bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of the affinity constants for phage display albumin-binding peptides
Authors: Shi Yi-Feng 
Published: May 2023

Background
Phage display technology has been established as a powerful screening approach to select ligands or peptides for binding to proteins. Despite rapid growth in the field, there has been a relative dearth of quantitative criteria to measure the effectiveness of the process of phage display screening. Since human serum albumin (HSA) has been extensively studied as a drug carrier to extend the plasma half-life of protein therapeutics, the use of phage display technology is required for identifying albumin-binding peptides as the very promising strategy of albumin-binding against albumin fusion. The construction of albumin-binding drug requires the assessment of a large quantity of HSA-binding peptide (HSA binder) candidates for conjugation with therapeutic proteins. The use of the linear epitope mapping method has allowed researchers to discover many HSA-binding peptides. However, it may be inefficient to select these peptides based on sequence identity via randomly sequencing individual phage clones from enrichment pools.

Method
Here, a simple assessment method to facilitate phage display selection of HSA-binding peptides was recommended. With experimentally determined phage titer, one can calculate the specificity ratios, the recovery yields and the relative dissociation constants, which are defined as quantitative criteria for panning and characterization of the binding phage fused peptides.

Results
Consequently, this approach may not only enable more rapid and low-cost phage display screening, but also efficiently reduce pseudo-positive phages selected as HSA binders for conjugation with therapeutic proteins.
Effects ofin-situstroboscopic training on visual, visuomotor and reactive agility in youth volleyball players
Authors: Zwierko Michał , Jedziniak Wojciech , Popowczak Marek , Rokita Andrzej 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundStroboscopic training is based on an exercise with intermittent visual stimuli that force a greater demand on the visuomotor processing for improving performance under normal vision. While the stroboscopic effect is used as an effective tool to improve information processing in general perceptual-cognitive tasks, there is still a lack of research focused on identifying training protocols for sport-specific settings. Therefore, we aimed at assessing the effects ofin-situstroboscopic training on visual, visuomotor and reactive agility in young volleyball players.MethodsFifty young volleyball athletes (26 males and 24 females; mean age, 16.5 ± 0.6 years) participated in this study and were each divided randomly into an experimental group and a control group, who then both performed identical volleyball-specific tasks, with the experimental group under stroboscopic influence. The participants were evaluated three times using laboratory based tests for simple and complex reaction speed, sensory sensitivity and saccade dynamics; before the after the 6-week-long training (short-term effect) and 4 weeks later (long-term effect). In addition, a field test investigated the effects of the training on reactive agility.ResultsA significant TIMEvsGROUP effect was observed for (1) simple motor time (p= 0.020, ηp2= 0.08), with improvement in the stroboscopic group in the post-test and retention test (p= 0.003, d = 0.42 andp= 0.027, d = 0.35, respectively); (2) complex reaction speed (p< 0.001, ηp2= 0.22), with a large post-test effect in the stroboscopic group (p< 0.001, d = 0.87) and a small effect in the non-stroboscopic group (p= 0.010, d = 0.31); (3) saccade dynamics (p= 0.011, ηp2= 0.09), withpost-hoctests in the stroboscopic group not reaching significance (p= 0.083, d = 0.54); and (4) reactive agility (p= 0.039, ηp2= 0.07), with a post-test improvement in the stroboscopic group (p= 0.017, d = 0.49). Neither sensory sensitivity nor simple reaction time was statistically significantly affected as a result of the training (p> 0.05). A significant TIMEvsGENDER effect was observed for saccadic dynamics (p= 0.003, ηp2= 0.226) and reactive agility (p= 0.004, ηp2= 0.213), with stronger performance gains in the females.ConclusionsThere was a larger effectiveness from the 6-week volleyball-specific training in the stroboscopic group compared to the non-stroboscopic group. The stroboscopic training resulted in significant improvements on most measures (three of five) of visual and visuomotor function with more marked enhancement in visuomotor than in sensory processing. Also, the stroboscopic intervention improved reactive agility, with more pronounced performance gains for short-term compared to the long-term changes. Gender differences in response to the stroboscopic training are inconclusive, therefore our findings do not offer a clear consensus.
