bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demineralized whey–gelatin composite films: Effects of composition on film formation, mechanical, and physical properties
Authors: de Jesus Gabriela Leticia , Baldasso Camila , Marcílio Nilson Romeu , Tessaro Isabel Cristina 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this study, the objective was to prepare and characterize films with different concentrations of demineralized whey (3–10%) and gelatin (1–3%) containing glycerol (10–70%) as a plasticizer and chitosan or nanochitosan as an additive. Mechanical properties, thickness, grammage, opacity, moisture content, water, and ethanol solubilities of the obtained films were determined. The formation of films without glycerol and gelatin was not possible. A higher gelatin concentration led to more desirable mechanical properties. Thickness, grammage, opacity, and moisture content remained almost constant after increasing gelatin concentration. Heightening glycerol concentrations raised water and ethanol solubility. Despite presenting high water solubility, the films showed low ethanol solubility. The formulation containing whey (3%), glycerol (20%), gelatin (3%), and chitosan (0.1%) resulted in the highest performing film concerning physical and mechanical aspects. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, it was possible to observe the displacement and the frequency reduction of the band near 3,300 cm−1, revealing different protein interactions. It indicates that hydrogen bonds occur between the amino group and OH of the protein molecules reducing film hydrophilicity. Contact angle measurements also showed a less hydrophilic character. The films present the potential to prolong the shelf life of food, such as dairy products.
Assessment of the potential bactericide effect of self‐cleaning floors: a proposed protocol
Authors: Szabó‐Bárdos Erzsébet , Kulcsár Petra , Kováts Nóra , Békéssy Zsófia , Eck‐Varanka Bettina , Horváth Ottó 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe antibacterial properties of self‐cleaning coatings are based on bactericide nanoparticles (NPs). Ecotoxicity of these NPs have been assessed mostly in suspension, using standard bioassays. Here a protocol is proposed to test actual coating samples, using the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay. The protocol was designed to test bactericide properties of specially coated PVC floors being used in hospital environments under quasinatural conditions, such as prolonged exposure or room temperature. To take into consideration that the light output of the bacteria under prolonged exposure naturally changes, a correction factor is proposed.
Molecular binding scaffolds increase local substrate concentration enhancing the enzymatic hydrolysis of VX nerve agent
Authors: Lang Xuye , Hong Xiao , Baker Cetara A. , Otto Tamara C. , Wheeldon Ian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractKinetic enhancement of organophosphate hydrolysis is a long‐standing challenge in catalysis. For prophylactic treatment against organophosphate exposure, enzymatic hydrolysis needs to occur at high rates in the presence of low substrate concentrations and enzymatic activity should persist over days and weeks. Here, the conjugation of small DNA scaffolds was used to introduce substrate binding sites with micromolar affinity to VX, paraoxon, and methyl‐parathion in close proximity to the enzyme phosphotriesterase (PTE). The result was a decrease in KM and increase in the rate at low substrate concentrations. An optimized system for paraoxon hydrolysis decreased KM by 11‐fold, with a corresponding increase in second‐order rate constant. The initial rates of VX and methyl‐parathion hydrolysis were also increased by 3.1‐ and 6.7‐fold, respectively. The designed scaffolds not only increased the local substrate concentration, but they also resulted in increased stability and PTE‐DNA particle size tuning between 25 and ~150 nm. The scaffold engineering approach taken here is focused on altering the local chemical and physical microenvironment around the enzyme and is therefore compatible with active site engineering via combinatorial and computational approaches.
Reintervention or mortality within 90 days of bariatric surgery: population-based cohort study
Authors: Kauppila J H , Santoni G , Tao W , Lynge E , Koivukangas V , Tryggvadóttir L , Ness-Jensen E , Romundstad P , Pukkala E , von Euler-Chelpin M , Lagergren J 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Bariatric surgery carries a risk of severe postoperative complications, sometimes leading to reinterventions or even death. The incidence and risk factors for reintervention and death within 90 days after bariatric surgery are unclear, and were examined in this study.

