bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of serological and molecular biological tests for infectious mononucleosis by EBV in different age stages and course of the disease
Authors: Shi Ting , Huang Linlin , Luo Ling , Yu Qiuyao , Tian Jianmei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEpstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐based serologic antibody and viral nucleic acid assays have been found to be feasible means to diagnose infectious mononucleosis (IM) caused by EBV in children. In this study, we will further explore their diagnostic value for IM by EBV in different age stages and over the course of the disease. A collection of 616 children from clinically suspected IM cases was studied. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) for EBV‐specific antibody (Euroimmun) combined with plasma EB viral nucleic acid assay (real‐time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction) were used as reference methods. The diagnostic efficiency of the peripheral blood routine test, serologic antibody test, and plasma EB viral nucleic acid assay for the diagnosis of IM was evaluated, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, Youden' index and the area under curve (AUC) were 93.08%, 87.77%, 0.81 and 0.904 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.878–0.931) for the peripheral lymphocyte test (lymphocytosis > 5 × 109/L), 98.27%, 91.13%, 0.89 and 0.947 (95% CI: 0.927–0.967) for the plasma EBV‐DNA test, and 84.08%, 96.33%, 0.80 and 0.902 (95% CI: 0.874–0.930) for the EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA)‐IgG avidity test. The plasma EBV‐DNA test has a higher diagnostic value than the VCA‐IgG avidity test in children aged <6 years, especially aged <3 years; the peripheral lymphocyte test and plasma EBV‐DNA test are suitable for the early stage of the disease, while the VCA‐IgG avidity test for after 7 days of the disease. EBV antibody detection (IIF) should be combined with EBV nucleic acid detection in children age <6 years and the early stage of the disease.
Effect of pelvic suspension and post‐mortem ageing on the quality of three muscles from Holstein Friesian bulls and steers
Authors: Moran Lara , Barron Luis Javier R , Wilson Shannon S , O'Sullivan Maurice G , Kerry Joseph P , Prendiville Robert , Moloney Aidan P 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe use of bulls rather than steers from the dairy herd offers a more profitable and environmentally friendly option; however, the beef eating quality from bulls is an issue of concern. This study assessed the effect of two tenderization techniques – pelvic suspension and ageing – on three different muscles of Holstein Friesian males from two different production systems.RESULTSThe results indicate that a production system based on steers slaughtered at 24 months (S24) produced beef with better eating quality than from bulls slaughtered at 19 months (B19) when tenderization techniques were not applied. Instrumental texture of longissimus thoracis and gluteus medius muscles was improved with ageing and/or pelvic suspension, with both tenderization techniques exerting greater impact on B19 meat. No differences were found in semitendinosus muscle due to suspension method, whereas ageing for longer than 14 days decreased its instrumental tenderness. Sensory results indicate that, after 14 days of ageing, panellists still preferred meat from S24, and they could differentiate between pelvic and traditional suspension.CONCLUSIONTenderization methodologies should be optimized for each production system and muscle; however, both panel and instrumental texture results indicate that eating quality of beef from either production systems is acceptable after 14 days of ageing, or even earlier if the suspension method is applied. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of biocharcoal aerogel sorbent for solid‐phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples
Authors: Ji Xiangping , Feng Juanjuan , Li Chunying , Han Sen , Sun Min , Feng Jiaqing , Sun Haili , Fan Jing , Guo Wenjuan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA facile method was introduced for preparing a biocharcoal aerogel, which was derived from pomelo peel as the only raw material. The inner spongy layer of pomelo peel was freeze‐dried for maintaining three‐dimensional structure and then carbonized under high temperature and oxygen‐limited conditions. The morphological structure and graphitization degree of biocharcoal aerogel were characterized using a scanning electron microscope and Raman spectrum. After sifting and grinding, the biocharcoal aerogel as an adsorbent was coated onto the surface of stainless steel wires. Through placing the wires into a polyetheretherketone tube, the in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction device was obtained. Coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography, it exhibited good extraction performance for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, then an online analytical method was established with low limits of detection (0.005–0.050 ng/mL), wide linear ranges (0.017–15 ng/mL) with superior correlation coefficients higher than 0.9990, high enrichment factors (1128–3425), and acceptable intra‐ and inter‐day repeatabilities (relative standard deviations ≤ 6.7%, n = 3). The method was applied to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bottled water samples, environmental water samples, and soft drinks with satisfactory recoveries (83.3–120.9%). This research not only developed a new carbon aerogel but also evaluated its adsorption performance in sample preparation.
Evaluating Patient Benefit From Laryngochondroplasty
Authors: Tang Christopher G. 
