bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic Dantrolene Treatment Does Not Affect Hypertension, but Attenuates Sympathetic Stimulation Enhanced Atrial Fibrillation Inducibility in SHR
Authors: Lee Jae S , Greco Lisa , Migirov Allan , Li Ying , Gerdes A Martin , Zhang Youhua 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Ryanodine receptor (RyR) dysfunction in skeletal muscle (RyR1) leads to malignant hyperthermia, and in cardiac muscle (RyR2) triggers cardiac arrhythmias. We hypothesized that RyR dysfunction in vascular smooth muscle could increase vascular resistance and hypertension, and may contribute to increased atrial fibrillation (AF) in hypertension. Thus, stabilizing RyR function with chronic dantrolene treatment may attenuate hypertension and AF inducibility in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods
Male SHR (16 weeks old) were randomized into vehicle- (n = 10) and dantrolene-treated (10 mg/kg/day, n = 10) groups for 4 weeks. Wistar Kyoto (WKY, n = 11) rats served as controls. Blood pressures (BP) were monitored before and during the 4-week treatment. After 4-week treatment, direct BP, echocardiography, and hemodynamics were recorded. AF inducibility tests were performed in vivo at baseline and repeated under sympathetic stimulation (SS).

Results
Compared with WKY, SHR had significantly higher BP throughout the experimental period. Dantrolene treatment had no effect on BP levels in SHR (final systolic BP 212 ± 9 mm Hg in vehicle group vs. 208 ± 16 mm Hg in dantrolene group, P &gt; 0.05). AF inducibility was very low and not significantly different between 5-month-old WKY and SHR at baseline. However, under SS, AF inducibility and duration were significantly increased in SHR (20% in WKY vs. 60% in SHR-vehicle, P&lt;0.05). Dantrolene treatment significantly attenuated AF inducibility under SS in SHR (60% in vehicle vs. 20% in dantrolene, P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Stabilizing RyR with chronic dantrolene treatment does not affect hypertension development in SHR. SHR has increased vulnerability to AF induction under SS, which can be attenuated with dantrolene treatment.
Russellian physicalism and protophenomenal properties
Authors: Alter Torin , Coleman Sam 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAccording to Russellian monism, phenomenal consciousness is constituted by inscrutables: intrinsic properties that categorically ground dispositional properties described by fundamental physics. On Russellian physicalism, those inscrutables are construed as protophenomenal properties: non-structural properties that both categorically ground dispositional properties and, perhaps when appropriately structured, collectively constitute phenomenal properties. Morris and Brown (Journal of Consciousness Studies 2016, 2017) argue that protophenomenal properties cannot serve this purpose, given assumptions Russellian monists typically make about the modal profile of such properties. Those assumptions, it is argued, entail that protophenomenal properties are ‘experience specific’, that is, they are individuated by their potential to constitute phenomenal properties, and are thus not genuinely physical. However, we argue, that reasoning assumes that physical inscrutables must be individuated in terms of their (actual or possible) grounding roles. Not only is that assumption questionable: it is antithetical to Russellian monism.
Covering Array Constructors: An Experimental Analysis of Their Interaction Coverage and Fault Detection
Authors: Huang Rubing , Chen Haibo , Zhou Yunan , Yueh Chen Tsong , Towey Dave , Fai Lau Man , Ng Sebastian , Merkel Robert , Chen Jinfu 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Combinatorial interaction testing (CIT) aims at constructing a covering array (CA) of all value combinations at a specific interaction strength, to detect faults that are caused by the interaction of parameters. CIT has been widely used in different applications, with many algorithms and tools having been proposed to support CA construction. To date, however, there appears to have been no studies comparing different CA constructors when only some of the CA test cases are executed. In this paper, we present an investigation of five popular CA constructors: ACTS, Jenny, PICT, CASA and TCA. We conducted empirical studies examining the five programs, focusing on interaction coverage and fault detection. The experimental results show that when there is no preference or special justification for using other CA constructors, then Jenny is recommended—because it achieves better interaction coverage and fault detection than the other four constructors in many cases. Our results also show that when using ACTS or CASA, their CAs must be prioritized before testing. The main reason for this is that these CAs can result in considerable interaction coverage or fault detection capabilities when executing a large number of test cases; however, they may also produce the lowest rates of fault detection and interaction coverage.
