bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Opportunities in the Valorization of Technical Lignins
Authors: Balakshin Mikhail Yu. , Capanema Ewellyn A. , Sulaeva Irina , Schlee Philipp , Huang Zeen , Feng Martin , Borghei Maryam , Rojas Orlando J. , Potthast Antje , Rosenau Thomas 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSugar‐based biorefineries have faced significant economic challenges. Biorefinery lignins are often classified as low‐value products (fuel or low‐cost chemical feedstock) mainly due to low lignin purities in the crude material. However, recent research has shown that biorefinery lignins have a great chance of being successfully used as high‐value products, which in turn should result in an economy renaissance of the whole biorefinery idea. This critical review summarizes recent developments from our groups, along with the state‐of‐the‐art in the valorization of technical lignins, with the focus on biorefinery lignins.A beneficial synergistic effect of lignin and cellulose mixtures used in different applications (wood adhesives, carbon fiber and nanofibers, thermoplastics) has been demonstrated. This phenomenon causes crude biorefinery lignins, which contain a significant amount of residual crystalline cellulose, to perform superior to high‐purity lignins in certain applications. Where previously specific applications required high‐purity and/or functionalized lignins with narrow molecular weight distributions, simple green processes for upgrading crude biorefinery lignin are suggested here as an alternative. These approaches can be easily combined with lignin micro‐/nanoparticles (LMNP) production. The processes should also be cost‐efficient compared to traditional lignin modifications.Biorefinery processes allow much greater flexibility in optimizing the lignin characteristics desirable for specific applications than traditional pulping processes. Such lignin engineering, at the same time, requires an efficient strategy capable of handling large datasets to find correlations between process variables, lignin structures and properties and finally their performance in different applications.
Controlling Solar Hydrogen Production by Organizing Porphyrins
Authors: Nikolaou Vasilis , Charalambidis Georgios , Ladomenou Kalliopi , Nikoloudakis Emmanouil , Drivas Charalambos , Vamvasakis Ioannis , Panagiotakis Stylianos , Landrou Georgios , Agapaki Eleni , Stangel Christina , Henkel Christian , Joseph Jan , Armatas Gerasimos , Vasilopoulou Maria , Kennou Stella , Guldi Dirk M. , Coutsolelos Athanassios G. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, a highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production system is developed by employing porphyrins as photocatalysts. Palladium and platinum tetracarboxyporphyrins (PdTCP and PtTCP) are adsorbed or coadsorbed onto TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), which act as the electron transport medium and as a scaffold that promotes the self‐organization of the porphyrinoids. The self‐organization of PdTCP and PtTCP, forming H‐ and J‐aggregates, respectively, is the key element for H2 evolution, as in the absence of TiO2 NPs no catalytic activity is detected. Notably, J‐aggregated PtTCPs are more efficient for H2 production than H‐aggregated PdTCPs. In this approach, a single porphyrin, which self‐organizes onto TiO2 NPs, acts as the light harvester and simultaneously as the catalyst, whereas TiO2 serves as the electron transport medium. Importantly, the concurrent adsorption of PdTCP and PtTCP onto TiO2 NPs results in the most efficient catalytic system, giving a turnover number of 22,733 and 30.2 mmol(H2) g(cat)−1.
Post‐eclosion temperature effects on insect cuticular hydrocarbon profiles
Authors: Rajpurohit Subhash , Vrkoslav Vladimír , Hanus Robert , Gibbs Allen G. , Cvačka Josef , Schmidt Paul S 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe insect cuticle is the interface between internal homeostasis and the often harsh external environment. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are key constituents of this hard cuticle and are associated with a variety of functions including stress response and communication. CHC production and deposition on the insect cuticle vary among natural populations and are affected by developmental temperature; however, little is known about CHC plasticity in response to the environment experienced following eclosion, during which time the insect cuticle undergoes several crucial changes. We targeted this crucial to important phase and studied post‐eclosion temperature effects on CHC profiles in two natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster. A forty‐eight hour post‐eclosion exposure to three different temperatures (18, 25, and 30°C) significantly affected CHCs in both ancestral African and more recently derived North American populations of D. melanogaster. A clear shift from shorter to longer CHCs chain length was observed with increasing temperature, and the effects of post‐eclosion temperature varied across populations and between sexes. The quantitative differences in CHCs were associated with variation in desiccation tolerance among populations. Surprisingly, we did not detect any significant differences in water loss rate between African and North American populations. Overall, our results demonstrate strong genetic and plasticity effects in CHC profiles in response to environmental temperatures experienced at the adult stage as well as associations with desiccation tolerance, which is crucial in understanding holometabolan responses to stress.
