bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different concentrations of silver nanoparticles trigger growth, yield, and quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa L.) fruits
Authors: Shahzad Umbreen , Saqib Muhammad , Jhanzab Hafiz Muhammad , Abou Fayssal Sami , Ahmad Riaz , Qayyum Abdul 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe application of nanoparticles (NPs) in horticultural crops is in a tremendous increase. NPs help in the overcoming of stresses with positive impacts on plant growth and development. Silver NPs (AgNPs) have numerous pre‐ and postharvest applications in agriculture.Aims and methodsThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of AgNPs application (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm) at three spray intervals (5, 10, and 15 days) on the morphological and compositional traits, and defense system of strawberry.ResultsResults showed that AgNPs application enhanced the growth, yield, quality, and nutritional aspects of strawberry grown under field conditions. Shoot fresh weight (20.20 g) and leaf number/plant (41.53) were enhanced at 100 ppm AgNPs and 15 days interval. A stunted growth of strawberry plants was recorded at 200 ppm AgNPs. Moreover, a 15‐day‐spray interval was found optimum for the improvement of major morphological traits. Fruit size, yield, total soluble solids, acidity, and antioxidant capacity were improved at 50 and 100 ppm AgNPs. The activation of plant defense system, that is, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, total soluble protein, and ascorbic acid was improved under AgNPs foliar application. The activation of stress indicating marker malondialdehyde outlined a high defense response of strawberry at 150 ppm AgNPs.ConclusionsConclusively, AgNPs application at 50, 100, and 150 ppm can be considered effective for sustainable strawberry production.
Effect of salting and dehydration treatments on the physicochemical and gel properties of hen and duck egg yolks, plasma and granules
Authors: Su Yujie , Sun Yuanyuan , Chang Cuihua , Li Junhua , Cai Yundan , Zhao Qianwen , Huang Zijian , Xiong Wen , Gu Luping , Yang Yanjun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDSalted hen egg yolks are less oily and less flavorful than salted duck egg yolks. However, hen eggs have a more adequate market supply and have a broader application prospect than duck eggs. In the present study, egg yolks, plasma, and granules were dehydrated by adding 1% NaCl to simulate traditional curing process of salted egg yolk. The changes in the pickling process of hen egg yolks (HEY) and duck egg yolks (DEY) plasma and granules were compared to reveal the gelation mechanism and the underlying causes of quality differences in salted HEY and DEY. Salted HEY can be compared with the changes in DEY during the pickling process to provide a theoretical basis for the quality improvement of salted HEY to salted DEY.RESULTSThe results showed that both plasma and granules were involved in gel formation, but exhibited different aggregation behaviors. Based on the intermolecular forces, the HEY proteins achieved aggregation mainly through hydrophobic interactions and DEY proteins mainly through covalent binding. According to spin–spin relaxation time, HEY gels immobilized a large amount of lipid and interacted strongly with lipids. DEY gels showed much free lipid and had weak interaction with lipid. The microstructure showed that HEY proteins were easily unfolded to form a homogeneous three‐dimensional gel network structure after salting, whereas heterogeneous aggregates were formed to hinder the gel development in DEY. Changes in protein secondary structure content showed that pickling can promote the transformation of the α‐helices to β‐sheets structure in HEY gels, whereas more α‐helices structure was formed in DEY gels.CONCLUSIONThe present study has demonstrated that different gelation behaviors of hen and duck egg yolk proteins (especially in plasma) through salting treatment led to the difference in the quality of salted HEY and DEY. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Evaluating the causal effect of atherosclerosis on the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Cai Yang‐Ting , Zhong Xian‐Xing , Mo Ling , Huang Rui‐Ze , Lin Qiang , Liu Cai‐Jun , Zhang Shun‐Cong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundIntervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and atherosclerosis are two common age‐related conditions that can cause significant morbidity. While previous studies have suggested an association between the two conditions, the nature of this association remains unclear.MethodsWe used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between IDD and atherosclerosis. We identified genetic variants associated with IDD using summary statistics from a large genome‐wide association study (GWAS). These variants were then used as instrumental variables to infer causal relationships with atherosclerosis in summary statistics from a separate GWAS.ResultsOur MR analysis provided evidence for a causal relationship between IDD and atherosclerosis. We found that the genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis was associated with a higher risk of IDD (odds ratio [OR] = 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–11.74, p = 0.04). The IVW estimates were consistent with the observational findings and other robust MR methods. Sensitivity analyses suggested that our findings were robust to potential sources of bias.ConclusionsOur study provides evidence for a causal link between IDD and atherosclerosis, suggesting that interventions targeting atherosclerosis could have potential benefits for reducing the risk of IDD. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms that link these two conditions and to investigate potential therapeutic interventions.
