bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustained release resolvin D1 liposomes are effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis in obese mice
Authors: Dravid Ameya A. , Dhanabalan Kaamini M. , Naskar Soumyadeep , Vashistha Akshi , Agarwal Smriti , Padhan Bhagyashree , Dewani Mahima , Agarwal Rachit 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and currently affects >500 million patients worldwide, with ~60% of them also suffering from obesity. There is no drug approved for human use that changes the course of OA progression. OA is one of the most common comorbidities of obesity, and obesity‐related OA (ObOA) is a serious health concern because it shows heightened severity of tissue damage and also predominantly affects the working population. Unresolved inflammation is a major driver of ObOA, thus, resolving disease‐associated inflammation is a viable strategy to treat ObOA. Resolvins are highly potent molecules that play a role in the resolution of inflammation and promote tissue healing. However, small molecules (like Resolvin D1; RvD1) have to be administered frequently or prior to injury because they lose their in vivo activity rapidly either by lymphatic clearance, or oxidation‐mediated deactivation. In this study, we have encapsulated RvD1 in liposomes and established its efficacy in the mouse model of ObOA at much lower dosages than freely administered RvD1. Liposomal RvD1 (lipo‐RvD1) acted as a source of the RvD1 molecules for ~11 days in vitro in synovial fluid derived from patients. When administered prophylactically or therapeutically, lipo‐RvD1 suppressed cartilage damage in male C57BL/6 mice compared to untreated and free RvD1 treatments. This efficacy was achieved by increasing the proportion of the proresolution M2 macrophages over proinflammatory M1 macrophages in the synovial membrane. These results show the potential of lipo‐RvD1 as an anti‐OA agent.
Copper‐deposited diatom‐biosilica enhanced osteogenic potential in periodontal ligament stem cells and rat cranium
Authors: Qiu Xu , Feng Chao , Wang Wenxuan , Wu Guangsheng , Hu Yingzhe , Li Shuhan , Gao Xiangru , Chen Xiguang , Ji Qiuxia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to establish that copper‐deposited Diatom‐biosilica have the potential and possibility for clinical applications in repairing bone defects in a state of inflammation, such as periodontitis. Treatment of alveolar bone defects caused by periodontitis is a major challenge for clinicians. To achieve better repair results, the material should not only be bone conductive but also have the ability to stimulate osteogenesis and angiogenesis at the lesion site. Copper (II) and silicon (IV) ions could react to form basic copper silicate, which promoted both osteogenesis and angiogenesis. The mineralized diatom (Cu‐DBs) loaded with copper (II) ions were synthesized by processing diatom shells using a hydrothermal method. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are used to detect the osteogenic properties of Cu‐DBs at the gene and protein levels. Using a rat cranial defect model and a full‐thickness skin incision model to test the osteogenic properties of Cu‐DBs in vivo. Compared with untreated diatoms (DBs), Cu‐DBs extract significantly promoted the expression of osteogenesis‐related factors like ALP, RUNX2, BSP, OCN, and OPN in PDLSCs. In vivo experiments further confirmed that Cu‐DBs could effectively stimulate the osteogenesis of a rat skull defect and promote angiogenesis, significantly inhibit the inflammatory responses to bone damages, and reduce the infiltration of inflammatory immune cells to the lesion site. Due to the unique chemical characteristics of Si4+ and Cu2+ ions, the Cu‐DBs composite biomaterial could enhance the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCS in vitro, as well as stimulate the osteogenesis of the rat in vivo.
Reproductive deliberation: Supporting autonomous decision making in prenatal genetic counseling
Authors: Warton Chanelle , Johnston Molly , Mills Catherine 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAs both the scope and popularity of non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) have expanded, debate has emerged about the extent to which this test enhances or undermines reproductive autonomy. Genetic counseling is crucial to support autonomy in the context of making complex and value‐laden decisions about reproductive care following high‐chance results from NIPT. Two models of post‐test prenatal genetic counseling have been proposed; the first of these, non‐directive counseling, is the predominant model, while shared decision making is an alternative model deriving from patient care for chronic conditions. In this paper, we argue that neither of these approaches is adequate for counseling after NIPT to support reproductive autonomy. Instead, then, we propose an alternative approach that we call reproductive deliberation. This approach to prenatal genetic counseling simultaneously recognizes the relationality of the counseling encounter and supports the decision making capacity and decisional responsibility of the pregnant person.
