bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced production of gamma‐aminobutyric acid in fermented carrot juice by utilizing pectin hydrolysate derived from pomegranate waste
Authors: Devecioglu Dilara , Kara Didem , Tapan Rabia , Karbancioglu‐Guler Funda , Kahveci Derya 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this study, a functional fermented beverage enriched with gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) was produced. To achieve this, the prebiotic abilities of pectin obtained from pomegranate peel and its enzymatic hydrolysates were evaluated. Additionally, a functional fermented beverage enriched with GABA was produced by fermenting carrot juice with pectin hydrolysates. First, pectin was obtained at a yield of 8.91% from pomegranate peels. Pectinase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of the obtained pectin was applied using different enzyme concentrations and hydrolysis times, and the effect of these hydrolysates on the growth of Levilactobacillus brevis was determined. Although the Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of the resulting hydrolysates were similar, their degree of esterification compared to that of pectin was statistically different (p < .05). Considering the viability analysis and GABA production of L. brevis in the liquid medium supplemented with pectin or its hydrolysate, the hydrolysate obtained by treatment with 400 μL enzyme for 2 h and having a high glucose content (216.80 mg/100 g) was selected for application in fermented carrot juice. During fermentation (24, 48, and 72 h), a remarkable change was observed, especially in the amounts of lactic acid and malic acid, while the amount of GABA in carrot juice varied between 25 and 46 mg/mL and increased with the increase in hydrolysate concentration. It was observed that the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of carrot juice were highly affected by the hydrolysate concentration. This study demonstrated that pectin hydrolysate obtained from food waste could be a potential prebiotic and could be used in the production of a functional beverage with improved GABA content.
Growth parameters, phytochemicals, and antitumor activity of wild and cultivated ice plants (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.)
Authors: Rincón‐Cervera Miguel Ángel , Pagan Loeiro da Cunha‐Chiamolera Tatiana , Chileh‐Chelh Tarik , Carmona‐Fernández Minerva , Urrestarazu Miguel , Guil‐Guerrero José Luis 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is a halophyte that could become an alternative crop because of its interest as a functional food and its adaptation to high‐saline soils. In this work, leaves from wild ice plants were compared with their cultivated counterparts in a soilless system at different salinities and light exposures for assessing growth parameters, moisture, fatty acid profiles, total carotenoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative activity against the HT‐29 colorectal cancer cell line. Moisture ranged between 876 and 955 g kg−1, and wild plants contained higher proportions of α‐linolenic acid (58.7%–60.7% of total fatty acids) than cultivated ones (20.4%–36.6%). Vitamin C ranged between 819 and 1143 mg kg−1 fresh leaves. Higher salinity led to a larger production of carotenoids, whereas plant mass, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity increased in plants grown using L8 NS1 and L8 AP67 lamps in comparison with white‐light ones. Phenolic profiles were assessed by LC coupled to a hybrid mass spectrometer Q‐Orbitrap. Total phenolic acid content was 3–4‐fold higher than that of flavonoids, and sinapic, p‐coumaric, gallic, 4‐hydroxybenzoic, and 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzoic acids, as well as gallocatechin, occurred in all samples. Hydroalcoholic extracts of ice plant leaves showed dose‐ and time‐dependent antiproliferative activity against the HT‐29 human colorectal cancer cell line, and GI50 was between 920 and 977 μg mL−1 of plant extract. This work contributes to improving knowledge about the growth parameters, phytochemical profiles, and biological activities of wild and cultivated ice plants.