Published: September 2020

Objectives/HypothesisTo elucidate and review current literature on the surgical technique for laryngochondroplasty in male‐to‐female transgender patients. To determine the degree of benefit afforded to male‐to‐female transgender patients by laryngochondroplasty using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).Study DesignRetrospective case series.MethodsAfter institutional review board approval was obtained, the GBI survey was given to patients who underwent laryngochondroplasty by the author. Demographic information was analyzed including age, race, wait time to surgery, distance traveled, median zip code income, and concomitant gender‐affirming surgeries such as vaginoplasty, breast augmentation, or facial feminization.ResultsFrom April 2016 to April 2020, 209 patients received laryngochondroplasty within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical System. Of those, 91 received laryngochondroplasty with the author and were given the GBI, with 73 patients (80%) responding. Patients were on average 31.4 years old, traveled 45.4 miles to the surgical site, lived in a zip code with a median income of $86,793.61, and waited 95.7 days for surgery. Patients had a statistically significant improvement in all three subscores (general, social, and physical) of the GBI as well as in their overall score.ConclusionsLaryngochondroplasty is a safe and effective procedure to reduce thyroid cartilage prominence (Adam's apple) in male‐to‐female transgender patients. There was a statistically significant improvement in the overall score and all subscores of the GBI after laryngochondroplastyLevel of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:S1–S14, 2020
Impact of alfalfa and NPK fertilization in agricultural reclamation on the transformation of Technosols in an area following lignite mining
Authors: Otremba Krzysztof , Kozłowski Michał , Tatuśko‐Krygier Natalia , Pająk Marek , Kołodziej Beata , Bryk Maja 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOpen‐cast mining of lignite leads to considerable degradation of the natural environment, which then must be reclaimed. The aim of this study was to assess the transformation of Technosols in an area after lignite mining which had been under 40‐year cultivation of alfalfa with grass at various NPK fertilization rates. We hypothesized that 40‐year cultivation of plants caused morphological transformation of the parent material and resulted in differentiation of physical and chemical properties in the profile of the Technosols; fertilization had an added advantageous effect on their properties. The surface layer was transformed into an Ap‐horizon. Under alfalfa, with grass and NPK fertilization, Ap‐horizons demonstrated lower bulk density (BD) (7–11%) and particle density (PD) (1–2%), and higher total porosity (TP) (18–35%), drainable porosity (DP) (2–94%), field water capacity (FC) (11–21%), unavailable water (UW) (4–17%), soil organic carbon (SOC) (80–142%), total nitrogen (TN) (261–330%), available P (39–435%), available K (32–89%), cation exchange capacity (CEC) (25–43%), and soil acidity (Hext) (42–81%) compared to Cd‐horizons. Fertilized Technosols (1NPK, 2NPK), compared with control (0NPK), showed in the Ap‐horizon an increase in SOC (18–35%), TP (8–15%), DP (81–90%), FC (9–10%), P (110–285%), K (14–71%), and TN (0–18%), and a decrease in BD (4–7%). In contrast, fertilization had no effect on the UW, PD, soil inorganic carbon (SIC), CaCO3, available Mg, and pHKCl. The alfalfa and orchard grass played a key role in the reclamation and soil‐forming processes, while fertilization played a supporting role.
Approaches to Research Determination of Late Acute Cellular Rejection in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Mazariegos George V. , Shneider Benjamin L. , Shemesh Eyal , Schady Deborah , Melin‐Aldana Hector , Cho Soo‐Jin , Anand Ravinder , Erinjeri Jinson , Annunziato Rachel , Reyes‐Mugica Miguel 
Published: September 2020

A central pathology or site reading of biopsy slides is used in liver transplant clinical trials to determine rejection. We evaluated interrater reliability of readings of “rejection or not” using digitized slides from the Medication Adherence in Children who had a Liver Transplant (MALT) study. Four masked experienced pathologists read the digitized slides and then reread them after a study‐specific histologic endpoint development program. Agreement was expressed throughout as a Kappa or Fleiss Kappa statistic (ҡ). A ҡ > 0.6 was predefined as desirable. Readings were correlated with immunosuppressant adherence (the Medication Level Variability Index, [MLVI]), and maximal liver enzyme levels during the study period. Interrater agreement between site and central review in MALT, and between 4 pathologists later on, was low (ҡ = 0.44, Fleiss ҡ = 0.41, respectively). Following the endpoint development program, agreement improved and became acceptable (ҡ = 0.71). The final reading was better‐aligned with maximal gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels and MLVI as compared with the original central reading. We found substantial disagreement between experienced pathologists reading the same slides. A unique study‐specific procedure improved interrater reliability to the point it was acceptable. Such a procedure may be indicated to increase reliability of histopathologic determinations in future research, and perhaps also clinically.
