bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel sparging strategies to enhance dissolved carbon dioxide stripping in industrial scale stirred tank reactors
Authors: Nickel Nicolas , Fitschen Jürgen , Haase Ingrid , Kuschel Maike , Schulz Torsten W. , Wucherpfennig Thomas , Schlüter Michael 
Published: November 2024

Aerated stirred tank reactors are widely used in bio-process engineering and pharmaceutical industries. To supply the organisms with oxygen and control the pH value, oxygen is transferred from air bubbles into the liquid phase, and, at the same time, carbon dioxide is stripped from the liquid phase with the same gas bubbles. The volumetric mass transfer coefficients for oxygen and carbon dioxide are, therefore, of crucial importance for the design and scale-up of aerated stirred tank reactors. In this experimental work, the volumetric mass transfer coefficients for oxygen and carbon dioxide are investigated simultaneously to study their mutual influence. The mass transfer performance for oxygen and carbon dioxide is conducted in stirred tank reactors on the 3 L laboratory scale, 30 L pilot scale, and 15,000 L production scale. First, the influence of dissolved carbon dioxide on the oxygen mass transfer performance is investigated in a 30 L pilot scale stirred tank reactor. The results show that the volumetric mass transfer coefficient of oxygen is not affected by the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide, but the total mass flux of oxygen decreases with increasing carbon dioxide concentration due to the decreasing partial pressure difference. With rising gassing rate and volumetric power input, both mass transfer coefficients for oxygen and carbon dioxide show the same increasing trend. Although this trend can also be observed when scaling down to the 3 L laboratory scale reactor, a significantly different effect must be considered for the scale-up to the 15,000 L industrial scale reactor. The limited absorption capacity for carbon dioxide of the gas bubbles during the long residence time in the industrial scale reactor is noticeable here, which is why the specific interfacial area is of negligible importance. This effect is used to develop a method for independent control of oxygen and carbon dioxide mass transfer performance on an industrial scale and to increase the mass transfer performance for carbon dioxide by up to 25%.
The effectiveness of liver transplantation in reducing lipid levels in Saudi children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Al-Ashwal Abdullah , Al-Mansour Salman , Al-Shagrani Mohammed , Al-Gofi Talal , Broering Dieter , Alhuthil Raghad 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThe lipid profiles of patients aged &lt;15 years who have been diagnosed with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital &amp; Research Center (Riyadh) were examined.MethodsThe total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 17 patients were measured on initial presentation and compared with the levels measured after pharmacological treatment and then again after liver transplantation.ResultsAt the end of the pharmacological treatment, the total cholesterol levels decreased by an average of 3.79 mmol/L (reduced by 15.40%) (P &lt; 0.001), and LDL-C levels decreased on average by 2.73 mmol/L (reduced by 13.46%) (P = 0.014). However, in two patients, LDL-C levels increased by 5.42% and 9.03% after pharmacological treatment. Conversely, the lipid values measured after liver transplantation decreased significantly nearly to within normal and borderline limits. The post-transplant total cholesterol and LDL-C levels declined by a mean of 19.96 mmol/L (reduced by 81.04%) and 17.47 mmol/L (reduced by 84.27%), respectively (P &lt; 0.001 for both).DiscussionThese findings suggest that liver transplantation provides a more effective means to reduce elevated total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in patients with HoFH. Although liver transplantation is considered a better treatment for FHoH, risks, complications, and donor organ shortage may present problems.
