bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation of felty germander (Teucrium polium L.) extract using the freeze‐drying method
Authors: Zeidvand Sima , Movahhed Sara , Ahmadi Chenarbon Hossein , Rajaei Peyman 
Published: May 2024

AbstractExtracts with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties are limited in their application in food products due to their inability to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as high temperatures and oxygen exposure. Therefore, the present study investigated the nanoencapsulation of Teucrium polium L. extract using the freeze‐drying method to facilitate its application and protection against environmental factors. In this regard, an emulsion containing Teucrium polium L. extract at concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30% and a mixture of maltodextrin/Persian gum in three ratios of 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 as the coating wall were produced and then dried in a freeze dryer. In the following, the properties of emulsions and produced nanocapsules were studied. According to the results, emulsions with high amounts of Persian gum showed more stability, zeta potential, and viscosity. However, their particle size and polydisparity index were lower than those of other emulsions. As the extract concentration increased, there was a decrease in stability, zeta potential, and viscosity, accompanied by an increase in particle size and polydispersity index. Concurrently, elevated concentrations of maltodextrin, Persian gum, and extract resulted in higher humidity, density, encapsulation efficiency, and antioxidant activity of the capsules. The most optimal properties of emulsions and nanocapsules were achieved at the 10% concentration of Teucrium polium L. extract and the 1:1 ratio of maltodextrin/Persian gum mixture as the wall material. It is noteworthy that the release rate of phenolic compounds reached its maximum value (88%) after 60 days.
The value of instream stable water isotope and nitrate concentration data for calibrating a travel time‐based water quality model
Authors: Borriero A. , Musolff A. , Kumar R. , Fleckenstein J. H. , Lutz S. R. , Nguyen T. V. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTransit time‐based water quality models using StorAge Selection (SAS) functions are crucial for nitrate (NO3−) management. However, relying solely on instream NO3− concentration for model calibration can result in poor parameter identifiability. This is due to the interaction, or correlation, between transport parameters, such as SAS function parameters, and denitrification rate, which challenges accurate parameters identification and description of catchment‐scale hydrological processes. To tackle this issue, we conducted three Monte‐Carlo experiments for a German mesoscale catchment by calibrating a SAS‐based model with daily instream NO3− concentrations (Experiment 1), monthly instream stable water isotopes (e.g. δ18O) (Experiment 2) and both datasets (Experiment 3). Our findings revealed comparable ranges of SAS transport parameters and median water transit times (TT50) across the experiments. This suggests that, despite their distinct reactive or conservative nature, and sampling strategies, the NO3− and δ18O time series offer similar information for calibration. However, the absolute values of transport parameters and TT50 time series, as well as the degree of parameter interaction differed. Experiment 1 showed greater interaction between certain transport parameters and denitrification rate, leading to greater equifinality. Conversely, Experiment 3 yielded reduced parameters interaction, which enhanced transport parameters identifiability and decreased uncertainty in TT50 time series. Hence, even a modest effort to incorporate only monthly δ18O values in model calibration for highly frequent NO3−, improved the description of hydrological transport. This study showcased the value of combining NO3− and δ18O model results to improve transport parameter identifiability and model robustness, which ultimately enhances NO3− management strategies.
