bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fermented Quinoa and Canihua in Plant‐Based Diets Increase Iron and Zinc Bioavailability in Growing Rats
Authors: Castro‐Alba Vanesa , Vargas Mirian , Sandberg Ann‐Sofie , Perez‐Rea Daysi , Bergenståhl Björn , Granfeldt Yvonne , Lazarte Claudia E. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThis study aimed at evaluating the effects of non‐fermented and fermented pseudocereal flours, quinoa and canihua, on iron and zinc bioavailability in Wistar rats. Two diets prepared with 92% fermented quinoa or 79.5% fermented canihua were compared with diets prepared with the same amount of non‐fermented pseudocereals. Other two quinoa diets were prepared with 60% non‐fermented or fermented quinoa and compared with a refence diet which was free of phytates. Body weight, feed efficiency ratio, and the absorption, retention and bioavailability of iron and zinc were evaluated. While body weight and feed efficiency ratio were higher (p < 0.05) in animals after non‐fermented diets, the results of mineral absorption and bioavailability were consistently higher in the diets containing fermented pseudocereals. Iron concentration in the livers of animals after the fermented quinoa (92%) and canihua diet (79.5%), were 34% and 30% higher than after the diets with non‐fermented pseudocereals. Zinc bioavailability, indicated by zinc in femur of animals fed the 60% fermented quinoa diet was 53.2 μg g−1 ZnInt g−1 BW, comparable to that in animals fed a reference diet with no phytates (58.2 μg g−1 ZnInt g−1 BW), and significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in animals fed the non‐fermented quinoa diet (34.5 μg g−1 ZnInt g−1 BW). Zinc bioavailability was mainly influenced by phytate content in the diet (R2 = 0.665 and p = 0.000). The retention of iron in the liver (2220 μg g−1 FeInt g−1 BW) was higher in the diet containing 60% of fermented quinoa than in the non‐fermented diet (1429 μg g−1 ZnInt g−1 BW). Differences in iron absorption were mainly impacted by iron content in the diets (R2 = 0.828 and p = 0.000). In conclusion, the addition of fermented pseudocereals to diets increased the bioavailability of iron and zinc in Wistar rats. These findings will encourage further research into fermented pseudocereals and their potential health effects.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Fermented and Aged Mountain‐Cultivated Ginseng Sprouts via Suppression of MAPK‐NF‐κB Pathway in Lipopolysaccharide‐Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Cao Dang Long , Woo Min‐Seok , Kim Eun‐Jin , Ahn Byeonggyu , Prayoga Anjas Happy , Kang Sang Soo , Cho Kye Man , Kang Dawon 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTFermented and aged mountain‐cultivated ginseng sprouts (FAMCGS) exhibit superior antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties compared to mountain‐cultivated ginseng sprouts (MCGS). However, the mechanisms behind these properties of FAMCGSE remain unclear. This study explores the anti‐inflammatory effects of FAMCGS extract (FAMCGSE) on LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and the underlying mechanisms. The MTT assay confirmed that FAMCGSE (0 to 0.1%) maintained cell viability without inducing morphological changes. Pretreatment with FAMCGSE significantly mitigated LPS‐induced morphological alterations dose‐dependently. RT‐PCR and Western blot analyses showed that FAMCGSE significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory mediators such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, iNOS, and COX‐2. Additionally, FAMCGSE decreased the production of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, nitric oxide, and PGE2 in LPS‐activated RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, FAMCGSE inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs; ERK, p38, and JNK) and prevented the LPS‐induced nuclear translocation of NF‐κB, with effects comparable to compound K (CK) or dexamethasone. Notably, FAMCGSE was particularly effective in inhibiting ERK and JNK activation, with less impact on p38, suggesting a specific inhibitory action on certain MAPK pathways. These findings highlight FAMCGSE's potential as an inhibitor of MAPK and NF‐κB pathways, indicating that FAMCGSE, including its main component CK, may be a promising therapeutic agent for inflammation‐related conditions.