Ligand conjugated antisense oligonucleotide for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis: preclinical and phase 1 data
Authors: Viney Nicholas J. , Guo Shuling , Tai Li‐Jung , Baker Brenda F. , Aghajan Mariam , Jung Shiangtung W. , Yu Rosie Z. , Booten Sheri , Murray Heather , Machemer Todd , Burel Sebastien , Murray Sue , Buchele Gustavo , Tsimikas Sotirios , Schneider Eugene , Geary Richard S. , Benson Merrill D. , Monia Brett P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimsAmyloidogenic transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is a fatal disease characterized by progressive cardiomyopathy and/or polyneuropathy. AKCEA‐TTR‐LRx (ION‐682884) is a ligand‐conjugated antisense drug designed for receptor‐mediated uptake by hepatocytes, the primary source of circulating transthyretin (TTR). Enhanced delivery of the antisense pharmacophore is expected to increase drug potency and support lower, less frequent dosing in treatment.Methods and resultsAKCEA‐TTR‐LRx demonstrated an approximate 50‐fold and 30‐fold increase in potency compared with the unconjugated antisense drug, inotersen, in human hepatocyte cell culture and mice expressing a mutated human genomic TTR sequence, respectively. This increase in potency was supported by a preferential distribution of AKCEA‐TTR‐LRx to liver hepatocytes in the transgenic hTTR mouse model. A randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase 1 study was conducted to evaluate AKCEA‐TTR‐LRx in healthy volunteers (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03728634). Eligible participants were assigned to one of three multiple‐dose cohorts (45, 60, and 90 mg) or a single‐dose cohort (120 mg), and then randomized 10:2 (active : placebo) to receive a total of 4 SC doses (Day 1, 29, 57, and 85) in the multiple‐dose cohorts or 1 SC dose in the single‐dose cohort. The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were secondary endpoints. All randomized participants completed treatment. No serious adverse events were reported. In the multiple‐dose cohorts, AKCEA‐TTR‐LRx reduced TTR levels from baseline to 2 weeks after the last dose of 45, 60, or 90 mg by a mean (SD) of −85.7% (8.0), −90.5% (7.4), and −93.8% (3.4), compared with −5.9% (14.0) for pooled placebo (P < 0.001). A maximum mean (SD) reduction in TTR levels of −86.3% (6.5) from baseline was achieved after a single dose of 120 mg AKCEA‐TTR‐LRx.ConclusionsThese findings suggest an improved safety and tolerability profile with the increase in potency achieved by productive receptor‐mediated uptake of AKCEA‐TTR‐LRx by hepatocytes and supports further development of AKCEA‐TTR‐LRx for the treatment of ATTR polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy.