Mornings with the highest non‐rainfall water during 2 years of measurements in the Negev–Ecological implications
Authors: Kidron Giora J. , Kronenfeld Rafael , Starinsky Abraham 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBy providing water during the long dry rainless season, non‐rainfall water (NRW), principally dew and fog, is commonly thought to serve as an important water source for arid soil biocrusts, which require water threshold of 0.05 (for lichens) and 0.1 mm (for cyanobacteria) for growth. Such values are commonly reported in the literature. Moreover, values of >0.45 mm/d (considered as the practical theoretical threshold for dew) are also reported. Following an analysis of limited (29 days) dewy mornings, it was recently reported that dew is incapable of forming on the soil surface. Being of limited scope, we therefore analyse days that yielded the highest amounts of NRW during 2 years (2021–2023) of measurements (22 days with NRW ≥0.15 mm). We conducted measurements at 1 m above ground, cobbles, rocks, and the soil surface, and compared them to the cloth‐plate method. Additionally, periodical temperature measurements were conducted, and the dewpoint temperature (Td) was calculated. Our findings indicate that (a) dew yield never surpassed 0.4 mm, (b) while the water threshold amounts were reached on the rocks and especially on the cobbles, these thresholds were seldom reached on soil (a single morning with 0.1 mm and 3 days with ≥0.05 mm), (c) in comparison to air temperatures at 0.05 m and especially at 1 m‐height above ground, surface nocturnal soil temperatures were 2–3°C warmer, thus eliminating possible vapour condensation. Our data cast doubt on values of >0.45 mm reported from various deserts. Additionally, while supporting the view that NRW may provide water for the growth of rock‐dwelling lichens, NRW in the Negev does not provide the soil biocrusts with sufficient water for growth.
Relationships between snowpack, low flows and stream temperature in mountain watersheds of the US west coast
Authors: Boisramé Gabrielle , Harpold Adrian , Tague Christina 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWater temperatures in mountain streams are likely to rise under future climate change, with negative impacts on ecosystems and water quality. However, it is difficult to predict which streams are most vulnerable due to sparse historical records of mountain stream temperatures as well as complex interactions between snowpack, groundwater, streamflow and water temperature. Minimum flow volumes are a potentially useful proxy for stream temperature, since daily streamflow records are much more common. We confirmed that there is a strong inverse relationship between annual low flows and peak water temperature using observed data from unimpaired streams throughout the montane regions of the United States' west coast. We then used linear models to explore the relationships between snowpack, potential evapotranspiration and other climate‐related variables with annual low flow volumes and peak water temperatures. We also incorporated previous years' flow volumes into these models to account for groundwater carryover from year to year. We found that annual peak snowpack water storage is a strong predictor of summer low flows in the more arid watersheds studied. This relationship is mediated by atmospheric water demand and carryover subsurface water storage from previous years, such that multi‐year droughts with high evapotranspiration lead to especially low flow volumes. We conclude that watershed management to help retain snow and increase baseflows may help counteract some of the streamflow temperature rises expected from a warming climate, especially in arid watersheds.
Strategies for Detecting Aminoacylation and Aminoacyl‐tRNA Editing In Vitro and In Cells
Authors: Watkins Rylan R. , Kavoor Arundhati , Musier‐Forsyth Karin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) maintain translational fidelity by ensuring the formation of correct aminoacyl‐tRNA pairs. Numerous point mutations in human aaRSs have been linked to disease phenotypes. Structural studies of aaRSs from human pathogens encoding unique domains support these enzymes as potential candidates for therapeutics. Studies have shown that the identity of tRNA pools in cells changes between different cell types and under stress conditions. While traditional radioactive aminoacylation analyses can determine the effect of disease‐causing mutations on aaRS function, these assays are not amenable to drug discovery campaigns and do not take into account the variability of the intracellular tRNA pools. Here, we review modern techniques to characterize aaRS activity in vitro and in cells. The cell‐based approaches analyse the aminoacyl‐tRNA pool to observe trends in aaRS activity and fidelity. Taken together, these approaches allow high‐throughput drug screening of aaRS inhibitors and systems‐level analyses of the dynamic tRNA population under a variety of conditions and disease states.
