bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical utility of apparent diffusion coefficient and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging for resectability assessment of head and neck tumors with skull base invasion
Authors: Ogawa Takenori , Kojima Ikuho , Wakamori Shun , Yoshida Takuya , Murata Takaki , Sakamoto Maya , Ohkoshi Akira , Nakanome Ayako , Endo Hidenori , Endo Toshiki , Usubuchi Hajime , Katori Yukio 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe usefulness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the detection of malignant tumors has been reported. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of ADC and DWI for diagnosis of skull base tumors.MethodsA total of 27 patients with head and neck tumors with skull base invasions undergoing skull base surgery were enrolled in this study. Pathological findings of dural invasion and bone invasion were compared with the diagnostic imaging.ResultsAdvanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques revealed that ADC values in regions of pathological bone and dural invasions were significantly lower than in regions of no invasion. The area under the curve of ADC in bone invasions and dural invasions were 0.957 and 0.894, respectively.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that ADC and DWI are useful tools for the diagnosis of head and neck tumors with skull base invasion.
Illumination normalized based technique for retinal blood vessel segmentation
Authors: Dash Sonali , Senapati Manas Ranjan , Sahu Pradip Kumar , Chowdary P. S. R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe Retinal image carries important information about the health of the sensory part of the visual system. In this paper, a new approach is suggested by utilizing the homomorphic filter integrated with Contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) method for the illumination normalization and contrast enhancement of the retinal images. Then segmentation is done through several steps by using the existing methods such as morphological filtering, a second derivative operator that is followed by a final morphological filtering stage and hysteresis thresholding. The suggested method is verified on DRIVE and CHASE‐DB1 databases and has average accuracy of 72.03% and 64.54%, accordingly. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed approaches achieve higher accuracy than the traditional method. The suggested approach not only contributes to the successful result, but also minimizes the computing time.
Use of a common European approach for nanomaterials’ testing to support regulation: a case study on titanium and silicon dioxide representative nanomaterials
Authors: Zijno Andrea , Cavallo Delia , Di Felice Gabriella , Ponti Jessica , Barletta Bianca , Butteroni Cinzia , Corinti Silvia , De Berardis Barbara , Palamides Jessica , Ursini Cinzia L. , Fresegna Anna M. , Ciervo Aureliano , Maiello Raffele , Barone Flavia 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe European Union (EU) continuously takes ensuring the safe use of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in consumer products into consideration. The application of a common approach for testing MNMs, including the use of optimized protocols and methods’ selection, becomes increasingly important to obtain reliable and comparable results supporting the regulatory framework. In the present study, we tested four representative MNMs, two titanium dioxides (NM100 and NM101) and two silicon dioxides (NM200 and NM203), using the EU FP7‐NANoREG approach, starting from suspension and dispersion preparations, through to their characterization and final evaluation of biological effects. MNM dispersions were prepared following a refined NANOGENOTOX protocol and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in water/bovine serum albumin and in media used for in vitro testing. Potential genotoxic effects were evaluated on human bronchial BEAS‐2B cells using micronucleus and Comet assays, and pro‐inflammatory effects by cytokines release. Murine macrophages RAW 264.7 were used to detect potential innate immune responses using two functional endpoints (pro‐inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide [NO] production). The interaction of MNMs with RAW 264.7 cells was studied by electron microscopy. No chromosomal damage and slight DNA damage and an oxidative effect, depending on MNMs, were observed in bronchial cells. In murine macrophages, the four MNMs directly induced tumor necrosis factor α or interleukin 6 secretion, although at very low levels; lipopolysaccharide‐induced NO production was significantly decreased by the titania and one silica MNM. The application of this approach for the evaluation of MNM biological effects could be useful for both regulators and industries.
