bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive analysis of meloxicam particles produced by nanosecond laser ablation as a wet milling technique
Authors: Nagy Eszter , Homik Zsolt , Smausz Tamás , Kopniczky Judit , Náfrádi Máté , Alapi Tünde , Kokai David , Burián Katalin , Szabó-Révész Piroska , Ambrus Rita , Hopp Béla 
Published: July 2022

AbstractRecently, the number of water insoluble and poorly soluble drug compounds has increased significantly. Therefore, growing interest has been witnessed in different particle size reduction techniques to improve the dissolution rates, transport characteristics and bioavailability of drugs. Laser ablation has proven to be an alternative method to the production of nano- and micrometre-sized drug particles without considerable chemical damage. We present the nanosecond laser ablation of drug pastilles in distilled water, targeting meloxicam, a poorly water soluble nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, at different laser wavelengths (248 nm, 532 nm and 1064 nm). Besides chemical characterization, crystallinity, morphology and particle size studies, the mechanism of the particle generation process was examined. The applicability of ablated particles in drug formulation was investigated by solubility, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effect measurements. We showed that laser ablation is a clean, efficient and chemically non-damaging method to reduce the size of meloxicam particles to the sub-micrometre–few micrometre size range, which is optimal for pulmonary drug delivery. Complemented by the excellent solubility (four to nine times higher) and anti-inflammatory (four to five times better) properties of the particles compared to the initial drug, laser ablation is predicted to have wider applications in the development of drug formulations.
Behavioral and neurophysiological aspects of working memory impairment in children with dyslexia
Authors: Wang Jie , Huo Shuting , Wu Ka Chun , Mo Jianhong , Wong Wai Leung , Maurer Urs 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe present study aimed to identify behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of dyslexia which could potentially predict reading difficulty. One hundred and three Chinese children with and without dyslexia (Grade 2 or 3, 7- to 11-year-old) completed both verbal and visual working memory (n-back) tasks with concurrent EEG recording. Data of 74 children with sufficient usable EEG data are reported here. Overall, the typically developing control group (N = 28) responded significantly faster and more accurately than the group with dyslexia (N = 46), in both types of tasks. Group differences were also found in EEG band power in the retention phase of the tasks. Moreover, forward stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that both behavioral and neurophysiological measures predicted reading difficulty uniquely. Dyslexia was associated with higher frontal midline theta activity and reduced upper-alpha power in the posterior region. This finding is discussed in relation to the neural efficiency hypothesis. Whether these behavioral and neurophysiological patterns can longitudinally predict later reading development among preliterate children requires further investigation.
Smooth muscle cell specific NEMO deficiency inhibits atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Imai Takashi , Van Trieu-My , Pasparakis Manolis , Polykratis Apostolos 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe development of atherosclerotic plaques is the result of a chronic inflammatory response coordinated by stromal and immune cellular components of the vascular wall. While endothelial cells and leukocytes are well-recognised mediators of inflammation in atherosclerosis, the role of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) remains incompletely understood. Here we aimed to address the role of canonical NF-κB signalling in SMCs in the development of atherosclerosis. We investigated the role of NF-κB signalling in SMCs in atherosclerosis by employing SMC-specific ablation of NEMO, an IKK complex subunit that is essential for canonical NF-κB activation, in ApoE−/− mice. We show that SMC-specific ablation of NEMO (NEMOSMCiKO) inhibited high fat diet induced atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice. NEMOSMCiKO/ApoE−/− mice developed less and smaller atherosclerotic plaques, which contained fewer macrophages, decreased numbers of apoptotic cells and smaller necrotic areas and showed reduced inflammation compared to the plaques of ApoE−/− mice. In addition, the plaques of NEMOSMCiKO/ApoE−/− mice showed higher expression of α-SMA and lower expression of the transcriptional factor KLF4 compared to those of ApoE−/− mice. Consistently, in vitro, NEMO-deficient SMCs exhibited reduced proliferation and migration, as well as decreased KLF4 expression and lower production of IL-6 and MCP-1 upon inflammatory stimulus (TNF or LPS) compared to NEMO-expressing SMCs. In conclusion, NEMO-dependent activation of NF-κB signalling in SMCs critically contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by regulating SMC proliferation, migration and phenotype switching in response to inflammatory stimuli.
Production of kidney organoids arranged around single ureteric bud trees, and containing endogenous blood vessels, solely from embryonic stem cells
Authors: Palakkan Anwar A. , Tarnick Julia , Waterfall Martin , Sallam May , Glykofrydis Fokion , Elhendawi Mona , Davies Jamie A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThere is intense worldwide effort in generating kidney organoids from pluripotent stem cells, for research, for disease modelling and, perhaps, for making transplantable organs. Organoids generated from pluripotent stem cells (PSC) possess accurate micro-anatomy, but they lack higher-organization. This is a problem, especially for transplantation, as such organoids will not be able to perform their physiological functions. In this study, we develop a method for generating murine kidney organoids with improved higher-order structure, through stages using chimaeras of ex-fetu and PSC-derived cells to a system that works entirely from embryonic stem cells. These organoids have nephrons organised around a single ureteric bud tree and also make vessels, with the endothelial network approaching podocytes.
The molecular heterogeneity of the precancerous breast affects drug efficacy
Authors: Bhardwaj Anjana , Rojo Raniv Dawey , Ju Zhenlin , Koh Alexander , Tachibana Kazunoshin , Wang Jing , Bedrosian Isabelle 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn the therapeutic domain, targeted therapies have been shown to be generally more effective when given to patients with tumors that harbor the targeted aberration. This principle has not been tested in cancer prevention despite evidence that molecular heterogeneity accompanies the multi-step progression to invasive disease. We hypothesized that efficacy of agents targeting the precancerous state varies based on timing of the treatment relative to the underlying molecular changes. MCF10A cell line-based model of the multi-step progression to TNBC was used. Global proteomic patterns were obtained and growth-inhibitory effects of selected agents were correlated with the underlying molecular stage of progression. These analyses revealed that most protein alterations were acquired in the normal-to-atypia (preneoplasia) transition, with only handful aberrations acquired hereafter. The efficacy of small molecule inhibitors of the AKT/MEK pathway was associated with the underlying pathway levels. Similarly, fluvastatin was more effective in inhibiting cell proliferation earlier in the progression model. However, the nonspecific inhibitors, aspirin and metformin, were equally ineffective in inhibiting proliferation across the progression model. Our data provides proof-of-principle that in the prevention domain, treatment with agents developed to target specific pathways, will need to consider the molecular heterogeneity of the precancerous breast in order to achieve maximum efficacy.
Non-random genetic alterations in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. exposed to space conditions
Authors: Liu Yuguang , Jeraldo Patricio , Herbert William , McDonough Samantha , Eckloff Bruce , de Vera Jean-Pierre , Cockell Charles , Leya Thomas , Baqué Mickael , Jen Jin , Schulze-Makuch Dirk , Walther-Antonio Marina 
Published: July 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of long-term exposure of microorganisms to space is critical in understanding how these exposures impact the evolution and adaptation of microbial life under space conditions. In this work we subjected Nostoc sp. CCCryo 231-06, a cyanobacterium capable of living under many different ecological conditions, and also surviving in extreme ones, to a 23-month stay at the International Space Station (the Biology and Mars Experiment, BIOMEX, on the EXPOSE-R2 platform) and returned it to Earth for single-cell genome analysis. We used microfluidic technology and single cell sequencing to identify the changes that occurred in the whole genome of single Nostoc cells. The variant profile showed that biofilm and photosystem associated loci were the most altered, with an increased variant rate of synonymous base pair substitutions. The cause(s) of these non-random alterations and their implications to the evolutionary potential of single bacterial cells under long-term cosmic exposure warrants further investigation.
Wheat transcriptomic responses to extended feeding by wheat curl mites
Authors: Pingault Lise , Luong Tran Kim Ngan , Louis Joe , Hein Gary 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe economic importance of wheat and its contribution to human and livestock diets has been already demonstrated. However, wheat production is impacted by pests that induce yield reductions. Among these pests, wheat curl mite (WCM, Aceria tosichella Keifer) impacts wheat all around the world. WCM are tiny pests that feed within the whorl of developing leaves, and their feeding causes leaf curling by preventing them from unfurling. The curling of the leaves provides a protective niche for the WCM. Additionally, WCM are also the vector of serious viruses in wheat. Little is known regarding the impact of the WCM on wheat transcriptome, and to date, only one article has been published describing the wheat transcriptomic changes after 1 day of WCM feeding. To better understand the wheat transcriptome variation after extended feeding by WCM [10 days post infestation (dpi)], we used an RNA-seq approach. We collected WCM-infested and uninfested leaves from two wheat cultivars: Byrd (WCM resistant) and Settler CL (WCM susceptible) at 10 dpi. Our transcriptomic analysis revealed the common and specific transcriptomic variations in WCM resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars, chromosome 3D specific location of the differentially expressed genes with functions involved in defense and stress response, and also identified the gene functions related to lipid signaling and membrane integrity, and phytohormone pathways potentially contributing to WCM resistance. Collectively, our study provides important insights on wheat defense mechanisms against WCM after extended feeding.
Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis by alcalase and flavourzyme to enhance the antioxidant properties of jasmine rice bran protein hydrolysate
Authors: Hunsakul Kanrawee , Laokuldilok Thunnop , Sakdatorn Vinyoo , Klangpetch Wannaporn , Brennan Charles S. , Utama-ang Niramon 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to optimize the hydrolysis conditions for producing jasmine rice bran protein hydrolysate (JBH) using response surface methodology (RSM). The independent variables were the ratio of flavourzyme to alcalase (Fl:Al; 0: 100 to 15: 85; 2.84% enzyme concentration) and hydrolysis time (60–540 min). The optimum hydrolysate was obtained at an Fl:Al ratio of 9.81: 90.19 for 60 min, since it enabled high amounts of protein, high antioxidant activity and more low molecular weight proteins. The experimental values obtained were a degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 7.18%, a protein content of 41.73%, an IC50 for DPPH of 6.59 mg/mL, an IC50 for ABTS of 0.99 mg/mL, FRAP of 724.81 mmol FeSO4/100 g, and 322.35 and 479.05 mAU*s for peptides with a molecular weight of < 3 and 3–5 kDa, respectively. Using a mixture of enzymes revealed the potential of mixed enzymes to produce JBH containing more small peptides and high antioxidant activity.
Paper-based broadband flexible photodetectors with van der Waals materials
Authors: Mahmoodi Erfan , Amiri Morteza Hassanpour , Salimi Abdollah , Frisenda Riccardo , Flores Eduardo , Ares José R. , Ferrer Isabel J. , Castellanos-Gomez Andres , Ghasemi Foad 
Published: July 2022

AbstractLayered metal chalcogenide materials are exceptionally appealing in optoelectronic devices thanks to their extraordinary optical properties. Recently, their application as flexible and wearable photodetectors have received a lot of attention. Herein, broadband and high-performance paper-based PDs were established in a very facile and inexpensive method by rubbing molybdenum disulfide and titanium trisulfide crystals on papers. Transferred layers were characterized by SEM, EDX mapping, and Raman analyses, and their optoelectronic properties were evaluated in a wavelength range of 405–810 nm. Although the highest and lowest photoresponsivities were respectively measured for TiS3 (1.50 mA/W) and MoS2 (1.13 μA/W) PDs, the TiS3–MoS2 heterostructure not only had a significant photoresponsivity but also showed the highest on/off ratio (1.82) and fast response time (0.96 s) compared with two other PDs. This advantage is due to the band offset formation at the heterojunction, which efficiently separates the photogenerated electron–hole pairs within the heterostructure. Numerical simulation of the introduced PDs also confirmed the superiority of TiS3–MoS2 heterostructure over the other two PDs and exhibited a good agreement with the experimental results. Finally, MoS2 PD demonstrated very high flexibility under applied strain, but TiS3 based PDs suffered from its fragility and experience a remarkable drain current reduction at strain larger than ± 0.33%. However, at lower strains, all PDs displayed acceptable performances.
