bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Whole-Lake Additions of Ethynylestradiol on Leech Populations
Authors: Kidd Karen A. , Graves Stephanie D. , McKee Graydon I. , Dyszy Katarzyna , Podemski Cheryl L. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Leeches are widespread, found in many freshwater habitats, and have diverse dietary habits. Despite their close phylogenetic relationships to Mollusca, a phylum with species affected by exogenous estrogens, it is unclear whether Hirudinea may also be impacted. A whole-lake experiment was done at the Experimental Lakes Area in Ontario, Canada, to assess whether 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) affected fishes and other species. Herein, we examined whether EE2 impacted leech community composition, species abundance, growth rates, gonad size, and cocoon production, when compared with reference lakes using a before-after-control-impact design. Each month baited leech traps were set overnight in the littoral zone at 10 sites around experimental Lake 260 and 2 reference lakes, and individuals were identified, weighed, and measured. Male and female organs of common species Haemopis marmorata were measured. Across all lakes, 9 species representing 3 families were collected. There were no apparent effects of EE2 on numbers, species richness, or community composition; however, condition in 1 of 5 species increased significantly after EE2 exposures. Total gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the GSI for all male or all female organs combined for H. marmorata were not affected by EE2 additions. However, some individual reproductive organs including relative sperm sac length (+), relative epididymis weight (–), relative vaginal bulb length (+), and relative ovisac + albumen gland length (+) changed after EE2 additions. Finally, whereas overall cocoon production was similar, it occurred earlier in the EE2-amended lake. In summary, few individual through community measures of leeches responded to low ng/L concentrations of EE2, suggesting that Hirudinea are less sensitive to this endocrine disruptor than other invertebrates and vertebrates. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1608–1619. © 2020 SETAC
Identification and characterization of key aroma compounds in Chinese high altitude and northernmost black tea (Camellia sinensis) using distillation extraction and sensory analysis methods
Authors: Chen Xiaohua , Sun Haiyan , Qu Dong , Yan Fei , Jin Wengang , Jiang Hai , Chen Chen , Zhang Yifan , Li Chongyong , Xu Zhimin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe studied Chinese northernmost black tea made of the tea leaves harvested at high altitude and low climatic temperature location and special tea manufacturing process presented strong honey‐like, moderated green/grass and weak floral and fruity aromas. Its aroma was significantly different from other black tea. The key compounds responsible for these aromas were identified and quantified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), gas chromatography‐olfactometry (GC‐O), aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), aroma reconstitution and exclusion experiments methods. A total of fifty‐eight aroma compounds were found in the black tea. Among them, phenylacetaldehyde, E‐2‐hexenal, E,E‐2,4‐nonadienal, 2‐methylbutanoic acid ethyl ester, β‐ionone, linalool, α‐ionone and geraniol were mainly responsible for the black tea aroma. They offered honey‐like, floral, green/grassy, violet‐like and fruity aromas in the tea infusion. Although E,Z‐2,6‐nonadienal was one of the major volatile compounds, its unique cucumber‐like odour was not perceived in the tea fusion. The special growing location and processing for the tea leaves may contribute to the unique aroma of the black tea.
