bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protein inorganic hybrid nanoflowers of a microbial carbonic anhydrase as efficient tool for the conversion of CO2 into value added product
Authors: Sharma Tanvi , Nadda Ashok Kumar 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDCarbonic anhydrase (CA) is one of the most widely distributed enzymes among plants, animals, and microorganisms, and it has an enormous ability to capture carbon dioxide (CO2). However, the real‐time application of CA is still a challenge due to its low operational stability, its difficulty in recovery from the reaction medium, and its poor durability.RESULTSThe synthesis of insoluble protein inorganic hybrid structures at nanoscale was proven as quite useful to catalyze enzymatic biotransformation. Here, CA nanoflowers (CANF) were synthesized with the self‐assembly of metal phosphate and CA. The synthesis of CANF was performed using 0.2 mg mL−1 protein and 2.0 mM CuSO4 at 4 °C under mild shaking conditions. The CANF exhibited optimum activity at pH 7.5 and a temperature of 40°C. The synthesized CANF were used for CO2 conversion under optimized conditions and their kinetic parameters were studied using p‐NPA hydrolysis. The Vmax and Km of CANF were 185.18 μmol min−1  mL−1 and 4.72 mM, compared with those of free CA, 166.66 μmol min−1  mL−1 and 5.12 mM, respectively. The stability of CANF has improved remarkably. The CANF made of metal ions and protein showed higher stability and enzyme activity than free enzymes. Furthermore, the CANF showed good reusability due to their mechanical properties and monodispersity. The production of CaCO3 by CANF was 1.71‐fold higher than that by free CA.CONCLUSIONThe newly formed CANF showed flower‐like morphology with good catalytic activity. This study demonstrated that CANF technology has a bright future in the conversion of CO2 into CaCO3. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Cone‐beam computed tomography use in postgraduate orthodontic programs in North America and Europe
Authors: Guberman Jaime A. , Chung Chun‐Hsi , Li Chenshuang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectivesCone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) has emerged over recent decades as a rapid acquisition technology that allows practitioners to view the craniofacial complex in high spatial detail. This study aimed to assess the latest trend of CBCT use in postgraduate orthodontic programs in North America and Europe/Australia.MethodsAn electronic multiple‐choice survey was sent via email requesting anonymous participation of postgraduate orthodontic program directors: 73 in North America (as listed on the American Association of Orthodontists website) and 189 in Europe/Australia (as listed on the European Orthodontic Society website). Survey collection was over a 2‐month period with two follow‐up emails sent 2 weeks and 1 month after the initial email to each program director who had not responded. Responses were collected directly on Qualtrics for analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 46.6% (34 responses) for North America and 11.1% (21 responses) for Europe/Australia. Results revealed that 100% of respondents from North America had access to a CBCT scanner, while 90.48% of respondents (19 responses) from Europe/Australia had access. Most North American postgraduate orthodontic programs have CBCT scanners within their clinic, while most European/Australian programs do not, and they refer patients to the radiology department. Although there is a higher percentage of programs in North America compared to Europe/Australia that use CBCT as part of routine orthodontic records for all patients, most programs in both regions use CBCT imaging for specific diagnostic purposes and not for routine records.ConclusionOverall, North American programs have more access to CBCT scanners in postgraduate clinics and use CBCT imaging more routinely than European/Australian programs.
