bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The roles of phosphatidylethanol, ethyl glucuronide, and ethyl sulfate in identifying alcohol consumption among participants in professionals health programs
Authors: Reisfield Gary M. , Teitelbaum Scott A. , Opie Shannon O. , Jones Joseph , Morrison Deborah G. , Lewis Ben 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDirect alcohol biomarkers, including urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG), urinary ethyl sulfate (EtS), and blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth), are used to monitor alcohol abstinence in individuals who are mandated to abstain.In this consecutive case series study, we examined 1000 forensic reports of participants enrolled in a professionals health program who were contractually obligated to abstain from alcohol and who underwent recovery status evaluations. We identified 52 evaluations in which urinary EtG, EtS, and blood PEth were measured and which produced a positive result for at least one of these analytes.PEth, at a cutoff concentration of 20 ng/mL, revealed alcohol use more frequently than EtG or EtS at our laboratory's cutoff concentrations of 100 and 25 ng/mL, respectively. This was true, as well, at alternative EtG/EtS cutoff concentrations of 200/50, 300/75, and 400/100 ng/mL. PEth was more likely than EtG/EtS to be positive in participants previously diagnosed with alcohol use disorders (AUD), whereas EtG/EtS was more likely than PEth to be positive in participants without AUD.In this study, blood PEth was the most sensitive biomarker for evidencing alcohol use.
Hydrology‐driven responses of herbivorous geese in relation to changes in food quantity and quality
Authors: Zhang Pingyang , Zou Ye‐ai , Xie Yonghong , Zhang Siqi , Chen Xinsheng , Li Feng , Deng Zhengmiao , Zhang Hong , Tu Wei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEast Dongting Lake is a Ramsar site and a particularly important wintering ground for herbivorous geese along the East Asian‐Australasian Flyway. The operation of the Three Gorges Dam has changed the water regime and has a significant impact on wetland ecosystems downstream. We studied the responses of two sympatric herbivorous goose species, the Lesser white‐fronted goose Anser erythropus and Bean goose Anser fabalis, to habitat change by investigating their food conditions, habitat selection, and diet composition in the wintering periods of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, which had early and late water recession, respectively. It was expected that the contrasting water regimes would result in different food conditions and geese responses. The results showed that the food quality and quantity differed significantly between winters. As responses to the high‐quantity/low‐quality food during 2016/2017, more geese switched to feeding on mudflat and exploited plants such as dicotyledons and moss. The tall swards of Carex spp. (dominant plants in the meadow) that developed during the first growing season decreased the food accessibility during the second growing season and hindered the exploitation of newly generated shoots by the geese, which was further confirmed by our clipping control experiment. Nearly all the geese chose to feed on meadow, and Carex spp. made up the majority of their diet in 2017/2018 when there was more low‐quantity/high‐quality food. Compared with the globally vulnerable Lesser white‐fronted geese, the larger‐sized Bean geese seemed to be less susceptible to winter food shortages and exhibited more stable responses. We concluded that the food quality–quantity condition was the external factor influencing the geese responses, while morphological and physiological traits could be the internal factors causing different responses between the two species. This study enhanced the understanding of the influence that habitat change exerts on herbivorous geese in their wintering site in the context of the Three Gorges Dam operation. We suggested that regulating hydrological regime was important in terms of wetland management and species conservation.
Terrestrial laser scanning‐derived canopy interception index for predicting rainfall interception
Authors: Yu Yue , Gao Tian , Zhu Jiaojun , Wei Xiaohua , Guo Qinghua , Su Yanjun , Li Yumei , Deng Songqiu , Li Mingcai 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRainfall interception (RI) by forest canopies is an important process in hydrological cycling in forest ecosystems. However, accurately predicting RI is a challenging topic. In this study, a dimensionless descriptor, canopy interception index (CII), for predicting RI was defined. The terrestrial laser scanning was used to estimate CII in four temperate forest types, including Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) plantation forest (KPF) stands, larch (Larix spp.) plantation forest (LPF) stands, mixed broadleaved forest (MBF) stands and Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) forest (MOF) stands. Using the measured RI values over the rainy seasons in 2017 and 2018, CII's performance for predicting RI was tested and also compared with several other indices (LAI: leaf area index, PAI: plant area index and ACH: average canopy height). The results indicated that CII was significantly and strongly related with RI for the four forest types together (R2 = 0.79), as well as for an individual forest type (R2 = 0.55–0.63). More importantly, its performance was better than those from LAI (R2 = 0.33–0.43), PAI (R2 = 0.40–0.53) and ACH (R2 = 0.35). All those results demonstrated that CII was an efficient index for accurately predicting RI. The potential applications of CII were also discussed.
