bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy‐Saving Electrochemical Hydrogen Production Coupled with Biomass‐Derived Isobutanol Upgrading
Authors: Du Ruiqi , Zhao Siqi , Zhang Kaizheng , Chen Yuxin , Cheng Yi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe widespread application of electrochemical hydrogen production faces significant challenges, primarily attributed to the high overpotential of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in conventional water electrolysis. To address this issue, an effective strategy involves substituting OER with the value‐added oxidation of biomass feedstock, reducing the energy requirements for electrochemical hydrogen production while simultaneously upgrading the biomass. Herein, we introduce an electrocatalytic approach for the value‐added oxidation of isobutanol, a high energy density bio‐fuel, coupled with hydrogen production. This approach offers a sustainable route to produce the valuable fine chemical isobutyric acid under mild condition. The electrodeposited Ni(OH)2 electrocatalyst exhibits exceptional electrocatalytic activity and durability for the electro‐oxidation of isobutanol, achieving an impressive faradaic efficiency of up to 92.4 % for isobutyric acid at 1.45 V vs. RHE. Mechanistic insights reveal that side reactions predominantly stem from the oxidative C−C cleavage of isobutyraldehyde intermediate, forming by‐products including formic acid and acetone. Furthermore, we demonstrate the electro‐oxidation of isobutanol coupled with hydrogen production in a two‐electrode undivided cell, notably reducing the electrolysis voltage by approximately 180 mV at 40 mA cm−2. Overall, this work represents a significant step towards improving the cost‐effectiveness of hydrogen production and advancing the conversion of bio‐fuels.
Fine needle aspiration of human lymph nodes reveals cell populations and soluble interactors pivotal to immunological priming
Authors: Provine Nicholas M. , Al‐Diwani Adam , Agarwal Devika , Dooley Kyla , Heslington Amelia , Murchison Andrew G. , Garner Lucy C. , Sheerin Fintan , Klenerman Paul , Irani Sarosh R. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLymph node (LN) fine needle aspiration (LN FNA) represents a powerful technique for minimally invasive sampling of human LNs in vivo and has been used effectively to directly study aspects of the human germinal center response. However, systematic deep phenotyping of the cellular populations and cell‐free proteins recovered by LN FNA has not been performed. Thus, we studied human cervical LN FNAs as a proof‐of‐concept and used single‐cell RNA‐sequencing and proteomic analysis to benchmark this compartment, define the purity of LN FNA material, and facilitate future studies in this immunologically pivotal environment. Our data provide evidence that LN FNAs contain bone‐fide LN‐resident innate immune populations, with minimal contamination of blood material. Examination of these populations reveals unique biology not predictable from equivalent blood‐derived populations. LN FNA supernatants represent a specific source of lymph‐ and lymph node‐derived proteins, and can, aided by transcriptomics, identify likely receptor–ligand interactions. This represents the first description of the types and abundance of immune cell populations and cell‐free proteins that can be efficiently studied by LN FNA. These findings are of broad utility for understanding LN physiology in health and disease, including infectious or autoimmune perturbations, and in the case of cervical nodes, neuroscience.
Recent advances in Fe‐N‐C single‐atom site coupled synergistic catalysts for boosting oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Srinivas Katam , Chen Zhuo , Yu Hesheng , Liu Dawei , Ou Jian Zhen , Zhu Ming‐qiang , Chen Yuanfu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMetal–air batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical H2O2 production currently attract substantial consideration in the energy sector owing to their efficiency and eco‐consciousness. However, their broader use is hindered by the complex oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) that occurs at cathodes and involves intricate electron transfers. Despite the significant ORR performance of platinum‐based catalysts, their high cost, operational limitations, and susceptibility to methanol poisoning hinder broader implementation. This emphasizes the need for efficient non‐precious metal‐based ORR electrocatalysts. A promising approach involves utilizing single‐atom catalysts (SACs) featuring metal–nitrogen–carbon (M‐N‐C) coordination sites. SACs offer advantages such as optimal utilization of metal atoms, uniform active centers, precisely defined catalytic sites, and robust metal–support interactions. However, the symmetrical electron distribution around the central metal atom of a single‐atom site (M‐N4) often results in suboptimal ORR performance. This challenge can be addressed by carefully tailoring the surrounding environment of the active center. This review specifically focuses on recent advancements in the Fe‐N4 environment within Fe‐N‐C SACs. It highlights the promising strategy of coupling Fe‐N4 sites with metal clusters and/or nanoparticles, which enhances intrinsic activity. By capitalizing on the interplay between Fe‐N4 sites and associated species, overall ORR performance improved. The review combines findings from experimental studies and density functional theory simulations, covering synthesis strategies for Fe‐N‐C coupled synergistic catalysts, characterization techniques, and the influence of associated particles on ORR activity. By offering a comprehensive outlook, the review aims to encourage research into high‐efficiency Fe single‐atom sites coupled synergistic catalysts for real‐world applications in the coming years.
