bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic characterization of tissue and liquids during arthroscopic radio‐frequency ablation
Authors: Cornaz Frédéric , Valet Sebastian , Meyer Dominik Christoph 
Published: April 2020

PurposeRadio‐frequency ablation devices generating a local plasma are widely used as a safe and precise tool for tissue removal in arthroscopic surgeries. During this process, specific light emissions are generated. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of optical emission spectrum analysis for liquid and tissue characterization.MethodsThe emissions in different saline solutions and during porcine tendon, muscle, and bone tissue ablation were recorded and analyzed in the range of 200–1000 nm.ResultsSpecific atomic lines (Na, K, Ca, H, O, W) and molecular bands (OH, CN, C2) were identified, originating from compounds in the liquids and tissues in contact with the probe. A linear correlation between the concentration of both Na and K in solution with the intensities of their spectral lines was observed (Na: R2 = 0.986, P < 0.001; K: R2 = 0.963, P < 0.001). According to the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, the Ca‐ and K‐peak intensities between all three tissue samples and the CN‐peak intensities between muscle and bone and tendon and bone differed significantly (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings prove the general feasibility of spectroscopic analysis as a tool for characterization of liquids and tissues ablated during radio‐frequency ablation. This method can potentially be further developed into an intraoperative, real‐time diagnostic feature aiding the surgical team in further optimizing the procedure.
Computation of geophysical magnetic data for a buried 3‐D hexahedral prism using the Gauss–Legendre quadrature method
Authors: Mohamed Hassan , Mizunaga Hideki , Saibi Hakim 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTA new method is presented for the 3‐D forward modelling of the magnetic effects (induced magnetization) of a hexahedral (trilinear) prism using the Gauss–Legendre quadrature method. The 3‐D forward modelling provides an improved application to geological problems. The magnetic effect has been evaluated via the summation of the effects of the point dipole that fills the volume. The 3‐D volume is divided into smaller prisms using an appropriate number of nodes. The algorithm is tested on two synthetic examples, and the results are compared against calculated data from a common program developed at the University of British Columbia–Geophysical Inversion Facility, with both tests showing positive results. The results of testing the algorithm against two synthetic slab models are also given. Finally, the program is applied to a field data set from Aynak‐Logar Valley region in Afghanistan. Using this program, complex 3‐D model bodies may be constructed from hexahedral prisms to facilitate the calculation of their magnetic anomalies and magnetic susceptibility. Interpretation of the results shows that 3‐D constructed models are successful in recovering the shape and location of the true model.
Medications for pregnant women: A balancing act between the interests of the mother and of the fetus
Authors: Saunders Norman R. , Dziegielewska Katarzyna M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDrug entry into the adult brain is controlled by efflux mechanisms situated in various brain barrier interfaces. The effectiveness of these protective mechanisms in the embryo, fetus and newborn brain is less clear. The longstanding belief that “the” blood‐brain barrier is absent or immature in the fetus and newborn has led to many misleading statements with potential clinical implications. Here we review the properties of brain barrier mechanisms in the context of drug entry into the developing brain and discuss the limited number of studies published on the subject. We noticed that most of available literature suffers from some experimental limitations, notably that drug levels in fetal blood and cerebrospinal fluid have not been measured. This means that the relative contribution to the overall brain protection provided by individual barriers such as the placenta (which contains similar efflux mechanisms) and the brain barriers cannot be separately ascertained. Finally, we propose that systematic studies in appropriate animal models of drug entry into the brain at different stages of development would provide a rational basis for use of medications in pregnancy and in newborns, especially prematurely born, where protection usually provided by the placenta is no longer present.
