bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probiotics and their Metabolites Reduce Oxidative Stress in Middle-Aged Mice
Authors: Lin Wen-Yang , Lin Jia-Hung , Kuo Yi-Wei , Chiang Pei-Fang Rose , Ho Hsieh-Hsun 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAging is an irreversible physiological degradation of living organisms. Accumulated oxidative stress and dysbiosis accelerate aging. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and their fermented metabolites (postbiotics) have been discovered to exhibit antioxidative activities that regulate oxidative stress and protect cells from oxidative damage. We screened selected Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and their postbiotics for potential antioxidative activity by using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Strains with their metabolites were selected for mixed formula in experiments involving aging mice. The aged groups presented higher oxidative stress in the brain, liver, heart, and kidney than did young mice. However, treatment with probiotic strains and their postbiotics elevated antioxidative levels, especially in the high-dose probiotics plus postbiotics group. Next-generation sequencing data revealed positive microbiota alterations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia in the gut. Lactobacillus johnsonii and Akkermansia muciniphila exhibited effective enlargement of relative abundance. Besides, high-dose probiotics and high-dose probiotics plus postbiotics showed significant elevation in serum SCFAs, especially in butyrate. In conclusion, the formula containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. infantis BLI-02, Bifidobacterium breve Bv889, Bifidobacterium bifidum VDD088, B. animalis subsp. lactis CP-9, and Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02 and their metabolites may benefit aged people’s health.
Differential effects of single fatty acids and fatty acid mixtures on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/eNOS pathway in endothelial cells
Authors: Jackson Kim G. , Newens Katie J. , Fry Michael J. , Thompson Abby K. , Williams Christine M. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Scope
Dietary fat composition is an important modulator of vascular function. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) enriched in saturated fatty acids (SFA) are thought to reduce vascular reactivity by attenuating insulin signalling via vasodilator pathways (phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)) and enhancing signalling via pro-inflammatory pathways.

Methods
To examine the effects of fatty acids on these pathways, human aortic endothelial cells were incubated with single fatty acids, and mixtures of these fatty acids to mimic typical NEFA composition and concentrations achieved in our previous human study. RNA was extracted to determine gene expression using real-time RT-PCR and cell lysates prepared to assess protein phosphorylation by Western blotting.

Results
Oleic acid (OA, 100 µM) was shown to down regulate expression of the insulin receptor, PTEN and a PI3K catalytic (p110β) and regulatory (p85α) subunit compared to palmitic, linoleic and stearic acids (P < 0.04), and promote greater eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177. Both concentration and composition of the SFA and SFA plus n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) mixtures had significant effects on genes involved in the PI3K/Akt pathway. Greater up-regulation was found with 800 than 400 µM concentration (respective of concentrations in insulin resistant and normal individuals), whereas greater down-regulation was evident with SFA plus n-3 PUFA than SFA mixture alone.

Conclusion
Our findings provide novel insights into the modulation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway by single fatty acids and fatty acid mixtures. In particular, OA appears to promote signalling via this pathway, with further work required to determine the primary molecular site(s) of action.
Exploring the predictors of financial impairment in Huntington’s disease using the Enroll-HD dataset
Authors: Harris Kate L. , Mason Sarah L. , Barker Roger A. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Objectives
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease in which cognitive and behavioural symptoms impair the performance of instrumental activities of daily living, including the handling of finances. We sought to determine the prevalence of financial dysfunction in HD, and the demographic and clinical predictors of such impairments.

Methods
We analysed longitudinal data for pre-manifest gene carriers and HD patients from the Enroll-HD dataset. Financial dysfunction was determined by finance-related items in the Total Functional Capacity (TFC) and Functional Assessment (FA) scales. A binary logistical regression model was used to investigate the predictive value of demographic and clinical factors for the development of financial dysfunction.

Results
Financial impairment was found to be common in HD gene carriers, and over half required financial assistance within 5 years from diagnosis. Cognitive impairment, apathy, unemployment and disease severity predicted financial dysfunction in manifest patients. For pre-manifest patients, the predictors were proximity to disease onset and depression.

