bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fates of aflatoxin B1 from wheat flour to Iranian traditional cookies: Managing procedures to aflatoxin B1 reduction during traditional processing
Authors: Noroozi Razieh , Sadeghi Ehsan , Rouhi Milad , Safajoo Saeede , Razmjoo Fatemeh , Paimard Giti , Moradi Leila 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAflatoxin B1 (AFB1) incidence in cereal, especially in wheat products, is a serious worldwide challenge for human health. The objective of the current study was to survey the effect of various factors, including fermentation times, yeast levels, ingredients, and time/temperature combinations of the baking process on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) reduction in order to modify parameters of the traditional cookie‐making process. AFB1 levels were analyzed by an HPLC‐fluorescence detector. The results revealed AFB1 levels significantly decreased during fermentation (%23.7), depending on an increase in the yeast level (2%) and fermentation time (90 min). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between pH reduction and AFB1 decomposition. However, the formulation of the recipe did not show a significant effect on the detoxification of AFB1. The baking temperature increase in an admissible technological range (280°C for 15 min) more effectively reduced AFB1 content (%53.9). As a result, the exact control of the traditional process was able to significantly decreased AFB1 content as a serious health‐threatening toxin in the final product (%75.9). However, AFB1 toxicity reduction should be considered seriously in the raw materials and such products.
Oligodendrocyte‐specific deletion of Xbp1 exacerbates the endoplasmic reticulum stress response and restricts locomotor recovery after thoracic spinal cord injury
Authors: Saraswat Ohri Sujata , Howard Russell M. , Liu Yu , Andres Kariena R. , Shepard Courtney T. , Hetman Michal , Whittemore Scott R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum stress response (ERSR) is activated in various neurodegenerative diseases and/or after CNS traumatic injuries. The ERSR is comprised of three major arms, PERK, IRE‐1, and activating transcription factor‐6, with the latter two contributing to the unfolded protein response (UPR). PERK activity overlaps with the integrated stress response (ISR) kinases, PKR, HRI, and GCN2 which all signal through, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, ATF4, and CHOP. All initially attempt to restore endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, but if ER stress is unresolved, ATF4/CHOP‐mediated cell death is initiated. Here, we investigate the contribution of the inositol‐requiring protein‐1α‐X‐box binding protein‐1 (XBP1)‐mediated UPR signaling pathway to the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury (SCI). We demonstrate that deletion of Xbp1 caused an exacerbated ATF4/CHOP signaling in cultured mouse oligodendrocyte (OL) progenitor cells and enhanced their sensitivity to ER stress. Similar effects were also observed with the Xbp1 pathway inhibitor toyocamycin. Furthermore, OL lineage‐specific loss of Xbp1 resulted in enhanced ISR in mice that underwent moderate contusive SCI at the T9 level. Consistently, post‐injury recovery of hindlimb locomotion and white matter sparing were reduced in OL Xbp1‐deficient mice, which correlated with chronically decreased relative density of OPCs and OLs at the injury epicenter at 6 weeks post‐SCI. We conclude that the IRE1‐XBP1‐mediated UPR signaling pathway contributes to restoration of ER homeostasis in OLs and is necessary for enhanced white matter sparing and functional recovery post‐SCI.
Synergistic effects of combined treatment with ultrasound‐mediated cisplatin‐loaded microbubbles and atorvastatin on head and neck cancer
Authors: Liao Ai‐Ho , Lin Wan‐Ting , Chen Hang‐Kang , Shih Cheng‐Ping , Wang Chih‐Hung , Chu Yueng‐Hsiang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundPreviously, we used ultrasound (US)‐mediated cisplatin (CDDP)‐loaded microbubbles (CDDP‐MBs) to increase intratumoral CDDP level while decreasing systemic cytotoxicity. Statins have shown antitumorigenic properties. Our study investigated the effects of atorvastatin with CDDP‐MBs and US on head neck cancer.MethodsCell viability analysis with CDDP‐MBs and atorvastatin combined with US in FaDu cell line were tested. Cell proliferation and glutathione level were also evaluated.ResultsBoth CDDP and atorvastatin reduced cell's viability. Coadministration of CDDP and atorvastatin resulted in synergistic inhibitory effect. After US sonication, cell viability with atorvastatin and CDDP was significantly reduced for CDDP combined with MBs (65.98% to 49.13%) and for CDDP‐MBs (86.17% to 50.15%). CDDP‐MBs combined with atorvastatin and US inhibited the proliferation of cells: 19.61% for CDDP‐MBs + atorvastatin + US, 36.28% for CDDP + atorvastatin, and 71.73% for atorvastatin alone. Also, CDDP‐MBs + atorvastatin + US induced apoptosis by decreasing cellular level of glutathione.ConclusionsAtorvastatin combined with MB‐conjugated CDDP exerts synergistic inhibitory effect on head neck cancer.