Display Technologies for Expanding the Pharmaceutical Applications of Cyclotides
Authors: Xie Jing , Kan Meng‐Wei , de Veer Simon J. , Wang Conan , Craik David J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCyclotides are ultra‐stable peptides originally discovered in plants based on their medicinal applications. Their natural function is as host defence agents. They are amenable to chemical synthesis for use as scaffolds for drug design applications. Cyclotides comprise ~30 amino acids and in addition to having a head‐to‐tail cyclic backbone, incorporate six conserved cystine residues connected in a cystine knot motif. The cyclic backbone and cystine knot contribute to their exceptional resistance to proteases or thermal denaturation, making them useful scaffolds for drug design applications. The backbone segments, or loops, between the conserved cysteine residues are amenable to combinatorial variation in native cyclotides and have also been used to incorporate selected bioactive peptide epitopes into a range of synthetic cyclotides and cyclotide‐like scaffolds. In the past this was largely done via low throughput structure‐based design approaches, but the discovery of novel cyclotide binders has been greatly enhanced by the use of combinatorial display approaches on cyclotide scaffolds using phage, bacterial, yeast and mRNA technologies, as reviewed herein.
Association between cytokine polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss: A review of current evidence
Authors: Stavros Sofoklis , Panagopoulos Periklis , Machairiotis Nikolaos , Potiris Anastasios , Mavrogianni Despoina , Sfakianakis Antonios , Drakaki Eirini , Christodoulaki Chrysi , Panagiotopoulos Dimitrios , Sioutis Dimos , Karampitsakos Theodoros , Antonakopoulos Nikolaos , Christopoulos Panagiotis , Drakakis Peter 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCytokines are a type of protein that play an important role in the immune response and can also affect many physiological processes in the body. Cytokine polymorphisms refer to genetic variations or mutations that occur within the genes that code for cytokines, which may affect the level of cytokine production and function. Some cytokine polymorphisms have been associated with an increased risk of developing certain diseases, while others may be protective or have no significant effect on health. In recent years, the role of cytokine polymorphisms in the development of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has been studied. RPL or miscarriage is defined as the occurrence of two or more consecutive pregnancy losses before the 20th week of gestation. There are diverse causes leading to RPL, including genetic, anatomical, hormonal, and immunological factors. With regard to cytokine polymorphisms, a few of them have been found to be associated with an increased risk of RPL, for instance, variations in the genes that code for interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, and interleukin‐10. The exact mechanisms by which cytokine polymorphisms affect the risk of recurrent miscarriage are still being studied, and further research is essential to fully understand this complex condition. This brief review aims to summarize the recent literature on the association between cytokine polymorphisms and RPL.
Effect of hysteroscopic surgery on IVF/ICSI pregnancy outcomes for different cesarean scar diverticulum severity: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pan Xinyi , Xu Linan , Liu Ziyu , Li Nijie , Liu Qianru , Shi Hao , Yang Xing 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate associations between hysteroscopic surgery for patients with varying cesarean scar diverticulum (CSD) severity and in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryo transfer (ET) pregnancy outcomes, focusing also on the correlation between the CSD size with its severity, and pregnancy outcomes.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients with CSD who underwent IVF/ICSI‐ET at a university‐based hospital between January 2017 and July 2023. Patients were categorized into four groups based on CSD severity and whether they received hysteroscopic surgery: a mild surgical group (Group A, n = 86), a mild non‐surgical group (Group B, n = 30), a moderate‐to‐severe surgical group (Group C, n = 173), and a moderate‐to‐severe non‐surgical group (Group D, n = 96). Baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared among these groups. Correlation assessments were conducted to explore relationships between CSD size with its severity, and pregnancy outcomes.ResultsCompared with Group D, Group C exhibited significantly increased rates of biochemical pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–3.51, P = 0.041), clinical pregnancy (OR 2.30; 95% CI1.18–4.45; P = 0.014), and live birth (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.10–7.00, P = 0.031). However, no differences in pregnancy outcomes were observed between Groups A and B. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive associations between CSD severity and its depth, length, width, and volume.ConclusionsPatients with moderate‐to‐severe CSD achieved favorable IVF/ICSI pregnancy outcomes following hysteroscopic surgery. The CSD size was significantly related to its severity.