Conclusions
Loss of financial autonomy is common in HD, and cognitive and psychiatric factors are important in its development. Clinicians must be vigilant to identify patients that may be vulnerable to financial exploitation.
Serum neurofilament light chain, contactin-1 and complement activation in anti-MAG IgM paraprotein-related peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Amaador Karima , Wieske Luuk , Koel-Simmelink Marleen J. A. , Kamp A. , Jongerius Ilse , de Heer Koen , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Minnema Monique C. , Notermans Nicolette C. , Eftimov Filip , Kersten Marie José , Vos Josephine M. I. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionIn anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein IgM paraprotein-related peripheral neuropathy (anti-MAG PN), there is a lack of reliable biomarkers to select patients eligible for therapy and for evaluating treatment effects, both in routine practice and in clinical trials. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and contactin-1 (CNTN1) can serve as markers of axonal and paranodal damage. Complement activation is involved in the pathogenesis in anti-MAG PN. We, therefore, hypothesized that serum NfL, CNTN1, C3b/c and C4b/c may function as biomarkers of disease activity in anti-MAG PN.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, we included 24 treatment-naïve patients with anti-MAG PN (mean age 69 years, 57% male) that had IgM paraproteinemia, a high IgM MAG-antibody, and clinical diagnosis of anti-MAG PN by a neurologist specialized in peripheral nerve disorders. We measured serum NfL, CNTN1, C3b/c and C4b/c, reference values were based on healthy controls. As controls, 10 treatment-naïve patients with IgM Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (mean age 69 years, 60% male) without signs of neuropathy were included (non-PN).ResultsNfL, CNTN1 levels in serum were mostly normal in anti-MAG PN patients and comparable to non-PN patients. C3b/c and C4b/c levels were normal in anti-MAG PN patients.ConclusionOur results do not support serum NfL, CNTN1, and C3b/c and C4b/c as potential biomarkers in anti-MAG PN, although we cannot exclude that subgroups or subtle abnormalities could be found in a much larger cohort with longitudinal follow-up.
The vascularization paradox of non-union formation
Authors: Menger Maximilian M. , Laschke Matthias W. , Nussler Andreas K. , Menger Michael D. , Histing Tina 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDespite major research efforts to elucidate mechanisms of non-union formation, failed fracture healing remains a common complication in orthopedic surgery. Adequate vascularization has been recognized as a crucial factor for successful bone regeneration, as newly formed microvessels guarantee the supply of the callus tissue with vital oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors. Accordingly, a vast number of preclinical studies have focused on the development of vascularization strategies to stimulate fracture repair. However, recent evidence suggests that stimulation of blood vessel formation is an oversimplified approach to support bone regeneration. This review discusses the role of vascularization during bone regeneration and delineates a phenomenon, for which we coin the term “the vascularization paradox of non-union-formation”. This view is based on the results of a variety of experimental studies that suggest that the callus tissue of non-unions is indeed densely vascularized and that pro-angiogenic mediators, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, are sufficiently expressed at the facture site. By gaining further insights into the molecular and cellular basis of non-union vascularization, it may be possible to develop more optimized treatment approaches or even prevent the non-union formation in the future.
Commuting time and sickness absence of US workers
Authors: Gimenez-Nadal J. I. , Molina J. A. , Velilla J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis paper analyzes the relationship between commuting time and days of sickness absence of US workers. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics for the years 2011 to 2017, we find that a 1% increase in the daily commute of workers is associated with an increase of 0.018 and 0.027% in the days of sickness absence per year of male and female workers, respectively. These results are robust for women when sample selection, missing variables, and health status are explored. Further exploration of this relationship shows that the positive relationship between commuting and sickness absence is concentrated in urban areas only, and is present in the intensive margin (hours) for men and the extensive margin (participation) for women. By uncovering how commuting time is related to sickness absenteeism, we contribute to the literature on the negative correlation between commuting and workers’ health and well-being.
