bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing E. coli as a formatotrophic platform for bioproduction via the reductive glycine pathway
Authors: Kim Seohyoung , Giraldo Néstor , Rainaldi Vittorio , Machens Fabian , Collas Florent , Kubis Armin , Kensy Frank , Bar-Even Arren , Lindner Steffen N. 
Published: January 2023

Microbial C1 fixation has a vast potential to support a sustainable circular economy. Hence, several biotechnologically important microorganisms have been recently engineered for fixing C1 substrates. However, reports about C1-based bioproduction with these organisms are scarce. Here, we describe the optimization of a previously engineered formatotrophic Escherichia coli strain. Short-term adaptive laboratory evolution enhanced biomass yield and accelerated growth of formatotrophic E. coli to 3.3 g-CDW/mol-formate and 6 h doubling time, respectively. Genome sequence analysis revealed that manipulation of acetate metabolism is the reason for better growth performance, verified by subsequent reverse engineering of the parental E. coli strain. Moreover, the improved strain is capable of growing to an OD600 of 22 in bioreactor fed-batch experiments, highlighting its potential use for industrial bioprocesses. Finally, demonstrating the strain’s potential to support a sustainable, formate-based bioeconomy, lactate production from formate was engineered. The optimized strain generated 1.2 mM lactate —10% of the theoretical maximum— providing the first proof-of-concept application of the reductive glycine pathway for bioproduction.
Engineering Bacillus subtilis for production of 3-hydroxypropanoic acid
Authors: Garg Abhroop , Jers Carsten , Hwang Hee Jin , Kalantari Aida , Ventina Ildze , Mijakovic Ivan 
Published: January 2023

3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is a valuable platform chemical that is used as a precursor for several higher value-added chemical products. There is an increased interest in development of cell factories as a means for the synthesis of 3-HP and various other platform chemicals. For more than a decade, concentrated effort has been invested by the scientific community towards developing bio-based approaches for the production of 3-HP using primarily Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae as production hosts. These hosts however might not be optimal for applications in e.g., food industry due primarily to endotoxin production and the pathogenic origin of particularly the K. pneumoniae. We have previously demonstrated that the generally recognized as safe organism Bacillus subtilis can be engineered to produce 3-HP using glycerol, an abundant by-product of the biodiesel industry, as substrate. For commercial exploitation, there is a need to substantially increase the titer. In the present study, we optimized the bioprocess conditions and further engineered the B. subtilis 3-HP production strain. Thereby, using glycerol as substrate, we were able to improve 3-HP production in a 1-L bioreactor to a final titer of 22.9 g/L 3-HP.
Development of risk prediction model for cognitive impairment in patients with coronary heart disease: A study protocol for a prospective, cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Wang Qing , Xu Shihan , Liu Fenglan , Liu Yanfei , Liu Yue , Xu Fengqin 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundIschemic heart disease and degenerative encephalopathy are two main sources of disease burden for the global elderly population. Coronary heart disease (CHD) and cognitive impairment, as representative diseases, are prevalent and serious illnesses in the elderly. According to recent research, patients with CHD are more likely to experience cognitive impairment and their cognitive ability declines more quickly. Vascular risk factors have been associated with differences in cognitive performance in epidemiological studies, but evidence in patients with CHD is more limited. Inextricably linked between the heart and the brain. Considering the unique characteristics of recurrent cognitive impairment in patients with CHD, we will further study the related risk factors. We tried to investigate the potential predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with CHD through a prospective, cross-sectional study.MethodsThe cross-sectional study design will recruit 378 patients with CHD (≥65 years) from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. The subjects' cognitive function is evaluated with MoCA scale, and they are divided into cognitive impairment group and normal cognitive function group according to the score results. Demographic data, disease characteristics (results of coronary CT/ angiography, number of stents implanted, status of diseased vessels), laboratory tests (biochemistry, coagulation, serum iron levels, pulse wave velocity), metabolites (blood samples and intestinal metabolites), and lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep, physical activity) will be assessed as outcome indicators. Compare the two groups and the correlation analysis will be performed on the development of mild cognitive impairment. Mann-Whitney U or X2 test was selected to describe and evaluate the variation, and logistics regression analysis was employed to fit the prediction model. After that, do the calibration curve and decision curve to evaluate the model. The prediction model will be validated by a validation set.DiscussionTo explore the risk factors related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with CHD, a new predictive model is established, which can achieve advanced intervention in the occurrence of MCI after CHD. Owing to its cross-sectional study design, the study has some limitations, but it will be further studied by increasing the observation period, adding follow-up data collection or prospective cohort study. The study has been registered with the China Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2200063255) to conduct clinical trials.
Numerical study on landslide dynamic process and its impact damage prediction to brick-concrete buildings, a case from Fenghuang street landslide in Shaanxi, China
Authors: Zhao Zhou , Chen Xing , Wei Jiangbo , Ma Jianquan , Ye Wanjun 
Published: January 2023