Stroma vs epithelium‐enhanced prognostics through histologic stratification in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kalloger Steve E. , Karasinska Joanna M. , Keung Martin S. , Thompson Danielle L. , Ho Julie , Chow Christine , Gao Dongxia , Topham James T. , Warren Cassia , Wong Hui‐Li , Lee Michael Kuan‐Ching , Renouf Daniel J. , Schaeffer David F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe mixture of epithelial and stromal components in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may confound sequencing‐based studies of tumor gene expression. Virtual microdissection has been suggested as a bioinformatics approach to segment the aforementioned components, and subsequent prognostic gene sets have emerged from this research. We examined the prognostic signature from the epithelial gene set of one such study using laser capture microdissected (LCM) epithelial samples. We also examined this gene set in matched stromal samples to determine whether prognostic findings were specific to the epithelium. LCM samples from 48 long‐term and 48 short‐term PDAC survivors were obtained. The resultant epithelial and stromal components were subjected to direct mRNA quantification using a 49 gene published PDAC classifier. Component‐specific unsupervised hierarchical clustering was used to derive groups and survival differences were quantified. Immunohistochemical validation of particular genes was performed in an independent cohort. Clustering in the epithelial component yielded prognostic differences in univariable analysis (P= .02), but those differences were not significant when controlled for other clinicopathologic covariates (P= .06). Clustering in the stromal component yielded prognostic differences that persisted in the presence of other clinicopathologic covariates (P= .0005). Validation of selected genes in the epithelium (KRT6A—negative prognostic [P= .004]) and stroma (LY6D—improved prognostic [P= .01] and CTSV—negative prognostic [P= .0002]) demonstrated statistical independence in multivariable analysis. Although the genes used in this study were originally identified as being representative of the epithelial component of PDAC, their expression in the stroma appears to provide additional information that may aid in improved prognostication.
CO2 emission, economic development, fossil fuel consumption and population density in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: A panel investigation
Authors: Uzair Ali Muhammad , Gong Zhimin , Ali Muhammad Ubaid , Asmi Fahad , Muhammad Rizwanullah 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe adverse impacts of climate change have occupied central theme of many policy initiatives. This paper investigated the impact of economic development, fossil fuel consumptions and population density on CO2 in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh using annual data over the period 1971–2014. We have applied panel Autoregressive distributed lags model to estimate the long‐run dynamics and Vector error correction model specified Granger causality test for finding the causality direction. Using three multivariate equations model, the empirical outcome of our study has established key associations that have crucial policy implications. Firstly, the results of auto‐regressive distributed lags (ARDL) confirmed the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis that the relationship between CO2 and economic development is U‐shaped. Moreover, fossil fuel consumption and population density have a positive impact on CO2 emission in the long run. VECM test evidence suggests that short‐run causalities from economic development to CO2, population density to CO2 and fossil fuel consumption to CO2 exist. Secondly, CO2 has a negative impact on economic development while the impacts of fossil fuel, FDI and total exports on economic development have been significantly positive in the long run. In short run, CO2, fossil fuel consumption and FDI Granger cause economic development. Lastly, CO2 emission negatively influences population density while economic development positively affects population density in long run. Moreover, short‐run causalities from economic development to population density and CO2 to population density exit. For policy drives, efficient and low carbon emission technologies should be used.
The impact of FDI on income inequality: Evidence from the perspective of financial development
Authors: Lee Chien‐Chiang , Lee Chi‐Chuan , Cheng Chih‐Yang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBy considering the threshold effects of different financial indicators, the current study investigates the relationship among income inequality, foreign direct investment (FDI), and financial development (FV) for a sample of 37 countries over the period 2001–2015. Using the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model, the empirical results indicate that FDI helps to reduce income inequality, but this beneficial effect becomes weak when the country has reached a threshold level of financial development. We also find that the effect of FV on income inequality is significantly positive, but this harmful effect decreases when the development of the financial system increases further. When the cross‐country heterogeneity is considered, the results indicate that it is possible to improve income distribution through a combination of foreign and domestic funds for non‐high income and non‐lending countries. For those of non‐income and counties with low FDI levels, they should focus more on strengthening financial development.
Implementation of convolutional neural network categorizers in coronary ischemia detection
Authors: Xiao Wei , Gao Qian , Kumar Rahul , Edwin Yu C. L. , Ho Y. E. Janice , Rashid Sheykhahmad Fatima 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe heart is one of the most important and sophisticated organ of the human body. Coronary ischemia is a condition in which the coronary muscles do not receive sufficient blood and oxygen because of blocked or tightened heart vessels. This syndrome is called cardiac vessel illness. There have been numerous attempts to detect the impact of cardiac vessel illness on the heart muscles using noninvasive experiments. Most of the effects of ischemia as well as severe cardiac conditions on the muscles of the ventricle parts can be detected using ultrasonic images. If treatment is provided to suspected cases in the early stage of cardiac vessel illness, the chance of survival is high; for this, many software‐based detection approaches have been used. In this study, we propose an approach that can automatically diagnose the cardiac artery disease by using the cardiac echo images of the four parts of the heart.