Does tomato breeding for improved performance under LED supplemental lighting make sense?
Authors: Prinzenberg Aina E. , van der Schoot Hanneke , van Deth Olivier , Ouzounis Theoharis , Gabriëls Suzan , Meijer-Dekens Fien , Marcelis Leo F. M. , Visser Richard G. F. , Heuvelink Ep , Schouten Henk J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDifferences in growth have been reported for tomato under LED compared to HPS light, however, it is not clear if breeding specific for LED supplemental light is worthwhile. Therefore, we derived four recombinant inbred line (RIL) tomato populations from parents with contrasting growth responses to different light spectra. These RIL populations were grown for four weeks under supplemental HPS or 95% red and 5% blue LED light in the greenhouse. For one population we also studied fruit production. Plant height and size of the side shoots of the young plants were strongly reduced under LED supplemental lighting compared to HPS in all populations. The adult plants showed shorter internode lengths, less trusses, less fruits, and lower yield of ripe fruits per plant under LED. However, when the unripe fruits at the last harvest day were included, the difference in yield between HPS and LED disappeared, indicating that the plants under LED light were compacter and slower in development, but in the end produced similar yield. We found numerous QTL, but hardly any of these QTL appeared to be significantly LED-specific. Also, we found very significant genetic effects of maternally inherited plastids and mitochondria, showing the importance of using a parental genotype as mother or as father. However, these effects were very similar between the two light conditions. We conclude that our study does not justify tomato breeding programs that are specifically targeted at 95% red and 5% blue LED supplemental lighting.
In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of Myrciaria plinioides D. Legrand ethanol leaf extract
Authors: Marmitt Diorge Jônatas , Bitencourt Shanna , Coura Chistiane Oliveira , Berger Markus , Faleiro Dalana , Kich Débora Mara , Caye Bruna , Immich Sheila Mariele , Frota Annyta Fernandes , Beys-da-Silva Walter O. , Guimarães Jorge Almeida , Benevides Norma Maria Barros , Laufer Stefan , Goettert Márcia Inês 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMyrciaria plinioides D. Legrand (Myrtaceae) is a native plant of Southern Brazil, which have potential in the food industry due to its edible fruits. Many plants belonging to this genus have been used for a variety of illnesses, including inflammatory disorders due to antioxidant properties. However, therapeutic uses of M. plinioides have been poorly studied. The aim of study was to assess the anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of the ethanol leaf extract of M. plinioides. In M. plinioides extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells, assessments of cell viability, TNF-α release and p38 MAPK pathway-dependent protein expression were detected. In addition, rat paw edema models were used to analyze the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. Macrophages cell line treated with M. plinioides extract showed a slight decrease in cell viability. In LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with different concentrations of the extract for 24 h, TNF-α release was inhibited, while modulation of p38 signaling pathway and inhibition of NF-κB p65 protein expression were dose-dependent. In rats, the extract inhibited the formation of paw edema, while an inhibitory effect on trypsin-like enzymes derived from mast cells was seen. Furthermore, the extract presented anticoagulant activity via extrinsic pathway, being able to block specifically factor Xa and thrombin. The study suggests that extract possess potent anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. M. plinioides present great biological potential as a source for the development of anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs. Additional studies can be proposed to better elucidate the mechanism by which M. plinioides exerts its effects.
Selenium, selenoprotein P, and oxidative stress levels in SARS-CoV-2 patients during illness and recovery
Authors: Skesters A. , Kustovs D. , Lece A. , Moreino E. , Petrosina E. , Rainsford K. D. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to assess tendency of oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients depending on severity.

