bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insect pests of cabbage and cauliflower and their natural enemies in agro ecosystem of Kerala
Authors: Ravi G. B. , Reji Rani O. P. , Sudharma K. , Kavya M. K. 
Published: January 2024

Pests and natural enemies occurring on cool season vegetable crops, cabbage and cauliflower, grown in hill tracts and the newly cultivated plains of Kerala were studied. Analysis of fauna showed that these crops were attacked by eleven pests. The occurrence of pierid butterfly, Appias lyncida Cramer on cruciferous crops is reported for the first time. Incidence of flea beetle, Phyllotreta chotanica Duv. noted during the seedling stage is the first report from these crops. The key pest affecting the crop grown in plains was the cut worm, Spodptera litura (F.) and in the hilly tracts it was Diamond back moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.). Damage in terms of yield loss by S. litura was 30 per cent in cabbage and cauliflower and that by P. xylostella was 38 per cent to heads and 26 per cent to curds. Two coccinellid predators, Chilomenes sexmaculata (F.) and Coccinella transversalis (F.) and the syrphid, Ischiodon scutellaris (F.) were identified from the colonies of aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach). One parasitoid, Protapanteles sp. was identified from larvae of Plusia signata (F.).
A Critical Geological Evaluation of the Hydrogen Storage Potential in the Cousland Gas Field, Midland Valley of Scotland
Authors: Butler Malcolm , Underhill John R. 
Published: January 2024

Hydrogen is envisaged to be an important element in the drive to replace hydrocarbons in the energy mix and its geological storage in man-made salt caverns or porous subsurface reservoirs onshore in the United Kingdom is being actively investigated. It has recently been suggested that porous Carboniferous sandstone reservoirs of the partially depleted and abandoned Cousland Field, located c.15 km SE of Edinburgh, could be used for the storage of hydrogen as part of efforts to decarbonise the industrialised and heavily populated central belt of Scotland. The gas field occurs in an onshore surface anticline situated in a culmination along a topographic ridge on the eastern flank of the Midlothian Coalfield. Mapping of outcropping beds led to a well, Cousland-1, being drilled in 1937-39 as part of a national campaign of oil exploration, which discovered natural gas in two thin sands. Despite the initial success, all the subsequent five appraisal wells, drilled between 1939 and 1960, were devoid of commercial hydrocarbons. Despite the disappointing drilling campaign, the field was still developed based on the original Cousland-1 well result and some 0.25 billion standard cubic feet (“scf”) (7.0 million m
3
) of gas were produced between 1939 and 1965 before the well was plugged and abandoned. This paper draws upon and integrates hitherto unpublished historical records, obtained from the archives of the UK Onshore Geophysical Library, to critically examine the possibility that the Cousland gas field might be re-purposed for hydrogen storage. These studies conclude that it is currently not possible to demonstrate the subsurface configuration, host reservoir distribution or sealing mechanism of the proposed storage container because the information required is not available and may be impossible to obtain. Rather than supporting the case for hydrogen storage, our new evaluation demonstrates that the Cousland field is a poor site that fails to meet the criteria for safe subsurface storage and should not be used for this purpose until and unless the significant challenges can be addressed.
Large scale controlled Fab exchange GMP process to prepare bispecific antibodies
Authors: Yao Xia , Xie Mingquan , Ben Yinyin , Zhu Yixiang , Yang Gaoqiang , Kwong Simon Chi Wai , Zhang Zhengliang , Chiu Mark L. 
