bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and improvement of physicochemical and functional properties of dietary fiber from corn cob fermented by Aspergillus Niger
Authors: Zhou Yadi , Sun Qijie , Teng Chao , Zhou Mingchun , Fan Guangsen , Qu Penghui 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Corn cobs were fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce the high-quality soluble dietary fiber (SDF) with excellent food safety. In this work, the fermentation process was optimized by single-factor test and response surface methodology (RSM) to determine the fermentation conditions (material-liquid ratio 1:30, inoculum concentration 11%, temperature 32 ℃, time 6 d, shaking speed 200 r/min), the SDF yield of corn cob increased from 2.34–11.92% and SDF/TDF reached 19.08%, achieving the requirements of high-quality dietary fiber (SDF/TDF was more than 10%). SEM and FTIR analysis revealed that the fermentation effectively degraded part of cellulose and hemicellulose, resulting in the formation of a loose and porous structure. After fermentation the water swelling capacity, water-holding capacity, and oil-holding capacity of the corn cob SDF were obviously improved and the adsorption capacity of glucose, cholesterol, and nitrite ions all increased by more than 20%. Moreover, the total phenolic content increased by 20.96%, which correlated with the higher antioxidant activity of SDF. Overall, the fermentation of corn cobs by Aspergillus niger improved the yield and functional properties of its DF.
Morin improves LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting pyroptosis and inflammatory response of macrophages
Authors: Yu Jing , Nie Zi-Yuan , Feng Dan-Dan , Zhang Long , Bai Yang , Zhang Hong , zhao Jing , Pan Wen-Sen 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe form of respiratory failure characterized by altered lung mechanics and refractory hypoxemia. Globally, the condition presents a serious threat to human health. Morin is a potential active monomer that has beneficial therapeutic effects in ALI; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Herein, we found significant elevation of inflammation and pyroptosis in the lung tissue of mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced ALI. Additionally, morin blocked the activation of the TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB pathway and synergically inhibited the entry of p65 into the nucleus by downregulating the expression of Kruppel-like factor 5. Morin also inhibited caspase-1 activation and protected the GSDMD protein from cleavage. These findings are evidence that morin alleviates ALI by blocking the NF-κB pathway, reducing inflammation, and inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis.
Attributed Network Embedding Model for Exposing COVID-19 Spread Trajectory Archetypes
Authors: Ma Junwei , Li Bo , Li Qingchun , Fan Chao , Mostafavi Ali 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The spread of COVID-19 revealed that transmission risk patterns are not homogenous across different cities and communities, and various heterogeneous features can influence the spread trajectories. Hence, for predictive pandemic monitoring, it is essential to explore latent heterogeneous features in cities and communities that distinguish their specific pandemic spread trajectories. To this end, this study creates a network embedding model capturing cross-county visitation networks, as well as heterogeneous features related to population activities, human mobility, socio-demographic features, disease attribute, and social interaction to uncover clusters of counties in the United States based on their pandemic spread transmission trajectories. We collected and computed location intelligence features from 2,787 counties from March 3 to June 29, 2020 (initial wave). Second, we constructed a human visitation network, which incorporated county features as node attributes, and visits between counties as network edges. Our attributed network embeddings approach integrates both typological characteristics of the cross-county visitation network, as well as heterogeneous features. We conducted clustering analysis on the attributed network embeddings to reveal four archetypes of spread risk trajectories corresponding to four clusters of counties. Subsequently, we identified four features—population density, GDP, minority status, and POI visits—as important features underlying the distinctive transmission risk patterns among the archetypes. The attributed network embedding approach and the findings identify and explain the non-homogenous pandemic risk trajectories across counties for predictive pandemic monitoring. The study also contributes to data-driven and deep learning-based approaches for pandemic analytics to complement the standard epidemiological models for policy analysis in pandemics.
