bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Formation and structural features of micelles formed by surfactin homologues
Authors: Bochynek Michał , Lewińska Agnieszka , Witwicki Maciej , Dębczak Agnieszka , Łukaszewicz Marcin 
Published: July 2023

Surfactin, a group of cyclic lipopeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis, possesses surfactant properties and is a promising natural and biologically active compound. In this study, we present a comprehensive characterization of surfactin, including its production, chromatographic separation into pure homologues (C12, C13, C14, C15), and investigation of their physicochemical properties. We determined adsorption isotherms and interpreted them using the Gibbs adsorption equation, revealing that the C15 homologue exhibited the strongest surface tension reduction (27.5 mN/m), while surface activity decreased with decreasing carbon chain length (32.2 mN/m for C12). Critical micelle concentration (CMC) were also determined, showing a decrease in CMC values from 0.35 mM for C12 to 0.08 mM for C15. We employed dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to estimate the size of micellar aggregates, which increased with longer carbon chains, ranging from 4.7 nm for C12 to 5.7 nm for C15. Furthermore, aggregation numbers were determined, revealing the number of molecules in a micelle. Contact angles and emulsification indexes (E24) were measured to assess the functional properties of the homologues, showing that wettability increased with chain length up to C14, which is intriguing as C14 is the most abundant homologue. Our findings highlight the relationship between the structure and properties of surfactin, providing valuable insights for understanding its biological significance and potential applications in various industries. Moreover, the methodology developed in this study can be readily applied to other cyclic lipopeptides, facilitating a better understanding of their structure-properties relationship.
Feasibility of exercise therapy for children with asthma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Linyuan , Xu Haofu 
Published: July 2023

Background: Although numerous studies have demonstrated the clear benefits of exercise for people with asthma, controversy remains. This study evaluated the effects of sustained exercise types on lung function and quality of life in patients with asthma.Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang database since January 2000 to August 2022 .included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of asthmatic children intervened with exercise. The outcomes were lung function and asthma-related quality of life. Fixed-effects model (I2≤50%) or random-effects model (I2&gt;50%) was applied to calculate the pooled effects. Funnel plots were quantified to present publication bias, and a P value &lt;0.05 was statistically significant.Results: Eventually, 15 trials conformed to the selection criteria. The exercise group significantly improved lung function (FEV1 and FVC) in asthmatic children compared with the control group. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (MD = 2.12, 95%CI = 0.70, 3.53; p = 0.003; I2 = 15%); Forced Vital Capacity (MD = 2.78, 95%CI = 1.26, 4.31; p = 0.0004; I2 = 56%). The immune system markers IL-6 and TNF-α, were significantly reduced in the exercise group. Interleukin-6 (MD = −0.49, 95%CI = −0.81, −0.17; p = 0.003; I2=0%); tumor necrosis factor-α (MD = −0.54, 95%CI = −0.92, −0.15; p = 0.006; I2 = 0%). That quality of life (PAQLQ) was significantly improved in children with asthma in the exercise group. PAQLQ-Total score (MD = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.46, 1.66; p = 0.006; I2 = 94%); PAQLQ-Emotional (MD = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.76, 1.06; p&lt;0.00001; I2 = 90%); PAQLQ-symptoms (MD = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.71, 1.02; p&lt;0.00001; I2 = 95%); PAQLQ-activities (MD = 1.20, 95%CI = 0.58, 1.82; p = 0.00001; I2 = 93%). Meta-analysis showed significant improvements in body composition in the exercise group. BMI (MD = −2.42, 95%CI = −4.40, 0.44; p = 0.02; I2 = 85%).Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of exercise in improving pulmonary function index (FEV1, FVC), immune system (IL-6, TNF-α, Feno), exercise ability (6MWT), body composition (BMI), and quality of life (PAQLQ) in asthmatic children. Asthmatic children should regularly participate in physical exercise.
Co-production of biohydrogen and biomethane utilizing halophytic biomass Atriplexcrassifolia by two-stage anaerobic fermentation process
Authors: Nawaz Ali , Aamir Farheen , Huang Rong , Haq Ikram ul , Wu Fangyu , Munir Marium , Chaudhary Rida , Rafique Ayesha , Jiang Kankan 
Published: July 2023