Dissolved organic matter offsets the detrimental effects of climate change in the nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterium Crocosphaera
Authors: Filella Alba , Umbricht Jacqueline , Klett Angelina , Vogts Angela , Vannier Thomas , Grosso Olivier , Voss Maren , Riemann Lasse , Benavides Mar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDiazotrophs provide a significant reactive nitrogen source in the ocean. Increased warming and stratification may decrease nutrient availability in the future, forcing microbial communities toward using dissolved organic matter (DOM). Not depending on reactive nitrogen availability, diazotrophs may be “winners” in a nutrient‐depleted ocean. However, their ability to exploit DOM may influence this success. We exposed cultures of the widespread Crocosphaera to low (26°C, pH 8.1), moderate (28°C, pH 8.0), and extreme (30°C, pH 7.9) climate change scenarios, under control or DOM‐amended conditions. Growth was suboptimal in the low and extreme treatments and favored in the moderate treatment. DOM was preferred as a carbon source regardless of the treatment and promoted N2 fixation in extreme conditions. This was reflected in the increased expression of photosynthesis genes to obtain energy. DOM provides Crocosphaera with a key ecological advantage, possibly dictating diazotroph‐derived nitrogen inputs in the future ocean.
Identification of a novel TSC1 gene variant in a patient with atypical vitiligo‐like skin lesions: Unveiling the hidden tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Liu Linli , Wang Yanbo , Zhang Zhengzhong , Yu Chunshui , Chen Jin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundTuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an autosomal‐dominant disorder, is characterized by hamartomas affecting multiple organ systems. The underlying etiology of TSC is the pathogenic variations of the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. The phenotype variability of TSC could lead to missed diagnosis; therefore, the latest molecular diagnostic criteria for identifying a heterozygous pathogenic variant in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene filled this gap. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of numerous variants remains unverified, potentially leading to misinterpretations of their functional consequences.MethodsIn this study, a single patient presenting with atypical vitiligo‐like skin lesions suspected to have TSC was enrolled. Targeted next‐generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing were employed to identify a pathogenic variant. Additionally, a minigene splicing assay was conducted to assess the impact of TSC1 c.1030‐2A>T, located in intron 10, on RNA splicing.ResultsA novel TSC1: c.1030‐2A>T heterozygosis variant was identified in intron 10. In vitro minigene assay revealed that the c.1030‐2A>T variant caused exon 11 skipping, resulting in a frameshift in the absence of 112 base pairs of mature messenger RNA and premature termination after 174 base pairs (p.Ala344Glnfs*59).ConclusionThe detection of this novel pathogenic TSC1 variant in the patient with atypical vitiligo‐like skin lesions enrolled in our study ultimately resulted in the diagnosis of TSC. As a result, our study contributes to expanding the mutational spectrum of the TSC1 gene and refining the genotype–phenotype map of TSC.
Using a deep learning prior for accelerating hyperpolarized 13C MRSI on synthetic cancer datasets
Authors: Wang Zuojun , Luo Guanxiong , Li Ye , Cao Peng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeWe aimed to incorporate a deep learning prior with k‐space data fidelity for accelerating hyperpolarized carbon‐13 MRSI, demonstrated on synthetic cancer datasets.MethodsA two‐site exchange model, derived from the Bloch equation of MR signal evolution, was firstly used in simulating training and testing data, that is, synthetic phantom datasets. Five singular maps generated from each simulated dataset were used to train a deep learning prior, which was then employed with the fidelity term to reconstruct the undersampled MRI k‐space data. The proposed method was assessed on synthetic human brain tumor images (N = 33), prostate cancer images (N = 72), and mouse tumor images (N = 58) for three undersampling factors and 2.5% additive Gaussian noise. Furthermore, varied levels of Gaussian noise with SDs of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% were added on synthetic prostate cancer data, and corresponding reconstruction results were evaluated.ResultsFor quantitative evaluation, peak SNRs were approximately 32 dB, and the accuracy was generally improved for 5 to 8 dB compared with those from compressed sensing with L1‐norm regularization or total variation regularization. Reasonable normalized RMS error were obtained. Our method also worked robustly against noise, even on a data with noise SD of 10%.ConclusionThe proposed singular value decomposition + iterative deep learning model could be considered as a general framework that extended the application of deep learning MRI reconstruction to metabolic imaging. The morphology of tumors and metabolic images could be measured robustly in six times acceleration using our method.
The Elephant Queen: Can a nature documentary help to increase tolerance towards elephants?
