bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partition of humic acids using alkaline aqueous two‐phase systems constituted of alcohol and hydroxides
Authors: Vieira Fabiane M. , Buarque Filipe S. , Gomes Paula G.C. , Souza Ranyere L. , Soares Cleide M. F. , Santana Maria H. A. , Lima Álvaro S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDHumic acids (HAs) are macromolecules classified within the group of humic substances that are mainly related to the agricultural and environmental sectors, but they have attracted interest from the medicine, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, these latter sectors depend on developing extraction and purification technologies for adequate use. Thus, this paper aims to study the partitioning and recovery of HA using alkaline two‐phase aqueous systems (ATPSs) based on alkali metal‐based hydroxides and alcohols. Initially, the influence of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1‐propanol, and 2‐propanol) and hydroxides [sodium (NaOH), potassium (KOH) and lithium (LiOH)] in the phase diagrams construction was addressed.RESULTSThe phase formation is correlated to an increase in the hydrophobicity of alcohols and hydroxides, which allows for the enlargement of the biphasic region. In the proposed systems, HA is always partitioned to the hydroxide‐rich phase. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the alcohol favors the migration of HA to the opposite phase, while increasing the hydrophilicity of the hydroxides leads to better partition and recovery values. It was observed that increasing TLL favors the recovery of HA. Furthermore, there was a decrease in alcohol concentration in the hydroxide‐rich phase with an increase in the alkyl chain and TLL, improving the recovery. Finally, the best reached‐recovery value was 98.18 ± 0.41% (KHA = 0.038 ± 0.02) for ATPS formed by 1‐propanol + NaOH with TLL ≈ 55 at 298 K.CONCLUSIONSAlkaline systems can be a novel route for recovering humic substances from the environment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
A transdiagnostic approach to neurodiversity in a representative population sample: The N+ 4 model
Authors: Apperly Ian A. , Lee Robert , van der Kleij Sanne W. , Devine Rory T. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe concept of neurodiversity draws upon scientific research, and lessons from practice and lived experience to suggest new ways of thinking about neurodevelopmental conditions. Among the formative observations are that characteristics associated with neurodevelopmental conditions are part of a “broader phenotype” of variation across the whole population, and that there appear to be “transdiagnostic” similarities as well as differences in these characteristics. These observations raise important questions that have implications for understanding diversity in neurodevelopmental conditions and in neurocognitive phenotypes across the whole population.MethodThe present work examines broader phenotypes using seven widely used self‐report assessments of traits associated with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Developmental Coordination Disorder/dyspraxia, tic disorders/Tourette's, cortical hyperexcitability associated with subclinical epilepsy, and sensory sensitivities. A representative sample of 995 adults (aged 17–77) in the UK completed self‐report measures of neurodiversity, wellbeing, generalized anxiety, and depression, and cognitive abilities (nonverbal intelligence and executive functioning).ResultsWe used confirmatory factor analysis to test whether variation and covariation was better characterized (1) by traditional diagnostic labels, or (2) transdiagnostically according to similarities in functions, behaviours, or phenomena. Results indicated that neurodiversity characteristics were best explained using a bifactor model with one general “N” factor and four condition‐specific factors.ConclusionThis was the largest examination to date of the factor structure of broader phenotypes relevant to neurodevelopmental conditions. It provides critical benchmark data, and a framework approach for asking systematic questions about the structure of neurocognitive diversities seen in the whole population and in people with one or more diagnoses.
The interaction of RELN–DNMT genes involving in neurotrophin signaling pathway contributes to schizophrenia susceptibility
Authors: Ping Junjiao , Wan Jing , Luo Jiali , Du Baoguo , Liu Xinxia , Jiang Tingyun , Zhang Jie 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveSchizophrenia belongs to a severe mental illness with complicated clinical presentations, an ill‐defined pathogenesis, and no known cause. Many genetic studies imply that polygenic interaction is important in the development of schizophrenia. The main mechanism of the RELN‐BDNF‐CREB‐DNMT signaling pathway in neurodevelopment involves RELN, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB), DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), as well as DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B). An early case–control research on 15 polymorphisms in the RELN, CREB, BDNF, DNMT1, and DNMT3B genes was done. A single gene variation has little effect on the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, but the combination of intergenic variation loci has a bigger impact because schizophrenia is a complex polygenic disorder. The objective of the current study sought to explore the impact of genetic interactions between RELN, BDNF, CREB, DNMT1, and DNMT3B on schizophrenia in order to further highlight the genetic factors influencing the risk of schizophrenia.MethodsTaking the case–control study design, with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐Fifth Edition (DSM‐5) to be the evaluation norm, 134 individuals suffering from schizophrenia hospitalized in the Third People's Hospital of Zhongshan City within January 2018 to April 2020 (case group) were selected, and 64 healthy individuals (control group) from the same geographical area had been chosen as well. MassArray identified DNMT1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2114724 and rs2228611) and DNMT3B gene SNPs (rs2424932, rs1569686, rs6119954, and rs2424908). Using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR), the RELN‐BDNF‐CREB‐DNMT pathway's gene interactions were examined for their impact on schizophrenia.ResultsGMDR analysis showed that the three‐order interaction model RELN (rs2073559, rs2229864)–DNMT3B (rs2424908) was the optimal model (p = 0.001), with the consistency of cross‐validation of 10/10 and the test accuracy of 0.8711.ConclusionThe interaction between the RELN (rs2073559, rs2229864)–DNMT3B (rs2424908) may be related to schizophrenia, and large sample sizes should be verified in different population.
