bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intelligent pH indicator films containing anthocyanins extracted from blueberry peel for monitoring tilapia fillet freshness
Authors: Shi Ce , Zhang Jiaran , Jia Zhixin , Yang Xinting , Zhou Zhongyun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDFish spoilage leads to an increase in the pH value of the fish. A colorimetric pH indicator can be used to monitor fish spoilage and has been exploited in intelligent packaging because of its simplicity, practicality and low cost. The aim of this study was to develop two pH‐indicator films comprising starch (S), tara gum (TG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and anthocyanins extracted from blueberry peel and the films were then used to monitor the freshness of tilapia fillets during storage at 25 and 4 °C.RESULTSThe ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐visible) spectra and color of anthocyanins changed within pH 2–10. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐visible spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy certified that blueberry peel extract (BPE) had been introduced into the S/PVA and TG/PVA matrices. Visual color changes in the films occurred at pH 2–8. A freshness application test was conducted in tilapia fillets stored at 4 and 25 °C, and visual color changes in the films were observed. The TG/PVA/BPE film had a greater color difference (ΔE) from pink and transparent to dark yellow at 25 °C and to dark purple at 4 °C than ΔE of S/PVA/BPE film, which sufficiently correlated with the change of total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N) and total aerobic counts (TACs) of fillets.CONCLUSIONIt can be concluded that the color changes of TG/PVA/BPE films were corresponded with TVB‐N and TAC values of tilapia fillets, which presented great potential as a visual package label to monitor fish freshness at ambient and chilled temperatures. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Reoperation cascade in postmastectomy breast reconstruction and its associated factors: Results from a long‐term population‐based study
Authors: Roberts Amanda , Baxter Nancy N. , Sutradhar Rinku , Lau Cindy , Zhong Toni 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundUnplanned surgeries following postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) may be required to treat complications or to revise the reconstructed breast. The primary objective of this study was to examine factors that influenced unplanned reoperations after PMBR.MethodsA retrospective cohort study using provincial databases in Ontario, Canada, was completed. Patients with breast cancer underwent mastectomy between April 2002 and March 2012 followed by immediate or delayed PMBR. Primary outcome was time from PMBR to unplanned reoperations measured in years. The Anderson‐Gill counting process model was used to estimate the risk of recurrent unplanned reoperations over time. Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed to examine the association between covariates.ResultsA total of 3066 women underwent PMBR and 51.7% had at least one unplanned reoperation. Unplanned breast reoperation was significantly associated with microsurgical tissue vs implant‐based reconstruction (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27), radiation after PMBR (HR: 1.22), surgery at a nonteaching hospital (HR: 1.16), patient comorbidity score (HR: 1.02), and prior unplanned reoperations (HR: 1.25).ConclusionsOur study provides important long‐term population‐level data regarding factors influencing unplanned reoperations after PMBR. Patients undergoing microsurgical PMBR or postmastectomy radiation had a higher rate of additional procedures. Every additional reoperation also increases the likelihood of unplanned reoperations resulting in a “reoperation cascade.”
Imaging the local biochemical content of native and injured intervertebral disc using Fourier transform infrared microscopy
Authors: Sloan Stephen R. , Wipplinger Christoph , Kirnaz Sertaç , Delgado Robert , Huang Steven , Shvets Gennady , Härtl Roger , Bonassar Lawrence J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlterations to the biochemical composition of the intervertebral disc (IVD) are hallmarks of aging and degeneration. Methods to assess biochemical content, such as histology, immunohistochemistry, and spectrophotometric assays, are limited in their ability to quantitatively analyze the spatial distribution of biochemical components. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy is a biochemical analysis method that can yield both quantitative and high‐resolution data about the spatial distribution of biochemical components. This technique has been largely unexplored for use with the IVD, and existing methods use complex analytical techniques that make results difficult to interpret. The objective of the present study is to describe an FTIR microscopy method that has been optimized for imaging the collagen and proteoglycan content of the IVD. The method was performed on intact and discectomized IVDs from the sheep lumbar spine after 6 weeks in vivo in order to validate FTIR microscopy in healthy and degenerated IVDs. FTIR microscopy quantified collagen and proteoglycan content across the entire IVD and showed local changes in biochemical content after discectomy that were not observed with traditional histological methods. Changes in collagen and proteoglycans content were found to have strong correlations with Pfirrmann grades of degeneration. This study demonstrates how FTIR microscopy is a valuable research tool that can be used to quantitatively assess the local biochemical composition of IVDs in development, degeneration, and repair.