Methods
This population-based cohort study included all patients who underwent bariatric surgery in one of the five Nordic countries between 1980 and 2012. Data on surgical and endoscopic procedures, diagnoses and mortality were retrieved from national high-quality and complete registries. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for country, age, sex, co-morbidity, type of surgery and approach, year and hospital volume of bariatric surgery.

Results
Of 49 977 patients, 1111 (2·2 per cent) had a reintervention and 95 (0·2 per cent) died within 90 days of bariatric surgery. Risk factors for the composite outcome reintervention/mortality were older age (HR 1·65, 95 per cent c.i. 1·36 to 2·01, for age at least 50 years versus less than 30 years) and co-morbidity (HR 2·66, 1·53 to 4·62, for Charlson co-morbidity index score 2 or more versus 0). The risk of reintervention/mortality was decreased for vertical banded gastroplasty compared with gastric bypass (HR 0·37, 0·28 to 0·48) and more recent surgery (HR 0·51, 0·39 to 0·67, for procedures undertaken in 2010 or later versus before 2000). Sex, surgical approach (laparoscopic versus open) and hospital volume did not influence risk of reintervention/mortality, but laparoscopic surgery was associated with a lower risk of 90-day mortality (HR 0·29, 0·16 to 0·53).

Conclusion
Reintervention and death were uncommon events within 90 days of bariatric surgery even in this unselected nationwide cohort from five countries. Older patients with co-morbidities have an increased relative risk of these outcomes.
Bacterial Tropone Natural Products and Derivatives: Overview of their Biosynthesis, Bioactivities, Ecological Role and Biotechnological Potential
Authors: Duan Ying , Petzold Melanie , Saleem‐Batcha Raspudin , Teufel Robin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTropone natural products are non‐benzene aromatic compounds of significant ecological and pharmaceutical interest. Herein, we highlight current knowledge on bacterial tropones and their derivatives such as tropolones, tropodithietic acid, and roseobacticides. Their unusual biosynthesis depends on a universal CoA‐bound precursor featuring a seven‐membered carbon ring as backbone, which is generated by a side reaction of the phenylacetic acid catabolic pathway. Enzymes encoded by separate gene clusters then further modify this key intermediate by oxidation, CoA‐release, or incorporation of sulfur among other reactions. Tropones play important roles in the terrestrial and marine environment where they act as antibiotics, algaecides, or quorum sensing signals, while their bacterial producers are often involved in symbiotic interactions with plants and marine invertebrates (e. g., algae, corals, sponges, or mollusks). Because of their potent bioactivities and of slowly developing bacterial resistance, tropones and their derivatives hold great promise for biomedical or biotechnological applications, for instance as antibiotics in (shell)fish aquaculture.
Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Thiocarboxylic Acids by Nitrilase Biocatalysed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of α‐Thionitriles
Authors: Lauder Kate , Anselmi Silvia , Finnigan James D. , Qi Yuyin , Charnock Simon J. , Castagnolo Daniele 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe enantioselective synthesis of α‐thiocarboxylic acids by biocatalytic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of nitrile precursors exploiting nitrilase enzymes is described. A panel of 35 nitrilase biocatalysts were screened and enzymes Nit27 and Nit34 were found to catalyse the DKR of racemic α‐thionitriles under mild conditions, affording the corresponding carboxylic acids with high conversions and good‐to‐excellent ee. The ammonia produced in situ during the biocatalytic transformation favours the racemization of the nitrile enantiomers and, in turn, the DKR without the need of any external additive base.