IOP Injection, A Novel Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Particle MRI Contrast Agent for the Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Phase II Clinical Trial
Authors: Chiang Chi‐Feng , Hsu Yuan‐Hung , Hsieh Wen‐Yuan , Liao Tzu‐Hsin , Chen Chih‐Lung , Chen Yung‐Chu , Liang Po‐Chin , Wang Shian‐Jy 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundMRI is crucial in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIO) are liver‐specific contrast agents which enhance lesions in T2‐weighted images. Iron oxide nano‐particle m‐PEG‐silane (IOP) Injection, a newly developed SPIO, showed promising imaging effects and good safety profile in preclinical studies and in phase I clinical trial.PurposeTo evaluate the safety and clinical validity of IOP Injection as MRI contrast agent in diagnosing HCC.Study typeProspective.SubjectsA total of 52 subjects (61.6 ± 11.05 years, 45 males/7 females) with suspected HCC.Field Strength/Sequence1.5 T, T1‐weighted in/opposed phase, T2*‐weighted gradient echo, T2‐weighted fast spin echo, true fast imaging with steady‐state free precession.AssessmentAdverse effects and clinical monitoring were recorded throughout the 5‐day study. Two independent readers (M.G.H. with 30 years of experience, S.P.K. with 26 years of experience) made the diagnosis. The diagnostic performance of IOP‐enhanced MRI was evaluated with sensitivity and positive predictive value by comparing to the pathology reports from subsequent hepatic resection. The number of lesions with various sizes and degrees of differentiation detected by IOP‐enhanced MRI was assessed. The relative change in signal intensities over time was indirectly measured from acquired images.Statistical TestsSensitivity and positive predictive value were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of IOP‐enhanced MRI. Prevalence‐adjusted and bias‐adjusted 𝜅 coefficient was used to assess the interreader variability.ResultsNo serious adverse event related to IOP Injection was found. IOP Injection enhanced the lesion‐to‐liver contrast ratio in T2*‐weighted images by 50.1% ± 4.8%. IOP‐enhanced MRI detected HCC with 100% sensitivity by subject and 96% sensitivity by lesion. IOP Injection visualized subtle vascular invasion as filling defect within vessels in true fast imaging with steady‐state free precession (TrueFISP) images.Data ConclusionIOP Injection was safe and efficacious as MRI contrast agent in diagnosing HCC in a limited group of subjects.Evidence Level2.Technical EfficacyStage 2.
“Mitochondrial pathogenic mutations and metabolic alterations associated with COVID‐19 disease severity”
Authors: Kumari Diksha , Singh Yamini , Singh Sayar , Dogra Vikas , Srivastava Ashish Kumar , Srivastava Swati , Garg Iti , Bargotya Mona , Hussain Javid , Ganju Lilly , Varshney Rajeev 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) caused global pandemic and drastically affected the humankind. Mitochondrial mutations have been found to be associated with several respiratory diseases. Missense mutation and pathogenic mitochondrial variants might unveil the potential involvement of the mitochondrial genome in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pathogenesis. The present study aims to elucidate the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, mitochondrial haplogroup, and energy metabolism in disease severity. The study was performed on 58 subjects comprising COVID‐19‐positive (n = 42) and negative (n = 16) individuals. COVID‐19‐positive subjects were further categorized into severe deceased (SD), severe recovered (SR), moderate (Mo), and mild (Mi) patients, while COVID‐19‐negative subjects were healthy control (HC) for the study. High throughput next‐generation sequencing was done to investigate mtDNA mutations and haplogroups. The computational approach was applied to study the effect of mtDNA mutations on protein secondary structure. Real time polymerase chain reaction was used for mtDNA copy number determination and mitochondrial function parameters were also analyzed. We found 15 mtDNA mutations in MT‐ND5, MT‐ND4, MT‐ND2, and MT‐COI genes uniquely associated with COVID‐19 severity affecting the secondary structure of proteins in COVID‐19‐positive subjects. Haplogroup analysis suggests that mtDNA haplogroups M3d1a and W3a1b might be potentially associated with COVID‐19 pathophysiology. The mitochondrial function parameters were significantly altered in severe patients (SD and SR; p < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between mtDNA mutations and oxidative stress markers (p > 0.05). The study highlights the importance of mitochondrial reprogramming in COVID‐19 patients and may provide a feasible approach toward finding a path for therapeutic interventions to COVID‐19 disease.
