bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of harvesting time and meteorological conditions on the occurrence of Fusarium species and mycotoxin contamination of spring cereals
Authors: Kochiieru Yuliia , Mankevičienė Audronė , Cesevičienė Jurgita , Semaškienė Roma , Dabkevičius Zenonas , Janavičienė Sigita 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe aim was to determine the influence of harvesting time and meteorological conditions on the occurrence of Fusarium spp. and mycotoxins in the grain of spring cereals. A field experiment was performed in 2016–2018 with spring oat (Avena sativa L.) and spring triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) plots. Grain samples of oat and triticale were analysed for Fusarium infection and co‐contamination with mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and T‐2 toxin (T‐2).RESULTSResults from the three‐year study showed that the occurrence of Fusarium spp. fungi and mycotoxins produced by them in spring oat and triticale grain was most influenced by the meteorological conditions at harvesting time and crop species.CONCLUSIONSIt was found that in all experimental years, F. poae, F. tricinctum and F. sporotrichioides predominated in oat grains and F. graminearum, F. sporotrichioides and F. avenaceum predominated in spring triticale; as a result, oat grains were more contaminated with T‐2 and triticale grains with DON and ZEA. Due to the rainy harvesting period in 2017, the contamination level of Fusarium fungi of grain of both crop species was 100%, and the concentrations of DON and ZEA in the samples of spring triticale were several times higher than those set forth in the EU regulation. Co‐occurrence of all three mycotoxins analysed (DON, ZEA and T‐2) was identified in these samples. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infestation increases the risk of bacterial contamination and alters nutritional content in storage Chinese cabbage
Authors: Zhan Yidi , Tian Haohong , Ji Xianglong , Liu Yong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDAphids are common insect pests that feed on and excrete feces/honeydew on storage vegetables, especially in the temperate region of the northern hemisphere. The honeydew of aphids is an excellent growth medium for microorganisms. To explore the effects of aphid infestation on the risk of microbial contamination and food safety: (i) the bacterial diversity and community in aphid honeydew were investigated; (ii) the nutritional components of the cabbage were analyzed; and (iii) safety was evaluated.RESULTSThe results showed that the dominant bacteria in storage Chinese cabbage under different exposure times belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria, family Enterobacteriaceae. The richness of Enterobacteriaceae increased from 36.35% (1 day) to 39.70% (5 days) and to 50.74% (10 days) as the exposure time increased. Serratia was the genus with the highest abundance (23.38% for 1 day, 30.56% for 5 days and 37.85% for 10 days). The abundance of pathways associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection and Shigellosis increased significantly after prolonged storage. In addition, when the aphid density increased from 0 to 100 per 250 g of Chinese cabbage leaves, the protein content in Chinese cabbage decreased significantly, whereas the reducing sugar content increased significantly.CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrate that the honeydew excreted by the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on storage Chinese cabbage can serve as a medium for some foodborne disease pathogens. The present study may provide both a theoretical and practical basis for vegetable storage to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen infection and to maintain the balance of nutrients. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Computational and experimental validation of free radical scavenging properties of high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography quantified phenyl myristate in Homalium nepalense
Authors: Kanhar Satish , Roy Partha Pratim , Sahoo Atish Kumar 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPhenyl myristate was isolated from Homalium nepalense, which is known for its therapeutic virtues in traditional medicine. However, the study of radical scavenging‐capacity of phenyl myristate is limited by its relatively low abundance in medicinal plants. We have studied the isolation, structure‐elucidation, and bioactivities of high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography validated phenyl myristate from hydroalcohol‐extract of bark of H. nepalense. The chemical structure of phenyl myristate was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The chromatography was performed on high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography aluminum plates coated with silica‐gel 60 F254. Determination and quantitation of phenyl myristate were performed by densitometric‐scanning at 254 nm (chloroform‐methanol, 9:1, v/v; Rf 0.49). The method was validated according to International Council for Harmonisation guidelines in terms of linearity, specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, robustness, and stability. Linearity‐range of phenyl myristate was 100–500 ng/5 µL with correlation‐coefficient r2 = 0.9997. Limits of detection and quantitation were 3.35 and 10.17 ng, respectively. Phenyl myristate showed significant free‐radical‐scavenging activities in 2,2˗diphenyl˗1˗picrylhydrazyl, oxygen‐radical‐absorbance‐capacity, and ex vivo cell‐based‐antioxidant‐protection‐in‐erythrocytes assays. Molecular‐docking approach of phenyl myristate showed effective binding at active sites of human serum albumin (HSA) with the lowest binding energy (−8.4 kcal/mol) that was comparable with ascorbic acid (−5.0 kcal/mol). These studies provide mechanistic insight into the potential free radical scavenging activities of phenyl myristate.