Repetition suppression for familiar visual words through acceleration of early processing
Authors: Maurer Urs , Rometsch Sarah , Song Bingbing , Zhao Jing , Zhao Pei , Li Su 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The visual N1 (N170) component with occipito-temporal negativity and fronto-central positivity is sensitive to visual expertise for print. Slightly later, an N200 component with an increase after stimulus repetition was reported to be specific for Chinese, but found at centro-parietal electrodes against a mastoid reference. Given the unusual location, temporal proximity to the N1, and atypical repetition behavior, we aimed at clarifying the relation between the two components. We collected 128-channel EEG data from 18 native Chinese readers during a script decision experiment. Familiar Chinese one-and two-character words were presented among unfamiliar Korean control stimuli with half of the stimuli immediately repeated. Stimulus repetition led to a focal increase in the N1 onset and to a widespread decrease in the N1 offset, especially for familiar Chinese and also prominently near the mastoids. A TANOVA analysis corroborated robust repetition effects in the N1 offset across ERP maps with a modulation by script familiarity around 300 ms. Microstate analyses revealed a shorter N1 microstate duration after repetitions, especially for Chinese. The results demonstrate that the previously reported centro-parietal N200 effects after repetitions reflect changes during the N1 offset at occipito-temporal electrodes including the mastoids. Although larger for Chinese, repetition effects could also be found for two-character Korean words, suggesting that they are not specific for Chinese. While the decrease of the N1 offset after repetition is in agreement with a repetition suppression effect, the microstate findings suggest that at least part of the facilitation is due to accelerated processing after repetition.
Newly synthesized pyrrolidine analog SS13 induces extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Nosálová Natália , Kešeľáková Alexandra , Kello Martin , Martinková Miroslava , Fábianová Dominika , Pilátová Martina Bago 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
A series of experiments on colorectal cancer cells (Caco-2 and HCT116) were conducted to provide new information about the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effect of newly synthesized (2S,3S,4R)-2-Tridecylpyrrolidine-3,4-diol hydrochloride (SS13).
Methods
BrdU proliferation and MTT assays were performed to verify the antiproliferative activity and determine the IC50 value. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis, phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial membrane potential, and casp-3/7 activation. Cleavage of PARP and casp-8, as well as protein levels of Bad, pBad, Bcl-2, pBcl-2, and Bcl-xL were detected by western blot. Gene expression was determined by qRT–PCR. The impact of SS13 on cell migration was monitored by scratch assay.
Results
SS13 showed the concentration-dependent cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect on both cell lines with IC50: 3.2 ± 0.1 μmol/L - MTT / vs. 6.46 ± 2.84 μmol/L - BrdU for HCT116 and 2.17 ± 1.5 μmol/L – MTT vs. 1.59 ± 0.72 μmol/L BrdU for Caco-2. SS13-induced apoptosis was associated with externalization of phosphatidylserine, reduced MMP, activation of casp-3/7, cleavage of PARP and casp-8, overexpression of TNF-α, FasL, and dysregulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. SS13 induced intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in colorectal cancer cells and inhibited their migration potential.
Conclusions
Newly synthesized pyrrolidine SS13 induced intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in colorectal cancer cells and suppressed their migration. Our results suggest that pyrrolidine SS13 may have potential in prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.
Assessing Quality of Life from the Lens of Sustainability in Africa
Authors: Aladejare Samson Adeniyi , Osagu Festus Ndidi 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The complex and multidimensional nature of the quality of life (QoL) concept has given rise to different empirical works attempting to determine factors that could enhance its level in developing and emerging economies. Thus, scholars and policymakers have continued to demonstrate a keen interest in the concept because of its critical role in social planning—the goal is to accelerate the level of QoL of the people by lowering the harmful effects of social inequalities prevailing in today’s society. QoL forms one of the twenty-first century’s significant and disturbing social subjects. Thus, this study examined QoL from the sustainability perspective using ecological demands, renewable energy, income, urbanisation, and external debt in 44 African countries between 1990 and 2020. The study applied a battery of first and second-generation estimation techniques, including the dynamic common correlated effect, generalised linear mixed effect model, panel corrected standard error, and panel dynamic ordinary least squares procedures for deriving robust study inferences. The study demonstrated that as ecological demands and external debt continues to grow, QoL is adversely affected. Also, while income and urbanisation significantly positively affected QoL, renewable energy’s impact was neutral. The study proposed applicable policy measures for QoL enhancement in developing and emerging economies.