Human cytomegalovirus infection perturbs neural progenitor cell fate via the expression of viral microRNAs
Authors: Jiang Xuan , Liu Siqing , Fu Ya‐Ru , Liu Xi‐Juan , Li Xiao‐Jun , Yang Bo , Jiang Hai‐Fei , Shen Zhang‐Zhou , Alemu Endalkachew Ashenafi , Vazquez Pavel , Tang Yaping , Kaarbø Mari , McVoy Michael A. , Rayner Simon , Luo Min‐Hua 
Published: February 2023

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) preferentially targets neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in congenitally infected fetal brains, inducing neurodevelopmental disorders. While HCMV expresses several microRNAs (miRNAs) during infection, their roles in NPC infection are unclear. Here, we characterized expression of cellular and viral miRNAs in HCMV‐infected NPCs during early infection by microarray and identified seven differentially expressed cellular miRNAs and six significantly upregulated HCMV miRNAs. Deep learning approaches were used to identify potential targets of significantly upregulated HCMV miRNAs against differentially expressed cellular messenger RNA (mRNAs), and the associations with miRNA‐mRNA expression changes were observed. Gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated cellular gene targets were significantly enriched in pathways involved in neurodevelopment and cell‐cycle processes. Viral modulation of selected miRNAs and cellular gene targets involved in neurodevelopmental processes were further validated by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Finally, a predicted 3′ untranslated region target site of hcmv‐miR‐US25‐1 in Jag1, a factor important for neurogenesis, was confirmed by mutagenesis. Reduction of Jag1 RNA and protein levels in NPCs was observed in response to transient expression of hcmv‐miR‐US25‐1. A hcmv‐miR‐US25‐1 mutant virus (ΔmiR‐US25) displayed limited ability to downregulate Jag1 mRNA levels and protein levels during the early infection stage compared with the wild type virus. Our collective experimental and computational investigation of miRNAs and cellular mRNAs expression in HCMV‐infected NPCs yields new insights into the roles of viral miRNAs in regulating NPC fate and their contributions to HCMV neuropathogenesis.
metaCOVID: A web‐application for living meta‐analyses of COVID‐19 trials
Authors: Evrenoglou Theodoros , Boutron Isabelle , Seitidis Georgios , Ghosn Lina , Chaimani Anna 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOutputs from living evidence syntheses projects have been used widely during the pandemic by guideline developers to form evidence‐based recommendations. However, the needs of different stakeholders cannot be accommodated by solely providing pre‐defined non amendable numerical summaries. Stakeholders also need to understand the data and perform their own exploratory analyses. This requires resources, time, statistical expertise, software knowledge as well as relevant clinical expertise to avoid spurious conclusions. To assist them, we created the metaCOVID application which, based on automation processes, facilitates the fast exploration of the data and the conduct of sub‐analyses tailored to end‐users needs. metaCOVID has been created in R and is freely available as an R‐Shiny application. Based on the COVID‐NMA platform (https://covid-nma.com/) the application conducts living meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials related to COVID‐19 treatments and vaccines for several outcomes. Several options are available for subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The results are presented in downloadable forest plots. We illustrate metaCOVID through three examples involving well‐known treatments and vaccines for COVID‐19. The application is freely available from https://covid-nma.com/metacovid/.