Variation in True Metabolizable Energy Among Aquatic Vegetation and Ducks
Authors: Gross Margaret C. , McClain Sarah E. , Lancaster Joseph D. , Jacques Christopher N. , Davis J. Brian , Simpson John W. , Yetter Aaron P. , Hagy Heath M. 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTAvian diet quality is typically measured using true metabolizable energy (TMEN), which is a measure of assimilable energy of food items accounting for innate endogenous losses. Originally developed for use in the poultry industry, TMEN methods have been adapted to determine the value of natural foods consumed by waterfowl to parameterize bioenergetics models for conservation planning. Because there is little knowledge of the variation in TMEN estimates among food items and waterfowl species, we investigated TMEN of 6 common species of submersed aquatic vegetation for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos; i.e., a diet generalist) and gadwall (Mareca strepera; i.e., a diet specialist) in the midwestern United States during autumn 2015–2017. We precision fed and collected excreta from ducks using standard bioassays to estimate TMEN. Mallards had slightly greater TMEN than gadwall, but there was considerable variation in TMEN among vegetation species, duck species, and individuals within each species. True metabolizable energy (±SE; kcal/g[dry]) for mallards was greatest for Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis; 1.66 ± 0.26), followed by coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum; 1.51 ± 0.28), southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis; 1.37 ± 0.39), sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata; 0.50 ± 0.22), wild celery (Vallisneria americana; 0.05 ± 0.42), and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum; –0.13 ± 0.42). Mean TMEN for gadwall was greatest for Eurasian watermilfoil (0.77 ± 0.32), followed by Canadian waterweed (0.70 ± 0.31), coontail (0.55 ± 0.28), southern naiad (–0.61 ± 0.34), wild celery (–0.98 ± 0.39), and sago pondweed (–1.07 ± 0.33). Generally, TMEN for most vegetation species was less than agricultural grains, but it was similar to ranges reported for seeds of naturally occurring hydrophytic vegetation and aquatic macroinvertebrates. We recommend that conservation planners incorporate species‐specific TMEN estimates in bioenergetics models and that future researchers improve TMEN assays for wild waterfowl following our recommendations. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
MicroRNA‐216b suppresses the cell growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting Ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 28 expression
Authors: Zhang Jin‐Feng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMicroRNA‐216b (miR‐216b) has been reported to be downregulated in several tumors, its mechanism is still little‐studied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we found that miR‐216b was downregulated in HCC, but Ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 28 (USP28) was upregulated. In addition, Kaplan‐Meier‐plotter analysis indicated that liver cancer patients with high miR‐216b expression had a longer overall survival, but patients with high USP28 had a shorter overall survival. Further studies showed that overexpression of miR‐216b inhibited HCC cell growth, and molecular investigations revealed that miR‐216b targeted USP28 and inhibited its expression in HCC cells. In addition, overexpression of miR‐216b suppressed the substrates' expression of USP28, for example, c‐Myc, and miR‐216b overexpression also inhibited Cyclin E expression as well as upregulating p27 expression, both of which were the downstream signals of c‐Myc. These results indicated that miR‐216b downregulated USP28/c‐Myc signaling in HCC cells. Collectively, this study demonstrated that miR‐216b/c‐Myc axis could be as a potential target for HCC therapy in the future.