Exploring Dietary Factors and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Insights From Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Liu Xin , Yang Wenwen , Yang Yanjiang 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTEsophageal adenocarcinoma and diet are not well understood to be associated. We conducted Mendelian randomization analysis using 18 dietary factors as exposures (primarily including fruit consumption, vegetable consumption, alcohol consumption, meat consumption, tea intake, fish intake, etc.), with esophageal adenocarcinoma as the outcome. The IVW method was the leading method used for detecting causal links. Cochran's Q test was utilized to assess heterogeneity, the intercept of the MR‐Egger method was used to assess the presence of horizontal pleiotropy, and the existence of outliers was identified via the MR‐Presso method. This study identified that both alcohol intake frequency (OR = 1.375, p = 0.0216) and coffee intake (OR = 2.680, p = 0.0304) were linked to a heightened risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, while raw vegetable/salad consumption (OR = 0.117, p = 0.0258) and dried fruit intake (OR = 0.229, p = 0.00235) were associated with a decreased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. After FDR correction, only dried fruit intake (q = 0.0423) remained statistically significant. However, there was no evidence linking the other 14 dietary variables to esophageal adenocarcinoma. This study observed that alcohol consumption and coffee intake increase the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, while the intake of dried fruits rather than fresh fruits and raw vegetable intake rather than cooked vegetable intake reduce the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Other dietary factors were not associated with the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Medical Image Fusion for Multiple Diseases Features Enhancement
Authors: Khan Sajid Ullah , Alharbi Meshal , Shah Sajid , ELAffendi Mohammed 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThroughout the past 20 years, medical imaging has found extensive application in clinical diagnosis. Doctors may find it difficult to diagnose diseases using only one imaging modality. The main objective of multimodal medical image fusion (MMIF) is to improve both the accuracy and quality of clinical assessments by extracting structural and spectral information from source images. This study proposes a novel MMIF method to assist doctors and postoperations such as image segmentation, classification, and further surgical procedures. Initially, the intensity‐hue‐saturation (IHS) model is utilized to decompose the positron emission tomography (PET)/single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image, followed by a hue‐angle mapping method to discriminate high‐ and low‐activity regions in the PET images. Then, a proposed structure feature adjustment (SFA) mechanism is used as a fusion strategy for high‐ and low‐activity regions to obtain structural and anatomical details with minimum color distortion. In the second step, a new multi‐discriminator generative adversarial network (MDcGAN) approach is proposed for obtaining the final fused image. The qualitative and quantitative results demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to existing MMIF methods in preserving the structural, anatomical, and functional details of the PET/SPECT images. Through our assessment, involving visual analysis and subsequent verification using statistical metrics, it becomes evident that color changes contribute substantial visual information to the fusion of PET and MR images. The quantitative outcomes demonstrate that, in the majority of cases, the proposed algorithm consistently outperformed other methods. Yet, in a few instances, it achieved the second‐highest results. The validity of the proposed method was confirmed using diverse modalities, encompassing a total of 1012 image pairs.
Identifying critical modules and biomarkers of intervertebral disc degeneration by using weighted gene co‐expression network
Authors: Zhou Daqian , Liu Tao , Mei Yongliang , Lv Jiale , Cheng Kang , Cai Weiye , Gao Silong , Guo Daru , Xie Xianping , Liu Zongchao 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundIntervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is an age‐related orthopedic degenerative disease characterized by recurrent episodes of lower back pain, the pathogenesis of which is not fully understood. This study aimed to identify key biomarkers of IVDD and its causes.MethodsWe acquired three gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, GSE56081, GSE124272, and GSE153761, and used limma fast differential analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and IVDD samples after removing batch effects. We applied weighted gene co‐expression network (WGCNA) to identify the key modular genes in GSE124272 and intersected these with DEGs. Next, A protein–protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed, and Cytoscape was used to identify the Top 10 hub genes. Functional enrichment analyses were performed using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Three key genes were validated using Western Blot (WB) and qRT‐PCR. Additionally, we predicted miRNAs involved in hub gene co‐regulation and analyzed miRNA microarray data from GSE116726 to identify four differentially expressed miRNAs.ResultsWe identified 10 hub genes using bioinformatics analysis, gene function enrichment analysis revealed that they were primarily enriched in pathways, such as the TNF signaling pathway. We chose JUNB, SOCS3, and CEBPB as hub genes and used WB and qRT‐PCR to confirm their expression. All three genes were overexpressed in the IVDD model group compared to the control group. Furthermore, we identified four miRNAs involved in the co‐regulation of the hub genes using miRNet prediction: mir‐191‐5p, mir‐20a‐5p, mir‐155‐5p, and mir‐124‐3p. Using limma difference analysis, we discovered that mir‐191‐5p, mir‐20a‐5p, and mir‐155‐5p were all down‐regulated and expressed in IVDD samples, but mir‐124‐3p showed no significant change.ConclusionJUNB, SOCS3, and CEBPB were identified as key genes in IVDD, regulated by specific miRNAs, providing potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapeutic targets.
Effects of Vegetable Cover on the Regeneration Process in Degraded Dry Forest in Brazil
Authors: de Souza Stefanny Martins , Ramos Maiara Bezerra , Maciel Maria Gracielle Rodrigues , da Cunha Sonaly Silva , de Souza José João Lelis Leal , de Faria Lopes Sérgio 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThe Brazilian Caatinga is among the most diverse dry forests in the world, yet half of its original coverage has been degraded. Natural regeneration is influenced by climatic and edaphic conditions, as well as the existing adult stratum. Despite its significance, this process remains poorly understood in the Caatinga. Thus, our study aimed to analyze how anthropogenic disturbance, vegetation cover, and soil properties affect the regenerating stratum under different levels of Caatinga vegetation cover. The research was conducted in the driest region of Brazil. The selected sites represent low (Area I) and high (Area II) normalized difference vegetation index. Six vegetable plots (50 × 20 m each) were delimited to study adult stratum, and four vegetable plots (10 × 10 m each) to regeneration stratum. Topsoil was sampled in all vegetable plots. Our results reveal interactions between soil characteristics and the adult and regenerating strata. Area II exhibited higher diversity and a greater number of exclusive species, while Area I was dominated by species more resistant to limiting conditions, such as Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart. & Zucc. The C and N content in the soil showed a positive and significant correlation with the diversity of the regenerating stratum. The data suggest that the area with less vegetation cover, richness, and diversity shows signs of desertification.
Epoxidation of 1,2‐Polybutadiene and Its Dielectric, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Mori Yasuyuki , Morinaga Sho , Tada Ryu , Iwashima Tomoyuki , Sato Naomi , Ariyoshi Tomoyuki , Shinozuka Toyofumi , Kawauchi Takehiro , Furusho Yoshio , Endo Takeshi 
Published: October 2024

AbstractA series of epoxidized 1,2‐polybutadienes with various degrees of epoxidation are synthesized by the reaction of 1,2‐polybutadienes and m‐chloroperbenzoic acid. Additionally, the curing behavior of epoxidized 1,2‐polybutadienes with a cationic initiator and the relationship between epoxidation ratios and the dielectric, thermal, and mechanical properties of the cured materials are examined.
Nursing Education for Sustainable Development: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Boakye Dorothy Serwaa , Kwashie Atswei Adzo , Adjorlolo Samuel , Korsah Kwadwo Ameyaw 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundSustainability represents an increasingly vital yet inconsistently implemented topic in nursing education. Formal concept analysis can promote unified conceptualisation to inform sustainability integration in nursing curriculums.ObjectiveAnalyse the concept of ‘nursing education for sustainable development’ using the Walker and Avant framework to clarify meaning and application in nursing programmes.MethodThe literature was systematically searched for attributes, antecedents and consequences used to formulate a concept definition, and compared to existing conceptualisations.ResultsCore concept attributes are interconnectedness of human/ecological health, sustainability‐focused curriculums, competency cultivation and social justice orientations. Antecedents include recognising ecological determinants of health and committed nursing faculty. Consequences encompass the preparation of sustainability‐competent nurses and elevated nursing contributions to sustainable health systems.ConclusionThe concept analysis provides an original synthesised perspective advancing coherence and applicability to guide sustainability education in nursing programmes through a translational framework for competency, curriculum design and content delivery approaches.Reporting MethodWe followed the guidelines outlined in the Walker and Avant framework in the conduct and reporting of this paper.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient and public contribution.
Fatal outcome in isolated Pauci‐immune pulmonary capillaritis: A case report
Authors: El Mawla Zeinab , Hammoud Ghinwa , Abed El Hamid Racha , Zreik Abbas , Tfayli Ali , Mansour Bassam 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIsolated Pauci‐immune pulmonary capillaritis (IPIPC) is a rare form of small vessel vasculitis that affects only the lungs, causing inflammation of pulmonary capillaries and potentially leading to severe outcomes like alveolar haemorrhage. A 23‐year‐old woman with a prior diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis presented with hemoptysis and respiratory distress, ultimately diagnosed with IPIPC. Despite treatment with high‐dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, her condition deteriorated, resulting in respiratory failure and death. IPIPC often lacks systemic symptoms and ANCA positivity, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Imaging, bronchoscopy, and histopathology are key for diagnosis, while management typically involves corticosteroids and possibly immunosuppressives. The case underscores the challenges in identifying and treating IPIPC, highlighting the importance of early intervention to improve prognosis, even though complications can still lead to significant respiratory issues and mortality.
The interplay of Christianity and Ndau African traditional religion in shaping climate change adaptation in Zimbabwe: An Afrocentric analysis
Authors: Tirivangasi Happy Mathew , Nyahunda Louis 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis paper utilizes Afrocentric tenets to explore how the Ndau people's shift from African traditional religion to Christianity affects their understanding and experience of climate change. Set against recent climate‐induced disasters in Chimanimani, the study employs Afrocentric qualitative methods, including talking cycles and philosophical sagacity interviews, to gather data from household heads and village leaders. Findings indicate that traditional religious practices significantly influenced rainfall patterns and disease control, impacting agriculture. The transition to Christianity has markedly altered the community's climate change adaptation strategies. Despite this shift, Christianity has provided benefits, aiding communities in coping with droughts, death, property destruction, livelihood disruption, and climate change‐induced diseases. This study contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 13, emphasizing the importance of understanding society's social rubric to combat climate change. By employing Afrocentric lenses to analyze the Ndau people's historical and cultural narratives, it offers a unique perspective on religious evolution and climate adaptation.
ZnO@In2O3 Core–Shell Heterojunctions Constructed With ZIF‐8 and MIL‐68 (In) for Improving Photogenerated Carrier Transfer Process
Authors: Luo Chonghan , Liu Yuan , Yu Jiatian , Zhou Ling , Zhang Rongbin , Wang Xuewen 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe realization of fast carrier transport can effectively enhance photocatalytic performance. A core–shell structure of ZnO and In2O3 is successfully constructed by using MIL‐68 (In) and ZIF‐8 as a substrate, forming a heterojunction. This MOF‐derived core–shell heterojunction inherits the advantages of ZIF‐8, with pores facilitating carriers transfer to the surface for reactions and a large specific surface area providing more active sites. This Z‐scheme heterojunction of ZnO and In2O3 can effectively separate and improve the utilization of photogenerated carriers. The well‐designed interface of the core–shell structure achieves the rapid transfer of photogenerated carriers. The photocatalytic degradation capability of ZnO@ In2O3 is enhanced by the synergistic effect of Z‐scheme heterojunction and core–shell structure. This work provides insight into the investigation of constructing core–shell heterojunctions.
Reduced Non‐Specific Binding of Super‐Resolution DNA‐PAINT Markers by Shielded DNA‐PAINT Labeling Protocols
Authors: Lučinskaitė Evelina , Bokhobza Alexandre F. E. , Stannard Andrew , Meletiou Anna , Estell Chris , West Steven , Michele Lorenzo Di , Soeller Christian , Clowsley Alexander H. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe DNA‐based single molecule super‐resolution imaging approach, DNA‐PAINT, can achieve nanometer resolution of single targets. However, the approach can suffer from significant non‐specific background signals originating from non‐specifically bound DNA‐conjugated DNA‐PAINT secondary antibodies as shown here. Using dye‐modified oligonucleotides the location of DNA‐PAINT secondary antibody probes can easily be observed with widefield imaging prior to beginning a super‐resolution measurement. This reveals that a substantial proportion of DNA probes can accumulate, non‐specifically, within the nucleus, as well as across the cytoplasm, of cells. Here, Shielded DNA‐PAINT labeling is introduced, a method using partially or fully double‐stranded docking strand sequences, prior to labeling, in buffers with increased ionic strength to greatly reduce non‐specific interactions in the nucleus as well as the cytoplasm. This new labeling approach is evaluated against various conditions and it is shown that applying Shielded DNA‐PAINT can reduce non‐specific events approximately five‐fold within the nucleus. This marked reduction in non‐specific binding of probes during the labeling procedure is comparable to results obtained with unnatural left‐handed DNA albeit at a fraction of the cost. Shielded DNA‐PAINT is a straightforward adaption of current DNA‐PAINT protocols and enables nanometer precision imaging of nuclear targets with low non‐specific backgrounds.
PEDOT:PSS Nanoparticle Membranes for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration
Authors: Zhang Jia‐Chen , Lv Tian‐Run , Yin Ming‐Jie , Ji Yan‐Li , Jin Cheng‐Gang , Chen Bo‐Hao , An Quan‐Fu 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRecycling of valuable solutes and recovery of organic solvents via organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) are important for sustainable development. However, the trade‐off between solvent permeability and solute rejection hampers the application of OSN membranes. To address this issue, the poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) nanoparticle membrane with hierarchical pores is constructed for OSN via vacuum filtration. The small pores (the free volume of the polymer chain) charge for the solute rejection (high rejection efficiency for low molecule weight solute) and allow solvent passing while the large pores (the void between two PEDOT:PSS nanoparticles) promote the solvent transport. Owing to the lack of connectivity among the large pores, the fabricated PEDOT:PSS nanoparticle membrane enhanced solvent permeance while maintaining a high solute rejection efficiency. The optimized PEDOT:PSS membrane affords a MeOH permeance of 7.2 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with over 90% rejection of organic dyes, food additives, and photocatalysts. Moreover, the rigidity of PEDOT endows the membrane with distinctive stability under high‐pressure conditions. The membrane is used to recycle the valuable catalysts in a methanol solution for 150 h, maintaining good separation performance. Considering its high separation performance and stability, the proposed PEDOT:PSS membrane has great potential for industrial applications.
Three‐Color Protein Photolithography with Green, Red, and Far‐Red Light
Authors: Zheng Yanjun , Chen Fei , Frank Saskia , Quispe Haro Juan José , Wegner Seraphine V. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractProtein photolithography is an invaluable tool for generating protein microchips and regulating interactions between cells and materials. However, the absence of light‐responsive molecules that allow for the copatterning of multiple functional proteins with biocompatible visible light poses a significant challenge. Here, a new approach for photopatterning three distinct proteins on a single surface by using green, red, and far‐red light is reported. The cofactor of the green light‐sensitive protein CarH is engineered such that it also becomes sensitive to red and far‐red light. These new cofactors are shown to be compatible with two CarH‐based optogenetic tools to regulate bacterial cell‐cell adhesions and gene expression in mammalian cells with red and far‐red light. Further, by incorporating different CarH variants with varying light sensitivities in layer‐by‐layer (LbL) multiprotein films, specific layers within the films, along with other protein layers on top are precisely removed by using different colors of light, all with high spatiotemporal accuracy. Notably, with these three distinct colors of visible light, it is possible to incorporate diverse proteins under mild conditions in LbL films based on the reliable interaction between Ni2+‐ nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) groups and polyhistidine‐tags (His‐tags)on the proteins and their subsequent photopatterning. This approach has potential applications spanning biofabrication, material engineering, and biotechnology.