Ethical Challenges of Advances in Vaccine Delivery Technologies
Authors: Caplan Arthur L. , Ferguson Kyle , Williamson Anne ,   The Ethics and Policy Working Group on New Vaccine Delivery Technologies
Published: February 2024

AbstractStrategies to address misinformation and hesitancy about vaccines, including the fear of needles, and to overcome obstacles to access, such as the refrigeration that some vaccines demand, strongly suggest the need to develop new vaccine delivery technologies. But, given widespread distrust surrounding vaccination, these new technologies must be introduced to the public with the utmost transparency, care, and community involvement. Two emerging technologies, one a skin‐patch vaccine and the other a companion dye and detector, provide excellent examples of greatly improved delivery technologies for which such a careful approach should be developed in order to increase vaccine uptake. Defusing fears and conspiracy mongering must be a key part of their rollout.
Intestinal Motility after Massive Small Bowel Resection in Conscious Canines: Comparison of Acute and Chronic Phases
Authors: Uchiyama Masanori , Iwafuchi Makoto , Matsuda Yukio , Naitoh Masafumi , Yagi Minoru , Ohtani Satoshi 
Published: February 2024

SummaryTo evaluate intestinal function after 80% massive distal small bowel resection (MSBR), we continuously monitored interdigestive and postprandial bowel motility using bipolar electrodes and/or contractile strain gauge force transducers in conscious beagle dogs before and at 2‐4 weeks (acute postoperative phase; acute phase) and 8‐13 months (chronic postoperative phase; chronic phase) after the surgery. Fasting duodenal migrating myoelectric (or motor) complexes (MMC) occurred at longer intervals in the acute phase after 80% MSBR than in control beagles. Intervals between duodenal MMC in the chronic phase were similar to those found in control beagles. MMC arising from the duodenum were often interrupted before the jejunum above the anastomosis in the acute phase, and a slight recovery of propagation frequency to the jejunum above the anastomosis was observed in the chronic phase. However, duodenal MMC did not migrate smoothly to the terminal ileum in both groups. In the acute phase, the velocity of duodenal MMC propagation was slowed in every intestinal segment, including the duodenum and the jejunum above the anastomosis, and had not recovered even long after the operation. The duration of the postprandial period without duodenal MMC was prolonged significantly in the acute phase postoperatively. Although it shortened in the chronic phase, it still remained significantly longer than in controls. These findings suggest that changes in gut motility after MSBR tend to compensate for the shorter intestine and maintain small bowel absorption early postoperatively. However, these compensatory changes decrease over the long term, and their adaptive contributions to increased intestinal absorption may decrease as well.
Immune Response to Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine in 1‐Year‐Old Preterm and Term Infants
Authors: Belson A. , Reif S. , Peled Y. , Bujanover Y. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryThe recent mass immigration to Israel from the former U.S.S.R. and Ethiopia has significantly increased the hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier rate. Since January 1992, all newborns in Israel have been routinely immunized against HBV. The same routine of vaccination has been used for premature and term newborns. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immune status against HBV in term and preterm infants at the age of 1 year. All infants were vaccinated at day 1 and at 1 and 6 months with Engerix. Hepatitis B antigen antibody (Ab) serum titers were determined at the age of 1 year. All infants had detectable Ab titers (responders); 92.5% had protective titers (>10 mIU/ml), out of which 26.5% were low responders (<100 mIU/ml) and 65% were high responders (>100 mIU/ml). There was no significant difference in immune responses between term and preterm infants.
Total Energy Expenditure and Patterns of Activity in 8‐10‐Year‐Old Obese and Nonobese Children
Authors: Maffeis C. , Zaffanello M. , Pinelli L. , Schutz Y. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryTotal energy expenditure (TEE) and patterns of activity were measured by means of a heart rate (HR)‐monitoring method in a group of 8‐10‐year‐old children including 13 obese children (weight, 46 ± 10 kg; fat mass: 32 ± 9%) and 16 nonobese children (weight, 31 ± 5 kg; fat mass, 18 ± 5%). Time for sleeping was not statistically different in the two groups of children (596 ± 33 vs. 582 ± 43 min; p = NS). Obese children spent more time doing sedentary activities (400 ± 129 vs. 295 ± 127 min; p < 0.05) and less time in nonsedentary activities (449 ± 126 vs. 563 ± 135 min; p < 0.05) than nonobese children. Time spent in moderate or vigorous activity—i.e., time spent at a HR between 50% of the maximal O2 uptake (peak VO2) and 70% peak VO2 (moderate) and at a HR ≥70% peak VO2 (vigorous)—was not statistically different in obese and nonobese children (88 ± 69 vs. 52 ± 35 min and 20 ± 21 vs. 16 ± 13 min, respectively; p = NS). TEE was significantly higher in the obese group than in the nonobese group (9.46 ± 1.40 vs. 7.51 ± 1.67 MJ/day; p < 0.01). The energy expenditure for physical activity (plus thermogenesis) was significantly higher in the obese children (3.98 ± 1.30 vs. 2.94 ± 1.39 MJ/day; p < 0.05). The proportion of TEE daily devoted to physical activity (plus thermogenesis) was not significantly different in the two groups, as shown by the ratio between TEE and the postabsorptive metabolic rate (PMR): 1.72 ± 0.25 obese vs 1.61 ± 0.28 non‐obese. In conclusion, in free‐living conditions obese children have a higher TEE than do nonobese children, despite the greater time devoted to sedentary activities. The higher energy cost to perform weight‐bearing activities as well as the higher absolute PMR of obese children help explain this apparent paradox.
Recognition and Treatment of Venous Malformations of the Rectum
Authors: Keljo David J. , Yakes Wayne F. , Andersen John M. , Timmons Charles F. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryVenous malformations of the rectum are uncommon lesions that present complex management problems (1‐6). The vast majority of these lesions present with rectal bleeding in infancy or childhood. Many cases have been treated as colitis for years before the correct diagnosis was made. The correct diagnosis has generally been based on gross appearance, confirmed subsequently by plain radiographs and angiography. Heroic surgical intervention has been the only repeatedly reported “cure” in the literature. One patient has been reported who did well for 20 years with sclerosis of the hemorrhoidal vein at surgery followed by intermittent transrectal sclerotherapy (7,8). Another patient would appear to have had long‐term success with radiation therapy (9‐11). We report four new cases of venous malformations of the rectum and results to date of a new therapeutic option with transcutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy in two of these patients. A discussion of alternate methods of treatment is included.
Absorption of Nutrients from an Energy‐Dense Diet Liquefied with Amylase from Germinated Wheat in Infants with Acute Diarrhea
Authors: Rahman M. Mujibur , Mitra A. K. , Mahalanabis D. , Wahed M. A. , Khatun M. , Majid N. 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundAddition of a small amount of amylase rich flour (ARF) to a thick porridge instantly liquefy the porridge and increase the energy intake even by sick children. The present study examined the absorption of macronutrients and calorie from an energy dense diet liquefied with ARF in children aged 6‐11 months with acute watery diarrhea.MethodsAfter adequately hydrated with oral rehydration fluid over a period of 24 hours, children were randojmly assigned to receive either an ARF treated liquefied porridge (test diet) or a porridge diluted with water (control diet). A 72‐hour metabolic balance was performed to determine the absorption of carbohydrate, fat, protein, and calorie.ResultsThirteen infants received the test diet, and 15 infants received the control diet. The intake of protein (g/kg/d), carbohydrate (g/kg.d), fat (g/kg.d) and calorie (kJ/kg.d) were 1.97, 20.6, 4.3 and 548 respectively in the test group and those in the control group were 1.12, 13.3, 2.8 and 356. The stool loss of protein, carbohydrate and fat were comparable in the two groups. The absorption coefficient (%) of carbohydrate, fat and energy were 69.6, 61.3 and 65.4 in the test group and were 73.2, 58.6 and 66.7 in the control group. The coefficient of absorption of protein was significantly higher in the test group (37.7% vs. 21.7%). The mean (95% CI) nitrogen balance (g/kg.d) in the test and control groups were 0.064 (0.026, 0.102) and ‐0.029 (‐0.055, 0.003) respectively.ConclusionsThe results suggest that energy dense diet liquefied with ARF was well absorbed in children with acute diarrhea and there was a positive nitrogen balance that may have a positive impact in preventing weight loss during acute illness.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Arab Children: Report of Four Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Kagalwalla A. F. , Altraif I. , Shamsan L. , Omojola M. , Khan H. , Kagalwalla Y. A. 
Published: February 2024

Background:The prevalence of primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare progressive liver disorder, is increasing with the advent of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the investigation of children with obscure liver disease. The etiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis is not known, clinical presentation is variable, treatment is only of limited success and long‐term studies on prognosis in children are incomplete. Primary sclerosing cholangitis has not been described in Arab children.Methods:To describe detailed clinical, laboratory, histologic and radiological features in 4 children with primary sclerosing cholangitis identified over a 2‐year period at a tertiary referral center in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.Results:Four children, all females, between the ages of 4 and 11 years with primary sclerosing cholangitis are identified. The diagnosis was suggested by the histology and confirmed by the characteristic cholangiographic findings. Clinical findings were itching in all 4 children, hepatomegaly in 3 and splenomegaly in 4 patients. Three of 4 patients had portal hypertension and 2 of these three variceal hemorrhage. Antinuclear and smooth muscle antibodies were negative in all four patients. None had clinical manifestations of chronic inflammatory bowel disease but microscopic colitis was documented in all 4 patients.Conclusions:Primary sclerosing cholangitis is present in Arab children with a prevalence rate of 5% in our study population.
IFN‐γ Enhances Macromolecular Transport Across Peyer's Patches in Suckling Rats: Implications for Natural Immune Responses to Dietary Antigens Early in Life
Authors: Sütas Yelda , Autio Soile , Rantala Immo , Isolauri Erika 
Published: February 2024

Background:The capacity to generate (interferon‐gamma) IFN‐γ, a potent immunoregulatory and inflammatory cytokine, is low in neonates and deficient in patients with food allergy.Methods:We investigated the effect of IFN‐γ on antigen transport in the gut. In experiment I rat pups were randomized into two groups at the age of 14 days i.e., before gut maturation: Group IFN was given intraperitoneally recombinant rat IFN‐γ on days 14, 16, 18, 20. In experiment II, rats were randomized into two groups at the age of 26 days, i.e., after gut maturation: Group IFN received the IFN‐γ treatment on days 26, 28, 30, 32. Controls in both experiments received sterile saline. The absorption of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) across jejunal segments with and without Peyer's patches was studied in Ussing chambers on days 21 and 33 for experiments I and II, respectively.Results:In experiment I, the absorption of intact HRP across both types of segments was significantly increased in Group IFN compared to controls. The mean (95% confidence interval) rate of degraded HRP absorption across patch‐containing segments in Group IFN was significantly greater than in controls, 4420 (3162‐6179) ng · h‐1 · cm‐2 in comparison to 1550 (633‐3790) ng · h‐1 · cm‐2; F = 8.96, p = 0.009.Conclusion:IFN‐γ increases macromolecular transport before gut maturation particularly across Peyer's patches. This Peyer's patch‐targeted effect can be important eliciting mucosal immune responses against dietary antigens early in life and aiding their immune exclusion.
Orally Administered Iodinated Recombinant Human Insulin‐like Growth Factor‐I (125I‐rhIGF‐I) Is Poorly Absorbed by the Newborn Piglet
Authors: Donovan Sharon M. , Chao Jane Chen‐Jui , Zijlstra Ruurd T. , Odle Jack 
Published: February 2024

Background:The purpose of the current study was to determine the degree to which milk‐borne insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is absorbed.Methods:Cesarean‐derived piglets were fitted with umbilical arterial and venous catheters within 2 h of birth and were administered formula containing 21.7 ± 1.8 μCi of iodinated recombinant human IGF‐1 (125I‐rhIGF‐I) by orgogastric gavage. Blood samples were taken before administration of the 125I‐rhIGF‐I (t0) and for 4 h postgavage. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation and total and trichloroacetic acid precipitable radioacitivity were determined. Immunoreactive 125I‐rhIGF‐I was assessed using a polyclonal antibody to human IGF‐I. Four hours after feeding, intestines were removed, divided into 13 segments, and flushed with saline. Radioactivity within the small intestinal lumen and wall were measured.Results:Radioactivity in portal blood was higher than t0 at all times points (p < 0.05), whereas arterial radioactivity did not differ from t0 until 30 min postgavage. On average 18‐20% of total radioactivity in both portal and arterial blood was acid‐precipitable, with the proportion decreasing over time (p < 0.001). Immunoprecipitable radioactivity averaged 3‐5% of the total radioactivity and was higher in portal than arterial blood (p < 0.05). Based on a plasma volume of 0.062 ± 0.005 L and a baseline plasma IGF‐I concentration of 1.81 ± 0.56 nmol/L, absorbed 125I‐rhIGF‐I represented 0.205% of the total plasma IFG‐I pool, whereas 14% of the dose was associated with the lining of the intestine.Conclusions:Absorption of orally administered IGF‐I does not contribute significantly to circulating IGF‐I.
Fecal Bacterial Enzyme Activities in Infants Increase with Age and Adoption of Adult‐Type Diet
Authors: Mykkänen H. , Tikka J. , Pitkänen T. , Hänninen O. 
Published: February 2024

Background:The present study was conducted to determine the effects of age and diet (breast milk, milk formula, weaning diet) on the activities of some bacterial enzymes in fecal samples collected from 3‐ to 24‐month‐old infants. These bacterial enzymes may generate toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic metabolites from plant glycosides (β‐glucuronidase, β‐glucosidase) or from urea (urease).Methods:The subjects were 68 healthy children ages 3 (n = 20), 6 (n = 20), 12 (n = 17), and 24 (n = 11) months. None of the children had been given any antibiotics during 4 weeks before collection of the fecal samples. Health status, bowel habits, and food consumption of the children were determined by interview of one of the parents using a structured questionnaire. A spot fecal sample from each child was collected.Results:The activities of β‐glucuronidase and β‐glucosidase increased from 0.52 and 1.17 nmol/min × mg protein (at 3 months) to 1.41 and 2.38 nmol/min × mg protein (at 2 years), respectively. However, at 2 years of age, the children had not yet reached the levels reported in earlier studies on adult populations. Urease activity increased from 4.18 nmol/min × mg protein (at 3 months) to 19.0 nmol/min × mg protein (at 2 years), reaching by 12 months of age the level observed in adults. Breast feeding as such had no consistent effect on fecal bacterial enzyme activities. β‐Glucuronidase and β‐glucosidase were higher in those 6‐ and 12‐month‐old children who consumed more meat, fish, sausages, or eggs.Conclusions:It can be concluded that the fecal enzyme activities in the gastrointestinal tract increase and that their profile changes with age and adoption of adult‐type diet. It remains open, however, whether these changes are caused by the normal physiological aging process or by stepwise introduction of new foods to the diet.
Acceptability, Safety, and Digestibility of Spray‐Dried Bovine Serum Added to Diets of Recovering Malnourished Children
Authors: Lembcke Jorge L. , Peerson Janet M. , Brown Kenneth H. 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundSpecially collected, spray‐dried bovine and porcine blood plasma have been incorporated previously in feeds of weanling farm animals, resulting in increased dietary intakes and greater rates of weight gain than observed in control animals. Before conducting similar trials in human populations, preliminary studies have been completed to assess the acceptability, safety, and digestibility of processed animal plasma in young children.MethodsMasked study diets were provided sequentially to each of ten young, Peruvian children recovering from severe protein‐energy malnutrition during three randomly ordered 7‐day dietary periods. The control diet was prepared from rice, milk, vegetable oil, and sugar; the two study diets included spray‐dried, bovine serum concentrate to replace either 25% or 50% of the milk protein of the control diet. Urine and faces were collected quantitatively during the last four days of each diet period to assess stool weight, apparent absorption of macronutrients, and retention of nitrogen.ResultsAll children consumed the entire amounts offered of each of the diets. The mean number of daily bowel movements and mean apparent absorption and retention of nitrogen and mean apparent absorption of carbohydrate were similar for each diet. Fractional absorption of dietary lipid and of total energy increased significantly in relation to the amount of bovine serum concentrate in the diet, although this might be explained by the simultaneous replacement of milk fat with additional vegetable oil.ConclusionsEach of the diets was well accepted by the study children, and there was no evidence of any adverse effects of bovine serum concentrate.