bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thicker shells reduce copepod grazing on diatoms
Authors: Ryderheim Fredrik , Grønning Josephine , Kiørboe Thomas 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe diatom frustule provides partial protection against copepod grazing. Whether the defense is due to the cells being de‐selected or handled for so long that the grazers lose time for foraging is unknown. The mechanism has implications for the population dynamics of both defended and co‐occurring, undefended nutrient competitors. We use video‐observations to demonstrate that thick‐shelled diatoms captured by the copepod Temora longicornis were rejected more frequently than thin‐shelled diatoms, irrespective of cell size. The thick‐shelled cells of the larger diatoms were handled for much longer, and the time spent handling these limits the consumption of phytoplankton. This may be why many diatoms, even in the presence of dense grazer populations, reach bloom concentrations, and thus, facilitate aggregation and mass sedimentation. This has implications for both carbon sequestration and for securing a large population of cells at depth ready to colonize the pelagic, when growth conditions again become favorable.
Revealing the Photothermal Behavior of Plasmonic Gap Modes: Toward Thermostable Nanocavities
Authors: Sun Jiawei , Hu Huatian , Xu Yuhao , Li Yang , Xu Hongxing 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPlasmonic nanocavities based on nanoparticle‐on‐mirror geometries draw widespread interest due to their easy‐fabricated structures and highly confined plasmon modes, enabling light–matter interaction for developing state‐of‐the‐art photonic devices. To truly be ideal building blocks for practical nanophotonic devices, the nanoparticle‐on‐mirror nanocavities are expected to be simultaneously spectral tunable and thermostable under the focused laser irradiation. Here, the in‐situ optical tuning of the nanocavity mode is achieved in the nanocube‐on‐mirror nanocavities by continuous laser irradiation. Through the photothermal‐assisted morphology changes, the in‐situ shifting of the plasmon resonances to the lower and higher energies is accomplished by the deformation of the surfactant covering the silver nanocube and reshaping the rounding curvature of the nanocubes, respectively. Furthermore, it is found that the alumina‐encapsulated nanocube on mirrors constructed by surfactant‐eliminated nanocubes are capable of enduring more intense irradiation than the normal ones. On this basis, the factors affecting the plasmonic heating effect are also systematically investigated, and the internal relationship among light absorption, temperature increases, and plasmonic resonance shifts is established. In general, these results provide ideas for designing novel stable nanocavities, and the surfactant‐eliminated nanocube‐on‐mirror nanocavities presented here are a promising platform for future applications in boosting light–matter interaction.
Improved the microstructures and properties of W−Mo−V high‐speed steel by laser additive manufacturing and niobium alloying
Authors: Xiao H. , Wang J. , Zhang M. , Chen C. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn engineering applications, improving the properties of high‐speed steel (HSS) has long been a focus of research. Niobium (Nb), as a strong carbide forming alloy element, is conventionally added to steels to improve their mechanical properties. In the present work, W−Mo−V high‐speed steel were deposited by laser additive manufacturing with the aim of investigating the effects of niobium content on the microstructures and mechanical properties. And the niobium content was varied between 0 wt % and 2 wt %. The results show that the content of niobium has a greater influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples. In particular, with addition of niobium element, the W−Mo−V high‐speed steel samples presented a more refined and uniform microstructure compared to the niobium‐free sample. Moreover, the addition of niobium can increased the deposition of niobium‐rich MC‐type carbides in the microstructure and improving the microhardness of W−Mo−V high‐speed steel, and also can increased the wear resistance and ductility. Especially for 2 wt % niobium sample, it has excellent wear resistance and high elongation, which were improved by 43.1 % and 32.6 % respectively compared to the W−Mo−V high‐speed steel sample.
