bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of MSM in the treatment of ankle arthrosis: Is MSM as effective as methylprednisolone or hyaluronic acid?
Authors: Akpınar Koray , Şimşek Ekin K. , Özen Özlem Işıksaçan , Haberal Bahtiyar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPosttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis (PTAO) causes severe ankle and adjacent joint morbidity. We aimed to compare the treatment efficacy of previously tried and still applied intra‐articular injections and oral methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) at functional and histopathological level in PTAO animal model. Thirty‐two adult female Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into four groups (Group 1: Control, Group 2: 0.06 g/kg/day MSM, Group 3: 0.04 mg/µL methylprednisolone [MP], Group 4: 0.04 mg/µL hyaluronic acid [HA]). MSM was started orally between Day 0 to the end of 8 weeks. Intra‐articular injections were applied to the right ankles of the subjects after surgery. All subjects were killed after radiological evaluation at the 8th week. Subsequently, functional (range of motion) and histopathological evaluation was performed. Radiological evaluation showed better results of the MP (p < 0.001) and MSM (p < 0.001) groups than the control group. Severity of osteoarthritis (OA) in the MP group was significantly less than in the HA group (p = 0.032). When the total Osteoarthritis Research Society International score was compared, the severity of OA was higher in the KS and HA groups than in the control group (p < 0.001). No significant statistical difference was found in the histopathological comparison of MSM and control group (p = 0.466). There was no difference between the groups in range of motion measurement according to the contralateral ankle joint. The radiological progression of OA was slowed in the MSM and MP groups, but significant histopathological worsening was found in the MP and HA applied groups. We suggest that the treatment methods used in daily practice need to be reviewed.
Characterization of pharyngeal contractile integral using pharyngeal manometry in children
Authors: Damrongmanee Alisara , El‐Chammas Khalil , Santucci Neha , Fei Lin , Kaul Ajay 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesPharyngeal contractile integral (PhCI) is the product of mean pharyngeal contractile amplitude, length, and duration, and provides a single metric for the vigor of entire pharyngeal contraction. A major limitation in children is lack of characterization of PhCI on high‐resolution pharyngeal manometry. We aimed to determine and compare the values of PhCI in children with the abnormal and normal videofluoroscopic study of swallow (VFSS).MethodsChildren who underwent high‐resolution pharyngeal and esophageal manometry (HRPM/HREM), as well as VFSS, were divided into two groups; “normal VFSS” and “abnormal VFSS” groups. PhCI was calculated from the pharyngo‐esophageal manometry analysis software (MMS, v9.5, Laborie Medical Technologies), and compared in these two groups.ResultsOf 67 children, 9 had abnormal VFSS (mean age 64 ± 50 months; 66.7% males), while 58 had normal VFSS (mean age 123 ± 55 months; 47% males). The mean PhCI in abnormal and normal VFSS groups was 82.00 ± 51.90 and 147.28 ± 53.89 mmHg.s.cm, respectively (p = 0.001). Subjects with abnormal VFSS were significantly younger than those with normal VFSS (p = 0.003). However, after adjusting for the VFSS result, age was no longer related to PhCI (p = 0.364). In subgroup analysis of children presenting with dysphagia, the mean PhCI in abnormal (9 subjects) and normal (36 subjects) VFSS groups was 82.00 ± 51.90 and 141.86 ± 50.39 mmHg.s.cm, respectively (p = 0.003).ConclusionsPhCI was significantly lower in children with abnormal VFSS than in those with normal VFSS. We did not find a significant impact of age on PhCI in our pediatric populations.