Serum MFAP4, a novel potential biomarker for liver cirrhosis screening, correlates with transient elastography in NAFLD patients
Authors: Kanaan Reine , Yaghi Cesar , Saade Riachy Carole , Schlosser Anders , Hamade Aline , Holmskov Uffe , Medlej‐Hashim Myrna , Sørensen Grith Lykke , Jounblat Rania 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground and AimNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in different countries. Liver fibrosis is considered as the most appropriate predictor of NAFLD‐associated outcome. Microfibrillar‐associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is a glycoprotein located in the extracellular matrix. Circulatory MFAP4 has been suggested as a noninvasive biomarker for the assessment of hepatitis C virus and alcoholic liver disease associated liver fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between serum MFAP4 and liver fibrosis severity in NAFLD patients.MethodsA case–control study was conducted in which NAFLD patients (n = 25) and healthy participants (n = 12) were recruited. Liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was assessed by transient elastography (TE) and biochemical parameters were collected. Serum MFAP4 was measured by sandwich ELISA based on two monoclonal anti‐MFAP4 antibodies and calibrated with a standard of recombinant MFAP4.ResultsSerum MFAP4 levels increased with fibrosis severity and were highly upregulated in patients with cirrhosis (F4 fibrosis stage). In addition, serum MFAP4 levels positively correlated with TE measurement and showed significant association with the severely advanced fibrotic stage in NAFLD patients, in multiple linear regression analysis following adjustment for age, gender, and body mass index.ConclusionThis study suggests the use of MFAP4 as a potential diagnostic noninvasive biomarker for cirrhosis screening in NAFLD patients.
BACH1 promotes intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating HMOX1/GPX4 to mediate oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and lipid metabolism in nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Yao Bo , Cai Youquan , Wan Li , Deng Jia , Zhao Lei , Wang Weiguo , Han Ziwei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundIntervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a primary health problem worldwide that involves oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and lipid metabolism. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We investigated whether the transcription factor BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1) affected IDD progression by regulating HMOX1/GPX4‐mediated ferroptosis and lipid metabolism in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs).MethodsA rat IDD model was created to detect BACH1 expression in intervertebral disc tissues. Next, rat NPCs were isolated and treated with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). BACH1, HMOX1, and GPX4 were knocked down, and oxidative stress and ferroptosis‐related marker levels were examined. The binding of BACH1 to HMOX1 and of BACH1 to GPX4 was verified using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Finally, untargeted lipid metabolism analysis was performed.ResultsAn IDD model was successfully created, and BACH1 activity was found to be enhanced in the rat IDD tissues. BACH1 inhibited TBHP‐induced oxidative stress and oxidative stress‐induced ferroptosis in NPCs. Simultaneously, ChIP verified that BACH1 protein bound to HMOX1 and targeted the HMOX1 transcription inhibition to affect oxidative stress in NPCs. ChIP also verified that BACH1 bound to GPX4 and targeted the GPX4 inhibition to affect ferroptosis in NPCs. Finally, BACH1 inhibition in vivo improved IDD and affected lipid metabolism.ConclusionsThe transcription factor BACH1 promoted IDD by regulating HMOX1/GPX4 to mediate oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and lipid metabolism in NPCs.
Effectiveness of different vaccine platforms in reducing mortality and length of ICU stay in severe and critical cases of COVID‐19 in the Omicron variant era: A national cohort study in Iran
Authors: Jamaati Hamidreza , Karimi Saeed , Ghorbani Fariba , Panahi Yunes , Hosseini‐Baharanchi Fatemeh Sadat , Hajimoradi Maryam , Malek Rayka , Noorali Sima , Mokhtari Majid , Khoundabi Batoul , Sadr Makan , Mohamadnia Abdolreza , Zahraei Seyed Mohsen , Hashemian Seyed MohammadReza , Dastan Farzaneh , Mortaz Esmaeil , Tayeri Katayoun , Behtaj Fatemeh , Vaezi Hassan , Forouzanfar Mohammad Mehdi , Shafaghi Shadi 
Published: February 2023

AbstractVarious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines with different platforms have been administered worldwide; however, their effectiveness in critical cases of COVID‐19 has remained a concern. In this national cohort study, 24 016 intensive care unit (ICU) coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) admissions were included from January to April 2022. The mortality and length of ICU stay were compared between the vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. A total of 9428 (39.25%) patients were unvaccinated, and 14 588 (60.75%) patients had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Compared with the unvaccinated, the first, second, and third doses of vaccine resulted in 8%, 20%, and 33% lower risk of ICU mortality in the adjusted model, with risk ratio (RR): 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84–1.001, RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.77–0.83, and RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.64–0.71, respectively. The mean survival time was significantly shorter in the unvaccinated versus the fully vaccinated patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.80–0.88); p < 0.001). All vaccine platforms successfully decreased the hazard of ICU death compared with the unvaccinated group. The duration of ICU stay was significantly shorter in the fully vaccinated than in unvaccinated group (MD, −0.62, 95% CI: −0.82 to −0.42; p < 0.001). Since COVID‐19 vaccination in all doses and platforms has been able to reduce the risk of mortality and length of ICU‐stay, universal vaccination is recommended based on vaccine availability.