An in vivo evaluation of induced chondrogenesis by decellularized extracellular matrix particles
Authors: Masaeli Elahe , Nasr‐Esfahani Mohammad Hossein 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBioengineered scaffolds composed of synthetic materials and extracellular matrix (ECM) components can offer a tissue‐specific microenvironment capable of regulating cells to regenerate the structure and function of the native cartilage. Here, given the potential preservation of biomechanical and biochemical cues found in the native cartilage, particulate decellularized ECM (DC‐ECM) was utilized for immobilization on the surface of nanofibrous scaffolds. Afterward, the chondro‐inductive potential and ectopic cartilage formation after subcutaneous implantation of bioengineered DC‐ECM scaffolds were investigated in mice model. Eight weeks post‐implantation, no growth of considerable inflammatory response and neovascularization was observed in histological images of bioengineered DC‐ECM scaffolds. Pre‐seeded bioengineered scaffolds with human adipose‐derived stem cells exhibited high levels of chondro‐induction capability, indicated with immunohistochemical and gene expression results. In both interval times, we also observed chondrogenesis and tissue formation after implanting unseeded bioengineered scaffolds, which denote that the presence of DC‐ECM particles can even enhance attachment and migration of the host cells and induce chondrogenesis to them. To sum up, the incorporation of DC‐ECM materials to tissue engineered constructs is a promising avenue to mimic the native tissue environment for regulation of cartilage regeneration in both in vivo and in vitro settings.
Biomimetic trace metals improve bone regenerative properties of calcium phosphate bioceramics
Authors: Mansour Alaa , Abu Nada Lina , El‐hadad Amir A. , Mezour Mohamed Amine , Ersheidat Ala' , Al‐Subaie Ahmed , Moussa Hanan , Laurenti Marco , Kaartinen Mari T. , Tamimi Faleh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe bone regenerative capacity of synthetic calcium phosphates (CaPs) can be enhanced through the enrichment with selected metal trace ions. However, defining the optimal elemental composition required for bone formation is challenging due to many possible concentrations and combinations of these elements. We hypothesized that the ideal elemental composition exists in the inorganic phase of the bone extracellular matrix (ECM). To study our hypothesis, we first obtained natural hydroxyapatite through the calcination of bovine bone, which was then investigated its reactivity with acidic phosphates to produce CaP cements. Bioceramic scaffolds fabricated using these cements were assessed for their composition, properties, and in vivo regenerative performance and compared with controls. We found that natural hydroxyapatite could react with phosphoric acid to produce CaP cements with biomimetic trace metals. These cements present significantly superior in vivo bone regenerative performance compared with cements prepared using synthetic apatite. In summary, this study opens new avenues for further advancements in the field of CaP bone biomaterials by introducing a simple approach to develop biomimetic CaPs. This work also sheds light on the role of the inorganic phase of bone and its composition in defining the regenerative properties of natural bone xenografts.
Zinc deficient diet increases the toxicity of bisphenol A in rat testis
Authors: Sahu Chittaranjan , Charaya Aarzoo , Singla Shivani , Dwivedi Durgesh K. , Jena Gopabandhu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractZinc (Zn) plays an important role in maintaining the process of spermatogenesis and reproductive health. Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical is known to be a reproductive toxicant in different animal models. The present study was designed to study the effect of two of the utmost determinative factors (Zn deficient condition and influence of toxicant BPA) on germ cell growth and overall male reproductive health in the testis, epididymis, and sperm using (a) biochemical, (b) antioxidant, (c) cellular damage, (d) apoptosis, and (e) protein expression measurements. Rats were divided into Control (normal feed and water), BPA (100 mg/kg/d), zinc deficient diet (ZDD; fed with ZDD), and BPA + ZDD for 8 weeks. Body and organ weights, sperm motility and counts, and sperm head morphology were evaluated. The histology of testes, epididymides, and prostate was investigated. Testicular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage was evaluated by Halo and Comet assay, apoptosis of sperm and testes were quantified by TUNEL assay. Serum protein electrophoretic patterns and testicular protein expressions such as Nrf‐2, catalase, PCNA, and Keap1 were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The results showed that BPA significantly increased the testicular, epididymal, and prostrate toxicity in dietary Zn deficient condition due to testicular hypozincemia, hypogonadism, increased cellular and DNA damage, apoptosis, as well as perturbations in protein expression.