The study of landslide dynamic process and impact damage has important theoretical and practical significance for landslide risk quantitative assessment. Taking Fenghuang Street landslide in Ningqiang County, Shaanxi Province, China as an example, the dynamic process of landslide and its damage to brick-concrete structure buildings are predicted by using discrete element method. Firstly, a three-dimensional numerical landslide model is established by means of the particle flow code system (PFC3D), which is based on landslide investigation, surveying, engineering exploration and geotechnical testing. Secondly, the whole process of landslide deformation, failure, movement and impact damage was simulated, and the velocity, displacement and impact force of the landslide in the motion process were quantitatively studied. Thirdly, the building model (brick-concrete structure) located at the foot of the landslide was constructed by PFC3D and finite element software (Midas/gen), respectively. The characteristics of deformation and displacement of the buildings after the landslide impact are analyzed, and the impact damage of the landslide is predicted. The results show that the rear edge of Fenghuang Street landslide first deforms and fails, and the leading edge is gradually pushed out. After the locking section of the front edge is broken, the landslide begins to slide as a whole, which is a typical push landslide. The main sliding time of the landslide is about 30 s, the maximum average velocity is 3.2 m/s, and the maximum displacement is about 40 m. After the landslide hits the building, the building is displaced in the moving direction of the landslide, and the wall of the building impacted by the landslide is destroyed, resulting in an collapse evident. The relevant research methodologies and findings in this paper can provide a reference for the risk assessment of the same type of landslides, especially the quantitative assessment of the vulnerability for the brick-concrete buildings at risk.
The long-term failure processes of a large reactivated landslide in the Xiluodu reservoir area based on InSAR technology
Authors: Li Lingjing , Yao Xin , Wen Baoping , Zhou Zhenkai , Li Renjiang 
Published: January 2023

