bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the impact of maternal factors and dietary habits on human milk oligosaccharide composition in early breastfeeding among Mexican women
Authors: Urrutia-Baca Víctor H. , Gutiérrez-Uribe Janet A. , Ramos-Parra Perla A. , Domínguez-Uscanga Astrid , Rodriguez-Gutierrez Nora A. , Chavez-Caraza Karla L. , Martinez-Cano Ilen , Padilla-Garza Alicia S. , Ruiz-Villarreal Elias G. , Espiricueta-Candelaria Francisca , Chuck-Hernández Cristina 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHuman milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) promote adequate intestinal microbiota development and favor the immune system's maturation and cognitive development. In addition to non-modifiable factors, HMOs composition can be influenced by other factors like body mass index and eating habits, but the reports are discrepant. The aim of this work was to describe the correlation between maternal factors and HMOs concentration in colostrum in 70 women from northeastern Mexico categorized into women with normal weight and women with overweight or obesity. The absolute concentration of six HMOs were significantly lower in women with overweight or obesity compared to women with normal weight (LNFPI p = 0.0021, 2’-FL p = 0.0304, LNT p = 0.0492, LNnT p = 0.00026, 3’-SL p = 0.0476, 6’-SL p = 0.00041). Another main finding was that the frequency of consumption of food groups such as vegetables, fruits and meats was positively correlated to specific HMOs (Poblano chili and 2’-FL; rs = 0.702, p = 0.0012; Orange or tangerine and 3-FL; rs = 0.428, p = 0.0022; Chicken and 2'-FL; rs = 0.615, p = 0.0039). This study contributes to the elucidation of how maternal factors influence the composition of HMOs and opens possibilities for future research aimed at mitigating overweight or obesity, consequently improving the quality of human milk.
Optimizing nutrient utilization, hydraulic loading rate, and feed conversion ratios through freshwater IMTA-aquaponic and hydroponic systems as an environmentally sustainable aquaculture concept
Authors: Goda Ashraf M. A.-S. , Aboseif Ahmed M. , Taha Mostafa K. S. , Mohammady Eman Y. , Aboushabana Nevine M. , Nazmi Hani M. , Zaher Marwa M. , Aly Hadir A. , El-Okaby Mohamed A. S. , Otazua Nora Ibáñez , Ashour Mohamed 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWater quality in land-based fish production can be controlled through either instantaneous water exchange or costly wastewater treatment followed by recirculation. Agricultural-aquaculture integration is an excellent alternative technique for reducing nutrient discharge levels, boosting profitability, and converting fish culture wastewater into valuable products. The current study employed a solar energy system to power two separate IMTA-aquaponics systems (Nutrient Film Technique, NFT, and Floating Raft Systems, FRS) for the cultivation of Nile tilapia, African catfish, thin-lipped grey mullet, freshwater crayfish, freshwater mussels, and a variety of vegetables. Tilapia and catfish were fed exclusively on diets under the IMTA system. All wastewater from tilapia and catfish ponds, both dissolved and solid, flows sequentially to ponds containing other cultivated species. The water then flows through the IMTA system's terminal point to the NFT and FRS systems before returning to the tilapia and catfish ponds, allowing complete control of the nutrient flow throughout this entire circular system. Two 147-day production cycles were concluded. The results from the second production cycle are reported. Total biomass gain for aquatic species in the IMTA system was 736.46 kg, compared to 145.49 kg in the tilapia and 271.01 kg in the catfish monoculture systems. The current IMTA system had a cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 0.90, while the FCRs for tilapia and catfish were 1.28 and 1.42, respectively. Nile tilapia and catfish consumed 571.90 kg of feed containing 25.70 kg of nitrogen (N) and 9.70 kg of phosphorus (P), reflecting, and gaining 11.41 and 3.93 kg of dietary N and P, representing 44.40 and 40.46% dietary N and P retention, respectively. In the IMTA system, the addition of mullet and prawn as detrivores aquatic animals improves dietary N and P utilization efficiency to 59.06 and 51.19%, respectively, while the addition of mussels as herbivore animals improves dietary N and P utilization efficiency to 65.61 and 54.67%, respectively. Finally, using FRS and NFT as hydroponic systems increased dietary N and P efficiency to 83.51% N and 96.82% P, respectively. This study shows that the IMTA-Aquaponic system, as a bio-integrated food production system, can convert the majority of fish-fed residues into valuable products suitable for desert, rural, and urban areas in impoverished and developing countries.