Methods to determine the kinetic performance limit of contemporary chromatographic techniques
Authors: Broeckhoven Ken , Desmet Gert 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBy combining separation efficiency data as a function of flow rate with the column permeability, the kinetic plot method allows to determine the limits of separation power (time vs. efficiency) of different chromatographic techniques and methods. The technique can be applied for all different types of chromatography (liquid, gas, or supercritical fluid), for different types of column morphologies (packed beds, monoliths, open tubular, micromachined columns), for pressure and electro‐driven separations and in both isocratic and gradient elution mode. The present contribution gives an overview of the methods and calculations required to correctly determine these kinetic performance limits and their underlying limitations.
The Monocyte to High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in the Prediction for Atherosclerosis: A Retrospective Study in Adult Chinese Participants
Authors: Zhou Yaqing , Wang Liyi , Jia Limei , Lu Baojin , Gu Guoqiang , Bai Long , Cui Wei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe ratio of monocyte to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level (MHR) was a newly proposed inflammatory and oxidative stress marker. This study aimed to explore the association between MHR and Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (Ba‐PWV) in adult Chinese participants. A total of 2029 participants were divided into two groups according to the Ba‐PWV: a high Ba‐PWV group (Ba‐PWV ≥1400 cm/s) and a low Ba‐PWV group (Ba‐PWV < 1400 cm/s). According to the cut‐off points of quartile of MHR, the participants were divided into four groups. The relationship between MHR and Ba‐PWV was analyzed. After adjusting for potential confounders, a non‐linear relationship between MHR and Ba‐PWV was found in the participants, and the inflection point was 7.78 in the non‐linear curve. On the left of the inflection point, MHR had a positive correlation with Ba‐PWV (OR = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08 to 1.28, p < 0.01). However, there was no obvious relationship between MHR and Ba‐PWV on the right of the inflection point (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.01, p = 0.117). Further demographic analysis demonstrated that the positive relationship between MHR and Ba‐PWV was found in the female participants with hypertension family history, but without a current history of hypertension, smoking, or drinking (p < 0.05). An increased MHR is a risk factor of atherosclerosis, which may predict the potential development of atherosclerosis. When the MHR is close to 7.78, it has the highest predictive value for the risk of atherosclerosis occurrence.
Constructing a Biomaterial to Simulate Extracellular Drug Transport in Solid Tumors
Authors: Huayamares Sebastian G. , Song Jimmy Y. , Huang Aric , Crowl Samuel R. , Groer Chad E. , Forrest M. Laird , Berkland Cory J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDesigning an in vitro model of the tumor extracellular microenvironment to screen intratumoral drugs is an active challenge. As recent clinical successes of human intratumoral therapies stimulate research on intratumoral delivery, a need for a 3D tumor model to screen intratumoral therapies arises. When injecting the drug formulation directly into the tumor, the biophysics affecting intratumoral retention must be considered; especially for biologic therapies, which may be dominated by extracellular transport mechanisms. Fibrotic regions in solid tumors are typically rich in collagen I fibers. Using shear rheology, head and neck tumors with higher collagen density show a higher stiffness. Similarly, the stiffness of the hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel models is increased by adding collagen fibers to model the bulk biomechanical properties of solid tumors. HA hydrogels are then used as intratumoral injection site simulators to model in vitro the retention of glatiramer acetate (GA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) administered intratumorally. Both compounds are also injected in murine tumors and retention is studied ex vivo for comparison. Retention of GA in the hydrogels is significantly longer than PEG, analogous to the solid tumors, suggesting the utility of HA hydrogels with collagen I fibers for screening extracellular drug transport after intratumoral administration.