After the first impoundment of the reservoir, many landslides seriously threatened the safety of the reservoir. Accurate determination of the relationship between the landslide deformation characteristics and water-level fluctuations is crucial. However, with the increasing number of water-level fluctuation cycles, the deformation characteristics of the landslides were also changing, and long-term continuous monitoring to capture the failure process of reservoir landslides is necessary. A large reacted landslide in the Xiluodu reservoir was set as an example, using InSAR technology to seek its variations of deformation characteristics over nine years. The local deformation rate and annual maximum deformation area variation were analyzed by InSAR technology based on Sentinel-1 descending SAR data from October 2014 to June 2022. According to the regional deformation characteristics, the landslide was divided into three zones: Zone I above the elevation of 950 m; Zone II below it; the front edge of Zone II, where the collapse happened, was further divided into Zone III. In general, the accumulated deformation in Zone I was the largest, followed by Zone III, and Zone II was the smallest. The average deformation rate of Zone II was the smallest. Zone I of NLJL was mainly affected by the drawdown of reservoir water level, and the impacts of water-level rising and drawdown on Zone II and Zone III were similar. After analyzing a nine-year variation of the deformation area, the deformation mechanism of NLJL changed from a retrogressive type to a progressive one after the first impoundment and then changed back to a retrogressive one after 2017. The impact of reservoir impoundment on NLJL was most substantial in the first three years after the first impoundment.
Identification and characterization of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine regulation-associated modification patterns in stomach adenocarcinoma with auxiliary prognostic assessment and immunotherapy response prediction
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zeng Lingfeng , Lin Dexin , Chang Guijian , Zeng Yueyue , Xia Yueming 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThe significance of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine in cellular immune response and cancer is becoming more well-established. However, the mechanisms underlying nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine involvement in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) remain unclear.MethodsFirst, a pan-cancer overview of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine-related genes (NMNGs) was explored through the integration of expression profiles, prognostic values, mutation information, methylation levels, and pathway-regulation relationships. We next extensively assessed variations in prognosis and tumor microenvironment (TME) features across the various modification patterns, based on an extensive analysis of the NMNG modification patterns of 808 STAD samples based on 46 NMNGs. Utilizing principal component analysis methodologies, the NMNGscore was developed to measure NMNG alteration patterns of individual tumors.ResultsPan-cancer analysis shows that NMNGs mostly act as risk genes in multiple cancer types, especially in STAD. Based on the NMNGs we detected two different NMNG modification patterns in STAD. Both patterns showed distinct immune cell infiltration features and biological behavior, with NMNGcluster A exhibiting a worse prognosis and a larger amount of immune infiltration. Differentially expressed genes with prognostic relevance were used to classify the STAD samples into three genomic subgroups. Analysis of survival rates revealed that cluster B genes were associated with longer life expectancy than clusters A and C. Individual STAD patients’ NMNG alteration patterns were analyzed by analyzing their NMNGscore signatures. NMNGscore and immune cells showed a statistically significant adverse correlation with each other. Increased longevity, a higher incidence of mutations, and a better response to immunotherapy were associated with patients’ NMNG scores.ConclusionsOur findings provide a personalized prediction tool for prognosis and immunotherapy sensitivity in patients, as well as a promising knowledge of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine in STAD.
Effects of steroid hormones on lipid metabolism in sexual dimorphism: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liang Junzhi , Zhang Bowen , Hu Yannan , Na Zhijing , Li Da 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundAlthough the role of steroid hormones in lipid levels has been partly discussed in the context of separate sexes, the causal relationship between steroid hormones and lipid metabolism according to sex has not been elucidated because of the limitations of observational studies. We assessed the relationship between steroid hormones and lipid metabolism in separate sexes using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.MethodsInstrumental variables for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), progesterone, estradiol, and androstenedione were selected. MR analysis was performed using inverse-variance weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier tests. Cochran’s Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out analysis were used for sensitivity analyses.ResultsThe results showed that the three steroid hormones affected lipid metabolism and exhibited sex differences. In males, DHEAS was negatively correlated with total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (P = 0.007; P = 0.006; P = 0.041, respectively), and progesterone was negatively correlated with TC and LDL-C (P = 0.019; P = 0.038, respectively). In females, DHEAS was negatively correlated with TC (P = 0.026) and androstenedione was negatively correlated with triglycerides and apolipoprotein A (P = 0.022; P = 0.009, respectively). No statistically significant association was observed between the estradiol levels and lipid metabolism in male or female participants.ConclusionsOur findings identified sex-specific causal networks between steroid hormones and lipid metabolism. Steroid hormones, including DHEAS, progesterone, and androstenedione, exhibited beneficial effects on lipid metabolism in both sexes; however, the specific lipid profiles affected by steroid hormones differed between the sexes.
Efficiency enhancement of natural cocktail dyes in a TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cell and performance of electron kinetics on the TiO2 surface
Authors: Dhanasekaran P. , Marimuthu R. 
Published: January 2023