Time Course of Changes in Sorafenib‐Treated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Suggests Involvement of Phospho‐Regulated Signaling in Ferroptosis Induction
Authors: Werth Emily G. , Rajbhandari Presha , Stockwell Brent R. , Brown Lewis M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFerroptosis is a form of regulated, non‐apoptotic cell death characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation that can be triggered by inhibition of the cystine‐glutamate antiporter, system Xc−. Sorafenib, an FDA‐approved multi‐kinase inhibitor drug that is used for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been shown to induce ferroptosis. Protein phosphorylation changes upon sorafenib treatment have been previously reported in patient studies and in cell culture. However, early phosphorylation changes during induction of ferroptosis are not reported. This work highlights these changes through a time course from 7 to 60 min of sorafenib treatment in human (SKHep1) HCC cells. A total of 6170 unique phosphosites from 2381 phosphoproteins are quantified, and phosphorylation changes occur after as little as 30 min of sorafenib treatment. By 60 min, notable changes included phosphosites significantly changing on p53 (P04637), CAD protein (P27708), and proteins important for iron homeostasis, such as heavy chain ferritin (FTH1; P02794), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1; P09601), and PCBP1 (Q15365). Additional sites on proteins in key regulatory pathways are identified, including sites in ferroptosis‐related proteins, indicating the likely involvement of phospho‐regulated signaling during ferroptosis induction.
A Comparison of Protein and mRNA Expression during Development of the Soil Dwelling Prokaryote (S. coelicolor)
Authors: Pospíšil Jiří , Strunin Dmytro , Ziková Alice , Hubálek Martin , Vohradský Jiří 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this paper, correlation analysis of protein and mRNA levels in the soil dwelling bacteria Streptomyces coelicolor (S. coelicolor M145) is presented during development of the population as it grew in liquid medium using three biological and two technical replicates, measured during exponential growth, and its entry into the stationary phase. The proteome synthesis time series are compared with the gene expression time series measured previously under identical experimental conditions. Results reveal that about one third of protein/mRNA synthesis profiles are well correlated while another third are correlated negatively. Functional analysis of the highly correlated groups is presented. Based on numerical simulation, the negative correlation between protein and mRNA is shown to be caused by the difference between the rate of translation and protein degradation.
Nonanal modulates oviposition preference in female Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) via the activation of peripheral neurons
Authors: Wang Chan , Li Guannan , Miao Changjian , Zhao Man , Wang Bing , Guo Xianru 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe insect olfactory system can recognize odorants for feeding, courtship, oviposition and avoiding natural enemies. Odorant cues from host plants play important roles in insect behaviours. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is the main cultivated host of the oriental tobacco budworm Helicoverpa assult. Volatiles of tobacco plants attract and stimulate oviposition in female moths. However, it is still not known how female H. assulta recognize tobacco volatiles and which odorant compounds are used as oviposition cues.RESULTSWe detected 14 volatile compounds emitted from a tobacco plant during vegetative growth, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Electroantennogram tests indicated that eight of the 14 compounds induced responses in female H. assulta. Among these eight volatiles, nonanal greatly increased oviposition preference. Single‐sensillum recording (SSR) results showed that many neurons housed in three types of short basiconic sensilla and four types of long basiconic sensilla responded to nonanal and heptanal as its structural analogue. The responses to nonanal were significantly stronger than those to the other compounds. Nonanal was the main ligand of OR67, an odorant receptor from H. assulta. This was demonstrated using an in vitro Xenopus oocytes expression system that supported the SSR results.CONCLUSIONNonanal is a key signal volatile of tobacco plants that attracts female H. assulta moths to oviposit. © 2020 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Cloning and functional identification of a Chilo suppressalis‐inducible promoter of rice gene, OsHPL2
