bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) seed oil as a valuable source of important phytonutrients: effect of the extraction method on the lipid composition
Authors: Taneva Sabina , Momchilova Svetlana 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a widespread weed plant used since ancient times as remedy and as food. Its seed oil possesses significant bioactive potential due to the high content of important phytonutrients, mainly essential fatty acids and phytosterols. Although the total fatty acids composition of oil is well documented, till now there is no data published about individual lipid classes. The information on sterols is scarce as well. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterize in details for the first time the individual lipid classes and their fatty acids composition, sterols, as well as the oil oxidative stability, depending on the extraction method by either hexane, chloroform-methanol mixtures or super-critical CO2. The results revealed no significant effect of extraction method on the individual lipid classes (monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, free fatty acids, free sterols, triacylglycerols, sterol esters, wax esters and hydrocarbons), including the fatty acids composition of saponifiables, and quite weak effect on the oil oxidative stability regarding super-critical CO2 vs. organic solvents. Detailed analyses of lipid composition confirmed the potential of purslane seed oil as a cheap and highly valuable source of phytonutrients as essential fatty acids and phytosterols, for application in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Enhanced anti-cancer efficacy of arginine deaminase expressed by tumor-seeking Salmonella Gallinarum
Authors: Choy Hyon E , Duysak Taner , Kim Kwangsoo , Yun Misun , Jeong Jae-Ho 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Amino acid deprivation, particularly of nonessential amino acids that can be synthesized by normal cells but not by cancer cells with specific defects in the biosynthesis pathway, has emerged as a potential strategy in cancer therapeutics. In normal cells, arginine is synthesized from citrulline in two steps via two enzymes: argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1) and argininosuccinate lyase. Several cancer cells exhibit arginine auxotrophy due to the loss or down-regulation of ASS1. These cells undergo starvation-induced cell death in the presence of arginine-degrading enzymes such as arginine deaminase (ADI). Thus, ADI has emerged as a potential therapeutic in cancer therapy. However, the use of ADI has two major disadvantages: ADI of bacterial origin is strongly antigenic in mammals, and ADI has a short circulation half-life (∼5 hours). In this study, we engineered tumor-targeting Salmonella Gallinarum to express and secrete ADI and deployed this strain into mice implanted with ASS1-defective mouse colorectal cancer (CT26) through an intravenous route. A notable antitumor effect was observed, suggesting that the disadvantages were overcome as ADI was expressed constitutively by tumor-targeting bacteria. A combination with chloroquine, which inhibits the induction of autophagy, further enhanced the effect.
Zweifel Olefination for C-Glycosylation
Authors: Didier Dorian , Trauner Florian , Boutet Bilel , Pilz Fabian , Weber Verena 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Starting from glycal derivatives, the Zweifel olefination presents an elegant opportunity to access C-glycosides in a selective manner. a-Lithiation of D-glucal, L-rhamnal, D-xylal and L-arabinal scaffolds was employed as a starting point in the synthesis of corresponding unsaturated aryl-, heteroaryl- and alkenyl-C-glycosides. This provides a straightforward strategy towards pharmacorelevant gliflozins and other unreported rhamnal- and xylal-analogs.
Analysis of User Satisfaction of eLearning Systems in Uganda using Delone and McLean Model
Authors: Atukunda Patience , Khabusi Simon Peter , John Othieno 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The COVID19 outbreak in 2019 in various countries around the world accelerated the shift from traditional face-to-face studies to online education platforms. This has consequently affected the quality of education in various institutions not only in Uganda but the entire world. This study investigates user satisfaction with eLearning systems in higher education institutions, examining the perspectives of students, lecturers, and key informants. A total of 375 student respondents from Diploma, Bachelor, and Masters levels, 51 lecturers, and 15 key informants across different Ugandan Institutions of Higher learning participated in the study, providing insights into platform usage, system usability, stability, and support mechanisms. Rigorous analysis techniques, including means, correlation coefficient calculations, were employed to explore factors influencing satisfaction. Findings revealed positive correlations between satisfaction and variables such as ease of use, ease of access, system reliability, system stability, and prompt response to queries, among others. Recommendations include improving system stability, enhancing response time to queries, providing ongoing training, addressing connectivity issues, and developing customized mobile applications. The study highlights the need for institutions to optimize eLearning experiences by leveraging feedback from users and implementing targeted interventions.
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of the Oil Obtained From the Seeds of Citrullus Colocynthis (Bitter Apple)
Authors: Abdulfatai Habeebullahi , Shoge Mansurat , Tamasi Anas , Ozioko Eucharia , Aliyu Mutiu , Adegboyega Taofeek 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The phytochemical and antimicrobial analysis of the crude extract of oil gotten from the seeds of Citrullus colocynthis were carried out using standard methods. The result of the photochemical screening showed that the oil extract of Citrullus colocynthis contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids and anthraquinone. The bacterial activity of Citrullus colocynthis oil extract was assessed against a panel of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) results shows that the microorganisms show zone of inhibition of 4.5 mm for Escherichia coli, 4.6 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 5.9 for Salmonella typhi, and 6.1 mm for Staphylococcus aureus. Notably, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited larger zones of inhibition compared to Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) revealed three spots of the isolated compound, while MIC and MBC/MFC values were determined. Synergistic effects were assessed in combination with standard antibiotics, and mechanisms of action were investigated through chemical analysis. The research uncovered the antimicrobial potential of Citrullus colocynthisseed oil, offering promising insights for further exploration and potential clinical applications. The FTIR spectrum of the isolated compound revealed characteristic peaks, including a strong absorption at 2855.1 cm-1 indicative of alkanes (C-H) and another at 3011.7 cm1 for C=C in aromatics. The presence of a broad absorption at 2922.2 cm-1 suggested the presence of C-H groups, consistent with a reported absorption at 3420 cm-1. Compound gotten from the GCMS analysis which include 1-Decene and Mesitylene have been used in the synthesis of medicine such as asthma, cancer, tuberculosis and jaundices for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Efficient removal of Hg2+ from wastewater by a novel Cu-modified attapulgite: Adsorption performance and mechanism
Authors: Chen Chongming , Li Dong , Yu Jinxing , Che Kai 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The development of low-cost and highly efficient adsorbents is essentially needed for removing Hg2+ species from desulfurization sludge leaching wastewater. In this study, a series of novel Cu-modified attapulgite (Cu-ATP) adsorbents were synthesized via a simple HNO3 treatment combined with an improved impregnation method. The Hg2+ removal efficiency of these Cu-ATP adsorbents was investigated in simulated leaching wastewater. The effects of HNO3 concentration, Cu precursor, Cu loading content, and other adsorption conditions on Hg2+ removal using Cu-ATP were investigated. The results demonstrated that Cu-ATP prepared with CuSO4 as the precursor and treated with 3 mol/L HNO3 showed excellent Hg2+ removal performance. Moreover, with increasing adsorbent content and adsorption time, the Hg2+ removal efficiency of Cu-ATP first increased and then stabilized. However, with an increase in pH value, the Hg2+ removal efficiency first increased and then decreased, whereas the removal showed a decreasing trend with increasing initial Hg2+ concentration. The adsorption kinetics results indicated that Hg2+ adsorption on Cu-ATP was well described by the pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, various characterization methods, including Brunauer − Emmett − Teller analysis (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were employed to analyze the physicochemical properties of the adsorbents. The analyses confirmed that the superior Hg2+ removal efficiency of Cu-ATP was mainly due to the complexation of Hg2+ with chemisorbed oxygen produced by Cu doping and S species generated from the Cu precursor (CuSO4). These findings underscore the potential of Cu-ATP as a cost-effective adsorbent for removing Hg2+ from wastewater.
Deep Image Restoration for Image Anti-Forensics
Authors: Tahir Eren , Bal Mert 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

While image forensics is concerned with whether an image has been tampered with, image anti-forensics attempts to prevent image forensics methods from detecting tampered images. The competition between these two fields started long before the advancement of deep learning. JPEG compression, blurring and noising, which are simple methods by today's standards, have long been used for anti-forensics and have been the subject of much research in both forensics and anti-forensics. Although these traditional methods are old, they make it difficult to detect fake images and are used for data augmentation in training deep image forgery detection models. In addition to making the image difficult to detect, these methods leave traces on the image and consequently degrade the image quality. Separate image forensics methods have also been developed to detect these traces. In this study, we go one step further and improve the image quality after these methods with deep image restoration models and make it harder to detect the forged image. We evaluate the impact of these methods on image quality. We then test both our proposed methods with deep learning and methods without deep learning on the two best existing image manipulation detection models. In the obtained results, we show how existing image forgery detection models fail against the proposed methods. Code implementation will be publicly available at https://github.com/99eren99/DIRFIAF .
Lived experiences of medical students of online learning: lessons for adopting virtual learning in medical education
Authors: Rajesh Eshwar , Subramaniam Sudharshini , Pasupathy Priya , Suresh Tharini , Gopichandran Vijayaprasad 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
The COVID 19 lockdown created a shift in medical education from the traditional physical classroom to online learning.
Objectives
To explore the lived experiences of medical students in various years of education attending a medical college in Chennai, India.
Methods
We conducted 4 focus group discussions among students of the four years in the medical college with the help of a checklist. We recorded the interviews, transcribed them and performed a thematic content analysis.
Results
There was a gendered impact of the lockdown on the online learning experiences with women students finding it challenging to attend classes balancing their gender roles of performing household chores. Online learning offered some advantages in the form of increased participation and engagement due to the partial anonymity. The greatest disadvantage of online learning was lack of clinical learning experience. The students resorted to fabricating case studies for discussion, which some students found useful and some commented that it can never replace real life clinical discussions. A generational gap between adoption of technology between the senior professors and the students hampered the online learning. Online assessments were challenging, and many students resorted to cheating in these exams.
Conclusions
Though online learning offers several advantages, it has serious limitations in offering the clinical learning experience. This must be borne in mind while designing the medical curriculum with online learning incorporated in it.
Variability in R-loops levels based on IHC detection
Authors: Bassani Nicklas , Liang Liu , Wilm Claudia , Braun Juliane , Bishop Alexander J R 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

R-loops are three stranded nucleic acid structures involving an RNA:DNA hybrid and a displaced single stranded DNA (ssDNA). Though the majority of R-loop studies have investigated their pathological consequences in promoting genomic instability, R-loops also contribute to many physiological processes. In fact, from meta-analysis of R-loop datasets we know that R-loops cover about 3–5% of human genome, with their abundance tightly titrated by different enzymes or helicases; too many or too few R-loops impact normal cell functions. Aberrant R-loop accumulation has been implicated in cancer susceptibility and neurodegeneration, and increased R-loops levels throughout the genome observed in response to oncogenic signaling or mutations results in increased replication stress and DNA damage. Nonetheless, this also confers a vulnerability, and cancer cells harboring high levels of R-loops can be preferentially targeted by drugs that exacerbate R-loop-associated phenotypes. Here, we establish a protocol to detect RNA:DNA hybrids by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the mouse and rabbit S9.6 antibodies. Using R-loop enhancing drugs, or by genetically manipulate DHX9 and SETX expression, helicases involved in R-loop metabolism, we provide evidence that our protocol is able to detect differences in R-loop levels. Finally, we show that S9.6 IHC is uniquely able to rapidly screen hundreds of cell and tumor samples demonstrating the heterogeneity in R-loop signal that can be observed. We also describe for the first time that R-loop expression determines sensitivity to the active vitamin D metabolite Calcitriol.
Does Use of Ureteral Access Sheath Lower Postoperative Infection Rates After Flexible Ureteroscopic Stone Management ? – a Critical Evaluation
Authors: Asik Alper , Erdogan Erhan , Suceken Ferhat Yakup , Aydin Mehmet Erhan , Uslu Mehmet , Bicaklioglu Fatih , Sehinler Emre Burak , Sarica Kemal 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Aim : To evaluate the possible impact of ureteral access sheath (UAS) usage on the infectious complications following flexible ureteroscopy (fURS)
Patients and methods :
A total of 93 cases with solitary kidney stones (<15 mm) underwent fURS. To evaluate the possible effect of UAS use on the infectious complications after the procedures, cases were divided into two groups based on the use of UAS as; Group 1 (n: 51) cases treated with UAS and Group 2 (n: 42) cases treated without UAS during fURS. Following the stone management, treatment parameters and follow-up data were evaluated regarding the success rates, complications with an emphasis on infective onesandthe need for urgent admission rates were comparatively evaluated in both groups.
Results:
While the mean age of the cases was 48,2 years, mean stone size was 11,89 mm. The mean surgery time was 56.03 ± 13.17 minutes and the overall stone free rate(SFR) was 88.2%. Mean age value, body mass index, and mean degree of hydronephrosis did not significantly differ in both groups. Similarly, mean stone size, stone number and stone density were similar in both groups (p=0.79, p=0.43, and p:0.99, respectively).Although the operative time was shorter in cases operated with UAS, as an advantage,infectivecomplications were found to be significantly higher in these cases (p=0.021). However, peroperative complications were found to be higher in cases operated without an access sheath during fURS.
Conclusions :
Our results clearly demonstrated that although the use of UAS may shorten the operative time as an advantage, this application may not have a meaningful effect on the incidence of infective complications after flexible ureteroscopic stone management.
Loss of fatty acid-binding protein 7 enhances metastasis in B16F10 melanoma cells through phenotypic shift
Authors: Wannakul Tunyanat , Miyazaki Hirofumi , Maekawa Motoko , Kagawa Yoshiteru , Yamamoto Yui , Owada Yuji 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Melanoma possesses the characteristic phenotypic plasticity, enhancing its metastatic formation and drug resistance. Lipid and fatty acid metabolism are usually altered to support melanoma progression and can be targeted for therapeutic development. Fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7) is highly expressed in melanomas and is shown to support its proliferation, migration, and invasion, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Our study aimed to link FABP7 to lipid metabolism and phenotypic shift in melanomas. We established the Fabp7-knockout (KO) B16F10 melanoma cells, which showed an enhanced invasion through matrix-coated membrane, without significant change in proliferation. Similar outcomes were obtained when using RNA interference targeting FABP7. Fabp7-KO cells injected into mice exhibited slower primary tumor growth, but formed higher metastatic foci count in the lungs. We also discovered a higher saturation in overall lipids, phosphatidylcholines, and triacylglycerols. We observed transcriptional shifts toward the invasive MITFLow/AXLHigh phenotype, with upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) receptor mRNAs. In conclusion, FABP7 may help balancing lipid saturation and maintain the proliferative state of melanomas, mitigating invasiveness and metastatic formation.
A fluorescent sensor for rapid and quantitative aquatic bacteria detection based on bacterial reactive oxygen species.
Authors: song tingshan , xiao ruilin , tian baohua , li xinxin , liang haixia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Determination of total number of bacteria is vital for water pollution monitoring. However, fast, portable and quantitative on-site aquatic bacteria detection remains challenging. Here, a fluorescence sensor for bacterial concentration detection based on Ag@carbon dots composites (Ag@CDs) were developed. Fluorescence of CDs was quenched by plasmon-enhanced resonance energy transfer from CDs to nano Ag and recovered due to interaction with bacteria. Ag@CDs with controllable fluorescence “OFF-ON” was prepared through regulation of Ag and CDs composition reaction. Ag+ concentration-dependent fluorescence quenching and bacterial concentration-dependent fluorescence recovery provided Ag@CDs the support for bacterial quantitative detection. After exposure to Ag@CDs, bacteria quickly produced ROS which remained unchanged at 5 min, that is the basis of rapid test of bacteria. Ag@CDs-based fluorescence sensing system was optimized and exhibited a wide linear range of 7×104~4×107 CFU/mL, low detection limit of 4×104 CFU/mL, short response time of 5 min and high selectivity. The 96-well plate assay for quantitative measurement and test strips assay for semi-quantitation were developed for rapid in-field aquatic bacteria detection. Therefore, this study could give a new sight for application of Ag@CDs for rapid on-site aquatic bacteria detection in water quality monitoring.
Measuring multidimensional inequality of opportunity
Authors: Kapera Marek , Kobus Martyna , Peragine Vito 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This paper extends the measurement of inequality of opportunity (IOP) to the case in which individual outcomes are multidimensional (e.g. income, health). We adopt an axiomatic approach to the construction of IOP measures. We characterize two classes of social welfare functions, each endorsing ex ante compensation but different reward principles: (1) utilitarian and (2) inequality averse. For each class we develop implementable conditions analogous to Lorenz dominance and IOP measures. As a major result we ax-iomatically characterize a multidimensional inequality of opportunity index corresponding to the Tsui (1995) inequality index applied to the framework of equality of opportunity. The measure is sensitive to dependence between outcomes – a distinctive feature of multidimensional distributions, and has a straightforward interpretation. Using the 2019 wave of EU SILC data we show that the multidimensional analysis of inequality of opportunity in Europe reveals important differences with respect to the analysis based on income alone, showing the value of the multidimensional perspective.
JEL classification: D63, I32
Study on the Measurement of high-quality development Efficiency and Influencing Factors in the Yellow River Basin, China
Authors: Qin Jianhui , Zhang Fen , Zhu Jiahao , Wu Yuping 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Pollution of the environment and a lack of resources and energy are the hallmarks of the Yellow River Basin. Therefore, maximizing resource allocation and fostering the Yellow River Basin’s high-quality development depend heavily on increasing high-quality development efficiency. However, it is unclear what factors affect the high-quality development efficiency in the Yellow River Basin and how spatially relevant they are. This study used the SUPER-EBM model and the Malmquist index model to measure the high-quality development efficiency, spatial correlation, and its affecting elements in the Yellow River Basin. The results show: (1) Overall, the efficiency of high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin shows an overall trend of low in the east and high in the west. Growth in high-quality development efficiency relies mainly on technological progress and less on the degree of technology utilization. (2) Overall, the spatial correlation of the high-quality development efficiency of cities in the Yellow River Basin has been weakening annually, and the high-quality development of cities has been diversified. The higher portions of the basin have a notable concentration of high-efficiency cities. In contrast, the middle and lower reaches of the confluence have a nearby distribution of high and low-efficiency cities. (3) Negative geographical spillovers of high-quality development efficiency between high-efficiency and low-efficiency regions. The overall high-quality development efficiency of cities in the Yellow River Basin is positively correlated with the level of economic advance, urbanization, factor endowment, financial support, and education support. However, they are negatively correlated with energy consumption, industry structure (the share of the second industry), the level of utilization of foreign capital, and environmental pollution.