bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence that cultural food practices of Adi women in Arunachal Pradesh, India, improve social-ecological resilience: insights for Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Singh Ranjay K. , Kumar Arvind , Singh Anshuman , Singhal Poonam 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Sustainable use of biocultural diversity can help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in many ways. The tribal communities of bio-culturally rich Northeastern India rely heavily on local food resources and knowledge for livelihood security. In this study with Adi women of East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India, we aimed to understand (i) access and use patterns for biocultural plants and animal species from diverse ecosystems and (ii) species diversity and conservation strategies deployed by Adis. We employed a novel participatory approach called “recipe contest” to mobilize Adi women from 15 randomly selected remote and transitional villages. Data collected through interviews, focus group discussions and transect walks from 75 women, were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Results
We found that traditional local food was linked intricately with women’s knowledge, access patterns, and socio-cultural institutions. From an end-user perspective, remote Adi villages had more widespread use of plant species (14 as food; 34 as food-cum-ethnomedicine and 13 as income-generating species) and animal (17) as food in remote than in transitional villages. Further, there were significant differences (p < 0.000; 0244 and 0.000, respectively) across the social groups for use of plant- and animal-derived food and ethnomedicine. Among different land use systems (i.e., Jhum lands, home gardens, and morang forests), the highest diversity for food plant was found in home gardens while that for food-cum-ethnomedicinal plants and animal species was observed in morang forests. Adi women apply traditional agronomic, cultural, and harvest strategies, based on local knowledge and institutions and varying with social systems, to conserve their key local resources. Significant correlations (r = 0.63 to 0.92) were seen between conservation and use of food and animal species. Traditional knowledge on these aspects was linked intricately to the socio-cultural milieu and is transmitted inter-generationally through various social institutions.

Conclusions
Cultural food practices, crucial to social-ecological resilience and livelihood security of Adi and similar indigenous communities confronting global environmental challenges, need to be mainstreamed with relevant policies for achieving some targets of SDGs.
Why women are not small men: sex-related differences in perioperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Authors: Thomas G. , West M. A. , Browning M. , Minto G. , Swart M. , Richardson K. , McGarrity L. , Jack S. , Grocott M. P. W. , Levett D. Z. H. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The use of preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to evaluate the risk of adverse perioperative outcomes is increasingly prevalent. CPET-derived information enables personalised perioperative care and enhances shared decision-making. Sex-related differences in physical fitness are reported in non-perioperative literature. However, little attention has been paid to sex-related differences in the context of perioperative CPET.

Aim
We explored differences in the physical fitness variables reported in a recently published multi-centre study investigating CPET before colorectal surgery. We also report the inclusion rate of females in published perioperative CPET cohorts that are shaping guidelines and clinical practice.

Methods
We performed a post hoc analysis of the trial data of 703 patients who underwent CPET prior to major elective colorectal surgery. We also summarised the female inclusion rate in peer-reviewed published reports of perioperative CPET.

Results
Fitness assessed using commonly used perioperative CPET variables—oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak exercise—was significantly higher in males than in females both before and after correction for body weight. In studies contributing to the development of perioperative CPET, 68.5% of the participants were male.

Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe differences between males and females in CPET variables used in a perioperative setting. Furthermore, there is a substantial difference between the inclusion rates of males and females in this field. These findings require validation in larger cohorts and may have significant implications for both sexes in the application of CPET in the perioperative setting.
18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid induces human HaCaT keratinocytes apoptosis through ROS-mediated PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and ameliorates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice
Authors: Gao Jintao , Guo Junfan , Nong Yuejuan , Mo Wenfei , Fang Huanan , Mi Jing , Qi Qi , Yang Mengjuan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2–3% of the population worldwide. Hyperproliferative keratinocytes were thought to be an amplifier of inflammatory response, thereby sustaining persistence of psoriasis lesions. Agents with the ability to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation or induce apoptosis are potentially useful for psoriasis treatment. 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), an active metabolite of glycyrrhizin, exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacteria and anti-proliferation. The current study aims to evaluate the effects of GA on the proliferation and apoptosis of human HaCaT keratinocytes in vitro and investigate the effects of GA on the skin lesions of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model in vivo.

Methods
Cell viability was assayed by CCK-8. Flow cytometry was performed to measure apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS), with Annexin V-FITC/PI detection kit and DCFH-DA probe respectively. Caspase 9/3 activities were measured using caspase activity assay kits. The protein levels of Akt and p-Akt were determined using Western blotting. IMQ was applied to induce psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice. The histological change in mouse skin lesions was detected using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The severity of skin lesions was scored based on Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). RT-PCR was employed to examine the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-22 and IL-17A in mouse skin lesions.

