bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purification, characterization and study of blue fluorescent substance in caffeine
Authors: Yang Li , Yue Jincai , Zhou Bo , Zheng Shiqing 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundCaffeine, a xanthine alkaloid compound, is a stimulant of the central nervous system and is mainly used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Because caffeine is directly absorbed into the body, Chinese pharmacopeia has high requirements on the quality of caffeine products, and fluorescence has always been an important indicator to measure the quality of caffeine. In this study, a major fluorescent impurity affecting the appearance and purity of caffeine products was isolated for the first time, and the solubility, thermodynamic properties and dissociation constants of this impurity were studied.Results(i) The fluorescent impurity affecting the appearance and purity of the product was successfully isolated from crude caffeine and theophylline sodium salt, and named as a blue fluorescent substance. The mass purity of the substance was 96.27%, and its structure was determined based on a comprehensive analysis of high‐resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy [hydrogen 1 (1H) NMR, carbon‐13 (13C) NMR, COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC]. (ii) The solubility of blue fluorescent substance in four pure solvents was determined and the thermodynamic properties were calculated. (iii) The dissociation constants of the blue fluorescent substance in water at 298.15 K were determined by UV spectrophotometry.ConclusionThe results provide a theoretical basis for the crystallization separation of the blue fluorescent substance during the industrial production of caffeine, as well as basic data for the green synthesis process of caffeine. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
My Way: development and preliminary evaluation of a novel delivery system for PrEP and other sexual health needs of young women in Western Kenya
Authors: Haberer Jessica E. , Oware Kevin , Juma Lawrence , Nyerere Bernard , Momanyi Vincent , Odoyo Josephine , Garrison Lindsey , Bhagat Julita , Musinguzi Nicholas , Baeten Jared M. , Siegler Aaron , Bukusi Elizabeth A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionYoung women in sub‐Saharan Africa are a priority population for HIV prevention, yet challenges with adherence and persistence to HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are common. This study involved the development and pilot testing of My Way—a novel delivery system for PrEP and co‐packaged sexual health services.MethodsMy Way was developed in Kisumu, Kenya through a user‐centred design process (2020). The intervention involves peer‐delivery and support for HIV testing and PrEP use, self‐collected vaginal swabs for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, pregnancy testing, oral contraceptive pills, self‐injectable medroxyprogesterone and/or condoms. My Way was assessed among 16‐ to 24‐year‐old sexually active women in a randomized controlled trial versus standard of care (SoC; 2021–2022). Use of PrEP and other sexual health services were tracked at 1, 3 and 6 months for feasibility. Acceptability was determined by questionnaire. The effect of the intervention on tenofovir diphosphate (TFV‐DP) levels was assessed by chi‐square test (primary outcome); other predictors were explored with regression analysis.ResultsAmong 150 women, the median age was 22 years and the median number of sexual partners was 2. Moderate/severe depression was common (60%). In the intervention arm, peers made 88% (198/225) of possible kit deliveries (177 with PrEP) and 49 STIs were diagnosed. In the SoC arm, 24% (55/225) of expected clinic visits occurred (53 with PrEP); no STI testing was performed. TVF‐DP was detected in 16 participants at 6 months: 16% (12/75) in the intervention arm versus 5% (4/75) in the SoC arm (p = 0.03). Persistence among those with ongoing HIV prevention needs (i.e. prevention‐effective persistence) was 18% (12/67) versus 7% (4/56; p = 0.08). No women acquired HIV. The intervention was significantly associated with detectable TFV‐DP (OR 3.5, 1.1‐11.4; p = 0.04); moderate/severe depression trended towards an association with TFV‐DP (OR 0.2, 0.03–1.6; p = 0.13).ConclusionsMy Way is a promising delivery system for PrEP and other sexual health services among young women in Western Kenya. We found high feasibility and acceptability. PrEP use was modest, but higher with My Way compared to SoC. Long‐acting PrEP formulations may overcome important barriers to PrEP use and should be explored in combination with the My Way delivery model.