Effects of Colored Polymer Light and Feed Forms on the Performance of Broiler Chickens in the Humid Tropical Climate
Authors: Adegbenro M. , Jongbo A. O. , Akinfenwa R. O. , Adeyeye O. A. , Fajemisin A. N. 
Published: May 2023

Aims: The colours of the polymer used during brooding could impair the vision of the chicks. For chicks reared in the dark environment, they have limited access to daylight and find it difficult to gain access to feed and water. Therefore, for better understanding of the effect of the polymer colours on broiler production in the humid tropical climate, a study was carried out to evaluate the effect of coloured polymer light filter and feed forms on performance of broiler chickens.
Methodology: A total of two hundred and forty (240) chicks were allocated in 2 × 4 factorial arrangements with two feed forms (mash and pellet). The chicks were reared under four (4) different coloured polymer light filter, namely; white (T1), blue (T2), black (T3), and green (T4) and an incandescent bulb (100 Watts) each.
Results: The results showed that the birds reared under the white polymer light filter had the highest weight gain (1565.28 g), while the least weight gain (1469.72 g) was observed in birds reared under black polymer light filter. For rectal temperature of the birds, it was discovered that broiler chicken reared under white polymer light filter had the highest rectal temperature (39.63°C), while the least rectal temperature of 39.33°C was observed in the chicken reared under black polymer light filter. The highest environmental temperature (34.03°C) was observed in birds reared under black polymer light filter, while the least environmental temperature (30.03°C) was observed in birds reared under white polymer light filter. The results further showed that birds fed with pelletized feed form had the highest weight gain than the birds fed with mashed feed form.
Conclusions: From the findings of this study, it is certain that polymer light filter and feed forms are important factors that could influence birds’ performance.
Protein S100B and Amplitude-Integrated EEG as Early Predictive Methods for Brain Injury and Seizures in Preterm Neonates
Authors: Elsheikh Hager Mohammed , El-Sheikh Mai Rabie , Algohary Tarek Mohammed , Elmashad Abd-Elrahman Mohammed 
Published: May 2023

Background: Neonatal brain injury (NBI) is a serious adverse outcome in premature neonates. The most common form of neonatal brain injury (NBI) are intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Improved survival of preterm infants leads to short- and long-term hazards of neurological, cognitive, respiratory, digestive, renal, cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and psychosocial disturbances. We sought to determine the levels and prognostic value of serum S100B and the role of aEEG during the first three days of life in premature neonates (< 37 weeks) that later developed NBI in the form of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or neonatal seizures to rule out the sensitivity and specificity of them in early detection of brain lesions in preterm neonates.
Aim of the Study: To evaluate the role of Protein S100B as an early predictor for neonatal brain injury in preterm neonates and the predictive and prognostic value of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography for neonatal brain injury susceptibility and severity.
Subject and Methods: This study was carried out on 50 preterm neonate (less than 37 weeks GA) who were divided according to presence or absence of brain injury into case and control groups. They were admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Tanta University Hospital during the period from March 2021 to March 2022.serum S100B at (Day 1 and Day 3), serial trans-cranial sonar and aEEG were done for all patients.
Results: Neonates with NBI, had significantly higher S100B concentration during the first three days of life, its level was higher in the third day than the first day, the cut-off value >810.4 ng/ml serum S100B performed a sensitivity of 72.7%and a specificity of 71.4% to predict adverse neonatal outcome. 60% neonates had normal aEEG and 40% had abnormal aEEG.72.7% of neonates with NBI had abnormal aEEG interpretation. There was a significant relationship between the electrografic seizures on aEEG and occurrence of clinical seizures as 96.7% of neonates who had abnormal aEEG suffered of clinical convulsion.
Conclusion: Protein S100B has a good predictive value regarding NBI in premature neonates and aEEG has a great role in monitoring neonatal brain function and early detection of neonatal seizures.