The excessive use of fossil has resulted in the drastic exhaustion of natural energy sources, leading to environmental challenges and energy crises. Owing to rising energy demand there is a dire need to shift towards renewable energies from lignocellulosic biomass. The present study assessed the co-production of biohydrogen (H2) and biomethane (CH4) by utilizing a less explored halophyte Atriplexcrassifolia. Various reaction parameters were evaluated for their effect on biohydrogen and biomethane production in batch experiments. One parameter at a time experimental strategy was chosen for production optimization. Hydrogen and methane yields along with their production rates were assessed at different incubation times, temperatures, pH, substrate concentrations, and inoculum sizes in acidogenesis and methanogenesis stages, respectively. In the first stage, maximum cumulative hydrogen production of 66 ± 0.02 mL, with hydrogen yield of 13.2 ± 0.03 mL/g, and hydrogen production rate (HPR) of 1.37 ± 0.05 mL/h was attained when the reaction mixture (5 g Atriplexcrassifolia and 10 mL pretreated sewage sludge) was processed at 37°C and pH 5.5 after 48 h of incubation. While in the second stage, maximum cumulative methane production, i.e., 343 ± 0.12 mL, methane yield (MY) of 8.5 ± 0.07 mL/mL, and methane production rate (MPR) of 0.8 ± 0.05 mL/h was achieved after 18 days of incubation of reaction mixture (40 mL of hydrogenic slurry with 80 mL inoculum) at 45°C and pH 8. Furthermore, a 51% and 24% rise in biohydrogen and biomethane production respectively were recorded when the gases were produced at these optimized reaction conditions. The results ensure halophyte Atriplexcrassifolia as an imperative renewable energy resource and proposed that effective optimization of the process further increased the coproduction of biohydrogen and biomethane.
Serum C-peptide level and the risk of cardiovascular diseases mortality and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Ahmadirad Hamid , Teymoori Farshad , Mokhtari Ebrahim , Jahromi Mitra Kazemi , Norouzzadeh Mostafa , Tavakkoli Saeed , Shahrokhtabar Tahere , Farhadnejad Hossein , Mirmiran Parvin 
Published: July 2023

Aims and backgroundRecently, the serum of C-peptide has been the focus of researchers as a possible predictor of mortality. However, the possible association of serum C-peptide with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) mortality and all-cause mortality has not been clearly identified. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between serum C-peptide and the risk of CVDs mortality and all-cause mortality.MethodsA comprehensive and systematic search was performed in various important databases, including the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to find relevant studies up to November 2022. The reported hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for all studies was converted into log HR, and their SD was calculated. Then to compute the pooled HR, the random-effects model with inverse variance weighting method was performed.ResultsTwenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. Fourteen studies reported HR for all-cause mortality, and nine studies for CVDs-related mortality. The pooled results indicate a significant association between serum C-peptide and the risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.12–1.32, I2 = 76.8%; P-value &lt; 0.001). Also, higher serum C-peptide was related to the increased risk of CVDs mortality (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.08–1.77, I2 = 81.8%; P-value = 0.012).ConclusionsOur investigation suggested that an increased level of serum C-peptide is associated with a higher risk of both CVDs and all-cause mortality. Further, large-scale studies and sufficient samples are recommended to present a convincing link between C-peptide and the risk of CVDs and all-cause mortality.Systematic Review Registrationidentifier, CRD42022364842.
Tree-based survival analysis improves mortality prediction in cardiac surgery
Authors: Penny-Dimri Jahan C. , Bergmeir Christoph , Reid Christopher M. , Williams-Spence Jenni , Perry Luke A. , Smith Julian A. 
Published: July 2023

ObjectivesMachine learning (ML) classification tools are known to accurately predict many cardiac surgical outcomes. A novel approach, ML-based survival analysis, remains unstudied for predicting mortality after cardiac surgery. We aimed to benchmark performance, as measured by the concordance index (C-index), of tree-based survival models against Cox proportional hazards (CPH) modeling and explore risk factors using the best-performing model.Methods144,536 patients with 147,301 surgery events from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) national database were used to train and validate models. Univariate analysis was performed using Student's T-test for continuous variables, Chi-squared test for categorical variables, and stratified Kaplan-Meier estimation of the survival function. Three ML models were tested, a decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting machine (GBM). Hyperparameter tuning was performed using a Bayesian search strategy. Performance was assessed using 2-fold cross-validation repeated 5 times.ResultsThe highest performing model was the GBM with a C-index of 0.803 (0.002), followed by RF with 0.791 (0.003), DT with 0.729 (0.014), and finally CPH with 0.596 (0.042). The 5 most predictive features were age, type of procedure, length of hospital stay, drain output in the first 4 h (ml), and inotrope use greater than 4 h postoperatively.ConclusionTree-based learning for survival analysis is a non-parametric and performant alternative to CPH modeling. GBMs offer interpretable modeling of non-linear relationships, promising to expose the most relevant risk factors and uncover new questions to guide future research.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies on the potential association between NAFLD/MAFLD and risk of incident atrial fibrillation
Authors: Zhou Ben‐Gang , Ju Sheng-Yong , Mei Yu-Zhou , Jiang Xin , Wang Meng , Zheng Ai-Jing , Ding Yan-Bing 
Published: July 2023