Published: January 2024

Objective: Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have demonstrated significant therapeutic impacts for the treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases that include oncology, auto-immune, and infectious diseases. However, the large-scale production of clinical batches of bispecific antibodies still has many challenges that include having low yield, poor stability, and laborious downstream purification processes. To address such challenges, we describe the optimization of the controlled Fab arm exchange (cFAE) process for the efficient generation of BsAbs.Methods: The process optimization of a large-scale good manufacturing practice (GMP) cFAE strategy to prepare BsAbs was based on screening the parameters of temperature, reduction, oxidation, and buffer exchange. We include critical quality standards for the reducing agent cysteamine hydrochloride.Results: This large-scale production protocol enabled the generation of bispecific antibodies with &gt;90% exchange yield and at &gt;95% purity. The subsequent downstream processing could use typical mAb procedures. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the bispecific generation protocol can be scaled up to ∼60 L reaction scale using parental monoclonal antibodies that were expressed in a 200 L bioreactor.Conclusion: We presented a robust development strategy for the cFAE process that can be used for a larger scale GMP BsAb production.
Specific prostaglandins are produced in the migratory cells and the surrounding substrate to promote Drosophila border cell migration
Authors: Mellentine Samuel Q. , Brown Hunter N. , Ramsey Anna S. , Li Jie , Tootle Tina L. 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: A key regulator of collective cell migration is prostaglandin (PG) signaling. However, it remains largely unclear whether PGs act within the migratory cells or their microenvironment to promote migration. Here we use Drosophila border cell migration as a model to uncover the cell-specific roles of two PGs in collective migration. The border cells undergo a collective and invasive migration between the nurse cells; thus, the nurse cells are the substrate and microenvironment for the border cells. Prior work found PG signaling is required for on-time border cell migration and cluster cohesion.Methods: Confocal microscopy and quantitative image analyses of available mutant alleles and RNAi lines were used to define the roles of the PGE2 and PGF2α synthases in border cell migration.Results: We find that the PGE2 synthase cPGES is required in the substrate, while the PGF2α synthase Akr1B is required in the border cells for on-time migration. Akr1B acts in both the border cells and their substrate to regulate cluster cohesion. One means by which Akr1B may regulate border cell migration and/or cluster cohesion is by promoting integrin-based adhesions. Additionally, Akr1B limits myosin activity, and thereby cellular stiffness, in the border cells, whereas cPGES limits myosin activity in both the border cells and their substrate. Decreasing myosin activity overcomes the migration delays in both akr1B and cPGES mutants, indicating the changes in cellular stiffness contribute to the migration defects.Discussion: Together these data reveal that two PGs, PGE2 and PGF2α, produced in different locations, play key roles in promoting border cell migration. These PGs likely have similar migratory versus microenvironment roles in other collective cell migrations.
Impact of platelet-derived mitochondria transfer in the metabolic profiling and progression of metastatic MDA-MB-231 human triple-negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Cereceda Lucas , Cardenas J. Cesar , Khoury Maroun , Silva-Pavez Eduardo , Hidalgo Yessia 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: An active role of platelets in the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells has been described. Even the role of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles on the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells has been reported. Interestingly, upon activation, platelets release functional mitochondria into the extracellular environment. However, the impact of these platelet-derived mitochondria on the metabolic properties of MDA-MB-231 cells remains unclear.Methods: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231-Rho-0 cells were co-cultured with platelets, which were isolated from donor blood. Mitochondrial transfer was assessed through confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, while metabolic analyses were conducted using a Seahorse XF HS Mini Analyzer. The mito-chondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number was determined via quantitative PCR (qPCR) following platelet co-culture. Finally, cell proliferation and colony formation assay were performed using crystal violet staining.Results and Discussion: We have shown that platelet-derived mitochondria are internalized by MDA-MB-231 cells in co-culture with platelets, increasing ATP production, oxygen (O2) consumption rate (OCR), cell proliferation, and metabolic adaptability. Additionally, we observed that MDA-MB-231 cells depleted from mtDNA restore cell proliferation in uridine/pyruvate-free cell culture medium and mitochondrial O2 consumption after co-culture with platelets, indicating a reconstitution of mtDNA facilitated by platelet-derived mitochondria. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into the role of platelet-derived mitochondria in the metabolic adaptability and progression of metastatic MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells.
