bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cellulase with Bacillus velezensis improves physicochemical characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of two-stage solid-state fermented corn germ meal
Authors: Chen Long , Guo Yang , Liu Xin , Zheng Lin , Wei Bingdong , Zhao Zijian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Corn germ meal (CGM) is one of the major byproducts of corn starch extraction. Although CGM has rich fiber content, it lacks good protein content and amino acid balance, and therefore cannot be fully utilized as animal feed. In this study, we investigated the processing effect of cellulase synergized with Bacillus velezensis on the nutritional value of pretreated CGM (PCGM) in two-stage solid-state fermentation (SSF). High-throughput sequencing technology was used to explore the dynamic changes in microbial diversity. The results showed that compared with three combinations of B. velezensis + Lactobacillus plantarum (PCGM-BL), cellulase + L. plantarum (PCGM-CL), and control group (PCGM-CK), the fourth combination of cellulase + B. velezensis + L. plantarum (PCGM-BCL) significantly improved the nutritional characteristics of PCGM. After two-stage SSF (48 h), viable bacterial count and contents of crude protein (CP) and trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein (TCA-SP) all were increased in PCGM-BCL (p < 0.05), while the pH was reduced to 4.38 ± 0.02. In addition, compared with PCGM-BL, the cellulose degradation rate increased from 5.02 to 50.74%, increasing the amounts of short-chain fatty acids (216.61 ± 2.74 to 1727.55 ± 23.00 µg/g) and total amino acids (18.60 to 21.02%) in PCGM-BCL. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing analysis revealed significant dynamic changes in microbial diversity. In the first stage of PCGM-BCL fermentation, Bacillus was the dominant genus (99.87%), which after 24 h of anaerobic fermentation changed to lactobacillus (37.45%). Kyoto Encylopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the pathways related to the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, cofactors, and vitamins accounted for more than 10% of the enriched pathways throughout the fermentation period. Concisely, we show that cellulase can effectively improve the nutritional value of PCGM when synergized with B. velezensis in two-stage SSF.
Efficient Fluoride Removal Using Nano MgO: Synthesis, Mechanisms, and Performance Evaluation
Authors: Liu BoWen , Ai Li , Lei Ming , Lin Hongfei 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In this study, highly efficient fluoride removal of nano MgO was successfully synthesized using a simple hydrothermal precipitation method. CTMAB was used as a surfactant, and its long-chain structure tightly wrapped around the precursor crystal of basic magnesium chloride, inhibiting the growth of the precursor crystals, reducing their size and improving the dispersion of the crystals, enhancing the adsorption of nano MgO to fluoride. The adsorption performance of nano MgO for fluoride was investigated through the discussion of adsorption isotherms and kinetics,. The results indicate that the adsorption behavior of fluoride by magnesium oxide can be described by pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity for fluoride was determined to be 122.27 mg/g. Additionally, factors that may affect the adsorption performance in practical applications, such as pH and competing ions, were also examined. Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses demonstrated that the nano MgO exhibited preferential adsorption of fluoride through specific inner-sphere complexation. The defluorination mechanisms of the nano MgO mainly included Mg2+-O defect, pore filling, ion exchange, and surface adsorption. The experimental findings unequivocally demonstrate the remarkable potential of the employed nano MgO in the efficacious removal of fluoride.
In silico study to identify novel NEK7 inhibitors from natural source by a combination strategy
Authors: Zhang Heng , Lu Chenhong , Yao QiLong , Jiao Qingcai 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Cancer remains a significant health problem and stands as one of the primary causes of death worldwide. NEK7, a NIMA-related protein kinase, plays a crucial role in spindle assembly and cell division. Dysregulation of the NEK7 protein contributes to the development and progression of various malignancies, such as colon cancer and breast cancer. Therefore, the inhibition of NEK7 shows promise as a potential clinical target for anticancer therapy. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of high-quality NEK7 inhibitors. In this study, we utilized virtual screening, molecular docking, silicon-based pharmacokinetics, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA)-based binding free energy calculations to comprehensively analyze effective natural inhibitors that target NEK7 within the current framework. By employing molecular docking, including semi-flexible and flexible docking methods, we identified three natural products as hit compounds with binding modes similar to the active control dabrafenib. ADME/T predictions indicated that these hit molecules exhibited lower toxicity when administered orally. Additionally, through DFT calculations, we determined that the popular compound (-)-balanol possessed high chemical activity. Finally, 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations and energy decomposition revealed that the hit compounds displayed superior binding energy compared to the active control and demonstrated higher affinity. Based on the findings of our current research, we conclude that these newly discovered natural inhibitors may serve as parent structures for the development of more potent derivatives with promising biological activities. However, further experimental validation is necessary as part of subsequent investigations.