JEL Classification: I31, O55, Q01.
Use of a synbiotic for the correction of gut microbiota and treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Khalaidzheva K. N. , Drozdov V. N. , Ryazantseva О. V. , Shikh E. V. 
Published: May 2023

Introduction. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional bowel disorder that presents with abdominal pain associated with defecation, a change in stool frequency and a change in the appearance of the stool. The high socio-medical significance of this disorder is determined by high global prevalence, impact on quality of life and significant costs for patients, health care and society. Currently, the intestinal wall status, and the qualitative and quantitative changes in gut microbiota are considered as one of the factors provoking the disorder. Given the role of microbiota in the development of irritable bowel syndrome, it is advisable to use probiotics as a therapy for IBS. Aim. To evaluate the effect of synbiotic Maxilac® on the gut microbiota and clinical signs of IBS. Materials and methods. A total of 15 (9 women and 6 men, mean age 42,6 ± 3,7 years) patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) were enrolled in the study. They received Maxilac® at a dose of 1 capsule in the evening with meals for 21 days. Before and after treatment, all patients underwent bacteriological testing of faeces and assessment of clinical signs: stool frequency during the week, abdominal pain measurements using a VAS scale (mm), bloating severity measurements using a VAS scale (mm). Results and discussion. The study showed positive changes in the intestinal microbiota: a significant growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (CFU), typical E.coli and enterococci. The number of hemolytic E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida fungi (CFU) was significantly reduced. In the Maxilac® group, the defecation frequency decreased from 31 to 16 times a week (p < 0.05); abdominal pain from 55 to 35 VAS scores (p < 0.05); bloating from 60 to 40 VAS scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The synbiotic Maxilac® is one of the drugs that can be efficiently and safely used as part of combination therapy for IBS.
Experience in the treatment of patients with pulmonary embolism using apixaban and ultrasound inhalations of unfractionated heparin
Authors: Semigolovskii N. Yu. , Mazurenko S. O. , Simutis I. S. , Ermolaeva L. G. , Semigolovskii S. N. 
Published: May 2023

Introduction. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the leading causes of death even in hospitalized patients. The standard treatment results are disappointing. Since 2004, we have tested a new method for the treatment of hemodynamically insignificant PE (own patent RU2224525C1) by using unfractionated heparin (UFH) in ultrasound inhalations with a nebulizer, since 2014 – in combination with apixaban. Aim. To improve the treatment of PE. Materials and methods. The hospital mortality rate of 713 patients of the cardiac intensive care unit with hemodynamically insignificant PE (from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2017) was studied. Since 2004, patients have received ultrasound UFH (5000 units twice a day). Since 2014, nebulased UFH has been supplemented with the use of apixaban (10 mg twice a day for 7 days and 5 mg twice a day thereafter). Results and discussion. There is a distinct tendency to the PE hospital mortality decrease, coinciding with the nebulased UFH use (illustrated by a diagram). Neither the systemic bleeding nor the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia were observed. Clinical cases show first reduction of perfusion disorders are seeing scintigraphicaly in 7 days. Unlike LMWH UFH is recommended in severe kidney damage and obesity, thus ultrasound technique has advantages in such patients. Conclusions. Nebulased UFH is an available, simple, safe and effective in treatmtnt of hemodynamically insignificant PE, especially with the use of apixaban. A real improvement in lung perfusion takes 1 week, as shown scintigraphically.
