bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MUSACEAE Based Activated Carbon for Removal of Iron and Manganese in Aqueous Media.
Authors: Arkorful Grace Karikari , Annan Ebenezer , Damoah Lucas Nana Wiredu , Adamiak Marcin , Appiah Augustine Nana Sekyi , Krzeminski Lukasz , Bensah Yaw Delali 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Utilizing activated carbon (AC) made from agro-waste materials (plantain peels and banana stems) for iron and manganese removal from aqueous solutions was studied using isotherm and kinetic models via batch adsorption experiment. The activated carbon, banana stem, and ripped plantain peels (BSAC and RPPAC) was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The FTIR data showed the presence of the O-H group of phenols and carboxylic acids, which are principally responsible for the adsorption of Fe2+ and Mn2+. The RPPAC and BSAC each received two treatments. The activated carbon in empty tea bags which are sealed and activated carbon that is not sealed (sealed BSAC or sealed RPPAC and unsealed BSAC or unsealed RPPAC). These two different treatment samples were utilized as an adsorbent to remove Fe2+ and Mn2+ from the synthetically tainted water. A batch adsorption test was performed to determine the ability and effectiveness of the activated carbons in removing iron and manganese from synthetically tainted water. Adsorption capacity was calculated from adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and adsorbate volume. The highest removal efficiency of the unsealed BSAC was 99.95% for a contact time of 30 minutes associated with Mn2+. For a contact time of 30 minutes, the unsealed RPPAC adsorbent had a maximum removal efficiency of 99.95% for both Fe2+ and Mn2+ reduction. The adsorption of Fe2+ and Mn2+ on both activated carbon (BSAC and RPPAC) for the sealed and unsealed samples was better represented by the pseudo-second–second-order kinetic model. The adsorption data for both contaminants were found to be best described by Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. The agro-waste materials were effective in removing iron and manganese from contaminated water.
Comparing the effects of contact duration on cow and calf performance beyond separation - a prospective cohort study
Authors: Sørby Johanne , Holmøy Ingrid H. , Nødtvedt Ane C. W. , Ferneborg Sabine , Johnsen Julie F. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Consumers, the industry, and many farmers have shown increased interest in alternative management systems that allow for cow-calf contact (CCC) and this topic has become an important focus of research for a sustainable dairy industry. Among the many knowledge gaps still existing in this novel research field, there is a need for further research to investigate effects of CCC beyond the nursing period (i.e. after cow-calf separation). Moreover, multi-herd observational studies are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the within-herd effect of CCC on machine milk yield and calf growth beyond separation. In this prospective cohort study, we studied all cows and their calves (Norwegian Red breed) born between September 1st 2021 and January 31th 2022 at three Norwegian dairy farms, investigating the impact of CCC on machine milk yield and calf average daily gain (ADG) after separation of the cow-calf pair. The follow-up period was 305 d for cows and six months for calves. Machine milk yield was automatically registered at each milking and calf heart girth was measured once a month. As various contact durations emerged, they were categorized into three groups: no contact (NC 0–3 d), short duration (4–30 d) and long duration (> 30 d). Data were analyzed with linear mixed models with the individual animal as the unit of interest. For cows, days in milk (DIM) from date of separation up to 305 DIM were included in the analysis as a continuous variable. For calves, age up to 195 d was used in the statistical analysis.
Results:
We found no differences in machine milk yield across the different contact durations: cows from the long (n = 27), short (n = 51), and no contact group (n = 28) all exhibited comparable milk yields from the time of separation until the end of lactation. Furthermore, in the case of calves, no disparities in average daily gain (ADG) were identified for any of the contact durations: calves from the long (n = 38), short (n = 61), and no contact group (n = 39) displayed comparable growth during the first six months of life.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate no negative effects of CCC on machine milk yield, nor any sustained effects on calf growth under the conditions of this study. More multi-herd observational studies conducted on-farm is needed to expand the understanding of effects of CCC on cow and calf performance after separation.