Impact of yoga asanas on flexion and relaxation phenomenon in women with chronic low back pain: Prophet model prospective study
Authors: Marotta Nicola , de Sire Alessandro , Lippi Lorenzo , Moggio Lucrezia , Tasselli Anna , Invernizzi Marco , Ammendolia Antonio , Iona Teresa 
Published: February 2024

AbstractChronic nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is a prevalent condition with socioeconomic and healthcare challenges. The flexion–relaxation phenomenon (FRP) evaluation is a valid clinical tool for low back pain (LBP) assessment. Yoga, a holistic mind–body practice, has been explored as an LBP intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of yoga asanas on the FRP in women with NSLBP. The study included healthy and chronic NSLBP females who underwent an eight‐session yoga asanas program, with the first session conducted in‐clinic and the rest delivered with tele‐approach. Outcome measures included pain intensity, flexion–relaxation ratio (FRR), and trough surface electromyography collected during trunk maximum voluntary flexion (MVF). The study included 11 healthy and 10 NSLBP women. Repeated measures test in chronic NSLBP group showed a significant decrease in pain intensity after the 4 weeks follow‐up (visual analog scale [VAS]: 6.80 ± 1.48 vs. 3.30 ± 1.25; p < 0.001) and an FRR improvement after the intervention (5.12 ± 0.93 vs. 9.49 ± 0.92; p < 0.001). VAS and FRR effect sizes were 0.77 and 0.47, respectively. Therefore, we performed a Prophet evaluation to assess FRR trends, finding a growth rate (k) of 0.405 ± 0.448, with a forecast 1 month after the end of the intervention approaching the trend line of the control group. The findings suggested that tele‐yoga asana might have a positive impact on pain intensity and the FRP in chronic LBP. Further research is warranted to confirm the long‐term effects of yoga for managing LBP.
Growth enhancement, metabolic profile improvement, and DXR and TPS2 gene expression changes in Thymus vulgaris L. by cyanobacterial inoculation
Authors: Rasuli Nasim , Riahi Hossein , Shariatmadari Zeinab , Nohooji Majid Ghorbani , Dehestani Ali , MehrabanJoubani Pooyan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn recent decades cyanobacterial species have attracted research attention as potential sources of new biostimulants. In this study, the biostimulant effects of five cyanobacterial suspensions on the growth and essential oil composition of Thymus vulgaris L. were evaluated. The expression of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of thymol and carvacrol, such as DXR and TPS2, were investigated.RESULTSA pot culture experiment revealed that cyanobacterial application significantly improved T. vulgaris L. growth indices, including plant height, dry and fresh weight, leaf and flower number, leaf area, and photosynthetic pigment content. Total phenol and flavonoid content in inoculated plants also showed a significant increase compared with the control. Anabaena torulosa ISB213 inoculation significantly increased root and shoot biomass by about 65.38% and 92.98% compared with the control, respectively. Nostoc calcicola ISB215 inoculation resulted in the highest amount of essential oil accumulation (18.08 ± 0.62) in T. vulgaris leaves, by about 72.19% compared with the control (10.5 ± 0.50%). Interestingly, the amount of limonene in the Nostoc ellipsosporum ISB217 treatment (1.67%) increased significantly compared with the control and other treatments. The highest expression rates of DXR and TPS2 genes were observed in the treatment of N. ellipsosporum ISB217, with 5.92‐fold and 5.22‐fold increases over the control, respectively.CONCLUSIONThis research revealed the potential of the cyanobacteria that were studied as promising biostimulants to increase the production of biomass and secondary metabolites of T. vulgaris L., which could be a suitable alternative to chemical fertilizers. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Roles of soil amendments in the water and salt transport of coastal saline soils through regulation of microstructure
