bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simple extraction of toxicologically relevant psychotropic compounds and metabolites from whole blood using mini‐QuEChERS followed by UPLC–MS/MS analysis
Authors: da Silva Cristiane Pires , Dal Piaz Luiz Paulo Pugen , Gerbase Fernando Engel , Müller Victoria Vendramini , Lizot Lilian de Lima Feltraco , Antunes Marina Venzon , Linden Rafael 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe determination of psychotropic drugs and metabolites in blood is relevant in the context of both therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical and forensic toxicology. LC–MS/MS is the preferred method for these assays. However, LC–MS/MS is particularly susceptible to matrix ionization effects and appropriate sample preparation is required to minimize these effects. In this study, a simple, single‐step, mini‐QuEchERS extraction procedure, coupled to UPLC–MS/MS, was developed and validated for the determination of 15 toxicologically relevant compounds in whole blood, including psychoactive drugs and some metabolites. The assay was linear in the range of 25–1,000 ng ml−1, fulfilling criteria for accuracy and precision. Extraction yields (71.9–87.7%) and matrix effects (−3.3 to +4.4%, with the exception of codeine, which had matrix effects of −35.36 to −28.14%) were acceptable for the majority of the evaluated compounds, using a single internal standard. The assay was applied to 238 clinical specimens from patients admitted to an emergency service, with 22 samples presenting quantifiable concentrations of 11 different compounds. The developed assay is a simple and efficient strategy for determination of target psychotropic drugs and metabolites in forensic and clinical toxicology.
The Structural Characterization of a Novel Water‐Soluble Polysaccharide from Edible Mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus and Its Antitumor Activity on H22 Tumor‐Bearing Mice
Authors: Niu Lulu , Wu Yaru , Liu Huiping , Wang Qing , Li Mengyu , Jia Qi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the present study, a novel cold water‐soluble polysaccharide fraction (LGP) with the average molecular weight of 1.78×106 Da was extracted and purified from Leucopaxillus giganteus and its primary structure as well as in vivo antitumor activity was evaluated. The monosaccharide composition of LGP was determined by ion chromatography to be galactose, xylose, glucose and fucose in a molar ratio of 2.568 : 1.209 : 1 : 0.853. Its backbone was composed of α‐D‐Glu, α‐D‐Xyl, α‐D‐Gal and α‐L‐Fuc. The results of in vivo antitumor experiment demonstrated that LGP could effectively protect immune organs, has excellent antitumor activity, and inhibit the proliferation of H22 solid tumors in a dose‐dependent manner. By analyzing Annexin V‐FITC/PI staining, cell cycle and mitochondrial membrane potential detection assay, we concluded that LGP induced apoptosis of H22 cells via S phase arrest and mitochondria‐mediated apoptotic pathway. Our results could provide valuable information for the potential application of LGP as an anti‐hepatoma agent.
In‐hospital outcomes and usage of embolic protection devices in percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary artery bypass grafts: Insights from a Japanese nationwide registry
Authors: Oba Yusuke , Inohara Taku , Takahashi Masao , Fukutomi Motoki , Funayama Hiroshi , Ando Hirohiko , Kohsaka Shun , Amano Tetsuya , Ikari Yuji , Kario Kazuomi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesWe evaluated the in‐hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for bypass graft vessels (GV‐PCI) compared with those of PCI for native vessels (NV‐PCI) using data from the Japanese nationwide coronary intervention registry.MethodsWe included PCI patients (N = 748,229) registered between January 2016 and December 2018 from 1,123 centers. We divided patients into three groups: GV‐PCI (n = 2,745); NV‐PCI with a prior coronary artery bypass graft (pCABG) (n = 23,932); and NV‐PCI without pCABG (n = 721,552).ResultsGV‐PCI implementation was low, and most cases of PCI in pCABG patients were performed in native vessels (89.7%) in contemporary Japanese practice. The risk profile of patients with pCABG was higher than that of those without pCABG. Consequently, GV‐PCI patients had a significantly higher in‐hospital mortality than NV‐PCI patients without pCABG after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio [OR] 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66–3.36, p < .001). Of note, embolic protection devices (EPDs) were used in 18% (n = 383) of PCIs for saphenous vein grafts (SVG‐PCI) with a significant variation in its use among institutions (number of PCI: hospitals that had never used an EPD vs. EPD used one or more times = 240 vs. 345, p < .001). The EPDs used in the SVG‐PCI group had a significantly lower prevalence of the slow‐flow phenomenon after adjusting for covariates (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21–0.91, p = .04).ConclusionGV‐PCI is associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital mortality. EDP use in SVG‐PCI was associated with a low rate of the slow‐flow phenomenon. The usage of EPDs during SVG‐PCI is low, with a significant variation among institutions.