Serum cardiac troponin I is a candidate biomarker for cardiomyopathy in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Awano Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Tetsushi , Nambu Yoshinori , Iijima Kazumoto 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimsSerum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), its relation to cardiomyopathy, and the contribution of the ACTN3 genotype to serum levels of cTnI in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD and BMD, respectively) remain unknown. In this study we aimed to reveal the characteristics of cTnI, assess whether cTnI is a biomarker for cardiomyopathy in these dystrophinopathies, and evaluate the contribution of the ACTN3 genotype to the serum levels of cTnI in DMD patients.MethodsSerum cTnI values obtained from 127 DMD and 47 BMD patients were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between cTnI and echocardiography data or the ACTN3 XX genotype was assessed.ResultsThe cTnI levels and proportion of patients with abnormal cTnI levels were significantly higher among DMD patients than BMD, especially in the second decade of life. In DMD, the cTnI level reached a maximum at 13 years, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) became abnormal approximately 1 year subsequently. In BMD, the cTnI level peaked at the age of 14 years, and LVEF became abnormal 3 years later. Decreased LVEF was observed after cTnI elevation in both populations. cTnI levels by age in DMD patients with the ACTN3 XX genotype tended to increase significantly and early.DiscussionMyocardial injury indicated by cTnI elevation was more common and severe in DMD patients. cTnI elevation preceding cardiac dysfunction may represent an early phase of cardiomyopathy progression and may be a biomarker for early detection of cardiomyopathy in these dystrophinopathies. The ACTN3 XX genotype may be a risk factor for early myocardial injury.
Association between neonatal malnutrition and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low‐birth‐weight infants: A propensity score–matched analysis
Authors: Jiang Honghua , Lv Yuan , Hou Weiwei , Xu Xiang , Zhu LingLing , Zhang Hao , Shu Guihua 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the nutrition status of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at the first 4 weeks of life and the likelihood of developing neonatal malnutrition.MethodsA total of 1064 infants were divided into a BPD group and a non‐BPD group. After propensity score matching, there were 282 infants in each group. Infants were further divided into a neonatal malnutrition （NM） group and a well‐nourished （WN） group. Clinical factors, nutrition intake, and growth parameters were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with neonatal malnutrition.Results1. Compared with infants in the non‐BPD group, the infants in BPD group had more fluid intake and lower calorie and protein intake after the second week, longer invasive ventilation time, and longer time to total oral feeding and parenteral nutrition (PN), and the difference was more significant in NM infants than in WN infants (P < 0.05). 2. The weight/length, body mass index, triponderal mass index, and weight gain velocity in the BPD group were significantly lower than in the non‐BPD group (P < 0.05) and lower in NM infants than in WN ones (P < 0.05). 3. Multivariable system regression analysis showed that invasive ventilation time, lipid intake in week 4, time to reach full feeding, and duration of PN were independent risk factors for NM.ConclusionEnhancing calorie and macronutrient intake, reducing invasive ventilation, and achieving full gastrointestinal feeding early may be effective measures to avoid malnutrition in infants with BPD.
Intragastric prepyloric enteral nutrition, bolus vs continuous in the adult patient: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bolgeo Tatiana , Di Matteo Roberta , Gallione Chiara , Gatti Denise , Bertolotti Marinella , Betti Marta , Roveta Annalisa , Maconi Antonio 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBolus and continuous nutrition are commonly used enteral nutrition (EN) administration methodologies. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to establish which is the most effective method for reducing gastrointestinal complications in adult patients. The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of bolus/intermittent EN compared with continuous EN for the following outcomes: diarrhea, constipation, emesis/vomiting, gastric residual volume, aspiration, and glycemic control in adult patients receiving intragastric prepyloric EN in the hospital setting. Bibliographical research was performed on the following databases: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The review included all randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials of patients aged ≥18 years with preserved gastrointestinal function. Meta‐analysis was performed by Review Manager V.5.3. Seven studies including 551 patients were included in the meta‐analysis. Five of these studies reported that the diarrhea rate was higher in the bolus feeding group (risk ratio [RR] = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.17–5.34; P = 0.02), and another five of these studies indicated that the aspiration rate was higher in the continuous feeding group (RR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35–0.87; P = 0.01). There were no significant differences for the other outcomes. In conclusion, intermittent EN appears to reduce the incidence of aspiration in the hospital setting; however, it may increase the risk of diarrhea. For future research, we hypothesize the joint use of continuous nutrition until the patient reaches tolerance and then passing to bolus nutrition, thus reducing the incidence of aspiration and enabling a physiological nutrition intake.