Nicotinamide attenuates cyclophosphamide‐induced hepatotoxicity in SD rats by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis
Authors: Patwa Jayant , Khan Sabbir , Jena Gopabandhu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used anticancer and immunosuppressant drug. Nevertheless, clinical utilization of CP is limited due to considerable adverse effects and toxicities. Nicotinamide (NMD) is a micronutrient and the effect of NMD against CP‐induced hepatotoxicity is yet unexplored. The present study was designed to evaluate the chemoprotective effect of NMD against CP‐induced hepatic injury in Sprague‐Dawley rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced by the administration of CP (30 mg/kg/day) for 10 consecutive days by intraperitoneal injection. The chemoprotective effect of NMD treatment (200 mg/kg) against CP‐induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated by the oxidative stress, liver function, histopathological changes, and DNA damage. NMD cotreatment significantly reduced CP‐induced oxidative stress, histological changes, and apoptosis in the liver. The present study demonstrated that NMD treatment ameliorated CP‐induced hepatic damage by improving the antioxidant system and reducing DNA damage. The present findings revealed that NMD supplementation might be useful to reduce CP‐associated hepatotoxicity, and thereby can increase the therapeutic utility of CP.
Long non‐coding RNA NEAT1 serves as a novel biomarker for treatment response and survival profiles via microRNA‐125a in multiple myeloma
Authors: Yu Haifeng , Peng Shuailing , Chen Xi , Han Shuiyun , Luo Jialin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to explore the association of long non‐coding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) with multiple myeloma (MM) risk and further investigate its correlation with clinical features, treatment response, survival profiles, and its interaction with microRNA‐125a (miR‐125a) in MM patients.MethodsTotally, 114 de novo symptomatic MM patients and 30 healthy donors (as controls) were recruited. Their bone marrow samples were collected before treatment (MM patients) and at enrollment (healthy donors), respectively. Subsequently, plasma cells were isolated from bone marrow for detection of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR‐125a expression via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultslncRNA NEAT1 was upregulated in MM patients compared with healthy donors and presented with excellent value in distinguishing MM patients from healthy donors. In MM patients, lncRNA NEAT1 positively associated with International Staging System (ISS) stage, beta‐2 microglobulin (β2‐MG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), but not correlated with core cytogenetics and other clinical features. Furthermore, lncRNA NEAT1 negatively associated with complete remission (CR), overall remission rate (ORR), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Moreover, lncRNA NEAT1 negatively associated with miR‐125a in MM patients. MiR‐125a was downregulated in MM patients compared with healthy donors, and it negatively associated with ISS stage, β2‐MG, and LDH, but positively correlated with CR, ORR, PFS, and OS in MM patients.ConclusionlncRNA NEAT1 might interact with miR‐125a, and serves as a novel biomarker for treatment response and survival profiles in MM, indicating its clinical value for MM management.
Global Research Alliance N2O chamber methodology guidelines: Summary of modeling approaches
Authors: Giltrap Donna , Yeluripati Jagadeesh , Smith Pete , Fitton Nuala , Smith Ward , Grant Brian , Dorich Christopher D. , Deng Jia , Topp Cairistiona FE , Abdalla Mohamed , Liáng Lìyǐn L. , Snow Val 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMeasurements of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agriculture are essential for understanding the complex soil–crop–climate processes, but there are practical and economic limits to the spatial and temporal extent over which measurements can be made. Therefore, N2O models have an important role to play. As models are comparatively cheap to run, they can be used to extrapolate field measurements to regional or national scales, to simulate emissions over long time periods, or to run scenarios to compare mitigation practices. Process‐based models can also be used as an aid to understanding the underlying processes, as they can simulate feedbacks and interactions that can be difficult to distinguish in the field. However, when applying models, it is important to understand the conceptual process differences in models, how conceptual understanding changed over time in various models, and the model requirements and limitations to ensure that the model is well suited to the purpose of the investigation and the type of system being simulated. The aim of this paper is to give the reader a high‐level overview of some of the important issues that should be considered when modeling. This includes conceptual understanding of widely used models, common modeling techniques such as calibration and validation, assessing model fit, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty assessment. We also review examples of N2O modeling for different purposes and describe three commonly used process‐based N2O models (APSIM, DayCent, and DNDC).