Authors: Fei Yuanhang , She Dongli , Yi Jun , Sun Xiaoqin , Han Xiao , Liu Dongdong , Liu Muxing , Zhang Hailin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIncreasing scientific knowledge on the improvement of coastal saline soils is critical for spatially expanding coastal development. Biochar and polyacrylamide (PAM) are popular soil amendments, however, it remains unclear how they affect water and salt transport by regulating soil microstructure characteristics. In this study, we conducted a five‐year rice barrel trial and investigated the changes in the aggregates and microstructure of saline soils after adding biochar with three different application rates (B1 = 0%, B2 = 2%, and B3 = 5%, mass ratio) and PAM with three different application rates (P1 = 0%, P2 = 0.4‰, and P3 = 1.0‰, mass ratio), and simulated the water and salt transport. Results showed that at B1 and B2 treatments, soil μ‐CT porosity in 2020 increased by 89.8% and 208.0%, respectively, with respect to that in 2016. The development of soil mesopore structure was promoted at B2 treatments, whereas the P2 and P3 treatments promoted the development of the soil macrostructure. Compared with those of the blank control, soil internal mean water flow rate increased by 22.2% at B2 treatments and 69.2% at P2 treatments, respectively. However, their increases were less pronounced at B3 treatments and the water flow rate decreased by 50.5% at P3 treatments. It might be reasonably attributed to the reason that porous biochar helped the formation of soil pore structure while an excessive amount of biochar blocked soil pores. Furthermore, PAM amendment helped to form soil aggregates while an excessive amount of viscous PAM might block soil pores or form a viscous layer. The time corresponding to the maximum salt concentration was negatively correlated with soil μ‐CT porosity (R2 = 0.27) and pore connectivity density (R2 = 0.29). Our findings indicate that appropriate amounts of biochar and PAM can help improve saline soil structure in coastal areas, improve their hydraulic properties, and alleviate salt stress.
Response of the growth and survival of tree species planted in a degraded land with a supplement of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer
Authors: Alem Shiferaw 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDegraded lands pose significant challenges for tree establishment and growth due to poor soil quality and limited nutrient availability. This research aims to explore the potential of using DAP (diammonium phosphate) fertilizer as a supplement for enhancing the survival and growth of tree species in degraded lands; Casuarina equisetifolia L., Grevillea robusta var. robusta R.Br., and Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. & G. Don). To achieve the objectives, seedlings of the species were planted in degraded land using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with a supplement of DAP fertilizer. Six replications, each consisting of 20 seedlings, were used for each of the species with the DAP treatment. The survival and growth data were collected from January 2015 to May 2022. One‐way ANOVA, t‐test, and mean survival percentage were used for data analysis. The results revealed that the mean final survival percentage of C. equisetifolia that received DAP fertilizer (73.6%) was higher than that of C. equisetifolia without fertilizer (44.4%). The statistical t‐test also showed significant differences between the mean survival percentages of C. equisetifolia planted with a supplement of DAP and without fertilizer (p = 0.033). The mean survival percentage of O. europaea and G. robusta, whether fertilized or not, was poor (0%–7%). The one‐way ANOVA result showed significant differences in both fertilized and unfertilized seedlings among the C. equisetifolia, G. robusta, and O. europaea species (p < 0.001). The dry biomass of C. equisetifolia grown with a supplement of DAP fertilizer and the unfertilized was 15.4 kg/tree and 11.2 kg/tree. The t‐test result revealed no significant differences in the dry biomass of the C. equisetifolia grown with a supplement of DAP fertilizer and without fertilizer. Finally, it is concluded that the effect of DAP fertilizer on the growth and survival of the species is species‐specific.