Relating the depth of the water table to the depth of weathering
Authors: Lebedeva M.I. , Brantley S.L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWeathering of bedrock creates and occludes permeability, affecting subsurface water flow. Often, weathering intensifies above the water table. On the contrary, weathering can also commence below the water table. To explore relationships between weathering and the water table, a simplified weathering model for an eroding hillslope was formulated that takes into account both saturated and unsaturated subsurface water flow (but does not fully account for changes in dissolved gas chemistry). The phreatic line was calculated using solutions to mathematical treatments for both zones. In the model, the infiltration rate at the hill surface sets both the original and the eventual steady‐state position of the water table with respect to the weathering reaction front. Depending on parameters, the weathering front can locate either above or below the water table at steady state. Erosion also affects the water table position by changing porosity and permeability even when other hydrological conditions (e.g. hydraulic conductivity of parent material, infiltration rate at the surface) do not change. The total porosity in a hill (water storage capacity) was found to increase with infiltration rate (all else held constant). This effect was diminished by increasing the erosion rate. We also show examples of how the infiltration rate affects the position of the water table and how infiltration rate affects weathering advance. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Effect of thermally treated barley dietary fiber against hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Bader Ul Ain Huma , Saeed Farhan , Sultan Muhammad Tauseef , Afzaal Muhammad , Imran Ali , DeFeo Vincenzo , Cobelschi Calin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDietary fiber is a nondigestible constituent of vegetal foods, formed by insoluble and soluble dietary fiber. The intake of dietary fiber, especially soluble dietary fiber, is limited and demands researcher's attention. The modification of cereal's dietary fiber, predominantly insoluble fiber, could be one possible solution. The current study evaluated the comparative effects of several thermal treatments on the modification of insoluble dietary fiber in barley and explored their therapeutic potential in vivo against hypercholesterolemia. The two cultivars of barley, Haider‐93 and Jau‐87, were thermally treated using different techniques, and dietary fiber was extracted. Successively, the intake of these dietary fibers was evaluated for its antilipidemic activity in normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. In the first phase, thermal treatments especially cooking without soaking increased the soluble fiber (68.08%). The roasting all increased the soluble fiber contents, however, at relatively lower rate (53.91%). The results of efficacy study revealed that biochemical parameters in control animals were within the normal clinical ranges, thus appraising the safe status of the experimental diets. The thermally treated barley fiber decreased total cholesterol (12.14%–12.63%), low‐density lipoprotein (14.12%–14.85%), and triglycerides (2.25%–4.32%). The study recorded increasing trends for high‐density lipoprotein in both normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. In the nutshell, thermal modification of dietary fiber increased the ratio of soluble to insoluble dietary fiber that improved its hypocholesterolemic potential. The thermally treated barley dietary fiber is effective in reducing the lipid profile in Sprague–dawley rats than untreated dietary fiber and, therefore, can be considered as a functional food and ingredient to cope different lifestyle diseases.