Overexpression of tripartite motif containing 26 inhibits non‐small cell lung cancer cell growth by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling
Authors: Tao Jia‐Li , Luo Man , Sun Hong , Zhao Hong‐Mei , Sun Qing‐Song , Huang Zi‐Ming 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIt has been reported that tripartite motif containing 26 (TRIM26) is involved in the tumorigenesis of some cancers, but its function in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear. In this study, we found that TRIM26 was markedly down‐regulated in both of NSCLC tumor tissues and cell lines. Additionally, high expression of TRIM26 in NSCLC patients predicted a positive index for patients' overall survival. What is more, overexpression of TRIM26 significantly suppressed NSCLC cell growth. Our further studies indicated that overexpression of TRIM26 inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K p85 and AKT. And overexpressed TRIM26 regulated cell cycle‐related genes' expression, including downregulating CDK4, Cyclin A, Cyclin D1, Cyclin D3, and Cyclin E, and upregulating p27 expression. Finally, we found that TRIM26 up‐regulated PTEN expression by stabilizing PTEN protein in NSCLC cells. Collectively, our present study indicated that TRIM26 was decreased in NSCLC and overexpression of TRIM26 inhibited NSCLC cell growth by suppressing PI3K/AKT pathway, which suggested that TRIM26 could be as a potential target for the treatment of NSCLC in the future.
Decadal loss of paddy fields driven by cumulative human activities in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China
Authors: He Xiubin , Wang Mingfeng , Tang Qiang , Bao Yuhai , Li Jinlin , Khurram Dil 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPaddy fields are valuable agricultural land resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China but have been threatened by the expansion and intensification of human activities over recent decades. How paddy fields evolve under human disturbances remains poorly understood, which is critical for land use planning to compromise agricultural production and ecosystem conservation as limited land resource is available. In this study, the spatial and temporal patterns of change in paddy fields were depicted and principal driving forces were explained. Mapping of paddy fields with LANDSAT satellite images reveals a constant declining trend by 14.3% in the period 1990–2015. The gross loss area is 903.3 km2, with an annual average decreasing rate being 36.1 km2·yr−1. The transformation matrix between paddy fields and other land uses explicitly explains the impact trajectories of multiple human activities. Specifically, 39.6% (408.1 km2) of the gross loss was converted to built‐up lands, reflecting town translocation and human resettlement (involuntary population migration) proposed by construction of the Three Gorges Dam, as well as urbanization, industrial development and infrastructure expansion along with economic development. The area converted to forests accounts for 26.4% (238.2 km2), which could be ascribed to land abandonment and the reforestation campaign. 23.1% (208.7 km2) was converted to dry croplands by shifts in farmers' preference on crop selection following socioeconomic changes (e.g., voluntary rural population migration, land use policy adjustment, commercial farming enterprises expansion). 46.5 km2 was converted to water bodies, indicating the effect of impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir.
Flow and diffusion around and within diatom aggregates: Effects of aggregate composition and shape
Authors: Zetsche Eva‐Maria , Larsson Ann I. , Iversen Morten H. , Ploug Helle 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDiatom aggregates constitute a significant fraction of the particle flux from the euphotic zone into the mesopelagic ocean as part of the ocean's biological carbon pump. Modeling studies of their exchange processes with the surrounding water usually assume spherical shape and that aggregates are impermeable to flow. Using particle image velocimetry, we examined flow distributions around individual aggregates of various irregular shapes formed from two different diatom species: (1) Skeletonema marinoi, known for its cell–cell stickiness, and (2) Chaetoceros affinis, exhibiting cell‐TEP (transparent exopolymeric particles) stickiness. Chaetoceros aggregates formed porous, highly irregularly shaped aggregates as compared to the more compact and near‐spherical Skeletonema aggregates, yet flow distributions around both types of aggregates were relatively similar at a millimeter scale. At a micrometer scale, the irregular shape of diatom aggregates caused velocity gradients and vorticity close to the surface to locally vary more than for spherical model aggregates (agar‐yeast spheres). Water was deflected from the surface of all aggregate types and we found no direct evidence that flow occurred within aggregates. Digital holographic imaging and Alcian blue staining revealed a substantial presence of TEP likely clogging the interstitial pore spaces in Chaetoceros aggregates. Radial oxygen concentration distributions measured by O2 microsensors within the aggregates were similar to those modeled for aggregates and spheres impermeable to flow. Thus, transport of gases, nutrients, and solutes likely occurs by diffusion, even within large, irregularly shaped diatom aggregates during sinking.
Reduction of taxonomic bias in diatom species data
Authors: Tyree Meredith A. , Bishop Ian W. , Hawkins Charles P. , Mitchell Richard , Spaulding Sarah A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractInconsistency in taxonomic identification and analyst bias impede the effective use of diatom data in regional and national stream and lake surveys. In this study, we evaluated the effect of existing protocols and a revised protocol on the precision of diatom species counts. The revised protocol adjusts four elements of sample preparation, taxon identification and enumeration, and quality control (QC). We used six independent data sets to assess the effect of the adjustments on analytical outcomes. The first data set was produced by three laboratories with a total of five analysts following established protocols (Charles et al., Protocols for the analysis of algal samples collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water‐Quality Assessment, 2002) or their slight variations. The remaining data sets were produced by one to three laboratories with a total of two to three analysts following a revised protocol. The revised protocol included the following modifications: (1) development of coordinated precount voucher floras based on morphological operational taxonomic units, (2) random assignment of samples to analysts, (3) postcount identification and documentation of taxa (as opposed to an approach in which analysts assign names while they enumerate), and (4) increased use of QC samples. The revised protocol reduced taxonomic bias, as measured by reduction in analyst signal, and improved similarity among QC samples. Reduced taxonomic bias improves the performance of biological assessments, facilitates transparency across studies, and refines estimates of diatom species distributions.
Identification of an anaerobic bacterial consortium that degrades roxarsone
Authors: Li Yasong , Liu Yaci , Zhang Zhaoji , Fei Yuhong , Tian Xia , Cao Shengwei 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe degradation of roxarsone, an extensively used organoarsenic feed additive, occurs quickly under anaerobic conditions with microorganisms playing an important role in its degradation. Here, an anaerobic bacterial consortium that effectively degraded roxarsone was isolated, and its degradation efficiency and community changes along a roxarsone concentration gradient under anaerobic conditions were assessed. We used batch experiments to determine the roxarsone degradation rates, as well as the bacterial community structure and diversity, at initial roxarsone concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. The results showed that roxarsone was degraded completely within 28, 28, 36, and 44 hr at concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The anaerobic bacterial consortium displayed considerable potential to degrade roxarsone, as the degradation rate increased with increasing roxarsone concentrations. Roxarsone promoted microbial growth, and in turn, the microorganisms degraded the organoarsenic compound, with the functional bacterial community varying between different roxarsone concentrations. Lysinibacillus, Alkaliphilus, and Proteiniclasticum were the main genera composing the roxarsone‐degrading bacterial community.
