infertility, adjusted for age, race, education level, family income, and smoking status. We observed associations between infertility and cadmium [aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02–3.47] and arsenic [aOR: 1.88 (1.05–3.36)]. Two pesticides hexachlorobenzene [OR: 2.04 (1.05–3.98)] and oxychlordane [OR: 2.04 (1.12–3.69)] were also associated with infertility in unadjusted analyses. There were negative associations with two Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with n-perfluorooctanoic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.30–0.86)] and n-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.26–0.97). Specific chemicals may contribute to infertility risk, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate exposure.
Changes in Availability and Affordability on the University Food Environment: The Potential Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Perez Patrícia Maria Périco , José Maria Eduarda Ribeiro , da Silva Isabella Fideles , Mazzonetto Ana Cláudia , Canella Daniela Silva
Published: November 2024

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the eating habits of the general population, among other reasons, because it has affected access to commercial establishments since some of them closed. This study aimed to describe potential changes that occurred between 2019 and 2022 in the availability and affordability of food and beverages in the food environment of a Brazilian public university. Methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted at a public university located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Audits were carried out in all establishments selling food and beverages at the university’s main campus in 2019 and 2022. Descriptive analysis with frequencies and means was carried out and the 95% confidence intervals were compared. Results: Over the period, there was a decrease in the on-campus number of establishments, dropping from 20 to 14, and ultra-processed foods became more prevalent. In general, the decrease in the number of establishments led to a reduction in the supply of fresh or minimally processed foods and beverages, and higher average prices were noted. Conclusions: The pandemic seems to have deteriorated the availability and the prices of healthy food in the university food environment, making healthy choices harder for students and the university community.
Auditing Flood Vulnerability Geo-Intelligence Workflow for Biases
Authors: Masinde Brian , Gevaert Caroline , Nagenborg Michael , van den Homberg Marc , Margutti Jacopo , Gortzak Inez , Zevenbergen Jaap
Published: November 2024

Geodata, geographical information science (GISc), and GeoAI (geo-intelligence workflows) play an increasingly important role in predictive disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), aiding decision-makers in determining where and when to allocate resources. There have been discussions on the ethical pitfalls of these predictive systems in the context of DRRM because of the documented cases of biases in AI systems in other socio-technical systems. However, none of the discussions expound on how to audit geo-intelligence workflows for biases from data collection, processing, and model development. This paper considers a case study that uses AI to characterize housing stock vulnerability to flooding in Karonga district, Malawi. We use Friedman and Nissenbaum’s definition and categorization of biases that emphasize biases as a negative and undesirable outcome. We limit the scope of the audit to biases that affect the visibility of different housing typologies in the workflow. The results show how AI introduces and amplifies these biases against houses of certain materials. Hence, a group within the population in the area living in these houses would potentially miss out on DRRM interventions. Based on this example, we urge the community of researchers and practitioners to normalize the auditing of geo-intelligence workflows to prevent information disasters from biases.
BMAL1—Potential Player of Aberrant Stress Response in Q31L Mice Model of Affective Disorders: Pilot Results
Authors: Smirnova Kristina , Amstislavskaya Tamara , Smirnova Liudmila
Published: November 2024

Dysregulation in the stress-response system as a result of genetical mutation can provoke the manifestation of affective disorders under stress conditions. Mutations in the human DISC1 gene is one of the main risk factors of affective disorders. It was known that DISC1 regulates a large number of proteins including BMAL1, which is involved in the regulation of glucocorticoid synthesis in the adrenal glands and the sensitivity of glucocorticoid receptor target genes. Male mice with a point mutation Q31L in the Disc1 gene were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), after which the behavioral and physiological stress response assessed. To assess whether there were any changes in BMAL1 in key brain regions involved in the stress response, immunohistochemistry was applied. It was shown that the Q31L mice had an aberrant behavioral response, especially to the 2 weeks of CUS, which was expressed in unchanged motor activity, increased time of social interaction, and alterations in anxiety and fear-related behavior. Q31L males did not show an increase in blood corticosterone levels after CUS and a decrease in body weight. Immunohistochemical analysis in intact Q31L mice revealed a decrease in BMAL1 immunofluorescence in the CA1 hippocampal area and lateral habenula. Thus, the Q31L mutation of the Disc1 gene disrupts behavioral and physiological stress response and the BMAL1 dysregulation may underlie it, so this protein can act as a molecular target for the treatment of affective disorders.
Multi-Spectroscopic and Molecular Modeling Studies of Interactions Between Anionic Porphyrin and Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Strózik Tadeusz , Wolszczak Marian , Hilczer Maria , Pawlak Magdalena , Wasiak Tomasz , Wardęga Piotr , Ionov Maksim , Bryszewska Maria
Published: November 2024