Major basic protein is a useful marker to distinguish eosinophilic esophagitis from IBD‐associated eosinophilia in children
Authors: Butzke Samantha , Nasiri‐Blomgren Shaida , Corao‐Uribe Diana , He Zhaoping , Molle‐Rios Zarela 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesThe incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is 3−5 times greater in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared with the general population. This study aimed to differentiate true EoE from esophageal eosinophilia in IBD patients by evaluating expression of major basic protein (MBP) and interleukin‐13 (IL‐13) in esophageal biopsies.MethodsThis retrospective study included subjects who had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with esophageal biopsies for IBD work up or suspicion for EoE. Patients were classified into 5 groups: EoE with ≥15 eosinophils per high power field (eos/hpf), EoE‐IBD with ≥15 eos/hpf, IBD eosinophilia with 1−14 eos/hpf, IBD and control groups. Biopsies were stained with MBP and IL‐13 antibodies and the results (% staining/total tissue area), demographic, and clinical findings were compared among the groups.ResultsThe median for MBP staining levels in EoE‐IBD was 3.8 (interquartile range 1.3−23), significantly lower than in EoE at 52.8 (8.3−113.2), but higher than in IBD eosinophilia at 0.2 (0−0.9; p < 0.001) and negligible in the IBD and control groups. IL‐13 expression in EoE was significantly higher only compared with IBD and controls not with EoE‐IBD or IBD eosinophilia. MBP predicted EoE with 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity while IL‐13 had 83% sensitivity and 90% specificity using cutoff point from the cohort without EoE‐IBD patients. Based on MBP cutoff point that distinguished EoE from non EoE, 56% in EoE‐IBD were MBP‐positive whereas 100% in EoE group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMBP may be an excellent marker in distinguishing true EoE from eosinophilia caused by IBD. Our data implied that MBP together with endoscopic and histologic changes can assist EoE diagnosis in IBD patients.
Home‐based fecal calprotectin utilization in a general pediatric gastroenterology clinic
Authors: Schmidt Melanie L. , McCrady Emma , Lee Angus , Bowerbank Terrence , Miller Michael R. , Watson Melanie , Dhandapani Ashok , Woolfson Jessica P. , Zizzo Andréanne N. , Bax Kevin , Crowley Eileen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveRemote investigation and monitoring have gained importance in ambulatory practice. A home‐based fecal calprotectin (FC) test has been developed where the sample is processed and analyzed at home through a smartphone application. We aimed to assess the use of standard ELISA (sFC) versus home‐based (hFC) FC testing in a general pediatric gastroenterology clinic.MethodsAmbulatory pediatric patients with hFC or sFC performed between August 2019 and November 2020 were included. Data regarding demographics, clinical characteristics, medication use, investigations, and final diagnosis, categorized as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, organic non‐IBD (ONI) GI disorders, non‐GI disorders, and undetermined after 6 months of investigation, were recorded.ResultsA total of 453 FC tests from 453 unique patients were included. Of those, 249 (55%) were hFC. FC levels (median) were higher in children with IBD compared to non‐IBD diagnosis (sFC 795 vs. 57 μg/g, hFC 595 vs. 47 μg/g, p < 0.001), and in ONI compared to functional GI disorders (sFC 85 vs. 54 μg/g, p = 0.003, hFC 57 vs. 40 μg/g, p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between different ONI GI disorders or subtypes of functional disorders. Age did not significantly influence levels.ConclusionsOverall, hFC and sFC provide similar results in the general pediatric GI ambulatory setting. FC is a sensitive but not disease‐specific marker to identify patients with IBD. Values appear to be higher in ONI GI disorders over functional disorders, although cut‐off values have yet to be determined.