Economic Policy Uncertainty and Enterprise ESG Performance: Evidence from Listed Companies in China
Authors: WU Yifan , QIU ZIANG 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The existing researches believe that economic policy uncertainty can affect the business performance of enterprises. This paper takes economic policy uncertainty as the core explanatory variable and explores its influence on enterprise ESG performance. It is found that economic policy uncertainty can significantly promote the ESG performance of enterprises. The results of mechanism test show that economic policy uncertainty affects the ESG performance of enterprises by affecting the level of financing constraints, and the results of benchmark regression and mechanism test are significant in each single dimension of ESG. In addition, the management shareholding ratio plays a positive moderating role between the two variables, but the moderating effect is only significant in the dimension of environmental protection, but not in the dimension of social responsibility and corporate governance. This paper expands the role of macro factors to micro level, which provides a new perspective for studying the micro impact of economic policy uncertainty.
Comparative transcriptomics in serial organs uncovers early and pan-organ developmental changes associated with organ-specific evolutionary novelty
Authors: Pantalacci Sophie , Sémon Marie , Mouginot Marion , Peltier Manon , Veber Philippe , Guéguen Laurent 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We know that morphogenesis evolves along with final morphologies, but have little integrated understanding of morphogenesis evolution, except for old principles such as recapitulation and heterochronies. To revisit such principles, we monitored the developmental dynamics of mouse and hamster molars by combining transcriptome timeseries and morphological quantifications. The mouse upper molar evolved a new dental plan with two more cusps. They form last in mouse upper molar, recapitulating their appearance in the fossil record, but divergence in transcriptome dynamics is already visible in early stages. Three corresponding early developmental changes, including heterochronies and changes in cell proportions, combine and result in a new developmental trajectory culminating with the late addition of two cusps. The biggest surprise came from the lower molar, which was initially included as an additional control, but whose developmental trajectories evolved as much as upper molar’s. Their transcriptome dynamics markedly co-evolved, including spatio-dynamic aspects of cusp formation which are obviously involved in the new upper molar phenotype. Hence upper molar innovation relies in part on non-specific changes which impact morphogenesis in a concerted manner in both molars, but have little impact on lower molar phenotype. This counter-intuitive observation was confirmed in bat limbs. By bridging concerted transcriptomic evolution with concerted evolution of developmental mechanisms, our study introduces a principle for the evolution of organ-specific morphological innovation, with early and pan-organ developmental changes. This changes our expectations on the underlying genetic evolution, and highlights the important role of developmental drift in one organ to accommodate adaptation in another.
Next-generation Dna Sequencing of Vh/vλ Repertoires in Female Dogs With Hyperplasia or Canine Mammary Cancer
Authors: Schnepper Amanda Piveta , Pardini Luciana de Moura Campos , Pardini Maria Inês de Moura Campos , Marques Lucas Farinazzo , Silva Cristiane Nonato , Barbosa Flavia Hebeler , Valente Guilherme Targino , Reis Patrícia Pintor , Gonçalves João Manuel Braz , Grotto Rejane Maria Tommasini 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Canine mammary cancer (CMCs) are common in female dogs and the main cause of animal deaths by cancer. Since the immune system is an active player in breast cancer, our goal was to better understand the immune repertoires associated with breast cancer in female dog patients. Therefore, we generated a dataset of expressed immunoglobulin VH and Vλ repertoires from hyperplastic and tumoral tissues of female dogs using Illumina genomic sequencing. Our results showed immune system modulation in breast tumors and hyperplastic lesions. A dataset consisting of 18,000 unique sequences of gene segments encoding immunoglobulin variable regions expressed in canines was acquired. Further analysis revealed a small number of sequences with high repetition as well as a previously unsequenced and highly variable D portion of the immunoglobulin. Comparative analysis of the D-region showed a high similarity with antibodies from different animal species, emphasizing the need to expand and improve antibody databases for dogs and other animal species. These findings could aid in developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CMCs and other cancers in animals.