Single cell RNA-sequencing of feline peripheral immune cells with V(D)J repertoire and cross species analysis of T lymphocytes
Authors: Ramarapu Raneesh , Wulcan Judit M. , Chang Haiyang , Moore Peter F. , Vernau William , Keller Stefan M. 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThe domestic cat (Felis catus) is a valued companion animal and a model for virally induced cancers and immunodeficiencies. However, species-specific limitations such as a scarcity of immune cell markers constrain our ability to resolve immune cell subsets at sufficient detail. The goal of this study was to characterize circulating feline T cells and other leukocytes based on their transcriptomic landscape and T-cell receptor repertoire using single cell RNA-sequencing.MethodsPeripheral blood from 4 healthy cats was enriched for T cells by flow cytometry cell sorting using a mouse anti-feline CD5 monoclonal antibody. Libraries for whole transcriptome, αβ T cell receptor transcripts and γδ T cell receptor transcripts were constructed using the 10x Genomics Chromium Next GEM Single Cell 5’ reagent kit and the Chromium Single Cell V(D)J Enrichment Kit with custom reverse primers for the feline orthologs.ResultsUnsupervised clustering of whole transcriptome data revealed 7 major cell populations - T cells, neutrophils, monocytic cells, B cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, mast cells and platelets. Sub cluster analysis of T cells resolved naive (CD4+ and CD8+), CD4+ effector T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and γδ T cells. Cross species analysis revealed a high conservation of T cell subsets along an effector gradient with equitable representation of veterinary species (horse, dog, pig) and humans with the cat. Our V(D)J repertoire analysis identified a subset of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells with skewed TRA and TRB gene usage, conserved TRA and TRB junctional motifs, restricted TRA/TRB pairing and reduced diversity in TRG junctional length. We also identified a public γδ T cell subset with invariant TRD and TRG chains and a CD4+ TEM-like phenotype. Among monocytic cells, we resolved three clusters of classical monocytes with polarization into pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes in addition to a cluster of conventional dendritic cells. Lastly, our neutrophil sub clustering revealed a larger mature neutrophil cluster and a smaller exhausted/activated cluster.DiscussionOur study is the first to characterize subsets of circulating T cells utilizing an integrative approach of single cell RNA-sequencing, V(D)J repertoire analysis and cross species analysis. In addition, we characterize the transcriptome of several myeloid cell subsets and demonstrate immune cell relatedness across different species.
Quantifying sedimentary ’blue carbon’ in relation to canopy cover in the seagrass meadows of Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Authors: Felgate Stacey L. , Sanders Richard , Andrade Valdemar , Barry Christopher D. G. , Brittain Hannah , Carpenter Stephen , Carrias Abel , Cobb Eliceo , Evans Chris D. , Hunt James , Lichtschlag Anna , Mayor Daniel J. , Peel Kate , Price David M. , Radford Freya , Young Arlene , Evans Claire 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionSeagrass sediments are important ‘blue carbon’ reservoirs which store climatically significant quantities of organic carbon (Corg) at the global scale. Seagrass meadows that overly these sediments also provide a range of critical ecosystem services including shoreline stabilization, storm surge protection, and fisheries nursery grounds. However, the controls over accumulation and the sources of organic C to these sediments beds are highly variable and poorly understood with the relative importance of hydrodynamic setting, species composition and canopy density being unclear.MethodsHere we address these questions using the first observation-based estimates of Corg stocks and provenance on Turneffe Atoll, Belize, made via remotely-sensed habitat extent, local Corg data and isotopic data. Sedimentary Corg was highest in sediments underlying the most sheltered meadows and decreased with increasing exposure to wind and wave energy with the seagrass meadows in the central lagoon containing an extensive deposit of mangrove derived organic carbon, stabilized and protected by the overlying seagrass meadow.ResultsThe influence of species composition appeared weak with the ubiquitous species T. testudinum occurring across a wide range of hydrodynamic regimes ranging from the most sheltered to the most energetic and being associated with a wide range of sedimentary organic C concentrations. Importantly from the perspective of remote sensing, org C concentrations were unrelated to canopy density. We hypothesize that this decoupling of organic C concentration from seagrass canopy cover reflects a much longer timescale for carbon storage in the sediments than the lifespan of the seagrass plants themselves and/or a substantial non seagrass derived organic C burden in seagrass sediments. Overall, we conservatively estimate that the top 30cm of sediments underlying the seagrass meadows overlying carbonate sediments on the atoll exterior store 0.58 x 106 Mg Corg, most of which is seagrass-derived, whilst the sediments underlying the meadows within the central lagoon store an additional 1.28 x 106 Mg Corg. When the maximum possible extent of seagrass is considered, this estimate increases to 3.54 x 106 Mg Corg. Substantial Corg stocks extending &gt;1m depth were observed across all sites, and so these inventories are considered conservative.DiscussionA preliminary ‘cost of loss’ for sedimentary Corg in the top 30 cm of Turneffe Atoll’s seagrass meadows, based on a carbon trading value of €60 tCO2 (eq), is estimated at €42 million for the outer atoll, increasing to €136 million when the mangrove-derived sediments of the central atoll are considered and €260 million when turbid areas are assumed to contain seagrass.
