bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Produce D-allulose from non-food biomass by integrating corn stalk hydrolysis with whole-cell catalysis
Authors: Jia Qing , Zhang Hui , Zhao Anqi , Qu Lingbo , Xiong Wenlong , Alam Md. Asraful , Miao Jixing , Wang Weigao , Li Feihu , Xu Jingliang , Lv Yongkun 
Published: February 2023

D-allulose is a high-value rare sugar with many health benefits. D-allulose market demand increased dramatically after approved as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The current studies are predominantly focusing on producing D-allulose from either D-glucose or D-fructose, which may compete foods against human. The corn stalk (CS) is one of the main agricultural waste biomass in the worldwide. Bioconversion is one of the promising approach to CS valorization, which is of significance for both food safety and reducing carbon emission. In this study, we tried to explore a non-food based route by integrating CS hydrolysis with D-allulose production. Firstly we developed an efficient Escherichia coli whole-cell catalyst to produce D-allulose from D-glucose. Next we hydrolyzed CS and achieved D-allulose production from the CS hydrolysate. Finally we immobilized the whole-cell catalyst by designing a microfluidic device. Process optimization improved D-allulose titer by 8.61 times, reaching 8.78 g/L from CS hydrolysate. With this method, 1 kg CS was finally converted to 48.87 g D-allulose. This study validated the feasibility of valorizing corn stalk by converting it to D-allulose.
Stroke risk study based on deep learning-based magnetic resonance imaging carotid plaque automatic segmentation algorithm
Authors: Chen Ya-Fang , Chen Zhen-Jie , Lin You-Yu , Lin Zhi-Qiang , Chen Chun-Nuan , Yang Mei-Li , Zhang Jin-Yin , Li Yuan-zhe , Wang Yi , Huang Yin-Hui 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThe primary factor for cardiovascular disease and upcoming cardiovascular events is atherosclerosis. Recently, carotid plaque texture, as observed on ultrasonography, is varied and difficult to classify with the human eye due to substantial inter-observer variability. High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) plaque imaging offers naturally superior soft tissue contrasts to computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography, and combining different contrast weightings may provide more useful information. Radiation freeness and operator independence are two additional benefits of M RI. However, other than preliminary research on MR texture analysis of basilar artery plaque, there is currently no information addressing MR radiomics on the carotid plaque.MethodsFor the automatic segmentation of MRI scans to detect carotid plaque for stroke risk assessment, there is a need for a computer-aided autonomous framework to classify MRI scans automatically. We used to detect carotid plaque from MRI scans for stroke risk assessment pre-trained models, fine-tuned them, and adjusted hyperparameters according to our problem.ResultsOur trained YOLO V3 model achieved 94.81% accuracy, RCNN achieved 92.53% accuracy, and MobileNet achieved 90.23% in identifying carotid plaque from MRI scans for stroke risk assessment. Our approach will prevent incorrect diagnoses brought on by poor image quality and personal experience.ConclusionThe evaluations in this work have demonstrated that this methodology produces acceptable results for classifying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.
High hemoglobin glycation index is associated with increased risk of diabetes: A population-based cohort study in China
Authors: Lin Lu , Wang Anping , Jia Xiaomeng , Wang Haibin , He Yan , Mu Yiming , Dou Jingtao 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThe hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) quantifies the mismatch between glycated hemoglobin A1c and average glycemia among individuals. Currently, it is unknown the potential role of HGI in exhaustively evaluating the progression of glucose metabolism/the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between HGI and the risk of incident diabetes.MethodsA total of 7,345 participants aged at least 40 years and without diabetes were divided into three groups according to the tertile of their baseline HGI level and followed for a median of 3.24 years to track new-onset diabetes. Using multivariate Cox regression analyses, we explored the association between the HGI, both categorized and continuous, and incident diabetes.ResultsDuring follow-up, 742 subjects (263 males and 479 females) developed diabetes mellitus. Higher HGI was associated with an increased risk of diabetes, even when adjusted for confounding factors, and every standard deviation increase in HGI was associated with a significant risk increase of 30.6% for diabetes (hazard ratio 1.306, 95% confidence interval 1.232–1.384).ConclusionsParticipants with a higher HGI were at a higher risk of future diabetes, irrespective of their glycemic conditions. Consequently, HGI may be employed to identify individuals at high risk for diabetes.