Neurodegenerative disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in metachromatic leukodystrophy
Authors: Al‐Saady Murtadha , Beerepoot Shanice , Plug Bonnie C. , Breur Marjolein , Galabova Hristina , Pouwels Petra J. W. , Boelens Jaap‐Jan , Lindemans Caroline , van Hasselt Peter M. , Matzner Ulrich , Vanderver Adeline , Bugiani Marianna , van der Knaap Marjo S. , Wolf Nicole I. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveMetachromatic leukodystrophy is a lysosomal storage disease caused by deficient arylsulfatase A. It is characterized by progressive demyelination and thus mainly affects the white matter. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may stabilize and improve white matter damage, yet some patients deteriorate despite successfully treated leukodystrophy. We hypothesized that post‐treatment decline in metachromatic leukodystrophy might be caused by gray matter pathology.MethodsThree metachromatic leukodystrophy patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with a progressive clinical course despite stable white matter pathology were clinically and radiologically analyzed. Longitudinal volumetric MRI was used to quantify atrophy. We also examined histopathology in three other patients deceased after treatment and compared them with six untreated patients.ResultsThe three clinically progressive patients developed cognitive and motor deterioration after transplantation, despite stable mild white matter abnormalities on MRI. Volumetric MRI identified cerebral and thalamus atrophy in these patients, and cerebellar atrophy in two. Histopathology showed that in brain tissue of transplanted patients, arylsulfatase A expressing macrophages were clearly present in the white matter, but absent in the cortex. Arylsulfatase A expression within patient thalamic neurons was lower than in controls, the same was found in transplanted patients.InterpretationNeurological deterioration may occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in metachromatic leukodystrophy despite successfully treated leukodystrophy. MRI shows gray matter atrophy, and histological data demonstrate absence of donor cells in gray matter structures. These findings point to a clinically relevant gray matter component of metachromatic leukodystrophy, which does not seem sufficiently affected by transplantation.
Natural Bio‐additive Chlorophyll Derivative Enables 17.30% Efficiency Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Duan Shengnan , Sasaki Shin‐ichi , Han Deman , Zhang Guangquan , Li Dengfeng , Feng Chunbao , Wang Xiao‐Feng , Tamiaki Hitoshi , Chung Sein , Cho Kilwon , Li Gang , Lu Shirong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAdditive‐assisted donor and acceptor domain regulation is regarded as an effective strategy to further release the potential photovoltaic performance of the existing organic solar cells (OSCs). Meanwhile, it is also critical to find high‐efficient, stable, non‐toxic, and low‐cost biological materials as bio‐additives to replace the traditional toxic halogen‐based additives. In this study, bio‐additives derived from a natural chlorophyll pigment named as ZnChl and H2Chl are employed to optimize the morphology and molecular stack of the PM6:Y6 active layer. The eutectic molecular stack of the blends is more ordered and tighter after introducing the bio‐additive chlorophyll derivatives to the system compared to the pristine PM6:Y6 blends. Owing to such a fine‐tuned donor‐acceptor microstructure network, the photovoltaic performance of the H2Chl bio‐additive‐based OSC achieves a 17.30% PCE and ZnChl‐based device obtains an efficiency of 16.61%, which is much higher than that of the control device with a 15.97% PCE. The result proves the feasibility of introducing environmental‐ and eco‐friendly chlorophyll derivatives as bio‐additives to further improve the photovoltaic performance of the OSCs.
Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Methane by Cu Complex‐Derived Catalysts in Non‐Aqueous Media
Authors: Kim Kyuman , Wagner Pawel , Wagner Klaudia , Mozer Attila J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractElectrochemical CO2 reduction using Cu complex catalysts in non‐aqueous media leads exclusively to carbon monoxide or formic acid. This study reports highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction to methane using a 2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline Cu2+ complex in dimethylformamide. XRD reveals the formation of a Cu complex‐derived catalyst during the electrochemical testing, containing Cu and an organic phase when the electrolyte contained tetrabutylammonium cations. Insulating carbonates were preferentially deposited when the electrolyte contained alkali metal cations, leading to low Faradaic efficiency for methane. The dramatic electrolyte dependence is explained by the relative solubility of deposits in dimethylformamide under reductive potentials. The Faradaic efficiency for methane production varied from sample to sample, with underlaying variation in the morphology of the catalyst. Selective methane production using Cu complex‐derived catalysts in non‐aqueous media is intriguing, opening the possibility of combinatorial studies of the effect of ligand structures on product selectivity by involving ligands not soluble in water.