In this study, natural dye extracts were prepared from the dried leaves of Andrographis paniculata and Psidium guajava (APPG). The study’s objective was to increase the light harvesting phenomenon from solar energy utilizing natural dye from APPG, and the problem statement was to harvest the optimum solar radiation and convert it into electrical energy. Acetone and ethanol were used as solvents during the preparation process. Based on this research, the crystallite size of TiO2 nanoparticles was assessed, the impact of acetone and ethanol on APPG dye was compared, and the absorption, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectra of the solar cell fabrication process using solvents were experimentally explored. APPG leaf extract functions as a dye sensitizer. Cells are precisely sandwiched with a photoanode, TiO2 nanoparticles, an electrolyte (I/I3−), and a cathode. The JV properties of dye extracts utilizing acetone and ethanol were measured using a solar simulator equipped with a 100 mW/cm2 Xenon light and a Keithley 2400 Graphical Series SMU. An experimental DSSC with dye extraction and utilizing acetone solvent yielded a maximum photo-conversion efficiency of 0.6914%, while ethanol yielded a photo-conversion efficiency of 0.5630%. Furthermore, an energy-level diagram was used to explain the electron kinetics of DSSC, and the time required for transfer electron injection in the TiO2 surface from a dye-excited state was 150 ps.
Screening for cardiovascular risk in the general population: The SPICES implementation survey
Authors: Le Goff Delphine , Perraud Gabriel , Aujoulat Paul , Deriennic Jeremy , Guillou Morgane , Barais Marie , Le Reste Jean-Yves 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundIn 2019, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) caused 32% of deaths worldwide. The SPICES survey involved five countries in an international primary CVD prevention implementation study in the general population. The French SPICES survey was implemented in the Centre Ouest Bretagne area (COB), which is a rural, economically deprived, medically underserved territory with high cardiovascular mortality. A CVD screening in the general population was needed to select the implementation population without overburdening family practitioner (FP) workforces. The efficacy and the replicability of such a screening were unknown. The aims of this study were to identify the characteristics of the individuals undergoing CVD risk assessment with the Non-Laboratory Interheart risk score (NL-IHRS), and to identify barriers and explore facilitators when screening the general population.MethodsAn implementation study combining a cross-sectional descriptive study with qualitative interviews was undertaken. The NL-IHRS was completed by trained screeners selected from health students, pharmacists, nurses, and physiotherapists in the area with a dedicated e-tool in sport and cultural events and public places. After the screening, all screener groups were interviewed until theoretical saturation for each group. Thematic analysis was performed using double-blind coding.ResultsIn 5 months, 3,384 assessments were undertaken in 60 different places, mostly by health students. A total of 1,587, 1,309, and 488 individuals were at low, moderate, and high CVD risk. Stressed or depressed individuals were remarkably numerous (40.1 and 24.5% of the population, respectively). Forty-seven interviews were conducted. The main facilitators were willingness of the population, trust between screeners and the research team, and media publicity. The main barriers were lack of motivation of some screeners, some individuals at risk, some stakeholders and difficulties in handling the e-tool.ConclusionThe efficacy of CVD risk screening while using mostly health students was excellent and preserved the FP workforce. Replicability was highly feasible if research teams took great care to establish and maintain trust between screeners and researchers. The e-tools should be more user-friendly.
Inconsistencies in mapping current distribution in transcranial direct current stimulation
Authors: Jwa Anita S. , Goodman Jonathan S. , Glover Gary H. 
Published: January 2023

IntroductiontDCS is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has been widely studied both as a therapy for neuropsychiatric diseases and for cognitive enhancement. However, recent meta-analyses have reported significant inconsistencies amongst tDCS studies. Enhancing empirical understanding of current flow in the brain may help elucidate some of these inconsistencies.MethodsWe investigated tDCS-induced current distribution by injecting a low frequency current waveform in a phantom and in vivo. MR phase images were collected during the stimulation and a time-series analysis was used to reconstruct the magnetic field. A current distribution map was derived from the field map using Ampere's law.ResultsThe current distribution map in the phantom showed a clear path of current flow between the two electrodes, with more than 75% of the injected current accounted for. However, in brain, the results did evidence a current path between the two target electrodes but only some portion ( 25%) of injected current reached the cortex demonstrating that a significant fraction of the current is bypassing the brain and traveling from one electrode to the other external to the brain, probably due to conductivity differences in brain tissue types. Substantial inter-subject and intra-subject (across consecutive scans) variability in current distribution maps were also observed in human but not in phantom scans.DiscussionsAn in-vivo current mapping technique proposed in this study demonstrated that much of the injected current in tDCS was not accounted for in human brain and deviated to the edge of the brain. These findings would have ramifications in the use of tDCS as a neuromodulator and may help explain some of the inconsistencies reported in other studies.
Efficacy on gait and posture control after botulinum toxin A injection for lower-limb spasticity treatment after stroke: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yu Hui-xian , Liu Si-hao , Wang Zhao-xia , Liu Chang-bin , Dai Pei , Zang Da-wei 
Published: January 2023

ObjectivesTo observe the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) for the spasticity of the lower-limb post-stroke on gait and posture control.MethodsA total of 46 patients with hemiplegia gait were randomly divided into the experimental group (23 patients) and the control group (23 patients). In patients in the experimental group received injections of BoNT-A by electrical stimulation-guided. At the same time, patients of the two groups received routine physical therapy. Gait analysis, plantar pressure analysis, lower-limb Fugl–Meyer assessment (L-FMA), 10 meter walking test (10MWT), timed “Up and Go” test (TUGT), and modified Ashworth Scale assess (MAS) of the lower limbs were performed at 0, 1, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment.ResultsAt 1, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment, the L-FMA, stride length, speed, and TUGT significantly improved than 0 week in both groups. The L-FMA and peak of forefoot pressure, and MAS results in the experimental group were better than those in the control group at 4 and 12 weeks. The TUGT, speed, and stride length in experimental group was significantly shortened than that in control group at 1, 4, and 12 weeks.ConclusionBotulinum toxin type A injection can improve motor functions of the lower limb, gait, spasticity, forefoot pressure, and posture control of patients after stroke.