Exploring microscopic pollen morphology in herbaceous Flora: Insights and analysis using scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Aziza Nozimova , Khaydarov Khislat , Zamira Djumayeva , Ochilov Ulugbek , Dilshod Muminov 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMicroscopic techniques can be applied to solve taxonomic problems in the field of plant systematic and are extremely versatile in nature. This study was focused on the new approaches to visualizing the imaging, tool to cover the micro‐structural techniques applied to the pollen study of flowers. The current research was proposed to evaluate microscopic pollen morphological attributes using light and scanning electron microscopy of herbaceous flora from Samarkand, Uzbekistan. A total of 13 herbaceous species, classified into 11 different families were collected, pressed, and identified, and then acetolyzed their pollen to visualize under light and scanning electron microscopy. Herbaceous flora can be characterized by small to very large‐sized pollen morphotypes presenting four types of pollen shapes, prolate spheroidal (six species), spheroidal (three species) and prolate and oblate (two species each). The polar diameter and equatorial distance were calculated maximum in Hibiscus syriacus 110.55 and 111.2 μm respectively. Pollen of six different types was found namely tricolporate pollen observed in seven species, tricolpate and pantoporate in two species each, sulcate in Gagea olgae and hexacolpate pollen was examined in Salvia rosmarinus. Exine ornamentation of pollen was examined tectate perforate, verrucate‐reticulate, micro‐reticulate, reticulate, reticulate‐cristatum, gemmate‐echinate, echinate‐perforate, perforate‐striate, rugulate, rugulate‐striate, bi‐reticulate, reticulate‐perforate and perforate‐micro‐reticulate showing great variations. Exine thickness was noted highest for Rosa canina 2.9 μm and minimum in Punica granatum 0.65 μm. This study of pollen imaging visualization of herbaceous flora contributes to the opportunity for the taxonomic evaluation of and fills knowledge gaps in studies of herbaceous flora identification using classical microscopic taxonomic tools for their accurate identification.Research Highlights
Pollen in unexplored herbaceous flora of the Samarkand region was studied with light and scanning electron microscopic pollen study.
There is a high variation in observed pollen micromorphological characters.
Pollen microscopic morphology has important taxonomic value for the identification of herbaceous species.
Improving crop growing conditions with water treatment residual and compost co‐amendments: Soil–water dynamics
Authors: Stone Wendy , Steytler Jan , de Jager Lurika , Hardie Ailsa , Clarke Catherine E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLand application of water treatment residual (WTR) in combination with phosphate‐rich organic wastes, like compost or sewage sludge, in nutrient‐poor soils was previously shown to promote crop growth. This WTR diversion from landfill to agriculture supports local and international mandates for waste circularity. Although soil–water dynamics—like saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, and hydrophobicity—are well‐defined for compost and somewhat defined for WTR (except for hydrophobicity), the impacts of co‐amending sandy soils with both are not well‐defined. In laboratory analyses, co‐amendment had an intermediate effect between individual amendments on the hydrophobic sandy soils, increasing water retention by 27% (WTR and compost both increased water retention), decreasing hydrophobicity by increasing hydraulic conductivity twofold (WTR and compost both decreased hydrophobicity), and having no effect on saturated hydraulic conductivity (decreased by WTR and increased by compost). With two positive effects and one “no effect” on soil–water dynamics in laboratory trials, the co‐amendment was expected to buffer both crop water use efficiency (WUE) and nutrient availability under drought stress, for Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla), co‐investigated in a multifactorial pot trial. Soil nutrients, particularly phosphate, were shown more critical than soil–water dynamics to improve crop WUE. Thus, co‐amended soils have significantly higher crop biomass and WUE than sandy soils. Phosphate‐rich organic co‐amendment is necessary for crop nutrient sufficiency and thus drought resilience in sandy soils amended with WTR. Thus, pairing wastes to soils for optimum fertility is a critical consideration in waste land application for both biomass and drought resilience.
Scalable purification of extracellular vesicles with high yield and purity using multimodal flowthrough chromatography
Authors: Bonner Scott E. , van de Wakker Simonides I. , Phillips William , Willms Eduard , Sluijter Joost P. G. , Hill Andrew F. , Wood Matthew J. A. , Vader Pieter 
Published: February 2024

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell derived membranous nanoparticles. EVs are important mediators of cell–cell communication via the transfer of bioactive content and as such they are being investigated for disease diagnostics as biomarkers and for potential therapeutic cargo delivery to recipient cells. However, existing methods for isolating EVs from biological samples suffer from challenges related to co‐isolation of unwanted materials such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipoproteins. In the pursuit of improved EV isolation techniques, we introduce multimodal flowthrough chromatography (MFC) as a scalable alternative to size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The use of MFC offers significant advantages for purifying EVs, resulting in enhanced yields and increased purity with respect to protein and nucleic acid co‐isolates from conditioned 3D cell culture media. Compared to SEC, significantly higher EV yields with similar purity and preserved functionality were also obtained with MFC in 2D cell cultures. Additionally, MFC yielded EVs from serum with comparable purity to SEC and similar apolipoprotein B content. Overall, MFC presents an advancement in EV purification yielding EVs with high recovery, purity, and functionality, and offers an accessible improvement to researchers currently employing SEC.
Autophagy inhibitors 3‐MA and BAF may attenuate hippocampal neuronal necroptosis after global cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in male rats by inhibiting the interaction of the RIP3/AIF/CypA complex
Authors: Zhang Chen , Liu Renhui , Chen Mengmeng , Xu Yang , Jin Xiaoqin , Shen Bing , Wang Jingye 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOur previous study found that receptor interacting protein 3 (RIP3) and apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) were involved in neuronal programmed necrosis during global cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. Here, we further studied its downstream mechanisms and the role of the autophagy inhibitors 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) and bafilomycin A1 (BAF). A 20‐min global cerebral I/R injury model was constructed using the 4‐vessel occlusion (4‐VO) method in male rats. 3‐MA and BAF were injected into the lateral ventricle 1 h before ischemia. Spatial and activation changes of proteins were detected by immunofluorescence (IF), and protein interaction was determined by immunoprecipitation (IP). The phosphorylation of H2AX (γ‐H2AX) and activation of mixed lineage kinase domain‐like protein (p‐MLKL) occurred as early as 6 h after reperfusion. RIP3, AIF, and cyclophilin A (CypA) in the neurons after I/R injury were spatially overlapped around and within the nucleus and combined with each other after reperfusion. The survival rate of CA1 neurons in the 3‐MA and BAF groups was significantly higher than that in the I/R group. Autophagy was activated significantly after I/R injury, which was partially inhibited by 3‐MA and BAF. Pretreatment with both 3‐MA and BAF almost completely inhibited nuclear translocation, spatial overlap, and combination of RIP3, AIF, and CypA proteins. These findings suggest that after global cerebral I/R injury, RIP3, AIF, and CypA translocated into the nuclei and formed the DNA degradation complex RIP3/AIF/CypA in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Pretreatment with autophagy inhibitors could reduce neuronal necroptosis by preventing the formation of the RIP3/AIF/CypA complex and its nuclear translocation.
Formulation of rhamnolipid‐containing cosmetics without sulfate surfactants: A rheology and stability study
Authors: Xiao Ang , Yang Yuxin , Liu Xianglong , Shen Chong , Meng Qin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSulfate surfactants in cosmetic products raise concerns due to their skin irritating impact and sustainability. Rhamnolipid, a green and safe biosurfactant, was studied from the perspective of rheology to help develop a formulation with natural and effective ingredients for cosmetics. The viscosity of rhamnolipids was investigated by changing pH, concentration and adding additives like inorganic salts (NaCl, MgCl2) and polymers (Carbopol® Ultrez 20, Carbopol® Aqua SF‐1, Carbopol® 940 and cationic guar gum), showing that the viscosity of rhamnolipid had a positive correlation with the increase of concentration, a negative correlation with the increase of pH, and that polymers instead of inorganic salts were suitable for thickening rhamnolipid. Further rheology tests indicated that Carbopol® Aqua SF‐1 imparted gel properties of rhamnolipid while cationic guar gum determined the liquid properties. In addition, the rhamnolipid‐containing moisturizing cream consisting of stearic acid/squalane ratios all showed shear‐thinning and gel behavior the same as the commercial ones. Visual appearance and particle size analysis indicated that all formulations exhibited high storage stabilities. The knowledge gained from this study may be useful for designing “sulfonate‐free” shampoo and cream with rheological properties that can be tailed for specific commercial cosmetic applications.