Sustained delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor from mesoporous calcium‐deficient hydroxyapatite microparticles promotes in vitro angiogenesis and osteogenesis
Authors: Piard Charlotte , Luthcke Rachel , Kamalitdinov Timur , Fisher John 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPromoting the growth of blood vessels within engineered tissues remains one of the main challenge in bone tissue engineering. One way to improve angiogenesis is the use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as it holds the ability to increase the formation of a vascular network. In the present study, collagen scaffolds with VEGF‐releasing hydroxyapatite particles were fabricated, in order to engineer a material both capable of presenting an osteoconductive surface and delivering an angiogenic growth factor in a localized and sustained manner, in order to enhance osteogenesis as well as angiogenesis. To this end, we developed microparticles and characterize their size, chemical properties and Ca/P ratio to validate the formation of hydroxyapatite. We then evaluated the osteogenic potential of HAp when cultured with mesenchymal stem cells and compare it to commercially available hydroxyapatite (SBp). Finally, we characterized the encapsulation and release of VEGF in the HAp and assess the angiogenic potential of the VEGF‐HAp when cultured with endothelial cells. We demonstrated the successful fabrication of calcium deficient hydroxyapatite microparticles (CDHAp), with biological properties closer to the bone than stoichiometric, commercially available hydroxyapatite. This CDHAp exhibited a well‐defined 3D network of crystalline nanoplates forming mesoporous and hollow structures. The high specific area created by those structures enabled the loading of VEGF with high efficiency when compared to the loading efficiency of SBp. Furthermore, their biological performances were evaluated in vitro. Our results indicate that VEGF‐CDHAp can be used to improve both osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro.
Influence of back donation effects on the structure of ZnO nanoclusters
Authors: Gutsev Lavrenty G. , M. Aldoshin Sergey , L. Gutsev Gennady 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe structure and properties of ZnO quantum dots is a very popular and rapidly growing field of research for which accurate quantum calculations are challenging to perform. Since the dependence between system size and wall time scales nonlinearly, certain compromises have to be made. A particularly important limiting factor is the size of the basis used, this is especially the case if accurate large calculations are to be carried out. In our work, we discovered that an important O(2p)‐>Zn(4p) back donation, which greatly influences the strength of the ZnO bond, can be reproduced only if diffuse functions are added to the basis set. We further tested the basis dependence for the magic‐sized wurtzite nanophase ZnO clusters which were previously shown to be able to accurately reproduce the magnetically doped II‐IV Q‐dots. In this work, we outline the minimal basis sets required to properly describe ZnO bonds in a nanocluster. It was demonstrated that the rock salt nanophase is incorrectly stabilized if a basis set does not contain sufficiently diffuse functions while the correct wurtzite phase is stabilized when diffuse functions are added. This tendency, similar to that in the ZnO dimer case, was shown to stem from the incorrect lack of Zn(4p) electron density in calculations when using the diffuse‐free basis set.
Memory reconsolidation in psychotherapy for severe perfectionism within borderline personality
Authors: Vaz Alexandre , Ecker Bruce 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjective(s)For a case of severe perfectionism, comorbid with complex trauma symptomatology including suicidality, self‐harming, and other markers of borderline personality, we demonstrate the use of the empirically confirmed process identified in memory reconsolidation (MR) research for the unlearning and nullification, or “erasure,” of emotional and behavioral responses driven by learned expectations and mental models. MR has been proposed as a transtheoretical, unifying mechanism underlying profound psychotherapeutic change. The therapist (first author), under the second author's supervision, used a varied set of clinical skills woven together through a focus on the MR process.ResultsThe result was a depotentiation of underlying, traumatic emotional learnings and near‐total disappearance of perfectionistic and self‐harming behaviors, urges and attitudes after 1 year of therapy.ConclusionsImplications of this case are discussed in terms of symptom generation by implicit emotional learnings and MR as a promising framework for advancing the effectiveness and unification of psychotherapy.
