bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The crude oil biodegradation activity of Candida strains isolated from oil-reservoirs soils in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Otibi Fatimah , Al-Zahrani Rasha M. , Marraiki Najat 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Crude oil (petroleum) is a naturally occurring complex composed of hydrocarbon deposits and other organic materials. Bioremediation of crude oil-polluted sites is restricted by the biodiversity of indigenous microflora. They possess complementary substrates required for degrading the different hydrocarbons. In the current study, four yeast strains were isolated from different oil reservoirs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The oil-biodegradation ability of these isolates showed variable oxidation effects on multiple hydrocarbons. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed morphological changes of Candida isolates compared to the original structures. The drop-collapse and oil emulsification assays showed that yeast strains affected the physical properties of tested hydrocarbons. The content of biosurfactants produced by isolated strains was quantified in the presence of different hydrocarbons to confirm the oil displacement activity. The recovery assays included acid precipitation, solvent extraction, ammonium sulfate, and zinc sulfate precipitation methods. All these methods revealed that the amount of biosurfactants correlates to the type of tested hydrocarbons, where the highest amount was produced in crude oil contaminated samples. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of Candida isolated from contaminated soils for bioremediation of petroleum oil pollution. That raises the need for further analyses on the microbes/hydrocarbon degradation dynamics.
A Simple Self-assembling System of Melittin for Hepatoma Treatment
Authors: Jin Xin , Yang Qing , Song Jie , Zhang Zhenhai 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Hepatoma is a serious public health concern. New attempts are urgently needed to solve this problem. Melittin, a host defense peptide derived from the venom of honeybees, has noteworthy hemolysis and non-specific cytotoxicity in clinical applications. Here, the self-assembly of melittin and vitamin E-succinic acid-(glutamate)12 (VG) was fabricated via noncovalent π-stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions by an environment-friendly method without the use of “toxic” solvents. As expected, the designed self-assembly (denoted as M/VG nanoparticles) exhibits a uniform morphology with a particle size of approximately 60 nm and a zeta potential of approximately −26.8 mV. Furthermore, added VG significantly decreased hemolytic activity, increased tumor-targeted effects, promoted the cellular uptake, and accelerate apoptosis. Our research provides a promising strategy for the development of natural self-assembled biological peptides for clinical application, particularly for transforming toxic peptides into safe therapeutic systems.
Stopping the decline of Swiss biodiverse fruit orchards by better targeting subsidies
Authors: Nishizawa Takamasa , Kay Sonja , Schuler Johannes , Klein Noëlle , Herzog Felix , Aurbacher Joachim , Zander Peter 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Agri-environmental schemes (AES) aimed at promoting farmland biodiversity are a key agricultural policy instrument in Switzerland. While the share of farmland managed under AES has expanded, traditional orchard meadows, regarded as agrobiodiversity hotspots, are declining. It is not clear yet what role AES play in maintaining orchard meadows, considering the effects of different farm management. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of AES on farmers’ decision-making regarding orchard meadows across a range of farm types. We developed an ecological-economic assessment model by integrating the results of the expert system SALCA-BD (Swiss Agricultural Life Cycle Assessment—Biodiversity) into the optimization-based bio-economic farm model (BEFM). We applied the model to five typical farm types (small dairy, large dairy, suckler, orchard, and small farms) identified in a rural region of northern Switzerland. Modeling results show that the adoption of AES considerably varies among farm types according to the compliance cost of participating in AES. Also, the current AES do not provide farmers with sufficient payments to maintain any type of orchard meadows. Instead, converting orchard meadows into arable land would generate higher incomes for farmers. This study recommends farm type specific payments to different farm types and a regulatory framework that incentivizes farmers to preserve the existing area of orchard meadows.
