bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of sodium channels on neurological/neuronal disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Bagheri Shokufeh , Haddadi Rasool , Saki Sahar , Kourosh‐Arami Masoumeh , Komaki Alireza 
Published: October 2021

AbstractNeurological and neuronal disorders are associated with structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the nervous system. Many neurological diseases have not yet been discovered. Interventions used for the treatment of these disorders include avoidance measures, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy, neurorehabilitation, pain management, medication, and surgery. In the sodium channelopathies, alterations in the structure, expression, and function of voltage‐gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are considered as the causes of neurological and neuronal diseases. Online databases, including Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed were assessed for studies published between 1977 and 2020 using the keywords of review, sodium channels blocker, neurological diseases, and neuronal diseases. VGSCs consist of one α subunit and two β subunits. These subunits are known to regulate the gating kinetics, functional characteristics, and localization of the ion channel. These channels are involved in cell migration, cellular connections, neuronal pathfinding, and neurite outgrowth. Through the VGSC, the action potential is triggered and propagated in the neurons. Action potentials are physiological functions and passage of impermeable ions. The electrophysiological properties of these channels and their relationship with neurological and neuronal disorders have been identified. Subunit mutations are involved in the development of diseases, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, autism, and Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, we conducted a review of the link between VGSCs and neurological and neuronal diseases. Also, novel therapeutic targets were introduced for future drug discoveries.
Fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase deficiency causes fatty liver disease and requires long‐term hepatic follow‐up
Authors: Gorce Magali , Lebigot Elise , Arion Alina , Brassier Anaïs , Cano Aline , De Lonlay Pascale , Feillet François , Gay Claire , Labarthe François , Nassogne Marie‐Cécile , Roche Sandrine , Roubertie Agathe , Sacaze Elise , Touati Guy , Broué Pierre 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLiver disease, occurring during pediatric or adult age, is often of undetermined cause. Some cases are probably related to undiagnosed inherited metabolic disorders. Hepatic disorders associated with fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase deficiency, a gluconeogenesis defect, are not reported in the literature. These symptoms are mainly described during acute crises, and many reports do not mention them because hypoglycemia and hyperlactatemia are more frequently in the forefront. Herein, the liver manifestations of 18 patients affected with fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase deficiency are described and the corresponding literature is reviewed. Interestingly, all 18 patients had liver abnormalities either during follow‐up (hepatomegaly [n = 8/18], elevation of transaminases [n = 6/15], bright liver [n = 7/11]) or during acute crises (hepatomegaly [n = 10/17], elevation of transaminases [n = 13/16], acute liver failure [n = 6/14], bright liver [n = 4/14]). Initial reports described cases of liver steatosis, when liver biopsy was necessary to confirm the diagnosis by an enzymatic study. There is no clear pathophysiological basis for this fatty liver disease but we postulate that endoplasmic reticulum stress and de novo lipogenesis activation could be key factors, as observed in FBP1 knockout mice. Liver steatosis may expose patients to severe long‐term liver complications. As hypoglycemia becomes less frequent with age, most adult patients are no longer monitored by hepatologist. Signs of fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase deficiency may be subtle and can be missed in childhood. We suggest that fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase deficiency should be considered as an etiology of hepatic steatosis, and a liver monitoring protocol should be set up for these patients, during lifelong follow‐up.
Higher stock plant nitrogen and phosphorus levels favor rooting on mini cuttings of tea tree
Authors: Lowe Gail E. , Shepherd Mervyn , Raymond Carolyn , Rose Terry 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe impact of N and P nutrition of stock plants of tea trees (Melaleuca alternifolia) on rooting and survival of cuttings was investigated in order to optimize adventitious rooting and growth of scion cuttings used for clonal propagation. High rates of 300 kg N ha–1 and 100 kg P ha–1 led to higher rooting, shoot elongation, and survival of the cuttings than low rates of 25 kg N ha–1 and 5 kg P ha–1, and are thus recommended for tea tree clonal propagation.
