bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison in the ability to detect diabetic retinopathy between fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels in a longitudinal study
Authors: Matsushita Yumi , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Takeda Norio , Katai Naotatsu , Yoshida‐Hata Natsuyo , Nakamura Yosuke , Yamamoto Shuichiro , Noda Mitsuhiko , Mizoue Tetsuya , Nakagawa Toru 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimsThe relationship between HbA1c and diabetic retinopathy is expected to differ between different races. In this study, we verified which of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is more effective for detecting the diabetic retinopathy longitudinally in a Japanese population.Materials and MethodsThe study subjects underwent health examinations twice (including eye test and questionnaire of lifestyle and health) in 2008‐2009 (baseline) and in 2012‐2013 (4‐year follow‐up). Both non‐DM and DM patients at baseline were included as the participants. Of these participants, who had not been diagnosed with retinopathy at the baseline survey (n = 2427; 2150 men and 277 women) had eye fundus photographs taken four years later (follow‐up survey). The odds ratios of incidence of retinopathy according to the eight groups of FPG and HbA1c were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex and age. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to evaluate each value associated with the presence or absence of retinopathy.ResultsThe odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of incidence of retinopathy by HbA1c level categories, in ascending order, were 1.0 (ref.), 5.66 (1.14‐28.26), 1.69 (0.24‐12.04), 3.03 (0.50‐18.28), 1.04 (0.09‐11.59), 4.73 (0.78‐28.69), 4.12 (0.74‐22.85) and 24.47 (5.61‐106.75). For both FPG and HbA1c levels, the odds ratio for the development of retinopathy increased linearly with the increases in the levels FPG and HbA1c, and no clear threshold was observed. The AUC values (SE) for FPG and HbA1c were almost the same, at 0.750 (0.046) and 0.732 (0.048).ConclusionsIt was clarified that the higher the level of FPG and HbA1c was, the higher the incidence of retinopathy after 4 years was. There was no clear threshold. The detection ability of the incidence of retinopathy was almost the same between FPG and HbA1c, suggesting it is possible to detect the risk of retinopathy by HbA1c only.
Uncovering regime resistance in energy transition: Role of electricity iron triangle in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Gillan Chi‐Lun , Chen Rung‐Yi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractUsing electricity sector reform as a case study, this paper analyses the energy policy making in Taiwan, by applying the theoretical concept of regime resistance and an electricity iron triangle, aiming to elucidate analytical challenges that sustainability transition studies are facing in East Asia. While most such studies focus on the critical role of industrial incumbents, this paper shifts attention to the resistance of the “electricity iron triangle” of the ruling party, the utility workers' union and anti‐nuclear groups to fundamental transformation. It draws upon secondary data and primary information from interviews, especially governmental officials, environmental groups, journalists, electric utilities and Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) union members. This research contributes to the wider debates on regime resistance towards the phase‐out of nuclear power and on the effectiveness of electricity liberalisation as a means to achieve an effective energy transition.
Discrimination of Beers by Cyclic Voltammetry Using a Single Carbon Screen‐printed Electrode
Authors: Roselló Adam , Serrano Núria , Díaz‐Cruz José Manuel , Ariño Cristina 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA fast, simple and costless methodology without sample pre‐treatment is proposed for the discrimination of beers. It is based on cyclic voltammetry (CV) using commercial carbon screen‐printed electrodes (SPCE) and includes a correction of the signals measured with different SPCE units. Data are submitted to partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS−DA) and support vector machine discriminant analysis (SVM−DA), which allow a reasonable classification of the beers. Also, CV data from beers can be used to predict their alcoholic degree by partial least squares (PLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN). In general, non‐linear methods provide better results than linear ones.