Case report: Primary adenocarcinoma NOS of the thymus and cytological features
Authors: Willner Jonathan , Hernandez Osvaldo , Azour Lea , Moreira Andre L. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAspirates of mediastinal neoplasms pose a unique diagnostic challenge due to the overlapping histologic characteristics of mediastinal lesions and the morphologic similarities between mediastinal neoplasms and those originating at other sites. Presented here is the first reported description of the cytomorphologic features of adenocarcinoma NOS of the thymus in aspirate and pleural effusion specimens. The morphologic similarities between thymic and metastatic adenocarcinomas and variable immunohistochemical staining patterns of thymic epithelial neoplasms underscore the importance of pathology‐radiology correlation and the careful consideration of the clinical context in the interpretation of cytology specimens.
Animal and plant‐based proteins have different postprandial effects on energy expenditure, glycemia, insulinemia, and lipemia: A review of controlled clinical trials
Authors: Dehnavi Zahra , Barghchi Hanieh , Esfehani Ali Jafarzadeh , Barati Mehdi , Khorasanchi Zahra , Farsi Farima , Ostad Andisheh Norouzian , Ranjbar Golnaz , Rezvani Reza , Gorgani Mitra Rezaie , Safarian Mohammad 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDietary proteins have been shown to stimulate thermogenesis, increase satiety, and improve insulin sensitivity in the short and long term. Animal‐based proteins (AP) and plant‐based proteins (PP) have different amino acid profiles, bioavailability, and digestibility, so it seems to have various short‐ and long‐term effects on metabolic responses. This review aimed to compare the findings of controlled clinical trials on postprandial effects of dietary Aps versus PPs on energy expenditure (EE), lipemia, glycemia, and insulinemia. Data are inconclusive regarding the postprandial effects of APs and PPs. However, there is some evidence indicating that APs increase postprandial EE, DIT, and SO more than PPs. With lipemia and glycemia, most studies showed that APs reduce or delay postprandial glycemia and lipemia and increase insulinemia more than PPs. The difference in amino acid composition, digestion and absorption rate, and gastric emptying rate between APs and PPs explains this difference.
Clinical characteristics of palmoplantar discoid lupus erythematosus: A multicenter retrospective review of 43 patients
Authors: Shaw Katharina , Pan Catherina , Sanchez‐Melendez Stephanie , Taylor Dustin , Shahriari Neda , Duncan Lyn , LaChance Avery , Vleugels Ruth Ann 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundPalmoplantar discoid lupus erythematosus (ppDLE) is a rare manifestation of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus that can result in painful, hyperkeratotic, and/or erosive lesions on the palms and soles. Despite this penchant to cause significant morbidity, the natural history of ppDLE and its response to conventional treatment approaches remain poorly understood.ObjectivesTo characterize the initial presentation, treatment response, and association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) of ppDLE.MethodsWe performed an International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐9 and ICD‐10) code and natural‐language query for medical records from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital to identify all cases of ppDLE based on biopsy and/or expert opinion from January 2000 through October 2022. Demographics, clinical features, and treatment data were analysed.ResultsForty‐three patients (median age, 29.5 years [range, 8−70 years]; 36 female [83.7%]) with ppDLE were identified. Mean time from initial clinical presentation of ppDLE symptoms to diagnosis was 14.5 months (n = 34). Of the 43 patients, 74.4% developed coexistent SLE. A mean of 5.9 (standard deviation, 2.7) lines of therapy were required to achieve control of ppDLE, with the majority of patients requiring the initiation of at least two concomitant systemic medications.ConclusionsHerein, we present the largest cohort of patients with ppDLE in the literature to date. Despite a high incidence of coexistent SLE, patients experienced lengthy diagnostic delays. Even with appropriate diagnosis, an overwhelming trend towards treatment‐refractory disease was observed.