Understanding How Degree of Crystallinity Affects Electrochemical Kinetics of Sodium‐Ion in Brown TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: Babu Binson , Shaijumon M. M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted significant attention as an emerging alternative to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The charge and discharge performance of the electrode material are affected by various intrinsic parameters, including Na‐ion diffusion coefficient, ionic conductivity, concentration, etc., which are further related to the structure and crystallinity of the material. Herein, the kinetics of Na‐ion intercalation into low and high crystalline brown TiO2 nanotubes are studied by using galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Various parameters such as intercalation capacity, partial sodium ion conductivity
, diffusion time constant (
), characteristic diffusion length
), etc., are analyzed during sodiation/de‐sodiation, and the dependence of these parameters with the degree of crystallinity of the material is discussed. The chemical diffusion coefficients (
) are determined at different intercalation and de‐intercalation potentials, which showed similar behaviour within a range of 10−15–10−18 cm2 s−1, with a slightly higher value for high crystalline brown TiO2. The correlation between the diffusion behavior of Na‐ions in high and low crystalline brown TiO2 nanotubes and their degree of crystallinity provides insights into the electrochemical performance of TiO2 anodes.
In‐Situ Generated Trimetallic Molybdate Nanoflowers on Ni Foam Assisted with Microwave for Highly Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Duan Yanjie , Huang Zhixiong , Zhao Cheng , Ren Jingyu , Dong Xiangbin , Jia Runping , Xu Xiaowei , Shi Shaojun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOxygen evolution reaction (OER) is considered as a critical half‐cell reaction of water splitting, the kinetics of which is sluggish even not favored, thus requiring highly active electrocatalysts to shrink the reaction energy barrier and improve the energy conversion efficiency. In this study, In‐situ generated trimetallic molybdate nanoflowers on Ni foam by a straightforward and time‐saving solvothermal method assisted with microwave, not only bring synergistic effect into full play between multiple metals, but also construct a well‐defined nanoflower‐like structure accompanied by larger specific area (273.3 m2 g−1) and smaller size than the pristine NiMoO4. The resulting Ni0.9Al0.1MoO4‐NF requires a relatively low overpotential of 266 mV for OER at 10 mA cm−2, which outperforms commercial RuO2 catalysts (274 mV). Such excellent performance compares favorably to most previously reported NiMoO4‐based electrocatalysts for OER. This work not only supplies a facile method to construct a well‐defined nanoflower‐like structure on foam, but also broadens our horizons into the mechanism of OER in alkaline conditions.
Urea‐Urease Reaction in Controlling Properties of Supramolecular Hydrogels: Pros and Cons
Authors: Panja Santanu , Adams Dave J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSupramolecular hydrogels are useful in many areas such as cell culturing, catalysis, sensing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, environmental remediation and optoelectronics. The gels need specific properties for each application. The properties arise from a fibrous network that forms the matrix. A common method to prepare hydrogels is to use a pH change. Most methods result in a sudden pH jump and often lead to gels that are hard to reproduce and control. The urease‐urea reaction can be used to control hydrogel properties by a uniform and controlled pH increase as well as to set up pH cycles. The reaction involves hydrolysis of urea by urease and production of ammonia which increases the pH. The rate of ammonia production can be controlled which can be used to prepare gels with differing properties. Herein, we show how the urease‐urea reaction can be used for the construction of next generation functional materials.