Detrimental interactions of hypoxia and complement MASP-1 in endothelial cells as a model for atherosclerosis-related diseases
Authors: Demeter Flóra , Németh Zsuzsanna , Kajdácsi Erika , Bihari György , Dobó József , Gál Péter , Cervenak László 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBoth hypoxia and the complement lectin pathway (CLP) are involved in atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-related stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We have previously shown that mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease-1 (MASP-1), the most abundant enzyme of CLP, induces an inflammatory phenotype of endothelial cells (ECs) by cleaving protease activated receptors (PARs). In the absence of data, we aimed to investigate whether hypoxia and MASP-1 interact at the level of ECs, to better understand their role in atherosclerosis-related diseases. Hypoxia attenuated the wound healing ability of ECs, increased ICAM-1 and decreased ICAM-2 expression and upregulated PAR2 gene expression. Hypoxia and MASP-1 increased GROα and IL-8 production, and endothelial permeability without potentiating each other’s effects, whereas they cooperatively disrupted vascular network integrity, activated the Ca2+, CREB and NFκB signaling pathways, and upregulated the expression of E-selectin, a crucial adhesion molecule in neutrophil homing. VCAM-1 expression was not influenced either by hypoxia, or by MASP-1. In summary, hypoxia potentiates the effect of MASP-1 on ECs, at least partially by increasing PAR expression, resulting in interaction at several levels, which may altogether exacerbate stroke and AMI progression. Our findings suggest that MASP-1 is a potential drug target in the acute phase of atherosclerosis-related diseases.
Simulation-driven design of smart gloves for gesture recognition
Authors: Leite Clayton , Byvshev Petr , Mauranen Henry , Xiao Yu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSmart gloves are in high demand for entertainment, manufacturing, and rehabilitation. However, designing smart gloves has been complex and costly due to trial and error. We propose an open simulation platform for designing smart gloves, including optimal sensor placement and deep learning models for gesture recognition, with reduced costs and manual effort. Our pipeline starts with 3D hand pose extraction from videos and extends to the refinement and conversion of the poses into hand joint angles based on inverse kinematics, the sensor placement optimization based on hand joint analysis, and the training of deep learning models using simulated sensor data. In comparison to the existing platforms that always require precise motion data as input, our platform takes monocular videos, which can be captured with widely available smartphones or web cameras, as input and integrates novel approaches to minimize the impact of the errors induced by imprecise motion extraction from videos. Moreover, our platform enables more efficient sensor placement selection. We demonstrate how the pipeline works and how it delivers a sensible design for smart gloves in a real-life case study. We also evaluate the performance of each building block and its impact on the reliability of the generated design.
Green synthesis of nanohydroxyapatite with Elaeagnus angustifolia L. extract as a metronidazole nanocarrier for in vitro pulpitis model treatment
Authors: Sarfi Sepideh , Azaryan Ehsaneh , Hanafi-Bojd Mohammad Yahya , Emadian Razavi Fariba , Naseri Mohsen 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study is to introduce a dental capping agent for the treatment of pulp inflammation (pulpitis). Nanohydroxyapatite with Elaeagnus angustifolia L. extract (nHAEA) loaded with metronidazole (nHAEA@MTZ) was synthesized and evaluated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro model of pulpitis. nHAEA was synthesized through sol–gel method and analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Brunauer Emmett Teller. Inflammation in human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) induced by LPS. A scratch test assessed cell migration, RT PCR measured cytokines levels, and Alizarin red staining quantified odontogenesis. The nHAEA nanorods were 17–23 nm wide and 93–146 nm length, with an average pore diameter of 27/312 nm, and a surface area of 210.89 m2/g. MTZ loading content with controlled release, suggesting suitability for therapeutic applications. nHAEA@MTZ did not affect the odontogenic abilities of HDPSCs more than nHAEA. However, it was observed that nHAEA@MTZ demonstrated a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. HDPSCs treated with nanoparticles exhibited improved migration compared to other groups. These findings demonstrated that nHAEA@MTZ could be an effective material for pulp capping and may be more effective than nHAEA in reducing inflammation and activating HDPSCs to enhance pulp repair after pulp damage.