Characteristics of the gut microbiota of patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques positive for bacterial genetic material
Authors: Lv Hang , Zhang Zhiyuan , Fu Bo , Li Zhongchen , Yin Tengkun , Liu Chao , Xu Bin , Wang Dawei , Li Baojie , Hao Jiheng , Zhang Liyong , Wang Jiyue 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundThe gut microbiota (GM) is believed to be closely associated with symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (SCAS), yet more evidence is needed to substantiate the significant role of GM in SCAS. This study, based on the detection of bacterial DNA in carotid plaques, explores the characteristics of GM in SCAS patients with plaque bacterial genetic material positivity, aiming to provide a reference for subsequent research.MethodsWe enrolled 27 healthy individuals (NHF group) and 23 SCAS patients (PFBS group). We utilized 16S rDNA V3-V4 region gene sequencing to analyze the microbiota in fecal samples from both groups, as well as in plaque samples from the carotid bifurcation extending to the origin of the internal carotid artery in all patients.ResultsOur results indicate significant differences in the gut microbiota (GM) between SCAS patients and healthy individuals. The detection rate of bacterial DNA in plaque samples was approximately 26%. Compared to patients with negative plaques (PRSOPWNP group), those with positive plaques (PRSOPWPP group) exhibited significant alterations in their GM, particularly an upregulation of 11 bacterial genera (such as Klebsiella and Streptococcus) in the gut, which were also present in the plaques. In terms of microbial gene function prediction, pathways such as Fluorobenzoate degradation were significantly upregulated in the GM of patients with positive plaques.ConclusionIn summary, our study is the first to identify significant alterations in the gut microbiota of patients with positive plaques, providing crucial microbial evidence for further exploration of the pathogenesis of SCAS.
The use of internet-based smartphone apps consistently improved consumers' healthy eating behaviors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Seid Awole , Fufa Desta Dugassa , Bitew Zebenay Workneh 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionDigital tools, such as mobile apps and the Internet, are being increasingly used to promote healthy eating habits. However, there has been inconsistent reporting on the effectiveness of smartphones and web-based apps in influencing dietary behaviors. Moreover, previous reviews have been limited in scope, either by focusing on a specific population group or by being outdated. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to investigate the impacts of smartphone- and web-based dietary interventions on promoting healthy eating behaviors worldwide.MethodsA systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Global Health, Informit, Web of Science, and CINAHL (EBSCO). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to prepare the entire document. EndNote (version 20) was used for reference management. The risk of bias in the articles was assessed using the “Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0)” by the Cochrane Collaboration. Narrative synthesis, using text and tables, was used to present the results. The study was registered in PROSPERO under protocol number CRD42023464315.ResultsThis review analyzed a total of 39 articles, which consisted of 25 smartphone-based apps and 14 web-based apps. The studies involved a total of 14,966 participants. Out of the 25 studies, 13 (52%) showed that offline-capable smartphone apps are successful in promoting healthier eating habits. The impact of smartphone apps on healthy adults has been inconsistently reported. However, studies have shown their effectiveness in chronically ill patients. Likewise, internet-based mobile apps, such as social media or nutrition-specific apps, have been found to effectively promote healthy eating behaviors. These findings were consistent across 14 studies, which included healthy adults, overweight or obese adults, chronically ill patients, and pregnant mothers.ConclusionOverall, the findings suggest that smartphone apps contribute to improving healthy eating behaviors. Both nutrition-specific and social media-based mobile apps consistently prove effective in promoting long-term healthy eating habits. Therefore, policymakers in the food system should consider harnessing the potential of internet-based mobile apps and social media platforms to foster sustainable healthy eating behaviors.