The potential protective role of carotenoids from saffron: A focus on endoplasmic reticulum stress‐related organ damage
Authors: Mirzavi Farshad , Rajabian Arezoo , Hosseini Hossein 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe anticancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties of carotenoids from saffron or apocarotenoids (e.g., crocin, safranal, crocetin, and picrocrocin) have prompted research into their benefits. Apocarotenoids seem to be effective compound for the treatment of chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, cancer, respiratory, and metabolic disorders. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an essential organelle found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells that participates in the biosynthesis of proteins, lipids, and steroid hormones. Given the role of the ER in the regulation of several fundamental biological processes, including metabolic pathways and immune responses, aberrant ER function can have a significant influence on these vital processes and result in serious pathological consequences. Exposure of cell to adverse environmental challenges, such as toxic agents, ischemia, and so on, causes accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER lumen, also called ER stress. There is a growing evidence to suggest that ER disturbance in the form of oxidative/nitrosative stress and subsequent apoptotic cell death plays major roles in the pathogenesis of many human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases, and liver diseases. Apocarotenoids with their unique properties can modulate ER stress through PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP (protein kinase R (PKR)‐like ER kinase/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α/activating transcription factor 4/C/EBP /homologous protein) and X‐Box Binding Protein 1/activating transcription factor 6 (XBP1/ATF6) pathways. In addition, they suppress apoptosis through inhibition of endoplasmic and mitochondrial‐dependent caspase cascade and can stimulate SIRT1 (silent information regulator 1) and Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2) expression, thereby leading to protection against oxidative stress. This review summarizes the potential benefits of apocarotenoids in various ER‐stress‐related disorders.
Antimicrobial and food barrier properties of polyvinyl alcohol–lactic acid food packaging films
Authors: Madivoli E. S. , Kisato J. , Gichuki J. , Wangui C. M. , Kimani P. K. , Kareru P. G. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMicrobial contamination and the need for sustainable food production are driving the shift toward biodegradable food packaging materials. There is an urgent need to develop smart food packaging materials that can prevent contamination and prolong the shelf life of meat. To achieve this, the physical–chemical characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based packaging films were enhanced through incorporation of lactic acid and anthocyanins to act as a pH indicator. The mechanical, hydrophilic, barrier, and antibacterial properties of the composite films were then evaluated to test the ability of the film to act as a packaging material. In addition, the surface morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the functional groups by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, optical transparency using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer, crystallinity by powder diffraction, and their thermal properties by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The films had a swelling degree (SD) of 222.60 ± 21.19%, dry content (DC) of 70.56 ± 2.54%, moisture content (MC) of 29.44 ± 2%, ALRO moisture (AM) content of 41.85 ± 5.06, and total soluble matter (TSM) of 8.05 ± 1.05%. Moreover, incorporation of lactic acid enhanced the mechanical and the thermal properties of the films but it reduced their optical transparency. The water vapor permeability (WVP) was found to be 14.32 × 10−3 g−1 s−1 Pa−1 and it inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (EC) (10.67 ± 0.58 cm), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (10.50 ± 0.40 cm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) (10.33 ± 0.58 cm), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (11 ± 1 cm) but not Bacillus subtilis (BS). The film's hue changed from red to green over time when used as a packaging material for meat under ambient condition indicating a deterioration in freshness. In conclusion, the developed packaging film exhibited enhanced mechanical, antimicrobial, and hydrophilic properties and it can be used to store and relay information when stored meat begins to decompose through a visible color change of the films.
Assessment of precision and accuracy of brain white matter microstructure using combined diffusion MRI and relaxometry
Authors: Coelho Santiago , Liao Ying , Szczepankiewicz Filip , Veraart Jelle , Chung Sohae , Lui Yvonne W. , Novikov Dmitry S. , Fieremans Els 
Published: June 2024

AbstractJoint modeling of diffusion and relaxation has seen growing interest due to its potential to provide complementary information about tissue microstructure. For brain white matter (WM), we designed an optimal diffusion‐relaxometry MRI protocol that samples multiple b‐values, B‐tensor shapes, and echo times (TE). This variable‐TE protocol (27 min) has as subsets a fixed‐TE protocol (15 min) and a two‐shell dMRI protocol (7 min), both characterizing diffusion only. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of these protocols with synthetic experiments and in six healthy volunteers. Compared with the fixed‐TE protocol, the variable‐TE protocol enables estimation of the free water fraction while also capturing compartmental relaxation times. Jointly measuring diffusion and relaxation offers increased sensitivity and specificity to microstructure parameters in brain WM with voxelwise coefficients of variation below 10%.