Hypothyroidism induces the expression of atherosclerosis markers in Psammomys obesus
Authors: Neggazi Samia , Hamlat Nadjiba , Berdja Sihem , Boumaza Saliha , Smail Leila , Beylot Michel , Aouichat-Bouguerra Souhila 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Thyroid hormones (TH) have several effects on the cardiovascular system. A slight decline in TH levels has harmful effects on the vascular system. The current study aimed to investigate whether a decrease in TH plasma levels was responsible for the expression of some atherosclerosis markers. Experimental hypothyroidism was induced in Psammomys obesus by administering 0.03% carbimazole in their drinking water for five months (M5). The animals were sacrificed at M5, and histopathological analysis of the thoracic aorta and thyroid gland was performed after Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of the angiotensinogen (Agt) gene and the genes implicated in cholesterol metabolism regulation in the liver and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was determined by qRT-PCR. Finally, we assessed the in vitro proliferation rate of VSMCs derived from the aortas of the two groups of animals. Hypothyroidism was associated with increased expression of Agt in the liver and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr) and Acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (Acat) 1 genes (cholesterol synthesis and esterification pathway) in VSMCs, with failure to increase efflux pathway genes (ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member (Abcg) 1 and 4) in these vascular cells. Moreover, reduction in TH induces aortic endothelial cell and subendothelium hypertrophy, and disorganization of the media with rupture of the elastic fiber network. All these results suggest that hypothyroidism can lead to atherosclerosis through the alteration of the physiology of VSMCs, mainly the phenotype switch and gene expression modification involved in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism.
Long-term results of a phase II study of two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus oxaliplatin for cT4 or N2-3 gastric cancer
Authors: Ito Shunichi , Kuramochi Hidekazu , Serizawa Akiko , Ota Masaho , Katagiri Satoshi , Maeda Shinsuke , Hosoda Kei 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the long-term survival outcomes from our previous study: the phase II study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus oxaliplatin for cT4 or N2-3 advanced gastric cancer.
Methods
The patients with clinical T4 and/or N2 or more lymph nodes received two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus oxaliplatin (oxaliplatin at 130 mg/m2 on day 1 and S-1 at 80–120 mg/day for 2 weeks, q 3 weeks), followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. The final preplanned analysis of long-term outcomes, including overall and relapse-free survival, was performed. This trial has been completed and registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry under number UMIN 000024656.
Results
Between May 2016 and March 2019, 30 patients were enrolled. All patients could complete the protocol. After a median follow-up of 50 months for surviving patients, the 3-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates were 80.0% and 76.7%, respectively, at the last follow-up in March 2023, whereas the 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates were 72.7% and 73.0%, respectively.
Conclusion
Two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus oxaliplatin, followed by D2 gastrectomy, was associated with relatively good long-term oncologic outcomes for patients with high-risk gastric cancer.
Research on the Spatial-Temporal Coupling Characteristics between China's Net Carbon Sink of Cultivated Land Use and Grain Yield
Authors: Wang Qinxuan , Zhang Yuchi , Yao Lili 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In order to alleviate the increasingly severe climate warming problem, countries are actively promoting low-carbon economic transformation. Cultivated land use activities have dual effects of carbon emission and carbon absorption. An in-depth analysis of China’s net carbon source/sink of cultivated land use and its relationship with grain yield can provide decision-making references for ensuring food security and achieving China's "30.60 dual carbon" goal. Taking China's 31 provinces as the research unit, the net carbon sink of cultivated land use between 1991 and 2021 was calculated, the driving factors of carbon emission from cultivated land use were analyzed, the spatial-temporal characteristics of carbon emission and net carbon sink were pictured, and the improved Tapio coupling index was used to explore the relationship between the net carbon sink of cultivated land use and grain yield. The results showed that: (1) The carbon emission of cultivated land use showed an upward first and then downward trend, reaching a peak of 81.0579 million tons in 2015. Among the factors influencing carbon emissions of cultivated land use, the efficiency and economic factors have the most significant positive and negative effects on the carbon emission reduction of cultivated land use, respectively. (2) In the past 31 years, the net carbon sink of cultivated land use has increased from 404.595 million tons to 666.848 million tons, and China's cultivated land use system has always been in a state of carbon sinks. (3) At the national level, the net carbon sink of cultivated land use and grain yield are growth coupling or yield-dominant coupling in most years. The types of coupling at the regional level are varied but still dominated by growth coupling. Typically, provinces have a balanced relationship between the increased net carbon sink of cultivated land use and the increase in grain yield. Accordingly, the transformation of cultivated land use should be accelerated, the industrial structure of the plantation industry should be optimized, reasonable cultivated land protection policies should be formulated, and the reduction of carbon sources and increase of carbon sinks in large emitting provinces should be promoted by classification and batch.
