bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic inference of the metabolic rates underlying 13C breath test curves
Authors: Brouwer Andrew F. , Lee Gwenyth O. , Schillinger Robert J. , Edwards Christine A. , Wyk Hannah Van , Yazbeck Roger , Morrison Douglas J. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Carbon stable isotope breath tests offer new opportunities to better understand gastrointestinal function in health and disease. However, it is often not clear how to isolate information about a gastrointestinal or metabolic process of interest from a breath test curve, and it is generally unknown how well summary statistics from empirical curve fitting correlate with underlying biological rates. We developed a framework that can be used to make mechanistic inference about the metabolic rates underlying a 13C breath test curve, and we applied it to a pilot study of 13C-sucrose breath test in 20 healthy adults. Starting from a standard conceptual model of sucrose metabolism, we determined the structural and practical identifiability of the model, using algebra and profile likelihoods, respectively, and we used these results to develop a reduced, identifiable model as a function of a gamma-distributed process, a slower, rate-limiting process, and a scaling term related to the fraction of the substrate that is exhaled as opposed to sequestered or excreted through urine. We demonstrated how the identifiable model parameters impacted curve dynamics and how these parameters correlated with commonly used breath test summary measures. Our work develops a better understanding of how the underlying biological processes impact different aspect of 13C breath test curves, enhancing the clinical and research potential of these 13C breath tests.
Optimization of κ-Selenocarrageenase Production by Pseudoalteromonas sp.X13 and Its Immobilization
Authors: Deng Yashan , Wang Xixi , Xu Hui , Liu Cui , Li Ran , Zhang Yuanyuan , Qu Changfeng , Miao Jinlai 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The bioenzymatic production of selenium oligosaccharides addresses the problems resulted from high molecular weight and poor water solubility of κ-selenocarrageenan, and lays a foundation for its application as adjuvant drugs for cancer treatment, and food additive. κ-Selenocarrageenase extracted from Pseudoalteromonas sp. Xi13 can degrade κ-selenocarrageenan to selenium oligosaccharides. The maximum optimized κ-selenocarrageenase activity using RSM was increased by 1.4 times, reached 8.416 U/ mL, under the optimum fermentation conditions: 1.6% κ-selenocarrageenan, 3.7 mmol/L Ca2+, and 33℃. The immobilized κ-selenocarrageenase exhibits good stability, 58.28% of enzyme activity was remained after reusing for four times. Selenium content of κ-selenocarrageenan oligosaccharide degraded by immobilized κ-selenocarrageenase was 47.06 µg/g, 8.3% higher than that degraded by the lyophilized enzyme. The results indicate that immobilized κ-selenocarrageenase is suitable for industrial applications and has commercial potential.
Genotoxic alterations as biomarkers in fish from a protected area in southern Maranhão, Brazil
Authors: Sousa Debora , Rosa Rayssa , Pires Gabriella , de Araújo Fernando , Stragliotto Layla , Paz Fernanda Silva da , Paz Dannielle Silva da , Tchaicka Lígia , Carvalho-Neta Raimunda , Castro Jonatas da Silva 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate genotoxic biomarkers for monitoring two points in the Chapada das Mesas National Park (PNCM). Specimens of Leporinus taeniofasciatus and Hypostomus punctatus were collected in two waterfalls of the PNCM: Cachoeira São Romão (SRW) and Prata (PW). The stations were georeferenced by GPS (Global Position System) and in each region the physical-chemical parameters were recorded: pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) and conductivity. Biometric data were measured in the field. The blood of the animals was collected from the blood vessels of the gills, and the slides were made from the blood smear, with Giemsa staining, and 2000 cells were quantified per slide. Nuclear morphological alterations (AMN) were identified in the two species sampled for the two collection points. Among the AMN found, the following stand out: binucleated nuclei (NB), vacuolated nuclei (NV). Micronuclei (MN) were also found in both species, however, in L. taeniofasciatus the frequency of MN and AMN were higher in relation to H. punctatus. Probably, H. punctatus for being considered a benthic species and resistant to environmental conditions, presenting a lower frequency of genotoxic alterations in relation to L. taeniofasciatus, which is a species that presents a migratory habit and is sensitive to environmental variables. In addition, the frequency of MN and AMN were not significant to indicate possible environmental impacts in the two sampled areas. The data presented show that methodologies based on biomarkers in resident species can be used in future biomonitoring and park management programs.
Fully densely linked and strongly correlated road scene instance segmentation
Authors: Wang Hao , Shi Ying , Xie Changjun , Lin Chaojun , Hou Hui , Hua Jie 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Unlike conventional indoor or outdoor scenes, road images in driverless scenes usually have the characteristics of high resolution, large width (indicating a large span and containing many targets), and variable background. As a mainstream algorithm for the instance segmentation task, Polar-Mask can balance segmentation accuracy and real-time performance to some extent. However, confronted with the road scene images, its feature extraction is inadequate, and the regression branch and the classification branch in its network structure are disjoint, ignoring the potential correlation between instance contour and instance category. To overcome this shortcoming, a Polar-Mask-based fully densely linked and strongly correlated instance segmentation network (FCSIS-Polar) is proposed. Specifically, the original cascaded convolutional layers in Polar-Mask are densely connected to enhance the feature extraction of the residual network. In addition, the category features are co-encoded with the original mask prediction results as a priori information to establish a contour-category correlation. The experiment results based on the Cityscapes dataset corroborate its performance, which can achieve a segmentation accuracy of 26.4 % and a segmentation speed of 14.2 FPS even in small images.
Is Income Inequality Important for Foreign Aid Effectiveness?
Authors: Skarda Ieva 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
This paper presents new evidence that foreign development aid only boosts growth in aid recipient countries with sufficiently low levels of income inequality, with less income inequality associated with better aid effectiveness. This finding holds irrespective of other determinants of aid effectiveness such as institutional quality, trade openness, budget balance, inflation, colonial history, geography and climate. I focus on aid intended to boost growth, by excluding categories of aid with other primary aims and by focusing on aid from OECD countries rather than China, India, Russia and the Gulf states. I use growth regressions using data on 53 countries over the years 1971-2015, controlling for numerous country-level factors previously associated with aid effectiveness. An increase of one standard deviation in the aid-to-GDP ratio is associated with nearly 2 percentage points of higher growth in the least unequal aid recipient countries but has no significant effect on growth in those recipient countries with inequality above the median level. The results are robust to sensitivity analysis using different control variables and specifications, and can be replicated using different estimators to address dynamic panel bias. This new evidence also supports the hypothesis, which I have developed in previous theoretical work, that economic inequality increases the power of rich elites to re-purpose aid expenditure in ways that further their own narrow economic interests.
JEL Classification: F35 – O15 – O47 – O1 – O43
A finite difference analysis of complex wavy bacterial locomotion
Authors: Asghar Zeeshan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The microscale gliders are regularly affected by the local surrounding environment, like liquid rheology and physical (nearby) boundaries. This article focuses on the numerical simulations of bacterial speed over a non-Newtonian slime and its power expenditure. The flow rate generated by the swimmer, slime speed and level curves are also the point of interest. To fulfill the purpose Oldroyd-4 constant model is assumed over a rigid boundary. A complex undulating sheet is approximated as a bacterial surface. Since a slime (present below the undulating sheet) is a non-Newtonian fluid so a modeling approach of peristaltic flow problem is adopted, and dynamic equilibrium conditions are implemented for steady motion. Implicit finite difference method (FDM) is employed to calculate the numerical solution of reduced Boundary value problem (BVP). To compute the flow rate and cell speed, Broyden’s root finding algorithm is integrated with FDM. These computed values are further utilized to perceive the behavior of work done, velocity of slime and streamlines.
Diagnostic efficiency of adropin as a preliminary test to exclude acute pulmonary embolism: a prospective study
Authors: Orun Serhat , Celikkol Aliye , Basol Batuhan Ilbey , Yeniay Elif 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: This study aims to investigate the efficiency of adropin as a biomarker to exclude the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. Methods: Patients admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary health center (a university hospital) between August 2019 and August 2020 and diagnosed with pulmonary embolism were included in this prospective cohort study. The amount of serum adropin was determined in patients with pulmonary embolism (who were diagnosed using computerized tomography pulmonary angiography) and compared with healthy volunteers. Results: There were 57 participants in the study (28 controls and 29 PE patients). The mean value of the adropin level in the pulmonary embolism group was 187.33 ± 62.40 pg/ml which is significantly lower than the control group (524.06 ± 421.68 pg/ml) (p < 0.001). When the optimal adropin cut-off value was 213.78 pg/ml, the likelihood ratio of the adropin test was 3.4, and the sensitivity of the adropin test at this value was 82% with specificity of 75% (95% CI; AUC: 0.821). Conclusion: The adropin test can be used to exclude the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in the emergency department. However, more research is required to verify and support the generalizability of our study results.
FDR Adjustment for Achieving Desired Minimum Distance of Marine ESIM from the Shore
Authors: Doost Roghayeh , hajipour Pedram , Shahidzadeh Saber 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Determining and observing the minimum allowable distance of the marine earth station in motion (M-ESIM) from the shore prevents its destructive interference on the co-frequency shore fixed station. These earth stations are providing broadband Fixed Satellite Services (FSS). This paper studies the parameters involved in the minimum allowable distance of the ship from the shore by simulating the interference from an M-ESIM on a shore fixed station. This distance is determined versus the latitude, carrier frequency and the annual number of crossings ships along the shore. The results show that with decreasing the carrier frequency, decreasing latitude or increasing the number of annual passing vessels, this minimum distance increases. A solution to eliminate these effects and keep constant the minimum distance is shifting the transmitter frequency band. This frequency shift increases the frequency dependent rejection (FDR). In this paper, values of FDR are obtained separately versus three variables of latitude, carrier frequency, and the number of passing ships so that the minimum allowable distance of the M-ESIM from the shore will remain a constant value. The minimum distance of 100, 105 and 110 Km is evaluated in this paper. In this way, the M-ESIM can be close to the shore as near as desired distance using the FDR adjustment.
Separate determination of arsenite and arsenate in groundwater samples by simple analytical methods
Authors: Matsunaga Koji , Nakaya Yuki , Satoh Hisashi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
We investigated the interaction of As(III) with As(III)-binding DNA aptamers (Ars-3). The binding of Ars-3 to As(III) was investigated using an Ars-3 sequence and a few control DNA sequences. As a result, we conclude that Ars-3 cannot bind As(III) and As(III) can adsorb onto gold nanoparticles with selectivity. However, the As(III) concentration could be determined by a simple As(III) analysis method using Ars-3, and we measured the As(III) and As(V) concentrations separately in As(III)/As(V) mixed samples in ultrapure water and groundwater using a simple analytical method for As(III) and As(V), respectively. As(III) in the sample was measured by a simple As(III) analytical method using DNA aptamers and gold nanoparticles, and As(V) in the sample was measured by a simple As(V) analysis method using cerium oxide nanoparticles and fluorescence-labeled DNA. We can measure As(III) and As(V) concentrations in ultrapure water and groundwater in the simple analytical method for As(III) and As(V), separately.
New Insights on the Role of Bioactive Food Derivatives in Neurodegeneration and
Neuroprotection
Authors: Fisette Alexandre , Sergi Domenico , Breton-Morin Alyssa , Descôteaux Savanah , Martinoli Maria-Grazia 
Published: September 2022