Methods
The study was conducted with 80 post-COVID-19 disease patients and 40 acutely ill patients. Content of selenium in blood plasma was detected by a fluorimetric method with di-amino-naphthalene using acidic hydrolysis. Selenoprotein P, malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal and their metabolite adducts were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods using commercial assay kits.

Results
Obtained results showed that selenium content in blood for post-COVID-19 disease patients was of a similar lower norm for Latvian inhabitants. Selenium and seleno-protein P contents for acute patients were significantly decreased compared with post-COVID-19 disease patients.

Conclusion
In conclusion, COVID-19 involves induction of antioxidant systems—in case of severe disease, patients have significantly low concentration of selenium, seleno-protein P and higher level of oxidative stress, which, in turn, confirms the more intense formation of free radicals in the body.
Hyaluronic acid-coated chitosan nanoparticles as targeted-carrier of tamoxifen against MCF7 and TMX-resistant MCF7 cells
Authors: Nokhodi Fariba , Nekoei Mehdi , Goodarzi Mohammad Taghi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTamoxifen (TMX) is used to treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers at early stages. This research aimed to assess the potential of NPs in targeted delivery of TMX against MCF7 and TMX-resistant MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. For this purpose, a targeted delivery system including chitosan NPs coated with hyaluronic acid (HA-CS NPs) was created and examined in vitro. Chitosan NPs were first fabricated and loaded with TMX using the ionic-gelation method to prepare a drug-delivery system. Then, TMX-loaded CS NPs were coated by crosslinking the amino groups of chitosan to the carboxylic group of hyaluronic acid. The developed TMX delivery system was then optimized and characterized for particle fabrication, drug release, and targeting against cancer cells. The HA-CS particle size was 210 nm and its zeta potential was +25 mv. The encapsulation efficiency of TMX in NPs was 55%. TMX released from the NPs in acidic pH (5–6) was higher than the physiological pH (7.4). The cytotoxic effect of TMX-loaded HA-CS NPs on MCF7 and TMX-resistant MCF7 cells was significantly higher than TMX-loaded CS NPs and free drug. The findings confirmed the significant suppressive impact of TMX-loaded HA-CS NPs on MCF7 and TMX-resistant MCF7 cancer cells compared to the TMX-loaded CS NPs and free TMX.
On the Normalized Laplacian Spectra of Random Geometric Graphs
Authors: Hamidouche Mounia , Cottatellucci Laura , Avrachenkov Konstantin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn this work, we study the spectrum of the normalized Laplacian and its regularized version for random geometric graphs (RGGs) in various scaling regimes. Two scaling regimes are of special interest, the connectivity and the thermodynamic regime. In the connectivity regime, the average vertex degree grows logarithmically in the graph size or faster. In the thermodynamic regime, the average vertex degree is a constant. We introduce a deterministic geometric graph (DGG) with nodes in a grid and provide an upper bound to the probability that the Hilbert–Schmidt norm of the difference between the normalized Laplacian matrices of the RGG and DGG is greater than a certain threshold in both the connectivity and thermodynamic regime. Using this result, we show that the RGG and DGG normalized Laplacian matrices are asymptotically equivalent with high probability (w.h.p.) in the full range of the connectivity regime. The equivalence is even stronger and holds almost surely when the average vertex degree $$a_n$$

a
n

satisfies the inequality $$a_n > 24 \log (n).$$

a
n

>
24
log

(
n
)

.

Therefore, we use the regular structure of the DGG to show that the limiting eigenvalue distribution of the RGG normalized Laplacian matrix converges to a distribution with a Dirac atomic measure at zero. In the thermodynamic regime, we approximate the eigenvalues of the regularized normalized Laplacian matrix of the RGG by the eigenvalues of the DGG regularized normalized Laplacian and we provide an error bound which is valid w.h.p. and depends upon the average vertex degree.
Virtual currencies: different schemes and research opportunities
Authors: Scheidegger Gianluca , Raghubir Priya 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe digitization of money has led to the emergence of numerous virtual currencies. Despite their great financial relevance, virtual currencies have not received much attention in marketing research. We classify virtual currencies into three different schemes and highlight potential factors that influence consumer behavior related to these new payment methods. This article provides marketing researchers with a research framework as well as specific research questions to initiate discussions and future research on this novel topic.
Testing for UIP-Type Relationships: Nonlinearities, Monetary Announcements and Interest Rate Expectations
Authors: Anderl Christina , Caporale Guglielmo Maria 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis paper tests for UIP-type relationships by estimating first a benchmark linear Cointegrated VAR including the nominal exchange rate and the interest rate differential as well as central bank announcements, and then a Smooth Transition Cointegrated VAR (STCVAR) model incorporating nonlinearities and also taking into account the role of interest rate expectations. The analysis is conducted for five inflation targeting countries (the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden) and three non-targeters (the US, the Euro-Area and Switzerland) using daily data from January 2000 to December 2020. While we cannot confirm the validity of UIP in its strictest theoretical sense, we find evidence for the existence of an equilibrium relationship between the exchange rate and the interest rate differential. Specifically, the nonlinear framework appears to be more appropriate to capture the adjustment towards the long-run equilibrium, since the estimated speed of adjustment is substantially faster and the short-run dynamic linkages more significant. Further, interest rate expectations play an important role: a fast adjustment only occurs when the market expects the interest rate to increase in the near future, namely central banks are perceived as more credible when sticking to their goal of keeping inflation at a low and stable rate. Also, central bank announcements have a more sizeable short-run effect in the nonlinear model. Finally, the equilibrium relationship between the exchange rate and the interest rate differential holds better in inflation targeting countries, where monetary authorities appear to achieve a higher degree of credibility.
The Cyprus Women’s Health Research (COHERE) initiative: normative data from the SF-36v2 questionnaire for reproductive aged women from the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Swift B. , Naci H. , Taneri B. , Becker C. M. , Zondervan K. T. , Rahmioglu N. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Describe the health-related quality of life for a representative cohort of women aged 18–55 in Northern Cyprus.

Methods
We utilised the SF-36-Health-Survey-version-2 (SF-36v2) questionnaire as part of the COHERE Initiative study to calculate the eight physical and mental subscale scores, as well as the two overall summary measures for physical and mental health, where we present results using Cyprus-specific scoring as well as scores based on the test developers’ algorithms. We examined associations between sociodemographic characteristics for both scores.

Results
A total of 7089 women fully completed the SF-36v2 questionnaire (mean age = 36.9), which was reliable and valid in this population. We observed better physical health in ages 18–25 compared to 46–55 (53.32 vs. 46.72 (p < 0.001)) and better mental health in women aged 46–55 compared to 18–25 (52.07 vs. 47.95 (p < 0.001)). Women in employment had better physical and mental health compared to those who were unemployed (physical: 50.25 vs 49.95, p < 0.001 and mental: 50.25 vs 49.24, p = 0.083) and scores increased as educational attainment increased (physical: 47.55 for primary to 51.58 for postgraduate, mental: 48.88 to 50.59, p < 0.001). Turkish Cypriot women had higher scores than Turkish women (physical: 50.42 vs 49.30, mental: 50.43 vs 49.10, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
These are the first population normative values published from a large representative sample of women between 18 and 55 years from the Eastern Mediterranean region. We found better physical health in younger women and better mental health in older women. Turkish Cypriot women and non-migrant women had better mental health, and HRQOL was highest in those in paid employment and those with a higher educational achievement.
An efficient implementation of one-dimensional discrete wavelet transform algorithms for GPU architectures
Authors: Stokfiszewski Kamil , Wieloch Kamil , Yatsymirskyy Mykhaylo 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn this paper, the authors present several self-developed implementation variants of the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) computation algorithms and compare their execution times against the commonly approved ones for representative modern Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) architectures. The proposed solutions avoid the time-consuming modulo divisions and conditional instructions used for DWT filters wrapping by proper expansion of the DWTs input data vectors. The main goal of the research is to improve the computation times for popular DWT algorithms for representative modern GPU architectures while retaining the code’s clarity and simplicity. The relations between algorithms execution time improvements for GPUs are also compared with their counterparts for traditional sequential processors. The experimental study shows that the proposed implementations, in the case of parallel realization on GPUs, are characterized by very simple kernel code and high execution time performance.