bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A fully coupled multiphase model for infrared‐convective drying of sweet potato
Authors: Onwude Daniel I , Hashim Norhashila , Chen Guangnan , Putranto Aditya , Udoenoh Nsikak R 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDCombined infrared (CIR) and convective drying is a promising technology in dehydrating heat‐sensitive foods, such as fruits and vegetables. This novel thermal drying method, which involves the application of infrared energy and hot air during a drying process, can drastically enhance energy efficiency and improve overall product quality at the end of the process. Understanding the dynamics of what goes on inside the product during drying is important for further development, optimization, and upscaling of the drying method. In this study, a multiphase porous media model considering liquid water, gases, and solid matrix was developed for the CIR and hot‐air drying (HAD) of sweet potato slices in order to capture the relevant physics and obtain an in‐depth insight on the drying process. The model was simulated using Matlab with user‐friendly graphical user interface for easy coupling and faster computational time.RESULTSThe gas pressure for CIR‐HAD was higher centrally and decreased gradually towards the surface of the product. This implies that drying force is stronger at the product core than at the product surface. A phase change from liquid water to vapour occurs almost immediately after the start of the drying process for CIR‐HAD. The evaporation rate, as expected, was observed to increase with increased drying time. Evaporation during CIR‐HAD increased with increasing distance from the centreline of the sample surface. The simulation results of water and vapour flux revealed that moisture transport around the surfaces and sides of the sample is as a result of capillary diffusion, binary diffusion, and gas pressure in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The nonuniform dominant infrared heating caused the heterogeneous distribution of product temperature. These results suggest that CIR‐HAD of food occurs in a non‐uniform manner with high vapour and water concentration gradient between the product core and the surface.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides in‐depth insight into the physics and phase changes of food during CIR‐HAD. The multiphase model has the advantage that phase change and impact of CIR‐HAD operating parameters can be swiftly quantified. Such a modelling approach is thereby significant for further development and process optimization of CIR‐HAD towards industrial upscaling. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Aldehyde oxidase assay by capillary electrophoresis: From off‐line, online up to immobilized enzyme reactor
Authors: Huang Shengyun , Celá Andrea , Adams Erwin , Glatz Zdenĕk , Van Schepdael Ann 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCapillary electrophoresis is a modern separation technique characterized by many benefits, which qualify it also for enzyme assays and the study of enzyme kinetics during drug development. Homogeneous or heterogeneous approaches can be followed for the enzymatic incubation. In this study, an immobilization procedure of aldehyde oxidase on magnetic particles was developed considering their integration with capillary electrophoresis. A number of magnetic nano/microparticle types were tested for this purpose, showing that aldehyde oxidase was most active when immobilized on bare silica magnetic nanoparticles. Primarily, the reusability of the enzyme immobilized on bare silica nanoparticles was tested. Three consecutive incubations with substrate could be performed, but the activity considerably dropped after the first incubation. One reason could be an enzyme detachment from the nanoparticles, but no release was detected neither at 4°C nor at 37°C during 5 h. The drop in enzymatic activity observed in consecutive incubations, could also be due to inactivation of the enzyme over time at given temperature. For the immobilized enzyme stored at 4°C, the activity decreased to 83% after 5 h, in contrast with a steep decrease at 37°C to 37%.
Dexmedetomidine ameliorates postoperative cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting Toll‐like receptor 4 signaling in aged mice
Authors: Zhou Xue‐Yue , Liu Jing , Xu Zhi‐Peng , Fu Qiang , Wang Pei‐Qi , Wang Jing‐Hua , Zhang Hong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOur study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the improvement of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) by dexmedetomidine (DEX). BV2 microglia cells were cultured under normal condition, DEX exposure (0.1 μg/mL), and lipopolysacchride (LPS) treatment (0.1 μg/mL) or with pretreatment of DEX before LPS incubation. For BV2 microglia cells, LPS induced markedly increased release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐1β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α]) and expressions of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), while DEX pretreatment inhibited the LPS‐induced production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and expressions of TLR4 and NF‐κB. The spatial memory function was impaired in the aged mice following partial hepatectomy since the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of crossings over the former platform location were reduced. Pretreatment of DEX may attenuate neuroinflammation and improve POCD in aged mice through inhibiting the TLR4‐NF‐κB signaling pathway in the hippocampus.