amstar2Vis: An R package for presenting the critical appraisal of systematic reviews based on the items of AMSTAR 2
Authors: Bougioukas Konstantinos I. , Karakasis Paschalis , Pamporis Konstantinos , Bouras Emmanouil , Haidich Anna‐Bettina 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSystematic reviews (SRs) have an important role in the healthcare decision‐making practice. Assessing the overall confidence in the results of SRs using quality assessment tools, such as “A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2” (AMSTAR 2), is crucial since not all SRs are conducted using the most rigorous methods. In this article, we introduce a free, open‐source R package called “amstar2Vis” (https://github.com/bougioukas/amstar2Vis) that provides easy‐to‐use functions for presenting the critical appraisal of SRs, based on the items of AMSTAR 2 checklist. An illustrative example is outlined, describing the steps involved in creating a detailed table with the item ratings and the overall confidence ratings, generating a stacked bar plot that shows the distribution of ratings as percentages of SRs for each AMSTAR 2 item, and creating a “ggplot2” graph that shows the distribution of overall confidence ratings (“Critically Low,” “Low,” “Moderate,” or “High”). We expect “amstar2Vis” to be useful for overview authors and methodologists who assess the quality of SRs with AMSTAR 2 checklist and facilitate the production of pertinent publication‐ready tables and figures. Future research and applications could further investigate the functionality or potential improvements of our package.
Unlocking the beauty benefits: Exploring biosurfactants from Scheffersomyces shehatae for cosmetics
Authors: Cedrola Carine Cassimiro , Barbosa Fernanda Gonçalves , Marcelino Paulo Ricardo Franco , da Silva Natália Prado , Tavares Guilherme Diniz , Barradas Thaís Nogueira , da Silva Silvio Silvério , Vilela Fernanda Maria Pinto 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAs the cosmetic market continues to transform, innovative ingredients such as biosurfactants (BS) emerge as a fundamental step towards a generation of cosmetic products characterized by efficacy, safety, and environmental responsibility. In alignment with the global push towards natural, renewable, and non‐toxic materials, BS stands out as an interesting alternative to conventional synthetic surfactants. BS are a type of green surfactants and compared to synthetic surfactants derived from petroleum they are more biodegradable and have low or no toxicity. This work aimed to investigate the suitability of a biosurfactant extracted from the yeast Scheffersomyces shehatae (BS‐SS) to be used in cosmetic applications. The cytotoxicity of the BS‐SS was tested in fibroblast (L929) and keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell lines and the potential for ocular irritation was assessed by the hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test (HET‐CAM). The cleaning efficiency of the BS‐SS was measured as the ability of make‐up removal in pig skin. Our results showed that the IC 50 values were 10.49 mg/mL for fibroblasts and 11.77 mg/mL for keratinocytes, and the biosurfactant did not result in hemorrhage, lysis, and coagulation damages in the chorioallantoic membrane, which classifies the biosurfactant solution as non‐irritant. Therefore, ocular toxicity and in vitro skin cell toxicity results showed that BS‐SS can be tolerable and safe for cosmetic purposes. BS‐SS featured promising cleaning properties, similar to the cleansing activity of the 1% SDS solution and of micellar water for lipstick and foundation products. In conclusion, the results indicate its potential use in cosmetic applications.