Kaempferide triggers apoptosis and paraptosis in pancreatic tumor cells by modulating the ROS production, SHP‐1 expression, and the STAT3 pathway
Authors: Jung Young Yun , Son Ninh The , Mohan Chakrabhavi Dhananjaya , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , Luyen Nguyen Dinh , Huong Le Mai , Ahn Kwang Seok 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest diseases with a poor prognosis and a five‐survival rate. The STAT3 pathway is hyperactivated which contributes to the sustained proliferative signals in pancreatic cancer cells. We have isolated kaempferide (KF), an O‐methylated flavonol, from the green propolis of Mimosa tenuiflora and examined its effect on two forms of cell death namely, apoptosis and paraptosis. KF significantly increased the cleavage of caspase‐3 and PARP. It also downmodulated the expression of Alix (an intracellular inhibitor of paraptosis) and increased the expression of CHOP and ATF4 (transcription factors that promote paraptosis) indicating that KF promotes apoptosis as well as paraptosis. KF also increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) suggesting the perturbance of the redox state. N‐acetylcysteine reverted the apoptosis‐ and paraptosis‐inducing effects of KF. Some ROS inducers are known to suppress the STAT3 pathway and investigation revealed that KF downmodulates STAT3 and its upstream kinases (JAK1, JAK2, and Src). Additionally, KF also elevated the expression of SHP‐1, a tyrosine phosphatase which is involved in the negative modulation of the STAT3 pathway. Knockdown of SHP‐1 prevented KF‐driven STAT3 inhibition. Altogether, KF has been identified as a promoter of apoptosis and paraptosis in pancreatic cancer cells through the elevation of ROS generation and SHP‐1 expression.
Ocular Pharmacology
Authors: Novack Gary D. , Robin Alan L. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTreatment of ocular diseases presents unique challenges and opportunities for the clinician and for the clinical pharmacologist. Ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, typically given as liquids, require consideration of solubility, physiological pH, and osmolarity, as well as sterility and stability, which in turn requires optimal pharmaceutics. Ocular tissue levels are challenging to obtain in humans, and the clinical pharmacokinetics is typically blood levels, which are primarily related to safety, rather than efficacy. The eye is a closed compartment with multiple physiological barriers with esterases and transporters, but relatively little cytochrome oxidases. Delivery routes include topical, intravitreal, and systemic. Patient dosing involves not only adherence issues common to all chronic diseases, but also performance requirements on eye drop instillation. Therapeutically, ocular diseases and their pharmacological treatments include both those analogous to systemic diseases (e.g., inflammation, infection, and neuronal degeneration) and those unique to the eye (e.g., cataract and myopia).
The use of shear‐wave elastography for the assessment of muscle spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy, a systematic review
Authors: Cesaro Edoardo , Saliba Thomas , Simoni Paolo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe explore the use of shear wave elastography (SWE) for assessing muscle stiffness and treatment response in cerebral palsy (CP) children by way of a systematic review. SWE offers real‐time muscle stiffness measurements, showing significant differences between CP patients and controls. Studies suggest that SWE can be used to follow muscle stiffness post‐botulinum toxin treatment, correlating with clinical improvement. However, methodological variations and small sample sizes prevent comparison between different studies. Standardized protocols could enhance SWE's clinical utility. In conclusion, SWE holds promise for CP management, though standardized methodologies and larger studies are needed to validate its efficacy and integration into clinical practice.
Exploring the dynamics of physician‐patient relationships: Factors affecting patient satisfaction and complaints
Authors: Mostafapour Mehrnaz , Fortier Jacqueline H. , Garber Gary 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis review identifes the factors influencing the relationship between physicians and patients that can lead to patients' dissatisfaction and medical complaints. Utilizing a systemic approach 92 studies were retrieved which included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method studies. Through a thematic analysis of the literature, we identified three interrelated main themes that can influence the relationship between physicians and patients, patients' satisfaction, and the decision to file a medico‐legal complaint. The main themes include patient and physician characteristics; the interpersonal relationship between physicians and patients; and the health care system and policies, with relevant subthemes. These themes are demonstrated in a descriptive model. The review suggests areas of focus for physicians who may wish to increase their awareness around the potential sources of relational problems with their patients. Identifying these issues may assist in improvements in the therapeutic relationship with patients, can reduce their medico‐legal risk, and enhance the quality of their clinical practice. The findings can also be utilized to support andragogical principles for medical learners. The article can serve as a structured framework to identify potential problems and gaps to design and test effective interventions to mitigate these potential relational problems between physician‐patient.
Molnupiravir increases SARS‐CoV‐2 genome diversity and complexity: A case‐control cohort study
Authors: Gruber Cesare Ernesto Maria , Tucci Fabio Giovanni , Giombini Emanuela , Mazzotta Valentina , Spezia Pietro Giorgio , Rueca Martina , Mastrorosa Ilaria , Fabeni Lavinia , Berno Giulia , Butera Ornella , Rosati Silvia , Specchiarello Eliana , Carletti Fabrizio , Focosi Daniele , Nicastri Emanuele , Girardi Enrico , Antinori Andrea , Maggi Fabrizio 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMolnupiravir, an oral direct‐acting antiviral effective in vitro against SARS‐CoV‐2, has been largely employed during the COVID‐19 pandemic, since December 2021. After marketing and widespread usage, a progressive increase in SARS‐CoV‐2 lineages characterized by a higher transition/transversion ratio, a characteristic signature of molnupiravir action, appeared in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) and International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC) databases. Here, we assessed the drug effects by SARS‐CoV‐2 whole‐genome sequencing on 38 molnupiravir‐treated persistently positive COVID‐19 outpatients tested before and after treatment. Seventeen tixagevimab/cilgavimab‐treated outpatients served as controls. Mutational analyses confirmed that SARS‐CoV‐2 exhibits an increased transition/transversion ratio seven days after initiation of molnupiravir. Moreover we observed an increased G‐>A ratio compared to controls, which was not related to apolipoprotein B mRNAediting enzyme, catalytic polypeptide‐like (APOBEC) activity. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time an increased diversity and complexity of the viral quasispecies.
Imaging Diagnosis for Intradiaphragmatic Pulmonary Sequestration
Authors: Hosokawa Takahiro , Tanami Yutaka , Sato Yumiko , Deie Kyoichi , Kawashima Hiroshi , Oguma Eiji 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivesExtrapulmonary sequestration (EPS) within the diaphragm (ID‐EPS) is rare and requires additional procedures such as incision or detachment of the diaphragm from the lesion for diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the imaging findings and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) for ID‐EPS.Material and MethodsSplit diaphragm sign, shape of lesion edge, drainage vein into intra‐abdomen on ultrasound and CT, and lesion characteristics on ultrasound were compared between patients with ID‐EPS and with above‐diaphragm EPS (AD‐EPS) using Fisher's exact test.ResultsThree and nine patients were diagnosed with ID‐EPS and AD‐EPS, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the split diaphragm sign on ultrasound (presence/absence in patients with ID‐EPS vs AD‐EPS, 2/1 vs 0/9, P = .046), shape of lesion edge on ultrasound/CT (round/beak in patients with ID‐EPS vs AD‐EPS, 3/0 vs 0/9, P = .005 on both CT and ultrasound), lesion characteristics on ultrasound (presence/absence of cystic area within lesion in patients with ID‐EPS vs AD‐EPS, 0/3 vs 7/2, P = .046), and the drainage vein into the abdomen on CT (presence/absence in patients with ID‐EPS vs AD‐EPS; 2/1 vs 0/9, P = .046). No drainage veins were visualized in the abdomen on ultrasonography and no significant differences in the presence/absence of the split‐diagram sign on CT (presence/absence in patients with ID‐EPS vs AD‐EPS and ID‐EPS; 0/3 vs 0/9, P > .999; 1/2 vs 0/9, P = .250) were observed between the two groups.ConclusionA combination of postnatal ultrasonography and CT was useful in predicting EPS located within the diaphragm.