A comparative study on physicochemical and micellar solubilization performance between monoglucosyl rebaudioside A and rebaudioside A
Authors: Zhang Tongtong , Myint Khaing zar , Xia Yongmei , Wu Jing 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDRebaudioside A (RA) and its monoglucosyl derivative, as like rebaudioside D (RD) are the most popular stevia glycosides but possess poor solubility in water, which limited their application as edible surfactants, the applications as in micellar solubilization and drug delivery. Meanwhile, effect of the monoglucosyl attached to RA moiety remains unclear.RESULTSMonoglucosyl rebaudioside A (RAG1) was synthesized via hydrolyzing the transglycosylation product of RA with 95% of RA converted. RAG1 content in raw reaction mixture was as high as 69.5% of total glycosides, and harvested with a content of 88.2% by simple filtration. The RAG1 exhibited an aqueous solubility of 87 folds of RA or 391 folds of RD at 25 °C. The surface activity of RAG1 solution was higher than RA and invincible to RD. The RAG1 micelles promoted aqueous solubility of idebenone (IDE) up to 500 folds higher at 25 °C. The cumulative release rate of IDE encapsulated in RAG1 micelles was 777.5% or 456.7% higher of that of free IDE in simulated gastric/intestinal fluids in 14 h, respectively. The RAG1‐IDE remained the same in 98 days at 25 °C.CONCLUSIONThe α‐linked glucosyl to RA induced higher hydrophilicity and surface activity than that resulted by β‐linked glucosyl, making RAG1 not only dramatically raise the aqueous solubility of RA, but also endow IDE folds higher in bioaccessibility, yet making the capsule stable at storage. The results would provide a new edible delivery nanocarrier for encapsulation of hydrophobic bioactive components. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Systematic characterization of the absorbed components of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and their metabolic pathways in rat plasma by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry combined with network pharmacology
Authors: Zhang Danjie , Xiong Lewen , Fang Linlin , Li Huifei , Zhao Xin , Luan Ruqiao , Zhao Pan , Zhang Xuelan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLigustri Lucidi Fructus is a dried and mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait., which has the effects of nourishing liver and kidney. Herein, an accurate and sensitive method was established for the separation and identification of the absorbed constituents and metabolites of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in rat plasma based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 73 prototype constituents and 148 metabolites were identified or characterized in administered plasma, and the possible metabolic pathways of constituents mainly involved hydroxylation, sulfation, demethylation, and glucuronidation. Besides, the network pharmacology was further investigated to illuminate its potential mechanism of treatment for liver injury by the biological targets regulating related pathways. Network pharmacological analysis showed that target components through 399 targets regulate 220 pathways. The docking results showed that 36 key target components were closely related to liver injury. Overall, the study clearly presented the metabolic processes of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and gave a comprehensive metabolic profile of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in vivo first. Combining with network pharmacology and molecular docking discovered potential drug targets and disclose the biological processes of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, which will be a viable step toward uncovering the secret mask of study for traditional Chinese medicine.
Exploring the genetic variation for sodicity tolerance in Melia dubia evolved in Indian conditions
Authors: Kumar Raj , Banyal Rakesh , Singh Awtar , Yadav Rajender Kumar 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSoil sodicity is one of the major constraints for the success of afforestation worldwide. High sodicity causes poor soil physical conditions and thus adversely affect tree growth and biomass production. However, considerable intraspecific variation for sodicity tolerance exists in most of the trees species. Presently, no information is available on sodicity tolerance in the genotypes of the industrially important Melia dubia tree. Therefore, we examined twenty‐five genotypes of M. dubia, that has evolved in different parts of India, to elucidate mechanisms and identify traits imparting sodicity tolerance in these genotypes. The experimental evidence showed the significant genetic variability and relationships in genotypes for various morphological and physiological traits in response to the sodicity stress. On an average, sodicity stress reduced plant height, collar diameter, and shoot biomass by 15%, 18%, and 60%, respectively. The shoots Na+ concentration had negative correlation with the growth traits. Shoot Na+ ions exclusion was found to increase sodicity tolerance and conferred salt tolerance mechanism in M. dubia. Path analysis revealed that the plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves, and branches were major determinants of shoot biomass production. Cluster analysis validated the genotypes response to sodicity and classified the germplasm into sensitive, moderately tolerant, and tolerant category each consisting of nine, eleven, and five genotypes, respectively. Among genotypes, the MDSS06, MDSS13, and MDSS21 produced greater growth and biomass under sodic stress and indicated good growth potential in such soil. The results showed the presence of a high genetic diversity for salt tolerance in Melia, and the identified genotypes can be considered for strengthening the breeding programs aiming at improving the sodicity tolerance of the species. Our result concluded that genetic variation and breeding approaches using the MDSS06, 13, and 21 genotypes have tremendous potential to improve the growth, biomass, and overall productivity of M. dubia under sodic soil conditions.
Mechanisms of land degradation and their environmental implications in a middle‐latitude desert area of China
Authors: Zhu Bing‐Qi 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe movement of aeolian materials and dynamics of dune landforms are results of the transportation and accumulation of sandy sediments under the influence of climate, in which the processes that gave birth to sand dune formations are complex as the arid area has experienced different periods of humidity and aridity. These dynamics are still not well understood at present, especially at the inter‐decadal time scale. Based on a comprehensive analysis of geomorphological, sedimentological, geochemical, and ecohydrological data, this study discussed the dynamical changes of different dune landforms during the past half‐century and their formation mechanism in the Hexi Corridor, northern China. The results show that on the inter‐annual and inter‐decadal scales, the crescent‐shaped dunes move the fastest among different dune types. Dunes in Minqin move the fastest (at 6.2 ± 0.5 m yr−1) and dunes in Dunhuang move the slowest (at 0.8 ± 0.2 m yr−1). The dune sands are mainly medium sand (21.7%–57.4%) and fine sand (23.2%–53.0%) with an average grain size of 0.07 ± 0.01 mm ~0.24 ± 0.06 mm, similar to the world's average particle size of sand dunes. Annual precipitation and spring precipitation, annual average wind speed, and number of annual strong wind days are the main factors affecting the dynamic changes of dunes in the Corridor, indicating a major influence of climatic factors. STC (sufficient transport capacity) is evidenced for both the western and eastern Hexi Corridor, however, SSS (sufficient sand supply) and SA (sand availability) are the favourable factor for dune formation in the east part but is the limiting factor for the west. In the past half‐century, although the vulnerability of land degradation is a function of climate change, geomorphological processes, and anthropogenic pressure in the Hexi Corridor, water resource limitations have been more important.
Mixotrophy upgrades food quality for marine calanoid copepods
Authors: Traboni Claudia , Calbet Albert , Saiz Enric 
Published: October 2021

AbstractInorganic nutrient limitation affects the stoichiometry and nutritional quality of marine phytoplankton. Mixoplankton, able to photosynthesize and feed simultaneously in the one cell, can compensate shortage of nutrients by phagotrophy, theoretically upgrading their nutritional quality for their predators: the zooplankton. Yet, the additional value that phagotrophy in mixoplankton may provide to support zooplankton growth and recruitment has been poorly explored. Therefore, we investigated the feeding and reproductive performances of the copepods Paracartia grani and Centropages typicus on mono‐diets of the dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum grown as strict autotroph and as mixotroph, both under N and P depletion, and in nutrient‐balanced conditions (f/2 medium; only as autotroph). Feeding and reproduction outputs were generally higher in P. grani than in C. typicus. Both copepod species ingested the mixotrophic K. veneficum at similar rates than the autotrophic ones in either nutrient‐limited scenario. However, egg production and recruitment rates generally increased when feeding on mixotrophs, in P. grani on both N‐ and P‐limited diets, and in C. typicus under P limitation. In general, P limitation influenced copepod physiology more than N depletion. Our results show that phagotrophy upgrades nutritional quality in nutrient‐limited mixotrophs as prey for copepods compared to the strict autotrophic ones. These findings are among the first reported cases of copepod ingestion in the laboratory on actively feeding mixoplankton, and they highlight the importance of considering the trophic mode of the protist and the response by various zooplanktonic predators when attempting to understand the functioning of marine planktonic food webs.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Potentiate the Protective Effect of Branched‐Chain Amino Acids on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Cirrhotic Rats
Authors: Takeda Soichi , Kaji Kosuke , Nishimura Norihisa , Enomoto Masahide , Fujimoto Yuki , Murata Koji , Takaya Hiroaki , Kawaratani Hideto , Moriya Kei , Namisaki Tadashi , Akahane Takemi , Yoshiji Hitoshi 
Published: October 2021

ScopeThis study investigated the combined effect of the angiotensin II (AT‐II) receptor blocker losartan and branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) on skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with cirrhosis and steatohepatitis.Method and ResultsFischer 344 rats are fed a choline‐deficient l‐amino acid‐defined (CDAA) diet for 12 weeks and treated with oral losartan (30 mg kg−1 day−1) and/or BCAAs (Aminoleban EN, 2500 mg kg−1 day−1). Treatment with losartan and BCAAs attenuated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and improved skeletal muscle atrophy and strength in CDAA‐fed rats. Both agents reduced intramuscular myostatin and pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels, resulting in inhibition of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) through interference with the SMAD and nuclear factor‐kappa B pathways, respectively. Losartan also augmented the BCAA‐mediated increase of skeletal muscle mass by promoting insulin growth factor‐I production and mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, losartan decreased the intramuscular expression of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a transcriptional inducer of E3 ubiquitin ligase regulated by AT‐II. In vitro assays illustrated that losartan promoted mitochondrial biogenesis and reduced TFEB expression in AT‐II‐stimulated rat myocytes, thereby potentiating the inhibitory effects of BCAAs on the UPS and caspase‐3 cleavage.ConclusionThese results indicate that this regimen could serve as a novel treatment for patients with sarcopenia and liver cirrhosis.
Self‐supervised IVIM DWI parameter estimation with a physics based forward model
Authors: Vasylechko Serge Didenko , Warfield Simon K. , Afacan Onur , Kurugol Sila 
Published: October 2021

PurposeTo assess the robustness and repeatability of intravoxel incoherent motion model (IVIM) parameter estimation for the diffusion‐weighted MRI in the abdominal organs under the constraints of noisy diffusion signal using a novel neural network method.MethodsClinically acquired abdominal scans of Crohn’s disease patients were retrospectively analyzed with regions segmented in the kidney cortex, spleen, liver, and bowel. A novel IVIM parameter fitting method based on the principle of a physics guided self‐supervised convolutional neural network that does not require reference parameter estimates for training was compared to a conventional non‐linear least squares (NNLS) algorithm, and a voxelwise trained artificial neural network (ANN).ResultsResults showed substantial increase in parameter robustness to the noise corrupted signal. In an intra‐session repeatability experiment, the proposed method showed reduced coefficient of variation (CoV) over multiple acquisitions in comparison to conventional NLLS method and comparable performance to ANN. The use of D and f estimates from the proposed method led to the smallest misclassification error in linear discriminant analysis for characterization between normal and abnormal Crohn’s disease bowel tissue. The fitting of parameter remains to be challenging.ConclusionThe proposed method yields robust estimates of D and f IVIM parameters under the constraints of noisy diffusion signal. This indicates a potential for the use of the proposed method in conjunction with accelerated DW‐MRI acquisition strategies, which would typically result in lower signal to noise ratio.