Lymphatic platelet thrombosis limits bone repair by precluding lymphatic transporting DAMPs
Authors: Wang Yong-Jun , Zheng Yangkang , Cong Lin , Wang Pengyu , Zhao Li , Xing Lianping , Liu Junling , Xu Hao , Li Ning , Zhao Yongjian , Shi Qi , Liang Qianqian 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Lymphatic vessels (LVs) interdigitated with blood vessels, travel and form an extensive transport network in the musculoskeletal system. Blood vessels in bone regulate osteogenesis and hematopoiesis, however, whether LVs in bone affect fracture healing is unclear. Here, by near infrared indocyanine green lymphatic imaging (NIR-ICG), we examined lymphatic draining function at the tibial fracture sites and found lymphatic drainage insufficiency (LDI) occurred as early as two weeks after fracture. Sufficient lymphatic drainage facilitates fracture healing. In addition, we identified that lymphatic platelet thrombosis (LPT) blocks the draining lymphoid sinus and LVs, caused LDI and then inhibited fracture healing, which can be rescued by a pharmacological approach. Moreover, unblocked lymphatic drainage decreased neutrophils and increased M2-like macrophages of hematoma niche to support osteoblast (OB) survival and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) proliferation via transporting damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These findings demonstrate that LPT limits bone regeneration by blocking lymphatic drainage from transporting DAMPs. Together, these findings represent a novel way forward in the treatment of bone repair.
High Transmission in 120-degree Sharp Bends of Inversion-symmetric and Inversion-asymmetric Photonic Crystal Waveguides
Authors: Notomi Masaya , Dai Wei , Yoda Taiki , Moritake Yuto , Ono Masaaki , Kuramochi Eiichi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Bending loss is one of the serious problems for constructing nanophotonic integrated circuits. Recently, many works reported that valley photonic crystals (VPhCs) enable significantly high transmission via 120-degree sharp bends. However, it is unclear whether the high bend-transmission results directly from the valley-photonic effects, which are based on the breaking of inversion-symmetry. In this study, we conduct a series of comparative numerical and experimental investigations of bend transmission in various triangular PhCs with and without inversion symmetry and reveal that the high bend transmission is solely determined by the domain-wall configuration and independent of the existence of the inversion symmetry. Preliminary analysis of the polarization distribution indicates that high bend transmissions are closely related to the appearance of local topological polarization singularities near the bending section. Our work demonstrates that high transmission can be achieved in a much wider family of PhC waveguides, which may provide novel designs for low-loss nanophotonic integrated circuits with large flexibility and a new understanding of the nature of valley-photonics.
Heat stress induces calcium dyshomeostasis to subsequent cognitive impairment through ERS-mediated apoptosis via SERCA/PERK/eIF2α pathway
Authors: shen hui , li hongxia , pan wenlan , li chenqi , cai mengyu , shi wenjing , ren zifu , lu hongtao , zhou qicheng 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background: Heat exposure is an environmental stressor that has been associated with cognitive impairment. However, the neural mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon have yet to be extensively investigated.
Methods: The Morris water maze test was utilized to assess cognitive performance. RNA sequencing was employed to discover the primary regulators and pathological pathways involved in cognitive impairment caused by heat. Prior to heat exposure in vivo and in vitro, activation of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) calcium (Ca2+)-ATPase (SERCA) was achieved by CDN1163. Hematoxylin-Eosin, Nissl staining, calcium imaging, transmission electron microscopy, western blot and immunofluorescence were utilized to visualize histological changes, intracellular calcium levels, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers, apoptosis, and synaptic proteins alterations.