Coping strategies and social support in nursing students during clinical practice: A scoping review
Authors: Loureiro Fernanda , Peças Dina , Neves Ana Cristina , Antunes Ana Vanessa 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimTo identify the coping strategies and social support received by nursing students during clinical practice.DesignScoping review.MethodsPrimary studies on coping strategies and social support, in full text, in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese and published in 2018 or later were included. Search was carried out in January 2023 on EBSCOhost, PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, OpenAIRE, MedNar Search, WorldWideScience and the references of previously selected articles.ResultsA total of 24 studies were identified. Seven studies mentioned social support as a useful strategy and several instruments were identified that allow measurement.ConclusionsFew studies establish a direct relationship between the effectiveness of coping strategies with stressful situations. Positive coping strategies are associated with effective stress management. The relationship between social support and stress reduction is scarcely addressed.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareStressful situations can have an impact on students' health and on the quality of care. Nursing schools and healthcare institutions must work together in programmes to improve students coping abilities.ImpactThis review addressed coping strategies used by nursing students during clinical practice. A set of relevant coping strategies were identified that can be used by teachers to improve students' outcomes.Reporting MethodThe review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR).Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
Steroid myopathy and rehabilitation in patients with cancer
Authors: Tsetlina Vera , Stanford Ray A. , Syrkin Grigory , Ibanez Katarzyna 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSteroids are broadly used in oncology, despite known adverse events such as glucocorticosteroid‐induced myopathy (SM). To date there are no accepted guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of SM. The purpose of this review is to provide up‐to‐date information regarding SM with emphasis on neuro‐oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients, given they are at high risk of experiencing SM following routine treatment with steroids. Our work is a combination of a comprehensive narrative review regarding etiology, pathogenesis, incidence, clinical presentation and treatment options for SM and a scoping review on exercise therapy for SM. We have identified 24 in vivo studies of different exercise modalities in the settings of glucocorticosteroid treatment. Twenty of 24 studies demonstrated decreased muscle catabolism with exercise training. Both endurance and resistance exercises at mild to moderate intensity were beneficial. The value of high‐intensity activities remains questionable as it may worsen muscle atrophy. Rehabilitation interventions, along with pharmacologic and dietary considerations, may be beneficial in preventing or reversing SM. Potential adverse events of some of these interventions and expected caveats in translating findings in preclinical models to human settings warrant caution and demand controlled clinical studies.
The ratio of fibroin to sericin in the middle silk gland of Bombyx mori and its correlation with the extensional behavior of the silk dope
Authors: Välisalmi Teemu , Linder Markus B. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUnderstanding how native silk spinning occurs is crucial for designing artificial spinning systems. One often overlooked factor in Bombyx mori is the secretion of sericin proteins. Herein, we investigate the variation in amino acid content at different locations in the middle silk gland (MSG) of B. mori. This variation corresponds to an increase in sericin content when moving towards the anterior region of the MSG, while the posterior region predominantly contains fibroin. We estimate the mass ratio of sericin to fibroin to be ~25/75 wt% in the anterior MSG, depending on the fitting method. Then, we demonstrate that the improvement in the extensional behavior of the silk dope in the MSG correlates with the increase in sericin content. The addition of sericin may decrease the viscosity of the silk dope, a factor associated with an increase in the spinnability of silk. We further discuss whether this effect could also result from other known physicochemical changes within the MSG.
Degradation versus fibrillogenesis, two alternative pathways modulated by seeds and glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Verona Guglielmo , Raimondi Sara , Canetti Diana , Mangione P. Patrizia , Marchese Loredana , Corazza Alessandra , Lavatelli Francesca , Gillmore Julian D. , Taylor Graham W. , Bellotti Vittorio , Giorgetti Sofia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe mechanism that converts native human transthyretin into amyloid fibrils in vivo is still a debated and controversial issue. Commonly, non‐physiological conditions of pH, temperature, or organic solvents are used in in vitro models of fibrillogenesis of globular proteins. Transthyretin amyloid formation can be achieved under physiological conditions through a mechano‐enzymatic mechanism involving specific serine proteases such as trypsin or plasmin. Here, we investigate S52P and L111M transthyretin variants, both causing a severe form of systemic amyloidosis mostly targeting the heart at a relatively young age with heterogeneous phenotype among patients. Our studies on thermodynamics show that both proteins are significantly less stable than other amyloidogenic variants. However, despite a similar thermodynamic stability, L111M variant seems to have enhanced susceptibility to cleavage and a lower tendency to form fibrils than S52P in the presence of specific proteases and biomechanical forces. Heparin strongly enhances the fibrillogenic capacity of L111M transthyretin, but has no effect on the S52P variant. Fibrillar seeds similarly affect the fibrillogenesis of both proteins, with a stronger effect on the L111M variant. According to our model of mechano‐enzymatic fibrillogenesis, both full‐length and truncated monomers, released after the first cleavage, can enter into fibrillogenesis or degradation pathways. Our findings show that the kinetics of the two processes can be affected by several factors, such as intrinsic amyloidogenicity due to the specific mutations, environmental factors including heparin and fibrillar seeds that significantly accelerate the fibrillogenic pathway.
