bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tropane alkaloid contamination of agricultural commodities and food products in relation to consumer health: Learnings from the 2019 Uganda food aid outbreak
Authors: Abia Wilfred A. , Montgomery Holly , Nugent Anne P. , Elliott Christopher T. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTropane alkaloids (TAs) are secondary plant metabolites derived mainly from Solanaceae plant families, with the most virulent invasive species beingDatura stramonium.Datura stramoniumcommonly grows in cereal fields and produce TAs (e.g., hyoscyamine and scopolamine) which may accidentally contaminate cereals (and cereal‐based foods) at occasionally high levels. Dietary exposure to TAs can be toxic and depending on the dose ingested can cause outcomes ranging from anticholinergic effects to acute poisoning and death. In 2019, 315 adults became ill and another five adults died in Uganda following consumption of a “Super Cereal” (a fortified blended food) that was later confirmed to be contaminated by TAs—a scenario which provoked this holistic review on TAs in foodstuffs. Thus, this article provides information on the history, development, occurrences, exposures, and human legislative and health benchmarks for TAs. It describes control strategies for reducing TA contamination of agricultural commodities and resultant health implications following consumption of TA contaminated foodstuffs. Adequate application of food safety control measures (including maximum limits) and good practices, from the start of cereal cultivation through to the final stages of manufacturing of food products can aid in the reduction of seeing toxic plants includingD. stramoniumin cereal fields.
Machine learning in classification and identification of nonconventional vegetables
Authors: Ossani Paulo César , de Souza Douglas Correa , Rossoni Diogo Francisco , Resende Luciane Vilela 
Published: November 2020

AbstractVegetables are important in economic, social, and nutritional matters in both the Brazilian and international scenes. Hence, some researches have been carried out in order to encourage the production and consumption of different species such as nonconventional vegetables. These vegetables have an added value because of their nutritional quality and nostalgic appeal due to the reintroduction of these species. For this reason, this article proposes the use of the machine learning technique in the construction of models for supervised classification and identification in an experiment with five leafy special of nonconventional vegetables (Tropaeolum majus, Rumex acetosa, Stachys byzantina, Lactuca cf. indica e Pereskia aculeata) assessing the characteristics of the macro and micro nutrients. In order to evaluate the classifiers’ performance, the cross‐validation procedure via Monte Carlo simulation was considered to confirm the model. In ten replications, the success and error rates were obtained, considering the false positive and false negative rates, sensibility, and accuracy of the classification method. Thus, it was concluded that the use of machine learning is viable because it allows the classification and identification of nonconventional vegetables using few nutritional attributes and obtaining a success rate of over 89% in most of the classifiers tested.
Soy oil conjugated linoleic acid production with solar light photoisomerization
Authors: Gangidi Rahul Reddy 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe objectives were (1) to produce soy oil conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) triacylglycerides in large quantities with solar light photoisomerization, utilizing iodine as a photosensitizer, (2) to study the temperature variation in the photoisomerized oil during various hours of the day, and (3) to study the variations in solar light intensity during various hours of the day. A 0.5% iodine containing soy oil in glass box with a glass lid was photoisomerized, under natural solar light for 0, 11, and 27 days, and CLA isomers were determined with gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. After 27 days of solar light photoisomerization, the cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA; other cis, trans CLA; trans‐10, cis‐12 CLA; trans, trans CLA, and total CLA were found to be 0.62 ± 0.05%, 1.04 ± 0.09%, 0.54 ± 0.11%, 6.16 ± 0.68%, and 8.37 ± 0.90%, respectively. The concentration of CLA isomers between 0 and 11 days was significantly different (p < .05), and the concentration of CLA isomers between 0 and 27 days was also significantly different (p < .05). There is no significant difference (p > .05) in CLA concentration between 11 and 27 days treatment. The CLA was not found in control soy oil samples. The CLA isomers were measured with GDFID in 45 min instead of 120min. The temperature of the edible oil in glass boxes ranged from 26 °C (8 a.m.) to 56 °C (1 p.m.). The light intensity ranged from 4,146 lux (7 p.m.) to 95,490 lux (12 p.m.). Glass lid on the glass box affected light transmission to a small but statistically significant extent (p < .05). The CLA isomers could be energy efficiently and inexpensively produced in soy oil by solar light photoisomerization, at low temperature and without needing expensive reactor vessels or catalysts.Practical ApplicationCLA was produced effectively with the iodine sensitized solar light photoisomerization. CLA is produced in large quantities, inexpensively, for possible food additive applications. Produced CLA is in the form of stable triacylglycerides.
Prediction of fruit quality based on the RGB values of time–temperature indicator
Authors: Yang Jiamin , Xu Yi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTime–temperature indicators (TTIs) are cost‐efficient tools that may be used to predict food quality. In this paper, a diffusion TTI was used to predict fruit quality during storage. Both the color changing characters of TTI and the quality parameters, including weight loss, soluble solids content, vitamin C content, titratable acidity, and antioxidant capacity of three kinds of fruits (kiwifruit, strawberry, and mango), were investigated for storage temperatures (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C). The relationships between the color changing properties and fruit quality parameters have been built based on the activation energy (Ea). The results showed that the storage temperature and time had significant effects on the color changing of TTI and fruit quality. The RGB value of TTI decreased with time, and the higher the storage temperature, the faster the RGB value reduced. Also, the higher the storage temperature, the faster the fruit quality changed and the poorer they were. Furthermore, all of the differences of Ea between TTI color response and fruit quality change are less than 25 kJ/mol, which indicates that the TTI can be used to predict these fruit quality. Finally, prediction models were built and validated based on the RGB values of TTI. It provides the possibility for low‐cost quality monitoring and has more application potential in food quality predicting.Practical ApplicationBy monitoring the color change of diffuse time–temperature indicator (TTI) and the quality change of fruit, the feasibility of TTI for fruit quality monitoring was determined and the quality prediction model was established. The diffusion TTI and fruit quality prediction model can realize the monitoring and predicting of fruit quality based on the TTI, which provides a basis for the combination of TTI Quick Response Code and fruit quality monitoring, with a view to achieving fruit quality status by scanning the Quick Response Code of TTI with mobile phones in the future. This method may provide a new solution to monitor the fruit quality during storage and distribution based on visualization technology that can simplify the methods of detecting fruit quality and achieve fast quality detection. It provides the possibility for low‐cost quality monitoring and has more application potential in food quality predicting. Further studies on diffusion TTI are needed to develop its application in more field of food and make the diffusion TTI an intelligent mean for food quality monitoring and predicting.
Fine‐tuning ethanol oxidation pathway enzymes and cofactor PQQ coordinates the conflict between fitness and acetic acid production by Acetobacter pasteurianus
Authors: Gao Ling , Wu Xiaodan , Xia Xiaole , Jin Zhengyu 
Published: November 2020

SummaryThe very high concentrations required for industrial production of free acetic acid create toxicity and low pH values, which usually conflict with the host cell growth, leading to a poor productivity. Achieving a balance between cell fitness and product synthesis is the key challenge to improving acetic acid production efficiency in metabolic engineering. Here, we show that the synergistic regulation of alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase expression and cofactor PQQ level could not only efficiently relieve conflict between increased acetic acid production and compromised cell fitness, but also greatly enhance acetic acid tolerance of Acetobacter pasteurianus to a high initial concentration (3% v/v) of acetic acid. Combinatorial expression of adhA and pqqABCDE greatly shortens the duration of starting‐up process from 116 to 99 h, leading to a yield of 69 g l‐1 acetic acid in semi‐continuous fermentation. As a final result, average acetic acid productivity has been raised to 0.99 g l‐1 h‐1, which was 32% higher than the parental A. pasteurianus. This study is of great significance for decreasing cost of semi‐continuous fermentation for producing high‐strength acetic acid industrially. We envisioned that this strategy will be useful for production of many other desired organic acids, especially those involving cofactor reactions.
Treatment strategy for primary lung cancer in a lung highly compressed by giant emphysematous bullae: A case report
Authors: Kawamoto Nobutaka , Hayashi Masataro , Okita Riki , Okada Masanori , Inokawa Hidetoshi , Kobayashi Taiga , Maeda Tadashi , Ikeda Eiji 
Published: November 2020

Lung cancer sometimes develops on the wall of a giant emphysematous bulla (GEB). Herein, we describe a rare case in which lung cancer developed in lung tissue compressed by GEBs. A 62‐year‐old man underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan that revealed two right GEBs. A tumor was suspected in the highly compressed right upper lobe. Since the right bronchus was significantly shifted toward the mediastinum, it was difficult to perform a bronchoscopy. We inserted thoracic drains into the GEBs, and a subsequent CT scan revealed re‐expansion of the remaining right lung and a 3.3 cm tumor in the right upper lobe. The shift of the right bronchus was improved, and bronchoscopy was performed. The tumor was diagnosed as non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additionally, the GEBs were found to have originated from the right lower lobe. We performed a right upper lobectomy, mediastinal lymph node dissection, and bullectomy of the GEBs via video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In preoperative evaluation of a GEB, assessing re‐expansion and lung lesions of the remaining lung is important, and intracavity drainage of a GEB may be useful.Key pointsSignificant findings of the study
Cancer that develops in lung tissue highly compressed by a giant emphysematous bulla is difficult to diagnose.
In the preoperative evaluation of a giant emphysematous bulla, assessing re‐expansion and lung lesions of the remaining lung is important.
What this study adds
After performing intracavity drainage of a giant emphysematous bulla, the remaining lung re‐expands, and the bronchial shift improves; subsequently, bronchoscopy makes it possible to diagnose lung cancer in the remaining lung.
Evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 blood serum levels in women at high risk for preeclampsia
Authors: Mach Pawel , Andrikos Dimitrios , Schmidt Boerge , Gellhaus Alexandra , Rusch Peter , Birdir Cahit , Andrikos Argyrios , Schmitt Verena , Kimmig Rainer , Singer Bernhard B. , Köninger Angela 
Published: November 2020

AbstractProblemThe aim of this study was to evaluate the sCEACAM1 concentrations in serum from patients in the first trimester who have a high risk for developing PE during pregnancy.Method of the studyCarcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) levels were determined with ELISA. The patients (n = 109) were divided into two groups: patients who have a high risk of developing PE early‐onset and a control group. Patients who have a high risk of developing PE were then divided into two subgroups depending on PE development in third trimester of pregnancy: PE in third trimester versus no PE in third trimester.ResultssCEACAM1 concentrations in patients who were screened as having a high risk for developing PE were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women in the first trimester (p = .03). The highest sCEACAM1 concentration was found in the high‐risk group with PE development compared to the control group (p = .004).ConclusionElevated sCEACAM1 blood serum levels in women with PE suggest that there is immune dysregulation in early pregnancy, which may be helpful in PE prediction and therapy.
Enrichment and characterization of extracellular vesicles from ex vivo one‐sided human placenta perfusion
Authors: Zabel Rachel R. , Bär Christin , Ji Jinlu , Schultz Rowena , Hammer Martin , Groten Tanja , Schleussner Ekkehard , Morales‐Prieto Diana M. , Markert Udo R. , Favaro Rodolfo R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractProblemExtracellular vesicles (EVs) released by the placenta are packed with biological information and play a major role in fetomaternal communication. Here, we describe a comprehensive set‐up for the enrichment and characterization of EVs from human placenta perfusion and their application in further assays.Method of studyHuman term placentas were used for 3 h ex vivo one‐sided perfusions to simulate the intervillous circulation. Thereafter, populations of small (sEVs) and large EV (lEVs) were enriched from placental perfusate via serial ultracentrifugation. Following, EV populations were characterized regarding their size, protein concentration, RNA levels, expression of surface markers as well as their uptake and miRNA transfer to recipient cells.ResultsThe sEV and lEV fractions from an entire perfusate yielded, respectively, 294 ± 32 µg and 525 ± 96 µg of protein equivalents and 2.6 ± 0.5 µg and 3.6 ± 0.9 µg of RNA. The sEV fraction had a mean diameter of 117 ± 47 nm, and the lEV fraction presented 236 ± 54 nm. CD63 was strongly detected by dot blot in sEVs, whereas only traces of this marker were found in lEVs. Both EV fractions were positive for the trophoblast marker PLAP (placental alkaline phosphatase) and annexin A1. EV internalization in immune cells was visualized by confocal microscopy, and the transfer of placental miRNAs was detected by quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR).ConclusionsEnriched EV populations showed characteristic features of sEVs and lEVs. EV uptake and transfer of miRNAs to recipient cells demonstrated their functional integrity. Therefore, we advocate the ex vivo one‐sided placenta perfusion as a robust approach for the collection of placental EVs.
Nasal DNA methylation differentiates severe from non‐severe asthma in African‐American children
Authors: Zhu Tao , Zhang Xue , Chen Xiaoting , Brown Anthony P. , Weirauch Matthew T. , Guilbert Theresa W. , Khurana Hershey Gurjit K. , Biagini Jocelyn M. , Ji Hong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundAsthma is highly heterogeneous, and severity evaluation is key to asthma management. DNA methylation (DNAm) contributes to asthma pathogenesis. This study aimed to identify nasal epithelial DNAm differences between severe and nonsevere asthmatic children and evaluate the impact of environmental exposures.MethodsThirty‐three nonsevere and 22 severe asthmatic African American children were included in an epigenome‐wide association study. Genome‐wide nasal epithelial DNAm and gene expression were measured. CpG sites associated with asthma severity and environmental exposures and predictive of severe asthma were identified. DNAm was correlated with gene expression. Enrichment for transcription factor (TF) binding sites or histone modifications surrounding DNAm differences were determined.ResultsWe identified 816 differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) and 10 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with asthma severity. Three DMPs exhibited discriminatory ability for severe asthma. Intriguingly, six DMPs were simultaneously associated with asthma, allergic asthma, total IgE, environmental IgE, and FeNO in an independent cohort of children. Twenty‐seven DMPs were associated with traffic‐related air pollution or secondhand smoke. DNAm at 22 DMPs was altered by diesel particles or allergen in human bronchial epithelial cells. DNAm levels at 39 DMPs were correlated with mRNA expression. Proximal to 816 DMPs, three histone marks and several TFs involved in asthma pathogenesis were enriched.ConclusionsSignificant differences in nasal epithelial DNAm were observed between nonsevere and severe asthma in African American children, a subset of which may be useful to predict disease severity. These CpG sites are subjected to the influences of environmental exposures and may regulate gene expression.
Nodal metastasis size predicts disease‐free survival in cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma involving the parotid but not cervical nodes
Authors: Sood Ashish , Wykes James , McGuinness John , Fowler Allan , Ebrahimi Ardalan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer nodal (N) staging of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN) is largely based on lymph node metastasis size, despite conflicting data in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of largest node size in cSCCHN.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 94 patients undergoing curative‐intent treatment for nodal cSCCHN with surgery ± radiotherapy at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia was conducted. Survival outcomes were assessed using multivariate Cox regression. The primary end point was disease‐free survival (DFS). Objective measures of model performance were used in exploratory analyses to identify optimal size thresholds for predicting survival.ResultsNodal metastasis size significantly predicted DFS on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 1.24; 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.46; P = 0.008). This prognostic impact occurred predominantly in parotid metastases (hazard ratio 1.27; 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.51; P = 0.006); each 1 cm increase in size increased the risk of recurrence or death by 27%, irrespective of the number of involved nodes. In parotid metastases, size thresholds of ≤3, 3–4.5 and >4.5 cm optimized prognostic discrimination. Extranodal extension (ENE) was associated with decreased DFS in nodes ≤3 cm in size (P = 0.025), but not in those >3 cm (P = 0.744).ConclusionSize is an important prognostic factor in cSCCHN with parotid metastases, with optimal thresholds of ≤3, >3–4.5 and >4.5 cm. The prognostic impact of ENE was seen only in nodal metastases ≤3 cm in size. These results may have important implications for node size thresholds and inclusion of ENE in the American Joint Committee on Cancer N staging categories.
Glycemic, maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring during pregnancy – Pump vs multiple daily injections, a secondary analysis of an observational cohort study
Authors: Kjölhede Karin , Berntorp Kerstin , Kristensen Karl , Katsarou Anastasia , Shaat Nael , Wiberg Nana , Knop Filip K. , Kristensen Lars , Dotevall Annika , Elfvin Anders , Sandgren Ulrika , Sengpiel Verena , Englund‐Ögge Linda 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides detailed information about glucose level fluctuations over time. The method is increasingly being used in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. However, only one previous study compared CGM results related to pregnancy outcomes in women using insulin pumps with those administering multiple daily injections (MDI). We performed a secondary analysis of CGM metrics from an observational cohort of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes and compared insulin pump and MDI therapies in relation to maternal and neonatal outcomes.Material and methodsThe study included 185 pregnant Swedish women with type 1 diabetes undergoing CGM throughout pregnancy. Women were divided according to insulin administration mode, ie MDI (n = 131) or pump (n = 54). A total of 91 women used real‐time CGM and 94 women used intermittently viewed CGM. Maternal demographics and maternal and neonatal outcome data were collected from medical records. CGM data were analyzed according to predefined glycemic indices: mean glucose; standard deviation; percentage of time within, below and above glucose target range; mean amplitude of glycemic excursion; high and low glucose indices; and coefficient variation in percent. Associations between insulin administration mode and CGM data, on the one hand, and maternal and neonatal outcomes, on the other, were analyzed with analysis of covariance and logistic regression, respectively, adjusted for confounders.ResultsThere were no differences in maternal characteristics or glycemic indices between the MDI and pump groups, except for a longer duration of type 1 diabetes and higher frequencies of microangiopathy and real‐time CGM among pump users. Despite improvement with each trimester, glucose levels remained suboptimal throughout pregnancy in both groups. There were no differences between the MDI and pump groups concerning the respective associations with any of the outcomes. The frequency of large for gestational age was high in both groups (MDI 49% vs pump 63%) and did not differ significantly.ConclusionsPregnant women with type 1 diabetes did not differ in glycemic control or pregnancy outcome, related to MDI or pump administration of insulin. Glycemic control remained suboptimal throughout pregnancy, regardless of insulin administration mode.
Delays in care seeking for young children with accidental skull fractures are common
Authors: Metz James B. , Otjen Jeffrey P. , Perez Francisco A. , Done Stephen L. , Brown Emily C.B. , Wiester Rebecca T. , Jenny Carole , Ganti Sheila , Feldman Kenneth W. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimWe sought to determine the frequency and patterns of delayed medical care seeking for young children with skull fractures.MethodsWe identified accidental skull fractures <4 years old, 2011–2012. Child abuse paediatricians abstracted retrospective data and paediatric radiologists re‐reviewed images. ‘Delays’ were defined as presentation at ≥6 h. ‘Minor accidents’ included falls <4 feet and low force trauma, while ‘major accidents’ included higher height falls and major force events. We studied the frequency and duration of care delays, the signs or symptoms leading to care, and the duration of delays after signs or symptoms developed.ResultsTwo hundred and ten children had accidental skull fractures. Delays were less likely with major accidents (4.9%), than with minor accidents (25.8%) (RR = 0.32 [0.15–0.70]). Children came to care for scalp swelling (STS) (39%), the injury event (36.2%), altered consciousness (15.2%) and vomiting (10.5%). Delayed onset of STS (78.6%) caused most delayed care. Early STS was firm, (17.6%) versus delayed (5.0%), as opposed to soft or fluctuant.ConclusionDelayed care seeking is common for minor, but not major accidental infant and toddler skull fractures. Most followed delayed onset of signs and symptoms. Delayed care seeking alone should not imply child abuse.