Deep eutectic solvent (DES)‐assisted extraction of pectin from Ficus carica Linn. peel: optimization, partial structure characterization, functional and antioxidant activities
Authors: Liu Hongzhi , Lin Jihui , Hu Yaowu , Lei Hui , Zhang Qian , Tao Xiaoyu , Zhang Dan , Niu Hong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe pectin from Ficus carica Linn. (fig) peels is a valuable and recyclable constituent that may bring huge economic benefits. To maximize the utilization of this resource, deep eutectic solvent (DES)‐assisted extraction was applied to extract pectin from fig peels, and the extraction process was optimized with response surface methodology.RESULTSWhen DES (choline chloride/oxalic acid = 1:1) content was 168.1 g kg−1, extraction temperature was 79.8 °C, liquid–solid ratio was 23.3 mL g−1, and extraction time was 120 min, the maximum yield of 239.6 g kg−1 was obtained, which was almost twice the extraction of hot water. DES‐extracted fig peel pectin (D‐FP) exhibited better nature than hot water‐extracted fig peel pectin (W‐FP) in terms of uronic acid content, particle size distribution, and solubility, but lower molecular weight and esterification degree. D‐FP and W‐FP had similar infrared spectra and thermodynamic peaks but differed in monosaccharide compositions. D‐FP also showed good antioxidant capacities and exhibited better functional activities than W‐FP.CONCLUSIONThese results indicated that D‐FP was of promising quality being utilized in food or medical industries and the optimal DES‐assisted extraction method might be applied as a sustainable process for the effective extraction of bioactive pectin from fig peels with the excellence of low equipment requirements and simple operation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Outcomes of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Associated With Mild Narrow Aorta
Authors: Zhong ChunYan , Dong Hongmei , Chen Ting , Zhang Xiaohang , Ran SuZhen 
Published: February 2024

PurposeTo explore prenatal ultrasonic features and prognosis of the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) complicated with mild narrow aorta.Materials and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted involving 1348 fetuses diagnosed with PLSVC prenatally between January 2016 and December 2019. Forty‐five fetuses with PLSVC associated with mild narrow aorta were selected from the cohort as the study group and 79 fetuses with isolated PLSCV were recruited randomly as the control group. All clinical and ultrasound results, including images and parameters of cardiac structures, were reviewed retrospectively. General conditions, ultrasound (US) measurements, and fetal prognosis were compared between the groups.ResultsAorta valve diameter (AOD), Z‐score of aorta valve (AODz‐score), aortic isthmus diameter (AOIsD), and pulmonary diameter (PAD)/AOD were significantly different in study group than control group no matter in the second or third trimester. Thirty‐eight fetuses in study group were born with favorable outcomes after long‐term follow‐up. A total of 13.16% (5/38) remain mild narrow aorta and 3 of them showed smaller left ventricle after 3 years follow up. Prenatal AODz‐score in infants remains mild narrow aorta after 2 years aged was higher than ones' aorta return to normal (P = .01), especially when AODz‐score >1.725. Moreover, when prenatal ratio of AOIsD/left subclavian artery was <1.12, it was more likely that the aorta would remain mildly narrow at age 2.ConclusionFetuses diagnosed with PLSVC with mild narrow aorta had favorable prognosis. AODz‐score and AOIsD/left subclavian artery may be two predictors that reveal the risk of a mildly narrowed aorta remaining after birth.
Seasonality strongly affects short‐term C‐storage in coastal macrophyte communities
Authors: Lammerant Roel , Rohlfer Eva Karin , Norkko Alf , Gustafsson Camilla 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEcosystem functions provided by aquatic plants are context dependent and mediated by environmental conditions and plant growth form. This impedes our ability to predict the carbon (i.e., C) sink potential of multispecies coastal meadows characterized by marked seasonal succession of environmental conditions, causing a clear need to explore the distinct patterns of both C capture and release associated with seasonal succession of macrophyte growth forms and life‐history strategies in aquatic plant communities. We conducted four field surveys throughout 2022–2023 (i.e., October, March, June, and August), where we sampled six soft bottom locations dominated by aquatic vascular plants in the northern Baltic Sea. Temporal differences in biomass‐bound C stocks (i.e., structural elements and non‐structural carbohydrates) were linked to the plant production‐decomposition cycle and peaked when environmental conditions became increasingly permissive for growth and development (i.e., summer). Species identity influenced seasonal patterns of non‐structural carbohydrate concentrations in both leaf and rhizome tissue by shaping the timing of short‐term accumulation (i.e., photosynthesis) of C in plant tissue or release through respiration. Overall, our study illustrates that biomass‐bound C stocks were shaped by both seasonality and the variation of functional structure and life history strategies found within the vegetated seascapes. This highlights the importance of addressing both biodiversity and short‐term C dynamics and suggests that estimations of C budgets or stock assessments should be based on data incorporating the intra‐annual variation in C dynamics to fully comprehend the C sink potential of vegetated seascapes.