Origin and driving mechanisms of marine litter in the shelf-incised Motril, Carchuna, and Calahonda canyons (northern Alboran Sea)
Authors: Cerrillo-Escoriza Javier , Lobo Francisco José , Puga-Bernabéu Ángel , Rueda José Luis , Bárcenas Patricia , Sánchez-Guillamón Olga , Serna Quintero José Miguel , Pérez Gil José Luis , Murillo Yelvana , Caballero-Herrera José Antonio , López-Quirós Adrián , Mendes Isabel , Pérez-Asensio José Noel 
Published: February 2023

Introduction and methodsMarine litter density, distribution and potential sources, and the impact on canyon seafloor habitats were investigated in the Motril, Carchuna and Calahonda canyons, located along the northern margin of the Alboran Sea. During the ALSSOMAR-S2S oceanographic survey carried out in 2019, canyon floor imagery was collected by a Remotely Operated Vehicle along 5 km in the Motril Canyon, 10 km in the Carchuna Canyon, and 3 km in Calahonda Canyon, together with 41 surficial sediment samples. Additionally, coastal uses, maritime traffic and fishing activity data were analyzed. A 50 m resolution multibeam bathymetry served as base map.ResultsIn the Motril and Calahonda canyons, the density of marine litter was low and the material was dispersed, very degraded and partially buried. In contrast, the Carchuna Canyon contained a greater amount and variety of litter. The Carchuna Canyon thalweg exhibited a density of marine litter up to 8.66 items·100 m-1, and litter hotspots with a density of up to 42 items·m2 are found along the upper reaches of the canyon thalweg.DiscussionLow litter abundances found in the studied canyons most likely reflect low population densities and the absence of direct connections with streams in the nearby coasts. The high shelf incision of the Carchuna Canyon and its proximity to the coastline favor littoral sediment remobilization and capture as well as the formation of gravity flows that transport the marine litter along the thalweg toward the distal termination of the channel. Litter hotspots are favored by the canyon morphology and the occurrence of rocky outcrops. Most debris is of coastal origin and related to beach occupation and agricultural practices in the adjacent coastal plain. A third origin was represented by fishing gear in the study area. Fishing activity may be producing an impact through physical damage to the skeletons of the colonial scleractinians located in the walls of the Carchuna Canyon. In contrast, the Motril and Calahonda canyons can be considered passive systems that have mainly acted as depositional sinks in the recent past, as evidenced by buried marine litter.
The health-related quality of life for hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty in the elderly: A meta-analysis
Authors: Su Yaping , Li Ruiling , Ren Xiangying , Wang Yuanyuan , Bai Xiaolu , Zhang Yurui , Han Lingyu , Wang Yiman , Liang Ran 
Published: February 2023

PurposeWhat constitutes the optimal surgical plan for femoral neck fractures (FNFs) in elderly patients is controversial. The European quality of life 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EU-5Q) is an international scale used to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after surgery. We aim to verify the hip arthroplasty effect in elderly patients by analyzing HRQoL scores in the EU-5Q scale.MethodsWe searched the EBSCO, Embase, PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases using strict searching from established to 30 November 2022; used the Cochrane Library's Risk of Bias Assessment Tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale to evaluate the literature; and used RevMan5.4.1 software to perform a meta-analysis. All the included studies used the EU-5Q scale to validate the overall outcomes for elderly hip arthroplasty.ResultsThe final included literature is composed of four RCTs, two cohort studies, three case–control trials, and three cross-sectional surveys. This study compared HRQoL scores measured by the EU-5Q scale, including 328 elderly patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 323 elderly patients with hemiarthroplasty, which is statistically significant (OR = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02~0.08; P = 0.002). The subgroups were as follows: unipolar vs. bipolar and cemented vs. uncemented hemiarthroplasty (OR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03~0.08; P &lt; 0.001), follow-up time and age arthroplasty (OR = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.11~0.22; P &lt; 0.001), molecular exercise and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) (OR = 0.02; 95% CI,−0.03~0.07; P = 0.38), and analysis of hemiarthroplasty with cognitive dysfunction vs. the normal group (OR = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.08~0.26; P &lt; 0.001). The outcome analysis was consistent with the included studies, and HRQoL of the EU-5Q scale is sensitive to surgical outcomes between THA and hemiarthroplasty.ConclusionSurgeons still need to further evaluate and verify whether the hip arthroplasty surgical program or effect in elderly patients is optimal. Hemiarthroplasty operations in elderly patients have pointed toward a new direction for clinical treatment, and HRQoL scores measured by the EU-5Q can sensitively reflect the rehabilitation status after hip arthroplasty surgery. Moreover, the extensive correlation between surgical outcomes and perioperative neurocognitive function should be further investigated.