Studies the Preliminary Phytochemical Composition and Assessments of Antibacterial Effects of Aqueous- Methanol Extracts of Cucumis Ficifolius fruit, leaf, and seed parts in the University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe samuel 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Infectious diseases are the major problems of the world as a result of the emerging and reemerging of different antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms due to several reasons like missiles and repeating uses of antibiotics. As a result, searching for new treatment methods is essential from natural substances to against those infectious diseases in both human and animals’ prospects. Among those plants, Cucumis ficifolius has various roles against those infectious diseases via its different phytochemical components. The objectives of this study were assessing the antibacterial activity of the aqueous-methanol extract of the Cucumis ficifolius seed, leaf, and fruit parts and knowing the phytochemical constituents of the plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the extract of Cucumis ficifolius seed, leaf, and fruit parts possesses flavonoids, quinone, phenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. In addition the antibacterial activity of the plant extract was evaluated on seven pathogenic bacteria species using the agar well diffusion method at different concentrations of plant extracts. Minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration determinations were done by tetrazolium chloride microtiter dilution assay. The inhibition zone of mean diameters ranging from 00.00 to 14.16 mm against all test bacteria was significantly (p < 0.05) much higher than that of the positive control oxytetracycline(30𝜇g/disc) with the range of 4.45mm-13.45mm of inhibition zone of diameters. The inhibition zones of the tested bacteria at the concentration of 62.5mg/ml were much less than the higher concentration (500mg/ml) and significantly different (p < 0.05), whereas the MIC value ranges from 0.52mg/ml to 20.83mg/ml, and the MBC value ranges from 0.65 mg/ml to 25.00 mg/ml. The present study showed that Cucumis ficifolius have higher antibacterial activities with having potential for further study to serve as a source of antibacterial agents.
The dominant mesopredator and savanna formations shape the distribution of the rare northern tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus) in the Amazon
Authors: de Oliveira Tadeu Gomes , Fox-Rosales Lester A. , Paemelaere Evi A. D. , Ferraz Katia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi Barros 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Understanding the distribution patterns of threatened species is central to conservation. The Amazonian distribution of the northern tiger cat (N-tiger cat, Leopardus tigrinus) and its interspecific relationship with the ocelot, its potential intraguild killer, are intriguing. Here, we combined presence/absence records with species distribution models (SDMs) to determine N-tiger cat occurrence in the Amazon. We also modeled the ocelot density from 46 published estimates. The N-tiger cat’s presence in the Amazon was negatively influenced by the ocelot density and net primary productivity and positively influenced by savannas and precipitation in the driest month. The best-fitting model predicted highly patchy N-tiger cat occurrence over an area of 236,238.67 km2, almost exclusively in savanna enclaves. Additionally, 312,348 camera trap-days at 49 sites in the Amazon revealed no N-tiger cats. The ocelot densities were significantly higher in denser vegetation cover and warmer habitats, with predicted densities ≥ 0.6 ind/km2 throughout most of the biome. The lowest ocelot densities (≤ 0.06 ind/km2) were observed along the predicted range of N-tiger cats. Our findings highlight that the N-tiger cat’s presence in the Amazon is restricted to savannas and highly influenced by the ocelot density, emphasizing the importance of including species interactions in SDMs.
The regulatory role of the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway in the prevention of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle by aerobic exercise in mice
Authors: Wang Haitao , Yang Wenqian , Yang Guang , Liu Yuqian 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Silent information regulator proteins (SIRT) play key roles in glucose and lipid metabolism and homeostasis. The SIRT1 inhibitor was used to investigate the mechanism of the SIRT1/FoxO1 (Forkhead box O1) pathway in mice and its function in the prevention of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Forty male mice were randomly divided into a control group and three experimental groups (NH: high-fat diet, HE: high-fat diet plus exercise, and HES: high-fat diet plus exercise and SIRT1 inhibitor). After 14 weeks, the fat weight, blood glucose level, and HOMA-IR score in HES were significantly increased compared to those in HE (P < 0.01). The same parameters were significantly decreased in HE compared to those in the NH group (P < 0.01). Mitochondrial 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine) level of the HES group was significantly higher than that of the HE group (P < 0.01). Compared with NH, the 8-OHdG and 4-HNE (4-hydroxynonenal) level were significantly decreased in HE (P < 0.01). Histologic evaluation demonstrated mitochondrial vacuoles in HES, while a clean arrangement of mitochondrial cristae was observed in HE. FoxO1 acetylation was enhanced in HES compared to that in HE (P < 0.01). The insulin resistance was induced in mice after 14-week high-fat diet, while glucose metabolism was significantly improved by aerobic exercise. The physiologic adaptations induced by exercise were not observed in the presence of an SIRT1 inhibitor. Thus, the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway effectively regulates glucose metabolism during aerobic exercise and also prevents fat-induced peroxidation injury in skeletal muscles.