Aberrant X chromosomal rearrangement through multi‐step template switching during sister chromatid formation in a patient with severe hemophilia A
Authors: Tokoro Mahiru , Tamura Shogo , Suzuki Nobuaki , Kakihara Misaki , Hattori Yuna , Odaira Koya , Suzuki Sachiko , Takagi Akira , Katsumi Akira , Hayakawa Fumihiko , Okamoto Shuichi , Suzuki Atsuo , Kanematsu Takeshi , Matsushita Tadashi , Kojima Tetsuhito 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundHemophilia A (HA) is an X‐linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by pathogenic variants of the coagulation factor VIII gene (F8). Half of the patients with severe HA have a recurrent inversion in the X chromosome, that is, F8 intron 22 or intron 1 inversion. Here, we characterized an abnormal F8 due to atypical complex X chromosome rearrangements in a Japanese patient with severe HA.MethodsRecurrent F8 inversions were tested with inverse shifting‐PCR. The genomic structure was investigated using PCR‐based direct sequencing or quantitative PCR.ResultsThe proband's X chromosome had a 119.5 kb insertion, a reverse duplex of an extragenic sequence on the F8 telomere region into the F8 intron 1 with two breakpoints. The telomeric breakpoint was a joining from the F8 intron 1 to the inverted FUNDC2 via a two‐base microhomology, and the centromeric breakpoint was a recombination between F8 intron 1 homologous sequences. The rearrangement mechanism was suggested as a multi‐step rearrangement with template switching such as fork stalling and template switching (FoSTeS)/microhomology‐mediated break‐induced replication (MMBIR) and/or homologous sequence‐associated recombination during a sister chromatid formation.ConclusionWe identified the aberrant X chromosome with a split F8 due to a multi‐step rearrangement in a patient with severe HA.
Exercise Training Alters Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Desaturase Indices and Adipose Tissue Fatty Acid Profile in African Women with Obesity
Authors: Nono Nankam Pamela A. , Mendham Amy E. , van Jaarsveld Paul J. , Adams Kevin , Fortuin‐de Smidt Melony C. , Clamp Louise , Blüher Matthias , Goedecke Julia H. 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveThis study assessed the changes in red blood cell total phospholipid (RBC‐TPL) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) fatty acid (FA) composition in response to 12 weeks of exercise training in South African women with obesity and the associations with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors.MethodsPreviously sedentary women were randomized into control (n = 15) or exercise (n = 20) groups. RBC‐TPL and SAT FA profiles, SAT gene expression, systemic inflammatory markers, liver fat, and insulin sensitivity (SI) were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsCompared with control, exercise training induced decreases in RBC‐TPL dihomo‐γ‐linolenic acid content and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 and increased delta‐5 desaturase–estimated activity (P < 0.05). In the combined group, these changes correlated with changes in circulating leptin and TNFα (P < 0.05), as well as lower liver fat (P < 0.01). Exercise training decreased saturated FA (lauric and myristic acids) and increased polyunsaturated FA (eicosadienoic and adrenic acids) (P < 0.05) in abdominal SAT, whereas γ‐linolenic acid decreased (P < 0.01) in gluteal SAT. These changes in RBC‐TPL and SAT FA compositions were not associated with changes in SAT gene expression and SI.ConclusionsExercise training alters RBC‐TPL desaturase activities, which correlate with lower liver fat and systemic inflammation but not with the improvement of SI.
Associations of a Panel of Adipokines with Fat Deposits and Metabolic Phenotypes in a General Population
Authors: Fischer Julian , Völzke Henry , Kassubek Jan , Müller Hans‐Peter , Kühn Jens‐Peter , Nauck Matthias , Friedrich Nele , Zylla Stephanie 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveThis study provides a comprehensive overview of the associations of five adipokines (adiponectin, chemerin, galectin‐3, leptin, and resistin) with fat deposits, behavioral risk factors, and metabolic phenotypes.MethodsUsing multivariable linear and logistic regression models, cross‐sectional data from 4,116 participants of the population‐based Study of Health in Pomerania were analyzed.ResultsParticipants with obesity showed higher chemerin, galectin‐3, and leptin but showed lower adiponectin concentrations. Independently of other fat compounds, liver fat content, visceral adipose tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were inversely associated with adiponectin. Independent positive associations of liver fat content and SAT with chemerin as well as of SAT with galectin‐3 and leptin were observed. Physically inactive participants had higher chemerin and leptin concentrations. Smokers had higher chemerin and galectin‐3 as well as lower leptin. Alcohol consumption was associated with adiponectin (positive) and resistin (inverse). All adipokines were associated with at least one lipid marker. Associations with glucose metabolism were seen for adiponectin, chemerin, galectin‐3, and leptin.ConclusionsHigh adiponectin concentrations were related to favorable metabolic conditions, whereas high chemerin, galectin‐3, and leptin were associated with an unfavorable metabolic profile. High leptin seems to be primarily indicative of obesity, whereas high adiponectin and chemerin are associated with a broader range of metabolic phenotypes.
A simple and efficient Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression system to dissect molecular processes in Brassica rapa and Brassica napus
Authors: Mooney Brian C. , Graciet Emmanuelle 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe family Brassicaceae is a source of important crop species, including Brassica napus (oilseed rape), Brassica oleracea, and B. rapa, that is used globally for oil production or as a food source (e.g., pak choi or turnip). However, despite advances in recent years, including genome sequencing, a lack of established tools tailored to the study of Brassica crop species has impeded efforts to understand their molecular processes in greater detail. Here, we describe the use of a simple Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression system adapted to B. rapa and B. napus that could facilitate study of molecular and biochemical events in these species. We also demonstrate the use of this method to characterize the N‐degron pathway of protein degradation in B. rapa. The N‐degron pathway is a subset of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system and represents a mechanism through which proteins may be targeted for degradation based on the identity of their N‐terminal amino acid residue. Interestingly, N‐degron‐mediated processes in plants have been implicated in the regulation of traits with potential agronomic importance, including the responses to pathogens and to abiotic stresses such as flooding tolerance. The stability of transiently expressed N‐degron reporter proteins in B. rapa indicates that its N‐degron pathway is highly conserved with that of Arabidopsis thaliana. These findings highlight the utility of Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression in B. rapa and B. napus and establish a framework to investigate the N‐degron pathway and its roles in regulating agronomical traits in these species.Significance statementWe describe an Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression system applicable to Brassica crops and demonstrate its utility by identifying the destabilizing residues of the N‐degron pathway in B. rapa. As the N‐degron pathway functions as an integrator of environmental signals, this study could facilitate efforts to improve the robustness of Brassica crops.
Reduced KLK2 expression is a strong and independent predictor of poor prognosis in ERG‐negative prostate cancer
Authors: Bonk Sarah , Kluth Martina , Jansen Kristina , Hube‐Magg Claudia , Makrypidi‐Fraune Georgia , Höflmayer Doris , Weidemann Sören , Möller Katharina , Uhlig Ria , Büscheck Franziska , Luebke Andreas M. , Burandt Eike , Clauditz Till S. , Steurer Stefan , Schlomm Thorsten , Huland Hartwig , Heinzer Hans , Sauter Guido , Simon Ronald , Dum David 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundKallikrein‐related peptidase 2 (KLK2)—like KLK3 (prostate‐specific antigen [PSA])—belongs to the highly conserved serine proteases of the glandular kallikrein protein family (KLK family). Studies suggested that measurement of KLK2 serum levels advanced the predictive accuracy of PSA testing in prostate cancer.MethodsTo clarify the potential utility of KLK2 as a prognostic tissue biomarker, KLK2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in more than 12 000 prostate cancers.ResultsNormal epithelium cells usually showed weak to moderate KLK2 immunostaining, whereas KLK2 was negative in 23%, weak in 38%, moderate in 35%, and strong in 4% of 9576 analyzable cancers. Lost or reduced KLK2 immunostaining was associated with advanced tumor stage, high Gleason score, lymph node metastasis, increased cell proliferation, positive resection margin, and early PSA recurrence (P < .0001). Comparison with previously analyzed molecular alterations revealed a strong association of KLK2 loss and presence of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion (P < .0001), most of all analyzed common deletions (9 of 11; P ≤ .03), and decreased PSA immunostaining (P < .0001 each). Cancers with combined negative or weak immunostaining of KLK2 and PSA showed worse prognosis than cancers with at least moderate staining of one or both proteins (P < .0001). Multivariate analyses including established preoperative and postoperative prognostic parameters showed a strong independent prognostic impact of KLK2 loss alone or in combination of PSA, especially in erythroblast transformation‐specific‐negative cancers (P ≤ .006).ConclusionsLoss of KLK2 expression is a potentially useful prognostic marker in prostate cancer. Analysis of KLK2 alone or in combination with PSA may be useful for estimating cancer aggressiveness at the time of biopsy.
Beyond skill scores: exploring sub‐seasonal forecast value through a case‐study of French month‐ahead energy prediction
Authors: Dorrington Joshua , Finney Isla , Palmer Tim , Weisheimer Antje 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe quantify the value of sub‐seasonal forecasts for a real‐world prediction problem: the forecasting of French month‐ahead energy demand. Using surface temperature as a predictor, we construct a trading strategy and assess the financial value of using meteorological forecasts, based on actual energy demand and price data. We show that forecasts with lead times greater than two weeks can have value for this application, both on their own and in conjunction with shorter‐range forecasts, especially during boreal winter. We consider a cost/loss framework based on this example, and show that, while it captures the performance of the short‐range forecasts well, it misses the marginal value present in medium‐range forecasts. We also contrast our assessment of forecast value to that given by traditional skill scores, which we show could be misleading if used in isolation. We emphasise the importance of basing assessment of forecast skill on variables actually used by end‐users.
Task allocation and trajectory planning for multiple agents in the presence of obstacle and connectivity constraints with mixed‐integer linear programming
Authors: Afonso Rubens J.M. , Maximo Marcos R.O.A. , Galvão Roberto K.H. 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThis article addresses the problem of maneuvering multiple agents that must visit a number of target sets, while enforcing connectivity constraints and avoiding obstacle as well as interagent collisions. The tool to cope with the problem is a formulation of model predictive control including binary decision variables. In this regard, two mixed‐integer linear programming formulations are presented, considering a trade‐off between optimality and scalability between them. Simulation results are also shown to illustrate the main features of the proposed approaches.
Minor Biomass Particle Size for an Efficient Cellulose Accessibility and Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Authors: Fernandes Érika S. , Bueno Danilo , Pagnocca Fernando C. , Brienzo Michel 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSugarcane bagasse is a recalcitrance lignocellulosic material with difficult to structure disorganize and it has low cellulose accessibility, negatively influencing the enzymatic saccharification. This study identified the minor particle size that resulted in the efficient diluted acid pretreatment (10 % m/m, 121 °C/30 min) of sugarcane bagasse and a more recalcitrant material, that is external fraction (2 to 3 mm from the extremity, containing epidermis). Particle sizes were obtained by sieving sugarcane bagasse at 16 (1 mm), 24 (0.710 mm), 35 (0.425 mm), 60 (0.250 mm) and <60 mesh (<0.250 mm) on a sieve agitator. The decrease of the particle sizes led to an increase of cellulose accessibility. Both of the samples showed high accessibility after the pretreatment due to the particle size decrease. Accordingly, there was a better enzyme action, what increased the glucose yield with samples lower than 0.425 mm (35 mesh).
The Functionality of Ion Exchange Resins for Esterification, Transesterification and Hydrogenation Reactions
Authors: Osazuwa Osarieme Uyi , Abidin Sumaiya Zainal 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIon exchange resins (IER) possess a catalytically flexible structure which enables them to be easily applied for renewable energy production and environmentally friendly reactions. More specifically, they can be used as catalyst or catalyst support in other industrialized processes such as; esterification, transesterification and hydrogenation reactions. Several works on esterification, transesterification and hydrogenation reactions are in literature. This study reviews some of these works which includes the utilization of IER in esterification, transesterification and hydrogenation reactions. Recent reports show that IER are conventionally used as catalyst in esterification and transesterification reactions. For hydrogenation reactions, IER have been utilized as support for metallic catalyst, raising questions on their inability to be applied as catalyst. Hence, this study has itemized these various reactions, detailing their applications which are highly industrialized reaction processes.