Application of electrospinning technique in development of intelligent food packaging: A short review of recent trends
Authors: Aman Mohammadi Masoud , Hosseini Seyede Marzieh , Yousefi Mohammad 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntelligent food packaging refers to packages with the ability to sense foodstuff changes and to inform customers of the packaging content variations. They are often accompanied by smart detecting devices. Providing a suitable platform to include these devices into packaging polymers has always been discussing. Electrospun nanofibers produced through the electrospinning have been recently utilized as an outstanding and novel platforms for this purpose. Thus, the main aim of this study is to investigate recent trends in producing intelligent food packaging using electrospinning technique. In this regard, this paper was categorized into two chief sections, including (a) the principal of electrospinning technique to fabricate fine nanofibers and the parameters affecting the quality of electrospun fibers, and (b) the role of nanofibers as a platform to cover pH indicators in intelligent food packaging.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy as primary treatment for elderly and medically inoperable patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Gogineni Emile , Rana Zaker , Vempati Prashant , Karten Jessie , Sharma Anurag , Taylor Peter , Pereira Lucio , Frank Douglas , Paul Doru , Seetharamu Nagashree , Ghaly Maged 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundPatients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who are not candidates for definitive treatment represent an increasing challenge, with limited data to guide management. Conventional local therapies such as surgery and chemoradiation can significantly impact quality of life (QoL). There has been limited data published using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as primary treatment in previously unirradiated patients. We hypothesize that SBRT provides high rates of control while limiting toxicity.MethodsA total of 66 medically unfit previously unirradiated patients with HNC were treated with SBRT, consisting of 35‐40 Gy to gross tumor volume and 30 Gy to clinical target volume in five fractions.ResultsMedian age was 80 years. Local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) at 1 year were 73% and 64%. Two patients experienced grade 3 toxicity.ConclusionSBRT shows acceptable outcomes with relatively low toxicity in previously unirradiated patients with HNC who are medically unfit for conventional treatment. SBRT may provide an aggressive local therapy with high rates of LC and OS while maintaining QoL.
Behavior of slip boundary conditions for the flow of nanofluid in the presence of an inclined magnetic field
Authors: Nayak B. , Tripathy R. S. , Mishra S. R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe inflated heat transport rate of nanofluids is of great interest to researchers. Conviction of nanosuspension with an enhanced model under the consideration of inclined magnetic field is also vital for the enhancement of heat transport rate. Therefore, in this article, an inclined magnetic field has been considered during a boundary layer flow over an extending sheet, with the sheet being permeable. The sequels of heat radiation, thermophoresis, and Brownian parameters are also taken into consideration in this study. The importance of the study is the slip boundary conditions used for velocity, temperature, and concentration. A set of nonlinear partial differential equations is transformed into ordinary differential equations with a suitable choice of similarity variables. The set of first‐order differential equations is quite difficult to solve analytically. Therefore, the numerical Runge‐Kutta‐Fehlberg method, accompanied with shooting technique, is used. The results of the physical components characterizing the flow phenomena, such as magnetic parameter, thermal radiation, thermophoresis, Brownian parameter, and slip parameters, are elaborated through graphs. The numerical results of physical quantities of attention are presented in tables. The existing outcome conforms to that of the previous published result in a particular case.
Optogenetic cardiac pacing in cultured mouse embryos under imaging guidance
Authors: Lopez Andrew L. , Wang Shang , Larina Irina V. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe mouse embryo is an established model for investigation of regulatory mechanisms controlling cardiac development and congenital heart defects in humans. Since cultured mouse embryos are very sensitive to any manipulations and environmental fluctuations, controlled alterations in mouse embryonic cardiac function are extremely challenging, which is a major hurdle in mammalian cardiac biomechanics research. This manuscript presents first optogenetic manipulation of cardiodynamics and hemodynamics in cultured mouse embryos. Optogenetic pacing was combined with 4D (3D + time) optical coherence tomography structural and Doppler imaging, demonstrating that embryonic hearts under optogenetic pacing can function efficiently and produce strong blood flows. This study demonstrates that the presented method is a powerful tool giving quick, consistent, reversible control over heart dynamics and blood flow under real time visualization, enabling various live cardiac biomechanics studies toward better understanding of normal cardiogenesis and congenital heart defects in humans.