Polar Lipids Reduce In Vitro Duodenal Lipolysis Rate of Oat Oil and Liquid Oat Base Products
Authors: Lindberg Yilmaz Jenny , Adlercreutz Patrick , Tullberg Cecilia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAlternative ways for increased appetite control are today widely sought for due to the growing global health issues connected to obesity. In in vivo studies, oat has been proven an attractive candidate for inducing satiety. Oat is rich in polar lipids, of which the galactolipids are especially interesting, and a hypothesis is that these lipids play an important role for the ileal brake mechanism. In this study, the aim is to investigate the role of polar oat lipids on pancreatic lipolysis rate, using a pH‐stat based in vitro digestion model of the duodenum. Lipolysis of oat oil, a mix of oat oil/rapeseed oil (RSO), as well as a liquid oat base (OB) simulating an oat drink with different polar lipid content are investigated, and compared with RSO as control. Increasing the polar lipid content of the product digested leads to a significantly decreased lipolysis rate, and this effect is even observed when mixing RSO with a low amount of oat oil (10%). The results support the hypothesis that polar lipids can delay lipolysis also in a complex, natural system like the liquid OB, and even a minor amount of oat lipids can have large effect on lipolysis rates.Practical applications: The number of studies connecting galactolipids with a decreasing effect on duodenal lipolysis is growing; however, the mechanism behind this phenomenon is still not clarified. Here, the same effect is seen in a complex, natural food system. These findings open up for interesting future food products, where inclusion of oat oil, even at low concentrations, can have a prolonging effect on satiety. Oat for human consumption is an increasing market, thanks to the positive health benefits oat has been connected to, in combination with the current trend toward climate‐friendly plant‐based options for meat and dairy products. It is believed that oat oil can be attractive as an ingredient in various food products, for example, protein bars and spreads. More studies are needed to confirm the results in vivo. However, a great potential is seen for the use of oat oil to enhance appetite control.
Micronucleus Test Reveals Genotoxic Effects in Bats Associated with Agricultural Activity
Authors: Sandoval-Herrera Natalia , Paz Castillo Jesusa , Herrera Montalvo L. Gerardo , Welch Kenneth C. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Bats play a vital role in our ecosystems and economies as natural pest-control agents, seed dispersers, and pollinators. Agricultural intensification, however, can impact bats foraging near crops, affecting the ecosystem services they provide. Exposure to pesticides, for example, may induce chromosome breakage or missegregation that can result in micronucleus formation. Detection of micronuclei is a simple, inexpensive, and relatively minimally invasive technique commonly used to evaluate chemical genotoxicity but rarely applied to assess wildlife genotoxic effects. We evaluated the suitability of the micronucleus test as a biomarker of genotoxicity for biomonitoring field studies in bats. We collected blood samples from insectivorous bats roosting in caves surrounded by different levels of disturbance (agriculture, human settlements) in Colima and Jalisco, west central Mexico. Then, we examined the frequency of micronucleus inclusions in erythrocytes using differentially stained blood smears. Bats from caves surrounded by proportionately more (53%) land used for agriculture and irrigated year-round had higher micronucleus frequency than bats from a less disturbed site (15% agriculture). We conclude that the micronucleus test is a sensitive method to evaluate genotoxic effects in free-ranging bats and could provide a useful biomarker for evaluating risk of exposure in wild populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:202–207. © 2020 SETAC
Abstract
Bats roosting in areas with higher agricultural development present a higher frequency of micronuclei, a sensitive and field-friendly biomarker of genotoxicity.
Estimation of healthcare expenditure per capita of Turkey using artificial intelligence techniques with genetic algorithm‐based feature selection
Authors: Ceylan Zeynep , Atalan Abdulkadir 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study presents a comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to predict healthcare expenditure per capita (pcHCE) in Turkey. Well‐known AI techniques such as random forest (RF), artificial neural network (ANN), multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector regression (SVR), and relevance vector machine (RVM) were used to forecast pcHCE. Twenty‐nine years of historical data from 1990 to 2018 were used in the training and testing phases of the models. Gross domestic product per capita, life expectancy at birth, unemployment rate, crude birth rate, and the number of physicians and hospitals were used as input variables for the analysis. A genetic algorithm‐based feature selection (GAFS) method was applied to all models to select the relevant and optimal feature subset in the prediction of pcHCE. The comparative results showed that the GAFS method improved the overall performance of all base AI models. The hybrid GAFS‐RF model performed best among all AI‐based prediction methods, with a 99.86% correlation of determination (R2) value at the testing stage.