pH regulatory divergent point for the selective bio-oxidation of primary diols during resting cell catalysis
Authors: Hua Xia , Zhang ChenHui , Han Jian , Xu Yong 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Hydroxyl acid is an important platform chemical that covers many industrial applications due to dual functional modules. At present, the traditional technology for hydroxyl acid production mainly adopts the petroleum route with benzene, cyclohexane and butadiene and other non-renewable resources as raw materials which violates the law of green chemistry development. Conversely, it is well-known that biotechnology and bioengineering techniques possess several advantages over chemical methods, such as moderate reaction conditions, high chemoselectivity, and are environmental-friendly. However, there still exist some major obstacles for the industrial application of biotechnology as compared with chemical engineering. The critical issue in the competitiveness between bioengineering and chemical engineering is products titer and volume productivity. Therefore, based on the importance of hydroxyl acids in many fields, exploring a clean, environmentally friendly, efficient and practical production technology for the hydroxyl acids preparation is the core purpose of this study.
Results
To obtain high-purity hydroxyl acid, a microbiological regulation employing Gluconobacter oxydans for its bioproduction was constructed. We achieved a critical point of chain length, determining the end-products. G. oxydans catalyzed diols with chain length ≤ 4, forming hydroxyl acids, and converting 1,5-pentanediol and 1,6-hexanediol to diacids. Based on this principle, we successfully synthesized 75.3 g/L glycolic acid, 83.2 g/L 3-hydroxypropionic acid, and 94.3 g/L 4-hydroxybutyric acid within 48 h. Furthermore, we directionally controlled the products of C5/C6 diols by adjusting pH, resulting in 102.3 g/L 5‑hydroxyvaleric acid and 48.8 g/L 6-hydroxycaproic acid instead of diacids. Combined with pH regulation and cell-recycling, we prepared 271.4 g 5‑hydroxyvaleric acid and 129.4 g 6-hydroxycaproic acid in 6 rounds.
Conclusion
In this study, a green scheme of employing G. oxydans as biocatalyst for superior-quality hydroxyl acids (C2-C6) production is raised up. The proposed strategy commendably demonstrated a novel technology with simple pH regulation for high-value production of hydroxyl acids via green bioprocess developments.
Eigensolutions and Thermodynamic Properties of Kratzer plus generalized Morse Potential
Authors: Isonguyo Cecilia N. , Okon Ituen B. , Antia Akaninyene D. , Oyewumi Kayode J. , Omugbe Ekwevugbe , Onate Clement A. , Joshua Roseline U. , Udoh Monday E. , Ituen Eno E. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In this study, we apply the parametric Nikiforov-Uvarov method to obtain the bound state solution of Schrödinger wave equation in the presence of Kratzer plus generalized Morse potential (KPGM). The energy eigen equation and the corresponding normalised wave function were obtained in closed form. The resulting energy eigen equation were use to study partition function and other thermodynamic properties such as vibrational mean energy, vibrational specific heat capacity, vibrational mean free energy and vibrational entropy for the proposed potential as applied to lithium hydride diatomic molecule. The thermodynamic plots obtained were in excellent agreement to work of existing literatures. The wave function and probability density plots for the diatomic molecules were obtained through a well designed and implemented maple programme.PACS Nos: 03.65Ge; 03.65-w; 03.65Ca
Optimisation of sous vide processing to enhance the quality of beef short ribs