Preparation and characterization of silica nanoparticles as an efficient carrier for two bio‐detergents based enzymes
Authors: El Salamony Dina H. , El Gayar Dina A. , El Mahdy Ahmed R. , Zaghloul Taha I. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBio‐detergents are new bio‐friendly formulas that contain biobased ingredients, including enzymes. In the present study, alkaline protease and α‐amylase were immobilized via physisorption onto silica nanoparticles (SNPs). The derivatized SNPs served as major components of a prepared bio‐detergent. Alkaline protease was produced by the recombinant Bacillus subtilis cells that carry the protease genes on a multiple‐copy plasmid, while α‐amylase was commercially purchased. SNPs were prepared by the sol–gel method and well‐characterized through the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The adsorption capacity of the SNPs was determined via colorimetry through the adsorption of methylene blue dye (MB), with approximately 97% adsorption achieved under the conditions employed. The Langmuir isotherm well‐described the adsorption of MB on SNPs. High immobilization yield for the enzymes was obtained, and the storage stability of SNP‐alkaline protease and SNP‐α‐amylase was good, reaching 65% and 85% of their initial activities after 6 weeks of storage at 4°C, respectively. The immobilized enzymes could be reused for 7 cycles. Additionally, the immobilized enzymes retained residual activity to a greater extent than free enzymes in simulated basic detergent solutions. SNPs containing adsorbed alkaline protease and α‐amylase were mixed with a basic detergent solution, and the washing efficiency of some proteinous and starchy stains was examined through Hunter Lab spectrophotometry. The latter experiments demonstrated that the immobilized enzymes performed well during the washing process.
Minor millets: a review on nutritional composition, starch extraction/modification, product formulation, and health benefits
Authors: Kaur Baljeet , Singh Ajay , Suri Shweta , Usman Muhammad , Dutta Debashis 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMinor millet grains are the abode of healthy constituents of human concern that contribute to healthy longevity. Additionally, they are excellent in nutritional value including macronutrients namely, protein (7–13%), carbohydrates (60–70%), fat (1.5–5%), fiber (2–7%) and for micronutrients as well namely; iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, etc. All these beneficial traits along with the availability of bioactive constituents (polyphenols and antioxidants) prove them to be therapeutic in action and also uplift the immunity among users. Employed isolation tactics for starch also govern yield characteristics and is usually preferred by way of wet method. Minor millets are abundant in starch (50–70%) thus application broadness is another attribute which could be addressed in vivid food segments. In case, native starches somehow possess least application credentials in food and non‐food sectors thus modification is the only alternative to eliminate shortcomings. As in trend, modification using physical, chemical, and enzymatic ways have a wide impact on the properties of millet starch. The present review summarizes the nutritional, bioactive and therapeutic potential of minor millets, along with ways of starch modification and product development through millet involvement. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of pre‐treatment and freezing on the polyphenol oxidase activity and color stability of sliced peaches
Authors: Al‐Jeddawi Wesam , Northcutt Julie K. , Dawson Paul 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDA study was conducted to determine the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and changes in surface color and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content in fresh and pre‐frozen peach slices stored at different temperatures. In this study, fresh (F) and pre‐frozen (P) peaches were subjected to one of four treatments: (i) no treatment (N); (ii) blanching in boiling (96 °C ± 4 °C) water (B); (iii) dipping in 2% l‐ascorbic acid and 2% citric acid (AC); or (iv) blanching placed in boiling water, cooling and dipping in 2% ascorbic acid and 2% citric acid (BAC). Peaches from each treatment group were held at −7, −9, or − 12 °C for 21 days.RESULTSAfter 21 days of storage, PPO activity and browning was greater in peaches stored at −7 °C than the PPO activity and browning of peaches stored at −9 °C and − 12 °C. Overall, lightness (L*), yellowness (b*), chroma (c*) and hue (h*) decreased while redness (a*) increased during storage. The BAC peaches had less discoloration and lower PPO activity than peach slices exposed to other treatments. Non‐enzymatic browning (HMF indicator) was more pronounced for blanched peaches during storage than unblanched peaches. Pretreatment of blanched peaches with ascorbic and citric acid reduced browning during 21 days at frozen storage for peaches held at −9 °C or − 12 °C.CONCLUSIONStorage at −12 °C significantly reduced browning and HMF formation in both blanched and unblanched peach slices in comparison with −7 °C storage. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Using interferometric synthetic aperture rader (InSAR) analysis to detect ground deformation related to irreversibly changing ground ice, Mongolia