Stress‐Busting Program for Family Caregivers: Validation of the Spanish version using biomarkers and quality‐of‐life measures
Authors: Arévalo‐Flechas Lyda C. , Flores Bertha “Penny” , Wang Hanzhou , Liang Hanyu , Li Yan , Gelfond Jonathan , Espinoza Sara , Lewis Sharon L. , Musi Nicolas , Yeh Chih‐Ko 
Published: February 2022

AbstractHispanic family caregivers of people with dementia experience higher levels of stress compared to non‐Hispanic white caregivers. Long‐term stress causes depression, caregiver burden, cellular aging, and dysregulation of the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the Spanish version of the English Stress‐Busting Program (SBP) for Family Caregivers by determining changes in quality‐of‐life measures and biomarkers. Thirty‐six caregivers completed the SBP in the language of their choice (14 Spanish‐speaking Hispanics [HS], 8 English‐speaking Hispanics [HE], and 14 non‐Hispanic English [NHE] speakers). Quality‐of‐life measures included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Screen for Caregiver Burden, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Assessment of oral health and immunity included salivary flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, total protein, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). Indicators of stress (salivary cortisol), inflammation (C‐reactive protein), and cellular aging (leukocyte telomere length) were assessed. Following completion of the SBP, the Spanish‐speaking group had less depression and caregiver burden along with improved oral health and reduced cellular aging. When comparing baseline values to post‐intervention, all three groups showed significant improvement in subjective caregiver burden. When the data from all three groups were combined, biomarkers that showed improvement after nine weeks of SBP included the stress hormone cortisol, salivary pH, and leukocyte telomere length. The results indicate that the Spanish SBP reduces caregiver stress as assessed by quality‐of‐life indicators and biomarkers. The Spanish SBP can help to mitigate health disparities in Hispanic Spanish‐speaking caregivers.
Osteo/odontogenic differentiation analysis of dental stem cells from tooth germ, apical papilla, and dental follicle
Authors: Ercal Pinar , Cayir Fatma , Pekozer Gorke Gurel , Kose Gamze Torun 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimDifferent tissues of dental origin are used for isolation of stem cells that can be differentiated towards osteogenic or odontogenic lineages, including dental follicle and apical papilla. Using tooth germ as a whole without separating dental follicle and apical papilla for isolating stem cells is another approach that uses the reciprocal interactions between two cell types. Although dental follicle stem cells and stem cells form apical papilla are widely investigated for both osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation, use of tooth germ stem cells is very limited despite its potential. This study aimed to investigate and compare the osteo/odontogenic differentiation potential of stem cells from apical papilla, tooth germ, and dental follicle in vitro.MethodsDental stem cells isolated from porcine were assessed in terms of cell surface antigens, multilineage differentiation, and cell proliferation. Osteo/odontogenic response was assessed with alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, von Kossa staining, confocal microscopy, and the expression of osteo/odontogenic markers by real‐time PCR at Days 7, 14, and 21.ResultsAll cell types showed expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers and differentiated towards chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages, while adipogenic differentiation was weak. Stem cells from apical papilla responded to osteo/odontogenic differentiation faster than that of dental follicle and tooth germ stem cells, but all groups indicated formation of mineralization and expressed osteogenic gene markers.ConclusionAll three cell types displayed similar biological characteristics and are appropriate candidates for bone regeneration.
Effect of compression parameters on stress relaxation behavior of bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Jiang Taijun , Hu Can , Zeng Guangsheng 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA self‐made thermal mechanical analyzer was manufactured to characterized the compression and bending stress relaxation behavior for bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composite with different bamboo fiber and coupling agent concentration. The effects of bamboo fiber concentration, interfacial strength, load controlling method, compression speed, and temperature on composite stress relaxation parameters were investigated. The obtained results show that two‐stage relaxation process could be observed for both compression and bending test while shearing relaxation process was a single exponential decay. The relaxation time for slow exponential relaxation process was two orders of magnitude to that for fast relaxation process and the force decay amplitude on the first linear stage was about 3.5 times as much as that on the second exponential decay stage. Both the filling of bamboo fiber and coupling agent could increase the stress relaxation time but higher temperature would promote the movement of polymer chains and lengthen the stress relaxation time. The insights obtained from the experiments and fitting results can offer valuable reference to precisely controlling of dimensional accuracy and production efficiency for the composite products of irregular structure.
Plastics degradation by hydrolytic enzymes: Theplastics‐activeenzymes database—PAZy
Authors: Buchholz Patrick C. F. , Feuerriegel Golo , Zhang Hongli , Perez‐Garcia Pablo , Nover Lena‐Luisa , Chow Jennifer , Streit Wolfgang R. , Pleiss Jürgen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPetroleum‐based plastics are durable and accumulate in all ecological niches. Knowledge on enzymatic degradation is sparse. Today, less than 50 verified plastics‐active enzymes are known. First examples of enzymes acting on the polymers polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PUR) have been reported together with a detailed biochemical and structural description. Furthermore, very few polyamide (PA) oligomer active enzymes are known. In this article, the current known enzymes acting on the synthetic polymers PET and PUR are briefly summarized, their published activity data were collected and integrated into a comprehensive open access database. The Plastics‐Active Enzymes Database (PAZy) represents an inventory of known and experimentally verified enzymes that act on synthetic fossil fuel‐based polymers. Almost 3000 homologs of PET‐active enzymes were identified by profile hidden Markov models. Over 2000 homologs of PUR‐active enzymes were identified by BLAST. Based on multiple sequence alignments, conservation analysis identified the most conserved amino acids, and sequence motifs for PET‐ and PUR‐active enzymes were derived.
Chronic cerebral aspects of long COVID, post‐stroke syndromes and similar states share their pathogenesis and perispinal etanercept treatment logic
Authors: Clark Ian Albert 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe chronic neurological aspects of traumatic brain injury, post‐stroke syndromes, long COVID‐19, persistent Lyme disease, and influenza encephalopathy having close pathophysiological parallels that warrant being investigated in an integrated manner. A mechanism, common to all, for this persistence of the range of symptoms common to these conditions is described. While TNF maintains cerebral homeostasis, its excessive production through either pathogen‐associated molecular patterns or damage‐associated molecular patterns activity associates with the persistence of the symptoms common across both infectious and non‐infectious conditions. The case is made that this shared chronicity arises from a positive feedback loop causing the persistence of the activation of microglia by the TNF that these cells generate. Lowering this excess TNF is the logical way to reducing this persistent, TNF‐maintained, microglial activation. While too large to negotiate the blood‐brain barrier effectively, the specific anti‐TNF biological, etanercept, shows promise when administered by the perispinal route, which allows it to bypass this obstruction.
Shape‐Dependent Basicity of Nanoscale La2O2CO3 Catalysts in the Dimethyl Carbonate Synthesis from Propylene Carbonate with Methanol
Authors: Wang Fei , Yu Zairan , Xue Yun , Gao Jie , Zu Qihui , Wei Xuejiao , Xue Bing 
Published: February 2022

AbstractLa2O2CO3 as a promising solid base catalyst for transesterification reaction has been widely investigated in heterogeneous catalysis. In this study, we synthesized a series of La2O2CO3 with controllable morphologies including nanosheets, nanorods, and nanoparticles exposed different crystal facets by a simple aqueous solution route, and then then explored the shape effect of La2O2CO3 on the catalytic performance of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis from transesterification of propylene carbonate (PC) with methanol. As expected, a La2O2CO3 nanosheets catalyst had the highest turnover frequency than nanoparticles and nanorods. The observed La2O2CO3 shape effect in catalysis was associated with its basicity. Characterization results revealed that the highest amount of strong basic sites on the surface of La2O2CO3 nanosheets predominantly exposed (001) planes were responsible for the higher catalytic activity.
Simultaneous Detection of Catechol and Hydroquinone Using Acetylene Black and Gold Nanoparticle Composite Modified Electrodes
Authors: Zhu Xianglong , Wang Mingbo , Xu Chunxuan , Shi Saige 
Published: February 2022

AbstractQuantitative analysis of dihydroxybenzene isomers holds great significance to agricultural chemistry, food safety and environmental protection. In this work, we demonstrate a facile strategy to determine catechol and hydroquinone by using acetylene black and gold nanoparticle composite modified electrodes (Au/AB/GCE). Compared with bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), Au/AB/GCE showed much better performance in electrocatalytic oxidation‐reduction of catechol and hydroquinone. The linear correlation between the peak currents and analyte concentrations suggested the simultaneous detection with ultralow limits of detection (0.5 μM and 1 μM for catechol and hydroquinone, respectively). Besides, the determination is selective and out of interference of common inorganic ions and organic compounds. Anson equation was employed to make a reasonable hypothesis, that the increased surface area and electrical conductivity of Au/AB/GCE contributed these good results. This strategy may become a promising means for ratiometric and simultaneous detection of catechol and hydroquinone in water with convenience and high sensitivity.
Identification of a Potential mRNA‐based Vaccine Candidate against the SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike Glycoprotein: A Reverse Vaccinology Approach
Authors: Durojaye Olanrewaju Ayodeji , Sedzro Divine Mensah , Idris Mukhtar Oluwaseun , Yekeen Abeeb Abiodun , Fadahunsi Adeola Abraham , Alakanse Oluwaseun Suleiman 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe emergence of the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) in December 2019 has generated a devastating global consequence which makes the development of a rapidly deployable, effective and safe vaccine candidate an imminent global health priority. The design of most vaccine candidates has been directed at the induction of antibody responses against the trimeric spike glycoprotein of SARS‐CoV‐2, a class I fusion protein that aids ACE2 (angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2) receptor binding. A variety of formulations and vaccinology approaches are being pursued for targeting the spike glycoprotein, including simian and human replication‐defective adenoviral vaccines, subunit protein vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines and whole‐inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2. Here, we directed a reverse vaccinology approach towards the design of a nucleic acid (mRNA‐based) vaccine candidate. The “YLQPRTFLL” peptide sequence (position 269–277) which was predicted to be a B cell epitope and likewise a strong binder of the HLA*A‐0201 was selected for the design of the vaccine candidate, having satisfied series of antigenicity assessments. Through the codon optimization protocol, the nucleotide sequence for the vaccine candidate design was generated and targeted at the human toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR7). Bioinformatics analyses showed that the sequence “UACCUGCAGCCGCGUACCUUCCUGCUG” exhibited a strong affinity and likewise was bound to a stable cavity in the TLR7 pocket. This study is therefore expected to contribute to the research efforts directed at securing definitive preventive measures against the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Discovery and Biological Evaluation of Novel Diarylmethyl Amines Active against Drug Resistant S. aureus and Enterococcus
Authors: Roy Deblina , Kaul Grace , Akhir Abdul , Sharma Ashok Kumar , Saha Satyen , Chopra Sidharth , Panda Gautam 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA small focused library of diarylmethyl amines were synthesized through base mediated 1,6‐addition of heterocyclic amines and amides with p‐quinone methides and tested for their antibacterial potential against ESKAPE bacterial pathogen panel. Some of the compounds exhibited potent activity against Gram‐positive bacteria in addition to being non‐cytotoxic to eukaryotic cells. Careful analysis of the structure–activity‐relationships (SARs) of projected diarylmethyl amines revealed two important entities necessary to exhibit antibacterial activity (a nitrogenous and a lipophilic component). Among 41 tested diarylmethyl amines, imidazole‐containing derivatives 3(x), 3(xiv), 3(xv), 3(xvi), 3(xvii), 3(xxxii) and 3(xxxiii) were most potent analogues with MIC 2 μg/mL. Additionally, compound 3(xxiii) exhibited equipotent antimicrobial growth activity against drug‐resistant strains of S. aureus and Enterococci, thus indicating their potential for further development as novel anti‐bacterials.