Authors: Williams H. F. , Leneuiyia K. L. , Mwalavu B. , Serem G. , Sempeyo V. , Pope F. , King L. E. , Verissimo D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractConflict between humans and elephants is one of the more complex examples of human‐wildlife conflict, a key challenge for wildlife conservation. While interventions exist to separate humans from elephants, few exist aimed at bringing the two species closer together.This study assesses if a natural history film, The Elephant Queen (TEQ), makes communities living around elephants more tolerant of conflict with elephants. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted before and after seeing the film screened on a mobile cinema in Southern Kenya. A double robust ordinal regression analysis using 357 matching specifications to measure the effect size of viewing TEQ on the six criteria identified as being drivers of tolerance of a wild animal by the Hazard Acceptance model.This study found that students aged between 16 and 18 gained knowledge (mean effect size = 0.27) and affection (mean effect size = 0.17) towards elephants and felt the benefits of elephants more keenly (mean effect size = 0.26) following viewing TEQ. Community members aged between 16–80 also gained knowledge (mean effect size = 0.21) and saw the benefits of elephants (mean effect size = 0.15) but felt the costs of living with elephants more profoundly after viewing TEQ (mean effect size = −0.11). After 90 days a follow‐up survey also showed a significant increase in community “affection” towards elephants (mean effect size = 0.11), however the costs, benefits and knowledge gained had been reduced to a statistically insignificant level compared to baseline.Our results suggest that natural history films can serve as a valuable tool in inspiring young minds. When shown to an adult audience, changes were more nuanced and some of the changes were short lived (<3 months).Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Effects of solvent casted poly (lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol)/paraben derivative triazine films on antibacterial performance and cytotoxicity
Authors: Dandan Doganci Merve , Balci Hüseyin , Davarcı Derya , Şenkuytu Elif , Aysan Arzu , Doganci Erdinc 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA series of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films that including fully paraben substituted triazine derivatives having anti‐bacterial properties have been prepared by utilizing the solvent‐casting method. PLA as biodegradable polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizing agent and s‐triazine molecules (TA01, TA02, TA03, TA04, and TA05) behaving as an anti‐bacterial component have been utilized in the experiments. The influence of TA compounds on the antibacterial performance of PLA/PEG films was investigated for the first time against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria via the contact active method. TA01‐03‐05 incorporated PLA/PEG films gave the best results against E.coli bacteria and log10 reductions of these films were 0.78, 0.64, and 0.65 respectively. The effect of TA compounds on the cell viability was investigated against cancer and non‐cancerous cell lines using an MTS assay. The results showed that TA compounds had a positive effect on cell growth in non‐cancerous cells, while they had a negative effect on cell growth in cancer cells. Furthermore, the addition of TA considerably increased the decomposition temperatures from 349° to 361° and char yield from 0.65 for PLA/PEG film to 2.3 for PLA/PEG/TA05. All of the films had good transparency and low opacity which was 7.2 for pure PLA used for control and the maximum opacity value was 11.2 observed for PLA/PEG/01. TA03 and TA04 caused a decrement of water vapor permission when compared to PLA/PEG films from 1439 to 749 and 664. It was also observed that pure PLA/PEG film lost weight rapidly over time during degradation tests. On the other hand, weight loss wasn't observed in PLA/PEG/TA films. This study focused on demonstrating the use of our new, flexible PLA/PEG derivatives in food and medical packaging.
‘Something that helped the whole picture’: Experiences of parents offered rapid prenatal exome sequencing in routine clinical care in the English National Health Service
Authors: McInnes‐Dean Hannah , Mellis Rhiannon , Daniel Morgan , Walton Holly , Baple Emma L. , Bertoli Marta , Fisher Jane , Gajewska‐Knapik Katarzyna , Holder‐Espinasse Muriel , Lafarge Caroline , Leeson‐Beevers Kerry , McEwan Alec , Pandya Pranav , Parker Michael , Peet Sophie , Roberts Lauren , Sankaran Srividhya , Smith Audrey , Tapon Dagmar , Wu Wing Han , Wynn Sarah L. , Chitty Lyn S. , Hill Melissa , Peter Michelle 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivesIn October 2020, rapid prenatal exome sequencing (pES) was introduced into routine National Health Service (NHS) care in England. This study aimed to explore parent experiences and their information and support needs from the perspective of parents offered pES and of health professionals involved in its delivery.MethodsIn this qualitative study, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 42 women and 6 male partners and 63 fetal medicine and genetic health professionals. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsOverall views about pES were positive and parents were grateful to be offered the test. Highlighted benefits of pES included the value of the additional information for pregnancy management and planning for future pregnancies. An anxious wait for results was common, often associated with the need to make decisions near to 24 weeks in pregnancy when there are legal restrictions for late termination. Descriptions of dealing with uncertainty were also common, even when results had been returned. Many parents described pES results as informing decision‐making around whether or not to terminate pregnancy. Some professionals were concerned that a non‐informative result could be overly reassuring and highlighted that careful counselling was needed to ensure parents have a good understanding of what the result means for their pregnancy. Emotional support from professionals was valued; however, some parents felt that post‐test support was lacking.ConclusionParents and professionals welcomed the introduction of pES. Results inform parents' decision‐making around the termination of pregnancy. When there are no diagnostic findings or uncertain findings from pES, personalised counselling that considers scans and other tests are crucial. Directing parents to reliable online sources of information and providing emotional support throughout could improve their experiences of care.