Ventricular and atrial functions assessed by speckle‐tracking echocardiography in patients with human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Cincin Altug , Ozben Beste , Tukenmez Tigen Elif , Sunbul Murat , Sayar Nurten , Gurel Emre , Tigen Kursat , Korten Volkan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeAntiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically changed the clinical manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated cardiomyopathy from severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction to a pattern of subclinical cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) LV, right ventricular (RV), and biatrial functions in HIV‐infected patients under different ART combinations.MethodsWe consecutively included 128 HIV‐infected patients (mean age 44.2 ± 10.1 years, 110 males) and 100 controls (mean age 42.1 ± 9.4 years, 83 males). Ventricular and atrial functions were assessed by both conventional and STE.ResultsAlthough there was not any significant difference in conventional echocardiographic variables, HIV‐infected patients had significantly lower LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), RV GLS, left atrial (LA) reservoir and conduit strain, and right atrial conduit strain. HIV patients receiving integrase strand transfer inhibitors and protease inhibitors (PI) had significantly lower LV GLS and LA conduit strain, while patients receiving non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and PI had significantly lower RV GLS than controls. CD4 count at the time of echocardiography was strongly correlated with LV GLS (r = .619, P < .001) and RV GLS (r = .606, P < .001).ConclusionBiventricular and atrial functions are subclinically impaired in HIV‐infected patients. ART regimen may also affect myocardial functions.
Developing a curriculum blueprint and taxonomy: Process, progress, and pivots
Authors: Wolcott Michael D. , Quinonez Rocio B. , Tittemore Ashley J. , LaGarry‐Cahoon Alison , Zomorodi Meg , Reside Jonathan M. , Jackson Tate H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCurriculum transformations represent opportunities to innovate; however, there are few examples to inform this process. In 2018, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Adams School of Dentistry began to transform the predoctoral curriculum to improve content integration, enhance team‐based experiences, and develop leaders. Part of this experience has been crafting a conceptual curriculum guide or “blueprint” that outlines a vision for the design process and ensures the transformation achieves its goals. We describe how we created the UNC Blueprint for our revised curriculum, which defines who our graduates are, what they know, and what they can do. This approach has led us to develop a mapping taxonomy to ensure the student outcomes are appropriately aligned with content, instruction, and assessment throughout the curriculum. Last, we encourage others to be agile in their approach, create a common language among their teams, and frequently engage faculty to facilitate the process.
Aerobic scope and climate warming: Testing the “plastic floors and concrete ceilings” hypothesis in the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Authors: Rodgers Essie M. , Franklin Craig E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEctotherms are predicted to show a reduction in absolute aerobic scope (AAS = maximum − standard metabolic rates) if habitat temperatures surpass optima. However, thermal phenotypic plasticity may play a protective role in the maintenance of AAS. In fishes, resting physiological rates (“physiological floors,” e.g., standard metabolic rates [SMR]) are typically thermally phenotypically plastic whilst maximum physiological rates (“physiological ceilings,” e.g., maximum metabolic rate [MMR]) are typically fixed. This observation led to the “plastic floors and concrete ceilings” hypothesis. The applicability of this hypothesis to nonavian reptiles remains untested, despite this group being at risk of climate warming‐induced extinction. We tested this hypothesis in juvenile estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) by maintaining animals at a water temperature indicative of current summer conditions (28°C) or at a water temperature reflecting a high magnitude of warming (34°C; i.e., thermal acclimation treatments) for 6 months. Metabolic traits (SMR, MMR, and AAS) were subsequently quantified between 28–36°C. A twofold increase in SMR was observed between 28°C and 36°C in both thermal acclimation treatments (pooled Q10 = 3.2). MMR was thermally insensitive between 28°C and 36°C in 28°C‐acclimated crocodiles but doubled between 28°C and 36°C in 34°C‐acclimated crocodiles. These findings demonstrate thermal phenotypic plasticity in a “physiological ceiling” (MMR) and rigidity in a “physiological floor” (SMR), showing the opposite pattern to many fishes. Overall, crocodiles displayed impressive aerobic capacity at temperatures reflecting climate warming scenarios. AAS remained unchanged across an 8°C temperature range in 28°C‐acclimated animals and doubled in 34°C‐acclimated animals.
Successful pregnancy in a patient with mitochondrial cardiomyopathy due to ACAD9 deficiency
Authors: Jacobi‐Polishook Talia , Yosha‐Orpaz Naama , Sagi Yair , Lev Dorit , Lerman‐Sagie Tally 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAcyl‐CoA dehydrogenase family member 9 (ACAD9) is an enzyme essential for the assembly of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. ACAD9 deficiency can cause lactic acidosis, myopathy, cardiomyopathy, intellectual disability, and early demise. We present a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and epilepsy due to recessive ACAD9 mutations. A muscle biopsy depicted ragged red fibers, and decreased activity of complex I of the respiratory chain. Treatment with riboflavin was initiated at the age of 4 years due to complex I deficiency (before the genetic diagnosis), resulting in symptomatic improvement of the cardiomyopathy, exercise intolerance, and lactate levels. A novel homozygous ACAD9 mutation was found: c.398G>A; p.Ser133Asn at the age of 23 years. Three years later she sustained a normal pregnancy, and gave birth to a healthy baby girl delivered by an elective Cesarean section. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient with this rare mitochondrial disease.