Muscle activation for targeted elbow force production following surgical reconstruction in adults with brachial plexus injury
Authors: Bhat Sandesh G. , Miller Emily J. , Shin Alexander Y. , Kaufman Kenton R. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractNerve transfer or grafting surgery to restore elbow flexion in peripheral nerve injuries has been an effective technique, but alters neuromuscular control compared with healthy individuals. This study compared neuromuscular control in the elbow flexors of 11 unimpaired control subjects and 11 adult patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury who underwent a nerve transfer or grafting procedure to the biceps motor branch to restore elbow flexion. The subjects performed a series of trials to generate a specific percentage of their maximum elbow torque. Each trial had an increasing and decreasing stairstep torque pattern that the subjects were asked to match. The amount of time that the subject's elbow torque was maintained within 5% of the target torque was calculated. The hypothesis was that there was a significant difference in the neuromuscular control between the two groups during elbow isometric torque generation. A secondary hypothesis was that a relationship existed between the neuromuscular control and the torque level for each group. The results demonstrated that neuromuscular control was different between the groups and there were significant differences in how torque levels are generated. The control group more easily modulated their myoelectric activation and achieved greater neuromuscular control variability with varying torque demand. The nerve transfer or grafting group could not modulate their myoelectric activation with changing torque demands. Further studies focusing on the improvement of neuromuscular control are needed to optimize functional outcomes in nerve injury patients.
Acute bone loss following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in mice
Authors: Haudenschild Anne K. , Christiansen Blaine A. , Orr Sophie , Ball Erin E. , Weiss Christopher M. , Liu Hongwei , Fyhrie David P. , Yik Jasper H. N. , Coffey Lark L. , Haudenschild Dominik R. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and has infected more than 650 million people worldwide. Approximately 23% of these patients developed lasting “long‐haul” COVID symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and systemic hyperinflammation. However, the direct clinical impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on the skeletal system including bone and joint health has not been determined. Utilizing a humanized mouse model of COVID‐19, this study provides the first direct evidence that SARS‐CoV‐2 infection leads to acute bone loss, increased osteoclast number, and thinner growth plates. This bone loss could decrease whole‐bone mechanical strength and increase the risk of fragility fractures, particularly in older patients, while thinner growth plates may create growth disturbances in younger patients. Evaluating skeletal health in patients that have recovered from COVID‐19 will be crucial to identify at‐risk populations and develop effective countermeasures.
Corrosion protection mechanism of Ce3+/polyethylene glycol systems inhibitors for mild steel in sulfate solution
Authors: Boudellioua Hichem , Hamlaoui Youcef , Tifouti Lakhdar , Pedraza Fernando 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn the present paper, cerium nitrate salt was used as a green inhibitor to improve the corrosion resistance of mild steel in 0.1 M Na2SO4 solution. To increase the barrier effect and film stability of the protective layer, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added. The corrosion tests were evaluated using d.c polarization techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The composition and morphology of the sample surface were characterized using Raman spectroscopy and MEB/EDS analysis. The results show that the presence of PEG improved relatively the corrosion resistance of mild steel due to the removal of cracks, the pores blocking the formed film and the enhancement of adhesion and compactness of the cerium‐based film. Consequently, the protective film became more coherent on the steel surface. Furthermore, the potentiodynamic polarization indicated that the Ce3+/PEG system behaved as a mixed‐type inhibitor with the dominant effect of the cathodic part.