Nanocrystals: A Multifaceted Regimen for Dermatological Ailments
Authors: Giradkar Vaibhavi , Mhaske Akshada , Shukla Rahul 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSkin disorders are the most common apprehension worldwide among different regions of the world. Topical route of administration offers benefits over other routes such as avoidance of first‐pass metabolism, low dose, longer residence time, and absence of off‐target delivery. Skin serves as a mechanical barrier for therapeutic delivery with selectively permeable essential molecules. Considering the structural complexity of skin, delivery of therapeutics at targeted site requires sophisticated method such as nanotechnology‐assisted therapeutic delivery. The roadmap for combinatorial approach of nanotechnology and skin therapeutics has proven significant in clinical and marketed products. Currently, various pharmaceutical aids such as nanocrystal (NCs), nanoparticles, nanoemulsion, nano‐micelles, nano lipidic carriers, and hybrid nanocarriers are currently in market. Among all the other nanocarriers, nanocrystal offers precedence over other nanocarriers due to its facile method of preparation, reproducibility, low excipient concentration, and high therapeutic loading capacity. The recent literature data suggest the breakthrough evolution of NCs in topical therapeutic delivery. The outcome of these interventions envisages the applicability of NCs for delivering molecules with compromised physicochemical characteristics such as solubility, stability, toxicity, and bioavailability concerns.
Digital twins and Bayesian dynamic borrowing: Two recent approaches for incorporating historical control data
Authors: Burman Carl‐Fredrik , Hermansson Erik , Bock David , Franzén Stefan , Svensson David 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRecent years have seen an increasing interest in incorporating external control data for designing and evaluating randomized clinical trials (RCT). This may decrease costs and shorten inclusion times by reducing sample sizes. For small populations, with limited recruitment, this can be especially important. Bayesian dynamic borrowing (BDB) has been a popular choice as it claims to protect against potential prior data conflict. Digital twins (DT) has recently been proposed as another method to utilize historical data. DT, also known as PROCOVA™, is based on constructing a prognostic score from historical control data, typically using machine learning. This score is included in a pre‐specified ANCOVA as the primary analysis of the RCT. The promise of this idea is power increase while guaranteeing strong type 1 error control. In this paper, we apply analytic derivations and simulations to analyze and discuss examples of these two approaches. We conclude that BDB and DT, although similar in scope, have fundamental differences which need be considered in the specific application. The inflation of the type 1 error is a serious issue for BDB, while more evidence is needed of a tangible value of DT for real RCTs.
Synthesis, structural and optical characterization of CdxZn1−xS/FNBRnanocomposites
Authors: Balayeva Ofeliya O. , Azizov Abdulsaid A. , Muradov Mustafa B. , Alosmanov Rasim M. , Eyvazova Goncha M. , Gahramanli Lala R. , Mammadyarova Sevinj J. , Gasimov Rashid J. , Bayramov Mahammad A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCdxZn1−xS nanoparticles have been synthesized on the base of functionalized nitrile butadiene rubber (FNBR) by SILAR method and characterized by various techniques. Both binary and ternary sulfide nanocrystals have been obtained in the cubic phase with very high purity at room temperature. The average particle size decreased from 2.49 nm to 2.22 nm and then increased to 2.44 nm by the increasing of zinc concentration from 25 % to 50 % and 75 %. The calculated Young's modulus for (111), (220) and (311) planes are 97.84, 78.51 and 64.33 m2 N−1 for CdS and 95.84, 69.68, 53.42 m2 N−1 for ZnS, respectively. The band corresponding PO32− (977 cm−1) shifted to 969, 975, 972, 973, and 972 cm−1 upon the formation of CdS, ZnS, Cd0.5Zn0.5S, Cd0.75Zn0.25S and Cd0.25Zn0.75S nanoparticles into FNBR matrix, which is explained by Hooke's Law. EPR spectra of CdS/FNBR nanocomposite show broad and singlet asymmetric, isotropic symmetry (gx=gy=gz). The appearance of a new line in the 3518 G magnetic field is observed in both CdS and Cd0.5Zn0.5S compounds’ spectra.The total mass loss of the samples NBR, FNBR, Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions containing FNBR are 93.76, 59.77, 60.03 and 57.79 %, respectively. High crystallinity is caused by complete interaction of metal ions with functional groups during the nucleation.