The subject of this study is the interaction between 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl)–porphyrin (TSPP), a potential photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and radiotherapy, and human serum albumin (HSA), a crucial protein in the body. The main objective was to investigate the binding mechanisms, structural changes, and potential implications of these interactions for drug delivery and therapeutic applications. Spectroscopic techniques and computational methods were employed to investigate the mechanism and effects of TSPP binding by HSA. The results suggest the possibility of simultaneous binding of three TSPP ions at binding sites of different affinity within albumin. The estimated values of the binding constant Kb for these sites were in the range of 0.6 to 6.6 μM−1. Laser flash photolysis indicated the stabilization of TSPP in the HSA structure, which resulted in prolonged lifetimes of the excited states (singlet and triplet) of porphyrin. Circular dichroism analysis was used to assess the changes in the secondary and tertiary structures of HSA upon TSPP binding. An analysis of the molecular docking results allowed us to identify the preferred TSPP binding sites within HSA and provided information on the specific interactions of amino acids involved in the stabilization of TSPP–HSA complexes. The estimated free energy of the binding of porphyrin at the three most favorable docking sites found in the HSA structure that was considered native were in the range of −80 to −41 kcal/mol. Finally, thermal unfolding studies showed that TSPP increased the stability of the secondary structure of albumin. All these findings contribute to the understanding of the interactions between TSPP and HSA, offering valuable insights for the development of novel cancer therapy approaches.
Effect of Pre-Sowing Seed Stimulation on Maize Seedling Vigour
Authors: Pipiak Paulina , Sieczyńska Katarzyna , Gendaszewska Dorota , Skwarek-Fadecka Monika
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of treating maize (Zea mays L.) seeds with fish collagen hydrolysate (FC) and keratin (KE) derived from animal waste by-products of leather and meat production, as well as poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (P) and bentonite (B). This research is in line with the search for new, environmentally friendly methods to increase yields of industrial crops in a way that is compatible with sustainable development. The effect of the binders used was investigated by analysing the grown maize seedlings by determining changes in parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, elemental composition and FTIR analysis on maize shoots. The results indicated a slightly higher fresh weight (FW) of shoots in plants treated with fish collagen, PHMB and bentonite (FC+P+B) and FW of roots in plants treated with keratin, PHMB and bentonite (KE+P+B). Unexpectedly, the FW and dry weight (DW) of both roots and shoots of all bentonite-treated plants were significantly higher than the corresponding non-bentonite-treated groups. In addition, changes in chlorophyll-a fluorescence were observed for the keratin, PHMB and bentonite variants. This study showed that the proposed materials could be promising seed pelleting agents to improve seed growth and yield.
The Activation of p300 Enhances the Sensitivity of Pituitary Adenomas to Dopamine Agonist Treatment by Regulating the Transcription of DRD2
Authors: Li Sihan , Li Xingbo , Wang Quanji , Jiang Qian , Wang Zihan , Xu Linpeng , Huang Yimin , Lei Ting
Published: November 2024

Prolactinomas are commonly treated with dopamine receptor agonists (DAs), such as bromocriptine (BRC) and cabergoline (CAB). However, 10–30% of patients exhibit resistance to DA therapies. DA resistance is largely associated with reduced dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) expression, potentially regulated by epigenetic modifications, though the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Clinical samples were assessed for p300 expression. MMQ and AtT-20 cells were engineered to overexpress either wild-type p300 or a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain-mutant form of p300. Mechanistic studies included cell proliferation assays, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by quantitative PCR, reverse transcription quantitative PCR, and Western blotting. Additionally, an in vivo nude mouse xenograft model was used to confirm the in vitro findings. DAs downregulated p300 through the cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway. Activation of the HAT domain of p300 increased H3K18/27 acetylation, promoted DRD2 transcription, and worked synergistically with DA to exert anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) upregulated p300 and DRD2, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of BRC. These findings highlight the role of p300 in regulating DRD2 transcription in DA-resistant prolactinomas. Combining Tan IIA with BRC may offer a promising strategy to overcome DA resistance.
Antimicrobial and Antifungal Action of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles in Combination with Antibiotics and Fungicides Against Opportunistic Bacteria and Yeast
Authors: Rozhin Artem , Batasheva Svetlana , Iskuzhina Liliya , Gomzikova Marina , Kryuchkova Marina
Published: November 2024