Results
GA decreased HaCaT keratinocytes viability and induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of GA, intracellular ROS levels were significantly elevated. NAC, a ROS inhibitor, attenuated GA-mediated HaCaT keratinocytes growth inhibition and apoptosis. In addition, GA treatment remarkably decreased p-Akt protein level, which could be restored partially when cells were co-treated with GA and NAC. LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) treatment significantly enhanced GA-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, GA ameliorated IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice.

Conclusions
GA inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in HaCaT keratinocytes through ROS-mediated inhibition of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and ameliorates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice.
UHPLC-MS/MS profiling of histidine and bile acid metabolism in human gastric fluid for diagnosis of gastric diseases
Authors: Lee Wonwoong , Um Jinhee , Ko Keon-hee , Lee Yong Chan , Chung Bong Chul , Hong Jongki 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBile acids (BAs) are synthesized in the liver and can mediate homeostasis and various metabolism processes in the human body. Their levels in the gastrointestinal tract are closely related to various gastrointestinal diseases. In particular, farnesoid X receptor activated by free BAs is associated with overexpression of histidine decarboxylase in tumorigenesis. Therefore, comprehensive profiling of histamine (HIST), histidine (His), and BAs in biological samples can provide insight into the pathological mechanisms of gastrointestinal diseases. However, development of an analytical platform to profile HIST, His, and BAs in biological samples has several challenges such as highly different polarities between acidic and basic targets, low physiological concentrations of analytes, and high matrix interference of biological samples. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method combined with serial derivatization was developed to simultaneously determine HIST, His, and 5 BAs (cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, and lithocholic acid) in human gastric fluid. In serial derivatization, benzoyl chloride (BzCl) and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (DMED) were used to selectively derivatize amino and carboxyl groups of analytes, respectively. After serial derivatization, all target derivatives were determined using a reverse-phase C18 LC column and positive multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, with reasonable chromatographic separation and sensitive MS detection. To accurately quantify target metabolites, 7 stable isotope-labeled internal standards were used. The MS/MS spectra of DMED and Bz derivatives exhibited specific fragments via loss of a neutral molecule (dimethylamine; 45 Da) and inductive cleavage (benzoyl; m/z 105) from protonated molecules, enabling selection of appropriate MRM transition ions for selective and sensitive detection. The developed method was validated with respect to limits of detection and quantification, linearity, precision, accuracy, stability, and matrix effect. The established method was successfully applied to human gastric fluid samples. This method provides reliable quantification of HIST, His, and BAs in human gastric fluid and will be helpful to understand pathophysiological mechanisms of gastric diseases.
The failure of two major formaldehyde catabolism enzymes (ADH5 and ALDH2) leads to partial synthetic lethality in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Nakamura Jun , Holley Darcy W. , Kawamoto Toshihiro , Bultman Scott J. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Exogenous formaldehyde is classified by the IARC as a Category 1 known human carcinogen. Meanwhile, a significant amount of endogenous formaldehyde is produced in the human body; as such, formaldehyde-derived DNA and protein adducts have been detected in animals and humans in the absence of major exogenous formaldehyde exposure. However, the toxicological effects of endogenous formaldehyde on individuals with normal DNA damage repair functions are not well understood. In this study, we attempted to generate C57BL/6 mice deficient in both Adh5 and Aldh2, which encode two major enzymes that metabolize endogenous formaldehyde, in order to understand the effects of endogenous formaldehyde on mice with normal DNA repair function.

Results
Due to deficiencies in both ADH5 and ALDH2, few mice survived past post-natal day 21. In fact, the survival of pups within the first few days after birth was significantly decreased. Remarkably, two Aldh2−/−/Adh5−/− mice survived for 25 days after birth, and we measured their total body weight and organ weights. The body weight of Aldh2−/−/Adh5−/− mice decreased significantly by almost 37% compared to the Aldh2−/−/Adh5+/− and Aldh2−/−/Adh5+/+ mice of the same litter. In addition, the absolute weight of each organ was also significantly reduced.

Conclusion
Mice deficient in both formaldehyde-metabolizing enzymes ADH5 and ALDH2 were found to develop partial synthetic lethality and mortality shortly after birth. This phenotype may be due to the accumulation of endogenous formaldehyde. No serious phenotype has been reported in people with dysfunctional, dominant-negative ALDH2*2 alleles, but it has been reported that they may be highly susceptible to osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases. It is important to further investigate these diseases in individuals with ALDH2*2 alleles, including an association with decreased metabolism, and thus accumulation, of formaldehyde.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis in north-central Ethiopia: trend, clinical forms, geographic distribution, and determinants
Authors: Eshetu Belayneh , Mamo Hassen 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), being among the neglected tropical diseases, catches little attention despite its considerable influence. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence and associated factors of CL in Boru Meda Hospital, Dessie town, north-central Ethiopia.

