bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induced Hepatic Glutathione and Metabolomic Alterations Following Mixed Pesticide and Fertilizer Exposures in Juvenile Leopard Frogs (Lithobates sphenocephala)
Authors: Van Meter Robin J. , Glinski Donna A. , Purucker S. Thomas , Henderson W. Matthew 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The increasing use of agrochemicals, alone and in combination, has been implicated as a potential causative factor in the decline of amphibians worldwide. Fertilizers and pesticides are frequently combined into single-use tank mixtures for agricultural applications to decrease costs while meeting the food demands of a growing human population. Limited data are available on the effects of increased nitrogen levels in nontarget species, such as amphibians, and therefore investigating alterations in the nitrogen cycle and its impacts on amphibians needs to be considered in best management practices going forward. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the impact of fertilizer (urea) and herbicide (atrazine and/or alachlor) tank mixtures on the hepatic metabolome of juvenile leopard frogs as well as to investigate alterations in oxidative stress by relating these changes to glutathione (GSH) levels. Herbicide exposure only moderately increased this parameter in amphibians, however, urea alone and in combination with either atrazine or alachlor statistically elevated GSH levels. Interestingly, urea also inhibited pesticide uptake: calculated bioconcentration factors were greatly decreased for atrazine and alachlor when urea was present in the exposure mixture. Metabolomic profiling identified fluxes in hepatic metabolites that are involved in GSH and carbohydrate metabolic processes as well as altered intermediates in the urea cycle. Ultimately, understanding the biological impacts of nitrogenous fertilizers alone and in combination with pesticide exposure will inform best management practices to conserve declining amphibian populations worldwide. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:122–133. © 2021 SETAC
Optimization of drying conditions for Jackfruit pulp using Refractance Window Drying technology
Authors: Nansereko Sophie , Muyonga John , Byaruhanga Yusuf B. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRefractance window drying is a novel technology with high operational efficiency and high product quality retention compared with conventional drying methods. This study assessed the effect of refractance window dryer water temperature and pulp thickness on nutrient content and the antioxidant activity of jackfruit. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the drying temperature and fruit pulp thickness. Optimal drying temperature and pulp thickness were found to be 93.4°C and 2.56 mm, respectively. The respective values for the response variables drying time (min), ascorbic acid (mg/100 g), antioxidant activity (mg/100 g AA equiv) and total carotenoid content (μg/g) were 60.47, 17.97, 82.34, and 13.34, respectively. Models for prediction of these values had R2 values of .964, .980, .994, and .994, respectively, and nonsignificant lack of fit (p < .05). This indicates the suitability of the model in predicting the RWD operating conditions to produce quality dried jackfruit.
Adatom mediated adsorption of N‐heterocyclic carbenes on Cu(111) and Au(111)
Authors: Jain Mitisha , Gerstmann Uwe , Schmidt Wolf Gero , Aldahhak Hazem 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe adsorption of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces is studied with density‐functional theory. The role of the molecular side groups as well as the surface morphology in determining the adsorption geometry are explored in detail. Flat‐laying NHCs, as observed experimentally for NHC with relatively small side groups, result from the adsorption at adatoms and give rise to the so‐called ballbot configurations, which are more stable than adsorption on flat surfaces and provide an efficient precursor for the formation of bis(NHC) dimers. On Au(111), the resulting (NHC)2Au complexes are purely physisorbed and thus mobile. On the more reactive Cu(111), in contrast, the central Cu atom in the (NHC)2Cu dimer is still covalently bound to the surface, resulting in a mobility, which has to be thermally activated.