Thyroid diseases in children and adolescents requiring surgical treatment—indications, techniques, results, and complications based on 10 years of the single center’s own experience
Authors: Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz Patrycja , Danielewicz Dajana , Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska Danuta , Rusak Paulina , Anderko Iwona , Rzepecki Maciej , Niedziela Marek , Harasymczuk Jerzy , Mańkowski Przemysław 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionAlthough thyroid abnormalities are observed less frequently in children than in adults, the increased incidence of thyroid cancer makes it mandatory for all pediatric surgeons to be knowledgeable about the disorders of this gland. Thyroid abnormalities can be associated with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and euthyroidism and/or symmetric or asymmetric enlargement of the gland.AimThe present study was undertaken to retrospectively analyze the indications, surgical techniques used, results obtained, and complications found in the surgical treatment of thyroid diseases in children and adolescents in a surgical center for the macro-region of western Poland.MethodsThe data of 148 patients undergoing total or partial thyroidectomy between 2013 and 2022 were analyzed from the medical records of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, and Urology of the Medical University of Poznan, Poland.ResultsA total of 95 children underwent subtotal thyroidectomy and 64 underwent total thyroidectomy, of which the procedure was widened to include prophylactic removal of neck lymph nodes in 45 patients. There were 113 girls (76%) in the analyzed group, and the average age of the patients at the time of surgical treatment was 15 years. The average time from the diagnosis of thyroid disease to surgery was 4 months, ranging from 2 weeks to 3 years. Of the 64 patients undergoing total thyroid resection, 35 (54.69%) were diagnosed with thyroid cancer.ConclusionsCollaboration within a multidisciplinary team ensures optimal surgical outcomes in children and adolescents with thyroid disease. With extreme caution, thyroid removal is a safe procedure with few complications, but the experience of the surgeon performing thyroid surgery in children remains crucial. Despite the absence of such a diagnosis in the first fine-needle aspiration biopsy, the high percentage of thyroid carcinomas in the analyzed group may be because the initial biopsy was performed in a less experienced center, also in terms of histopathological laboratory. Hence, we point out the necessity of performing a repeat fine-needle aspiration biopsy (according to the Bethesda classification) in a more experienced center before the final decision of thyroidectomy.
Rapid identification of bacteria in water by multi-wavelength transmittance spectroscopy and the artificial neural network
Authors: Hu Yuxia , Zhu Yunhao , Hu Dun , Zhou Na , Xiu Lei , Li Weihua , Xie Jiaqi , Zhang Yiming , Yan Pu 
Published: January 2024

Background: Multi-wavelength transmittance spectroscopy, in combination with the artificial neural network, has been a novel tool used to identify and classify microorganisms in recent years.Methods: In our work, the transmittance spectra in the region from 200 to 900 nm for four bacterial species of interest, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae), and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhi), were recorded using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. Considering too much redundant data on the full-wave band spectra, the characteristic wavelength variables were selected using the competitive adaptive reweighting sampling (CARS) algorithm. Spectra of the initial training set of these targeted microorganisms were used to create identification models representing the spectral variability of each species using four kinds of neural networks, namely, backpropagation (BP), radial basis function network (RBF), generalized regression neural network (GRNN), and probabilistic neural network (PNN).Results: The blinded isolate spectra of targeted species were identified using the four identification models given above. Compared to fullband modeling, after using CARS to screen the wavelength variables, four identification models are established for the 35 preferred characteristic wavelengths, and the prediction performance of the four models is notably improved. Among them, the CARS–PNN model is the best, and the identification rates of all targeted bacteria were achieved with 100% accuracy; the calculation time is just approximately 0.04 s.Discussion: The use of CARS can effectively remove useless information from the spectra, reduce model complexity, and enhance model prediction performance. Multi-wavelength transmission spectroscopy, combined with the CARS–PNN method, can provide a new method for the rapid detection of bacteria in water and could be readily extended for bacterial microbiological detection in blood and food.