What drives sponsorship effectiveness? An examination of the roles of brand community identification, brand authenticity, and sponsor–club congruence
Authors: Moharana Tapas Ranjan , Roy Bhattacharjee Debashree , Pradhan Debasis , Kuanr Abhisek 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis research examines the influence of brand community identification (BCI) on three measures of sponsorship effectiveness—brand advocacy, purchase intention, and sponsor‐brand choice. Additionally, we investigate the psychological mechanism and the moderators between BCI and sponsorship outcomes. We collected data from members of two brand communities, across four experiments (2 × 2 between‐subject designs), during soccer league events. Our findings demonstrate that BCI increased brand advocacy and purchase intention. It shows a novel psychological mechanism (brand community engagement) between BCI and brand advocacy; both brand authenticity and sponsor–club congruence serve as boundary conditions. Counter‐intuitively, our study revealed that both high‐congruent and low‐congruent sponsor brands could be effective, depending on consumers' identification with the brand community. Our research makes several meaningful theoretical and practical contributions. Sports clubs and sponsors must cultivate consumers' identification with the club's brand community, which offers two‐fold benefits; it leads to greater effectiveness, measured in terms of club brand engagement and sponsor‐brand advocacy. Moreover, our research demonstrates that consumers, regardless of their identification with the brand community, will stop supporting a sponsor brand if they perceive it as less authentic.
Secondary Structure Formation in Hybrid Synthetic/Peptide Polymers: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Kunze Thomas , Dreßler Christian , Sebastiani Daniel 
Published: February 2023

AbstractProteins and peptides exhibit an immense variety of structures, which are generally classified according to simple structural motifs (mainly α helices and β sheets). Considerable efforts have been invested in understanding the relationship between chemical structure (primary structure) of peptides and their spatial motifs (secondary structure). However, little is known about the possibility to interfere intentionally in these structural driving forces, for example, by inserting (short) artificial polymer chains in the peptide backbone. Structure formation on such hybrid synthetic/biochemical polymers is still an emerging field of research. Here, molecular dynamics simulations are used to illustrate the influence of inserted polyethylene segments on the secondary structure of several peptide homopolymers. A loss of structure of ≈50% when the peptide chain length drops to ten amino acids and a practically complete absence for even shorter peptide segments.
A spatiotemporal model for PM2.5 prediction based on the K‐Core idea and label distribution
Authors: Zhang Yizhun , Yan Qisheng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWith the increasingly severe problem of PM2.5 environmental pollution, the threat to human health is gradually increasing. Therefore, accurate prediction of PM2.5 concentration is of great significance to the healthy life of human beings. To make up for the deficiencies of previous studies on PM2.5 concentration prediction, a spatiotemporal model (Spatiotemporal prediction model of label distribution, LDSPM) for PM2.5 concentration prediction based on the K‐Core algorithm concept and label distribution learning was proposed. Leveraging K‐Core ideas and the label distribution support vector regression model of the label distribution paradigm, the influence weight of each meteorological factor on PM2.5 concentration in each piece of data was obtained with the decomposition of meteorological factors using the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition of adaptive noise. Using a long short‐term memory neural network to predict each decomposed signal and obtain the forecast data of meteorological factors. Finally, according to the expected weight and meteorological factor data, a particle swarm optimization extreme learning machine is used to train the prediction, and the predicted value of PM2.5 is obtained. The experimental results show that the forecasting model performs better than other combined and single forecasting models. It provides new directions and ideas for PM2.5 concentration prediction.
