bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Clostridium botulinum in Some Egyptian Fish Products, Its Control In Vitro Using Citrus Leaves Extracts, and Applicability of Citrus limon Leaf Extract in Tuna
Authors: Hamad Gamal , Hafez Elsayed E. , Sobhy Sherien E. , Mehany Taha , Elfayoumy Reham A. , Elghazaly Eman M. , Eskander Michael , Tawfik Rasha G. , Hussein Saleh M. , Pereira Leonel
Published: March 2023

This study aims to detect Clostridium botulinum and its control using natural leaf extracts of Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus unshiu in Egyptian fish products, e.g., canned tuna, canned sardine, canned mackerel, fesikh, moloha, and renga, as well the application of C. limon in tuna. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the C. limon leaf extract was also estimated. In the water extract, ascorbic acid, total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined by volumetric, aluminum chloride, and Folin–Ciocalteu approaches, respectively. The antioxidant ability of the extract was analyzed in vitro via free radical scavenging (DPPH) and Ferric reducing assays. The results showed variability in the distribution of the total number of positive C. botulinum in fish samples from three different governorates under study, which were (24) Alexandria, (16) Beheira, and (17) Gharbia, out of the 120 tested samples in each governorate. Additionally, the findings revealed that all three Citrus extracts contain an appropriate number of secondary metabolites, with a sustainable presence of saponin and tannins in the C. limon extract. Furthermore, all Citrus extracts inhibited bacterial growth by increasing the inhibition zone, with C. limon being the best extract (25 mm) compared to C. sinensis and C. unshiu. The overall results showed the high antioxidant and anti-Clostridium powers (p < 0.05) of C. limon leaf extract, indicating its preservative activity in fishery products during storage. Finally, C. limon leaf extract can fight off C. botulinum and is considered a promising natural preservation candidate in ensuring safe and fresh fishery products.
The Protein Composition and In Vitro Digestive Characteristics of Animal- versus Plant-Based Infant Nutritional Products
Authors: Byrne Margaret E. , Arranz Elena , Bot Francesca , Gómez-Mascaraque Laura G. , Tobin John T. , O’Mahony James A. , O’Callaghan Tom F.
Published: March 2023

The protein composition and digestive characteristics of four commercially available infant formulae (IF) manufactured using bovine (B-IF), caprine (C-IF), soy (S-IF), and rice (R-IF) as a protein source were examined in this study. Plant-based formulae had significantly higher crude protein and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) concentrations. Static in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of these formulae, and subsequent analysis of their digestates, revealed significantly higher proteolysis of B-IF at the end of gastrointestinal digestion compared to the other formulae, as indicated by the significantly higher concentration of free amine groups. Furthermore, differences in structure formation during the gastric phase of digestion were observed, with formation of a more continuous, firmer coagulum by C-IF, while R-IF demonstrated no curd formation likely due to the extensive hydrolysis of these proteins during manufacture. Differences in digestive characteristics between formulae manufactured from these different protein sources may influence the bio-accessibility and bioavailability of nutrients, warranting additional study.
Anti-Leukemic Effects on a U937 Cell Line of Fresh and Steamed Chinese Kale Juice and Their Pro-Apoptotic Effects via a Caspase-Dependent Pathway
Authors: Pungpuag Siriphorn , Boonpangrak Somchai , Suwanwong Yaneenart
Published: March 2023

Chinese kale is a vegetable belonging to the family Brassicaceae in which members of this family produce unique metabolites called glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. These substances have been found to exhibit many benefits to human health. This study aimed to investigate and compare the contents of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, and the anti-leukemic activity of fresh and steamed Chinese kale juice (CKJ). Cell viability and proliferation activity of U937 cells treated with CKJ were determined. Cell apoptosis and alterations of apoptosis-related protein expression were studied. Results showed that CKJ significantly decreased the viability of leukemic cells and inhibited cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After treatment with 5% v/v fresh and steamed CKJ for 24 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased to 53% and 36%, respectively. Increased amounts of cleaved caspase-3 in U937 cells treated with CKJ were observed, indicating that CKJ can trigger apoptotic cell death through a caspase-dependent pathway. Fresh CKJ was found to be more effective than steamed CKJ in suppressing cell survival and inducing cell apoptosis. The results suggest that Chinese kale possesses an anti-leukemic potential and could be further developed for cancer therapy and prevention. However, thermal cooking could reduce its beneficial function.
Extraction of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids and Proteins from the Agarophyte Gelidium corneum Using Pulsed Power Techniques
Authors: McReynolds Colin , Adrien Amandine , Silvestre de Ferron Antoine , Boussetta Nadia , Grimi Nabil , Pecastaing Laurent , Fernandes Susana C. M.
Published: March 2023