QSMxT: Robust masking and artifact reduction for quantitative susceptibility mapping
Authors: Stewart Ashley Wilton , Robinson Simon Daniel , O’Brien Kieran , Jin Jin , Widhalm Georg , Hangel Gilbert , Walls Angela , Goodwin Jonathan , Eckstein Korbinian , Tourell Monique , Morgan Catherine , Narayanan Aswin , Barth Markus , Bollmann Steffen 
Published: October 2021

PurposeQuantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) estimates the spatial distribution of tissue magnetic susceptibilities from the phase of a gradient‐echo signal. QSM algorithms require a signal mask to delineate regions with reliable phase for subsequent susceptibility estimation. Existing masking techniques used in QSM have limitations that introduce artifacts, exclude anatomical detail, and rely on parameter tuning and anatomical priors that narrow their application. Here, a robust masking and reconstruction procedure is presented to overcome these limitations and enable automated QSM processing. Moreover, this method is integrated within an open‐source software framework: QSMxT.MethodsA robust masking technique that automatically separates reliable from less reliable phase regions was developed and combined with a two‐pass reconstruction procedure that operates on the separated sources before combination, extracting more information and suppressing streaking artifacts.ResultsCompared with standard masking and reconstruction procedures, the two‐pass inversion reduces streaking artifacts caused by unreliable phase and high dynamic ranges of susceptibility sources. It is also robust across a range of acquisitions at 3 T in volunteers and phantoms, at 7 T in tumor patients, and in an in silico head phantom, with significant artifact and error reductions, greater anatomical detail, and minimal parameter tuning.ConclusionThe two‐pass masking and reconstruction procedure separates reliable from less reliable phase regions, enabling a more accurate QSM reconstruction that mitigates artifacts, operates without anatomical priors, and requires minimal parameter tuning. The technique and its integration within QSMxT makes QSM processing more accessible and robust to streaking artifacts.
Dynamic 13C MR spectroscopy as an alternative to imaging for assessing cerebral metabolism using hyperpolarized pyruvate in humans
Authors: Ma Junjie , Pinho Marco C. , Harrison Crystal E. , Chen Jun , Sun Chenhao , Hackett Edward P. , Liticker Jeff , Ratnakar James , Reed Galen D. , Chen Albert P. , Sherry A. Dean , Malloy Craig R. , Wright Steven M. , Madden Christopher J. , Park Jae Mo 
Published: October 2021

PurposeThis study is to investigate time‐resolved 13C MR spectroscopy (MRS) as an alternative to imaging for assessing pyruvate metabolism using hyperpolarized (HP) [1‐13C]pyruvate in the human brain.MethodsTime‐resolved 13C spectra were acquired from four axial brain slices of healthy human participants (n = 4) after a bolus injection of HP [1‐13C]pyruvate. 13C MRS with low flip‐angle excitations and a multichannel 13C/1H dual‐frequency radiofrequency (RF) coil were exploited for reliable and unperturbed assessment of HP pyruvate metabolism. Slice‐wise areas under the curve (AUCs) of 13C‐metabolites were measured and kinetic analysis was performed to estimate the production rates of lactate and . Linear regression analysis between brain volumes and HP signals was performed. Region‐focused pyruvate metabolism was estimated using coil‐wise 13C reconstruction. Reproducibility of HP pyruvate exams was presented by performing two consecutive injections with a 45‐minutes interval.Results[1‐13C]Lactate relative to the total 13C signal (tC) was 0.21–0.24 in all slices. [13C]/tC was 0.065–0.091. Apparent conversion rate constants from pyruvate to lactate and were calculated as 0.014–0.018 s−1 and 0.0043–0.0056 s−1, respectively. Pyruvate/tC and lactate/tC were in moderate linear relationships with fractional gray matter volume within each slice. White matter presented poor linear regression fit with HP signals, and moderate correlations of the fractional cerebrospinal fluid volume with pyruvate/tC and lactate/tC were measured. Measured HP signals were comparable between two consecutive exams with HP [1‐13C]pyruvate.ConclusionsDynamic MRS in combination with multichannel RF coils is an affordable and reliable alternative to imaging methods in investigating cerebral metabolism using HP [1‐13C]pyruvate.