The development of multidrug resistance by pathogenic bacteria and yeast is a significant medical problem that needs to be addressed. One possible answer could be the combined use of antibiotics and silver nanoparticles, which have different mechanisms of antimicrobial action. In the same way, these nanoparticles can be combined with antifungal agents. Biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using environmentally friendly biosynthesis technology using extracts of biologically active plants are an effective nanomaterial that needs to be comprehensively investigated for implementation into medical practice. In this study, the synergistic effects arising from their combined use with antibiotics and fungicides against various bacteria and yeasts were studied. The following methods were used: disco-diffusion analysis and construction of plankton culture growth curves. The synergistic effect of silver nanoparticles and antibiotics (fungicides) has been determined. Effective concentrations of substances were established, recommendations for the studied pathogenic species were presented, and the effect of destruction of the bacterial membrane was illustrated. The most significant synergistic effect was manifested in pathogenic candida and brewer’s yeast.
Expression of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 3 in Afferents Averts Long-Term Sensitization and the Development of Visceral Pain
Authors: Montalbetti Nicolas , Manrique-Maldonado Guadalupe , Ikeda Youko , Dalghi Marianela , Kanai Anthony , Apodaca Gerard , Carattino Marcelo D.
Published: November 2024

Sensitization of primary afferents is essential for the development of pain, but the molecular events involved in this process and its reversal are poorly defined. Recent studies revealed that acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) control the excitability of nociceptors in the urinary bladder. Using genetic and pharmacological tools we show that ASICs are functionally coupled with voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to mediate Ca2+ transients evoked by acidification in sensory neurons. Genetic deletion of Asic3 of these sensory neurons does not alter the mechanical response of bladder afferents to distension in naïve mice. Both control and sensory neuron conditional Asic3 knockout (Asic3-KO) mice with chemical cystitis induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP) administration exhibit frequent low volume voiding events. However, these changes are transient and revert over time. Of major significance, in Asic3-KO mice, CYP treatment results in the sensitization of a subset of bladder afferents and pelvic allodynia that persist beyond the resolution of the inflammatory process. Thus, ASICs function is necessary to prevent long-term sensitization of visceral nociceptors.
Redefining Therapeutic Approaches in Colorectal Cancer: Targeting Molecular Pathways and Overcoming Resistance
Authors: Duta-Ion Simona Gabriela , Juganaru Ioana Ruxandra , Hotinceanu Iulian Andrei , Dan Andra , Burtavel Livia Malina , Coman Madalin Codrut , Focsa Ina Ofelia , Zaruha Andra Giorgiana , Codreanu Patricia Christina , Bohiltea Laurentiu Camil , Radoi Viorica Elena
Published: November 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) arises through a combination of genetic and epigenetic alterations that affect key pathways involved in tumor growth and progression. This review examines the major molecular pathways driving CRC, including Chromosomal Instability (CIN), Microsatellite Instability (MSI), and the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP). Key mutations in genes such as APC, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and TP53 activate signaling pathways like Wnt, EGFR, and PI3K/AKT, contributing to tumorigenesis and influencing responses to targeted therapies. Resistance mechanisms, including mutations that bypass drug action, remain challenging in CRC treatment. This review highlights the role of molecular profiling in guiding the use of targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Novel combination treatments are also discussed as strategies to improve outcomes and overcome resistance. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is critical to advancing personalized treatment approaches in CRC and improving patient prognosis.
Genetic Variants Linked to Opioid Addiction: A Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Panday Shailesh Kumar , Shankar Vijay , Lyman Rachel Ann , Alexov Emil
Published: November 2024

Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects millions of people worldwide. While it is known that OUD originates from many factors, including social and environmental factors, the role of genetic variants in developing the disease has also been reported. This study aims to investigate the genetic variants associated with the risk of developing OUD upon exposure. Twenty-three subjects who had previously been given opioid-based painkillers to undergo minor surgical treatment were recruited at Prisma Health Upstate clinic and elsewhere. Eleven were considered nonpersistent opioid users (controls), and 12 were persistent opioid users (cases) at the time of sample collection after an initial surgery. The subjects were asked to provide saliva samples, which were subjected to DNA sequencing at Clemson University Center for Human Genetics, and variant calling was performed. The genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for genes known to be associated with OUD resulted in 13 variants (intronic or SNV) with genome-wide significance (raw p-value < 0.01) and two missense variants, rs6265 (p.Val66Met in BNDF isoform a) and rs1799971 (p.Asn40Asp) in OPRM1, previously reported in the literature. Furthermore, extending the GWASs to find all genomic variants and filtering the variants to include only variants found in cases (persistent opioid users) but not in controls (nonpersistent opioid users) resulted in 11 new variants (p-value < 0.005). Considering that OUD is a complex disease and the effect might come from different variants in the same genes, we performed a co-occurrence analysis of variants on the genes. We identified eight additional genes that harbor multiple variants, including four genes: LRFN3, ZMIZ1, RYR3, and OR1L6, with three or more variants in the case subjects but not in the control individuals. The performed PPI network construction, along with functional enrichment, indicated that the variants occur in calcium signaling, circadian entrainment, morphine addiction, alcoholism, and opioid signaling pathways, which are closely related to OUD or addiction in general.