Weyl families of transformed boundary pairs
Authors: Juršėnas Rytis 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLet be an isometric boundary pair associated with a closed symmetric linear relation T in a Krein space . Let be the Weyl family corresponding to . We cope with two main topics. First, since need not be (generalized) Nevanlinna, the characterization of the closure and the adjoint of a linear relation , for some , becomes a nontrivial task. Regarding as the (Shmul'yan) transform of induced by Γ, we give conditions for the equality in to hold and we compute the adjoint . As an application, we ask when the resolvent set of the main transform associated with a unitary boundary pair for is nonempty. Based on the criterion for the closeness of , we give a sufficient condition for the answer. From this result it follows, for example, that, if T is a standard linear relation in a Pontryagin space, then the Weyl family corresponding to a boundary relation Γ for is a generalized Nevanlinna family; a similar conclusion is already known if T is an operator. In the second topic, we characterize the transformed boundary pair with its Weyl family . The transformation scheme is either or with suitable linear relations V. Results in this direction include but are not limited to: a 1‐1 correspondence between and ; the formula for , for an ordinary boundary triple and a standard unitary operator V (first scheme); construction of a quasi boundary triple from an isometric boundary triple with and (second scheme, Hilbert space case).
Molecular mechanisms of regulation by a β‐alanine‐responsive Lrp‐type transcription factor from Acidianus hospitalis
Authors: Bernauw Amber J. , Crabbe Vincent , Ryssegem Fraukje , Willaert Ronnie , Bervoets Indra , Peeters Eveline 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe leucine‐responsive regulatory protein (Lrp) family of transcriptional regulators is widespread among prokaryotes and especially well‐represented in archaea. It harbors members with diverse functional mechanisms and physiological roles, often linked to the regulation of amino acid metabolism. BarR is an Lrp‐type regulator that is conserved in thermoacidophilic Thermoprotei belonging to the order Sulfolobales and is responsive to the non‐proteinogenic amino acid β‐alanine. In this work, we unravel molecular mechanisms of the Acidianus hospitalis BarR homolog, Ah‐BarR. Using a heterologous reporter gene system in Escherichia coli, we demonstrate that Ah‐BarR is a dual‐function transcription regulator that is capable of repressing transcription of its own gene and activating transcription of an aminotransferase gene, which is divergently transcribed from a common intergenic region. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) visualization reveals a conformation in which the intergenic region appears wrapped around an octameric Ah‐BarR protein. β‐alanine causes small conformational changes without affecting the oligomeric state of the protein, resulting in a relief of regulation while the regulator remains bound to the DNA. This regulatory and ligand response is different from the orthologous regulators in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and Sulfurisphaera tokodaii, which is possibly explained by a distinct binding site organization and/or by the presence of an additional C‐terminal tail in Ah‐BarR. By performing site‐directed mutagenesis, this tail is shown to be involved in ligand‐binding response.
Theory of the remission process of schizophrenia (Nakai)
Authors: Sugibayashi Minoru 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHisao Nakai (1934–2022) surprised many experts with his prolific publication of papers ranging from meticulous therapeutic engagement and observations to original research. The “theory of the remission process of schizophrenia” is a representative example of Nakai's research and theories. The significance of Nakai's theory of the remission process is that it let the world know about the existence of schizophrenia's remission process, which had not been previously recognised. Additionally, Nakai's discovery of the “critical period” was significant and his detailed description of the same, which marks the beginning of the remission process, is widely considered to be fundamental. Nakai closely followed common phenomena that appeared accidentally, and he plotted the reactions of the autonomic nervous system, patient's dream content, and drawing content on a chart to show, for the first time, the clear emergence of a “critical period,” and demonstrated the crucial role of the remission process. Nakai explained how the process progresses sequentially from the “critical period” to the “early remission period” and the “late remission period.” He identified many specific indicators and discovered a great significance in innovative therapeutic engagement in each of these periods. Nakai's findings are supported by meticulous clinical observations and are free from simplifications that stem from simple theorization. In particular, close observation of the remission process was conducted with full engagement and concern of the therapist, without which, the remission process would not have been visible.