Methods
Medical records of patients who attended the Dermatology Department of the Hospital in 2012–May 2018 were assessed. In addition, dermatological patients who were visiting the hospital during the data collection period (November 2017–May 2018) were interviewed to capture socio-demographic, environmental variables, and related factors. The source population was individuals who visited the hospital for skin problems in the stated years and CL positives were the targets. The association between CL and its determinants was tested by logistic regression.

Results
CL prevalence was 1.5% showing increasing trend with the year of examination. Localized, diffused, and mucosal CL was evident across the years. Dessie town had the highest prevalence, 291 (32.8%) patients out of 888 cases. The number of examined (29,701) and positives (543, 1.8%) for males was comparable with females, 28,459 and 345 (1.2%), respectively, increasing with age but without significant difference. Dessie town residence (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 12.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–18.6, p = 0.01), no bed net (AOR 9.9, 95% CI 2.7–16.7, p < 0.01), nearby irrigation (AOR 8.1, 95% CI 1.9–12.4, p < 0.01), and travel to CL endemic areas (AOR 13.9, 95% CI 4.4–14.3, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with CL.

Conclusion
CL is a growing health problem in Dessie and its surroundings. Known risk factors prevail. Comprehensive parasitological, entomological, and social studies are warranted to better manage the disease.
Complimentary code keying of spectral amplitude coding signals in optical buffering with increased capacity
Authors: Chen Kai-Sheng , Hong Wien 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSignal buffering services such as contention resolution and congestion avoidance are essential in optical packet switching networks. In this paper, an optical memory scheme based on spectral amplitude coding (SAC) and complementary code keying (CCK) is proposed to increase the buffer capacity. CCK is applied to packet buffering by selecting an available code set and encoding the payload bits with either an SAC signal or its complementarity. The capacity constraint is effectively released, as the usable codes for queuing packets are twice those for the conventional code-domain buffers. To minimize system costs by reducing the codec number, a shared structure based on an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), which is capable of processing both the typical and complimentary coded signals simultaneously, is also investigated.
Ultrasound-driven piezoelectric current activates spinal cord neurocircuits and restores locomotion in rats with spinal cord injury
Authors: Li Shuai , Alam Monzurul , Ahmed Rakib Uddin , Zhong Hui , Wang Xiao-Yun , Ng Serena , Zheng Yong-Ping 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Neuromodulation via electrical stimulation (ES) is a common technique to treat numerous brain and spinal cord related neurological conditions. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of piezoelectric stimulation (pES) by a custom miniature piezostimulator to activate the spinal cord neurocircuit in comparison with conventional epidural ES in rats.

Methods
Stimulation electrodes were implanted on L2 and S1 spinal cord and were connected to a head-plug for ES, and a piezostimulator for pES. EMG electrodes were implanted into hindlimb muscles. To generate piezoelectric current, an ultrasound beam was delivered by an external ultrasound probe. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded during the piezoelectric stimulation and compared with the signals generated by the ES.

Results
Our results suggest that ultrasound intensity as low as 0.1 mW/cm2 could induce MEPs in the hindlimbs. No significant difference was found either in MEPs or in muscle recruitments for ES and pES. Similar to ES, pES induced by 22.5 mW/cm2 ultrasound restored locomotion in paralyzed rats with complete thoracic cord injury. Locomotion EMG signals indicated that pES works same as ES.

Conclusion
We propose piezoelectric stimulation as a new avenue of neuromodulation with features overtaking conventional electrical stimulation to serve future bioelectronic medicine.
Influence of foliar application with putrescine, salicylic, and ascorbic acid on the productivity and physical and chemical fruit properties of Picual olive trees
Authors: Hagagg Laila F. , Abd-Alhamid Nazmy , Hassan Hassan S. A. , Hassan Ahmed M. , Geanidy Esmail A. E. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background and objective
Olive tree is very popular in the Mediterranean area because of its fruits and oil yields. Both of them are worldwide known by their beneficial health properties. Salicylic acid is naturally occurring as phenolic compound and endogenously synthesized as signaling molecule in plants and influences various physiological and biochemical functions in plants. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant molecule and a key substrate for the detoxification of ROS. Putrescine participates in several processes of plant growth and development. Putrescine participates in several processes of plant growth and development. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the best concentrations of these substances to improve olive fruits yield and its chemical and physical properties.

Materials and methods
The field experiment was conducted during two seasons of 2017 and 2018 on adult olive trees of Picual cv. (8 years old) in a private orchard located in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of foliar application with different concentrations of putrescine, salicylic, and ascorbic, in two dates of November and December. The effect of different concentrations and dates of spray under the conditions of the saline irrigation water (4.40 ds m−1) were evaluated on the fruit yield, fruit physical characteristics and fruit chemical properties of olive trees of Picual cv.

Results
In this study, all treatments were able to improve all studied characters compared with the control treatment in both spraying dates of November and December in both seasons, respectively. Moreover, the best yield of olive fruits in this study was recorded with the application of putrescine at 15 ppm + salicylic at 200 ppm + ascorbic at 2000 ppm in the first and second seasons, respectively.

Conclusion
Spraying Picual olive trees with putrescine, salicylic, and ascorbic acid in this study under the conditions of the saline irrigation water (4.40 ds m−1) was able to improve fruit yield and fruit physical and chemical properties of olive trees of Picual cv. compared with the control treatment in both spraying dates
Convergence analysis and parity conservation of a new form of a quadratic explicit spline with applications to integral equations
Authors: Ferrari Alberto José , Lara Luis Pedro , Santillan Marcus Eduardo Adrian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this study, a new form of a quadratic spline is obtained, where the coefficients are determined explicitly by variational methods. Convergence is studied and parity conservation is demonstrated. Finally, the method is applied to solve integral equations.
Physiologically Based Dissolution Testing in a Drug Development Process—a Case Study of a Successful Application in a Bioequivalence Study of Trazodone ER Formulations Under Fed Conditions
Authors: Danielak Dorota , Milanowski Bartłomiej , Wentowski Krzysztof , Nogowska Maria , Kątny Michał , Rogowski Piotr , Konwicki Łukasz , Puk Ewa , Pieczuro Jarosław , Bawiec Marek , Garbacz Grzegorz , Lulek Janina 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDevelopment of generic extended-release (ER) formulations is challenging. Especially under fed conditions, the risk of failure in bioequivalence trials is high because of long gastric residence times and susceptibility to food effects. We describe the development of a generic trazodone ER formulation that was aided with a biorelevant dissolution evaluation. Trazodone hydrochloride 300-mg monolithic matrix tablets were dissolved both in USP and EMA compliant conditions and in the StressTest device that simulated both physicochemical and mechanical conditions of the gastrointestinal passage. The final formulation was tested against the originator, Trittico XR 300 mg, in a randomized cross-over bioequivalence trial with 44 healthy volunteers, in agreement with EMA guidelines. Initially developed formulations dissolved trazodone similarly to the originator under standard conditions (f2 factor above 50), but their dissolution kinetics differed significantly in the biorelevant tests. The formulation was optimized by the addition of low-viscosity hypromellose and mannitol. The final formulation was approved for the bioequivalence trial. Calculated Cmax were 1.92 ± 0.77 and 1.92 ± 0.63 [μg/mL], AUC0-t were 27.46 ± 8.39 and 29.96 ± 9.09 [μg∙h/mL], and AUC0-∞ were 28.22 ± 8.91 and 30.82 ± 9.41 [μg∙h/mL] for the originator and test formulations, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals of all primary pharmacokinetic parameters fell within the 80–125% range. In summary, biorelevant dissolution tests supported successful development of a generic trazodone ER formulation pharmaceutically equivalent with the originator under fed conditions. Employment of biorelevant dissolution tests may decrease the risk of failure in bioequivalence trials of ER formulations.
Associations of Perfluoroalkyl Substances with Incident Natural Menopause: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation
Authors: Ding Ning , Harlow Siobán D , Randolph John F , Calafat Antonia M , Mukherjee Bhramar , Batterman Stuart , Gold Ellen B , Park Sung Kyun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Context
Previous epidemiologic studies of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and menopausal timing conducted in cross-sectional settings were limited by reverse causation because PFAS serum concentrations increase after menopause.

Objectives
To investigate associations between perfluoroalkyl substances and incident natural menopause.

Design and Setting
A prospective cohort of midlife women, the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, 1999-2017.

Participants
1120 multiracial/ethnic premenopausal women aged 45-56 years.

Methods
Serum concentrations of perfluoroalkyls were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Natural menopause was defined as the bleeding episode prior to at least 12 months of amenorrhea not due to surgery or hormone use. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results
Participants contributed 5466 person-years of follow-up, and 578 had incident natural menopause. Compared with the lowest tertile, women at the highest tertile of baseline serum concentrations had adjusted HR for natural menopause of 1.26 (95% CI: 1.02-1.57) for n-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (n-PFOS) (Ptrend = .03), 1.27 (95% CI: 1.01-1.59) for branched-PFOS (Ptrend = .03), and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.04-1.65) for n-perfluorooctanoic acid (Ptrend = .01). Women were classified into four clusters based on their overall PFAS concentrations as mixtures: low, low–medium, medium–high, and high. Compared with the low cluster, the high cluster had a HR of 1.63 (95% CI: 1.08-2.45), which is equivalent to 2.0 years earlier median time to natural menopause.

Conclusion
This study suggests that select PFAS serum concentrations are associated with earlier natural menopause, a risk factor for adverse health outcomes in later life.