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles from Cyperus rotundus attenuates diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in STZ‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Zhang Liwei , Chu Wen , Zheng Lei , Li Juanjuan , Ren Yuling , Xue Liping , Duan Wenhua , Wang Qing , Li Hua 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DRP) is a retinal disease caused by diabetes mellitus, which is categorized by microvascular lesions present in the retina such as vascular leakage, vascular proliferation, and retinal ischemia. The plan of the present study was to the synthesis of Cyperus rotundus‐loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (CR‐ZnONPs) which was confirmed by the various characterization methods such as UV‐vis spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope, and X‐ray diffraction. Also, the effect of CR‐ZnONPs on DRP‐induced rats was determined by food intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, insulin, retina thickness, inner nuclear layer (INL), outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, the status of oxidative stress marker genes (heme oxygenase‐1 [HO‐1] and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor‐2 [Nrf2]) and inflammatory marker (procaspase‐1, cleaved‐caspase‐1, interleukin‐1β [IL‐1β], IL‐18, and ASC) expressions were examined by using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis techniques. We noted that the synthesized CR‐ZnONPs have a crystalline structure, spherical shape, and present various functional groups. The administration of streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced DRP rats were increased in the levels of HbA1c, FBG, food intake, LPO, and reduced levels of insulin, SOD, GPx, and CAT. In addition, the gene and protein expression showed the downregulation of HO‐1 and Nrf2 and upregulation of procaspase‐1, IL‐1β, cleaved‐caspase‐1, IL‐18, and ASC in diabetic rats. Moreover, further histopathological analysis of retinal tissues again confirmed the results of biochemical parameters. In contrast, the DRP rats treated with CR‐ZnONPs significantly brought down all the parameters to normal, which indicated that the CR‐ZnONPs have better antidiabetic and anti‐inflammatory properties.
Multiple cutaneous infections caused by Prototheca wickerhamii
Authors: Zhao Feng , Chen Miaode , Fu Ying 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrototheca species are a group of organisms ubiquitously existing in nature but have become a pathogenic threat to public health, which has aroused wide attention. Species identification and antifungal susceptibility have essential and valuable meanings to clinical diagnosis and treatment.MethodsA case of an 84‐year‐old patient who had suffered from multiple cutaneous infections was reported. Tissue samples of the damaged skin were collected from the patient and used for microscopic examination and tissue culture. Staining methods, the VITEK system with YSD card and the molecular identification method based on partial mitochondrion‐encoded cytochrome b (cytb) gene amplification and sequencing were used for species identification. Antifungal susceptibility testing was completed by using YeastOne plate.ResultsThe patient had type II diabetes mellitus. Round, grape‐like, and scattered morula forms were observed under the microscope in bright blue with lactophenol cotton blue staining and in green fluorescence with fungus fluorescence staining. Yeast‐like colonies were grown on both the blood plates and the Sabouraud agar. P wichehamii was identified and presented resistance to three echinocandins, fluconazole, and 5‐fluorocytosine, while was susceptible to amphotericin B, posaconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole.ConclusionOur result revealed that an old patient with diabetes mellitus might be a dangerous population of cutaneous protothecosis. It also highlighted the contribution to microbial methodology on the diagnosis and treatment of such rare fungus infection.
Discordance Between Child‐Pugh and National Cancer Institute Classifications for Hepatic Dysfunction: Implications on Dosing Recommendations for Oncology Compounds
Authors: Elmeliegy Mohamed , Yang Derek Z. , Salama Engie , Parivar Kourosh , Wang Diane D. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGuidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency recommends using Child‐Pugh classification for pharmacokinetic evaluation in noncancer subjects with hepatic impairment (HI). Therefore, dosing recommendations for oncology compounds for patients with HI are commonly based on Child‐Pugh classification. In oncology clinical practice, National Cancer Institute classification (NCIc), is commonly used for evaluating hepatic function and dosing decisions for oncology patients. This work evaluated the discordance between the 2 systems and the impact on dosing recommendations. The classification system in HI studies was reviewed for FDA‐approved oncology compounds. Discordance between Child‐Pugh and NCIc was evaluated for sunitinib, dacomitinib, palbociclib, bosutinib, and axitinib. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses were conducted based on Child‐Pugh classification and NCIc. Review of 117 approved oncology compounds showed prevalent use of Child‐Pugh classification for dedicated HI studies in noncancer subjects. NCIc is commonly used in cancer patient studies. NCIc tended to classify subjects as less impaired versus Child‐Pugh (64.9%, 73.7%, and 61.5% of subjects with mild, moderate, and severe HI, respectively, via Child‐Pugh were classified as at least 1 category less impaired via NCIc). PK analyses by NCIc were consistent with Child‐Pugh for sunitinib, dacomitinib, and palbociclib. For bosutinib, NCIc showed less impact of HI than Child‐Pugh; an opposite trend was observed for axitinib. The impact of this considerable discordance between the 2 systems on dosing decisions bears consideration. When Child‐Pugh is used for HI study enrollment, exploratory PK analyses based on NCIc should be conducted. Prescribers should attempt to use the same classification system in the product label for dosing decisions.
Motoneuron deafferentation and gliosis occur in association with neuromuscular regressive changes during ageing in mice
Authors: Blasco Alba , Gras Sílvia , Mòdol‐Caballero Guillem , Tarabal Olga , Casanovas Anna , Piedrafita Lídia , Barranco Alejandro , Das Tapas , Pereira Suzette L. , Navarro Xavier , Rueda Ricardo , Esquerda Josep E. , Calderó Jordi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe cellular mechanisms underlying the age‐associated loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) are poorly understood, hampering the development of effective treatment strategies. Here, we performed a detailed characterization of age‐related pathophysiological changes in the mouse neuromuscular system.MethodsYoung, adult, middle‐aged, and old (1, 4, 14, and 24–30 months old, respectively) C57BL/6J mice were used. Motor behavioural and electrophysiological tests and histological and immunocytochemical procedures were carried out to simultaneously analyse structural, molecular, and functional age‐related changes in distinct cellular components of the neuromuscular system.ResultsAgeing was not accompanied by a significant loss of spinal motoneurons (MNs), although a proportion (~15%) of them in old mice exhibited an abnormally dark appearance. Dark MNs were also observed in adult (~9%) and young (~4%) animals, suggesting that during ageing, some MNs undergo early deleterious changes, which may not lead to MN death. Old MNs were depleted of cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs (~40% and ~45%, respectively, P < 0.01), suggestive of age‐associated alterations in MN excitability. Prominent microgliosis and astrogliosis [~93% (P < 0.001) and ~100% (P < 0.0001) increase vs. adults, respectively] were found in old spinal cords, with increased density of pro‐inflammatory M1 microglia and A1 astroglia (25‐fold and 4‐fold increase, respectively, P < 0.0001). Ageing resulted in significant reductions in the nerve conduction velocity and the compound muscle action potential amplitude (~30%, P < 0.05, vs. adults) in old distal plantar muscles. Compared with adult muscles, old muscles exhibited significantly higher numbers of both denervated and polyinnervated neuromuscular junctions, changes in fibre type composition, higher proportion of fibres showing central nuclei and lipofuscin aggregates, depletion of satellite cells, and augmented expression of different molecules related to development, plasticity, and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions, including calcitonin gene‐related peptide, growth associated protein 43, agrin, fibroblast growth factor binding protein 1, and transforming growth factor‐β1. Overall, these alterations occurred at varying degrees in all the muscles analysed, with no correlation between the age‐related changes observed and myofiber type composition or muscle topography.ConclusionsOur data provide a global view of age‐associated neuromuscular changes in a mouse model of ageing and help to advance understanding of contributing pathways leading to development of sarcopenia.
Morphological assessment of glutamate zerovalent iron nanoparticles by scanning electron microscopy and its combined effect with indole acetic acid on amelioration of lead toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Saeed Saleha , Ullah Sami , Nafees Muhammad , Bibi Fatima , Ullah Rehman 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFood safety is a priority issue for sustainable global development that can be affected by heavy metals, contributing to morbidity and even mortality in crop growth. Heavy metals often accumulate in the soil due to the use of extensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides; therefore, the current experiment was aimed to determine the effect of glutamate zerovalent iron nanoparticles (Glu‐ZVFeNPs) and indole acetic acid (IAA) on physiological mechanism of lead (Pb+2) stress tolerance at 4 and 8 ppm in Zea mays variety. Seeds of the selected variety were collected from Cereal Crop Research Institute Persabaq Nowshera and planted in earthen pots in triplicate in the greenhouse of the Botany Department of the University of Peshawar. Nanoparticles were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. Maximum growth responses were recorded from T12 (untreated + NPs + IAA), while minimum were recorded from T5 (8 ppm) indicating from the minimum amplitude of chlorophyll “a” and “b” contents, root length, shoot length, and root/shoot ratio. T5 (8 ppm) enhanced the values of osmolytes and antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase which has been ameliorated by the combined application of Glu‐ZVFeNPs + IAA, indicating that the plant may resist the toxic effects of heavy metal stress at high concentration. From the present study, we concluded that adverse result of Pb+2 has been condensed by application of Glu‐ZVFeNPs + IAA treatment as compared to the foliar application of IAA and Glu‐ZVFeNPs individually.
Bats respond to simulated bacterial infection during the active phase by reducing food intake
Authors: Melhado Gabriel , Herrera M. L. Gerardo , da Cruz‐Neto Ariovaldo P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSickness triggers a series of behavioral and physiological processes collectively known as acute phase response (APR). Bats are known as reservoirs of a broad variety of pathogens and the physiological changes resulting from APR activation have been tested predominantly during the resting phase (daytime) in several species exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In contrast, behavioral consequences of sickness for bats and other wild mammals have received less attention. We examined the physiological and behavioral consequences of APR activation in a fruit‐eating bat (Carollia perspicillata) challenged with LPS during the active phase (nighttime). We measured changes in food intake, body mass, body temperature, total white blood cell counts, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N/L). No fever and leukocytosis were observed in bats injected with LPS, but food intake decreased, bats lost body mass and their N/L ratio increased. The effect of LPS on daily energy balance is remarkable and, along with the increase in N/L ratio, it is assumed to be beneficial to fight disease. On the basis of our findings and those with other bats, it is probable that the physiological and behavioral components of the immune response to LPS follow circadian rhythms, but a formal test of this hypothesis is warranted.
Synthesis, anticancer screening, and in silico ADME prediction of novel 2‐pyridones as Pim inhibitors
Authors: Ismail Magda M. F. , Farrag Amel M. , Abou‐El‐Ela Dalal 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA novel series of 26 substituted N‐(2‐ethylphenyl)‐2‐oxo‐pyridine‐3‐carbonitriles have been designed and synthesized via one‐pot synthesis of various aromatic aldehydes, different aromatic acetophenones, and 2‐cyano‐N‐(2‐ethylphenyl)acetamide 1. Moreover, cytotoxicity of the target compounds was evaluated by NCI, which selected 14 compounds for one‐dose screening. Among them, compound 21 was selected for five‐dose screening, which confirmed its potency against most of cancer cell lines. This compound elicited selectivity profile against human cell line WI‐38. Cell cycle analysis was carried out, revealed that compound 21 is an apoptosis inducer causing cell cycle arrest at G2/M. Further exploration on the mode of action by evaluating its effect against Pim‐1, Pim‐2, and Pim‐3 demonstrated its inhibitory effect on Pim‐1 and Pim‐3 rather than Pim‐2. Molecular docking showed that compound 21 binds with high affinity to the active site of Pim‐1 enzyme through three hydrogen bonds and two arene‐H bonds.
Pyrrolidine‐2,3‐diones: Synthesis, reactions and biological activity
Authors: Afsah Elsayed M. , Abdelmageed Soha M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPyrrolidine‐2,3‐diones are of continuing interest as intermediates in the synthesis of heterocycles related to pyrrolidine alkaloids, medicinally relevant compounds, and in the development of antibiotics and drugs. The present review deals with the most important literature on the synthesis and reactions of pyrrolidine‐2,3‐diones and the related biologically important compounds.