Influence of Diet‐Induced Obesity on the Bioavailability and Metabolism of Raspberry Ketone (4‐(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐Butanone) in Mice
Authors: Zhao Danyue , Yuan Bo , Kshatriya Dushyant , Polyak Andrew , Simon James E. , Bello Nicholas T. , Wu Qingli 
Published: February 2020

ObjectivesRaspberry ketone (RK) is the primary aroma compound in red raspberries and a dietary supplement for weight loss. This work aims to 1) compare RK bioavailability in male versus female, normal‐weight versus obese mice; 2) characterize RK metabolic pathways.MethodsStudy 1: C57BL/6J male and female mice fed a low‐fat diet (LFD; 10% fat) receive a single oral gavage dose of RK (200 mg kg−1). Blood, brain, and white adipose tissue (WAT) are collected over 12 h. Study 2: Male mice are fed a LFD or high‐fat diet (45% fat) for 8 weeks before RK dosing. Samples collected are analyzed by UPLC‐MS/MS for RK and its metabolites.ResultsRK is rapidly absorbed (Tmax ≈ 15 min), and bioconverted into diverse metabolites in mice. Total bioavailability (AUC0–12 h) is slightly lower in females than males (566 vs 675 nmol mL−1 min−1). Total bioavailability in obese mice is almost doubled that of control mice (1197 vs 679 nmol mL−1 min−1), while peaking times and elimination half‐lives are delayed. Higher levels of RK and major metabolites are found in WAT of the obese than normal‐weight animals.ConclusionsRK is highly bioavailable, rapidly metabolized, and exhibits significantly different pharmacokinetic behaviors between obese and control mice. Lipid‐rich tissues, especially WAT, can be a direct target of RK.
A novel impedance adapter for the time‐domain electromagnetic pulse standard field generation setup
Authors: Wang Yifan , Gong Jinlong , Yang Qing , Huang Hui 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe purpose of the work is to design a novel impedance adapter to set up a mono‐cone standard field generation system with a large clear time and a large dynamic range. To transform the impedance from 50 Ω (the output impedance of the signal generator) to 75 Ω (the input impedance of the cone), the gradient structures with 11 sections are designed for the impedance adapter. The measured VSWR of the system is below 1.5 from 300 to 2.25 GHz. The insertion loss of the designed is about −35 dB. The system with the designed impedance adapter works well. This is validated by the results of the standard open‐air test site in National Institute of Metrology, China.
Improving the CT (140 kVp) to PET (511 keV) conversion in PET/MR hardware component attenuation correction
Authors: Oehmigen Mark , Lindemann Maike E. , Tellmann Lutz , Lanz Titus , Quick Harald H. 
Published: February 2020

PurposeToday, attenuation correction (AC) of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) hardware components is performed by using an established method from PET/CT hybrid imaging. As shown in previous studies, the established mathematical conversion from computed tomography (CT) to PET attenuation coefficients may, however, lead to incorrect results in PET quantification when applied to AC of hardware components in PET/MR. The purpose of this study is to systematically investigate the attenuating properties of various materials and electronic components frequently used in the context of PET/MR hybrid imaging. The study, thus, aims at improving hardware component attenuation correction in PET/MR.Materials and methodsOverall, 38 different material samples were collected; a modular phantom was used to for CT, PET, and PET/MR scanning of all samples. Computed tomography‐scans were acquired with a tube voltage of 140 kVp to determine Hounsfield Units (HU). PET transmission scans were performed with 511 keV to determine linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) of all materials. The attenuation coefficients were plotted to obtain a HU to LAC correlation graph, which was then compared to two established conversions from literature. Hardware attenuation maps of the different materials were created and applied to PET data reconstruction following a phantom validation experiment. From these measurements, PET difference maps were calculated to validate and compare all three conversion methods.ResultsFor each material, the HU and corresponding LAC could be determined and a bi‐linear HU to LAC conversion graph was derived. The corresponding equation was

. While the two established conversions lead to a mean quantification PET bias of 4.69% ± 0.27% and −2.84% ± 0.72% in a phantom experiment, PET difference measurements revealed only 0.5 % bias in PET quantification when applying the new conversion resulting from this study.ConclusionsAn optimized method for the conversion of CT to PET attenuation coefficients has been derived by systematic measurement of 38 different materials. In contrast to established methods, the new conversion also considers highly attenuating materials, thus improving attenuation correction of hardware components in PET/MR hybrid imaging.