Study on an improved intelligent visual monitoring method of water inrush in complex construction environment of tunnels and engineering application
Authors: Wang Sheng , Li Liping , Cheng Shuai , Jin Hao , Wen Tao 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

As one of the typical geological hazards that is very difficult to prevent, the monitoring and early warning technologies and methods of water inrush are increasingly becoming a hot research problem during the deep-buried and long tunnels construction. Aiming at its unpredictability and strong suddenness, the intelligent analysis method based on machine vision was introduced to monitor the hazard intuitively. According to the characteristics of a strong interference of tunnel construction environment, a new frame difference and background subtraction visual analysis algorithm was proposed. Meanwhile, the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed algorithm were verified by the borehole water inrush video. Then, the proposed method was used to conduct video surveillance on PDK170 + 671 of the parallel heading. The occurrence location of water inrush was effectively identified, and the water inflow was predicted according to the pixel point area, which provides a solution for real-time and continuous monitoring of water inrush.
Will the growing rod surgery change the cervical balance in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis? A case-control retrospective study based on machine learning algorithms
Authors: Han Bo , Hai Junrui Jonathan , Hai Yong , Wang Yingjie , Yang Yihan , Liu Yuzeng , Zhou Lijin , Yin Peng , Ding Hongtao , Pan Aixing 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to analyze the cervical sagittal alignment change following the growing rod treatment in early-onset scoliosis (EOS) and identify the risk factors of sagittal cervical imbalance after growing-rod surgery of machine learning.
Materials and Methods: EOS patients from our center between 2007 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographic parameters include the cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-7 SVA), primary curve Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), C7-S1 sagittal vertical axis (C7-S1 SVA) and proximal junctional angle (PJA) were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively and at the final follow-up. The parameters were analyzed using a t-test and χ2 test. The machine learning methodology of a sparse additive machine (SAM) was applied to identify the risk factors that caused the cervical imbalance.
Results:138 patients were enrolled in this study (96 male and 42 female). The mean thoracic curve Cobb angle was 67.00±22.74°. The mean age at the first operation was 8.5 ±2.6yrs. The mean follow-up was 38.48±10.87 months. CL, T1 slope, and C2-7 SVA increased significantly in the final follow-up compared with the pre-operative data. (P<0.05). The CL and T1 slope increased more significantly in the group of patients who had proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) compared with the patients without PJK (P<0.05). The location of the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) and single/dual growing rod had no significant influence on the sagittal cervical parameters (P>0.05). According to the SAM analysis of machine learning algorithms, Postoperative PJK, more improvement of kyphosis, and T1 slope angle were identified as the risk factors of cervical sagittal imbalance during the treatment of growing rod surgery.
Conclusions: The growing rod surgery in EOS significantly affected the cervical sagittal alignment. Postoperative PJK and more improvement of kyphosis and T1 slope angle would lead to a higher incidence of cervical sagittal imbalance.
Top Burr Thickness Prediction Model in Milling of Thin-Wall Workpiece considering tool and workpiece deformation
Authors: Ma Junjin , Wang Baodong , Zhao Bo , Zhang Dinghua , Cui Xiaobin , Pang Xiaoyan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In aviation and weapon industry, aluminum alloy thin-walled workpiece are widely used, and milling is a common manufacturing process for these thin-walled workpiece. In milling, many burrs generate on the entrances and exits of cutting tool on workpiece surface, which affects machining quality, assembly accuracy and produces more seriously tip discharge effect. To investigate the burr formation mechanism, an analyzed model of top burr thickness considering the tool deflection angle and workpiece deformation is proposed to elaborate the burr formation process in milling of thin-walled workpiece. In this process, top burr formation process is analyzed and the burr thickness is expressed by the motion relationship between cutting tools and workpieces. Then, based on energy theory, a top burr thickness predicted model considering the tool deflection angle and workpiece deformation in milling of aluminum alloy thin-walled workpiece is proposed. Subsequently, under the determined milling condition, the top burr thicknesses are calculated for verification. Finally, several milling experiments are carried out for validating the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model. Experimental results show that the predicted top burr thicknesses are in good agreement with the measured value in milling, and the prediction accuracy of the top burr thickness by proposed model reached 96.5%.