Efficient Solar Evaporation by [Ni(Phen)3][V14O34Cl]Cl Hybrid Semiconductor Confined in Mesoporous Glass
Authors: Zhang Hongping , Wang Yan , Liu Yongguang , Zhao Mingming , Liu Congyan , Wang Yang , Albolkany Mohamed K. , Wu Niannian , Wang Min , Yang Luyun , Liu Bo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEfficient utilization of solar energy for water evaporation is an advanced and environmentally friendly technology to address the crisis of global drinking water shortages. This study concerns an efficient solar vapor generator comprised of a light‐absorbing and photothermal hybrid compound [Ni(Phen)3][V14O34Cl]Cl (NiV14) confined in mesoporous and hydrophilic glass (meso‐glass). The generator is floated in water by supporting it on a domestic melamine–formaldehyde (MF) foam to ensure evaporation at the water–air interface. The porous structures and poor thermal conductivities of the meso‐glass and MF foam contribute to enabling a consistent water supply, strong solar thermal localization, and less heat dissipation and convection. Associated with the strong photothermal role of NiV14, these synergistic effects lead to a water evaporation rate of 14.38 kg m−2 h−1 with total water evaporation efficiency of 111.4% under 6 suns and a daily solar water purification yield of 42.00 L m−2 under 1 sun irradiation. This solar evaporation system shows great promise for high‐efficiency water purification application.
UV radiation recruits CD4+GATA3+ and CD8+GATA3+ T cells while altering the lipid microenvironment following inflammatory resolution in human skin in vivo
Authors: Hawkshaw Nathan J , Pilkington Suzanne M , Murphy Sharon A , Al‐Gazaq Norah , Farrar Mark D , Watson Rachel EB , Nicolaou Anna , Rhodes Lesley E 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesSolar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has major adverse effects on human health. While the mechanisms responsible for induction of UVR‐induced inflammation are well‐documented, the mediation of its resolution and longer‐term adaptive homeostasis is unknown. Therefore, we examined the skin immune and lipid profile over time following UVR inflammation.MethodsTo investigate the self‐resolving events of UVR inflammation in vivo, human skin was exposed to a single pro‐inflammatory dose of UVR. Skin biopsies and suction blister fluid were taken at intervals up to 2 weeks post‐UVR. The immune infiltrate was quantified by immunohistochemistry, and lipid mediators were profiled by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.ResultsWe identified that cellular resolution events including switching of macrophage phenotype apply to human sunburn. However, UVR‐induced inflammation in humans involves a post‐resolution phase that differs from other experimental models. We demonstrate that 2 weeks after the initiating UVR stimulus, there is considerable immune activity with CD8+GATA3+ T cells maintained in human skin. Our results challenge the dogma of CD4+FOXP3+ T cells being the main effector CD4+ T‐cell population following UVR, with CD4+GATA3+ T cells the dominant phenotype. Furthermore, lipid mediators are elevated 14 days post‐UVR, demonstrating the skin lipid microenvironment does not revert to the tissue setting occurring prior to UVR exposure.ConclusionWe have identified for the first time that CD4+GATA3+ and CD8+GATA3+ T‐cell subpopulations are recruited to UVR‐inflamed human skin, demonstrating discrepancies between the adaptive UVR response in mice and humans. Future strategies to abrogate UVR effects may target these T‐cell subpopulations and also the persistent alteration of the lipid microenvironment post‐UVR.
A novel population of memory‐activated natural killer cells associated with low parasitaemia in Plasmodium falciparum‐exposed sickle‐cell trait children
Authors: Loiseau Claire , Doumbo Ogobara K , Traore Boubacar , Brady Jamie L , Proietti Carla , de Sousa Karina P , Crompton Peter D , Doolan Denise L 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe sickle‐cell trait phenotype is associated with protection from malaria. Multiple molecular mechanisms have been proposed to explain this protection, but the role of the host immune system has been poorly investigated. We hypothesised that cellular immunity to malaria may develop differently in sickle‐cell trait children (HbAS) and children with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) repeatedly exposed to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf).MethodsPaired samples collected prior to the Pf transmission season and during the first malaria episode of the ensuing transmission season from HbAS and HbAA children were analysed by multiplex bead‐based assay and comprehensive multi‐dimensional flow cytometry profiling.ResultsCellular immune profiles were enriched in HbAS relative to HbAA children before the start of the Pf transmission season, with a distinct NK subset. These cells were identified as a novel subset of memory‐activated NK cells characterised by reduced expression of the ecto‐enzyme CD38 as well as co‐expression of high levels of HLA‐DR and CD45RO. The frequency of this NK subset before the transmission season was negatively correlated with parasite density quantified during the first malaria episode of the ensuing transmission season. Functional assessment revealed that these CD38dim CD45RO+ HLA‐DR+ NK cells represent a important source of IFN‐γ.ConclusionOur data suggest that this novel memory‐activated NK cell subset may contribute to an accelerated and enhanced IFN‐γ‐mediated immune response and to control of parasite density in individuals with the sickle‐cell trait. This distinct cellular immune profile may contribute to predispose HbAS children to a relative protection from malaria.