A rapid and highly effective approach for SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid daily testing in more than four thousand single‐tube samples
Authors: Zhou Yusun , Han Chunhua , Li Hui , Zhou Tingting , Geng Chao , Luan Xingwei , Feng Xiaodong , Sui Junna , Wang Shuai , Yu Teng , Xuan Chao , Tian Qingwu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPresently, the global spread of COVID‐19 is still going on, with more than 0.6 million new cases confirmed per day (as of November 20, 2021). However, since China entered a post‐epidemic phase in mid‐March 2020, the daily number of new domestic infections in the Chinese mainland has been maintained at almost zero or single digits, which was attributed to a series of effective measures for COVID‐19 prevention and control adopted by the Chinese government. Among these measures, SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid testing holds key role for the timely confirmation and isolation of the infections to prevent further transmission.MethodsReferring to the national policy requirements, since April 30, 2020, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University has conducted SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid testing in its PCR laboratory for patients and social workers, as well as for environmental monitoring and employee screening. As of mid‐November 2020, the daily amount of single‐tube samples for nucleic acid testing rose above 4,000.ResultsIn this article, a rapid and highly effective approach for SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid daily testing is presented, allowing five technicians to complete nucleic acid testing in 6,500 single‐tube samples in one day with a high level of quality. Using this approach, since the samples entered the PCR laboratory, all testing results were reported in 2.5–3 h with satisfactory quality control and precise reporting criterion as prerequisites.ConclusionThis testing approach provides a referable workflow for other testing institutions and is expected to play an important role in COVID‐19 prevention and control.
Persistent reversed end‐diastolic flow of the middle cerebral artery: A rare and concerning finding
Authors: Chainarong Natthicha , Suwanrath Chitkasaem , Suksai Manaphat 
Published: December 2021

AbstractFetal reversed end‐diastolic flow of the middle cerebral artery is a rare ultrasound finding associated with pathological fetal conditions. Herein, we report the case of a fetus presenting with reversed end‐diastolic flow of the middle cerebral artery caused by extensive intracranial hemorrhage from maternal warfarin therapy. From a literature review, we present the clinical findings, etiologies, and outcomes of cases with fetal reversed end‐diastolic flow of the middle cerebral artery.
Structural abnormalities in paediatric moyamoya disease revealed by clinical magnetic resonance imaging, regionally distributed relative signal intensities and volumes
Authors: Ijner Prahar , Tompkins Grace , Shiohama Tadashi , Takahashi Emi , Levman Jacob 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMoyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder, with an unknown aetiology and pathogenesis. It is characterized by steno‐occlusive changes at the terminal portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), which is accompanied by variable development of the basal collaterals called moyamoya vessels. In this study, we investigate the potential for structural T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help characterize MMD clinically, with the help of regionally distributed relative signal intensities (RRSIs) and volumes (RRVs). These RRSIs and RRVs provide the ability to characterize aspects of regional brain development and represent an extension to existing automated biomarker extraction technologies. This study included 269 MRI examinations from MMD patients and 993 MRI examinations from neurotypical controls, with regional biomarkers compared between groups with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results demonstrate abnormal presentation of RRSIs and RRVs in the insula (15‐ to 20‐year old cohort, left AUC: 0.74, right AUC: 0.71) and the lateral orbitofrontal region (5‐ to 10‐year old cohort, left AUC: 0.67; 15–20 year cohort, left AUC: 0.62, right AUC: 0.65). Results indicate that RRSIs and RRVs may help in characterizing brain development, assist in the assessment of the presentation of the brains of children with MMD and help overcome standardization challenges in multiprotocol clinical MRI. Further investigation of the potential for RRSIs and RRVs in clinical imaging is warranted and supported through the release of open‐source software.
Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé multicomponent reaction coupled with unconventional Pictet–Spengler cyclization for the synthesis of imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine fused polycyclic heterocycles
Authors: Singh Rahul , Kumar Ravinder , Kaur Manpreet , Patil Madhuri T. , Sahoo Subash Chandra , Salunke Deepak B. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA diverse library of fused tetracyclic and pentacyclic imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine scaffolds was synthesized using an unconventional strategy, involving Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé (GBB) multicomponent reaction coupled with Pictet–Spengler (PS) cyclization. The reaction strategy involves the use of 2‐aminoazine, aldehyde, and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl butyl isocyanide in the GBB reaction followed by the dealkylation to generate a free amine, which on PS cyclization with another aldehyde generated a fused polycyclic heterocycle. A small set of 15 diverse polycyclic heterocycles were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometric analyses. In addition, a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction of one of the library members established the three‐dimensional structure of the polycyclic skeleton.