A New Research Infrastructure for Investigating Flow Hydraulics and Process Equipment at Critical Fluid Properties
Authors: Windmeier Christoph , Flegiel Felix , Döß Alexander , Franz Ronald , Schleicher Eckhard , Wiezorek Michael , Schubert Markus , Hampel Uwe 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn optimized equipment design for natural gas processing and liquefaction plants becomes increasingly difficult with changing process conditions: Particularly low values of surface tension create rising challenges on the design of phase separators and column internals. The TERESA test rig at HZDR was designed to allow the investigation of multiphase thermohydraulics and phase separator performance under critical fluid properties in industrial dimensions. A versatile pipe test section is available in DN200 and equipment internals may be tested in a sectional DN300/DN500 test separator. The applied test fluid shows a high vapor‐liquid density difference between 1470 and 940 kg m−3, viscosity as low as 0.12 mm2s−1, and surface tension down to 1.3 mN m−1. Volumetric liquid and vapor flow rates may be varied up to 9 and 530 m3h−1 in the test rig, respectively.
Principal component‐guided sparse regression
Authors: Tay Jingyi K. , Friedman Jerome , Tibshirani Robert 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe propose a new method for supervised learning, the “principal components lasso” (“pcLasso”). It combines the lasso (ℓ1) penalty with a quadratic penalty that shrinks the coefficient vector toward the feature matrix's leading principal components (PCs). pcLasso can be especially powerful if the features are preassigned to groups. In that case, pcLasso shrinks each group‐wise component of the solution toward the leading PCs of that group. The pcLasso method also carries out selection of feature groups. We provide some theory and illustrate the method on some simulated and real data examples.
Upregulation of eIF4E, but not other translation initiation factors, in dendritic spines during memory formation
Authors: Gindina Sofya , Botsford Benjamin , Cowansage Kiriana , LeDoux Joseph , Klann Eric , Hoeffer Charles , Ostroff Linnaea 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLocal translation can provide a rapid, spatially targeted supply of new proteins in distal dendrites to support synaptic changes that underlie learning. Learning and memory are especially sensitive to manipulations of translational control mechanisms, particularly those that target the initiation step, and translation initiation at synapses could be a means of maintaining synapse specificity during plasticity. Initiation predominantly occurs via recruitment of ribosomes to the 5′ mRNA cap by complexes of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs), and the interaction between eIF4E and eIF4G1 is a particularly important target of translational control pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of eIF4E–eIF4G1 binding impairs formation of memory for aversive Pavlovian conditioning as well as the accompanying increase in polyribosomes in the heads of dendritic spines in the lateral amygdala (LA). This is consistent with a role for initiation at synapses in memory formation, but whether eIFs are even present near synapses is unknown. To determine whether dendritic spines contain eIFs and whether eIF distribution is affected by learning, we combined immunolabeling with serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM) volume reconstructions of LA dendrites after Pavlovian conditioning. Labeling for eIF4E, eIF4G1, and eIF2α—another key target of regulation—occurred in roughly half of dendritic spines, but learning effects were only found for eIF4E, which was upregulated in the heads of dendritic spines. Our results support the possibility of regulated translation initiation as a means of synapse‐specific protein targeting during learning and are consistent with the model of eIF4E availability as a central point of control.
A probabilistic approach for modelling bone fracture healing under Ilizarov circular fixator
Authors: Ganadhiepan Ganesharajah , Miramini Saeed , Mendis Priyan , Patel Minoo , Zhang Lihai 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBone fracture treatments using Ilizarov circular fixator (ICF) involve dealing with uncertainties about a range of critical factors that control the mechanical microenvironment of the fracture site such as ICF configuration, fracture gap size, physiological loading etc. To date, the effects of the uncertainties about these critical factors on the mechanical microenvironment of the fracture site have not been fully understood. The purpose of this study is to tackle this challenge by using computational modelling in conjunction with engineering reliability analysis. Particularly, the effects of uncertainties in fracture gap size (GS), level of weight‐bearing (P), ICF wire pretension (T) and wire diameter (WD) on the fracture site mechanical microenvironment at the beginning of the reparative phase of healing was investigated in this study. The results show that the mechanical microenvironment of fracture site stabilised with ICF is very sensitive to the uncertainties in P and GS. For example, an increase in the coefficient of variation of P (COVP) from 0.1 to 0.9 (i.e., an increase in the uncertainty in P) could reduce the probability of achieving a favourable mechanical microenvironment within the fracture site (i.e., Probability of Success, PoS) by more than 50%, while an increase in the coefficient of variation of GS (COVGS) from 0.1 to 0.9 could decrease PoS by around 30%. In contrast, an increase in the uncertainties in T and WD (COV increase from 0.1 to 0.9) has little influence on the fracture site mechanical microenvironment (PoS changes <5%).