Incorporation of the nanoencapsulated polyphenolic extract of Ferula persica into soybean oil: Assessment of oil oxidative stability
Authors: Estakhr Parviz , Tavakoli Javad , Beigmohammadi Faranak , Alaei Shima , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn the present study, for the first time, the biological activities of Ferula persica extract (FPE) coated with locust bean gum (LBG) and chitosan in W/O/W emulsions were investigated. Based on the findings, the Z‐average size of emulsions coated by chitosan, LBG, and the complex of chitosan and LBG (1:1) (CCL) was 115.47, 128.37, and 68.12 nm, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of the phenolic extracts in the powder produced by chitosan, LBG, and CCL decreased from 85.3 to 64.1, from 89 to 71.4, and from 93.3% to 77.9% during 24‐day storage, respectively. Also, the application of the coating in the encapsulation of FPE increased the antioxidant efficacy in soybean oil while compared with tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and un‐encapsulated FPE. In this regard, The FPE nanoencapsulated by CCL showed the best antioxidative activity in soybean oil, followed by the FPE of nanoencapsulated by LBG and chitosan, respectively, which can be correlated with higher levels of polyphenolic compounds release over time in the sample coated with CCL. In this context, the encapsulation with CCL can be proposed as a promising technique to improve the antioxidant activity of extracts.
Dietitians vary by counseling status in bean promotion with type 2 diabetes clients: A pilot study
Authors: Winham Donna M. , Nikl Rebecca R. , Hutchins Andrea M. , Martin Rose L. , Campbell Christina G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBeans are noted for their beneficial effects on blood glucose for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, little is known about dietitian attitudes and perceptions, self‐efficacy, or counseling practices about beans in T2DM management. Through an online survey, the attitudes and perceptions dietitians have toward the role of beans in managing T2DM were examined. The practice intentions for advising T2DM clients about beans, perceived self‐efficacy for counseling on general nutrition topics and specifically on beans, were evaluated. While the target population was dietitians, all persons on the Arizona Dietetic Association and the Arizona School Nutrition Association listservs received a direct email invitation for an online survey on foods and chronic disease. There was no mention of beans or pulses to reduce bias toward bean advocates. Of the 302 dietitian respondents, over 66% counseled clients with T2DM. Fewer clinical counseling dietitians recommended beans to control blood glucose (p = .041) or to increase fiber (p < .05), and more of them promoted beans as being the same as other carbohydrates (p = .002). Higher mean self‐efficacy scores for general nutrition counseling were observed for T2DM counseling RDs (p < .001). Counseling dietitians in nonclinical settings had the highest bean self‐efficacy score (p < .001). Findings suggest clinical counseling dietitians are aware of bean health benefits, but do not consistently suggest beans to improve nutrition for those with T2DM in contrast to dietitians who counsel in other settings.
The impact of United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) step 1 cutoff scores on recruitment of underrepresented minorities in medicine: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Williams Myia , Kim Eun Ji , Pappas Karalyn , Uwemedimo Omolara , Marrast Lyndonna , Pekmezaris Renee , Martinez Johanna 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsUnited States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) scores are the single, most objective criteria for admission into residency programs in the country. Underrepresented minorities in medicine (URiM) are found to have lower USMLE scores compared to their White counterparts. The objective of this study is to examine how USMLE step 1 cutoff scores may exclude self‐reported URiM from the residency interview process across various specialties.MethodsThis was a retrospective cross‐sectional study of 10 541 applicants to different residency programs at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health between May 2014 and May 2015. We identified Blacks and Hispanics as URiM. The primary outcome is the percentage of applicants with USMLE step 1 score above different ranges of cutoff score, from 205 to 235 in five‐point increments, by race/ethnicity and by URiM status. Secondary outcome is percentages of URiM vs non‐URiM above and below mean USMLE step 1 scores by different specialties (internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry).ResultsThe study sample included 2707 White, 722 Black, 805 Hispanic, 5006 Asian, and 562 Other Race/Ethnicity applicants. Overall, 50.2% were male, 21.3% URiM, 7.4% had limited English proficiency, 67.6% attended international medical schools, and 2.4% are Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA) members. The mean (±SD) USMLE step 1 score was significantly greater among non‐URiM applicants as compared to URiM applicants (223.7 ± 19.4 vs 216.1 ± 18.4, P < .01, two‐sample t‐test). Non‐URiM applicants were younger, and the percentage of male and AOA applicants was greater among non‐URiM applicants as compared to URiM applicants (50.5% vs 47.7%, P = .02, Chi‐Square test; 2.9% vs 1.2%, P < .01, Chi‐Square test, respectively).ConclusionUsing a USMLE step 1 cutoff score as an initial filter for applicant recruitment and selection could jeopardize the benefits of a diverse residency program. Practical implications are discussed.