Evaluation of two xenobiotic reductases from Pseudomonas putida for their suitability for magnetic nanoparticle‐directed enzyme prodrug therapy as a novel approach to cancer treatment
Authors: Ball Patrick , Halliwell Jennifer , Anderson Simon , Gwenin Vanessa , Gwenin Christopher 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDirected enzyme prodrug therapy (DEPT) is a cancer chemotherapy strategy in which bacterial enzymes are delivered to a cancer site before prodrug administration, resulting in prodrug activation at the cancer site and more localized treatment. A major limitation to DEPT is the poor effectiveness of the most studied enzyme for the CB1954 prodrug, NfnB from Escherichia coli, at concentrations suitable for human use. Much research into finding alternative enzymes to NfnB has resulted in the identification of the Xenobiotic reductases, XenA and XenB, which have been shown in the literature to reduce environmentally polluting nitro‐compounds. In this study, they were assessed for their potential use in cancer prodrug therapy strategies. Both proteins were cloned into the pET28a+ expression vector to give the genetically modified proteins XenA‐his and XenB‐his, of which only XenB‐his was active when tested with CB1954. XenB‐his was further modified to include a cysteine‐tag to facilitate direct immobilization on to a gold surface for future magnetic nanoparticle DEPT (MNDEPT) treatments and was named XenB‐cys. When tested using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), XenB‐his and XenB‐cys both demonstrated a preference for reducing CB1954 at the 4‐nitro position. Furthermore, XenB‐his and XenB‐cys successfully induced cell death in SK‐OV‐3 cells when combined with CB1954. This led to XenB‐cys being identified as a promising candidate for use in future MNDEPT treatments.
Brain Structural Changes in Focal Dystonia—What About Task Specificity? A Multimodal MRI Study
Authors: Tomić Aleksandra , Agosta Federica , Sarasso Elisabetta , Svetel Marina , Kresojević Nikola , Fontana Andrea , Canu Elisa , Petrović Igor , Kostić Vladimir S. , Filippi Massimo 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe neural basis of task specificity in dystonia is still poorly understood. This study investigated gray and white matter (WM) brain alterations in patients with task‐specific dystonia (TSD) and non‐task‐specific dystonia (NTSD).MethodsThirty‐six patients with TSD (spasmodic dysphonia, writer's cramp), 61 patients with NTSD (blepharospasm, cervical dystonia), and 83 healthy controls underwent 3D T1‐weighted and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whole brain cortical thickness and voxel‐based morphometry; volumes of basal ganglia, thalamus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus; and WM damage were assessed. Analysis of variance models were used to compare MRI measures between groups, adjusting for age and botulinum toxin (BoNT) treatment.ResultsThe comparison between focal dystonia patients showed cortical thickness and gray matter (GM) volume differences (ie, decreased in NTSD, increased in TSD) in frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortical regions; basal ganglia; thalamus; hippocampus; and amygdala. Cerebellar atrophy was found in NTSD patients relative to controls. WM damage was more severe and widespread in task‐specific relative to NTSD patients. TSD patients receiving BoNT, relative to nontreated patients, had cortical thickening and increased GM volume in frontoparietal, temporal, and occipital regions. NTSD patients experiencing pain showed cortical thickening of areas involved in pain‐inhibitory mechanisms.ConclusionsTSD and NTSD are characterized by opposite alterations of the main cortical and subcortical sensorimotor and cognitive‐controlling brain structures, suggesting the possible presence of different pathophysiological and/or compensatory mechanisms underlying the complexity of the two clinical phenotypes of focal dystonia. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Diamond in medical devices and sensors: An overview of diamond surfaces
Authors: Mani Nour , Rifai Aaqil , Houshyar Shadi , Booth Marsilea A. , Fox Kate 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSignificant challenges arise when the human body is damaged, diseased and unable to repair itself. Current biomaterials for biomedical devices have limitations to restore function, while materials for implants and sensors often invoke a large foreign body response. Therefore, there is a need to develop suitable biomaterials in the fields of medical devices and sensors. Diamond is emerging due to its many favourable properties including biocompatibility, antimicrobial capability, antifouling properties, electrical conductivity and chemical functionalization capability. Thin film coatings of diamond can be fabricated by chemical vapour deposition, or by particle coatings with nanodiamond materials. Hybrid/composite diamond materials include soft materials such as those processed by electrospinning and melt extrusion, as well as hard materials such as those processed by additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is a developing area for diamond biomaterial fabrication and can include both hard and soft materials. The fabrication method used will depend on the properties required of the biomaterial, as well as the application. In this mini‐review, recent progress on using diamond in medical devices and sensors is outlined, with particular emphasis on fabrication methods. We highlight selected applications from recent literature and, in closing, make comments and suggestions to advance the field and direction of diamond application in medical devices and sensors.