Background and objectiveThe association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been explored in recent cohort studies, however, the results have been controversial and inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to explore this potential association.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify all relevant cohort studies investigating the association between NAFLD/MAFLD and AF published from database inception to October 30, 2022. Random-effects models were utilized to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for summary purposes. Additionally, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 13 cohort studies with 14 272 735 participants were included. Among these, 12 cohort studies with 14 213 289 participants (median follow-up of 7.8 years) showed a significant association between NAFLD and an increased risk of incident AF (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12-1.23, P &lt; 0.00001). Our subgroup analyses mostly yielded similar results, and the results of sensitivity analyses remained unchanged. However, meta-analysis of data from 2 cohort studies with 59 896 participants (median follow-up of 2.15 years) showed that MAFLD was not linked to incident AF (HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.63-2.92, P = 0.44).ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that NAFLD may be linked to a slightly higher risk of developing AF, particularly among Asian populations and those diagnosed with NAFLD using FLI criteria. Nevertheless, there is not enough evidence to support the proposed association between MAFLD and an increased risk of AF. To better understand this relationship, future studies should consider factors such as specific population, the severity of NAFLD/MAFLD, diagnostic methods of NAFLD and AF, and cardiometabolic risk factors.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42022371503.
Case Report: Prenatal neurological injury in a neonate with pyruvate carboxylase deficiency type B
Authors: Xue Mei 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundPyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a key enzyme for gluconeogenesis. PC deficiency (PCD) is an extremely rare autosomal recessive metabolic disease and is divided into three types. Type B PCD is clinically featured by lactic acidosis, hyperammonemia, hypercitrullinemia, hypotonia, abnormal movement, and seizures.Case presentationHere, we report the first case of type B PCD in China, presenting with intractable lactic acidosis shortly after birth. A compound heterozygous mutation in the PC gene was identified by whole-exome sequencing, NM_001040716.2: c.1154_1155del and c.152G&gt;A, which were inherited from her asymptomatic parents, respectively. Furthermore, prenatal neuroradiological presentations including widened posterior horns of lateral ventricles, huge subependymal cysts, and increased biparietal diameter and head circumference were concerned. Symptomatic treatment was taken and the infant died at 26 days.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the minimum gestational age (22w5d) that’s when the prenatal onset of the neuroradiologic phenotype of PCD was observed. PCD has a poor prognosis and lacks an effective treatment, so this paper is shared to highlight the importance of PCD prenatal diagnosis in the absence of family history.
The value of functional magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of diabetic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Ziqi , Chen Yu , Zhou Xiqiao , Liu Su , Yu Jiangyi 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundThe diversity of clinical trajectories in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has made blood and biochemical urine markers less precise, while renal puncture, the gold standard, is almost impossible in the assessment of diabetic kidney disease, and the value of functional magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of diabetic pathological alterations is increasingly recognized.MethodsThe literature on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for the assessment of renal alterations in diabetic kidney disease was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. The search time limit is from database creation to March 10, 2023. RevMan was used to perform a meta-analysis of the main parameters of fMRIs extracted from DKD patients and healthy volunteers (HV).Results24 publications (1550 subjects) were included in this study, using five functional MRIs with seven different parameters. The renal blood flow (RBF) values on Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) was significantly lower in the DKD group than in the HV group. The [WMD=-99.03, 95% CI (-135.8,-62.27), P&lt;0.00001]; Diffusion tensor imaging magnetic resonance imaging (DTI-MRI) showed that the fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the DKD group were significantly lower than that in HV group [WMD=-0.02, 95%CI (-0.03,-0.01), P&lt;0.0001]. And there were no statistically significant differences in the relevant parameters in Blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) or Intro-voxel incoherent movement magnetic resonance imaging (IVIM-DWI).DiscussionASL and DWI can identify the differences between DKD and HV. DTI has a significant advantage in assessing renal cortical changes; IVIM has some value in determining early diabetic kidney disease from the cortex or medulla. We recommend combining multiple fMRI parameters to assess structural or functional changes in the kidney to make the assessment more comprehensive. We did not observe a significant risk of bias in the present study.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk, identifier CRD42023409249.
Induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity to the NS1 protein of TBEV with recombinant Influenza virus and MVA affords partial protection against lethal TBEV infection in mice
Authors: Beicht Jana , Kubinski Mareike , Zdora Isabel , Puff Christina , Biermann Jeannine , Gerlach Thomas , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Sutter Gerd , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Prajeeth Chittappen Kandiyil , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionTick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most relevant tick-transmitted neurotropic arboviruses in Europe and Asia and the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Annually more than 10,000 TBE cases are reported despite having vaccines available. In Europe, the vaccines FSME-IMMUN® and Encepur® based on formaldehyde-inactivated whole viruses are licensed. However, demanding vaccination schedules contribute to sub-optimal vaccination uptake and breakthrough infections have been reported repeatedly. Due to its immunogenic properties as well as its role in viral replication and disease pathogenesis, the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of flaviviruses has become of interest for non-virion based flavivirus vaccine candidates in recent years.MethodsTherefore, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of TBEV NS1 expressed by neuraminidase (NA)-deficient Influenza A virus (IAV) or Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors were investigated in this study.ResultsWith these recombinant viral vectors TBEV NS1-specific antibody and T cell responses were induced. Upon heterologous prime/boost regimens partial protection against lethal TBEV challenge infection was afforded in mice.DiscussionThis supports the inclusion of NS1 as a vaccine component in next generation TBEV vaccines.
Effects of human probiotics on memory and psychological and physical measures in community-dwelling older adults with normal and mildly impaired cognition: results of a bi-center, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial (CleverAge biota)
Authors: Bartos Ales , Weinerova Josefina , Diondet Sofia 
Published: July 2023