Abstract:
Over the last three decades, neurodegenerative diseases have received increasing attention due to
their frequency in the aging population and the social and economic burdens they are posing. In parallel, an
era’s worth of research in neuroscience has shaped our current appreciation of the complex relationship
between nutrition and the central nervous system. Particular branches of nutrition continue to galvanize neuroscientists,
in particular the diverse roles that bioactive food derivatives play on health and disease. Bioactive
food derivatives are nowadays recognized to directly impact brain homeostasis, specifically with respect to their
actions on cellular mechanisms of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis
and autophagy. However, ambiguities still exist regarding the significance of the influence of bioactive food
derivatives on human health. In turn, gut microbiota dysbiosis is emerging as a novel player in the pathogenesis
of neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, several routes of communication exist between the gut and the brain,
where molecules are either released in the bloodstream or directly transported to the CNS. As such, bioactive
food derivatives can modulate the complex ecosystem of the gut-brain axis, thus, targeting this communication
network holds promises as a neuroprotective tool. This review aims at addressing one of the emerging aspects
of neuroscience, particularly the interplay between food bioactive derivatives and neurodegeneration. We will
specifically address the role that polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids play in preventing neurodegenerative diseases
and how dietary intervention complements available pharmacological approaches.
Research Progress of Pectin Methylesterase and its Inhibitors
Authors: Guo Xiaoqiang , Chang Shan , Hu Jianping , Wang Yueteng , Zhang Derong , Huang Lifen , Zhang Zelan , Gao Jiaxing , Liu Wei , He Gan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract:As an important pectin enzyme, pectin methylesterase (PME) can hydrolyze methyl esters, release methanol and reduce esterification. It is essential in regulating pollen tube development, root extension, and fruit ripening. Pectin methylesterase inhibitors (PMEI) can specifically bind PME and inhibit its activity, which jointly determines the esterification degree of pectin. PMEI has important application prospects in plant pest control, fruits and vegetable processing fields. In this paper, the gene families, crystal structures, molecular recognition, and applications in plants and industry are reviewed for the PME and PMEI systems. Finally, the semi-rational design of PMEI is discussed and discussed prospected.
Mechanisms of Metallic Nanomaterials to Induce an Antibacterial Effect
Authors: Rodríguez-Barajas Noé , de Jesús Martín-Camacho Ubaldo , Pérez-Larios Alejandro 
Published: September 2022

Abstract:
Pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, are becoming resistant to most existing
drugs, which increases the failure of pharmacologic treatment. Therefore, new nanomaterials were
studied to spearhead improvement against the same resistant pathogenic bacteria. This has increased
the mortality in the world population, principally in under-developed countries. Moreover, recently
there has been research to find new drug formulations to kill the most dangerous microorganisms,
such as bacteria cells which should avoid the spread of disease. Therefore, lately, investigations
have been focusing on nanomaterials because they can exhibit the capacity to show an antibacterial
effect. These studies have been trying oriented in their ability to produce an improvement to get antibacterial damage against the same pathogenic bacteria resistance. However, there are many problems with the use of nanoparticles. One of them is understanding how they act against bacteria,
"their mechanism(s) action" to induce reduction or even kill the bacterial strains. Therefore, it is essential to understand the specific mechanism(s) of each nanomaterial used to observe the interaction
between bacteria cells and nanoparticles. In addition, since nanoparticles can be functionalized with
different antibacterial drugs, it is necessary to consider and distinguish the antibacterial activity of
the nanoparticles from the antibacterial activity of the drugs to avoid confusion about how the nanoparticles work. Knowledge of these differences can help better understand the applications of the
primary nanoparticles (i.e., Ag, Au, CuO, ZnO, and TiO2, among others) described in detail in this
review which are toxic against various bacterial strains.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Nucleozin Sulfonyl Piperazine
Derivatives as Anti-influenza A Virus Inhibitors
Authors: Pei Shuchen , Chen Junlin , Yang Jinhua , Lai Lin , Huang Xiang , Xu Mingxin , Chen Jun 
Published: September 2022

Abstract:
Influenza A viruses have caused worldwide epidemics and pandemics by reassortment and
generation of drug-resistant mutants, which leads to an urgent need to develop novel antivirals. In this
study, a series of sulfonyl piperazine nucleozin derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their
in vitro anti-influenza activity was evaluated. Many of these compounds exhibited moderate to good
anti-influenza activity against influenza A. Among these, 6d, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j exhibited better activity
than ribavirin. 2,3-dichlorobenzene substituted analogue 6i displayed the most remarkable in vitro
activity against Influenza A. All the derivatives show no obvious cellular growth inhibition against
MDCK cells. This study reported a new series of nucleoprotein inhibitors with a good selectivity window
and potential for further development as novel anti-influenza agents.
Design, Synthesis, and Antiproliferative Activity of Novel Flavone Derivatives
Authors: Potey Lata C. , Sabale Prafulla M. , Sabale Vidya P. 
Published: September 2022

Background:
Cancer is a complex disease in which some of the cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.
Objective: The present study focuses on molecular docking and synthesis of novel flavone derivatives substituted with heterocyclic rings.

Objective:
The present study focuses on molecular docking and synthesis of novel flavone derivatives substituted with heterocyclic rings.

Methods:
The anticancer activity of novel flavones against human aromatase enzyme using human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 through MTT assay was demonstrated. The synthesized compounds for the determination of single or double-strand DNA damage through the single-cell electrophoresis/comet assay were evaluated.

Results:
In this study, we found that the derivative 3M with Morpholine ring showed the highest anticancer potency against the MCF-7 cell line compared to that of other flavone derivatives. Compound 3T showed less cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line.

Conclusion:
Based on the findings, flavone scaffolds can be selected as a skeleton for the development of heterocyclic amine-containing flavones with the potential to develop as anticancer drugs.
Recent Advancements in Biomimetic Drug Delivery System of Single-
Chain Fatty Acids as Ufasomes and Ufosomes: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Kaur Lakhvir , Kaur Manjeet , Singh Gurjeet , Singh Lovepreet , Kaur Amarjeet , Dhawan R. K. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract:
The current review is focused on many carrier systems and technologies that have recently been explored for achieving controlled drug release, promoting therapeutic potential, and selectivity. Among various carrier systems, the vesicular drug delivery system is the highly effective method of delivering medication to the infection site resulting in minimal drug toxicity and adverse effects. Various research studies have been conducted to reduce drug loss and degradation, prevent unwanted side effects, improve drug bioavailability, and retain the fraction of drug in the necessary region. To achieve these goals novel vesicular drug delivery and vesicular drug targeting systems, such as ufasomes and ufosomes, are currently under research. They are highly ordered self-assembled novel vesicular drug delivery systems formed from disordered building blocks into highly ordered systems by specific inter-block mutual interactions. These two carrier systems are separately being studied for their efficacy to improve the effectiveness of various drugs. In this perspective, we summarized the basic concept and recent studies on ufasomes and ufosomes for drug delivery along with pertinent investigations in the present review. The vesicular systems discussed in this article are given chronologically, from existing systems to advanced fatty acid vesicles. Drug design and development using ufasome and ufosome vesicular systems have added a new dimension to the treatment of disease conditions by circumventing penetration limiting obstacles and therefore increasing efficacy.