Tracing the invisible mutant ADNP protein in Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome patients
Authors: D’Incal Claudio Peter , Cappuyns Elisa , Choukri Kaoutar , De Man Kevin , Szrama Kristy , Konings Anthony , Bastini Lina , Van Meel Kim , Buys Amber , Gabriele Michele , Rizzuti Ludovico , Vitriolo Alessandro , Testa Giuseppe , Mohn Fabio , Bühler Marc , Van der Aa Nathalie , Van Dijck Anke , Kooy R. Frank , Berghe Wim Vanden 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHeterozygous de novo mutations in the Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Homeobox (ADNP) gene underlie Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome (HVDAS). Most of these mutations are situated in the last exon and we previously demonstrated escape from nonsense-mediated decay by detecting mutant ADNP mRNA in patient blood. In this study, wild-type and ADNP mutants are investigated at the protein level and therefore optimal detection of the protein is required. Detection of ADNP by means of western blotting has been ambiguous with reported antibodies resulting in non-specific bands without unique ADNP signal. Validation of an N-terminal ADNP antibody (Aviva Systems) using a blocking peptide competition assay allowed to differentiate between specific and non-specific signals in different sample materials, resulting in a unique band signal around 150 kDa for ADNP, above its theoretical molecular weight of 124 kDa. Detection with different C-terminal antibodies confirmed the signals at an observed molecular weight of 150 kDa. Our antibody panel was subsequently tested by immunoblotting, comparing parental and homozygous CRISPR/Cas9 endonuclease-mediated Adnp knockout cell lines and showed disappearance of the 150 kDa signal, indicative for intact ADNP. By means of both a GFPSpark and Flag-tag N-terminally fused to a human ADNP expression vector, we detected wild-type ADNP together with mutant forms after introduction of patient mutations in E. coli expression systems by site-directed mutagenesis. Furthermore, we were also able to visualize endogenous ADNP with our C-terminal antibody panel in heterozygous cell lines carrying ADNP patient mutations, while the truncated ADNP mutants could only be detected with epitope-tag-specific antibodies, suggesting that addition of an epitope-tag possibly helps stabilizing the protein. However, western blotting of patient-derived hiPSCs, immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines and post-mortem patient brain material failed to detect a native mutant ADNP protein. In addition, an N-terminal immunoprecipitation-competent ADNP antibody enriched truncating mutants in overexpression lysates, whereas implementation of the same method failed to enrich a possible native mutant protein in immortalized patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines. This study aims to shape awareness for critical assessment of mutant ADNP protein analysis in Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome.