ObjectivesThis study presents results of our randomized clinical trial studying the effect of human probiotics on memory and psychological and physical measures following our study protocol registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT05051501 and described in detail in our previous paper.MethodsCommunity dwelling participants aged between 55 and 80  years were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of 106 colony-forming units of human Streptococcus thermophilus GH, Streptococcus salivarius GH NEXARS, Lactobacilus plantarum GH, and Pediococcus pentosaceus GH or placebo. A cross-over design allowed each group to receive probiotics and placebo for 3  months each in reverse order. A small subset of participants was examined online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After 6  months a small number of volunteers were additionally assessed after 2  months without any intervention. Primary outcome measures included changes in cognitive functions assessed using brief tests and a neuropsychological battery and changes in mood assessed using validated questionnaires. Secondary outcome measures included changes in self-report and subjective measures using depression and anxiety questionnaires, seven visual analog scales of subjective feelings (memory, digestion, etc.), and physical performance.ResultsAt baseline, the probiotic-placebo group A (n = 40, age 69 ± 7 years, education 16 ± 3 years, 63% females, body mass index 28.5 ± 6, subjective memory complaint in 43%) did not differ from the placebo-probiotic group B (n = 32) in any of the sociodemographic characteristics and evaluated measures including cognitive status. At follow-up visits after 3, 6, and 8  months, no cross-sectional differences in any of the measures were found between the groups except worse sentence recall of the ALBA test after 3  months of probiotic use. Score changes were not observed for all cognitive tests but one in any group between visits 1 and 3 and between visits 3 and 6. The only change was observed for the TMT B test after the first three months but no change was observed after the second three months.ConclusionThe treatment with human probiotics and prebiotics did not improve cognitive, affective, or physical measures in community-dwelling individuals with normal or mildly impaired cognitive functions.Clinical trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05051501.
RNA atlas and competing endogenous RNA regulation in tissue-derived exosomes from luminal B and triple-negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Wang Ji , Zhang Xianyu , You Zilong , Meng Yuhuan , Fan Xijie , Qiao Guangdong , Pang Da 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundLuminal B and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are malignant subtypes of breast cancer (BC), which can be attributed to the multifaceted roles of tissue-derived exosomes (T-exos). Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks can regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.MethodsRNAs in T-exos from luminal B BC (n=8) and TNBC (n=8) patients were compared with those from persons with benign breast disease (n=8). The differentially expressed (DE) mRNA, microRNA (miRNA), and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) target genes were annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to reveal the relevant biological processes.The ceRNA networks were constructed to show distinct regulation, and the mRNAs involved were annotated. The miRNAs involved in the ceRNA networks were screened with the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database to identify dysregulated ceRNAs with prognostic power.ResultsIn total, 802 DE mRNAs, 441 DE lncRNAs, and 104 DE miRNAs were identified in luminal B BC T-exos, while 1699 DE mRNAs, 590 DE lncRNAs, and 277 DE miRNAs were identified in TNBC T-exos. Gene annotation revealed that the RAS–MAPK pathway was the primary biological process in luminal B BC T-exos, while endocrine system development and growth were the main processes in TNBC T-exos. Survival analysis established seven survival-related lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulations in luminal B BC T-exos, and nineteen survival-related lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulations in TNBC T-exos.ConclusionIn addition to survival-related ceRNA regulations, ceRNA regulation of RAS–MAPK in luminal B and endocrine system development and growth regulation in TNBC might contribute to the tumorigenesis of BC.