Gelidium corneum (syn. sesquipedale) is an industrially and ecologically important species of red alga used for the production of high-quality agar. However, the species is also of growing interest for the production of other valuable compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), with potential cosmeceutical and biomedical applications. Novel methods using two pulsed power techniques, high-voltage electrical discharges (HVED) and pulsed electrical fields (PEF), were evaluated for efficacy of MAA extraction. Algal suspensions were prepared at two ratios (1:20 and 1:40 w:v). Four different extraction protocols were compared: (i) high-voltage electrical discharges, (ii) pulsed electric fields, (iii) maceration at room temperature, and (iv) maceration at 50 °C. The algae were treated in three states: freshly harvested, dried, and powdered. HVED and PEF treatments were effective when performed on fresh algae, and in particular the HVED treatment resulted in yields of MAAs twenty times higher than the control: 0.81 ± 0.05 mg/gDry Weight (DW) vs. 0.037 ± 0.002 mg/gDW. This effect was not observed to the same extent when the algae were dried or powdered, although HVED remained the most selective method overall.
Effects of Heating Treatment on Functional and Structural Properties of Liquid Whole Egg
Authors: Wang Huiyong , Ma Yanqiu , Chi Yujie
Published: March 2023

Liquid whole egg (LWE) products have many advantages such as convenient transportation, easy production and are safe. However, LWE has a short shelf life and high thermal sensitivity, so suitable heating treatment is the key to the production of LWE products. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of heating treatments conditions (at 55–67 °C for 0–10 min) on the emulsification, foaming activity and rheological properties of LWE. The results indicated that the emulsifying activity of LWE had no significant change after 55–64 °C heating treatment, while it decreased significantly after heating treatment at 67 °C. The foaming property of LWE increased significantly after 55 °C to the 64 °C heating treatment; while the foaming property showed a downward trend with the increase in heat treatment temperature, it can significantly improve the foam stability of LWE. The heating treatment thoroughly changed the molecular weight distribution of LWE protein, thus promoted the protein surface hydrophobicity, hydrophobicity activity and rheological properties. The heating treatment at 61 °C for 6 min had a better effect on the functional properties than that of the other heating groups. In addition, the results of this study provide the change in rules of LWE under different heating treatment conditions and provide theoretical guidance for the production and processing of LWE.
Correlation between Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Polyphenol-Laden Xanthan Gum/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Cryogels
Authors: Raschip Irina Elena , Darie-Nita Raluca Nicoleta , Fifere Nicusor , Hitruc Gabriela-Elena , Dinu Maria Valentina
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the synthesis parameters and the incorporation of natural polyphenolic extract within hydrogel networks on the mechanical and morphological properties of physically cross-linked xanthan gum/poly(vinyl alcohol) (XG/PVA) composite hydrogels prepared by multiple cryo-structuration steps. In this context, the toughness, compressive strength, and viscoelasticity of polyphenol-loaded XG/PVA composite hydrogels in comparison with those of the neat polymer networks were investigated by uniaxial compression tests and steady and oscillatory measurements under small deformation conditions. The swelling behavior, the contact angle values, and the morphological features revealed by SEM and AFM analyses were well correlated with the uniaxial compression and rheological results. The compressive tests revealed an enhancement of the network rigidity by increasing the number of cryogenic cycles. On the other hand, tough and flexible polyphenol-loaded composite films were obtained for a weight ratio between XG and PVA of 1:1 and 10 v/v% polyphenol. The gel behavior was confirmed for all composite hydrogels, as the elastic modulus (G′) was significantly greater than the viscous modulus (G″) for the entire frequency range.
A Genomic Quantitative Study on the Contribution of the Ancestral-State Bases Relative to Derived Bases in the Divergence and Local Adaptation of Populus davidiana
Authors: Zhao Dandan , Zhang Jianguo , Hui Nan , Wang Li , Tian Yang , Ni Wanning , Long Jinhua , Jiang Li , Li Yi , Diao Songfeng , Li Jinhua , Tembrock Luke R. , Wu Zhiqiang , Wang Zhaoshan
Published: March 2023

Identifying alleles associated with adaptation to new environments will advance our understanding of evolution from the molecular level. Previous studies have found that the Populus davidiana southwest population in East Asia has differentiated from other populations in the range. We aimed to evaluate the contributions of the ancestral-state bases (ASBs) relative to derived bases (DBs) in the local adaptation of P. davidiana in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau from a quantitative perspective using whole-genome re-sequencing data from 90 P. davidiana samples from three regions across the species range. Our results showed that the uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau during the Neogene and associated climate fluctuations during the Middle Pleistocene were likely an important factor in the early divergence of P. davidiana. Highly differentiated genomic regions between populations were inferred to have undergone strong linked natural selection, and ASBs are the chief means by which populations of P. davidiana adapt to novel environmental conditions; however, when adapting to regions with high environmental differences relative to the ancestral range, the proportion of DBs was significantly higher than that of background regions, as ASBs are insufficient to cope with these environments. Finally, a number of genes were identified in the outlier region.
The Expanding Phenotypical Spectrum of WARS2-Related Disorder: Four Novel Cases with a Common Recurrent Variant
Authors: Pauly Martje , Korenke G. , Diaw Sokhna , Grözinger Anne , Cazurro-Gutiérrez Ana , Pérez-Dueñas Belén , González Victoria , Macaya Alfons , Serrano Antón Ana , Peterlin Borut , Božović Ivana , Maver Aleš , Münchau Alexander , Lohmann Katja
Published: March 2023