Mutation in PgABCC2 confers low‐level resistance to Cry1Ac in pink bollworm
Authors: Wang Ling , Xu Min , He Lu , Wei Wei , Xu Dong , Cong Shengbo , Liu Kaiyu , Wan Peng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDWith the increasing incidence of pest resistance to transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins in the field, elucidating the molecular basis of resistance is important for monitoring, delaying and countering pest resistance. Previous work revealed that mutation or down‐regulated expression of the cadherin gene (PgCad1) is associated with pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) resistance to Cry1Ac, and 20 mutant PgCad1 alleles (r1‐r20) were characterized. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the ABC transporter PgABCC2 is a functional receptor for the Bt toxin Cry1Ac and that a mutation is associated with resistance.RESULTSWe identified and characterized the first resistance allele (rC2) of PgABCC2 in the laboratory‐selected Cry1Ac‐resistant strain AQ‐C2 of pink bollworm. The rC2 allele had a one‐base deletion in exon20, resulting in a frameshift and the introduction of a premature stop codon. This resulting PgABCC2 protein had a truncated C‐terminus, including the loss of the NBD2 domain. AQ‐C2 exhibited 20.2‐fold greater resistance to Cry1Ac than the susceptible strain, and its inheritance of Cry1Ac resistance was recessive and genetically linked to PgABCC2. When produced in cultured insect cells, recombinant wild‐type and rC2 mutant PgABCC2 proteins localized within the cell plasma membrane, although substantial cytoplasmic retention was also observed for the mutant protein, while the mutant PgABCC2 caused a 13.9‐fold decrease in Cry1Ac toxicity versus the wild‐type PgABCC2.CONCLUSIONSPgABCC2 is a functional receptor of Cry1Ac and the loss of its carboxyl terminus (including its NBD2 domain) confers low‐level resistance to Cry1Ac in both larvae and in cultured cells. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Dynamics of diabatically forced anticyclonic plumes in the stratosphere
Authors: Podglajen Aurélien , Legras Bernard , Lapeyre Guillaume , Plougonven Riwal , Zeitlin Vladimir , Brémaud Vincent , Sellitto Pasquale 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA new class of vortices has been observed in the stratosphere following extreme wildfires (Canada 2017, Australia 2020) and volcanic eruptions (Raikoke 2019). These vortices are long‐lived mesoscale anticyclones (hundreds to 1,000 km in diameter) trapping plumes of aerosols and combustion/volcanic compounds. Owing to their unusual composition, these anticyclonically trapped plumes (ATPs) are associated with a significant radiative heating, which fuels their ascent through the stratosphere. This article investigates the dynamics of ATPs using two complementary approaches: analytically, in a potential vorticity (PV) perspective, and through idealised numerical simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. In both cases, we consider the vortical flow forced by a heating Lagrangian tracer. By reformulating the problem in the potential radius–potential temperature coordinate system introduced for tropical cyclones, we first clarify that ATP formation is concomitant with the injection of air into the stratosphere at extratropical latitudes. Then, we derive a set of simplified one‐dimensional equations describing the subsequent evolution of the flow after the injection. The equation obtained for the tracer is a variant of the classical Burgers' equation. In qualitative agreement with the three‐dimensional WRF simulations, this theoretical model predicts that ATPs develop an upper tracer front associated with sustained near‐zero anticyclonic PV, followed by a smooth tracer tail of cyclonic PV. Radiative relaxation of the temperature perturbations induced by the anticyclone and the presence of an initial PV anomaly tend to stabilise ATPs during their ascent. Finally, we note that the theory predicts a similar relationship between the plume and anticyclonic PV for cooled ATPs, which is supported by three‐dimensional simulations and may apply to the 2022 Hunga volcanic plume.
Persistent cough and situs inversus in a middle‐aged female
Authors: Rahimi Besharat , Roostaei Ghazal , Kazemizadeh Hossein , Edalatifard Maryam , Khoshnam‐Rad Niloofar 
Published: February 2024

Key messageKartagener syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, can present in adults with persistent respiratory symptoms and radiological changes, such as bronchiectasis and situs inversus. Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion, as early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for preserving pulmonary function.