The need for kidney biopsy in the management of side effects of target and immunotherapy
Authors: Fenoglio Roberta , Cozzi Martina , Del Vecchio Giulio , Sciascia Savino , Barreca Antonella , Comandone Alessandro , Roccatello Dario 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThe introduction of innovative therapies, resulting from revisiting cancer as a disease of the immune system, has changed the scenario of complications. These new classes of drugs, such as targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, assure substantial advantages in cancer therapy, despite some side effects affecting various organs, including the kidney. Histological evaluations of kidney disorders induced by targeted/immunotherapy are limited.MethodIn this study we examined the histological features of patients treated with new cancer agents who underwent a kidney biopsy for new onset kidney failure and/or urinary abnormalities.ResultsThe cohort included 30 adult patients. The most frequently administered therapies were immunotherapy (30%), targeted therapy (26.7%), immunotherapy plus targeted therapy (13.3%), immunotherapy plus chemotherapy (13.3%), targeted therapy plus chemotherapy (16.7%). The most common histological finding was tubular interstitial nephritis (30%) that was associated with acute tubular necrosis in 4 cases, and thrombotic microangiopathy (23.3%). After kidney biopsy, 16 of the 30 patients were treated according to the histological diagnosis. Fourteen patients were treated with steroids. One patient with membranous nephropathy was treated with a single dose of rituximab. A patient with severe thrombotic microangiopathy requiring dialysis received a treatment with eculizumab for 3 months. Overall some renal response was obtained in all patients treated with glucocorticoids, while complete kidney response was achieved in the patient treated with rituximab. Cancer treatment was resumed without change in 21 out of 30 patients.ConclusionKidney biopsy is critical for the management of kidney toxicities and should be strongly encouraged for patients showing adverse kidney effects of novel cancer agents.
Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio percentage: An independent predictor of disease severity and prognosis in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis
Authors: Du Juan , Shao Yingzhe , Song Yajun , Wang Kaixin , Yang Xuan , Li Yanfei , Yao Yaobing , Gong Zhe , Jia Yanjie 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThis retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio percentage (FARP) and disease severity and prognosis in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis.MethodsMedical records and clinical characteristics from 181 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were included. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to analyze disease severity and prognosis at admission and discharge, and correlations between FARP, disease severity, and prognosis were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the efficiency of FARP in assessing disease severity and prognosis.ResultsCompared to the control group, patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis had higher fibrinogen (Fib) levels (P &lt; 0.001), neutrophil counts (P &lt; 0.001), and FARP levels (P &lt; 0.001) but had lower albumin levels (P = 0.003). The enrolled patients were divided into mild-to-moderate and severe groups according to their mRS scores both at admission and discharge. FARP levels were significantly elevated in the severe group compared to the mild-to-moderate group among patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis both at admission and discharge (admission 6.0 vs. 7.40, P &lt; 0.001; discharge 6.43 vs. 8.18, P&lt;0.001). Indeed, the mRS scores at admission (56 vs. 26%, P &lt; 0.001) and discharge (26 vs. 11%, P = 0.006) in the high FARP group were significantly higher than those in the low FARP group. Furthermore, FARP was positively correlated with the mRS scores at admission (r = 0.383, P &lt; 0.001) and discharge (r =0.312, P &lt; 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, FARP was significantly associated with disease severity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.416, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.117-1.795, P = 0.004) and prognosis (OR = 1.252, 95% CI = 1.010-1.552, P = 0.040). FARP-based ROC curves predicted disease severity, with a sensitivity of 0.756, a specificity of 0.626, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.722 (95% CI = 0.648–0.796, P &lt; 0.001*). The ROC curve predicted the disease prognosis with a sensitivity of 0.703, a specificity of 0.667, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.723 (95% CI = 0.629–0.817, P &lt; 0.001*).ConclusionOur results indicate that FARP is a novel predictive marker for disease severity and prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is common in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC): Results from a post-COVID-19 multidisciplinary clinic