Probiotics Alleviate Food Protein Allergy in Mice by Activating TLR4 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Tian Xiaoying , Liang Xi , He Hong , Cui Qingyu , Liu Qiqi , Fan Rongbo , Liu Tongjie , Yi Huaxi , Gong Pimin , Wang Qingzhu , Zhang Lanwei 
Published: February 2023

ScopeFood allergy has become a world recognized public health problem due to its versatility and lack of efficacious methods for its treatment. Probiotics supplement is a potential way to prevent food allergy.Methods and resultsIn this study, potential strains are screen out by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and their abilities of alleviating food allergy are examined using a mouse model induced by ovalbumin (OVA). The results show that six strains increase ratio of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)/interleukin (IL)‐4 secreted by PBMCs with good abilities in intestinal adhesion and gastrointestinal tolerance. Oral administration of Bifidobacterium animalis KV9 (KV9) and Lactobacillus vaginalis FN3 (FN3) attenuates allergic responses in allergy mice, including allergic symptoms, mast cells aggregation and activity, serum OVA‐special‐immunoglobulins E (OVA‐sIgE) production. KV9 and FN3 upregulate the production of IFN‐γ/IL‐4 in splenocytes, increase the genes and proteins expression of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (Myd88) and interferon regulatory factor (IRF)‐1 in allergic mice spleen, and decrease the IRF‐4.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that KV9 and FN3 possess anti‐allergic activities via activation of TLR4 pathway and modulating the expression of IRF‐1 and IRF‐4 which leads to T helper type 1 (Th1)/T helper type 2 (Th2) cell immunology balance.
Volume conduction: Extracellular waveform generation in theory and practice
Authors: Dumitru Daniel , Nandedkar Sanjeev D. , Barkhaus Paul E. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe extracellular waveform manifestations of the intracellular action potential are the quintessential diagnostic foundation of electrodiagnostic medicine, and clinical neurophysiology in general. Volume conduction is the extracellular current flow and associated voltage distributions in an ionic conducting media, such as occurs in the human body. Both surface and intramuscular electrodes, in association with contemporary digital electromyographic systems, permit very sensitive detection and visualization of this extracellular spontaneous, voluntary, and evoked nerve/muscle electrical activity. Waveform configuration, with its associated discharge rate/rhythm, permits the identification of normal and abnormal waveforms, thereby assisting in the diagnosis of nerve and muscle pathology. This monograph utilizes a simple model to explain the various waveforms that may be encountered. There are a limited number of waveforms capable of being generated in excitable tissues which conform to well‐known volume conductor concepts. Using these principles, such waveforms can be quickly identified in real time during clinical studies.
Relationship between traits and sleep quality of hospitalized elderly patients and sleep quality of family caregivers
Authors: Chung Min‐Huey , Ho Wen‐Ting , Ryuno Hirochika , Pujasari Hening , Chang Pi‐Chen , Chang Wen‐Pei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimTo understand whether the sleep quality of the caregivers of elderly inpatients is associated with their own characteristics and with the characteristics or sleep quality of the elderly inpatients.DesignA cross‐sectional study design that recruited participants from September to December 2020 was adopted, in which 106 pairs of elderly inpatients and caregivers were recruited.MethodsData collected from the elderly inpatients included demographic characteristics as well as the numerical rating scale (NRS) score, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS‐SF) score, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Caregiver data included demographic characteristics and PSQI.ResultsIn the regression analysis of caregiver characteristics and caregiver sleep quality, only caregiver age and the relationship between caregiver and inpatient (other vs. spouse) were correlated with caregiver sleep quality. In the regression analysis of elderly inpatient characteristics, caregiver characteristics, and caregiver sleep quality, only the PSQI of elderly inpatients and the relationship between caregiver and inpatient (other vs. spouse) were correlated with caregiver sleep quality.Patient or Public ContributionPoor caregiver sleep quality was more likely to manifest when the elderly inpatients had poor sleep quality, when the caregivers themselves were older, and when the caregiver was the inpatient's spouse.