Detection of Cyber Attacks on Smart Grids Using Improved VGG19 Deep Neural Network Architecture and Aquila Optimizer Algorithm
Authors: Mhmood Ahmed Abdulmunem , Ergül Özgür , Rahebi Javad 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Cyber attacks against Smart Grids (SG) have harmful effects. The first function of a defensive system is to provide an intelligent system to detect intrusions. The nature of attacks against smart grids is very complex, so the intrusion detection system must be able to detect complex attacks. Lack of balancing and optimization of deep learning methods are the main challenges for many intrusion detection systems. This research presents an intelligent intrusion detection system for a smart grid based on Game Theory, Swarm Intelligence, and Deep Learning (DL). First, the proposed method balances the training samples with a conditional DL technique based on Game Theory and CGAN. Secondly, the Aquila Optimizer (AO) algorithm selects features. The third step involves mapping the selected features on the dataset and coding reduced-dimension samples into RGB color images, which are used to train the VGG19 neural network. In the fourth step, the AO algorithm optimally adjusts meta-parameters to reduce the error of the VGG19 neural network. Tests performed on the NSL-KDD dataset show that the proposed method's accuracy, sensitivity, and precision in detecting attacks are 99.82%, 99.69%, and 99.76%, respectively. The CGAN method balances the dataset and increases the accuracy, sensitivity, and precision of the proposed method compared to the GAN method in detecting attacks on the smart grid. Experiments show that the proposed method more accurately detects attacks than deep learning methods such as VGG19, CNN-GRU, CNN-GRU-FL, LSTM, and CNN.
Identification of a novel Gene Signature and potential mechanisms related to Targeted Drug Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on integrating bioinformatics and machine learning
Authors: Guo Tingting , Wang Youpeng , Sun Hongfa , Wei Miao , Zhao Ziyin , Zhong Wenqing , Zhang Bin , Han Bing 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Ajuvant therapy with molecularly targeted drugs has become the effective treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While Hypoxia often induces changes in the tumor immune microenvironment and affects the progression of targeted drug resistance, there is a critically unmet need for effective identification of drug resistance progression to reverse targeted drug resistance. Herein, we identified 64 sorafenib-resistance genes for hierarchical clustering of 374 HCC patients in the TCGA database. The functional enrichment between low (LR-group) and high (HR-group) resistance groups was explored through GO, KEGG, GSVA, ssGSEA, CIBERSORT, XCELL and three hypoxia scoring formula. It was found that the upregulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), higher hypoxic scores and lower CD8 + T cell infiltration in HR-group. we further identified that HR-group had higher CD8 + T cell exhaustion, and the immune checkpoints of CD8 + T cell involved in tumor antigen recognition disorders significantly increased. Furthermore, form hypoxia-related resistance gene signature (HDRGs)(including 9 key genes),we derive a risk score: the score correlates strongly with hypoxia, targeted drug resistance, CD8 + T cell infiltration and exhaustion and is accurately verified in TCGA, ICGC and GAO’ HCC Cohort. Additionaly, experimental verification showed that ADM were upregulated under hypoxia, so knockdown of ADM can inhibit EMT under hypoxia and increase the sensitivity of Lenvatinib. Collectively, this study reveals that hypoxia-induced dysfunction of CD8 + T cells causes drug resistance, which can be effectively predicted by our HDRGs, and broadly leveraging this risk score to provide guidance for tumor targeting and combination immunotherapy.
CRP as an early indicator for anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy for cancer: a single tertiary gastro-esophageal center study
Authors: Ri Motonari , Tzortzakakis Antonios , Sotirova Ira , Tsekrekos Andrianos , Klevebro Fredrik , Lindblad Mats , Nilsson Magnus , Rouvelas Ioannis 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To determine the relationship between postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) as an early indicator of anastomotic leakage (AL) after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
Methods
We reviewed patients diagnosed with esophageal or esophagogastric junctional cancer who underwent esophagectomy between 2006 and 2022 at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated relative risk for AL by calculating Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI). The cut-off values for CRP were based on the maximum Youden’s index using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Results
In total, 612 patients were included, with 464 (75.8%) in the non-AL (N-AL) group and 148 (24.2%) in the AL group. Preoperative body mass index and the proportion of patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification 3 were significantly higher in the AL group than in the N-AL group. The median day of AL occurrence was the postoperative day (POD) 8. Trends in CRP levels from POD 2 to 3 and POD 3 to 4 were significantly higher in the AL than in the N-AL group. An increase in CRP of ≥ 4.65% on POD 2 to 3 was an independent risk factor for AL with the highest OR of 3.67 (95%CI 1.66–8.38, p = 0.001) in patients with CRP levels on POD 2 above 211 mg/L.
Conclusion
Early changes in postoperative CRP levels may help to detect AL early following esophageal cancer surgery.