Authors: Bonilla Hector , Quach Tom C. , Tiwari Anushri , Bonilla Andres E. , Miglis Mitchell , Yang Phillip C. , Eggert Lauren E. , Sharifi Husham , Horomanski Audra , Subramanian Aruna , Smirnoff Liza , Simpson Norah , Halawi Houssan , Sum-ping Oliver , Kalinowski Agnieszka , Patel Zara M. , Shafer Robert William , Geng Linda N. 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe global prevalence of PASC is estimated to be present in 0·43 and based on the WHO estimation of 470 million worldwide COVID-19 infections, corresponds to around 200 million people experiencing long COVID symptoms. Despite this, its clinical features are not well-defined.MethodsWe collected retrospective data from 140 patients with PASC in a post-COVID-19 clinic on demographics, risk factors, illness severity (graded as one-mild to five-severe), functional status, and 29 symptoms and principal component symptoms cluster analysis. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2015 criteria were used to determine the Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) phenotype.FindingsThe median age was 47 years, 59.0% were female; 49.3% White, 17.2% Hispanic, 14.9% Asian, and 6.7% Black. Only 12.7% required hospitalization. Seventy-two (53.5%) patients had no known comorbid conditions. Forty-five (33.9%) were significantly debilitated. The median duration of symptoms was 285.5 days, and the number of symptoms was 12. The most common symptoms were fatigue (86.5%), post-exertional malaise (82.8%), brain fog (81.2%), unrefreshing sleep (76.7%), and lethargy (74.6%). Forty-three percent fit the criteria for ME/CFS, majority were female, and obesity (BMI &gt; 30 Kg/m2) (P = 0.00377895) and worse functional status (P = 0.0110474) were significantly associated with ME/CFS.InterpretationsMost PASC patients evaluated at our clinic had no comorbid condition and were not hospitalized for acute COVID-19. One-third of patients experienced a severe decline in their functional status. About 43% had the ME/CFS subtype.
APRIL: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, Phase Ib/IIa clinical study of ApTOLL for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Hernández-Jiménez Macarena , Abad-Santos Francisco , Cotgreave Ian , Gallego Jaime , Jilma Bernd , Flores Alan , Jovin Tudor G. , Vivancos José , Molina Carlos A. , Montaner Joan , Casariego Joaquín , Dalsgaard Mads , Hernández-Pérez María , Liebeskind David S. , Cobo Erik , Ribo Marc 
Published: February 2023

In the reperfusion era, a new paradigm of treating patients with endovascular treatment (EVT) and neuroprotective drugs is emerging as a promising therapeutic option for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In this context, ApTOLL, a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist with proven neuroprotective effect in preclinical models of stroke and a very good pharmacokinetic and safety profile in healthy volunteers, is a promising first-in-class aptamer with the potential to address this huge unmet need. This protocol establishes the clinical trial procedures to conduct a Phase Ib/IIa clinical study (APRIL) to assess ApTOLL tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics, and biological effect in patients with AIS who are eligible for EVT. This will be a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase Ib/IIa clinical study to evaluate the administration of ApTOLL together with EVT in patients with AIS. The study population will be composed of men and non-pregnant women with confirmed AIS with a &lt;6h window from symptoms onset to ApTOLL/placebo administration. The trial is currently being conducted and is divided into two parts: Phase Ib and Phase IIa. In Phase Ib, 32 patients will be allocated to four dose ascending levels to select, based on safety criteria, the best two doses to be administered in the following Phase IIa in which 119 patients will be randomized to three arms of treatment (dose A, dose B, and placebo).Identification of the trialEudraCT: 2020-002059-38 and ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04734548 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04734548?term=ApTOLL&amp;cond=Stroke&amp;draw=2&amp;rank=1.
Study on the fermentation effect of Rhodotorula glutinis utilizing tofu whey wastewater and the influence of Rhodotorula glutinis on laying hens
Authors: Xu Xifei , Liu Wenjian , Niu Honghong , Hua Mei , Su Ying , Miao Xinyu , Chi Yanping , Xu Hongyan , Wang Jinghui , Sun Mubai , Li Da 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundTofu whey wastewater (TWW) is the wastewater of tofu processing, which is rich in a variety of nutrients. Rhodotorula glutinis can make full use of TWW to ferment and reproduce yeast cells, produce carotenoids and other nutrients, improve the utilization value of TWW, and reduce environmental pollution and resource waste.MethodsIn this study, the nutrient composition changes of TWW treated by Rhodotorula glutinis were analyzed to reformulate TWW medium, and the optimal composition and proportion of TWW medium that can improve the biomass and carotenoids production of Rhodotorula glutinis were explored. Meanwhile, the Rhodotorula glutinis liquid obtained under these conditions was used to prepare biological feed for laying hens, and the effect of Rhodotorula glutinis growing on TWW as substrate on laying performance and egg quality of laying hens were verified.ResultsThe results showed that the zinc content of TWW after Rhodotorula glutinis fermentation increased by 62.30%, the phosphorus content decreased by 42.31%, and the contents of vitamin B1, B2 and B6 increased to varying degrees. The optimal fermentation conditions of Rhodotorula glutinis in the TWW medium were as follow: the initial pH was 6.40, the amount of soybean oil, glucose and zinc ions was 0.80 ml/L, 16.32 g/L, and 20.52 mg/L, respectively. Under this condition, the biomass of Rhodotorula glutinis reached 2.23 g/L, the carotenoids production was 832.86 μg/g, and the number of effective viable yeast count was 7.08 × 107 cfu/ml. In addition, the laying performance and egg quality of laying hens fed Rhodotorula glutinis biological feed were improved.DiscussionIn this study, we analyzed the composition changes of TWW, optimized the fermentation conditions of Rhodotorula glutinis in TWW medium, explored the influence of Rhodotorula glutinis utilizing TWW on laying layers, and provided a new idea for the efficient utilization of TWW.
Patch clamp studies on TRPV4-dependent hemichannel activation in lens epithelium
Authors: Ek-Vitorin Jose F. , Shahidullah Mohammad , Lopez Rosales Joaquin E. , Delamere Nicholas A. 
Published: February 2023

ATP release from the lens via hemichannels has been explained as a response to TRPV4 activation when the lens is subjected to osmotic swelling. To explore the apparent linkage between TRPV4 activation and connexin hemichannel opening we performed patch-clamp recordings on cultured mouse lens epithelial cells exposed to the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A (GSK) in the presence or absence of the TRPV4 antagonist HC067047 (HC). GSK was found to cause a fast, variable and generally large non-selective increase of whole cell membrane conductance evident as a larger membrane current (Im) over a wide voltage range. The response was prevented by HC. The GSK-induced Im increase was proportionally larger at negative voltages and coincided with fast depolarization and the simultaneous disappearance of an outward current, likely a K+ current. The presence of this outward current in control conditions appeared to be a reliable predictor of a cell’s response to GSK treatment. In some studies, recordings were obtained from single cells by combining cell-attached and whole-cell patch clamp configurations. This approach revealed events with a channel conductance 180–270 pS following GSK application through the patch pipette on the cell-attached side. The findings are consistent with TRPV4-dependent opening of Cx43 hemichannels.