Predictive breeding in maize during the last 90 years
Authors: Bernardo Rex 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article traces the 90‐yr history and speculates on future applications of predictive breeding in maize (Zea mays L.). Predictive breeding started in the 1930s when superior double‐cross maize hybrids were identified based on the mean of the four nonparental single crosses. The advent of recurrent selection in the 1940s led to methods to predict the mean of the next cycle of selection. The shift to single‐cross hybrids in the 1960s necessitated methods to predict their performance, and genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) was developed in 1994 for predicting single‐cross performance for yield and other agronomic traits. In the 1990s, rapid recurrent selection with molecular markers led to the use of multiple regression for predicting the performance of individual plants undergoing selection. After Meuwissen, Hayes, and Goddard published their landmark article on genomewide selection in 2001, prediction methods shifted from multiple regression with fixed marker effects to ridge regression and Bayesian models with random marker effects. Subsequent research showed that GBLUP and ridge regression are equivalent when a trait is controlled by many small‐effect loci distributed throughout the genome. Two trends that have strongly persisted in maize predictive breeding in the last 90 yr are leverage of resources and extraction of information from relatives. Predictive breeding in the 2020s will continue to expand in terms of what is being predicted and what predictive methods are used. Because predictions rely on having good phenotypic data for developing black‐box prediction models, phenotyping will remain the cornerstone of predictive breeding.
The role of ThyroSeq V3 testing in the management of patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules on fine needle aspiration
Authors: Selvaggi Suzanne M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe multigene genomic classifier ThyroSeq V3 has proven to be an effective triage modality in the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules. This study reports on the clinical management of patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules.MethodsThyroSeq V3 testing at our institution was implemented April 1, 2019. Over a 17‐month period (1 April 2019 through 31 August 2020). Thirty five indeterminate thyroid nodules were sent for testing; diagnoses included FLUS, suspicious for a follicular/Hurthle cell neoplasm (SFN/SHCN) and suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma (SPTC). There were 26 females, nine males; mean age 56 years. Aspirated nodules, mean size of 2 cm, were evaluated by rapid on site evaluation with adequacy assessed by the cytopathologist via telecytology.ResultsOf the 35 nodules, 17 (49%) were positive and 18 (51%) were negative on ThyroSeq Testing. All of the 17 positive nodules (four FLUS, 10 SFN/SHCN, three SPTC) showed neoplastic lesions; five adenomas, one NIFTP and 11 carcinomas on surgical resection. Only 4 (22%) of the 18 nodules that were negative were resected and showed two colloid/adenomatous nodules, one NIFTP and one follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. As FLUS FNAs were the majority of the indeterminate nodules, a comparison was made pre‐and post ThyroSeq testing. Prior to ThyroSeq testing the majority (69%) of the nodules were resected as compared to 36% post implementation; a statistically significant value (P < .005). Surgical resection yielded a majority of benign nodules pre‐ThyroSeq testing, 68%, as compared to post‐ThyroSeq testing, 25%.ConclusionImplementation of ThyroSeq V3 testing has led to improvements in clinical management of patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Nitrosamine formation from the reaction of methamphetamine with gaseous nitrous acid
Authors: Mayer Alexandra , Rindelaub Joel , Miskelly Gordon M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMethamphetamine is the most commonly seized amphetamine‐type stimulant (ATS) worldwide. Chemical residues associated with the use or manufacture of methamphetamine can persist in the air and surfaces in a property for over 5 years and potentially pose risks to the health and safety of the public. When a house is tested for contamination, the test focuses on the presence of surface methamphetamine residue; however, other hazardous chemicals may also be present, including methamphetamine precursors and reaction products. As little has been reported about the ageing of the methamphetamine inside dwellings, there is currently large uncertainty regarding its fate and/or degradation products in such environments. If the indoor reactivity of methamphetamine is similar to that of nicotine‐derived third‐hand smoke, the production of a carcinogenic nitrosamine is an expected result. Thus, this proof‐of‐concept study investigated the reaction of methamphetamine with the common gaseous indoor oxidant nitrous acid (HONO) and monitored the fate of the resulting reaction products in simulated laboratory experiments to further understand the potential health risks associated with contaminated properties. Surface methamphetamine residue was observed to decrease with an exponential decay with an upper limit of 2.38 ± 0.5 × 10−3 min−1 upon exposure to HONO gas (5.7 ppmv, 0.25 L min−1). N‐nitrosomethamphetamine (NMA), a suspected human mutagen and carcinogen, was detected to have a steady‐state formation over the sampling time frame, with a surface area concentration of 0.87 μg/100 cm2, suggesting that the risks to public health for properties contaminated with methamphetamine may be currently underestimated.
Nontargeted detection of designer androgens: Underestimated role of in vitro bioassays
Authors: Lund Rachel A. , Cooper Elliot R. , Wang Hui , Ashley Zoe , Cawley Adam T. , Heather Alison K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAndrogens, both steroidal and nonsteroidal in nature, are among the most commonly misused substances in competitive sports. Their recognized anabolic and performance enhancing effects through short‐ and long‐term physiological adaptations make them popular. Androgens exist as natural steroids, or are chemically synthesized as anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) or selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). In order to effectively detect misuse of androgens, targeted strategies are used. These targeted strategies rely heavily on mass spectrometry, and detection requires prior knowledge of the targeted structure and its metabolites. Although exquisitely sensitive, such approaches may fail to detect novel structures that are developed and marketed. A nontargeted approach to androgen detection involves the use of cell‐based in vitro bioassays. Both yeast and mammalian cell androgen bioassays demonstrate a clear ability to detect AAS and SARMS, and if paired with high resolution mass spectrometry can putatively identify novel structures. In vitro cell bioassays are successfully used to characterize designer molecules and to detect exogenous androgens in biological samples. It is important to continue to develop new and effective detection approaches to prevent misuse of designer androgens, and in vitro bioassays represent a potential solution to nontargeted detection strategies.
Restrictive eating disorders in higher weight persons: A systematic review of atypical anorexia nervosa prevalence and consecutive admission literature
Authors: Harrop Erin N. , Mensinger Janell L. , Moore Megan , Lindhorst Taryn 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveCurrently, there is debate in the eating disorders field regarding how to define atypical anorexia (AAN), how prevalent it is in community and clinical settings, and how AAN rates compare with low‐weight AN. This systematic review assesses AAN literature from 2007 to 2020, to investigate: (a) the demographic characteristics of AAN studies, (b) the prevalence of AAN compared with AN, (c) the range of operational definitions of AAN and the implications of these definitions, and (d) the proportion of patients with AAN and AN represented in consecutive admission and referral samples.MethodPsychINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, Greylit.org, and ProQuest databases were searched according to methods for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses systematic reviews, yielding 3,184 potential articles. Seventy‐five eligible studies were coded for sixty‐one variables.ResultsClinical samples predominantly included younger, female, white samples with limited diversity. In epidemiological designs, AAN was typically as common or more common than AN, and AAN rates varied significantly based on the population studied and operational definitions. In consecutive clinical samples, AAN was frequently less represented.DiscussionAlthough AAN appears to occur more frequently than AN in communities, fewer patients with AAN are being referred and admitted to eating disorder specific care, particularly in the United States. Given the significant medical and psychosocial consequences of AAN, and the importance of early intervention, this represents a crucial treatment gap. Additionally, results suggest the need for fine‐tuning diagnostic definitions, greater diversity in AAN studies, and increased screening and referral for this vulnerable population.