Authors: Karki Roman , Bremer Phil , Silcock Patrick , Oey Indrawati 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The aim of this research was to study the effect of sous vide temperature (60, 65, and 70°C) and time (12, 24, and 36 h) combination on the quality of beef short ribs namely colour, cooking loss (%), shrinkage (%), soluble collagen (%), myfibrillar fragmentation index (MFI), Warner Bratlzler Shear force (WBSF), and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) parameters. Aluminium and polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and polyamide plastic laminate pouch was recommended for sous vide processing due to no detrimental effect on colour owing to its low oxygen permeability. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in shrinkage in volume (%), cooking loss (%), and the proportion of soluble collagen (%) and MFI when sous vide temperature and the processing time were increased to 70°C and 36 h, respectively. WBSF and the TPA hardness value were significantly lower (p < 0.05) at 70°C than at 60°C both for 36 hours due to higher level of solubilisation of collagen and myofibrillar fragmentation by prolonged heating in the moist in-pack environment and overpressure created by saturated steam. As the use of a laminate pouch reduced the oxidation of red myoglobin to brown metmyoglobin, the effect of sous vide temperature and time on International Commission on Illumination (CIE) hue angle and Chroma was not significant. Based on the data obtained, process optimisation using third order regression was conducted and the results revealed that optimum sous vide processing temperature and time combination for beef short ribs was 60°C and 34.06 h.
Full-length ITS1 Genes Amplicon Analysis of Gut Mycobiome Using Nanopore Flongle Sequencing Reveals Unique Fungal Communities between Indoor and Outdoor Felines in Malaysia
Authors: Tay Darren Dean , Siew Shing Wei , Kamal Shamrulazhar Shamzir , Razali Mohd Najib , Ahmad Hajar Fauzan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The gut mycobiome exhibits major influence on the feline gastrointestinal health and disease but received less attention due to low microbial abundance. This study aims to characterise the fungal community and compare the microbial diversity between indoor and outdoor cats that devoured to different diets. The fecal samples used in this study were obtained from five indoor and five outdoor cats. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced by targeting the full-length internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region using Flongle flow cell on MinION™ sequencing platform. We discovered that the Ascomycota phylum and Peniophorella genus were numerous in indoor cats, whereas the Basidiomycota phyla and Pichia genus were abundant in outdoor cats. The genus Peniophorella formed the core mycobiome in both indoor and outdoor feline populations. Furthermore, alpha diversity (p-value = 0.0207) revealed that the fungal composition of outdoor cats had greater variety within the sample than that of indoor cats. The mycobiome composition differed significantly between the two groups, as demonstrated by beta diversity (p-value = 0.009) using the Bray-Curtis index distance technique. Overall, indoor cats have greater amounts of Peniophorella, whereas outdoor cats have higher Trichosporon and unclassified Sordariaceae. The study also suggests that keeping a cat indoors or left as a stray will affect their respective gut mycobiome.
Default mode network is associated with wise advising from the second- but not the third-person perspective
Authors: Zheng Yanbin , Dong Guang-Heng , Glassman Harley , Huang Chenli , Xuan Ran , Hu Chao 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Advice-giving is an important way to share life experiences and promote wisdom in society. We hypothesized that resting-state Default Mode Network (DMN) activity should be associated with increased wisdom when advising from a self-related perspective due to the DMN's involvement in reflection of personal life experiences. In our study, 52 participants provided advice on various life dilemmas using either a second- or third-person perspective after receiving a resting-state functional MRI scan. The results showed that participants felt significantly smaller psychological distance from advising protagonists on life dilemmas from the second- than the third-person perspective. Additionally, the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in regions of the DMN (e.g., prefrontal cortex) was significantly correlated with metacognitive humility when advising from the second- but not the third-person perspective. Taken together, resting-state DMN activity may contribute to wise advising from a second-person perspective but not a third-person perspective, which involves greater self-distancing.
Elderly Onset Male MELAS: A Case Report
Authors: Diao Sheng Peng , Peng Zhong-Xing , Liu Ai-Qun , Zhou Zhi-Hua , Yu Qing-Yun , Hong Ming-Fan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is the most common mitochondrial disease. MELAS in the elderly onset is rarely seen. We herein describe the case of a 61-year-old male MELAS patient. He had experienced acute migraine-like headaches as the first symptoms. Laboratory data showed elevated lactate and creatine kinase levels. Brain MRI showed a high signal intensity lesion in the left occipital-temporal-parietal lobe on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). MR angiography revealed reversible vasoconstriction of the middle cerebral arteries and bilateral superficial temporal arteries. Muscle biopsy suggests minor muscle damage. A genetic study revealed a mitochondrial DNA A3243G point mutation. Ischemic cerebrovascular disease is a high incidence in the elderly. Elderly patients with high signal intensity on brain DWI are easily misdiagnosed as ischemic stroke. MELAS should be considered in elderly stroke-like attack patients with multi-lobe DWI high signal without corresponding responsible cerebrovascular disease. MELAS can be preliminarily considered according to MRA, DWI, muscle enzyme, and lactic acid. Suspected patients can be diagnosed with MELAS by muscle biopsy and/or gene detection. Reversible dilation of bilateral superficial temporal arteries supports mitochondrial dysfunction as one of the pathogenesis of migraine.
Is the Arabic version of the WeeFIM instrument reliable and feasible enough to measure functional independence in Egyptian children with burns?
Authors: othman Eman 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The adaptation of the Arabic WeeFIM instrument to an interview format suitable for burned children with communicative and/or cognitive problems with evaluation of its feasibility and reliability.
Methods
An observational study with two measurements within a 2-week time period in a sample of 53 patients with healed burns who were aged 3 to 16 years. Feasibility was evaluated by the assessment of the frequency of missing answers per item and administration time. The reliability was assessed by a test-retest procedure. For content validity, experts were asked to complete all questions in the Arabic Index of Content Validity (ICV).
Results
The Arabic version of WeeFIM has borderline reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.619 and Pearson correlation coefficient: r = 0.986). There was an acceptable percent to have a feasible test as 83.963% of the filled questionnaires had no missing answers and 16.037% had missing answers. The ICV showed that all the questions were relevant except for two questions: Question 15, for expression, and question 18, for memory.
Conclusion
The Arabic version of WeeFIM has high test-retest reliability, borderline internal consistency, and excellent feasibility in measuring the functional outcome of burned children.
Occurrence of Pfcrt SNP at Codon 72&amp;76 and Pfmdr1 SNPs at Codons 86&amp;184 and 1034,1042&amp;1246 in Out-Patients from a Malaria Endemic Region in Southwest, Nigeria.
Authors: MO Oniya , ET Obimakinde , IA Simon-Oke , OJ Afolabi , AO Adeogun , TA Oyeniyi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The research identified, ipso facto, Pfcrt gene SNP at codon 72&76 and Pfmdr1 gene SNPs at codons 86 &184 and 1034,1042 &1246 from malaria patients in Ifedore LGA in Ondo State, Nigeria. Thick blood film microscopy was used to examine blood samples from 2,063 febrile malaria patients within the study area. Four hundred positive samples were used to make Dry Blood Spots (DBS) on Whatmann No.3 paper. The parasite DNA was extracted from the DBS samples using spin column-based DNA purification kit. Identification and genotyping of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes of the parasite were done using Nested PCR method. Molecular analysis of the 400 positive samples yielded 352 positive results after testing with various plasmodia markers with only Plasmodium falciparum detected in the study area. Results obtained from genotyping the mutant genes showed that of all the 352 P. falciparum isolates examined, Pfmdr1 SNP at codons 86&184 recorded the highest prevalence (11.08%), followed by Pfmdr1 SNP at codon 1034,1042&1246 (7.95%) while Pfcrt SNP at codon 72&76 recorded the lowest prevalence (3.41%). A prevalence of 19.32% coexistence of the three SNPs of the mutant genes was observed among the study population (p<0.05). The existence of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes suggests resistance of P. falciparum to most malaria drugs used in the treatment of malaria in the study area. Therefore, it is important to monitor resistance to treatment regimes and therapeutics to aid management of malaria in endemic areas.