Results: Heat stress (HS) significantly induced cognitive decline and neuronal damage in mice. By the transcriptome sequencing between control (n=5) and heat stress (n=5) mice in hippocampal tissues, we identified a reduction in the expression of the atp2a gene encoding SERCA, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in its protein level. Consequently, this dysregulation resulted in an excessive accumulation of intracellular calcium ions. Furthermore, HS exposure also activated ERS and apoptosis, as evidenced by the upregulation of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, and CHOP and caspase 3. Consistently, a reduction in postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and synaptophysin (SYN) expressions indicated modifications in synaptic function. Notably, the impacts on neurons caused by HS were found to be mitigated by CDN1163 treatment both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, SERCA-mediated ERS induced apoptosis was attenuated by GSK2606414 treatment via inhibiting PERK-eIF2α-CHOP axis that not only curtailed the level of caspase 3, but also elevated the levels of PSD95 and SYN.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the significant impact of heat stress on cognitive impairment, and further elucidate the underlying mechanism involving SERCA/PERK/eIF2α pathway.
Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome in a child with a novel compound heterozygous mutations in the AMN gene: a case report
Authors: zhang De Dong , Liu Aiguo , Xi Bixin , Zhang Jiasi , Liu Siying , Zhu Yongbing , Chen Yu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by selective vitamin B12 malabsorption, resulting in vitamin B12 deficiency and impaired reabsorption of proximal tubular proteins.This case highlights a previously unidentified compound heterozygous variant in the Amnionless（AMN） gene that causes IGS syndrome and underscores the importance of long-term oral vitamin B12 replacement therapy in managing the condition.
Case presentation
In this retrospective analysis, we present the clinical data of a 3-year and 6-month-old female child diagnosed with IGS at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in November 2018. The child was admitted to the hospital due to a history of anemia persisting for over a month. There was no significant medical history. The admission examination revealed megaloblastic anemia with proteinuria. Serum vitamin B12 levels were decreased, while folic acid and renal function were normal.The patient was diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia and started long-term oral vitamin B12 replacement therapy. Throughout the follow-up period, blood tests consistently showed normal results, while proteinuria persisted. In November 2019, the child and her parents underwent a whole-exon gene test, which revealed a novel compound heterozygous variant in the AMN gene: c.162 + 1G> A and c.922C> T (p.Q308X) in the child, c.162 + 1G> A in the father, and c.922C> T (p.Q308X) in the mother.Therefore, this child was further diagnosed with IGS.
Conclusions
In this case, oral vitamin B12 treatment also demonstrated positive clinical effects for the child, offering a new option for patients who are unable to undergo intramuscular vitamin B12 replacement therapy.
Fat-Free Mass Index Combined with Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio as a Promising Marker for Predicting Oncological Outcomes in Gastric Cancer: A Large-Sample Study
Authors: Yao Zi-Hao , Lin Guang-Tan , Zhong Qing , Lu Jun , Liu Zhi-Yu , Wu Dong , Chen Jun-Yu , Shang-Guan Zhi-Xin , Jiang Yi-Ming , Zheng Chao-Hui , Li Ping , Xie Jian-Wei , Huang Chang-Ming 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Malnutrition and inflammation can affect the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to explore the value of fat-free mass index (FFMI) combined with the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with GC.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 1603 patients with GC in at a tertiary referral teaching hospital between 2016 and 2019. Patients in the 1st quartile of FFMI were defined as the low FFMI group and the remaining patients as the normal FFMI group, according to sex-specific quartiles. Patients were divided into high and low NLR groups according to the median NLR. Patients with a low FFMI/high NLR were defined as the high-risk group, and the remaining patients were defined as the low-risk group.
Results
The postoperative recovery time of the high-risk group was significantly longer than that of the low-risk group (all P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that FNC could independently predict postoperative anastomotic leakage (OR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.03–4.54, P=0.041). The high-risk group had much worse 3-y overall survival (64.7% vs. 79.4%; P<0.001) and 3-y disease-free survival (62.8% vs. 78.6%; P<0.001) than the low-risk group. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that FNC was an independent prognostic factor for patients with GC (HR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.22–1.94, P<0.001). Further stratified analysis based on tumor stage showed that the high-risk group did not benefit from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.
Conclusions
FFMI combined with NLR can predict postoperative short- and long-term outcomes in patients with GC.