Subpopulation composition of blood NK cells in patients with hepatitis C with genotype 1 or 3
Authors: Tsukanov V. V. , Cherepnin M. A. , Savchenko A. A. , Vasyutin A. V. , Kasparov E. V. , Borisov A. G. , Belenyuk V. D. , Tonkikh Ju. L. 
Published: May 2023

Introduction. Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of NK cells in viral hepatitis. An antifibrotic effect of these cells has been found, but the causes of their dysfunction leading to the development of liver fibrosis remain unclear.Aim. To study the subpopulation composition of blood NK cells by flow cytometry, depending on the severity of clinical and morphological manifestations of chronic viral hepatitis C (CVHC) with genotype 1 or 3.Materials and methods. Clinical, laboratory examinations, determination of liver fibrosis by elastometry using the METAVIR scale and study of the subpopulation composition of NK cells in the blood by flow cytometry (with definition of markers CD3, CD16 and CD56) were carried out in 143 patients with CVHC, including 74 patients with genotype 1 and 69 individuals with genotype 3, and in 20 people of the control group.Results. In patients with both CVHC genotypes 1 and 3, a significant decrease in the total content of NK cells, CD3-CD16+CD56bright and CD3-CD16+CD56dim subpopulations in the blood among individuals with liver fibrosis F3-F4 according to METAVIR was registered in comparison with patients with liver fibrosis F0-F1 according to METAVIR. In patients with CVHC genotype 3, there was a decrease in the total content of NK cells and a subpopulation of CD3-CD16+CD56dim in the blood of individuals with a high viral load compared to patients with a low viral load. This relationship was not determined in patients with CVHC genotype 1.Conclusion. The obtained regularities emphasize the significant role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of CVHC and verify the idea of using NK cells activation for immunotherapy of liver fibrosis in patients with CVHC.
Pathogenetic mechanisms of cognitive impairment in cerebrovascular pathology and prospects for their correction using nootropic and neuroprotective agents
Authors: Smirnova A. A. , Zhivolupov S. A. 
Published: May 2023

The article presents modern ideas about the pathogenesis of cognitive disorders in cerebrovascular pathology at the cellular level. Dysfunction of neurovascular units is associated with impaired microcirculation, hypoxia, deficiency of energy resources, development of neuroinflammation, increased nitric oxide synthesis and oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, intracellular calcium accumulation, endothelial dysfunction, impaired circulation of cerebrovascular fluid, venous outflow from the cranial cavity and utilization of brain metabolic products, including misshaped proteins. The above determines the possibility of the combined development of cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, primarily Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, mixed (vascularneurodegenerative) brain damage is considered as the main cause of cognitive disorders, which is confirmed by the data of post-mortem studies. Pathogenetic therapy of dementia with cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine does not eliminate the cognitive defect, but only slows down its progression. The impossibility of restoring the premorbid level of daily activity of the patient in the treatment of cognitive impairment at the stage of dementia dictates the need for the use of adjuvant nootropic and neuroprotective agents until the breakdown of the functional reserve, that is, at the stage of moderate cognitive impairment. Nicotinoyl gamma-aminobutyric acid has nootropic, tranquilizing, psychostimulant and antioxidant properties. Studies of the last decade have proven the ability of nicotinoyl gamma-aminobutyric acid to suppress neuroinflammation and apoptosis of cells of the central nervous system, increase the expression of angiogenic and cytoskeletal proteins, normalize the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, which can be used to improve the function of neurovascular units and correct vascular-neurodegenerative cognitive impairment. A small number of drug interactions with nicotinoyl gamma-aminobutyric acid allows it to be included in the complex therapy of comorbid patients.
Possibilities of personalized pharmacotherapy and medical rehabilitation of patients with long COVID from the perspective of clinical metabolomics
Authors: Kukes I. V. , Lim V. G. , Ivantsov K. A. , Solovyeva E. Yu. , Sokolova L. P. , Gilmutdinova I. R. , Glagovskiy P. B. , Ptitsyn M. S. 