Long non‐coding RNA MALAT1/microRNA 125a axis presents excellent value in discriminating sepsis patients and exhibits positive association with general disease severity, organ injury, inflammation level, and mortality in sepsis patients
Authors: Liu Wei , Geng Feng , Yu Li 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate the potential value of long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lnc‐MALAT1)/microRNA (miR)‐125a axis in disease management and prognosis surveillance of sepsis.MethodsTotally, 196 sepsis patients and 196 healthy controls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected within 24 hours after admission in sepsis patients and were collected at enrollment in healthy controls. The relative expression of lnc‐MALAT1 and miR‐125a in all participants was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the inflammatory cytokines in plasma of sepsis patients were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsLnc‐MALAT1/miR‐125a axis was increased in sepsis patients compared with healthy controls (P < .001) and was of excellent value in distinguishing septic patients from healthy controls with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.931 (95% CI: 0.908‐0.954). In sepsis patients, lnc‐MALAT1 was negatively associated with miR‐125a, and lnc‐MALAT1/miR‐125a axis was positively correlated with acute pathologic and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, serum creatinine, C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8, while negatively associated with albumin. Furthermore, lnc‐MALAT1/miR‐125a axis was of value in predicting increased 28‐day mortality risk to some extent (AUC: 0.678, 95% CI: 0.603‐0.754).ConclusionLnc‐MALAT1/miR‐125a axis presents excellent value in differentiating sepsis patients from healthy controls and also exhibits positive association with general disease severity, organ injury, inflammation level, and mortality in sepsis patients.
Green synthesis of doped Co3O4 nanocatalysts using organic template for fast azo dye degradation from aqueous environment
Authors: Shaheen Irum , Ahmad Khuram Shahzad 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDDuring recent years, great efforts have been devoted towards the functionalization of metal oxide nanomaterials with various carbonaceous groups to enhance their catalytic performance for environmental remediation applications such as dye degradation. Here, we synthesized Co3O4, Co3O4:NiO and Co3O4:PdO/Pd nanomaterials via organic compounds of Abies pindrow Royle following a hydrothermal route and then investigated them as catalysts for the degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution in the presence of solar light as well as under dark ambient conditions.RESULTSThe chemical composition and phase analysis of Co3O4, Co3O4:NiO and Co3O4:PdO/Pd were confirmed using X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, while spherical nanostructures were observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Carbon‐ and oxygen‐containing functional groups were revealed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The catalytic efficiency of the functionalized nanocatalysts was enhanced to 99% and 98% by incorporation of NiO and PdO/Pd, respectively, within 15 min in the presence of solar light. Whereas, under dark conditions, the degradation efficiency of Co3O4:PdO/Pd and Co3O4:NiO was calculated as 75% and 77%, respectively. The catalysts demonstrated excellent reusability in four cycles of experiments with pseudo‐first‐order kinetics (R2 < 1) in the light and under dark conditions.CONCLUSIONSThe findings demonstrated an efficient and sustainable bio‐templated synthesis of nanocatalysts for removal of organic dyes from aqueous environment. The excellent photocatalytic potential of phytosynthesized Co3O4:PdO/Pd and Co3O4:NiO was attributed to nanostructures as well as to incorporated carbonaceous compounds. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