The neutrophil elastase‐upregulated placenta growth factor promotes the pathogenesis and progression of periodontal disease
Authors: Tseng Hsiu‐Yang , Chen Yi‐Wen , Lee Bor‐Shiunn , Chang Po‐Chun , Wang Yi‐Ping , Lin Chun‐Pin , Cheng Shih‐Jung , Kuo Mark Yen‐Ping , Hou Hsin‐Han 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease. Given its high prevalence, especially in aging population, the detailed mechanisms about pathogenesis of periodontal disease are important issues for study. Neutrophil firstly infiltrates to periodontal disease‐associated pathogen loci and amplifies the inflammatory response for host defense. However, excessive neutrophil‐secreted neutrophil elastase (NE) damages the affected gingival. In lung and esophageal epithelium, NE had been proved to upregulate several growth factors including placenta growth factor (PGF). PGF is an angiogenic factor with proinflammatory properties, which mediates the progression of inflammatory disease. Therefore, we hypothesize excessive NE upregulates PGF and participates in the pathogenesis and progression of periodontal disease.MethodsIn gingival epithelial cells (GEC), growth factors array demonstrated NE‐increased growth factors and further be corroborated by Western blot assay and ELISA. The GEC inflammation was evaluated by ELISA. In mice, the immunohistochemistry results demonstrated ligature implantation‐induced neutrophil infiltration and growth factor upregulation. By multiplex assay, the ligature‐induced proinflammatory cytokines level in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were evaluated. Finally, alveolar bone absorption was analyzed by micro‐CT images and H & E staining.ResultsNE upregulated PGF expression and secretion in GEC. PGF promoted GEC to secret IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in GCF In periodontal disease animal model, ligature implantation triggered NE infiltration and PGF expression. Blockade of PGF attenuated the ligature implantation‐induced IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α and MIP‐2 secretion and ameliorated the alveolar bone loss in mice.ConclusionIn conclusion, the NE‐induced PGF triggers gingival epithelium inflammation and promotes the pathogenesis and progression of periodontal disease.
Diagnostic Performance of Strain and Shear Wave Elastography for the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Jin Jian , Liu Yong Hong , Zhang Bo 
Published: December 2021

ObjectivesTo investigate the diagnostic performance of strain and shear wave elastography for the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients.MethodsRelevant studies were searched in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library until October 2021. The diagnostic performance of ultrasonic elastography for the response to NAC were estimated by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) with sensitivity and specificity using Stata 14.0.ResultsA total of 15 studies that comprise 1147 breast cancer patients were included in this meta‐analysis. The pooled AUC of strain elastography in diagnosing responses were 0.89 (95% CI = 0.86–0.91) with 87% (95% CI = 75–94%) of sensitivity and 80% (95% CI = 72–84%) of specificity. The pooled AUC of shear wave elastography in diagnosing response were 0.82 (95% CI = 0.78–0.85) with 79% (95% CI = 72–84%) of sensitivity and 81% (95% CI = 71–88%). No publication bias was observed across the studies using Deek's funnel plot.ConclusionsBased on current evidence, this meta‐analysis confirmed that strain and shear wave elastography exhibited favorable performance for predicting responses to NAC. Strain and shear wave elastography may be a useful, noninvasive method for the assessment of response to NAC in breast cancer patients.
A chemical kinetic mechanism for combustion and flame propagation of CH2F2/O2/N2 mixtures
Authors: Burgess Donald R. , Babushok Valeri I. , Manion Jeffrey A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this work, we compiled and evaluated rate expressions for reactions relevant to the decomposition and combustion of CH2F2 (difluoromethane, refrigerant R‐32) in CH2F2/O2/N2 flames. The recommended values have been used in premixed flame calculations, reported elsewhere, to model experimentally derived burning velocities determined using a constant volume spherical flame method. In this work, we also provide a detailed description of the reaction pathways for decomposition and combustion of CH2F2. This work is part of a larger effort at NIST to characterize and predict the flammability of new refrigerant working fluids and their blends for consideration as replacements of current refrigerants with high global warming potentials.
Non‐invasive exhaled breath diagnostic and monitoring technologies
Authors: Ma Pengze , Li Jiaqi , Chen Yongxing , Zhou Montano Baiyang Antonio , Luo Huijian , Zhang Di , Zheng Huadan , Liu Yihua , Lin Haoyang , Zhu Wenguo , Zhang Guanfeng , Mao Hua , Yu Jianhui , Chen Zhe 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWith the rapid development of laser technology, information technology, and materials, the detection of trace gas has been taken to a new level. Advanced analytical methods were invented, for example, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, chemical sensors, absorption spectrum, and so forth. With the detailed data gathered from new high‐tech equipment, we can predict and diagnose diseases such as diabetic ketoacidosis, irritable bowel syndrome, lung cancer and so on. However, there is still a large amount of exhaled gas that has not been discovered, which means that breath analysis of exhaled gas is a very promising field in the future. Non‐invasive breath diagnosis and monitoring technology have attracted huge attention from all over the world. Using exhaled gas to diagnose and monitor human disease has numerous advantages for being non‐invasive, convenient and environment friendly.
Probe distance error analysis for phased array calibration based on BTM
Authors: Lu Yangyi , Shi Suyang , Cui Mantang , Zhou Lei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBased on backward transformation method (BTM), the probe distance error analysis in z‐axis for phased array calibration is described. When BTM is employed in phased array calibration to obtain the electric field over the radiation aperture of antenna, the Taylor expansion of probe distance error is used for analyzing the accuracy of reconstructed aperture field. It is found that probe distance error less than 1/35 of a wavelength is recommended. To verify this conclusion, the measured results demonstrate the validation of this analysis, which is helpful in the near‐field calibration for phased array.
Free‐breathing three‐dimensional isotropic‐resolution MR sequence for simultaneous vessel wall imaging of bilateral renal arteries and abdominal aorta: Feasibility and reproducibility
Authors: Ning Zihan , Zhang Nan , Qiao Huiyu , Han Hualu , Shen Rui , Yang Dandan , Chen Shuo , Zhao Xihai 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPurposeMany diseases can simultaneously involve renal arteries and the adjacent abdominal aorta. This study proposed a free‐breathing three‐dimensional (3D) isotropic‐resolution magnetic resonance sequence for simultaneous vessel wall imaging (VWI) of bilateral renal arteries and adjacent abdominal aorta.MethodsA respiratory‐triggered isotropic‐resolution sequence that combined the improved motion‐sensitized driven‐equilibrium (iMSDE) preparation with the spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR) readout (iMSDE‐SPGR) was proposed for simultaneous VWI of renal arteries and abdominal aorta. The proposed iMSDE‐SPGR sequence was optimized by positioning spatial saturation pulses (i.e., REST slabs) elaborately to further alleviate respiratory and gastrointestinal motion artifacts and selecting appropriate first‐order gradient moment (m1) of the iMSDE preparation. Thirteen healthy subjects and 13 patients with renal artery stenosis underwent simultaneous VWI with the optimized iMSDE‐SPGR sequence at 3.0 T. Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and morphology of renal arterial wall and aortic wall were measured. Reproducibility of intra‐observer, inter‐observer, and scan–rescan (n = 13 healthy subjects) in measuring SNR, CNR, and morphology was evaluated. For the reproducibility test, the agreement was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and the differences were compared using paired t‐test or nonparametric Wilcoxon test when appropriate. Bland–Altman plots were used to calculate the bias between observers and between scans.ResultsThe proposed iMSDE‐SPGR sequence was feasible for simultaneous VWI both in the healthy subjects and the patients. The sequence showed good to excellent inter‐observer (ICC: 0.615‐0.999), excellent intra‐observer (ICC: 0.801‐0.998), and scan–rescan (ICC: 0.768‐0.998) reproducibility in measuring morphology, SNR, and CNR. There were no significant differences in SNR, CNR, and morphology measurements between observers and between scans (all p > 0.05). Bland–Altman plots showed small bias in assessing SNR, CNR, and morphology.Data conclusionThe proposed free‐breathing 3D isotropic‐resolution iMSDE‐SPGR technique is feasible and reproducible for simultaneous VWI of bilateral renal arteries and adjacent abdominal aorta.
Effects of echo time on IVIM quantifications of locally advanced breast cancer in clinical diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3 T
Authors: Egnell Liv , Jerome Neil P. , Andreassen Maren M. S. , Bathen Tone F. , Goa Pål Erik 
Published: December 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of echo time dependence in IVIM quantification of the pseudo‐diffusion fraction in breast cancer and whether correcting for the echo time dependence offers added clinical value.Materials and methods: Fifteen patients with biopsy‐proven breast cancer underwent a 3 T MRI examination with an extended DWI protocol at two different echo times (TE = 53 ms, b = 0, 50 s/mm2; TE = 77 ms, b = 0, 50, 120, 200, 400, 700 s/mm2). Volumes of interest were delineated around the tumors. In addition, simulated MRI data were generated for different levels of signal‐to‐noise ratio and two values for the blood T2 relaxation time (T2p = 100 ms and 150 ms). The pseudo‐diffusion signal fraction was estimated from the simulated and in vivo tumor data using both the standard IVIM model and an extended IVIM model that accounts for the echo time dependence arising from distinct transverse relaxation times.Results: Simulations showed that the standard IVIM model overestimated the pseudo‐diffusion fraction by 25% (T2p = 100 ms) and 60 % (T2p = 150 ms) (p < 0.0001 at SNR = 50). In vivo, the estimated apparent T2 value at b = 50 s/mm2 was around 8% lower than at b = 0 s/mm2 (p = 0.01) demonstrating a removal of the signal contribution from blood with long T2 associated with pseudo‐diffusion. Using two different fixed values for T2p = 100, 150 ms, the pseudo‐diffusion fraction was 15% and 46% higher in the standard model compared with the echo‐time‐corrected model (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The standard IVIM model was found to overestimate the pseudo‐diffusion fraction by 15% to 46% compared with the echo‐time‐corrected model in breast tumor DWI data acquired at 3 T. Our results suggest that a corrected model may give more accurate results in terms of signal fractions, but may not justify the added time needed to acquire the additional data in terms of clinical value.
“It is hard to say ‘no’ to someone who wants to help”: An exemplary model of corporate volunteer management and its challenges
Authors: Liang Xiaoyan , Amarakoon Upamali , Bird Susan , Pearson David 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDespite the growth and popularity of corporate volunteering, a small, albeit growing stream of studies representing the nonprofit's perspectives focus on either “why” or “triple win” outcome of the corporate volunteer programs, not much is known about the process of internal management and strategy development of corporate volunteering programs. This study aims to examine the understudied strategy and management process of nonprofits in corporate volunteer‐related partnerships. Based on interview and observation data collected from 2018 to 2019 from an Australian nonprofit organization specializing in food rescue, the authors investigate its exemplary corporate volunteering management practices and the challenges it faces. Findings reveal three dimensions of management imperatives and two sets of management challenges that have not been addressed in the literature. This study advances corporate volunteer management literature from the nonprofit's perspective by providing a promising model for designing and implementing an effective corporate volunteer management program. It also highlights the ensuing challenges this model might face.