Long-term effectiveness of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure
Authors: Samuel Michelle , Abrahamowicz Michal , Joza Jacqueline , Beauchamp Marie-Eve , Essebag Vidal , Pilote Louise 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Aims
Randomized trials suggest reductions in all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) rehospitalizations with catheter ablation (CA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and HF. Whether these results can be replicated in a real-world population with long-term follow-up or varies over time is unknown. We sought to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of CA in reducing the incidence of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalizations, stroke, and major bleeding in AF–HF patients.

Methods and results
In a cohort of patients newly diagnosed with AF–HF in Quebec, Canada (2000–2017), CA patients were matched 1:2 to controls on time and frequency of hospitalizations. Confounders were controlled for using inverse probability of treatment weighting. Multivariable Cox models adjusted for the presence of cardiac electronic implantable devices and medication use during follow-up, and the effect of time since CA was modelled with B-splines. For non-fatal outcomes, the Lunn–McNeil approach was used to account for the competing risk of death. Among 101 933 AF–HF patients, 451 underwent CA and were matched to 899 controls. Over a median follow-up of 3.8 years, CA was associated with a statistically significant reduction in all-cause mortality [hazard ratio 0.4 (95% confidence interval 0.2–0.7)], but no difference in stroke or major bleeding. The hazard of HF rehospitalization for CA patients, relative to non-CA patients, varied with time since CA (P = 0.01), with a reduction in HF rehospitalizations until approximately 3 years post-CA.

Conclusion
Compared with matched non-CA patients, CA was associated with a long-term reduction in all-cause mortality and a reduction in HF rehospitalizations until 3 years post-CA.
Gut microbial diversity during pregnancy and early infancy: an exploratory study in the Indian population
Authors: Kumbhare Shreyas V , Patangia Dhrati V , Mongad Dattatray S , Bora Abhijeet , Bavdekar Ashish R , Shouche Yogesh S 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACT
The gut microbial community is known to influence the human health and disease state and is shaped by various factors since birth. It is now evident that understanding the alterations in these commensal microbes during crucial stages of life is of utmost importance to determine and predict the health status of an individual. To study the gut microbiota in two such vital stages, pregnancy and infancy, we analyzed gut microbial communities from 20 mother-infant dyads at different stages of pregnancy and early infancy. In total, we analyzed 80 fecal samples for profiling the gut microbial community using 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing. We observed no significant alterations in the gut bacterial diversity during pregnancy; however, significant alterations were observed during the period from birth to six months in infants, with a reduction in Staphylococcus and Enterococcus and an increase in Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus with a more stable microbial community at the age of six months.
Construction of artificial membrane transport metabolons – an emerging strategy in metabolic engineering
Authors: Oreb Mislav 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACT
The term ‘membrane transport metabolon’ refers to the physical association of membrane transporters with enzymes that metabolize the transported substrates. In naturally evolved systems, physiological relevance of coupling transport with sequential enzymatic reactions resides, for instance, in faster turnover rates, protection of substrates from competing pathways or shielding the cellular environment from toxic compounds. Such underlying principles offer attractive possibilities for metabolic engineering approaches and concepts for constructing artificial transporter-enzyme complexes are recently being developed. In this minireview, the modes of substrate channeling across biological membranes and design principles for artificial transport metabolons are discussed.
Dynamics of lake trout production in the main basin of Lake Huron
Authors: He Ji X , Bence James R , Madenjian Charles P , Claramunt Randall M 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
To inform lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) fishery management in Lake Huron that has undergone rapid ecosystem changes, we quantified lake trout production dynamics by coupling age-structured stock assessment and fish bioenergetics models. Our approach revealed the connection between piscivore production and prey consumption, included growth compensation to reproduction losses, and allowed comparisons between long-term dynamics of fishery harvests and fish production. We found that, despite the collapse of alewives, a major non-native pelagic prey fish, lake trout production appeared to be sustainable. To a certain degree, the effect of recent recruitment declines on lake trout production was offset by the release of harvest pressure from subadult lake trout and reduction in fishing and sea lamprey-induced mortality on adult lake trout. Evidence for sustainability also included the finding that no changes in average ratios of annual production to beginning-of-the-year biomass. Juvenile P:B ratio remained as high as 2.1. The effect of growth declines on adult and subadult production was offset by reduction in population mortality. Body growth and condition did not continue to decline when lake trout became more and more reliant on round goby as food, and the dynamics of total consumption of prey fish continued to be recipient controlled.
A priori analysis of a higher-order nonlinear elasticity model for an atomistic chain with periodic boundary condition
Authors: Wang Yangshuai , Zhang Lei , Wang Hao 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Nonlinear elastic models are widely used to describe the elastic response of crystalline solids, for example, the well-known Cauchy–Born model. While the Cauchy–Born model only depends on the strain, effects of higher-order strain gradients are significant and higher-order continuum models are preferred in various applications such as defect dynamics and modeling of carbon nanotubes. In this paper we rigorously derive a higher-order nonlinear elasticity model for crystals from its atomistic description in one dimension. We show that, compared to the second-order accuracy of the Cauchy–Born model, the higher-order continuum model in this paper is of fourth-order accuracy with respect to the interatomic spacing in the thermal dynamic limit. In addition we discuss the key issues for the derivation of higher-order continuum models in more general cases. The theoretical convergence results are demonstrated by numerical experiments.
Comparison of Oral Fluid and Urine for Detection of Cocaine Abuse Using Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Melanson Stacy E F , Petrides Athena K , Khaliq Tahira , Griggs David A , Flood James G 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Requests for urine (UR) and oral fluid (OF) drug testing at our institutions are increasing. However, few studies have assessed the accuracy of each matrix using paired specimens and LC-MS/MS. We compared OF and UR for detection of cocaine (COC) abuse in addiction medicine-psychiatry (AMP) clinics.

Methods
We measured COC and benzoylecgonine (BZE) in OF (limit of detection (LOD) 2.0 µg/L) and BZE in UR (LOD 5 µg/L) by LC-MS/MS in 258 paired samples, and compared the two matrices when higher UR cutoffs of 25, 50, and 150 µg/L were employed.

Results
UR detected more COC abuse than OF at the LOD (5 µg/L). BZE was detected in 63 UR specimens and COC and/or BZE in 40 OF specimens (29 OF+UR+, 11 OF+UR-, 34 OF-UR+). UR creatinine was lower in OF+UR- specimens. COC and BZE were detected in 88% (35/40) and 75% (30/40) of OF specimens, respectively. OF was equivalent to UR at detecting COC abuse using a 25 µg/L cutoff, and detected more COC abuse than UR using 50 and 150 µg/L cutoffs. The ratio of OF COC/BZE increased with decreasing UR BZE concentrations.

Conclusions
We demonstrate that OF detects more COC abuse in an AMP setting when UR BZE cutoffs ≥ 50 µg/L are utilized, and that UR creatinine concentrations are significantly lower in specimens positive for COC and/or BZE in OF and negative for BZE in UR. The presence of only COC in OF and low concentrations of UR BZE likely indicates remote use of COC.
Stability of Domoic Acid in Saline Dosing Solutions
Authors: Johannessen Jan N 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Studies designed to assess the effects of repeated low doses of domoic acid require an assessment of its stability in solution under the conditions used for in vivo studies. The stability of 1 mg/mL solutions of domoic acid in saline, with or without ascorbic acid, was determined for 15 weeks. Solutions were refrigerated, but warmed to room temperature for several hours each working day to simulate conditions of actual use. The solutions of domoic acid showed no evidence of decomposition as evidenced by stability of UV absorbance spectrum, concentration of domoic acid as determined by a liquid chromatographic method, and the chromatographic elution pattern. The addition of ascorbate to the domoic acid/saline solution did not alter the stability, but was deemed unnecessary because of the firm stability of the domoic acid/saline solution.
Evaluation of a Hypercrosslinked Polystyrene, MN-200, as a Sorbent for the Preconcentration of Volatile Organic Compounds in Air
Authors: Baya Maria P , Siskos Panayotis A , Davankov Vadim A 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Breakthrough volumes, average percentage recoveries, and storage stabilities were obtained for vapors of 8 volatile organic compounds (pentane, octane, undecane, isooctane, cyclohexane, toluene, methanol, and dichloromethane) on a new adsorbent material, Hypersol-Macronet, MN-200. Breakthrough volumes were estimated as half of the gas chromatographic specific retention volumes at 20°C for the compounds. Recoveries of the adsorbates were determined by both solvent extraction and thermal desorption methods. The results obtained compare favorably with those for Tenax GR (values reported in the published literature and others obtained in our laboratory). Results of storage stability studies on MN-200 meet the criterion for acceptability (&lt;10% loss). High adsorption capacity for very volatile and polar compounds, combined with ease of desorption of less volatile compounds, render MN-200 a highly promising adsorbent for sampling volatile organic compounds in indoor and outdoor air.
Determination of Total Taurine in Pet Foods by Liquid Chromatography of the Dansyl Derivative: Collaborative Study
Authors: McCarthy Kieran , Hischenhuber Claudia , Joyce Neil ,   Collaborators:, Cherix G , Hischenhuber C , Joyce N , Kuhr S , McDonald J , McKnight S , McNamee P , Mevissen L , Müller B , Revitt S 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
A liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the determination of total taurine in pet foods was evaluated in a collaborative study. Ten laboratories assayed 6 blind duplicate pairs of wet and dry pet foods. The taurine in the 6 sample pairs ranged from low (170 mg/kg) to high (2250 mg/kg) concentrations as is. Collaborators also assayed a sample of known taurine concentration for familiarization purposes. Samples were hydrolyzed to release bound taurine, which was subsequently converted to the dansyl derivative and quantitated by gradient-elution LC with fluorescence detection. Repeatability relative standard deviations, RSDr, ranged from 3.2 to 10.0%; reproducibility relative standard deviations, RSDR, ranged from 6.1 to 16.1%. The method has been adopted Official First Action status by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.
Determination of Parthenolide in Selected Feverfew Products by Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Abourashed Ehab A , Khan Ikhlas A 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The migraine prophylactic herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) is marketed in the United States in a variety of forms and compositions. Although its therapeutic efficacy is still uncertain, the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide is the constituent recommended to be measured for quality control of feverfew preparations. A validated liquid chromatographic method was developed and used to estimate parthenolide in a number of U.S. feverfew market products formulated as capsules, tablets, or crude powder. The method uses a Lichrosphere 5 C18 column, a mobile phase consisting of 50mM NaH2PO4 in H2O (solvent A), and CH3CN–MeOH (90 + 10, v/v; solvent B). Elution was run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with a linear gradient of 50–15% A in B over 20 min and UV detection at 210 nm. The correlation coefficient for the calibration curve was 0.9999 over the range of 0.00–0.400 mg/mL. Overall recovery of parthenolide was 103.1%.
Determination of Tilmicosin Residues In Chicken, Cattle, Swine, and Sheep Tissues by Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Stobba-Wiley Carolyn M , Chang Jen P , Elsbury David T , Moran John W , Turner James M , Readnour Robin S 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
A method was developed and validated for determination and quantitation of tilmicosin residues in swine, cattle, and sheep edible tissues, as well as chicken fat, skin, and muscle over a concentration range of 0.025 μg/g–20 μg/g. For chicken kidney and liver, the method was validated over a range of 0.060 μg/g–20 μg/g. The tissue sample was extracted with methanol and a C18 cartridge was used for solid-phase extraction cleanup. A reversed phase gradient liquid chromatographic method with detection at 280 nm was used to separate the tilmicosin from matrix components in 30 min run time. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method was 0.025 μg/g for all tested tissues except chicken kidney and liver, for which the LOQ was 0.06 μg/g. Average recoveries for tissue samples ranged from 73 to 98%. Relative standard deviation values ranged from 0.6 to 14.7%.