Biallelic variants in the mitochondrial form of the tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases (WARS2) can cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with movement disorders including early-onset tremor–parkinsonism syndrome. Here, we describe four new patients, who all presented at a young age with a tremor–parkinsonism syndrome and responded well to levodopa. All patients carry the same recurrent, hypomorphic missense variant (NM_015836.4: c.37T>G; p.Trp13Gly) either together with a previously described truncating variant (NM_015836.4: c.797Cdel; p.Pro266ArgfsTer10), a novel truncating variant (NM_015836.4: c.346C>T; p.Gln116Ter), a novel canonical splice site variant (NM_015836.4: c.349-1G>A), or a novel missense variant (NM_015836.4: c.475A>C, p.Thr159Pro). We investigated the mitochondrial function in patients and found increased levels of mitochondrially encoded cytochrome C Oxidase II as part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain as well as decreased mitochondrial integrity and branching. Finally, we conducted a literature review and here summarize the broad phenotypical spectrum of reported WARS2-related disorders. In conclusion, WARS2-related disorders are diagnostically challenging diseases due to the broad phenotypic spectrum and the disease relevance of a relatively common missense change that is often filtered out in a diagnostic setting since it occurs in ~0.5% of the general European population.
Identification and Functional Analysis of ToBPI1/LBP and ToBPI2/LBP in Anti-Bacterial Infection of Trachinotus ovatus
Authors: Bian Ze-Chang , Cai Xiao-Hui , Tan Kian Ann , Wang Ya-Dan , Huang Zhuang , Kwan Kit Yue , Xu Peng
Published: March 2023

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) are a group of antibacterial proteins that play an important role in the host’s innate immune defense against pathogen infection. In this study, two BPI/LBPs, named ToBPI1/LBP (1434 bp in length, 478 amino acids) and ToBPI2/LBP (1422 bp in length, 474 amino acids), were identified from the golden pompano. ToBPI1/LBP and ToBPI2/LBP were significantly expressed in immune-related tissues after being challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae and Vibrio alginolyticus. The two BPI/LBPs showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive S. agalactiae and Streptococcus iniae. In contrast, the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus and Vibrio harveyi was low and decreased with time. The membrane permeability of bacteria treated with recombinant ToBPI1/LBP and ToBPI2/LBP was significantly enhanced. These results suggest that ToBPI1/LBP and ToBPI2/LBP may play important immunological roles in the immune response of the golden pompano to bacteria. This study will provide basic information and new insights into the immune response mechanism of the golden pompano to bacteria and the function of BPI/LBP.
The Association of Calcium Signaling Pathway Gene Variants, Bone Mineral Density and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People
Authors: Zhang Jiesong , Wang Xueyan , Duan Haiping , Chen Chen , Lu Zhonghai , Zhang Dongfeng , Li Suyun
Published: March 2023

The association of calcium signaling pathway gene variants, bone mineral density (BMD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is poorly understood so far. A total of 878 participants from Qingdao city were recruited in this study. According to the candidate gene selection method, 58 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight calcium signaling genes were selected. The association between gene polymorphisms and MCI was revealed by using multiple genetic models. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were used to summarize the effects of the whole gene. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between each PRS and MCI. The multiplicative interaction term in the regression models was used to estimate the interaction effects between the PRS and BMD. We observed significant associations of rs6877893 (NR3C1), rs6448456 (CCKAR), and rs723672 (CACNA1C) polymorphisms with MCI. The PRSs of NR3C1 (OR = 4.012, 95% CI = 1.722–9.347, p < 0.001), PRKCA (OR = 1.414, 95% CI = 1.083–1.845, p = 0.011) and TRPM1 (OR = 3.253, 95% CI = 1.116–9.484, p = 0.031) were associated with an increased risk of developing MCI, and the PRS of total genes (OR = 0.330, 95% CI = 0.224–0.485, p < 0.001) was associated with a decreased risk of developing MCI. In interaction effect analysis, the interaction effect of PRKCA and BMD was significant. Genetic variations of the calcium signaling pathway were associated with MCI in older people. There was an interaction effect between PRKCA gene variants and BMD on MCI.
Rare Coding Variants in Patients with Non-Syndromic Vestibular Dysfunction
Authors: Sumalde Angelo Augusto M. , Scholes Melissa A. , Kalmanson Olivia A. , Terhune Elizabeth A. , Frejo Lidia , Wethey Cambria I. , Roman-Naranjo Pablo , Carry Patrick M. , Gubbels Samuel P. , Lopez-Escamez Jose A. , Hadley-Miller Nancy , Santos-Cortez Regie Lyn P.
Published: March 2023