Persistent Hypoxemia and Biomarkers in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients Treated with Methylprednisolone
Authors: Go Ronaldo C. , Stoffan Alexander P. , Nyirenda Themba 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Despite corticosteroids, biomarkers, SpO2/FiO2, and racial/ethnic groups have been associated with mortality in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia. This is a secondary analysis of a cohort study of adults admitted from March to June 2020 in 13 hospitals in New Jersey, United States who received methylprednisolone. Out of 380 patients, those with persistent hypoxemia (SpO2/FiO2 < 315 on day 1 and day 7), mortality was 86 patients (43%) with an in-hospital-survival median 31 days [IQR: 22–48 days] whereas those without persistent hypoxemia (SpO2/FiO2 > 315 on day 1 and SpO2/FiO2 > 315 day 7), mortality was 8 patients (9.6%) with an In-hospital-survival median 60 days; IQR 25–60 days. (HR = 2.52 95% CI 1.23–5.15) P = 0.038. There was no statistically significant difference between racial/ethnic groups. At < 7 days from admission, the AUROC for SpO2/FiO2 < 315 for d-dimer was 0.644 (CI 0.485,0.802), IL-6 was 0.756 (CI 0.626,0.886), and CRP was 0.659(CI 0.510,0.809). At ≥ 7 days from admission, the AUROC for d-dimer was 0.729(CI 0.617,0.842), IL-6 was 0.697(CI 0.571,0.822) and CRP was 0.570(0.448,0.691). In our study, inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) have higher discriminatory ability for hypoxemia < 7 days from hospitalization, while thrombotic marker D-dimer have higher discriminatory ability ≥ 7 days.
In-capillary sample processing coupled to label-free capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry to decipher the native N-glycome of single mammalian cells and ng-level blood isolates
Authors: Ivanov Alexander , MARIE Anne-Lise , Gao Yunfan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The development of reliable single-cell dispensers and substantial sensitivity improvement in mass spectrometry made proteomic profiling of individual cells achievable. Yet, there are no established methods for single-cell glycome analysis due to the inability to amplify glycans and sample losses associated with sample processing and glycan labeling. In this work, we developed an integrated platform coupling online in-capillary sample processing with high-sensitivity label-free capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry for N-glycan profiling of single mammalian cells. Direct and unbiased characterization and quantification of single-cell surface N-glycomes were demonstrated for HeLa and U87 cells, with the detection of up to 100 N-glycans per single cell. Interestingly, N-glycome alterations were unequivocally detected at the single-cell level in HeLa and U87 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The developed workflow was also applied to the profiling of ng-level amounts of blood-derived protein, extracellular vesicle, and total plasma isolates, resulting in over 170, 220, and 370 quantitated N-glycans, respectively.
Influences from outside of the tropics explain recent Walker circulation strengthening
Authors: Toda Masaki , Kosaka Yu , Miyamoto Ayumu , Watanabe Masahiro 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The Pacific Walker circulation and associated sea surface temperature (SST) distribution in the tropical Pacific significantly impact global climate. However, climate model historical simulations cannot capture the observed Walker circulation enhancement since around 1980. Although a number of mechanisms have been proposed to explain the observed change, quantitative discussion and clues for reconciling the model-observation discrepancy have not yet been obtained. Here we show that the Walker circulation strengthening for 1980–2020 can be quantitatively explained by remote influence from subtropical and extratropical SST changes. This conclusion is obtained from climate model pacemaker experiments in which SST anomalies outside the tropics are restored toward observations. Influence from the Southeastern Pacific, which cools the eastern tropical Pacific, is especially crucial for the Walker circulation strengthening. This equatorward influence occurs mostly through the atmosphere and its thermal coupling with the ocean. We further show that current generation climate models have biases in the Southeastern Pacific SST changes, which can cause the failure in reproducing the Walker circulation trend. Our results suggest that improved representation of air-sea coupling in this region can be key to better projections of future climate.