Physics-constrained machine learning for electrodynamics without gauge ambiguity based on Fourier transformed Maxwell’s equations
Authors: Leon Christopher , Scheinker Alexander 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe utilize a Fourier transformation-based representation of Maxwell’s equations to develop physics-constrained neural networks for electrodynamics without gauge ambiguity, which we label the Fourier–Helmholtz–Maxwell neural operator method. In this approach, both of Gauss’s laws and Faraday’s law are built in as hard constraints, as well as the longitudinal component of Ampère–Maxwell in Fourier space, assuming the continuity equation. An encoder–decoder network acts as a solution operator for the transverse components of the Fourier transformed vector potential, $$\hat{{\textbf {A}}}_\perp ({\textbf {k}}, t)$$

A
^

⊥

(
k
,
t
)

, whose two degrees of freedom are used to predict the electromagnetic fields. This method was tested on two electron beam simulations. Among the models investigated, it was found that a U-Net architecture exhibited the best performance as it trained quicker, was more accurate and generalized better than the other architectures examined. We demonstrate that our approach is useful for solving Maxwell’s equations for the electromagnetic fields generated by intense relativistic charged particle beams and that it generalizes well to unseen test data, while being orders of magnitude quicker than conventional simulations. We show that the model can be re-trained to make highly accurate predictions in as few as 20 epochs on a previously unseen data set.
One-step hydrothermal synthesis of CeVO4/bentonite nanocomposite as a dual-functional photocatalytic adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions
Authors: Farhadi Hajar , Mousavi-Kamazani Mehdi , Keramati Narjes , Alamdari Sanaz 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCerium vanadate/modified bentonite (CeVO4/mbt) nanocomposite with different composition percentages was synthesized through a simple one-step hydrothermal method at 180 ℃, and then its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by decolorizing methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution under light exposure. In order to increase the surface area as an important parameter in photocatalytic processes, bentonite was modified by ball mill method. The structural and optical properties of the synthesized composites were determined by XRD, FT-IR, DRS, FESEM, EDS, and BET measurements. XRD and EDS results confirmed the successful synthesis of pure CeVO4. FESEM images and EDS mapping showed a proper distribution of rice-like CeVO4 nanoparticles on bentonite. The removal efficiency of MB with only 0.1 g of CeVO4/mbt nanocomposite in 15 min was about 99%, which is significant compared to neat bentonite and pure CeVO4 with efficiency of 30% and 57%. The mentioned nanocomposite followed the first-order kinetics, had a reaction rate constant equal to 0.1483 min–1, and showed acceptable stability in five consecutive cycles.
Exploiting the Fc base of IgG antibodies to create functional nanoparticle conjugates
Authors: Al Qaraghuli Mohammed M. , Kubiak-Ossowska Karina , Ferro Valerie A. , Mulheran Paul A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe structures of the Fc base of various IgG antibodies have been examined with a view to understanding how this region can be used to conjugate IgG to nanoparticles. The base structure is found to be largely consistent across a range of species and subtypes, comprising a hydrophobic region surrounded by hydrophilic residues, some of which are charged at physiological conditions. In addition, atomistic Molecular Dynamics simulations were performed to explore how model nanoparticles interact with the base using neutral and negatively charged gold nanoparticles. Both types of nanoparticle interacted readily with the base, leading to an adaptation of the antibody base surface to enhance the interactions. Furthermore, these interactions left the rest of the domain at the base of the Fc region structurally intact. This implies that coupling nanoparticles to the base of an IgG molecule is both feasible and desirable, since it leaves the antibody free to interact with its surroundings so that antigen-binding functionality can be retained. These results will therefore help guide future attempts to develop new nanotechnologies that exploit the unique properties of both antibodies and nanoparticles.
The role of magnesium oxide foliar sprays in enhancing mint (Mentha crispa L.) tolerance to cadmium stress
Authors: Khanchi Soheil , Hashemi Khabir Seyed Hamed , Hashemi Khabir Seyed Hatef , Golmoghani Asl Reza , Rahimzadeh Saeedeh 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study investigates using magnesium foliar spray to enhance mint plants' growth and physiological performance under cadmium toxicity. It examines the effects of foliar application of magnesium oxide (40 mg L−1), in both nano and bulk forms, on mint plants exposed to cadmium stress (60 mg kg−1 soil). Cadmium stress reduced root growth and activity, plant biomass (32%), leaf hydration (19%), chlorophyll levels (27%), magnesium content (51%), and essential oil yield (35%), while increasing oxidative and osmotic stress in leaf tissues. Foliar application of magnesium increased root growth (32%), plant biomass, essential oil production (17%), leaf area (24%), chlorophyll content (10%), soluble sugar synthesis (33%), and antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation and osmotic stress. Although the nano form of magnesium enhanced magnesium absorption, its impact on growth and physiological performance was not significantly different from the bulk form. Therefore, foliar application of both forms improves plants' ability to withstand cadmium toxicity. However, the study is limited by its focus on a single plant species and specific environmental conditions, which may affect the generalizability of the results. The long-term sustainability of such treatments could provide a more comprehensive understanding of magnesium's role in mitigating heavy metal stress in plants.