A novel LysR‐type regulator negatively affects biosynthesis of the immunosuppressant brasilicardin
Authors: Wolański Marcin , Krawiec Michał , Schwarz Paul N. , Stegmann Evi , Wohlleben Wolfgang , Buchmann Anina , Gross Harald , Eitel Michael , Koch Pierre , Botas Alma , Méndez Carmen , Núñez Luz Elena , Morís Francisco , Cortés Jesus , Zakrzewska‐Czerwińska Jolanta 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBrasilicardin A (BraA) is a promising immunosuppressive compound produced naturally by the pathogenic bacteriumNocardia terpenicaIFM 0406. Heterologous host expression of brasilicardin gene cluster showed to be efficient to bypass the safety issues, low production levels and lack of genetic tools related with the use of native producer. Further improvement of production yields requires better understanding of gene expression regulation within the BraA biosynthetic gene cluster (Bra‐BGC); however, the only so far known regulator of this gene cluster is Bra12. In this study, we discovered the protein LysRNt, a novel member of the LysR‐type transcriptional regulator family, as a regulator of the Bra‐BGC. Using in vitro approaches, we identified the gene promoters which are controlled by LysRNt within the Bra‐BGC. Corresponding genes encode enzymes involved in BraA biosynthesis as well as the key Bra‐BGC regulator Bra12. Importantly, we provide in vivo evidence that LysRNt negatively affects production of brasilicardin congeners in the heterologous hostAmycolatopsis japonicum. Finally, we demonstrate that some of the pathway related metabolites, and their chemical analogs, can interact with LysRNt which in turn affects its DNA‐binding activity.
A holistic framework for development and assessment of risk‐informed performance‐based building regulation
Authors: Meacham Brian J. , Stromgren Michael , van Hees Patrick 
Published: November 2020

SUMMARYFire safety provisions in building regulation are about managing risk. In order to appropriately characterize and incorporate risk measures into building regulation, it is helpful to view building regulatory systems (BRS) as complex socio‐technical systems (STS), wherein there are interactions between institutions, technology and people, which ideally work together to mitigate risk to a societally tolerable level. A description of BRS as STS and how to assess the efficacy of the BRS in managing fire risk is presented. To illustrate how STS concepts can be used to evaluate and restructure a functional‐ or performance‐based BRS, STS concepts are applied to the evaluation of the building regulatory system in England.
Physicochemical properties, protein conformation, and aggregate morphology of heated myosin from Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Nemipterus virgatus mixtures
Authors: Yi Shumin , Ye Beibei , Li Jianrong , Wang Wei , Li Xuepeng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMyosin is a major protein involved in gel formation during the heating process. The physicochemical properties, protein conformation, and aggregate morphology of myosin extracted from mixed Hypophthalmichthys molitrix/Nemipterus virgatus muscle in different ratios (H:N = 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, 3:1, 5:1) were compared before and after two‐stage heating. The turbidity increased, the reactive sulfhydryl groups became exposed, and the secondary structure of myosin changed from α‐helix to β‐sheet after two‐stage heating. Variations in surface hydrophobicity, tryptophan fluorescence, and ultraviolet spectra demonstrated that there were certain differences in the tertiary structure of mixed myosin. It was noteworthy that mixed myosin aggregated before heating and even formed a more uniform aggregate and crosslinks than other groups after heating when the ratio of H. molitrix and N. virgatus muscle was 5:1. These results suggest that the mixed myosin from different fish species could undergo conformational changes and molecular rearrangement and then form crosslinks and aggregates with diverse sizes during heating process, which would contribute to improve gel characteristics.
Fraud detection and quality assessment of olive oil using ultrasound
Authors: Zarezadeh Mohammad Reza , Aboonajmi Mohammad , Ghasemi Varnamkhasti Mahdi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractToday, food safety is recognized as one of the most important human priorities, so effective and new policies have been implemented to improve and develop the position of effective laws in the food industry. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has many amazing benefits for human body's health. Due to the nutritional value and high price of EVOO, there is a lot of cheating in it. The ultrasound approach has many advantages in the food studies, and it is fast and nondestructive for quality evaluation. In this study, to fraud detection of EVOO four ultrasonic properties of oil in five levels of adulteration (5%, 10%, 20%, 35%, and 50%) were extracted. The 2 MHz ultrasonic probes were used in the DOI 1,000 STARMANS diagnostic ultrasonic device in a “probe holding mechanism.” The four extracted ultrasonic features include the following: “percentage of amplitude reduction, time of flight (TOF), the difference between the first and second maximum amplitudes of the domain (in the time–amplitude diagram), and the ratio of the first and second maximum of amplitude.” Seven classification algorithms including “Naïve Bayes, support vector machine, gradient boosting classifier, K‐nearest neighbors, artificial neural network, logistic regression, and AdaBoost” were used to classify the preprocessed data. Results showed that the Naïve Bayes algorithm with 90.2% provided the highest accuracy among the others, and the support vector machine and gradient boosting classifier with 88.2% were in the next ranks.
Inhibitors of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase: Potential linkage for whole cereal foods on prevention of hyperglycemia
Authors: Gong Lingxiao , Feng Danning , Wang Tianxi , Ren Yuqing , Liu Yingli , Wang Jing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe strategy of reducing carbohydrate digestibility by controlling the activity of two hydrolyzing enzymes (α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase) to control postprandial hyperglycemia is considered as a viable prophylactic treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, the consumption of foods rich in hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitors is recommended for diet therapy of diabetes. Whole cereal products have gained increasing interests for plasma glucose‐reducing effects. However, the mechanisms for whole cereal benefits in relation to T2DM are not yet fully understood, but most likely involve bioactive components. Cereal‐derived phenolic compounds, peptides, nonstarch polysaccharides, and lipids have been shown to inhibit α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activities. These hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitors seem to make whole cereals become nutritional strategies in managing postmeal glucose for T2DM. This review presents an updated overview on the effects provided by cereal‐derived ingredients on carbohydrate digestibility. It suggests that there is some evidence for whole cereal intake to be beneficial in amelioration of T2DM through inhibiting α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase activities.
Biological and Catalytic Activities of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from the Leaf Infusion of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss
Authors: Chahardoli Azam , Qalekhani Farshad , Shokoohinia Yalda , Fattahi Ali 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe discovery and development of active compounds to eliminate drug resistance and side effects is a crucial process. In this study, the leaf infusion of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss as a novel green alternative is used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Drac‐AgNPs). Antibacterial, cytotoxicity effects, hemocompatibility, and the catalytic properties of these nanoparticles are evaluated. The synthesis of Drac‐AgNPs is confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, where Drac‐AgNPs are spherical, with a size range of 5–63 nm. Their IC50 values against H1299 and MCF‐7 cell lines are above 50 and 100 μg mL−1, respectively. Drac‐AgNPs are effective against an inclusive range of the gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria, that is, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a low hemolytic effect makes them an exceptional AgNP with a great hemocompatibility. They show a moderate catalytic‐effect in terms of removing methylene blue, with 67% degradation. Altogether, Drac‐AgNP, as a multi‐tasker material, shows potential for the prevention and treatment of infections and photothermal/chemotherapy of cancers.
A Highly Reproducible Micro U‐Well Array Plate Facilitating High‐Throughput Tumor Spheroid Culture and Drug Assessment
Authors: Wu Kuang‐Wei , Kuo Ching‐Te , Tu Ting‐Yuan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) have recently emerged as a landmark for cancer research due to their inherent traits that are physiologically relevant to primary tumor microenvironments. A facile approach–laser‐ablated micro U‐wells–has been widely adopted in the past decade. However, the differentiation of microwell uniformities and the construction of arrays have all remained elusive. Herein, an improved laser‐ablated microwell array technique is proposed that can not only achieve arrayed MCTSs with identical sizes but can also perform high‐throughput drug assessments in situ. Three critical laser ablation parameters, including frequency, duty cycle, and pulse number, are investigated to generate microwells flexibly with a range from 170 to 400 μm. The choice of microwells is optimally arranged into an array via precise control of horizontal spacing (dx) and vertical spacing (dy) amenable of cell‐loss‐free culture during cell seeding. Harvested T24, A549 and Huh‐7 MCTSs from the microwell array correspond to approximately 75 to 140 μm in diameter. Anticancer drug screening of cisplatin validated IC50 values in 2D and MCTS conditions are 3.5 versus 9.1 μM (T24), 11.8 versus 277.7 μM (A549) and 33.5 versus 52.8 μM (Huh‐7), and the permeability is measured to range from 0.042 to 0.58 μm min−1.
Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of materials used for primary reconstruction of orbital floor defects: Meta‐analysis
Authors: Bourry Maeva , Hardouin Jean‐Benoit , Fauvel Fabien , Corre Pierre , Lebranchu Pierre , Bertin Hélios 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this network meta‐analysis (NMA) was to compare the clinical results obtained after primary reconstruction of orbital floor fractures (OFF) using different materials.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were screened from 1989 to 2019. For a study to be eligible, it had to evaluate two or more materials and report the following clinical parameters: diplopia and/or enophthalmos and/or other complications.ResultsNine studies involving 946 patients presenting with an OFF were included. After the surgical procedure, 105 patients (11%) had diplopia, while 43 patients (4.5%) suffered from enophthalmos. The NMA revealed that less postoperative diplopia and enophthalmos were obtained either by using polydioxanone (PDS), or a polymer of l‐lactic acid and dl‐lactic acid (P[L/DL]LA), or porous polyethylene, or titanium mesh compared with the use of autologous bone grafts.ConclusionP(L/DL)LA and PDS seem to be the best options for small and intermediate defects, whereas the association of porous polyethylene and titanium should be preferred for larger defects.
Effects of adolescent experience of food restriction and exercise on spatial learning and open field exploration of female rats
Authors: Chowdhury Tara G. , Fenton André A. , Aoki Chiye 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe hippocampus carries out multiple functions: spatial cognition dorsally (DH) and regulation of emotionality‐driven behavior ventrally (VH). Previously, we showed that dendrites of DH and VH pyramidal neurons of female rats are still developing robustly during adolescence and are altered by the experience of food restriction and voluntary exercise on a wheel. We tested whether such anatomical changes during adolescence impact anxiety‐like behavior and spatial cognition. Four groups of female rats were evaluated for these behaviors: those with wheel access in its cage from postnatal day (P) 36–44 (EX); those with food access restricted to 1 hr per day, from P40 to 44 (FR); those with EX from P36 to 44, combined with FR from P40 to 44, which we will refer to as EX + FR; and controls, CON (no EX, no FR). Open field test for anxiety‐like behavior and active place avoidance test for spatial cognition were conducted at P47–49, the age when food restricted animals have restored body weight, or at P54–56, to identify more enduring effects. Anxiety‐like behavior was elevated for the EX and FR groups at P47–49 but not for the EX + FR group. By P54–56, the EX + FR and EX groups exhibited less anxiety‐like behavior, indicating a beneficial delayed main effect of exercise. There was a beneficial main effect of food restriction upon cognition, as the FR group showed cognition superior to CONs' at P44–46 and P54–56, while the EX + FR animals also showed enhanced spatial learning at P54–56. EX + FR animals with best adaptation to the feeding schedule showed the best spatial learning performance but with a delay. The EX group exhibited only a transient improvement. These findings indicate that FR, EX, and EX + FR in mid‐adolescence are all beneficial in reducing anxiety‐like behavior and improving spatial cognition but with subtle differences in the timing of their manifestation, possibly reflecting the protracted maturation of the hippocampus.
Bidirectional modulation of hippocampal and amygdala synaptic plasticity by post‐weaning obesogenic diet intake in male rats: Influence of the duration of diet exposure
Authors: Vouimba Rose‐Marie , Bakoyiannis Ioannis , Ducourneau Eva‐Gunnel , Maroun Mouna , Ferreira Guillaume 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObesity is a chronic condition associated with adverse memory and emotional outcomes in humans and animal models. We have recently demonstrated that post‐weaning (i.e., periadolescent) high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity has opposite effect on hippocampal and amygdala‐dependent memory in rodents: while HFD consumption impairs spatial and relational memory, it enhances cue‐dependent emotional memory. However, it is still not clear whether this bidirectional HFD effect on memory is related to bidirectional alterations of hippocampal and amygdala synaptic plasticity and if it is influenced by the duration of diet intake. In the current study, we compared in male rats the impact of 2–3 and 6–7 months of HFD intake starting at weaning, thus covering adolescence, on in vivo long‐term potentiation (LTP) recorded simultaneously in the hippocampal area CA1 and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). As expected, 6–7 months of HFD intake abolished LTP in the CA1 and enhanced LTP in the BLA. However, 2–3 months of of HFD exposure enhanced LTP in both CA1 and BLA suggesting a transient compensatory mechanism in hippocampus. These results indicate that post‐weaning HFD intake progressively leads to bidirectional modulation of hippocampal and amygdala synaptic plasticity, as we previously demonstrated for related memory processes, yet with a different temporal dynamic.
Cytotoxicity of metformin against HT29 colon cancer cells contributes to mitochondrial Sirt3 upregulation
Authors: Khodaei Forouzan , Hosseini Sayed M. , Omidi Mahmoud , Hosseini Seyede F. , Rezaei Mohsen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCancer and diabetes, the two mitochondria‐related diseases, have recently been linked to silent mating‐type information regulation 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3) activity irregularities. In this study, the effect of metformin, an antidiabetic with anticancer properties, has been evaluated on mitochondrial functionality markers, cell death pathways, and SIRT3 enzyme activity in the colon cancer cell line, HT‐29, and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293). HT‐29 cells were treated with metformin (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µM) for 24, 48, and 72 h for measuring the IC50 concentration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, SIRT3 activity, and expression were evaluated against the colon cancer cell line, HT‐29. Results indicated a higher ROS production at 6 than 12 h with metformin treatment. Metformin modified the mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in cell death induction. Results from SIRT3 activity and expression showed that metformin increased its activity and expression in cancer cells. In conclusion, metformin in HT‐29 cells disturbed the mitochondrial activity via increased ROS levels and SIRT3 activity, and these rapid modifications may play a key role in its cytotoxic property.
Validation of loop‐mediated isothermal amplification to detect Helicobacter pylori and 23S rRNA mutations: A prospective, observational clinical cohort study
Authors: Park Chang‐Geun , Kim Seohyeon , Jeon Hyo‐Sung , Han Seungwoo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying point mutations in 23S rRNA closely associated with clarithromycin resistance can increase the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). In this study, we verified the sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of a newly developed loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay kit to detect H pylori and 2143G and 2182C mutations in 23S rRNA.MethodsLAMP assay to detect H pylori and a mutant strain with 2143G and 2182C was conducted with the Isopollo® H pylori & ClaR kit. A prospective, open‐label, observational study was conducted to validate the reliability of the LAMP assay in both a development cohort and a bedside direct LAMP cohort.ResultsThe LAMP assay had good sensitivity, as it could detect as few as 10–100 copies of H pylori and mutants with 2143G and 2182C in 23S rRNA, and good specificity, as it did not react with other bacterial species. In the development cohort with 622 participants, the LAMP assay showed good agreement with RUT for detecting H pylori (kappa value 0.923, P < .001) and had exactly the same results as sequencing analysis for 2143G and 2182C point mutations. The direct LAMP cohort including 93 patients had 97.7% (42/43) of concordance in detecting 2143G and 2182C point mutations compared to the PCR‐based sequencing analysis.ConclusionThe Isopollo® H pylori & ClaR LAMP assay was a valid method for detecting H pylori and for 2143G and 2182C point mutations in 23S rRNA in a clinical setting.