Resveratrol‐loaded pH‐responsive Mesona chinensis polysaccharides‐zein nanoparticles for effective treatment of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yang Jun , Lin Jieqiong , Zhang Weidong , Shen Mingyue , Wang Yuanxing , Xie Jianhua 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDResveratrol (Res) is promising food functional factor with favorable antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties, although its poor water solubility and low bioavailability limit extensive application. Therefore, in combination with another promising polysaccharide (Mesona chinensis polysaccharides, MCP), Res‐loaded food nanocarriers (ResNPs) were developed to increase its water solubility, bioactivity and targeting properties. ResNPs were then applied to alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced ulcerative colitis.RESULTSResveratrol can be well encapsulated in MCP‐based nanoparticles in an amorphous state, improving its water solubility. ResNPs showed pH‐response controlled release behavior in the gastrointestinal tract and increased the enrichment of Res in the colon. In vivo experiments of ResNPs against DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis (UC) revealed that ResNPs significantly improved UC symptoms, modulated intestinal inflammation and down‐regulated oxidative stress levels compared to free Res. ResNPs also play an positive role with respect to inhibiting the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway and promoting the expression of tight junction proteins. In addition, ResNPs improved the species composition and relative abundance of intestinal flora in UC mice, which effectively regulated the balance of intestinal flora and promoted the production of short‐chain fatty acids.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that MCP‐based nanoparticles can effectively improve the solubility of resveratrol and enhance its in vivo bioactivity. Moreover, the present study also provides a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of UC with food polyphenol. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Trends in research on cacti: the food of the future
Authors: Coqueiro Júlia Matos , Costa Lyvia Daim , Silva Larissa Correia e , dos Santos Conceição Luísa , da Silva Cardoso Patrick , Ferreira Ribeiro Camila Duarte , Otero Deborah Murowaniecki 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCacti are a distinguished group of plants that stand out for their great nutritional values, diverse uses, and unique morphology, allowing them to grow and thrive under different conditions such as dry, xeric, and even low‐temperature environments. The world is going through significant climate changes that are affecting the agriculture system. Therefore, sustainable and multifunctional crops, as many species of the Cactaceae family are, might be a good alternative in the near future. In this work, the uses of cacti in human food were analyzed through a scientific prospection from the point of view of their temporal and spatial distribution and potential uses. Brazil is the country with more publications related to the scope of this work, followed by Mexico. The presence of cacti in these countries can influence their interest in these species, which might reflect the results encountered in this study. The uses and ethnobotanical applications of cacti vary in different countries worldwide. Cactus is consumed fresh (in salads), in preparations (jams and sweets), and juices, being also present in traditional dishes in countries like Mexico. This study emphasizes cacti's importance in people's diets and ongoing world changes. Their ability to thrive even in hot environments with low water resources will lead to a greater focus on these species in the upcoming years. Furthermore, these plants have great flavor and contain several beneficial chemical compounds with desirable nutritional and health properties. Therefore, knowledge dissemination combined with technological innovations will allow greater use of these multifunctional species for human consumption. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Short‐term anaerobic treatment maintained the quality of Actinidia arguta by activating the antioxidant defense system
Authors: Ying Limei , Bian Jingwen , Zhao Fengjun , Chen Xi , Tang Jianxin , Jiang Fengli , Sun Bingxin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study aimed to investigate the effect of 6, 12, and 24 h short‐term anaerobic treatment on kiwiberry quality and antioxidant properties at 5 °C.RESULTSShort‐term anaerobic treatment was found to delay ripening and softening in kiwiberries, evident from changes in ethylene release, total soluble solids, starch, protopectin, and fruit texture. The 24 h treatment group exhibited the lowest decay rate of 12% on day 49, a 38% reduction compared with the control group. Anaerobic treatment reduced flesh translucency and decay in the fruit. The 12 h and 24 h treatments enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, and increased the level of total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid. Moreover, it lowered oxidative damage in cell membranes, evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde content and relative conductivity.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that anaerobic treatment maintains the fruit quality by stimulating its antioxidant defense system. Therefore, short‐term anaerobic treatment emerges as a promising method for kiwiberry storage. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Optimization of cultivar, germination time and extraction for radish sprout extract with high sulforaphene content