Published: May 2023

Introduction. The material presents the results of the study of the effectiveness of the drug Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine malate in patients with long COVID, based on the dynamics of clinical manifestations and metabolomic parameters responsible for the level of oxidative stress. Aim. Evaluation of efficacy and registration of adverse reactions of ethylmethylhydroxypyridine malate administration to decrease oxidative stress level and reduce symptoms of asthenia and cognitive disorders in patients with long COVID. Materials and methods. 24 patients diagnosed with U09.9 “Condition after COVID-19 unspecified” were included in a non-randomized controlled prospective study, Patients were divided into 2 groups of 12 each. The experimental group received Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine malate tablets chewable 100 mg in a dosage of 400 mg/day. Clinical assessment by scales (mMRC dyspnea scale; 6-minute walk test (6MWT); MFI-20 subjective asthenia assessment scale; Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA); Barthel Baseline Functional Activity Rating Scale), and determination of metabolomic parameters were performed on days 1 and 14–18 of the study. Results. Use of the drug ethylmethylhydroxypyridine malate in patients with long COVID, led to a decrease in the level of oxidative stress, and normalization of mitochondrial function, as well as more pronounced improvements of the clinical picture. According to the scale of evaluation of asthenia (MFI-20) in the group of patients who received ethylmethylhydroxypyridine malate improvement of 21% was noted, in the control group improvement of 13% was noted. According to cognitive impairment assessment scale (MoCA), the drug group showed 20% improvement, while the control group showed 12,5% improvement. Conclusion. The drug ethylmethylhydroxypyridine malate tablets chewable 100 mg in a dosage of 400 mg/day demonstrates clinical efficacy characterized by, among other things, a decrease in oxidative stress, as well as clinical safety due to the absence of development of adverse reactions in patients with long COVID.
Potential of Pseudomonas yamanorum for the valorization of municipal biosolids
Authors: Lussier Jordan , Lonappan Linson , Cabana Hubert 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
It is generally accepted that some trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) pass through the wastewater treatment process without being properly treated and find their way into waterbodies. These molecules can also be concentrated within the biosolids (BS) through adsorption. The presence of TrOCs in BS, which are then commonly used as soil amendments in agriculture, may affect plant growth and viability. The potential risks posed by TrOCs are usually ignored because they are present in low concentrations and mostly have relatively short half-lives. However, the continuous addition of these substances in water sources and on farmlands makes them pseudo-persistent. To reduce the concentrations of selected TrOCs from these BS, Pseudomonas yamanorum LBUM636 (PY) was tested with and without a commercial bacterial blend of Bacillus spp. (BC). About 60% removal of atrazine was achieved using PY-amended BS. Bioslurries inoculated with PY had relatively high laccase activity at about 2,200 U/L. Laccase activity was seven times higher in samples where BC was also present, which suggests a synergistic effect between BC and PY. Concentrations of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, an antibiotic with a biopesticide effect, were also relatively important in PY-inoculated bioslurries.
Gut-Skin Axis: Unravelling the Link Between Gut Microbiome and
Chronic Kidney Disease-Related Skin Lesions
Authors: Qiao Xiaomei , Kong Kaili , Liu Ting , Jia Yanyan , Fang Jingai , Zhang Xiaodong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract:
It is well known that skin lesions are among the most common complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which significantly impact the patient's quality of life. Research has demon-strated that gut and skin lesions are closely interconnected and affect each other. This interaction is referred to as the "gut-skin axis" and the intestinal microbiota plays a critical role in this interaction. Changes in gut microbiota composition and function are associated with the development of skin diseases, which are part of the "gut-skin axis". Presently, preliminary results have been demonstrat-ed in basic and clinical research on CKD skin lesions. With further research, the "gut-skin axis" theory can provide new ideas for treating CKD skin lesions and may become a potential treatment target