Competition influences tree growth, but not mortality, across environmental gradients in Amazonia and tropical Africa
Authors: Rozendaal Danaë M. A. , Phillips Oliver L. , Lewis Simon L. , Affum‐Baffoe Kofi , Alvarez-Davila Esteban , Andrade Ana , Aragão Luiz E. O. C. , Araujo‐Murakami Alejandro , Baker Timothy R. , Bánki Olaf , Brienen Roel J. W. , Camargo José Luis C. , Comiskey James A. , Djuikouo Kamdem Marie Noël , Fauset Sophie , Feldpausch Ted R. , Killeen Timothy J. , Laurance William F. , Laurance Susan G. W. , Lovejoy Thomas , Malhi Yadvinder , Marimon Beatriz S. , Marimon Junior Ben‐Hur , Marshall Andrew R. , Neill David A. , Núñez Vargas Percy , Pitman Nigel C. A. , Poorter Lourens , Reitsma Jan , Silveira Marcos , Sonké Bonaventure , Sunderland Terry , Taedoumg Hermann , ter Steege Hans , Terborgh John W. , Umetsu Ricardo K. , van der Heijden Geertje M.F. , Vilanova Emilio , Vos Vincent , White Lee J. T. , Willcock Simon , Zemagho Lise , Vanderwel Mark C. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCompetition among trees is an important driver of community structure and dynamics in tropical forests. Neighboring trees may impact an individual tree’s growth rate and probability of mortality, but large‐scale geographic and environmental variation in these competitive effects has yet to be evaluated across the tropical forest biome. We quantified effects of competition on tree‐level basal area growth and mortality for trees ≥10‐cm diameter across 151 ~1‐ha plots in mature tropical forests in Amazonia and tropical Africa by developing nonlinear models that accounted for wood density, tree size, and neighborhood crowding. Using these models, we assessed how water availability (i.e., climatic water deficit) and soil fertility influenced the predicted plot‐level strength of competition (i.e., the extent to which growth is reduced, or mortality is increased, by competition across all individual trees). On both continents, tree basal area growth decreased with wood density and increased with tree size. Growth decreased with neighborhood crowding, which suggests that competition is important. Tree mortality decreased with wood density and generally increased with tree size, but was apparently unaffected by neighborhood crowding. Across plots, variation in the plot‐level strength of competition was most strongly related to plot basal area (i.e., the sum of the basal area of all trees in a plot), with greater reductions in growth occurring in forests with high basal area, but in Amazonia, the strength of competition also varied with plot‐level wood density. In Amazonia, the strength of competition increased with water availability because of the greater basal area of wetter forests, but was only weakly related to soil fertility. In Africa, competition was weakly related to soil fertility and invariant across the shorter water availability gradient. Overall, our results suggest that competition influences the structure and dynamics of tropical forests primarily through effects on individual tree growth rather than mortality and that the strength of competition largely depends on environment‐mediated variation in basal area.
Habitat fragmentation changes top‐down and bottom‐up controls of food webs
Authors: Wang Rong , Zhang Xin , Shi Yi‐Su , Li Yuan‐Yuan , Wu Jianguo , He Fangliang , Chen Xiao‐Yong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTop‐down and bottom‐up controls regulate the structure and stability of ecosystems, but their relative roles in terrestrial systems have been debated. Here we studied a hydro‐inundated land‐bridge system in subtropical China and tested the relative importance of these two controls in determining the rodent‐mediated regeneration of a locally dominant tree species. Our results showed that both controls operated in terrestrial habitats and that their relative importance switched as habitat size changed. Habitat loss initially removed predators of rodents that released rodent populations and triggered massive seed predation (top‐down control), leading to reduced seedling establishment. A further reduction in habitat size led to decrease in rodent population that was supposed to increase seedling survival of the tree species, but the decline in habitat size deteriorated the abiotic environments (bottom‐up control) that severely prevented seedling recruitment. As the ongoing global land use change is creating increasing number of small‐sized forest fragments, our findings provide novel insights into the restoration of seriously fragmented forests.
Constitutive deletion of astrocytic connexins aggravates kainate‐induced epilepsy
Authors: Deshpande Tushar , Li Tingsong , Henning Lukas , Wu Zhou , Müller Julia , Seifert Gerald , Steinhäuser Christian , Bedner Peter 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe astroglial gap junctional network formed by connexin (Cx) channels plays a central role in regulating neuronal activity and network synchronization. However, its involvement in the development and progression of epilepsy is not yet understood. Loss of interastrocytic gap junction (GJ) coupling has been observed in the sclerotic hippocampus of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and in mouse models of MTLE, leading to the suggestion that it plays a causative role in the pathogenesis. To further elucidate this clinically relevant question, we investigated consequences of astrocyte disconnection on the time course and severity of kainate‐induced MTLE with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) by comparing mice deficient for astrocytic Cx proteins with wild‐type mice (WT). Continuous telemetric EEG recordings and video monitoring performed over a period of 4 weeks after epilepsy induction revealed substantially higher seizure and interictal spike activity during the chronic phase in Cx deficient versus WT mice, while the severity of status epilepticus was not different. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that, despite the elevated chronic seizure activity, astrocyte disconnection did not aggravate the severity of HS. Indeed, the extent of CA1 pyramidal cell loss was similar between the experimental groups, while astrogliosis, granule cell dispersion, angiogenesis, and microglia activation were even reduced in Cx deficient as compared to WT mice. Interestingly, seizure‐induced neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus was also independent of astrocytic Cxs. Together, our data indicate that constitutive loss of GJ coupling between astrocytes promotes neuronal hyperexcitability and attenuates seizure‐induced histopathological outcomes.
Comprehensive Health‐State Utilities in Contemporary Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Foster Chelsey , Baki Jad , Nikirk Samantha , Williams Sydni , Parikh Neehar D. , Tapper Elliot B. 
Published: April 2020

Cost‐effectiveness analysis depends on generalizable health‐state utilities. Unfortunately, the available utilities for cirrhosis are dated, may not reflect contemporary patients, and do not capture the impact of cirrhosis symptoms. We aimed to determine health‐state utilities for cirrhosis, using both the standard gamble (SG) and visual analog scale (VAS). We prospectively enrolled 305 patients. Disease severity (Child‐Pugh [Child] class, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease with sodium [MELD‐Na] scores), symptom burden (sleep quality, cramps, falls, pruritus), and disability (activities of daily living) were assessed. Multivariable models were constructed to determine independent clinical associations with utility values. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, 54% were men, 30% had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, 26% had alcohol‐related cirrhosis, 49% were Child class A, and the median MELD‐Na score was 12 (interquartile range [IQR], 8‐18). VAS displayed a normal distribution with a wider range than SG. The Child‐specific SG‐derived utilities had a median value of 0.85 (IQR, 0.68‐0.98) for Child A, 0.78 (IQR, 0.58‐0.93) for Child B, and 0.78 (IQR, 0.58‐0.93) for Child C. VAS‐derived utilities had a median value of 0.70 (IQR, 0.60‐0.85) for Child A, 0.61 (IQR, 0.50‐0.75) for Child B, and 0.55 (IQR, 0.40‐0.70) for Child C. VAS and SG were weakly correlated (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.006‐0.23). In multivariable models, disability, muscle cramps, and MELD‐Na were significantly associated with SG utilities. More clinical covariates were significantly associated with the VAS utilities, including poor sleep, MELD‐Na, disability, falls, cramps, and ascites. Conclusion: We provide health‐state utilities for contemporary patients with cirrhosis as well as estimates of the independent impact of specific symptoms on each patient’s reported utility.