Influence of Microstructure on Electrochemical Performance of Plasma Sprayed Ni‐YSZ Anodes for SOFCs
Authors: Metcalfe C. , Kesler O. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe influence of anode microstructural parameters on the electrochemical performance of plasma sprayed solid oxide fuel cells with metal supports has been investigated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to correlate the measured polarization resistances associated with both the three‐phase boundary length density and gas diffusivity of porous nickel/yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anodes. Each anode was deposited in atmospheric conditions using solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS), dry‐powder plasma spraying (DPPS), or suspension plasma spraying (SPS). The high‐frequency (> 1 kHz) part of the impedance spectrum was found to correlate with the three‐phase boundary length per unit volume of each anode. The low‐frequency part of the impedance spectrum was found to correlate with diffusive transport of gases through the porous anode. Gas transport measurements in the context of the dusty gas model were used to extract microstructure‐dependent parameters that provided a quantitative comparison among the distinct microstructures obtained using the three plasma spray methods. These results were compared to measurements using Darcy's law, which yielded similar trends and provided an efficient method to more rapidly compare gas transport rates in porous electrodes having different structures.
Amyloid‐β impairs the phagocytosis of dystrophic synapses by astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Sanchez‐Mico Maria V. , Jimenez Sebastian , Gomez‐Arboledas Angela , Muñoz‐Castro Clara , Romero‐Molina Carmen , Navarro Victoria , Sanchez‐Mejias Elisabeth , Nuñez‐Diaz Cristina , Sanchez‐Varo Raquel , Galea Elena , Davila José C. , Vizuete Marisa , Gutierrez Antonia , Vitorica Javier 
Published: December 2020

AbstractReactive astrocytes and dystrophic neurites, most aberrant presynaptic elements, are found surrounding amyloid‐β plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have previously shown that reactive astrocytes enwrap, phagocytose, and degrade dystrophic synapses in the hippocampus of APP mice and AD patients, but affecting less than 7% of dystrophic neurites, suggesting reduced phagocytic capacity of astrocytes in AD. Here, we aimed to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms by analyzing the capacity of primary astrocyte cultures to phagocytose and degrade isolated synapses (synaptoneurosomes, SNs) from APP (containing dystrophic synapses and amyloid‐β peptides), Tau (containing AT8‐ and AT100‐positive phosphorylated Tau) and WT (controls) mice. We found highly reduced phagocytic and degradative capacity of SNs‐APP, but not AT8/AT100‐positive SNs‐Tau, as compared with SNs‐WT. The reduced astrocyte phagocytic capacity was verified in hippocampus from 12‐month‐old APP mice, since only 1.60 ± 3.81% of peri‐plaque astrocytes presented phagocytic structures. This low phagocytic capacity did not depend on microglia‐mediated astrocyte reactivity, because removal of microglia from the primary astrocyte cultures abrogated the expression of microglia‐dependent genes in astrocytes, but did not affect the phagocytic impairment induced by oligomeric amyloid‐β alone. Taken together, our data suggest that amyloid‐β, but not hyperphosphorylated Tau, directly impairs the capacity of astrocytes to clear the pathological accumulation of oligomeric amyloid‐β, as well as of peri‐plaque dystrophic synapses containing amyloid‐β, perhaps by reducing the expression of phagocytosis receptors such as Mertk and Megf10, thus increasing neuronal damage in AD. Therefore, the potentiation or recovery of astrocytic phagocytosis may be a novel therapeutic avenue in AD.
Probing the role of the right inferior frontal gyrus during Pain‐Related empathy processing: Evidence from fMRI and TMS
Authors: Li Yun , Li Wenjuan , Zhang Tingting , Zhang Junjun , Jin Zhenlan , Li Ling 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecent studies have suggested that the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) may be involved in pain‐related empathy. To verify the role of the rIFG, we performed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment to replicate previous research and further designed a noninvasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) experiment to probe the causal role of the rIFG in pain‐related empathy processing. We assigned 74 volunteers (37 females) to three groups. Group 1 (n = 26) performed a task in which participants were required to perceive pain in others (task of pain: TP) and we used fMRI to observe the activity of the rIFG during pain‐related empathy processing. Then, we applied online rTMS to the rIFG and the vertex site (as reference site) to observe the performance of Group 2 (n = 24; performing TP) and Group 3 (n = 24; performing a control task of identifying body parts; task of body: TB). fMRI experiment demonstrated stronger activation in the rIFG than in the vertex during the perception of pain in others (p < .0001, Bonferroni‐corrected). rTMS experiment indicated that when the rIFG was temporarily disrupted, participants perceived pain in others significantly more slowly (p < .0001, Bonferroni‐corrected) than when the vertex was disrupted. Our results provide evidence that the rIFG is involved in pain‐related empathy processing, which yields insights into how the brain perceives pain in others.
Structural Characterization of a High‐Nuclearity Niobium(V) Carboxylate Cluster Based on Pivalic Acid
Authors: Korzyński Maciej D. , Xie Lilia S. , Dincă Mircea 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe report a novel Nb(V)−carboxylate cluster obtained from reaction of niobium(V) ethoxide and pivalic (trimethylacetic) acid. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction data reveal a structure composed of 16 Nb(V) ions featuring oxo‐, ethoxy‐ and pivalate moieties. The new cluster exhibits the highest nuclearity among structurally characterized niobium carboxylates reported to date.
Hsa_circ_0002483 regulates miR‐758‐3p/MYC axis to promote acute myeloid leukemia progression
Authors: Xiao Yi , Ming Xi , Wu Jiaying 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCircular RNAs are relevant to progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Nevertheless, how and whether hsa_circ_0002483 (circ_0002483) participates in AML progression are largely uncertain. The bone marrow samples were harvested from 31 AML patients or 31 normal subjects. Circ_0002483, microRNA (miR)‐758‐3p and myelocytomatosis oncogene (MYC) abundances were examined via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Cell proliferation, cycle process and apoptosis were analyzed via Cell Counting Kit‐8, flow cytometry, caspase 3 activity and related protein levels. Target relationship was investigated by dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Circ_0002483 expression was elevated in AML patients and cells. Circ_0002483 silence constrained AML cell proliferation and facilitated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. miR‐758‐3p was reduced in AML and decreased via circ_0002483. miR‐758‐3p down‐regulation mitigated the inhibitive influence of circ_0002483 interference on AML progression. MYC was decreased by miR‐758‐3p, and circ_0002483 could regulate MYC expression by miR‐758‐3p. miR‐758‐3p overexpression restrained cell proliferation and promoted cycle arrest and apoptosis via decreasing MYC. Circ_0002483 knockdown repressed AML cell proliferation and promoted cycle arrest and apoptosis via controlling miR‐758‐3p/MYC axis.
Potentially inappropriate medications prescribing to elderly patients with advanced chronic kidney by using 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria
Authors: Chahine Bahia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and aimsA potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is defined as a drug‐carrying risks outweighing the expected clinical benefits. Elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are particularly at higher risk of drug‐related toxicities. In Lebanon, no studies have been conducted regarding the prescribing of PIMs in hospitalized CKD patients. This study aimed to check the prevalence of PIMs using the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers criteria in elderly patients with advanced CKD stages including dialysis and to identify possible risk factors that may be associated with prescribing PIMs in this population.MethodsA retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted on patients with advanced CKD above the age of 65 years and admitted between January 2019 and June 2019 to two University Hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to determine which factors were associated with prescription of PIMs according to AGS Beers criteria‐2019.ResultsThe study sample included 199 patients with renal dysfunction, 75.9% were aged 70 years or more, 53.8% were females, and 61.8% were prescribed five drugs or more. Eighty‐two patients were receiving hemodialysis (41.2%). PIMs prevalence was 34.1% (68/199 patients) according to Beers criteria in elderly patients with advanced CKD stages.The most frequently prescribed PIMs were ranitidine (39.1%), enoxaparin (25%), tramadol (9.8%), and ciprofloxacin (5.4%). Polypharmacy (OR 2.1, CI 95% 1.58‐2.79), a higher number of comorbidities (OR 3.01, CI 95% 1.43‐6.30), and coronary artery diseases (OR 3.14 CI 95% 1.44‐6.85) were the factors associated with an increased risk of at least one PIM prescription.ConclusionOur study found that one out of three patients with advanced CKD had at least one PIM according to the latest Beers criteria. A large proportion of inappropriate prescribing is preventable by increasing awareness of prescribing physicians to the explicit lists of PIMs.