lncRNA HOXC‐AS1 promotes gastric cancer via binding eIF4AIII by activating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Zhou Chao , An Na , Cao Chunyan , Wang Guodong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in several cancers. The present study aimed to determine the functions of lncRNA HOXC‐AS1 in gastric cancer (GC) in vitro.MethodsA quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to measure the expression of lncRNA HOXC‐AS1 in GC cell lines and normal cells. After silencing HOXC‐AS1 in GC cells, a cell counting kit‐8 assay monitored the viability of the cells. qRT‐PCR and western blot documented the EMT key genes in response to HOXC‐AS1 change. qRT‐PCR detected mRNA expression for eIF4AIII in GC and normal cell lines and cell viability was measured after an increase and decrease of eIF4AIII. RNA pull‐down and qRT‐PCR confirmed the binding in between. Apoptosis was compared by flow cytometry. The interplay between the two genes was surveyed by introduction of the sh‐HOXC‐AS1 and sh‐eIF4AIII and by assessing cell viability, EMT and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling.ResultslncRNA HOXC‐AS1 expression is up‐regulated in GC cells and a decrease of lncRNA HOXC‐AS1 inhibited cell viability. Binding was validated by RNA pull‐down. Additionally, inhibition of eIF4AIII induced an increase of lncRNA HOXC‐AS1, thus promoting cell proliferation and the EMT process but deterring apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling was impeded by HOXC‐AS1 inhibition but restored by suppression of eIF4AIII.ConclusionsHOXC‐AS1 may promote the proliferation and the EMT process and inhibit apoptosis by binding eIF4AIII via Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, which indicates that HOXC‐AS1/eIF4AIII might be an axis that could be further used as a biomarker to help with the diagnosis of GC.
Cooperative dissociation of peptide backbones and side‐chains during matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization in‐source decay mediated by hydrogen abstraction
Authors: Asakawa Daiki 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMatrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization in‐source decay (MALDI‐ISD) causes the selective cleavage of Cα–C peptide bonds when an oxidizing matrix is used, and the fragmentation involves the hydrogen abstraction from a peptide by a matrix. The hydrogen abstraction from either an amide nitrogen or β‐carbon atom has been proposed to be the initial step leading to the Cα–C bond cleavage. In this regard, the production of [a]+ fragments originated upon bond cleavage at the C‐terminal side of phenylglycine residues strongly suggested that that the Cα–C bond cleavage occurred through a nitrogen‐centered radical intermediate and that the fragmentation through a β‐carbon‐centered radical intermediate can be ruled out from the MALDI‐ISD process, because phenylglycine residues do not contain β‐carbon atoms. The Cα–C bond cleavage of such nitrogen‐centered radical initially produced an [a]•/[x − H] fragment pair, and then the [a]• radical either reacted with the matrix or underwent loss of the side‐chain, leading to [a − H] or [d − H] fragment. The Cα–C bond cleavage at the C‐terminal side of phenylglycine and phenylalanine residues only generated [a]+ fragments, whereas that of homophenylalanine and S‐methylated cysteine residues provided both [a]+ and [d]+ fragments. The yield of [d]+ fragments was dependent on the chemical stability of the resultant radicals formed upon side‐chain loss. MALDI‐ISD produced [M − H + matrix]+, [M − 16 + H]+, [M − 32 + H]+, and [d]+ fragments, when the analyte peptide contained a methionine residue. These fragments were formed upon abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the side‐chain of a methionine residue and its subsequent reaction with the matrix. The oxidation of methionine residues suppressed the hydrogen abstraction from their side‐chain.
In situ isobaric lipid mapping by MALDI–ion mobility separation–mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Fu Tingting , Oetjen Janina , Chapelle Manuel , Verdu Alexandre , Szesny Matthias , Chaumot Arnaud , Degli‐Esposti Davide , Geffard Olivier , Clément Yohann , Salvador Arnaud , Ayciriex Sophie 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe highly diverse chemical structures of lipids make their analysis directly from biological tissue sections extremely challenging. Here, we report the in situ mapping and identification of lipids in a freshwater crustacean Gammarus fossarum using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) in combination with an additional separation dimension using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). The high‐resolution trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) allowed efficient separation of isobaric/isomeric lipids showing distinct spatial distributions. The structures of the lipids were further characterized by MS/MS analysis. It is demonstrated that MALDI MSI with mobility separation is a powerful tool for distinguishing and localizing isobaric/isomeric lipids.