Vertigo due to vestibular dysfunction is rare in children. The elucidation of its etiology will improve clinical management and the quality of life of patients. Genes for vestibular dysfunction were previously identified in patients with both hearing loss and vertigo. This study aimed to identify rare, coding variants in children with peripheral vertigo but no hearing loss, and in patients with potentially overlapping phenotypes, namely, Meniere’s disease or idiopathic scoliosis. Rare variants were selected from the exome sequence data of 5 American children with vertigo, 226 Spanish patients with Meniere’s disease, and 38 European–American probands with scoliosis. In children with vertigo, 17 variants were found in 15 genes involved in migraine, musculoskeletal phenotypes, and vestibular development. Three genes, OTOP1, HMX3, and LAMA2, have knockout mouse models for vestibular dysfunction. Moreover, HMX3 and LAMA2 were expressed in human vestibular tissues. Rare variants within ECM1, OTOP1, and OTOP2 were each identified in three adult patients with Meniere’s disease. Additionally, an OTOP1 variant was identified in 11 adolescents with lateral semicircular canal asymmetry, 10 of whom have scoliosis. We hypothesize that peripheral vestibular dysfunction in children may be due to multiple rare variants within genes that are involved in the inner ear structure, migraine, and musculoskeletal disease.
Effect of Curing Time on Lime-Stabilized Sandy Soil against Internal Erosion
Authors: Banu Shaziya Ahmed , Attom Mousa Fayiz
Published: March 2023

One of the key challenges geotechnical engineers face is the failure of embankments due to internal soil erosion. Therefore, soil stabilization against internal erosion becomes necessary to prevent embankment failure. This paper aims to use lime to stabilize sandy soil against internal erosion. Two types of sandy soil (poorly graded and well-graded) were treated with different percentages of lime (based on the dry weight of the soil) and curing times (1 day, 2 days, and 7 days). For poorly graded soil, the different lime percentages used were from 0.0% to 6.0% with an increment of 1% by dry weight of soil. While for well-graded soil, the lime percentages used were 0.0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% by dry weight of soil. The hole erosion test (HET) was utilized to analyze the erosion parameters of the soil samples. Results proved that lime is an effective soil stabilization agent against the internal erosion of sandy soil. Moreover, for optimum stabilization against internal erosion, poorly graded and well-graded sandy soil required about 5.0% and 3.0% of lime, respectively, with a curing time of 2 days. Significant reduction in erosion rate and improvement in the erosion rate index and critical erosion stress were observed at optimum soil stabilization. In addition, the results demonstrated that the curing time increases the erosion rate index and reduces soil erosion.
Tackling the First COVID-19 Wave at the Cape Town Hospital of Hope: Why Was It Such a Positive Experience for Staff?
Authors: Reid Steve , Nana Mitan , Abrahams Theo , Hussey Nadia , Okun-Netter Ronit , Ras Tasleem , von Pressentin Klaus
Published: March 2023

Background: In contrast to alarming reports of exhaustion and burnout amongst healthcare workers in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we noticed surprisingly positive staff experiences of working in a COVID-19 field hospital in South Africa. The 862-bed “Hospital of Hope” was established at the Cape Town International Convention Centre specifically to cope with the effects of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town. Methods: We aimed to systematically describe and assess the effects on staff and the local health system. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed using mixed methods including record reviews and interviews with key informants. Results: Quantitative results confirmed high job satisfaction and low staff infection rates. The emerging themes from the qualitative data are grouped around a “bull’s eye” of the common purpose of person-centeredness, from both patient and staff perspectives, and include staff safety and support, rapid communication, continuous learning and adaptability, underpinned by excellent teamwork. The explanations for the positive feedback included good disaster planning, adequate resources, and an extraordinary responsiveness to the need. Conclusions: The “Hospital of Hope” staff experience produced valuable lessons for designing and managing routine health services outside of a disaster. The adaptability and responsiveness of the facility and its staff were largely a product of the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, but such approaches could benefit routine health services enormously, as individual hospitals and health facilities realize their place in a system that is “more than the sum of its parts”.
To Consent or Not to Consent to Screening, That Is the Question
Authors: Hofmann Bjørn
Published: March 2023

The objective of this article is to address the controversial question of whether consent is relevant for persons invited to participate in screening programs. To do so, it starts by presenting a case where the provided information historically has not been sufficient for obtaining valid informed consent for screening. Then, the article investigates some of the most relevant biases that cast doubt on the potential for satisfying standard criteria for informed consent. This may indicate that both in theory and in practice, it can be difficult to obtain valid consent for screening programs. Such an inference is profoundly worrisome, as invitees to screening programs are healthy individuals most suited to make autonomous decisions. Thus, if consent is not relevant for screening, it may not be relevant for a wide range of other health services. As such, the lack of valid consent in screening raises the question of the relevance of one of the basic ethical principles in healthcare (respect for autonomy), one of the most prominent legal norms in health legislation (informed consent), and one of the most basic tenets of liberal democracies (individual autonomy). Thus, there are good reasons to provide open, transparent, and balanced information and minimize biases in order to ascertain informed consent in screening.
Factors Associated with the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Therapy among United States Adults with Asthma
Authors: Ogbu Chukwuemeka E. , Oparanma Chisa O. , Kirby Russell S.
Published: March 2023

This article examined the sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with the use of complementary and alternative medicine/therapy (CAM) among adults with current asthma in the United States. We used data from 76,802 adults aged 18 years and above from the 2012–2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Asthma Call-back Survey (ACBS) cycles. Weighted binary and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association of these factors with ever CAM use and the number of CAM use. We found that approximately 45.2% of US adults with asthma ever used CAM. Among adults with asthma, 25.3% and 19.9% endorsed using one CAM and ≥2 CAMs, respectively. CAM use was significantly associated with adults ≤ 35 years, female gender, multiple/other race/ethnicity, higher cost barriers, adults with two or more disease comorbidities, and those with poorly controlled asthma in both binary and multinomial models. CAM use was not associated with insurance and income status. Understanding factors associated with CAM use can provide asthma care professionals valuable insights into the underlying drivers of CAM use behavior in this population, enabling them to offer more informed and effective medical advice and guidance.
Diving into Health: A Mixed Methods Study on the Impact of Scuba Diving in People with Physical Impairments
Authors: Santiago Perez Tania , Crowe Brandi M. , Rosopa Patrick J. , Townsend Jasmine N. , Kaufman Michael R.
Published: March 2023

The impacts of scuba diving on people with physical impairments are unknown. Grounded on the social identity approach to health, the aim of this study was to test and describe the relationships between scuba diving social identity, self-efficacy, social health, psychological health, physical health, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and disability level among recreational scuba divers with physical impairments. A mixed methods explanatory sequential design was employed. The quantitative strand used an 80-item cross-sectional survey, with the data analyzed via a path analysis. The qualitative strand used 1:1 interviews across 3 case study groups; the data were analyzed using deductive and inductive analyses. Mixing occurred via a joint display with meta-inferences. The quantitative results (n = 78) indicated that self-efficacy was a significant predictor of social health, psychological health, physical health, HRQOL, and disability level. The qualitative findings (n = 15) consisted of six themes, whereby participants described scuba as a positive social identity that provides them with meaning, purpose, and belonging. Furthermore, they described scuba diving as a positive contributor to their self-efficacy, social health, psychological health, physical health, and quality of life. During the mixing of data, the quantitative and qualitative results did not match on the influence of scuba diving social identity on self-efficacy, social health, psychological health, physical health, HRQOL, and disability level. A further analysis revealed that the range restriction impaired the conclusive quantitative evidence on the scuba diving social identity variable. The meta-inferences derived from the data integration suggest that scuba diving plays a role in the self-efficacy, health, HRQOL, and disability level among scuba divers with physical impairments. The findings point to the potential of scuba diving as a health promotion recreational activity and rehabilitation modality for people with physical impairments.
Particle Number Concentration Measurements on Public Transport in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Matthews James C. , Chompoobut Chalida , Navasumrit Panida , Khan M. Anwar H. , Wright Matthew D. , Ruchirawat Mathuros , Shallcross Dudley E.
Published: March 2023

Traffic is a major source of particulate pollution in large cities, and particulate matter (PM) level in Bangkok often exceeds the World Health Organisation limits. While PM2.5 and PM10 are both measured in Bangkok regularly, the sub-micron range of PM, of specific interest in regard to possible adverse health effects, is very limited. In the study, particle number concentration (PNC) was measured on public transport in Bangkok. A travel route through Bangkok using the state railway, the mass rapid transport underground system, the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain and public buses on the road network, with walking routes between, was taken whilst measuring particle levels with a hand-held concentration particle counter. The route was repeated 19 times covering different seasons during either morning or evening rush hours. The highest particle concentrations were found on the state railway, followed by the bus, the BTS Skytrain and the MRT underground with measured peaks of 350,000, 330,000, 33,000 and 9000 cm−3, respectively, though particle numbers over 100,000 cm−3 may be an underestimation due to undercounting in the instrument. Inside each form of public transport, particle numbers would peak when stopping to collect passengers (doors opening) and decay with a half-life between 2 and 3 min. There was a weak correlation between particle concentration on bus, train and BTS and Skytrain with carbon monoxide concentration, as measured at a fixed location in the city.
Association between Malnutrition Assessed by the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria and Mortality in Older People: A Scoping Review
Authors: Sánchez-Rodríguez Dolores , De Meester Dorien , Minon Léa , Claessens Marie , Gümüs Neslian , Lieten Siddhartha , Benoit Florence , Surquin Murielle , Marco Ester
Published: March 2023

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were introduced in 2018 for the diagnosis of malnutrition in adults. This review was aimed at gathering the evidence about the association between malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria and mortality in older people, an emerging and clinically meaningful topic in the implementation of the GLIM criteria in geriatric healthcare settings. This scoping review considered meta-analyses, systematic reviews, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies published in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews from the development of the GLIM criteria in 2018 to January 2023. Seventeen articles (15 cohort and 2 cross-sectional studies) were included. The association between GLIM criteria and mortality had been assessed in hospitalized (11 over the 17 articles) and community-dwelling older populations, and those in nursing homes. The review found a strong association between malnutrition according to GLIM criteria and mortality in hospitalized (1.2-fold to 7-fold higher mortality) and community-dwelling older people (1.6-fold to 4-fold higher mortality). These findings highlight the prognostic value of the GLIM criteria and support strategies towards the implementation of malnutrition evaluation according to the GLIM, in order to optimize comprehensive geriatric assessment and provide older people with the highest quality of nutritional care. Studies in nursing home populations were very scarce and may be urgently required.
Dietary Patterns of Competitive Swimmers with Moderate-to-Severe Cerebral Palsy: A 3-Year Longitudinal Evaluation
Authors: Walker Jacqueline L. , Cartwright Jessica R. , Dutia Iain M. , Wheeler Mikaela , Tweedy Sean M.
Published: March 2023

Aim: To evaluate the longitudinal dietary patterns of three adolescents with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy (CP) participating in a performance-focused swimming training intervention. Method: Participants were three previously inactive adolescents with CP (15–16 years, GMFCS IV) who had recently (<6 months) enrolled in a swimming training program. Diet quality from diet histories was calculated at 10-time points over 3.25 years using the Dietary Guidelines Index for Children and Adolescents (DGI-CA) and the Healthy Eating Index for Australian Adults (HEIFA-2013). A food group analysis was compared to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommendations. Trends were considered in the context of dietary advice given and the training load. Results: Longitudinal diet quality scores were consistent and ranged from 40 to 76 (DGI-CA) and 33 to 79 (HEIFA-2013). Food group intake remained stable; participants rarely met the recommendations for fruit, vegetables, dairy, grain, and meat but frequently achieved discretionary serves. Conclusions: Participants with moderate-to-severe CP who were enrolled in a performance-focused swimming training intervention and were monitored frequently maintained diet quality throughout a period where it conventionally declined. Scores were higher than the general population and were maintained irrespective of the training load. Participants frequently met food group recommendations for discretionary foods and were comparable to the general population for other food groups.
Fatty Acid Induced Hypermethylation in the Slc2a4 Gene in Visceral Adipose Tissue Is Associated to Insulin-Resistance and Obesity
Authors: Britsemmer Jan H. , Krause Christin , Taege Natalie , Geißler Cathleen , Lopez-Alcantara Nuria , Schmidtke Linda , Naujack Alison-Michelle , Wagner Jonas , Wolter Stefan , Mann Oliver , Kirchner Henriette
Published: March 2023

De novo lipogenesis (DNL) in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with systemic insulin sensitivity. DNL in VAT is regulated through ChREBP activity and glucose uptake through Glut4 (encoded by Slc2a4). Slc2a4 expression, ChREBP activity, and DNL are decreased in obesity, the underlying cause however remains unidentified. We hypothesize that increased DNA methylation in an enhancer region of Slc2a4 decreases Slc2a4 expression in obesity and insulin resistance. We found that SLC2A4 expression in VAT of morbidly obese subjects with high HbA1c (>6.5%, n = 35) is decreased, whereas DNA methylation is concomitantly increased compared to morbidly obese subjects with low HbA1c (≤6.5%, n = 65). In diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, DNA methylation of Slc2a4 persistently increases with the onset of obesity and insulin resistance, while gene expression progressively decreases. The regulatory impact of DNA methylation in the investigated enhancer region on SLC2A4 gene expression was validated with a reporter gene assay. Additionally, treatment of 3T3 pre-adipocytes with palmitate/oleate during differentiation decreased DNA methylation and increased Slc2a4 expression. These findings highlight a potential regulation of Slc2a4 by DNA methylation in VAT, which is induced by fatty acids and may play a role in the progression of obesity and insulin resistance in humans.
Preparation of High-Toughness Lignin Phenolic Resin Biomaterials Based via Polybutylene Succinate Molecular Intercalation
Authors: Xie Jin , Sun Hao , Yang Yuchun , Liang Junxiong , Li Yun , Hou Defa , Lin Xu , Zhang Jun , Shi Zhengjun , Liu Can
Published: March 2023

Lignin has many potential applications and is a biopolymer with a three-dimensional network structure. It is composed of three phenylpropane units, p-hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl, connected by ether bonds and carbon–carbon bonds, and it contains a large number of phenol or aldehyde structural units, resulting in complex lignin structures. This limits the application of lignin. To expand the application range of lignin, we prepared lignin thermoplastic phenolic resins (LPRs) by using lignin instead of phenol; these LPRs had molecular weights of up to 1917 g/mol, a molecular weight distribution of 1.451, and an O/P value of up to 2.73. Due to the complex structure of the lignin, the synthetic lignin thermoplastic phenolic resins were not very tough, which greatly affected the performance of the material. If the lignin phenolic resins were toughened, their application range would be substantially expanded. Polybutylene succinate (PBS) has excellent processability and excellent mechanical properties. The toughening effects of different PBS contents in the LPRs were investigated. PBS was found to be compatible with the LPRs, and the flexible chain segments of the small PBS molecules were embedded in the molecular chain segments of the LPRs, thus reducing the crystallinities of the LPRs. The good compatibility between the two materials promoted hydrogen bond formation between the PBS and LPRs. Rheological data showed good interfacial bonding between the materials, and the modulus of the high-melting PBS made the LPRs more damage resistant. When PBS was added at 30%, the tensile strength of the LPRs was increased by 2.8 times to 1.65 MPa, and the elongation at break increased by 31 times to 93%. This work demonstrates the potential of lignin thermoplastic phenolic resins for industrial applications and provides novel concepts for toughening biobased aromatic resins with PBS.
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Human Sub-RPE Calcification In Vitro Following Chlortetracycline Infusion
Authors: Hegde Kavita R. , Puche Adam C. , Szmacinski Henryk , Fuller Kristina , Ray Krishanu , Patel Nikita , Lengyel Imre , Thompson Richard B.
Published: March 2023

We have shown that all sub-retinal pigment epithelial (sub-RPE) deposits examined contain calcium phosphate minerals: hydroxyapatite (HAP), whitlockite (Wht), or both. These typically take the form of ca. 1 μm diameter spherules or >10 μm nodules and appear to be involved in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Thus, these minerals may serve as useful biomarkers the for early detection and monitoring of sub-RPE changes in AMD. We demonstrated that HAP deposits could be imaged in vitro by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) in flat-mounted retinas using legacy tetracycline antibiotics as selective sensors for HAP. As the contrast on a FLIM image is based on the difference in fluorescence lifetime and not intensity of the tetracycline-stained HAP, distinguishing tissue autofluorescence from the background is significantly improved. The focus of the present pilot study was to assess whether vascular perfusion of the well tolerated and characterized chlortetracycline (widely used as an orally bioavailable antibiotic) can fluorescently label retinal HAP using human cadavers. We found that the tetracycline delivered through the peripheral circulation can indeed selectively label sub-RPE deposits opening the possibility for its use for ophthalmic monitoring of a range of diseases in which deposit formation is reported, such as AMD and Alzheimer disease (AD).
Biopolymer Composites 2022
Authors: Díez-Pascual Ana M.
Published: March 2023

Recently, sustainable, biodegradable, and nontoxic materials, especially from renewable resources, have gained a lot of attention, and an important effort has been put into the research of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers as an alternative to petroleum-based commodity plastics [...]
Identification and Functional Characterization of CsMYCs in Cucumber Glandular Trichome Development
Authors: Feng Zhongxuan , Sun Lei , Dong Mingming , Fan Shanshan , Shi Kexin , Qu Yixin , Zhu Liyan , Shi Jinfeng , Wang Wujun , Liu Yihan , Chen Xiaofeng , Weng Yiqun , Liu Xingwang , Ren Huazhong
Published: March 2023

Glandular trichomes (GTs), specialized structures formed by the differentiation of plant epidermal cells, are known to play important roles in the resistance of plants to external biotic and abiotic stresses. These structures are capable of storing and secreting secondary metabolites, which often have important agricultural and medicinal values. In order to better understand the molecular developmental mechanisms of GTs, studies have been conducted in a variety of crops, including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), sweetworm (Artemisia annua), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The MYC transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family has been found to play an important role in GT development. In this study, a total of 13 cucumber MYC transcription factors were identified in the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genome. After performing phylogenetic analyses and conserved motifs on the 13 CsMYCs in comparison to previously reported MYC transcription factors that regulate trichome development, seven candidate MYC transcription factors were selected. Through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), CsMYC2 is found to negatively regulate GT formation while CsMYC4, CsMYC5, CsMYC6, CsMYC7, and CsMYC8 are found to positively regulate GT formation. Furthermore, the two master effector genes, CsMYC2 and CsMYC7, are observed to have similar expression patterns indicating that they co-regulate the balance of GT development in an antagonistic way.
Pyrogallol from Spirogyra neglecta Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells via Modulating Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Arjsri Punnida , Mapoung Sariya , Semmarath Warathit , Srisawad Kamonwan , Tuntiwechapikul Wirote , Yodkeeree Supachai , Dejkriengkraikul Pornngarm
Published: March 2023

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an advanced form of prostate cancer associated with poor survival rates. The high proliferation and metastasis rates have made CRPC one of the most challenging types of cancer for medical practitioners and researchers. In this study, the anti-cancer properties and inhibition of CRPC progression by S. neglecta extract and its active constituents were determined using two CRPC cell lines, DU145 and PC3. The ethyl acetate fraction of S. neglecta (SnEA) was obtained using a solvent-partitioned extraction technique. The active constituents of SnEA were then determined using the HPLC technique, which showed that SnEA mainly contained syringic acid, pyrogallol, and p-coumaric acid phenolic compounds. After the determination of cytotoxic properties using the SRB assay, it was found that pyrogallol, but not the other two major compounds of SnEA, displayed promising anti-cancer properties in both CRPC cell lines. SnEA and pyrogallol were then further investigated for their anti-proliferation and apoptotic induction properties using propidium iodide and Annexin V staining. The results showed that SnEA and pyrogallol inhibited both DU145 and PC3 cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and significantly decreased the expression of cell cycle regulator proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E1, CDK-2, and CDK-4, p < 0.001). SnEA and pyrogallol treatments also promoted apoptosis in both types of CRPC cells through significantly downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins (survivin, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xl, p < 0.001) and upregulating apoptotic proteins (cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP-1, p < 0.001). Mechanistic study demonstrated that SnEA and pyrogallol inactivated the Akt signaling pathway leading to enhancement of the active form of GSK-3β in CRPC cell lines. Therefore, the phosphorylation of β-catenin was increased, which caused degradation of the protein, resulting in a downregulation of β-catenin (unphosphorylated form) transcriptional factor activity. The current results reflect the potential impact of S. neglecta extract and pyrogallol on the management of castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Main Pathogenic Mechanisms and Recent Advances in COPD Peripheral Skeletal Muscle Wasting
Authors: Henrot Pauline , Dupin Isabelle , Schilfarth Pierre , Esteves Pauline , Blervaque Léo , Zysman Maéva , Gouzi Fares , Hayot Maurice , Pomiès Pascal , Berger Patrick
Published: March 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide prevalent respiratory disease mainly caused by tobacco smoke exposure. COPD is now considered as a systemic disease with several comorbidities. Among them, skeletal muscle dysfunction affects around 20% of COPD patients and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Although the histological alterations are well characterized, including myofiber atrophy, a decreased proportion of slow-twitch myofibers, and a decreased capillarization and oxidative phosphorylation capacity, the molecular basis for muscle atrophy is complex and remains partly unknown. Major difficulties lie in patient heterogeneity, accessing patients’ samples, and complex multifactorial process including extrinsic mechanisms, such as tobacco smoke or disuse, and intrinsic mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, hypoxia, or systemic inflammation. Muscle wasting is also a highly dynamic process whose investigation is hampered by the differential protein regulation according to the stage of atrophy. In this review, we report and discuss recent data regarding the molecular alterations in COPD leading to impaired muscle mass, including inflammation, hypoxia and hypercapnia, mitochondrial dysfunction, diverse metabolic changes such as oxidative and nitrosative stress and genetic and epigenetic modifications, all leading to an impaired anabolic/catabolic balance in the myocyte. We recapitulate data concerning skeletal muscle dysfunction obtained in the different rodent models of COPD. Finally, we propose several pathways that should be investigated in COPD skeletal muscle dysfunction in the future.
The Overexpression of Oryza sativa L. CYP85A1 Promotes Growth and Biomass Production in Transgenic Trees
Authors: Li Guodong , Yao Xinzhuan , Chen Zhouzhuoer , Tian Xingyu , Lu Litang
Published: March 2023

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are important hormones that play crucial roles in plant growth, reproduction, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. CYP85A1 is a castasterone (CS) synthase that catalyzes C-6 oxidation of 6-deoxocastasterone (6-deoxoCS) to CS, after which CS is converted into brassinolide (BL) in a reaction catalyzed by CYP85A2. Here, we report the functional characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) OsCYP85A1. Constitutive expression of OsCYP85A1 driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter increased endogenous BR levels and significantly promoted growth and biomass production in three groups of transgenic Populus tomentosa lines. The plant height and stem diameter of the transgenic poplar plants were increased by 17.6% and 33.6%, respectively, in comparison with control plants. Simultaneously, we showed that expression of OsCYP85A1 enhanced xylem formation in transgenic poplar without affecting cell wall thickness or the composition of cellulose. Our findings suggest that OsCYP85A1 represents a potential target candidate gene for engineering fast-growing trees with improved wood production.
Additive Effect of Releasing Sterile Insects Plus Biocontrol Agents against Fruit Fly Pests (Diptera: Tephritidae) under Confined Conditions
Authors: Montoya Pablo , Flores-Sarmiento Erick , López Patricia , Ayala Amanda , Cancino Jorge
Published: March 2023

Pest control models integrating the use of the sterile insect technique (SIT) and augmentative biological control (ABC) have postulated that it is possible to obtain a synergistic effect from the joint use of these technologies. This synergistic effect is attributed to the simultaneous attack on two different biological stages of the pest (immature and adult flies), which would produce higher suppression on the pest populations. Here we evaluated the effect of the joint application of sterile males of A. ludens of the genetic sexing strain Tap-7 along with two parasitoid species at the field cage level. The parasitoids D. longicaudata and C. haywardi were used separately to determine their effect on the suppression of the fly populations. Our results showed that egg hatching percentage was different between treatments, with the highest percentage in the control treatment and a gradual reduction in the treatments with only parasitoids or only sterile males. The greatest induction of sterility (i.e., the lowest egg hatching percentage) occurred with the joint use of ABC and SIT, demonstrating that the earlier parasitism caused by each parasitoid species was important reaching high levels of sterility. Gross fertility rate decreased up to 15 and 6 times when sterile flies were combined with D. longicaudata and C. haywardi, respectively. The higher parasitism by D. longicaudata was determinant in the decrease of this parameter and had a stronger effect when combined with the SIT. We conclude that the joint use of ABC and SIT on the A. ludens population had a direct additive effect, but a synergistic effect was observed in the parameters of population dynamics throughout the periodic releases of both types of insects. This effect can be of crucial importance in the suppression or eradication of fruit fly populations, with the added advantage of the low ecological impact that characterizes both techniques.