Organocatalytic Synthesis of Alkyne‐Functional Aliphatic Polycarbonates via Ring‐Opening Polymerization of an Eight‐Membered‐N‐Cyclic Carbonate
Authors: Bexis Panagiotis , De Winter Julien , Arno Maria C. , Coulembier Olivier , Dove Andrew P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe synthesis of well‐defined propargyl‐functional aliphatic polycarbonates is achieved via the organocatalytic ring‐opening polymerization of prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yl 2‐oxo‐1,3,6‐dioxazocane‐6‐carboxylate (P‐8NC) using a wide variety of commercially available or readily made, shelf‐stable organocatalysts. The resulting homopolymers show low dispersities and end‐group fidelity, with the versatility of the system being demonstrated by the synthesis of telechelic copolymers and block copolymers with molar mass up to 40 kDa.
A preliminary examination of the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal rhizosphere microbiome in healthy and Phellinus noxius‐infected trees
Authors: Tsang Karen Sze Wing , Cheung Man Kit , Lam Regent Yau Ching , Kwan Hoi Shan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPhellinus noxius is a pathogenic fungus that causes brown root rot disease, resulting in a widespread tree and crop mortality in the tropics and subtropics. Early stages of this disease are largely asymptomatic, hindering early diagnosis and effective treatment. We hypothesized that P. noxius infection would alter the rhizosphere microbiome of infected trees, based on which diagnostic biomarkers could be developed. Here, we examined for the first time the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal rhizosphere microbiome in four species of healthy and P. noxius‐infected trees (Ficus microcarpa, Celtis sinensis, Mallotus paniculatus, and Cinnamomum camphora) using high‐throughput amplicon sequencing. Results revealed the dominance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria in bacteria, Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota in archaea, and Ascomycota and Basidiomycota in fungi. Phellinus noxius infection did not affect the alpha diversity of the bacterial rhizosphere microbiome in all four tree species but affected that of archaea and fungi in a tree species‐dependent manner. Infection with P. noxius only affected the bacterial rhizosphere composition in M. paniculatus but not the other three tree species. By contrast, P. noxius infection affected the composition of the archaeal and fungal rhizosphere microbiome in all four tree species. Collectively, these results suggest that potential diagnostic biomarkers for brown root rot disease are tree species‐specific and should be developed based on different taxonomic groups. Our study has provided insights into the rhizosphere microbiome in healthy and P. noxius‐infected trees and laid a solid foundation for future comprehensive studies.
Disease causing property analyzation of variants in 12 Chinese families with polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Dong Kexian , Liu Xiaogang , Jia Xueyuan , Miao Huanhuan , Ji Wei , Wu Jie , Huang Yun , Xu Lidan , Zhang Xuelong , Su Hui , Ji Guohua , Liu Peng , Guan Rongwei , Bai Jing , Fu Songbin , Zhou Xianli , Sun Wenjing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundPolycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disease that is life‐threatening. Multiple cysts are present in the bilateral kidneys of PKD patients. The progressively enlarged cysts cause structural damage and loss of kidney function.MethodsThis study examined and analyzed 12 families with polycystic kidney disease. Whole exome sequencing (WES) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the probands was performed to detect the pathogenic genes. The candidate gene segments for lineal consanguinity in the family were amplified by the nest PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. The variants were assessed by pathogenic and conservational property prediction analysis and interpreted according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.ResultsNine of the 12 pedigrees were identified the disease causing variants. Among them, four novel variants in PKD1, c.6930delG:p.C2311Vfs*3, c.1216T>C:p.C406R, c.8548T>C:p.S2850P, and c.3865G>A:p.V1289M (NM_001009944.2) were detected. After assessment, the four novel variants were considered to be pathogenic variants and cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in family. The detected variants were interpreted.ConclusionThe four novel variants in PKD1, c.6930delG:p.C2311Vfs*3, c.1216T>C:p.C406R, c.8548T>C:p.S2850P, and c.3865G>A:p.V1289M (NM_001009944.2) are pathogenic variants and cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in family.