The descriptive epidemiology of pre-omicron SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections and severe outcomes in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Shaw Souradet Y. , Kindrachuk Jason , McKinnon Lyle , Biegun Jeffery C. S. , Reimer Jocelyn N. , Loeppky Carla , Wei Yichun Joy , Bullard Jared , Van Caeseele Paul , Stein Derek R. 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionVaccination plays a key role in curbing severe outcomes resulting from COVID-19 disease. With the Omicron variant and the relaxing of public health protections breakthrough infections are increasingly common, and certain groups remain at higher risk for severe outcomes from breakthrough infections. We analysed population-based public health data from Manitoba, Canada to understand characteristics of those experiencing breakthrough infections and severe outcomes from breakthrough infections. Data from previous pandemic stages can provide valuable information regarding severe outcomes associated with breakthrough infection in the Omicron and future phases.MethodsPositive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests from Cadham Provincial Laboratory were linked to case information from the population-based Public Health Information Management System. A retrospective design was used with time-to-event analyses to examine severe outcomes among those experiencing breakthrough infection.ResultsBreakthrough cases were more likely to have 2 + chronic conditions, compared to age-, sex-, and time-period matched unvaccinated cases (24% vs. 17%), with hypertension (30%), diabetes (17%), and asthma (14%) being the most prevalent chronic conditions amongst breakthrough cases. Severe outcomes resulting from breakthrough infection was associated with age and chronic conditions, with those with 2 + chronic conditions at higher risk of severe outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.6, 95% confidence intervals: 2.0-6.4). Risk of severe outcomes varied by age group, with those 70 + years at over 13 times the risk of severe outcomes (95% CI: 4.5-39.8), compared to those 18-29 years of age.DiscussionOur results demonstrate the impact of chronic conditions on the likelihood of, and severity of outcomes from breakthrough infections. These findings underscore the importance of vaccination programs prioritizing vulnerable populations.
Effects of polyphenolic maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) extract on the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and activation of mast cells in a mouse model of Crohn’s disease-like colitis
Authors: Ortiz-Cerda Tamara , Argüelles-Arias Federico , Macías-García Laura , Vázquez-Román Victoria , Tapia Gladys , Xie Kangzhe , García-García María Desirée , Merinero Manuel , García-Montes Josefa-María , Alcudia Ana , Witting Paul K. , De-Miguel Manuel 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionCrohn’s disease (CD) involves activation of mast cells (MC) and NF-кB in parallel with the PPAR-α/NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β pathway in the inflamed colon. Whether polyphenols from maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) represent a natural alternative treatment for CD is unclear. Therefore, we used an animal model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced CD-like colitis to investigate protective effects of maqui extract through monitoring NLRP3 inflammasome and MC activation in colon tissue.MethodsMaqui extract was administered via orogastric route to mice after (post-Treatment group) or prior (pre-Treatment group) to TNBS-induction. Colon pathology was characterized by histoarchitectural imaging, disease activity index (DAI), and assessing NF-кB, p-NF-кB, PPAR-α/NLRP3 expression and IL-1β levels.ResultsCompared to mice treated with TNBS alone administration of anthocyanin-rich maqui extract improved the DAI, colon histoarchitecture and reduced both colon wet-weight and transmural inflammation. Induction with TNBS significantly increased colonic NLPR3 inflammasome activation, while co-treatment with maqui extract (either post- or pre-Treatment) significantly downregulated NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 levels, which manifested as reduced colonic IL-1β levels. Supplemented maqui extract marginally diminished NF-кB activity in epithelial cells but reached statistical significance in immune cells (as judged by decreased NF-кB phosphorylation). PPAR-α signaling was largely unaffected by Maqui whereas MC infiltration into the colon mucosa and submucosa decreased and their level of degranulation was suppressed.ConclusionThese outcomes show the post- and pre- Treatment effect of a polyphenolic extract rich in anthocyanins from maqui the acute phase of TNBS- induced CD-like colitis is linked to suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and reduced MC responses. These data indicate that maqui extract represents a potential nutraceutical for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).