Mechanisms of ROS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in Phaeodactylum tricornutum under AgNPs exposure
Authors: Zhang Yunfei , Liu Caili , Li Bin , Chen Lizhu , Xiang Zhiwei , Tian Xiuhui , Sun Chunxiao , Gao Jiqing , Qiao Ruiguang , Hu Shunxin 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionNanomaterials such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained widespread application across various fields. However, the large-scale production and application of AgNPs have raised concerns about their distribution in the environment and potential pollution issues.MethodsThis study investigates the toxic effects of AgNPs on the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum by employing electron microscopy for cellular observation, quantifying apoptotic cell numbers, and measuring antioxidant indicators. The research examines how varying concentrations of AgNPs induce stress in P. tricornutum and the specific mechanisms of the toxic effect.ResultsThe findings reveal that AgNPs induce apoptosis in P. tricornutum cells by triggering a mitochondria-mediated pathway, marked by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspase enzymes. Additionally, AgNP exposure results in an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the algal cells, leading to lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane and a consequent increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. This oxidative stress response induces the upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities in an attempt to mitigate the excessive ROS.DiscussionROS is identified as the primary factor responsible for inducing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. The research results will provide a theoretical basis for understanding the toxic effects and mechanisms of AgNPs on marine microalgae.
The role of stimuli of life events and sleep quality in the incidence of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: He Xi , Huang Chao , Jiang Fan , Lan Hongli , Huang Yu , Liu Maojie , Lai Dan 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionIt is difficult to detect acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) because of only low-frequency hearing loss and atypical early symptoms. The etiology of ALHL is still elusive, and psychosomatic factors influence deafness and tinnitus. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the correlation between psychosomatic factors and the incidence of ALHL to facilitate the prevention of ALHL.MethodsPatients with stuffy ears and tinnitus who were admitted to the Outpatient Clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwestern Medical University (Luzhou, China) from July 2020 to May 2023 were identified in this retrospective study. The general data, hearing screening form, the Life Event Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale were employed to assess patients’ hearing levels and stimuli of psychosomatic symptoms. Finally, the correlation among the stimuli of life events, sleep quality, and ALHL was statistically analyzed.ResultsA total of 97 ALHL patients and 97 healthy participants were enrolled in the case group and control group, respectively. The two groups had no significant differences in general information (all p &gt; 0.05). The amount of negative life event stimuli was significantly larger in ALHL patients than in the normal population (p = 0.000). Patients with ALHL had significantly poorer sleep quality than the healthy population (p = 0.000). There was a positive correlation between sleep quality and ALHL severity (250 Hz: r = 0.336, p = 0.001; 500 Hz: r = 0.299, p = 0.003), and a positive correlation between the stimuli of life events and sleep quality (r = 0.535, p = 0.000).DiscussionSleep quality was found to be closely associated with the degree of hearing loss in ALHL patients, and there was also a strong correlation between sleep quality and the stimuli of life events. Therefore, psychosomatic factors may play an important role in the occurrence of ALHL.