Authors: Li Hanpeng , Wang Zhengjie , Han Kehong , Guo Mengjian , Zou Yulan , Zhang Wei , Ma Weihua , Hua Hongxia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDPromoters play a key role in driving insect‐resistant genes during breeding of transgenic plants. In current transgenic procedures for breeding rice resistance to striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker, SSB), the constitutive promoter is used to drive the insect‐resistant gene. To reduce the burden of constitutive promoters on plant growth, isolation and identification of insect‐inducible promoters are particularly important. However, few promoters are induced specifically by insect feeding.RESULTSWe found rice hydroperoxide lyase gene (OsHPL2) (LOC_Os02g12680) was upregulated after feeding by SSB. We subsequently cloned the promoter of OsHPL2 and analysed its expression pattern using the β‐glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Histochemical assays and quantitative analyses of GUS activity confirmed that P
HPL2:GUS was activated by SSB, but did not respond to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPH) infestation, mechanical wounding or phytohormone treatments. A series of 5′ truncated assays were conducted and three positive regulatory regions (−1452 to −1213, −903 to −624, and −376 to −176) induced by SSB infestation were identified. P2R123‐min 35S and P2TR2‐min 35S promoters linked with cry1C of transgenic plants showed the highest levels of Cry1C protein expression and SSB larval mortality.CONCLUSIONWe identified an SSB‐inducible promoter and three positive internal regions. Transgenic rice plants with the OsHPL2 promoter and its positive regions driving cry1C exhibited the expected larvicidal effect on SSB. Our study is the first report of an SSB‐inducible promoter that could be used as a potential resource for breeding insect‐resistant transgenic crops. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
FGF‐21 biomarker detection at the sub‐nanogram per mL level in human serum using normal‐flow liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Gao Wenqing , Yang Jiaqian , Liu Rong , Yan Yinghua , Xie Chengyi , Yu Jiancheng , Tang Keqi 
Published: April 2020

RationaleQuantitative detection of the FGF‐21 biomarker at the sub‐nanogram per mL level in human serum has generally been achieved using nanoflow liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) due to its high sensitivity. However, a nano‐LC/MS/MS‐based assay can suffer from limited reproducibility and MS signal instability making it challenging to employ it as a robust analytical method for routine clinical applications.MethodsTo tackle these limitations, parallel reaction monitoring (PRM)‐based targeted protein quantification using normal‐flow liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution, accurate mass instrumentation was evaluated as a possible alternative. Different from the conventional selected reaction monitoring (SRM) using triple quadrupole MS, the proposed strategy used high‐resolution orbitrap MS coupled with conventional normal‐flow liquid chromatography. The primary goal of this assay development effort is to significantly improve the robustness of the LC/MS/MS‐based assay while maintaining high sensitivity by the use of high‐resolution MS and a large sample loading volume.ResultsThe performance of the normal‐flow LC/MS/MS assay was evaluated by using it to quantify the FGF‐21 protein, a potential biomarker for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, in serum samples. Multiple replicated PRM sample quantification results demonstrated the excellent reproducibility and operational robustness of the assay. A limit of quantification of less than 0.4 ng/mL for FGF‐21 in a complex serum matrix could be achieved by using the heavy‐isotope‐labeled peptide technique, a result which is comparable with the sensitivity obtained using the nano‐LC/SRM MS‐based assay.ConclusionsThe strategy offered an effective alternative to nano‐LC/SRM MS for the quantification of protein biomarkers in a complex biomatrix with much improved reproducibility and operational robustness.
No‐till establishment improves the climate benefit of bioenergy crops on marginal grasslands
Authors: Ruan Leilei , Robertson G. Philip 
Published: April 2020

AbstractExpanding biofuel production is expected to accelerate the conversion of unmanaged marginal lands to meet biomass feedstock needs. Greenhouse gas production during conversion jeopardizes the ensuing climate benefits, but most research to date has focused only on conversion to annual crops and only following tillage. Here we report the global warming impact of converting USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands to three types of bioenergy crops using no‐till (NT) vs. conventional tillage (CT). We established replicated NT and CT plots in three CRP fields planted to continuous corn, switchgrass, or restored prairie. For the 2 yr following an initial soybean year in all fields, we found that, on average, NT conversion reduced nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions by 50% and CO2 emissions by 20% compared with CT conversion. Differences were higher in Year 1 than in Year 2 in the continuous corn field, and in the two perennial systems the differences disappeared after Year 1. In all fields net CO2 emissions (as measured by eddy covariance) were positive for the first 2 yr following CT establishment, but following NT establishment net CO2 emissions were close to zero or negative, indicating net C sequestration. Overall, NT improved the global warming impact of biofuel crop establishment following CRP conversion by over 20‐fold compared with CT (−6.01 Mg CO2e ha−1 yr−1 for NT vs. −0.25 Mg CO2e ha−1 yr−1 for CT, on average). We also found that Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates of N2O emissions (as measured by static chambers) greatly underestimated actual emissions for converted fields regardless of tillage. Policies should encourage adoption of NT for converting marginal grasslands to perennial bioenergy crops to reduce C debt and maximize climate benefits.
Ultrasound‐guided sampling of the lateral abdominal vein in the grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus, Rafinesque 1810)
Authors: Otway Nicholas 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe paired lateral abdominal veins (LAV) provide alternative venipuncture sites in grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus, Rafinesque 1810) and their efficacy was assessed using morphometrics, necropsies, ultrasound‐guided blood sampling and by comparing serum biochemistry between the LAV and caudal vein (CV) with values from the latter published previously. The mean length of the CV was 2.8% of total length (TL) whereas each LAV was 22.4% of TL and, when combined, was approximately 16 times longer than the CV. The mean tissue thickness overlying each LAV increased significantly (p < .001) with increasing TL and ranged from 3.5 to 33.8 mm in the smallest to largest shark. The mean internal diameter of the paired LAV also increased significantly (p < .001) with increasing TL and was equal to or exceeded the CV. Experienced SCUBA divers captured 56 free‐living grey nurse sharks and 46 healthy animals were sampled for blood from the LAV and CV with minimal risk to the animals or staff. Venipuncture of the LAV (n = 16) was easily accomplished using ultrasound guidance with a 38 mm/18‐gauge needle, whereas standard methods were used with the CV (n = 30). Serum biochemistry was compared (t‐tests) and none of the biochemical analytes differed significantly between the LAV and CV. The paired LAV produced representative blood samples and could also be used for fluid therapy and/or intravenous anaesthesia as has been done in other sharks. It is recommended that veterinary/husbandry staff familiarize themselves with the paired LAV and consider their use in the future.
Temperature response and brine availability to heated boreholes in bedded salt
Authors: Guiltinan Eric J. , Kuhlman Kristopher L. , Rutqvist Jonny , Hu Mengsu , Boukhalfa Hakim , Mills Melissa , Otto Shawn , Weaver Douglas J. , Dozier Brian , Stauffer Philip H. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThere is a growing need for disposal of high‐level nuclear waste. To reduce uncertainty associated with brine availability to repository excavations in salt formations, a collaboration between Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories is performing a series of borehole‐scale coupled process tests. Here, we report on the first round of the Brine Availability Test in Salt (BATS) project, a “shakedown” experiment called Phase 1s. Experimental testing included placing a resistive heater, a 260‐W radiative heater, and a 750‐W radiative heater within previously drilled horizontal boreholes at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) while monitoring temperature and water inflow. The experiments successfully achieved the targeted temperature of 120 °C when using the 750‐W radiative heater. Simulations using FEHM (Finite Element Heat and Mass transfer code) and TOUGH‐FLAC (Transport Of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat–Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) were able to accurately predict the coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical–chemical response of salt, matching the observed temperature and brine production. Due to the extremely low permeability of salt, these systems take many years to reach steady state when perturbed by mining activities. Long‐term numerical simulations are used to develop the initial pressure and saturation conditions. The inclusion of a damaged rock zone with higher permeability around the borehole also affects the saturation and pressure distributions and plays an important role in dissipating the potential for thermal pressurization. Knowledge gained from this round of experimentation and simulation will be used to conduct the next BATS project experiment in new boreholes at WIPP.
Ceramic membrane based hybrid process for the upgrade of rural water treatment plants: A pilot study
Authors: Chen Li , Li Jiabin , Fu Wanyi , Zhang Xihui 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAn integrated process with ozonation, ceramic membrane ultrafiltration, and activated carbon filtration is investigated for the treatment of drinking water in the rural area of China. A pilot‐scale experiment with a capacity of 20 m3/d is conducted, and a number of water quality parameters are evaluated, such as turbidity, color, organic matter (CODMn), manganese (Mn), geosmin (GSM), 2‐methylisoborneol (2‐MIB), and 37 kinds of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). The result shows that the removal efficiency of all the evaluated parameters of this integrated process is much higher than that of the conventional treatment processes. In particular, the removal rate of PPCPs achieves 52.5%, which is twice higher than that of the conventional process. Moreover, ozone can oxidize manganese ions, degrade organic matters, and reduce membrane fouling. It is believed that the integrated treatment process developed in this study is efficient in upgrading the existing water treatment plants and ensuring the safety of drinking water in the rural areas around the world.
Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for trace determination of iron and some additional elements in biological samples
Authors: Gruber Andreas , Müller Riccarda , Wagner Alessa , Colucci Silvia , Spasić Maja Vujić , Leopold Kerstin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTrace elements are essential for life and their concentration in cells and tissues must be tightly maintained and controlled to avoid pathological conditions. Established methods to measure the concentration of trace elements in biological matrices often provide only single element information, are time-consuming, and require special sample preparation. Therefore, the development of straightforward and rapid analytical methods for enhanced, multi-trace element determination in biological samples is an important and raising field of trace element analysis. Herein, we report on the development and validation of a reliable method based on total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis to precisely quantify iron and other trace metals in a variety of biological samples, such as the liver, parenchymal and non-parenchymal liver cells, and bone marrow–derived macrophages. We show that TXRF allows fast and simple one-point calibration by addition of an internal standard and has the potential of multi-element analysis in minute sample amounts. The method was validated for iron by recovery experiments in homogenates in a wide concentration range from 1 to 1600 μg/L applying well-established graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) as a reference method. The recovery rate of 99.93 ± 0.14% reveals the absence of systematic errors. Furthermore, the standard reference material “bovine liver” (SRM 1577c, NIST) was investigated in order to validate the method for further biometals. Quantitative recoveries (92–106%) of copper, iron, zinc, and manganese prove the suitability of the developed method. The limits of detection for the minute sample amounts are in the low picogram range.
Scratch resistance of PEG-impregnated green wood: a method for evaluation of swollen wood properties
Authors: Fortino Stefania , Metsäjoki Jarkko , Ronkainen Helena , Bjurhager Ingela , Heinemann Sabine , Salminen Lauri I. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis work proposes an experimental approach to study the scratch resistance of green wood under the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnation. To this end, small-scale green spruce samples are stabilized against water by using the technique of PEG impregnation to prevent water to seep out of the wood during experimental tests. Scratches are performed in the radial-longitudinal and tangential-longitudinal planes of cubic wood samples by using two different indenter tips under constant and progressive normal loads. Scratch testing has previously been used mainly to characterize the abrasion resistance of coatings. Since PEG simulates the swelling effect of water in wood, this paper shows that the scratch tests on PEG-impregnated green wood can be adopted as a simple technique to understand the scratch resistance in swollen wood and the related mechanisms. The scratch test results, quantified in terms of frictional forces and permanent residual depths, reveal that the scratch resistance of wood samples depends on their PEG concentration and density, as well as on the indenter tip size and material, and on the normal force and direction during scratching. Due to the lack of literature on the scratch tests of wood, the results presented in this paper will serve as a scientific reference for future studies on the scratch resistance of untreated or treated dry wood and other wood-based products.