Canopy-cooling systems applied on avocado trees to mitigate heatwaves damages
Authors: Lazare Silit , Vitoshkin Helena , Alchanatis Victor , Reshef Guy , Ziv Dafna , Simenski Eli , Dag Arnon 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWith climate change, spring heatwaves have become frequent in the Mediterranean region. High temperatures combined with wind and low humidity are problematic for subtropical crops adapted to high humidity and mild climate. Avocado is a valuable crop—nutritionally and economically—and many new orchards are planted in Mediterranean areas. Spring heatwaves increase avocado fruitlets dropping, severely decreasing yields. Addressing and solving the problem are necessary to maintain the crop's profitability. This study presents a sprinkler-based canopy cooling method that uses the existing pressurized irrigation system. The study aimed to test the system's performance during spring heatwaves, after the flowering season, in avocado orchards cultivated in a semi-arid region. The experiments examined the effect of various sprinkler types with varying flow rates and installation methods: sprayers, sprinklers and pulsing sprinklers, on foliage temperature, stem water potential, salt accumulation in the leaf, fruitlet survival and yield. The system reduced leaf temperatures by approximately 10 °C, significantly decreasing the trees' drought stress and increasing yields by 8–12%. Using low-quality water is possible, but requires adjustments to avoid salt damage to the leaves. The system can mitigate heat stress, and provides a relatively simple solution for handling spring heatwaves. The evaporative cooling system is modeled for semi-desert and desert conditions; the dry, windy climate contributes to the method's effectiveness.
Microwave resonant absorption of SARS-CoV-2 viruses
Authors: Wang Peng-Jui , Pang Yu-Hao , Huang Sheng-Yu , Fang Jun-Tung , Chang Sui-Yuan , Shih Shin-Ru , Huang Tian-Wei , Chen Yi-Jan , Sun Chi-Kuang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractLow power microwave can effectively deactivate influenza type A virus through the nonthermal structure-resonant energy transfer effect, at a frequency matching the confined-acoustic dipolar mode frequency of the virus. Currently, aerosol is considered the major route for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. For the potential microwave-based sterilization, the microwave-resonant frequency of SARS-CoV-2 must be unraveled. Here we report a microwave absorption spectroscopy study of the SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E viruses through devising a coplanar-waveguide-based sensor. Noticeable microwave absorption can be observed, while we identified the resonant frequencies of the 1st and 2nd dipolar modes of SARS-CoV-2 virus as 4 and 7.5 GHz respectively. We further found that the resonant frequencies are invariant to the virus titer, and we also studied the microwave absorption of HCoV-229E in weak acidity medium to simulate the common pH value in fluid secretion. Our results suggest the possible radiation frequency for the recently proposed microwave sterilization devices to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 virus through a nonthermal mechanism so as to control the disease transmission in the post-pandemic era.
Spaceborne NO2 observations are sensitive to coal mining and processing in the largest coal basin of Russia
Authors: Labzovskii Lev D. , Belikov Dmitry A. , Damiani Alessandro 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCoal use exacerbates several major environmental problems including build-up of greenhouse gases and air quality deterioration. Although Kuzbass (Siberia) is one of the largest exploited coal basins worldwide, the role of regional coal mining and processing in atmospheric pollution is unknown. We outlined the Kuzbass coal basin by spaceborne night-lights and revealed a regional, long-term tropospheric NO2 anomaly (2005–2018) by spaceborne NO2 column observations (hereafter ‒ NO2). The spatial agreement between NO2 and night-lights indicates that the anomaly is attributable to an agglomeration of coal quarries and the cities in Kuzbass, that are heavily reliant on coal. A positive relationship between NO2 and interannual coal production suggested that the anomaly was related to coal in Kuzbass; ~ 1.0% of annual coal production increase induced ~ 0.5–0.6% of NO2 enhancement. As coal production accelerated since 2010, NO2 exhibited strikingly similar annual increases over Kuzbass in 2010–2014 (7%) and 2015–2019 (15%), compared to 2005–2009. Conversely, Siberian cities lacking a coal industry followed the global trend of reducing NO2 for the same periods (−5% and −14%, respectively), driven by fuel combustion improvements. Overall, we demonstrated that coal mining, processing and utilization can induce distinct tropospheric NO2 anomalies, detectable from space.
Discrimination of Curculigo orchioides Rhizoma and Curculigo glabrescens Rhizoma using stable isotope and mineral element analyses coupled with chemometrics
Authors: Liu Yushi , Guo Yiping , Gong Sheng , Yuan Minghao , Liu Juanru , Li Xiaohong , Wu Zhong , Guo Li 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCorrect species identification is crucial for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicine. Market research indicates that Curculigo glabrescens Rhizoma (CGR) was the major counterfeit of the medicine Curculigo orchioides Rhizoma (COR). To accurately discriminate COR and CGR remains a challenge, and it becomes even more difficult when the herbs have been heavily processed into a powder. In this work, combined with high performance liquid chromatography analysis, a novel component in CGR was discovered, and two stable isotopes (N%, C%, δ15N, δ13C) and nineteen mineral elements were determined along with multivariate statistical analysis to distinguish the authentic COR samples and counterfeit CGR samples. The results showed that there were significant differences between the mean value of N%, δ15N and δ13C according to the botanical origins. In addition, these two species can be differentiated by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) analysis. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) model with a good classification rate (100%) and cross-validation rate (100%) was established. Hence, stable isotope and mineral element contents combined with chemometrics analysis could be considered as an effective and reliable method for discriminating the source species of COR and CGR.
Specific egg yolk antibody raised to biofilm associated protein (Bap) is protective against murine pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Ranjbar Azam , Rasooli Iraj , Jahangiri Abolfazl , Ramezanalizadeh Fatemeh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAcinetobacter baumanniieasily turns into pan drug-resistant (PDR) with a high mortality rate. No effective commercial antibiotic or approved vaccine is available against drug-resistant strains of this pathogen. Egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) could be used as a simple and low-cost biotherapeutic against its infections. This study evaluates the prophylactic potential of IgY againstA. baumanniiin a murine pneumonia model. White Leghorn hens were immunized with intramuscular injection of the recombinant biofilm-associated protein (Bap) fromA. baumanniion days 0, 21, 42, and 63. The reactivity and antibiofilm activity of specific IgYs raised against the Bap was evaluated by indirect ELISA and a microtiter plate assay for biofilm formation. The IgYs against Bap were able to decrease the biofilm formation ability ofA. baumanniiand protect the mice against the challenge ofA. baumannii. IgYs antibody raised here shows a good antigen-specificity and protectivity which can be used in passive immunotherapy againstA. baumannii. In conclusion, the IgY against biofilm-associated protein proves prophylactic in a murine pneumonia model.
Factors associated with Chinese herbal medicine use among middle-aged and older women with arthritis: evidence from China
Authors: Yang Lu , Sibbritt David 
Published: July 2022

AbstractChinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used for arthritis in China and elsewhere across the world. However, knowledge about the prevalence and profile of middle-aged and older women who used CHM for arthritis in China is limited. This study aims to identify potentially important insights into the factors associated with CHM use amongst middle-aged and older women with arthritis in China. Data were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a population-based survey of Chinese adults aged 45 years or older, comprising 10,833 Chinese women who completed a questionnaire in 2015. Stepwise multiple logistic regression modeling was conducted to determine the key factors (demographic, health condition, and health services use) predicting the use of CHM for the treatment of arthritis. Results revealed that 17.2% of women with arthritis were taking CHM for their arthritic symptoms. Women with arthritis who used CHM were more likely to experience finger pain (OR = 1.70), had difficulty in stooping, kneeling, crouching (OR = 1.40), visited a Traditional Chinese hospital (OR = 2.22), consulted massage therapists (OR = 2.06) and/or had experienced a fall (OR = 1.41). The prevalence of CHM use is high amongst middle-aged and older Chinese women with arthritis. Given the high risk of functional disability and impaired mental health, further research is needed to explore the potential health benefits of CHM for women with arthritis in order to help facilitate the efficacious and safe use of CHM alongside conventional medical care.