The interplay between white adipose tissue, adipokines, and structural gray matter changes
Authors: Okudzhava Liana , Schulz Stephanie , Pilorz Violetta , Oster Henrik , Fischi‐Gomez Elda , Girard Gabriel , Machann Jürgen , Thiran Jean‐Philippe , Münte Thomas F. , Heldmann Marcus 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe growing global obesity issue emphasizes the importance of understanding its health implications. Previous research has identified consistent alterations in gray matter (GM) volume in connection with obesity. Given the various implications of distinct fat compartments and the potential role of adipose tissue‐derived adipokines in brain health, a more detailed investigation of adiposity is required. This study investigates a sample of 65 males with varying body mass indices to explore the relationship between various fat compartments, adipokine levels, and volumetric GM variations, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the interplay between adiposity, brain structure, and metabolic signals. Whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess total, visceral, and subcutaneous adipose tissue, while MR spectroscopy was performed to capture liver fat content. For the assessment of adipokine levels leptin and adiponectin concentrations were measured, and structural brain images underwent cortical and subcortical segmentation for GM volume and thickness. A predictive modeling approach with leave‐one‐out cross‐validation was used to predict body composition metrics and adipokine levels based on structural GM data. Our investigation revealed diminished GM volume and thickness correlated with elevated leptin levels in areas crucial for appetite regulation, decision‐making, and cognitive control, including the anterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex. These findings suggest a potential adverse impact of heightened leptin concentrations on brain health and eating habits. Contrary to expectations, our investigation found no significant relationship between GM volume and any of the measured fat compartments. This result prompts the need for further research to elucidate the relationship between obesity, adipokines, and brain structure.
17β‐Estradiol reduces inhibitory synaptic currents in entorhinal cortex neurons through G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor‐1 activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase
Authors: Batallán Burrowes Ariel A. , Moisan Élyse , Garrone Aurelie , Buynack Lauren M. , Chapman C. Andrew 
Published: June 2024

AbstractEstrogens are believed to modulate cognitive functions in part through the modulation of synaptic transmission in the cortex and hippocampus. Administration of 17β‐estradiol (E2) can rapidly enhance excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus and facilitate excitatory synaptic transmission in rat lateral entorhinal cortex via activation of the G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor‐1 (GPER1). To assess the mechanisms through which GPER1 activation facilitates synaptic transmission, we assessed the effects of acute 10 nM E2 administration on pharmacologically isolated evoked excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents in layer II/III entorhinal neurons. Female Long‐Evans rats were ovariectomized between postnatal day (PD) 63 and 74 and implanted with a subdermal E2 capsule to maintain continuous low levels of E2. Electrophysiological recordings were obtained between 7 and 20 days after ovariectomy. Application of E2 for 20 min did not significantly affect AMPA or NMDA receptor‐mediated excitatory synaptic currents. However, GABA receptor‐mediated inhibitory synaptic currents (IPSCs) were markedly reduced by E2 and returned towards baseline levels during the 20‐min washout period. The inhibition of GABA‐mediated IPSCs was blocked in the presence of the GPER1 receptor antagonist G15. GPER1 can modulate protein kinase A (PKA), but blocking PKA with intracellular KT5720 did not prevent the E2‐induced reduction in IPSCs. GPER1 can also stimulate extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), a negative modulator of GABAA receptors, and blocking activation of ERK with PD90859 prevented the E2‐induced reduction of IPSCs. E2 can therefore result in a rapid GPER1 and ERK signaling‐mediated reduction in GABA‐mediated IPSCs. This provides a novel mechanism through which E2 can rapidly modulate synaptic excitability in entorhinal layer II/III neurons and may also contribute to E2 and ERK‐dependent alterations in synaptic transmission in other brain areas.
Identifying forms of after‐hours information communication technology use and their role in psychological detachment: An episodic approach
Authors: Chen Adela , Conroy Samantha A. , Crain Tori L. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractEmployees increasingly conduct work outside of traditional work hours via information communication technologies (ICTs). There is a need to understand how after‐hours ICT use relates to well‐being, given that such connectivity has become unavoidable. We implement an episodic, event‐contingent design to evaluate the association between different ICT media (i.e., e‐mail, phone call, chat app, short message service) and the within‐person outcomes of psychological detachment as partially mediated by task productivity. A daily diary survey was collected over three consecutive workdays to capture after‐hours ICT use. Daily surveys were completed by 498 individuals, with a total of 1494 episodes being captured of after‐hours work ICT engagement. Our results indicate that while engagement with any form of ICT after hours reduces psychological detachment, email and chat apps are associated with the lowest levels of psychological detachment. Moreover, whereas the use of asynchronous ICT has positive main effects on episode‐related task productivity, the use of synchronous ICT (e.g., phone) only enhances episode‐related task productivity when there are high organizational expectations for employees' responsiveness after hours.
Learning from farmers' knowledge on participatory irrigation management using Q‐methodology
Authors: Kimbowa George , Wanyama Joshua , Mukaya Muhmoud , Otim Daniel , Awio Thomas , Mugisha Moses 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTo sustain the performance of irrigation schemes, it is important to involve all stakeholders and enhance their management capacity. Using the Q‐methodological approach, drivers of farmers' perceptions of the management of public irrigation schemes were explored, taking the Doho rice irrigation scheme as a case study. Thirty‐nine male and female scheme farmers were selected from all 11 blocks based on the total number of Q‐set items. For each participant, an after‐Q‐sort interview was conducted to verify the Q‐sorting data. Farmers perceived that the establishment of a cooperative society, rehabilitation of the scheme and implementation of punishments for water‐user fee defaulters are among the major factors in improving the performance of the scheme and thus the general increase in rice yield. However, there is a need to improve scheme performance by introducing new technology, capacity building through training and incentives. Based on the Q‐sorting data analysis, four discourses were identified and summarized: (1) paying farmers; (2) disengaged farmers; (3) maintenance farmers; and (4) accountable farmers. All these factors contribute to key management challenges and thus to scheme performance. Local knowledge of the performance of existing schemes based on farmers' experiences is instrumental in guiding policy‐making towards sustaining planned irrigation schemes and thus contributes to improved agricultural production and livelihoods.
Pancreatic β cell models for screening insulin secretagogues and cytotoxicity
Authors: Potdar Pranjali , Kharat Avinash , Sanap Avinash , Kheur Supriya , Bhonde Ramesh 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn the past 2–3 decades, numerous attempts have been made to create an insulin‐secreting β cell line that maintains normal insulin secretion. However, primary β cell cultures have finite life and, therefore, cannot be used for long‐term experiments. The most widely used insulin‐secreting cell lines are Insulinoma‐1, rat insulinoma cell line, hamster pancreatic β cell line, mouse insulinoma, and β tumor cell line. Insulinoma‐derived cell lines show infinite growth in tissue culture but exhibit varying differences in their insulin responsiveness to glucose levels compared to normal β cells. Despite difficulties with β cell cultures, these cell lines have offered some useful insights in diabetes research concerning physiological functions and pathological investigations. In this review, we describe insulinoma cell lines used for drug screening, insulin secretion, cell viability, proliferation, and other relevant cellular functions. In addition, we have also incorporated recently developed human β cell lines. These cell lines have provided some helpful insights into physiological activities and pathology in diabetes research, despite challenges with β cell culturing. We propose that these cell lines could also be explored for screening Ayurvedic Rasayanas and homeopathy preparations for their cytotoxicity and insulin secretagogue activities to have evidence‐based data on alternative and complementary medicines.
Probing polarization response of monolayer cell cultures with entangled photon pairs
Authors: Zhang L. , Besaga V. R. , Rühl P. , Zou C. , Heinemann S. H. , Wang Y. , Setzpfandt F. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study addresses the critical need for high signal‐to‐noise ratio in optical detection methods for biological sample discrimination under low‐photon‐flux conditions to ensure accuracy without compromising sample integrity. We explore polarization‐based probing, which often excels over intensity modulation when assessing a specimen's morphology. Leveraging non‐classical light sources, our approach capitalizes on sub‐Poissonian photon statistics and quantum correlation‐based measurements. We present a novel, highly sensitive method for probing single‐layer cell cultures using entangled photon pairs. Our approach demonstrates potential for monolayer cell analysis, distinguishing between two types of monolayer cells and their host medium. The experimental results highlight our method's sensitivity, showcasing its potential for biological sample detection using quantum techniques, and paving the way for advanced diagnostic methodologies.
Selective induction of senescence in cancer cells through near‐infrared light treatment via mitochondrial modulation
Authors: Kalampouka I. , Mould R. R. , Botchway S. W. , Mackenzie A. M. , Nunn A. V. , Thomas E. L. , Bell J. D. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPhotobiomodulation, utilising non‐ionising light in the visible and near‐infrared (NIR) spectrum, has been suggested as a potential method for enhancing tissue repair, reducing inflammation and possibly mitigating cancer‐therapy‐associated side effects. NIR light is suggested to be absorbed intracellularly, mainly by chromophores within the mitochondria. This study examines the impact of 734 nm NIR light on cellular senescence. Cancer (MCF7 and A549) and non‐cancer (MCF10A and IMR‐90) cell populations were subjected to 63 mJ/cm2 NIR‐light exposure for 6 days. Senescence levels were quantified by measuring active senescence‐associated beta‐galactosidase. Exposure to NIR light significantly increases senescence levels in cancer (10.0%–203.2%) but not in non‐cancer cells (p > 0.05). Changes in senescence were associated with significant modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis, including increased levels of reactive oxygen species (p < 0.05) and mitochondrial membrane potential (p < 0.05) post‐NIR‐light treatment. These results suggest that NIR light modulates cellular chemistry, arresting the proliferation of cancer cells via senescence induction while sparing non‐cancer cells.
Diagnostic application in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic retinopathy rats: A study based on Raman spectroscopy and machine learning
Authors: Xiao Kunhong , Li Li , Chen Yang , Lin Rong , Wen Boyuan , Wang Zhiqiang , Huang Yan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractVision impairment caused by diabetic retinopathy (DR) is often irreversible, making early‐stage diagnosis imperative. Raman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful tool, capable of providing molecular fingerprints of tissues. This study employs RS to detect ex vivo retinal tissue from diabetic rats at various stages of the disease. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to reveal the ultrastructural changes in retinal tissue. Following spectral preprocessing of the acquired data, the random forest and orthogonal partial least squares‐discriminant analysis algorithms were employed for spectral data analysis. The entirety of Raman spectra and all annotated bands accurately and distinctly differentiate all animal groups, and can identify significant molecules from the spectral data. Bands at 524, 1335, 543, and 435 cm−1 were found to be associated with the preproliferative phase of DR. Bands at 1045 and 1335 cm−1 were found to be associated with early stages of DR.
First fluorescent sensor for lutein in aqueous media based on thiosemicarbazide‐bridged bis‐tetraphenylethylene
Authors: Jiang Shengjie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis work designed and synthesized the first organic fluorescent sensor for lutein in aqueous solutions based on blue to yellow fluorescence change of thiosemicarbazide‐bridged bis‐tetraphenylene (Bis‐TPE). By condensing monohydroxy tetraphenylene derivatives with p‐phenylene di‐isothiocyanate, Bis‐TPE was produced. A fluorescence spectrophotometer was used to scan the fluorescence emission spectra from 380 to 700 nm with 360 nm as the excitation wavelength. The fluorescence spectra showed that Bis‐TPE exhibited high selective sensing ability for lutein in aqueous medium, and the fluorescence showed red‐shift phenomenon with a limit of detection as low as 0.26 μM for lutein. The sensing mechanism was confirmed by mass spectrometry, infrared, and fluorescence Job's plots based on the 1:1 stoichiometric ratio of double hydrogen bonding. The successful application of Bis‐TPE in sensing test strips means that Bis‐TPE can achieve efficient detection of lutein in complex environments. As a result, an aggregation‐induced luminescence‐based lutein fluorescence sensor was constructed, which exhibited highly selective and sensitive sensing of lutein, and provided a new research idea for the object detection of such structures.