Genomic study of dilated cardiomyopathy in a group of Mexican patients using site‐directed next generation sequencing
Authors: Carnevale Alessandra , Rosas‐Madrigal Sandra , Rosendo‐Gutiérrez Rigoberto , López‐Mora Enrique , Romero‐Hidalgo Sandra , Avila‐Vazzini Nydia , Jacobo‐Albavera Leonor , Domínguez‐Pérez Mayra , Vargas‐Alarcón Gilberto , Pérez‐Villatoro Fernando , Navarrete‐Martínez Juana Inés , Villarreal–Molina María Teresa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of nonischemic heart failure and death in young adults. Next generation sequencing (NGS) has become part of the diagnostic workup in idiopathic and familial DCM. More than 50 DCM genes have been identified, revealing great molecular heterogeneity and variable diagnostic yield. Interpretation of variant pathogenicity is challenging particularly in underrepresented populations, as pathogenic variant databases include studies mainly from European/Caucasian populations. To date, no studies on genomic diagnosis of DCM have been conducted in Mexico.MethodsWe recruited 55 unrelated DCM patients, 22 familial (F‐DCM), and 33 idiopathic (I‐DCM), and performed site‐directed NGS seeking causal mutations. Diagnostic yield was defined as the proportion of individuals with at least one pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) variant in DCM genes.ResultsOverall diagnostic yield was 47.3%, and higher in F‐DCM (63.6%) than in I‐DCM (36.4%, p = 0.047). Overall, NGS disclosed 41 variants of clinical interest (61.0% novel), 27 were classified as P/LP and 14 of unknown clinical significance. Of P/LP variants, 10 were A‐band region TTN truncating variants, five were found in DSP (18.5%), five in MYH7 (18.5%), two in LMNA (7.4%), and one in RBM20, ABCC9, FKTN, ACTA1, and TNNT2. NGS findings suggested autosomal recessive inheritance in three families, two with DSP loss of function mutations in affected individuals. The increasing number of mutation reports in DCM, increasing knowledge on the functional consequences of mutations, mutational hotspots and functional domains of DCM‐related proteins, the recent refinement ACMG/ClinGen Guidelines, and co‐segregation analysis in DCM families helped increase the diagnostic yield.ConclusionThis is the first NGS study performed in a group of Mexican DCM patients, contributing to understand the mutational spectrum and complexity of DCM molecular diagnosis.
Association of a novel homozygous mutation in the HMGCS2 gene with an HMGCSD in an Iranian patient
Authors: Heidari Masoud , Soleyman‐Nejad Morteza , Isazadeh Alireza , Shapouri Javad , Taskhiri Mohammad Hossein , Ahangari Roghayyeh , Mohamadi Ali Reza , Ebrahimi Masoumeh , Karimi Hadi , Bolhassani Manzar , Karimi Zahra , Heidari Mansour 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground3‐Hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) synthase 2 gene (HMGCS2) encodes a mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the first reaction of ketogenesis metabolic pathway which provides lipid‐derived energy for various organs during times of carbohydrate deprivation, such as fasting. Mutations in this gene are responsible for HMG‐CoA synthase deficiency (HMGCSD). The aim of present study was to investigate the association of mutation in the HMGCS2 gene with HMGCSD in a patient with atypical symptoms.MethodsThe clinical and genetic features of an 8‐months‐old girl with HMGCSD were evaluated. Molecular genetic testing was conducted using whole‐exome sequencing (WES) in order to identify potential disease‐causing mutation. The WES finding was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the target sequence carried out for the patient and her parents. The PCR products were subjected to direct sequencing using forward and reverse specific primers corresponding to the HMGCS2 gene.ResultsA novel homozygous missense mutation (c.266G>A p.Gly89Asp) was detected in the HMGCS2 gene. Sanger sequencing along with co‐segregation analysis of all family members confirmed this novel pathogenic germline mutation. The mutant gene was found to be pathogenic by bioinformatics analysis.ConclusionTo our best knowledge, this is the first report of HMGCSD in Iran which would expand our knowledge about the mutational spectrum of the HMGCS2 gene and the phenotype variations of the disease.