Authors: Hur Gi Hyun , Lee Tae Kyung , Cho Yeon‐Jin , Kim Jong Hun , Park Jung Han Yoon , Yang Hee , Lee Ki Won 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDCruciferous vegetable sprout has been highlighted as a promising functional material rich in bioactive compounds called isothiocyanates (ITCs) and it can be grown in very short periods in controlled indoor farms. However, because ITCs content depends on multiple factors such as cultivar, germination time and myrosinase activity, those variables need to be controlled during germination or extraction to produce functional materials enriched in ITCs. Sulforaphene (SFEN), an ITC found primarily in radishes (Raphanus sativus L.), exerts beneficial effects on obesity. However, the optimal germination and extraction conditions for radish sprout (RSP) to increase SFEN content remain unascertained, and the extract's anti‐obesity effect has yet to be evaluated.RESULTSThe present study found that the SFEN content was highest in purple radish sprout (PRSP) among the six cultivars investigated. Optimal SFEN content occurred after 2 days of PRSP germination (2 days PRSP). To maximize the dry matter yield, total ITCs and SFEN contents in RSP extract, we found the optimal conditions for extracting PRSP [27.5 °C, 60 min, 1:75.52 solute/solvent (w/v), no ascorbic acid] using response surface methodology. Consistent with high SFEN content, 2 days PRSP extract significantly outperformed 3 days or 4 days PRSP extract in inhibiting lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 cells. Moreover, 2 days PRSP extract suppressed adipogenesis and lipogenesis‐related protein expression.CONCLUSIONRegarding the cultivar, germination time and extraction conditions, optimally produced PRSP extract contains high SFEN content and exerts anti‐obesity effects. Thus, we suggest PRSP extract as a potent functional material for obesity prevention. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fluorinated benzoxazinones designed via MIA‐QSAR, docking and molecular dynamics as protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase inhibitors
Authors: de Faria Adriana C. , Martins Francisco A. , da Cunha Elaine F. F. , Freitas Matheus P. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDFluorine plays a significant role in agrochemical science because approximately 25% of herbicides licensed worldwide contain this element. In a pool of previously synthesized benzoxazinones, some compounds contained fluorine and demonstrated inhibitory activities against protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO). Therefore, three data sets of benzoxazinone derivatives with known inhibitory activity against PPO were employed to build a multivariate image analysis applied to a quantitative structure–activity relationships (MIA‐QSAR) model to identify improved analogs with at least one fluorine substituent.RESULTSThe QSAR model was vigorously validated and demonstrated to be highly predictive (r2 = 0.85, q2 = 0.71, and r2pred = 0.88); thus, the model can provide reliable estimations for the PPO inhibitory activity of unknown derivatives. From these compounds, a couple of N‐substituted benzoxazinones that contained the ‐CH2CHF2 group were found with predicted pKi values larger than 8 (Ki in mol L−1) and higher lipophilicity than the most active data set compounds. In addition, we carried out a systematic investigation of the binding mode of PPO by performing computational docking followed by molecular dynamics simulations. The proposed binding mode was consistent with experimental studies, and several potential key residues were identified.CONCLUSIONTwo new proposed benzoxazinones exhibited better performance than compounds of the data set, and fluorine substituents played pivotal roles in describing the biological activities. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Nail Involvement in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Kulaksız Bilal , Palamar Deniz , Misirlioglu Tugce Ozekli , Akgun Kenan , Terlemez Rana 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the nail units of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (ax‐SpA) using ultrasound and to identify any subclinical changes. We also aimed to examine the relationship between clinical enthesitis scores and nail involvement in patients with ax‐SpA.MethodsThe study included 40 patients with ax‐Spa, 40 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and 40 healthy controls. The thickness of the nail plates, morphological changes, the thickness of the proximal nail units, the thickness of the nail beds, and power Doppler signal intensities were evaluated and compared. Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score and Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Enthesitis Index were also evaluated in patients with ax‐SpA.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the thickness of the nail plates of the three groups (P > .05). The first nail bed thickness of ax‐SpA cases was significantly higher than the control group (P = .046), and the fourth and fifth nail proximal unit thicknesses of the control group were significantly lower than the ax‐SpA and PsA groups (P = .023, P = .017). We also found that the Wortsman scores of the cases with PsA were significantly higher than the ax‐SpA and control groups (P = .0001).ConclusionThe thickness of the proximal nail unit adjacent to the insertion of the digital extensor tendon, which is considered as the enthesis area, is similar to the patients with PsA in patients with ax‐SpA, especially in the fourth and fifth fingers compared to the control group. On the other hand, almost no structural changes in nail plates were observed in patients with ax‐SpA group.