Authors: Ishikawa Mamoru , Avtar Ram , Mo Shixin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPermafrost in Mongolia shows highly heterogeneous features in space and the contents of ground ice are dependent on the local geographies such as topography, ground wetness, and vegetation cover. Recent permafrost degradation would cause thawing and disappearance of ground ice, destabilizing and subsiding the ground surface. This study aimed to detect topographic deformation related to irreversibly changing ground ice over the permafrost terrain of Mongolia. To end this we used interferometric synthetic aperture RADAR (InSAR) technique, which is capable to measure vertical ground deformation on a centimeter scale. Advanced land observing satellite‐based phased array type L‐band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR) images (June to September 2007 to 2010) and PALSAR‐2 images (June to September 2014 to 2017) quantified near‐year‐round displacement of the ground surface. The overall deformation was in a range of −3 to 3 cm (subsidence and uplift, respectively) between the image interval and relatively high subsidence occurred during warm years. The areas experiencing consecutive uplift and subsidence correspond to ground underlain by ice‐rich soils, indicating the dominant roles of thawing and growing ground ice for local deformation over permafrost terrain. We discuss the relation of observed ground deformation trends with regional climate and local geohydrology that influence ground ice formation.
An interactive system to map land degradation and inform decision‐making to achieve land degradation neutrality via convergence of evidence across scales: A case‐study in Ecuador
Authors: Teich Ingrid , Harari Nicole , Caza Pablo , Henao‐Henao Juan Pablo , Lopez Juan Calles , Raviolo Eugenia , Díaz‐González Ana María , González Hernán , Bastidas Soledad , Morales‐Opazo Cristian , García César Luis 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOne of the core challenges to achieve land degradation neutrality (LDN) is to spatially identify, and strategically prioritise, the areas to implement actions to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation. To achieve this, a tool for a participatory and data‐driven assessment considering both the biophysical and socio‐economic dimensions of land degradation across scales was developed for Ecuador. In this paper, we present the methodology and results obtained, including the spatially explicit interactive tool developed to integrate indicators that support the scaling‐up of sustainable land management (SLM). The process involved specialists from various national and international institutions, as well as decision makers from the public sector and other relevant stakeholders. Cloud computing allowed the integration of five main sources of data: (1) the results of a participatory land degradation assessment based on an expert knowledge questionnaire following the land degradation assessment in drylands (LADA) and world overview of conservation approaches and technologies (WOCAT) methodology; (2) the Hand‐in‐Hand Initiative Ecuador typology maps based on poverty and estimated agricultural potential and efficiency scores from household surveys; (3) National datasets on land cover and land use, soil properties, and hydro climatic indicators; (4) global satellite‐derived LDN indicators, such as land productivity dynamics; and (5) documented SLM practices from WOCAT Global SLM Database. The tool is based on a Google Earth Engine application and allows decision makers to easily compare results and obtain statistics at different spatial scales and landscapes, including land use systems delimited by experts. It also includes a multi‐criteria module to identify areas with specific characteristics to prioritise different types of interventions to achieve the Country's LDN targets. Convergence of local and global evidence allowed the identification of hotspots of degradation as well as areas of false positives/negatives—if only global or remote sensing indicators were considered. The participatory process contributed to strengthening multi‐sector cooperation mechanisms and to guaranteeing ownership of the tool and the results. The system will support Ecuador's efforts to monitor and report progress towards LDN to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The system's code is shared as a repository at Earth Engine and can be adapted to and used by other countries and regions.