COVID‐19: Emergence of Infectious Diseases, Nanotechnology Aspects, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Gupta Akanksha , Kumar Sanjay , Kumar Ravinder , Choudhary Ashish Kumar , Kumari Kamlesh , Singh Prashant , Kumar Vinod 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWuhan, a city of China, is the epicenter for the pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19). It has become a severe public health challenge to the world and established a public health emergency of international worry. This infectious disease has pulled down the economy of almost all top developed nations. The coronaviruses (CoVs) known for various epidemics caused time to time. Infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS), followed by COVID‐19, are all coronaviruses led outbreaks that scourged the history of mankind. CoVs evolved themselves to more infectious, transmissible, and more pandemic with time. To prevent the spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2, many countries have ordered the complete lockdown to combat the outbreak. This paper briefly discussed the historical background of CoVs and the evolution of human coronaviruses (HCoVs), the case studies and the development of their antiviral medications. The viral infection encountered with present‐day challenges and futuristic approaches with the help of nanotechnology to minimize the spread of infectious viruses. The antiviral drugs and their clinical advances, along with herbal medicines for viral inhibition and immunity boosters, are described. Elaboration of tables related to CoVs for the compilation of the literature has been adopted for the better understanding.
Electrophilicities of 4‐Nitrobenzochalcogenadiazoles
Authors: Salah Saida Ben , Necibi Feriel , Goumont Régis , Boubaker Taoufik 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThrough the linear free energy relationship log k=sN (N + E), the electrophilicity parameters E of 4‐nitrobenzochalcogenadiazoles 1 a and 1 b have been determined, at 20 °C, by kinetic investigations of their electrophilic addition reactions to a series of nitroalkyl anions 2 a‐c in aqueous solution. The derived E‐parameters of electrophiles 1 a (E=‐12.80) and 1 b (E=‐11.46) have been integrated into the electrophilicity scale established by Mayr. Interestingly the less activated compound (1 a) has an E value which is practically the same as that of the 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene (E=‐13.19), the common reference aromatic electrophile. Mayr's approach was found to predict the rate constants for σ‐complexation reactions of our electrophiles 1 a and 1 b with aniline and 4‐chloroaniline in acetonitrile with a factor of 10−36. Good linear correlation (r2=0.9979) between the electrophilicity parameters E of 4,6‐dinitrobenzochalcogenadiazoles 3 a‐c and E values of their analogously 4‐nitrobenzochalcogenadiazoles 1 a‐c has been found and analysed. Furthermore, effect of basicity of nitronate anions 2 a‐c on their nucleophilic reactivity has also been examined quantitatively on the basis of kinetic data. Imbalance effect is suggested to be responsible for the finding of an inequality between the Brønsted αelec and βnuc values.
Synthesis of Functionalized 1‐Aryl‐3‐phenylthiazolylpropanoids and Their Potential as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Nana Frédéric , Kuete Victor , Zaharia Valentin , Ngameni Bathelemy , Sandjo Louis P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNatural products have inspired the development of multiple‐target anticancer agents. To reach this goal, preparation of hybrid molecules was adopted as a recent approach to target and affect both sensitive and resistant cells. In the continuation of the search for potent anticancer agents, nine thiazole‐based chalcones were prepared. Their cytotoxic activities were evaluated against twenty cancer cell lines and against the normal cell line AML12 hepatocytes. The key steps of these syntheses involved Hantzsch, Sommelet, and Claisen‐Schmidt reactions. Julia‐Colonna reaction was used to achieve the epoxidation of the double bond. The products were purified by chromatographic techniques and were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Cytotoxicity assays were performed by rezasurin reduction test. Compounds 4–10 showed promising cytotoxic activities. 4 and 7 were the most cytotoxic with IC50 values lower than 1 μM against seven and two cancer cell lines, respectively. This study disclosed a new series of potential anticancer agents among which 4 and 7 deserve further investigation to develop drug for sensitive and multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer.