bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient and cost‐effective 3D cellular imaging by sub‐voxel‐resolving light‐sheet add‐on microscopy
Authors: Zhao Fang , Yang Yicong , Li Yi , Jiang Hao , Xie Xinlin , Yu Tingting , Wang Xuechun , Liu Qing , Zhang Hao , Jia Haibo , Liu Sheng , Zhen Mei , Zhu Dan , Gao Shangbang , Fei Peng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractLight‐sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) allows volumetric live imaging at high‐speed and with low photo‐toxicity. Various LSFM modalities are commercially available, but their size and cost limit their access by the research community. A new method, termed sub‐voxel‐resolving (SVR) light‐sheet add‐on microscopy (SLAM), is presented to enable fast, resolution‐enhanced light‐sheet fluorescence imaging from a conventional wide‐field microscope. This method contains two components: a miniature add‐on device to regular wide‐field microscopes, which contains a horizontal laser light‐sheet illumination path to confine fluorophore excitation at the vicinity of the focal plane for optical sectioning; an off‐axis scanning strategy and a SVR algorithm that utilizes sub‐voxel spatial shifts to reconstruct the image volume that results in a twofold increase in resolution. SLAM method has been applied to observe the muscle activity change of crawling C. elegans, the heartbeat of developing zebrafish embryo, and the neural anatomy of cleared mouse brains, at high spatiotemporal resolution. It provides an efficient and cost‐effective solution to convert the vast number of in‐service microscopes for fast 3D live imaging with voxel‐super‐resolved capability.
Monensin biodegradation pathway and role of epoxide hydrolase in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia DM‐2
Authors: Li Hao , Li Jie , Wan Qiang , Wang Chuanwen , Sun Weiwei , Zhao Jiayi , Xing Yidan , Pan Baoliang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDMonensin is widely used in livestock and poultry production to promote animal growth and control coccidiosis. Most monensin is excreted as unchanged parent compounds via feces. However，monensin is very stable and difficult to degrade in the environment, and is potentially risky for the health of wildlife and humans. To date, the biodegradation process of monensin by bacteria and its mechanism is unclear. In this study, we found that a Stenotrophomonas maltophilia DM‐2 strain isolated from chicken manure could effectively degrade monensin.RESULTThe optimum temperature and pH for DM‐2 to degrade monensin were 40 °C and pH 7.0. A potential degradation pathway of monensin was proposed based on the identification and characterization of two new monensin metabolic intermediates by liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy. In addition, an inducible monensin‐degrading activity was present in DM‐2. A soluble epoxide hydrolysis (sEH) gene highly expressed in the DM‐2 on day 3 and 6 under monensin stress, which was not observed in the DM‐2 without monensin stress. When a specific inhibitor TPPU (1‐(1‐propanoylpiperidin‐4‐yl)‐3‐[4‐(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]urea) of sEH was added into the cell‐free extract, the degradation of monensin was inhibited.CONCLUSIONStrain DM‐2 can biodegrade monensin by soluble epoxy hydrolase and produce two new intermediates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the degradation of monensin by Stenotrophomonas strains. The novel metabolic pathways of monensin which we found may provide new insight into the environmental fate of monensin. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Fabrication of TiO2/high‐crystalline g‐C3N4 composite with enhanced visible‐light photocatalytic performance for tetracycline degradation
Authors: Guo Feng , Sun Haoran , Huang Xiliu , Shi Weilong , Yan Chao 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe construction of heterojunction between two‐phase semiconductors is a crucial tactic to enhance photocatalytic activity due to its efficient charge separation.RESULTIn this work, a novel TiO2/high‐crystalline g‐C3N4 (HCCN) heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized successfully via a simply hydrothermal method, which was composed of TiO2 nanoparticles distributed on the surface of the HCCN nanosheets. The microstructure and morphology of TiO2/HCCN heterojunction were investigated by various characteristic techniques (such as X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared). The photocatalytic performance of as‐prepared photocatalysts was tested though the degradation of tetracycline (10 mg L−1) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Significantly, the 50% TiO2/HCCN composite photocatalyst (mass fraction of TiO2 is 50%) exhibited the optimum photocatalytic activity (90%, 120 min), and the corresponding reaction rate constant was around 12 times and 54 times higher than those of pristine HCCN and TiO2, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe excellent photocatalytic performance was attributed mainly to the synergistic effect of the TiO2/HCCN heterojunction as follows: (i) enhanced light absorption capacity; (ii) improved separation and migration of electron–hole pairs; (iii) extended lifetime of photogenerated carriers. This current study extends our knowledge towards constructing other HCCN‐based nanocomposites with extraordinary photocatalytic performance for addressing environmental problems. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Stream algal biomass response to experimental phosphorus and nitrogen gradients: A case for dual nutrient management in agricultural watersheds
Authors: Taylor Jason M. , Rodman Ashley R. , Scott J. Thad 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWatershed managers generally focus on P reduction strategies to combat freshwater eutrophication despite evidence that N co‐limits primary production. Our objective was to test the role of P in limiting stream periphyton biomass within the Buffalo River watershed in Arkansas by conducting a 31‐d streamside mesocosm experiment. To represent potentially different starting states, cobbles were transplanted from two different tributary streams and initially exposed to a range of P (0, 0.012, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg L−1 P) to assess benthic ash‐free dry mass (AFDM) and chlorophyll‐a (chl a) and responses during a P only enrichment period. Later, the experiment was continued under a N/P (10:1 molar ratio) enrichment gradient to examine co‐limitation. Mean AFDM was higher on Day 31 of the N+P enrichment compared with Day 17 of the P‐only enrichment (p < .001). Overall differences in AFDM and chl a were observed between cobbles from different stream sites. Phosphorus enrichment stimulated benthic chl a biomass, but enrichment effects were greater when streams were enriched with N+P (p < .001). Chlorophyll‐a increased (4.4–57.9 mg m−2) with increasing P concentrations (p < .001) after P enrichment but was threefold greater after N+P enrichment, increasing from 13.3 to 171.1 mg m−2 across the enrichment gradient. Results support the need to consider both N and P limitation in freshwater systems and demonstrate that potential increases in nutrient concentrations may influence accumulation of algae on cobble substrates from the Buffalo River watershed.
Short‐term grazing of cover crops and maize residue impacts on soil greenhouse gas fluxes in two Mollisols
Authors: Singh Navdeep , Abagandura Gandura Omar , Kumar Sandeep 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAn integrated crop–livestock system (ICLS), when managed properly, can help in mitigating soil surface greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). However, the impacts of an ICLS on GHG fluxes are poorly understood. The present study was conducted at two sites (northern Brookings [Brookings‐N] and northwestern Brookings [Brookings‐NW]) established in 2016 and 2017, respectively, under loamy soils in South Dakota. The specific objective was to evaluate the impact of cover crops (CCs) and grazed CCs under oat (Avena sativa L.)–CCs–maize (Zea mays L.) rotation on GHG fluxes. Study treatments included the following: (a) a legume‐dominated CC (LdC), (b) a cattle‐grazed LdC (LdC+G), (c) a grass‐dominated CC (GdC), (d) a cattle‐grazed GdC (GdC+G), and (e) one without CC or grazing (NC). Greenhouse gas monitoring occurred weekly during the growing crop seasons in 2016 and 2017 for Brookings‐N and in 2017 and 2018 for Brookings‐NW. Data showed that cumulative CO2 and N2O fluxes at Brookings‐N were lower for GdC+G (4042 kg C ha−1 for CO2 and 1499 g N ha−1 for N2O) than for LdC+G (4819 kg C ha−1 for CO2 and 2017 g N ha−1 for N2O), indicating the superiority of GdC+G over LdC+G in reducing GHG fluxes. However, no effect from grazed CC on cumulative CO2 and N2O fluxes were observed at the Brookings‐NW site. Cumulative CH4 flux was not affected by an ICLS at either site. This short‐term investigation showed that, in general, CCs and grazing of CCs and maize residue did not impact GHG fluxes.
Evaluating a genetic counseling narrative group session for people who have tested positive for the Huntington's disease expansion: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Spiers Johanna , Smith Jonathan A. , Ferrer‐Duch Mariangels , Moldovan Ramona , Roche Jay , MacLeod Rhona 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHuntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor problems, cognitive impairment, and mood disturbances. Given the emotional elements of both HD itself and the testing process for it, psychological interventions may be helpful for those families impacted by HD. A stand‐alone genetic counseling narrative group has been offered by one regional genetics clinic in the north of England to support people's coping following predictive genetic testing for HD. Groups are held 4–5 times per year with patients attending a group on a single occasion. This study assessed participants’ experiences of attending a group using the qualitative method interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Telephone interviews were conducted with 12 people who had a mutation‐positive HD predictive test result and who had taken part in a genetic counseling narrative group session between November 2017 and February 2018. Participants were asked about their experiences of the group and any impact it had had on their lives. Four themes emerged: ‘The power of the group, ‘Active elements of the narrative exercise’, ‘Subsequent impact of the session’, and ‘Another voice’. Participants described the positive impact of being able to meet and empathize with others in a similar situation, the group's positive impact on their mood and future outlook, and its beneficial impact on disclosure. While most participants were positive about the session, the final theme presented the voices of two participants for whom the groups were poorly timed. Given the sessions’ generally positive impact, we recommend other centers consider offering people impacted by HD similar sessions.
A green synthesis of quinoline‐4‐carboxylic derivatives using p‐toluenesulfonic acid as an efficient organocatalyst under microwave irradiation and their docking, molecular dynamics, ADME‐Tox and biological evaluation
Authors: Patel Dhaval B. , Rajani Dhanji P. , Rajani Smita D. , Patel Hitesh D. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractP‐Toluenesulfonic acid, being an efficient, nonhazardous, and fast accessible organocatalyst, was used for the preparation of quinoline‐4‐carboxylic acid derivatives via a one‐pot three‐component reaction of aromatic benzaldehyde, substituted aniline, and pyruvic acid under microwave irradiation. After completion of the reaction, the pure products were isolated by column chromatography. Here, to achieve the desired synthesis, various catalytic and solvent conditions were applied to perform a comparison study. We are using higher yield, simple work‐up process, avoiding the use of hazardous organic solvents, short reaction time and higher advantages of the present protocol in the study. Biological activities of synthesized compounds were tested against various antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and antituberculosis strains. Compounds 4a and 4c (MIC 50 μg/mL) and compounds 4d and 4n (MIC 62.5 μg/mL) were found active against the Escherichia coli strain, compounds 4c and 4p (MIC 25 μg/mL) were found active against the Staphylococcus aureus strain, and compounds 4c and 4d were found active against the Plasmodium falciparum strain. Molecular docking revealed that ligands and proteins fitted exactly in the binding pocket and had significant correlation with the biological activity. We have also tested molecular dynamics and ADME‐Tox parameters for the synthesized compounds.
Brønsted acidic ionic liquid–catalyzed tandem trimerization of indoles: An efficient approach towards the synthesis of indole 3,3′‐trimers under solvent‐free conditions
Authors: Chatterjee Rana , Santra Sougata , Zyryanov Grigory V. , Majee Adinath 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe have observed the role of 1‐butane sulfonic acid‐3‐methylimidazolium tosylate, [BSMIM]OTs, as an organocatalyst for the tandem type trimerization of indoles to synthesize indole 3,3′‐trimers under neat conditions. Using this developed protocol synthesis of indole trimers with various substituted indoles, which are biologically important, has been reported. From the control experiments and literature, a possible mechanism has been proposed via the generation of indolinium cation in the presence of the ionic liquid catalyst. The catalyst has been recycled for several times. The significant advantages of our methodology are clean reaction with very short time, no chromatography for purification, commercially available substrates, neat reaction conditions, and in the absence of metal. Using the protocol, the MDM2‐p53 inhibitor has been synthesized in gram scale with high yield.
Three‐month efficacy of three knee braces in the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis in a randomized crossover trial
Authors: Robert‐Lachaine Xavier , Dessery Yoann , Belzile Étienne L. , Turmel Sylvie , Corbeil Philippe 
Published: February 2020

AbstractImmediate biomechanical and functional effects of knee braces are often reported, however, the duration and type of knee brace treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remain unclear. The objective was to evaluate usage, comfort, pain, and knee adduction moment (KAM) of three knee braces each worn 3 months by patients. Twenty‐four patients with KOA were assigned in a randomized crossover trial a valgus three‐point bending system brace (V3P‐brace), an unloader brace with valgus and external rotation functions (VER‐brace) and a stabilizing brace used after ligament injuries (ACL‐brace). Functional questionnaires and gait assessment were carried out before and after each brace wear period of 3 months. A Friedman test was applied between brace wear diary recordings. Repeated measures analyses of variance contrasted the factors brace type (ACL, V3P, and VER), time (pre and post) and wear (without and with) on comfort, pain, function, and KAM. Brace usage was similar, but the V3P‐brace was slightly less worn. Discomfort was significantly lowered with the VER‐brace. All knee braces relieved pain and symptoms from 10% to 40%. KAM angular impulse was reduced with the three braces, but the VER‐brace obtained the lowest relative reduction of 9%. The interaction between time and wear indicated that part of the KAM reduction with brace wear was maintained post treatment. All three knee braces have great benefits for pain and function among the medial KOA population. The VER‐brace offers additional advantages on daily use, comfort and KAM, which could improve compliance to brace treatment.
Association between periodontitis and systemic medication intake: A case‐control study
Authors: Wang I‐Ching , Askar Houssam , Ghassib Iya , Wang Chin‐Wei , Wang Hom‐Lay 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the frequency of systemic drugs taken by elderly patients with or without periodontitis and the possible association between medication consumption and the severity of periodontitis.MethodsA total of 1221 patients, including 608 with generalized moderate to severe periodontitis (periodontitis group) and 613 age‐ and gender‐matched individuals with healthy periodontium (healthy group) were selected. Systemic conditions, medications and periodontal status were recorded. Medication intake frequency (%) was compared using unconditional logistic regression.ResultsThe top three most common medications were angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (17.9%), antidepressants (17.8%), and lipid‐lowering medications (16.5%). Both ACE inhibitors and antidepressants showed statistically higher intake frequency in the periodontitis group relative to healthy controls (21.5% versus 14.4%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.64), (21.1% versus 14.5%, OR = 1.57) (P < 0.01). Additionally, intake of oral hypoglycemic agents, calcium channel blockers (CCB), insulin, and diuretics were significantly higher in the periodontitis group with OR = 2.49, 2.32, 2.08 and 1.79, respectively (P < 0.05). Several medications demonstrated a disease severity‐dependent association comparing generalized severe periodontitis with moderate periodontitis and healthy group: oral hypoglycemic agents (17.4% versus 16.8% versus 8.0%), CCB (14.8% versus 14.4% versus 8.0%) and anticonvulsants (13.4% versus 7.7% versus 6.4%) with OR of 2.43, 1.99, and 2.28 (severe periodontitis versus healthy group), respectively.ConclusionThere was a significantly higher frequency of medication intake related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes in patients with periodontitis. A disease severity‐dependence with medication intake frequency was also noted. This study provides indirect evidence for the possible relationship between systemic diseases and periodontitis.
The trnL (UAA)‐trnF (GAA) intergenic spacer is a robust marker of green pea (Pisum sativum L.) adulteration in economically valuable pistachio nuts (Pistacia vera L.)
Authors: Sen Fatima , Uncu Ayse Ozgur , Uncu Ali Tevfik , Erdeger Seyma Nur 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDPistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is an expensive culinary nut species; it is therefore susceptible to adulteration for economic profit. Green pea (Pisum sativum L.) kernels constitute the most common material used for adulterating chopped / ground pistachio nuts and pistachio paste. Food genomics enables the species composition of a food sample to be ascertained through DNA analysis. Accordingly, a barcode DNA genotyping approach was used to standardize a test method to identify green pea adulteration in pistachio nuts.RESULTSThe trnL (UAA)‐trnF (GAA) intergenic spacer in the plastid genome was the target analyte in the present study. The barcode locus displayed a significant, discriminatory size difference between pistachio and pea, with amplicon sizes of 449 and 179 bp, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction‐capillary electrophoresis (PCR‐CE) analysis of the intergenic spacer resulted in the successful identification of species composition in the in‐house admixtures, which contained 5% to 30% of green pea.CONCLUSIONThe present work describes a fast and straightforward DNA test that identifies green pea adulteration in pistachio nuts without requiring a statistical data interpretation process. The plastid trnL (UAA)‐trnF (GAA) intergenic spacer length widely varies among plant taxa, so the PCR‐CE protocol that operates on the intergenic spacer holds the potential to reveal adulteration with a plethora of adulterants. The PCR‐CE assay described in the present work can be adopted readily by food‐quality laboratories in the public sector or the food industry as an easy and reliable method to analyze pistachio authenticity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava in Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Children
Authors: Basu Sonali , Sharron Matthew , Herrera Nicole , Mize Marisa , Cohen Joanna 
Published: February 2020

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the ultrasound‐measured inferior vena cava distensibility index (IVCdi), inferior vena cava distensibility variability (IVCdv), and inferior vena cava–to–aorta ratio (IVC/Ao) to other common methods to assess fluid status in mechanically ventilated pediatric critically ill patients. These methods include central venous pressure (CVP), percent fluid overload by weight (%FOw), and percent fluid overload by volume (%FOv).MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of a convenience sample of 50 mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. Ultrasound measurements of the inferior vena cava and aorta were obtained, and the IVCdi, IVCdv, and IVC/Ao were calculated and compared to CVP, %FOw, and %FOv.ResultsThe median %FOw was 5%, and the median %FOv was 10%. The mean CVP ± SD was 8.6 ± 4 mm Hg. The CVP had no significant correlation with %FOw or %FOv. There was no significant correlation of the IVCdi with CVP (r = –0.145; P = .325) or %FOv (r = 0.119; P = .420); however, the IVCdi had a significant correlation with %FOw (P = .012). There was also no significant relationship of the IVCdv with CVP (r = –0.135; P = .36) or %FOv (r = 0.128; P = .385); however, there was a significant correlation between the IVCdv and %FOw (P = .012). There was no relationship between the IVC/Ao and any other measures of fluid status.ConclusionsIn this cohort of mechanically ventilated pediatric intensive care unit patients, many commonly used markers of fluid status showed weak correlations with each other. The IVCdi and IVCdv significantly correlated with %FOw and may have potential as markers for fluid overload in this patient population.
Comparing the quality of two traditional fried street foods from the raw material to the end product: The Beninese cowpea‐based ata and the Italian wheat‐based popizza
Authors: De Angelis Davide , Madodé Yann E. , Briffaz Aurélien , Hounhouigan Djidjoho Joseph , Pasqualone Antonella , Summo Carmine 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStreet food plays a recognized socioeconomic role, offering opportunities of employment particularly for women and providing cheap food to lower income people. West Africa is characterized by a great diversity of traditional foods, widely consumed but poorly investigated. Ata is a fried dough made of cowpea flour, very popular in Benin. In Southern Italy, popizza is prepared in a very similar way as ata, but using wheat flour. This work aimed at comparing the main physicochemical characteristics of ata and popizza, from the raw material to the end product. Cowpea flour showed significantly higher levels of proteins (23.25 vs. 13.48 g 100 g−1 on dry matter), total phenolic compounds (0.73 vs. 0.41 mg g−1 of ferulic acid d.m.), antioxidant activity (2.84 vs. 0.86 μmoL Trolox g−1 d.m.), as well as higher water absorption capacity (1.01 vs. 0.61 g water per gram flour) and particularly higher water solubility index (23.01 vs. 6.69 g 100 g−1) than wheat flour. The two flours showed different pasting characteristics: starch swelling occurred at a lower temperature in cowpea than in wheat flour and produced a less viscous gel. Due to absence of gluten and limited viscosity of starchy fraction, ata was less porous and more springy than popizza. Moreover, ata showed higher oil uptake than popizza (22.2 vs. 14.1 g oil 100 g−1 product) and was also characterized by a browner surface than popizza. Knowledge about the quality features of these traditional foods and their raw material could enhance their marketing, with positive effects on local economy.