Thermodynamic effect dictates influence of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation on Eurasia winter temperature
Authors: Wang Huan , Zuo Zhiyan , Zhang Renhe , Peng Li , Zhang Kaiwen , Chen Deliang , Xiao Dong , You Qinglong , Dai Guokun , Zhang Ruonan , Yang Haijun , Chen Xiaodan , Lin Zouxing , Xu Peiqiang , Qiao Liang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) has garnered attention for its important role in shaping surface air temperature (SAT) patterns over Eurasia. While Eurasian winter SAT was traditionally attributed to changes in large-scale atmospheric circulations associated with the AMO, a careful examination of the latest unforced CMIP6 simulations in this study unveils a significant contribution of the AMO’s thermodynamic effects. Specifically, the heat released from the North Atlantic Ocean and transported to northern Eurasia through westerlies takes precedence over the effect of dynamic Rossby waves, resulting in warm (cold) phases during positive (negative) AMO cycles, along with increased (decreased) warm extremes and reduced (enhanced) cold extremes. This study contributes to an improved understanding of the dominating mechanism of the AMO’s impact on Eurasian SAT.
Zinc and pH modulate the ability of insulin to inhibit aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide
Authors: McCalpin Samuel D. , Khemtemourian Lucie , Suladze Saba , Ivanova Magdalena I. , Reif Bernd , Ramamoorthy Ayyalusamy 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAggregation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) contributes to the development and progression of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). hIAPP aggregates within a few hours at few micromolar concentration in vitro but exists at millimolar concentrations in vivo. Natively occurring inhibitors of hIAPP aggregation might therefore provide a model for drug design against amyloid formation associated with T2D. Here, we describe the combined ability of low pH, zinc, and insulin to inhibit hIAPP fibrillation. Insulin dose-dependently slows hIAPP aggregation near neutral pH but had less effect on the aggregation kinetics at acidic pH. We determine that insulin alters hIAPP aggregation in two manners. First, insulin diverts the aggregation pathway to large nonfibrillar aggregates with ThT-positive molecular structure, rather than to amyloid fibrils. Second, soluble insulin suppresses hIAPP dimer formation, which is an important early aggregation event. Further, we observe that zinc significantly modulates the inhibition of hIAPP aggregation by insulin. We hypothesize that this effect arose from controlling the oligomeric state of insulin and show that hIAPP interacts more strongly with monomeric than oligomeric insulin.
Public perceptions on solar geoengineering from focus groups in 22 countries
Authors: Low Sean , Fritz Livia , Baum Chad M. , Sovacool Benjamin K. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSolar geoengineering maintains a vocal presence as a stop-gap measure in assessments of climate and sustainability action. In this paper, we map prospective benefits and risks, and corresponding governance approaches, regarding three major proposals for solar geoengineering (stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and a space-based sunshield). We do so by engaging with 44 focus groups conducted in 22 countries split between the global North and South. We compare results against previous research on the public perceptions of solar geoengineering as well as wider activities in assessment, innovation, and decision-making. We find that global South groups exhibit greater hope but an arguably richer range of concerns for solar geoengineering, in the context of observable inequities in climate action and potential geopolitical conflict. Meanwhile, a strong, global preference for multilateral coordination and public engagement from the conduct of research onwards is offset by skepticism of effective multilateralism and public discourse.