Alerting of hectometric turbulence features atHongKongInternationalAirport using a short‐rangeLIDAR
Authors: Hon Kai‐Kwong , Chan Pak‐Wai 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSmall‐scale, fast‐evolving airflow disturbances, possibly due to upstream building clusters, are known to affect aircraft landing at corridor 25RA of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), China, under southerly or southwesterly winds. The paper presents a new algorithm, based on the concept of coherent integrated differential velocity (CIDV), for the automatic alerting of such hectometric (scale of hundreds of metres) turbulence features using short‐range LIDAR (SRL) scans at 30 m radial resolution and an observation frequency of around every 20 s by Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). The CIDV identifies the cumulative effect of coherent patches of radial velocity changes occurring along the landing flight path by comparing two consecutive sub‐minute SRL scans. Verification was conducted between June and September 2017 against a selection of relevant pilot reports, with a positive skill level observed over the whole range of the CIDV thresholds considered. When simulating a realistic setting where the SRL would issue alerts in conjunction with HKO's operational Windshear and Turbulence Warning System (WTWS), the CIDV algorithm would bring a gain in hit rate between 5% and 25%, with a corresponding increase in alert duration between 0.4% and 20%. The chosen CIDV threshold of 0.4 m·s−1nautical mile (nm) can be physically interpreted as an average radial velocity change of 4.0 m·s−1sustained over a distance of < 200 m (or between 2 and 3 s of flight), which agrees with reported values of crosswind changes considered significant for a landing aircraft and also pilots’ perception of the characteristics of such events.
Modeling Diet‐Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rodents
Authors: Leonardi Bianca F. , Gosmann Grace , Zimmer Aline R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractStandardized animal models represent one of the most valuable tools available to understand the mechanism underlying the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to seek for new therapeutic strategies. However, there is considerable variability in the studies conducted with this essential purpose. This review presents an updated discussion of the most recent studies using diverse experimental conditions to induce MetS in rodents with unbalanced diets, discusses the key findings in metabolic outcomes, and critically evaluates what we have been learned from them and how to advance in the field. The study includes scientific reports sourced from the Web of Science and PubMed databases, published between January 2013 and June 2020, which used hypercaloric diets to induce metabolic disorders, and address the impact of the diet on metabolic parameters. The collected data are used as support to discuss variables such as sex, species, and age of the animals, the most favorable type of diet, and the ideal diet length to generate metabolic changes. The experimental characteristics propose herein improve the performance of a preclinical model that resembles the human MetS and will guide researchers to investigate new therapeutic alternatives with confidence and higher translational validity.
Multi‐resonators, microwave microfluidic sensor for liquid characterization
Authors: Abduljabar Ali A. , Hamzah Hayder , Porch Adrian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a new type of microwave microfluidic sensor is presented, using three separate half wave microstrip resonators with a common junction. The sensor comprises three parallel resonators with resonant frequencies of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 GHz. This sensor exhibits all the usual advantages of microwave resonant methods for dielectric liquid characterization, such as high precision, accuracy, and sensitivity, but here also over a wideband of frequencies. The resonators have common input and output ports. The sensor was tested using several types of liquids, including water, methanol, ethanol, and chloroform, and experimental results are in excellent agreement with the simulation results.
Novel dielectric waveguide filter using isosceles right‐angled triangular resonators
Authors: Huang Zhengwei , Cheng Yong , Liu Yuanjian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA novel dielectric waveguide filter based on isosceles right‐angled triangular (RAT) resonators is presented in this letter. By connecting the vertices of four isosceles RAT waveguide cavities, a square fourth‐order cross‐coupled waveguide bandpass filter is formed. The presented filter uses the partition wall and shallow blind hole to realize positive coupling and the deep blind hole to realize negative coupling. Moreover, the filter facilitates debugging and testing by setting the debugging blind hole on one side of the waveguide and setting the feed blind hole on the opposite side. The design, analysis, and simulation of the physical model of the filter are discussed. The fabricated filter has a center frequency of 3.5 GHz, relative bandwidth of 5%, insertion loss of less than 1 dB, in‐band return loss of more than 15 dB, and two out‐of‐band transmission zeros at 3.27 and 3.65 GHz.