Analysis of Botanicals and Dietary Supplements for Antioxidant Capacity: A Review
Authors: Prior Ronald L , Cao Guohua 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Free radicals and other reactive species are considered to be important causative factors in the development of diseases of aging such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This relationship has led to considerable interest in assessing the antioxidant capacity of foods and botanicals and other nutritional antioxidant supplements. The use of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay as a tool for antioxidant assessment is described and proposed as a method for comparing botanical sources and for standardizing nutritional supplements. The free radical or oxidant source is important and direct comparisons cannot be made between procedures that use different sources. The ORAC procedure uses 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride as a peroxyl radical source, which is relevant to biological systems because the peroxyl radical is the most abundant free radical. Other oxidant sources (hydroxyl radical and Cu++) can also be used to characterize antioxidants in botanicals. Phenolics or polyphenolics are responsible for most of the antioxidant capacity in fruits, vegetables, and most botanical antioxidant supplements. Although little is known about the absorption and metabolism of these components, improvement in the in vivo antioxidant status has been observed in human subjects following consumption of antioxidant botanicals. The ORAC method provides a basis from which to establish appropriate dietary intakes that might impact health outcomes.
Determination of Resistant Starch in Selected Grain-Based Foods
Authors: Gelroth Janette A , Ranhotra Gur S 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Resistant starch was determined in 70 grain-based foods by modification of the method commonly used to measure total dietary fiber in North America. The modification involved solubilizing resistant starch in dimethyl sulfoxide. Total dietary fiber in these products ranged from 0.9 to 18.6%, with resistant starch representing 0 to 88% of the total fiber values. Many bread products and breakfast cereals contained over one-third of the total fiber as resistant starch.
Minimum Detectable Level of Salmonellae Using a Binomial-Based Bacterial Ice Nucleation Detection Assay (BIND®)
Authors: Irwin Peter , Gehring Andrew , Tu Shu-I , Brewster Jeffrey , Fanelli Joseph , Ehrenfeld Elizabeth 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
A modified bacterial ice nucleation detection (BIND®) assay was used for rapid and sensitive detection of several Salmonella species. For the BIND assay, Salmonella cells are infected with bacteriophage genetically modified to contain DNA encoding an ice nucleation protein (INP). After infection, de novo protein synthesis occurs and INPs are incorporated into the outer membrane of the organism. After supercooling (−9.3°C), only buffer solutions containing transfected salmonellae freeze, causing a phase-sensitive dye to change color. This technique, and a probability-based protocol modification, provided quantitative detection with a minimum detectable level (MDL) of 2.0 ± 0.3 S. enteritidis cells/mL in buffer (about 3 h). The MDLs for S. typhimurium DT104 and S. abaetetuba were 4.2 ± 0.2 and 11.1 ± 0.4 cells/mL, respectively. Using salmonellae-specific immunomagnetic bead separation technology in conjunction with the modified BIND protocol, we achieved an MDL of about 4.5 S. enteritidis cells/mL with an apparent capture efficiency of 56%.
Determination of Biotin and Folate in Infant Formula and Milk by Optical Biosensor-Based Immunoassay
Authors: Indyk Harvey E , Evans Eileen A , Caselunghe Malin C Bostrom , Persson Bjorn S , Finglas Paul M , Woollard David C , Filonzi Enrico L 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Biomolecular interaction analysis was evaluated for the automated analysis of biotin- and folate-supplemented infant formulas and milk powders. The technique was configured as a biosensor-based, nonlabeled inhibition immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies raised against analyte-conjugate. Sample extraction conditions were optimized and antibodies were evaluated for cross-reactivity. Performance parameters included a quantitation range of 2–70 ng/mL, recoveries of 86–102%, agreement against assigned reference values for National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1846, between-laboratory reproducibility relative standard deviation of 9.1% for biotin and 8.1% for folate, respectively, and equivalence against reference microbiological assay methods for both analytes.