Independent reaction times method in Geant4‐DNA: Implementation and performance
Authors: Ramos‐Méndez José , Shin Wook‐Geun , Karamitros Mathieu , Domínguez‐Kondo Jorge , Tran Ngoc Hoang , Incerti Sebastien , Villagrasa Carmen , Perrot Yann , Štěpán Václav , Okada Shogo , Moreno‐Barbosa Eduardo , Faddegon Bruce 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThe simulation of individual particle tracks and the chemical stage following water radiolysis in biological tissue is an effective means of improving our knowledge of the physico‐chemical contribution to the biological effect of ionizing radiation. However, the step‐by‐step simulation of the reaction kinetics of radiolytic species is the most time‐consuming task in Monte Carlo track‐structure simulations, with long simulation times that are an impediment to research. In this work, we present the implementation of the independent reaction times (IRT) method in Geant4‐DNA Monte Carlo toolkit to improve the computational efficiency of calculating G‐values, defined as the number of chemical species created or lost per 100 eV of deposited energy.MethodsThe computational efficiency of IRT, as implemented, is compared to that from available Geant4‐DNA step‐by‐step simulations for electrons, protons and alpha particles covering a wide range of linear energy transfer (LET). The accuracy of both methods is verified using published measured data from fast electron irradiations for •OH and for time‐dependent G‐values. For IRT, simulations in the presence of scavengers irradiated by cobalt‐60 γ‐ray and 2 MeV protons are compared with measured data for different scavenging capacities. In addition, a qualitative assessment comparing measured LET‐dependent G‐values with Geant4‐DNA calculations in pure liquid water is presented.ResultsThe IRT improved the computational efficiency by three orders of magnitude relative to the step‐by‐step method while differences in G‐values by 3.9% at 1 μs were found. At 7 ps, •OH and yields calculated with IRT differed from recent published measured data by 5% ± 4% and 2% ± 4%, respectively. At 1 μs, differences were 9% ± 5% and 6% ± 7% for •OH and , respectively. Uncertainties are one standard deviation. Finally, G‐values at different scavenging capacities and LET‐dependent G‐values reproduced the behavior of measurements for all radiation qualities.ConclusionThe comprehensive validation of the Geant4‐DNA capabilities to accurately simulate the chemistry following water radiolysis is an ongoing work. The implementation presented in this work is a necessary step to facilitate performing such a task.
Quantifying the effect of dobutamine stress on myocardial Pi and pH in healthy volunteers: A 31P MRS study at 7T
Authors: Apps Andrew , Valkovič Ladislav , Peterzan Mark , Lau Justin Y. C. , Hundertmark Moritz , Clarke William , Tunnicliffe Elizabeth M. , Ellis Jane , Tyler Damian J. , Neubauer Stefan , Rider Oliver J. , Rodgers Christopher T. , Schmid Albrecht Ingo 
Published: September 2020

PurposePhosphorus spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) is a proven method to probe cardiac energetics. Studies typically report the phosphocreatine (PCr) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ratio. We focus on another 31P signal: inorganic phosphate (Pi), whose chemical shift allows computation of myocardial pH, with Pi/PCr providing additional insight into cardiac energetics. Pi is often obscured by signals from blood 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate (2,3‐DPG). We introduce a method to quantify Pi in 14 min without hindrance from 2,3‐DPG.MethodsUsing a 31P stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence at 7 Tesla that inherently suppresses signal from 2,3‐DPG, the Pi peak was cleanly resolved. Resting state UTE‐chemical shift imaging (PCr/ATP) and STEAM 31P‐MRS (Pi/PCr, pH) were undertaken in 23 healthy controls; pH and Pi/PCr were subsequently recorded during dobutamine infusion.ResultsWe achieved a clean Pi signal both at rest and stress with good 2,3‐DPG suppression. Repeatability coefficient (8 subjects) for Pi/PCr was 0.036 and 0.12 for pH. We report myocardial Pi/PCr and pH at rest and during catecholamine stress in healthy controls. Pi/PCr was maintained during stress (0.098 ± 0.031 [rest] vs. 0.098 ± 0.031 [stress] P = .95); similarly, pH did not change (7.09 ± 0.07 [rest] vs. 7.08 ± 0.11 [stress] P = .81). Feasibility for patient studies was subsequently successfully demonstrated in a patient with cardiomyopathy.ConclusionWe introduced a method that can resolve Pi using 7 Tesla STEAM 31P‐MRS. We demonstrate the stability of Pi/PCr and myocardial pH in volunteers at rest and during catecholamine stress. This protocol is feasible in patients and potentially of use for studying pathological myocardial energetics.