Proper‐walk connection number of graphs
Authors: Bang‐Jensen Jørgen , Bellitto Thomas , Yeo Anders 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper studies the problem of proper‐walk connection number: given an undirected connected graph, our aim is to colour its edges with as few colours as possible so that there exists a properly coloured walk between every pair of vertices of the graph, that is, a walk that does not use consecutively two edges of the same colour. The problem was already solved on several classes of graphs but still open in the general case. We establish that the problem can always be solved in polynomial time in the size of the graph and we provide a characterization of the graphs that can be properly connected with colours for every possible value of .
Synthesis, reactions, and antimicrobial activity of 2‐cyano‐N′‐(4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethoxy)benzylidene)acetohydrazide derivatives
Authors: Metwally Nadia Hanafy , Abdelrazek Fathy Mohamed , Eldaly Salwa Magdy 
Published: July 2020

AbstractKnӧvenagel condensation of the starting 2‐cyano‐N′‐(4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethoxy)‐benzylidene)acetohydrazide with different aromatic aldehydes produced the comparable arylidenes derivatives. Else way, 2‐cyano‐N′‐(4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethoxy)‐benzylidene)‐acetohydrazide condensed with o‐hydroxybenzaldehydes affording the respective chromenes which latter underwent acid hydrolysis giving the oxo‐chromenes analogues. Moreover, the reaction of 2‐cyano‐N′‐(4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethoxy)benzylidene)acetohydrazide with istain yielded the respective indeno[2,1‐b]furan derivative that was converted to its oxo‐analogue through acid hydrolysis. The treatment of 2‐cyano‐N′‐(4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethoxy)benzylidene)acetohydrazide with α‐halocompounds produced the relevant thiazoles. The enamine 2‐cyano‐3‐(dimethylamino)‐N′‐(4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethoxy)benzylidene)acrylohydrazide underwent nucleophilic substitution reaction with guanidine hydrochloride followed by heterocyclization to get the relative aminopyrimidine. Contrarily, the reaction with various 4‐arylazo‐3,5‐diaminopyrazoles provided the relative pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines. The antimicrobial investigation was carried out for some of the newly synthesized compounds using agar well diffusion method.
Determination of coeluted isomers in wine samples by application of MS/MS deconvolution analysis
Authors: Menicatti Marta , Pallecchi Marco , Ricciutelli Massimo , Galarini Roberta , Moretti Simone , Sagratini Gianni , Vittori Sauro , Lucarini Simone , Caprioli Giovanni , Bartolucci Gianluca 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTwo organic acids isomers, 3‐isopropylmalic acid (3‐IPMA) and 2‐isopropylmalic acid (2‐IPMA), were identified and quantified in wine samples by using an LC–MS/MS method without any chromatographic separation, but processing the MS/MS data with a recently developed deconvolution algorithm (LEDA: linear equations deconvolution analysis), thus decreasing the time necessary for the process. In particular, the LEDA tool processes the MS/MS signals and assigns the relative concentrations (abundances) of the isomers in the sample, at the mg L−1 level. The efficiency of MS/MS signal assignment was improved by introducing five linear equations to define the LEDA matrix. Then, as a novel approach, an overdetermined system of linear equations was applied for the deconvolution of isomers. The use of LEDA to identify and quantify the isomers in wine samples, together with the choice of a short LC column and a fast elution gradient, simplifies the process and shortens the time needed. Furthermore, it was evaluated the quantitative determination of the IPMA isomers by using the calibration curve provided by the precursor ion MRM transition data. The calculated values of accuracy (recovery between 82.6% and 99.8%) and precision (RSD between 0.4% and 4.0%) confirm the validity of this quantitative approach and the ability of LEDA to establish the correct percentage of the MS/MS signal for each isomer. Finally, to compare the conventional LC–MS/MS method and our proposed method of LC–MS/MS coupled with LEDA post‐processing elaboration, a series of real wine samples were analysed by both methods, and the results were compared.