Angiographic features and progression risk factors in children with asymptomatic moyamoya disease
Authors: Wang Jiyuan , Zhang Qian , Di Fei , Zhang Dong 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential contribution of angiographic characteristics in the increased stroke risk among pediatric patients.MethodsThis study retrospectively enrolled pediatric patients with ischemic, hemorrhagic, and asymptomatic moyamoya disease. Their hemispheres were categorized into five groups for the analysis of angiographic characteristics, which included Suzuki’s stage, moyamoya vessels, lenticulostriate artery, thalamotuberal artery, thalamoperforating artery, anterior choroidal arteries, posterior choroidal arteries, and posterior cerebral artery involvement.ResultsTwo hundred and nineteen pediatric patients with four hundred and thirty-eight hemispheres were enrolled. There was no significant difference in collateral dilatation between asymptomatic and hemorrhagic hemispheres. However, asymptomatic hemispheres had significantly lower incidence of posterior cerebral artery involvement and Suzuki’s stage compared to hemorrhagic (p = 0.008, p = 0.004) and ischemic hemispheres (p = 0.026, p &lt; 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that Suzuki’s stage (p = 0.002, 95% CI 1.261–2.867) is a risk factor for ischemia, while age (p &lt; 0.001, 95% CI 0.712–2.014) and posterior cerebral artery involvement (p = 0.037, 95% CI 0.087–13.377) are risk factors for hemorrhage.InterpretationAngiographic features in children with asymptomatic moyamoya disease resemble those observed in the hemorrhagic pediatric patients, indicating that greater attention should be focused on the risk of future hemorrhage in these patients, rather than on ischemia. Additionally, studies have demonstrated a correlation between posterior cerebral artery involvement and age with the incidence of hemorrhage. Monitoring angiographic characteristics may assist in tracking the transition from asymptomatic to symptomatic hemispheres.
Irregular meal pattern and later sleep midpoint are associated with increased BMI z-score and waist–height ratio during early adolescence
Authors: Lommi Sohvi , Engberg Elina , Lehtimäki Aku-Ville , Lehto Reetta , Viljakainen Heli 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundRapid gains in adiposity may have more adverse health implications in later life compared with having stable adiposity throughout childhood and adolescence. A knowledge gap concerns concomitant health behaviors contributing to adiposity gain among adolescents.ObjectivesWe investigated the associations of health behaviors relating to dietary habits, sleep, physical activity (PA), and screen time with an increase in body mass index z-score (BMIz) and waist–height ratio (WHtR) during adolescence.MethodsWe included 4,785 adolescents (53% of girls) aged 11.1 (SD 0.8) years at baseline and followed them for 3 years. We clustered them into decreased, stable, and increased BMIz and WHtR categories using the K-means clustering method. Using Cox regression, we computed hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for the associations of self-reported health behaviors (dietary habits, physical activity, sleep midpoint, and sedentary digital media use) with belonging to an increased BMIz or WHtR group. In a subsample (n = 3,840), we ran a sensitivity analysis considering puberty status as an additional covariate.ResultsLater sleep midpoint (having later midpoint of sleep between bedtime and waking time) and irregular meal pattern (not eating lunch and dinner every school day) predicted increased BMIz (HR 1.26 [95% CI 1.13–1.41] and 1.23 [1.08–1.39], respectively) and WHtR (1.23 [1.09–1.39] and 1.18 [1.02–1.36], respectively) over the follow-up period, after adjusting for other health behaviors. Associations remained after considering puberty status as a covariate.ConclusionsEarly bedtime with adequate sleep duration and regular meal pattern should be encouraged to prevent adiposity gain during early adolescence.
β-cryptoxanthin suppresses oxidative stress via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Ke Jingjing , Zang Hualong , Liu Yang , Teng Qiuping , Hua Jiao , Peng Dan , Wang Ping 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the role and investigate mechanisms of β-Cryptoxanthin (BCX) in high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte injury and renal dysfunction.MethodsIn this study, db/db mice were orally treated with BCX. Blood glucose, body weight, urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) were recorded to evaluate the mice renal function. The H&amp;E, PAS staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to examine the effect of BCX on the morphological changes of glomeruli in db/db mice. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level, ATP level, and SA-β-gal staining were used to assess the podocyte oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence. Furthermore, the effects of BCX on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were evaluated in vivo and in vitro through Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis.ResultsIn vivo, BCX reversed glomerular mesangial matrix expansion and reduced proteinuria in db/db mice, as well as decreased glomerular oxidative stress and kidney aging. Similarly, in vitro study showed that BCX effectively alleviated the oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and senescence induced by HG in podocytes. Furthermore, we identified that the antioxidative effects of BCX are associated with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and that Nrf2 knockdown partially abrogated the protective effects of BCX in vitro.ConclusionOur study demonstrated for the first time that BCX alleviates podocyte injury in DKD by promoting Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. BCX may be a potential candidate compound for preventing Diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
The effects of procrastination on physical activity among Chinese university students: the chain-mediated effects of time management disposition and exercise motivation
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Tian Maoshen , Yang Jian , Xi Yue , Li Zhihui , Wang Lin 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesGrounded in self-determination theory (SDT), the procrastination-health model, and the mechanism model of exercise persistence, this study examined the effects of procrastination on physical activity and the mechanism of its action in Chinese college students.DesignThis study employed a cross-sectional design.MethodsA total of 957 Chinese university students (Mage = 20.26, SD = 1.07) completed questionnaires. The Aitken Procrastination Questionnaire, the Adolescent Time Management Dispositions Scale (ATMDS), the Modified Physical Activity Motivation Measure-Revised (MPAM-R), and the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3) were used to measure procrastination, time management disposition, exercise motivation, and physical activity.ResultsProcrastination, time management disposition, exercise motivation, and physical activity were each significantly correlated, and procrastination was a significant negative predictor of physical activity. The mediating effect of time management disposition and exercise motivation in the effect of procrastination on physical activity was significant, and the mediating effect accounted for 44.65% of the total effect. Three paths were specifically included: first, the separate mediating effect of time management disposition, second, the separate mediating effect of exercise motivation, and third, the chain mediating effect of time management disposition and exercise motivation.ConclusionThis study reveals the mechanism of action by which procrastination influences physical activities through time management disposition and exercise motivation in Chinese college students. The findings provide guiding recommendations for further promoting greater participation in physical activities among college students.
The relationship between life satisfaction and risk preferences of couch potatoes, recreational and elite athletes: the impact of mental dispositions and attitudes
Authors: Aguiar-Noury Alice , Frick Bernd , Risch Nikolaus 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThis study examines the relationship between physical activity and mental wellbeing among students not playing any sport (“couch potatoes”), recreational athletes and “dual career students”, i.e., students who are at the same time elite athletes. It addresses three closely related, yet different questions: (i) Do couch potatoes, recreational and elite athletes differ in their level of affective well-being or happiness? (ii) Are there any differences in cognitive wellbeing or life satisfaction between these groups? and (iii) Are there any differences in risk preferences and attitudes?MethodsIn our empirical analysis, we use a large cross-section dataset with detailed information on nearly 4,700 students enrolled at 24 different universities and universities of applied sciences all over Germany to identify the relationship between the individuals' personalities and their life satisfaction and risk preferences using standard regression models.ResultsOur findings indicate that, first, elite athletes report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction than recreational athletes and couch potatoes. Second, both groups of athletes display higher levels of risk tolerance than couch potatoes. Third, and most important, we find significant personality differences between elite athletes and the other two groups of students that drive most, yet not all of our results.DiscussionSince dual career students are often role models for other students, universities should consider investing in their sports facilities and offering sports classes on campus to increase the athletic involvement of the general student body.