Warm‐season precipitation drivers in northeastern Argentina: Diurnal cycle of the atmospheric moisture balance and land–atmosphere coupling
Authors: Giles Julián Alberto , Ruscica Romina Carla , Menéndez Claudio Guillermo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSoutheastern South America is influenced by moisture transport from lower latitudes, sustains intense convective storms and is a land–atmosphere coupling hotspot, but the interconnection between these processes is still not well understood. We present the warm‐season diurnal cycle climatology of the atmospheric water balance components in the South American Low‐Level Jet (SALLJ) exit region in northeastern Argentina during 1998–2012. Different precipitation‐based types of events (clear‐sky and rainy days) were explored together with processes tied to the land–atmosphere coupling at the daily scale. Our research was based on simulations with and without soil moisture–atmosphere coupling with the RCA4 regional climate model. A control simulation was compared with a sensitivity simulation where the soil moisture was prescribed with the daily climatological values from the control run. The ERA5 reanalysis and the satellite precipitation products TRMM‐3B42 v7 and CMORPH v1.0 bias‐corrected were used for comparative purposes. From the diurnal water balance analysis, we found that moisture flux convergence in the region is the main driver for nocturnal precipitation while local evapotranspiration feeds afternoon rain events. Rainy afternoons do not show differences between simulations, but rainy nights seem to be affected. Moreover, daily correlations between surface and boundary‐layer variables showed that the local coupling is weaker during rainy days than during clear‐sky days. Therefore, we suggest that changes in non‐local drivers, such as the moisture flux through the SALLJ, are more relevant for rainy nights than the local coupling.
Antihypertensive effect of quinoa protein under simulated gastrointestinal digestion and peptide characterization
Authors: Guo Huimin , Hao Yuqiong , Richel Aurore , Everaert Nadia , Chen Yinhuan , Liu Mengjie , Yang Xiushi , Ren Guixing 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDQuinoa protein is a potential source of bioactive peptides. Although some studies have demonstrated its angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties, research into its in vivo effect on blood‐pressure regulation and peptide characterization remains limited.RESULTSQuinoa protein hydrolyzate (QPH) was prepared by simulated gastrointestinal digestion. QPH lowered the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in spontaneously hypertensive model rats (SHRs) from 2 h to10 h after oral administration, effectively controlling blood pressure in these SHRs. An in vitro study showed that QPH is capable of inhibiting ACE activity. This was attributed to the activity of a number of low‐molecular‐weight peptides. With relatively high scores predicted by PeptideRanker, three promising bioactive peptides, FHPFPR, NWFPLPR, and NIFRPF, were further studied and their ACE‐inhibition effects were confirmed with IC50 values of 34.92, 16.77, and 32.40 μM, respectively. A molecular docking study provided insights into the binding of ACE with peptides, and revealed that the presence of specific amino acids in the peptide sequence (Pro, Phe, and Arg at the C‐terminal, and Asn at the N‐terminal) could contribute to the interaction between ACE and peptides.CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrated the potential of QPH for the management of hypertension, which indicates that it could be a good candidate for inclusion in functional foods to control high blood pressure. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry