bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoencapsulation of casein‐derived peptides within electrospun nanofibres
Authors: Rajanna Devaraju , Pushpadass Heartwin A , Emerald F Magdaline Eljeeva , Padaki Naveen V , Nath B Surendra 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDBioactive peptides derived from milk proteins are recognized as functional foods, but their consumption is limited by undesirable or bitter flavour, poor stability, and low bioavailability. Electrospinning is a versatile process for encapsulation of various bioactive compounds in the form of nanosized fibres, which can circumvent these disadvantages. This study was aimed at the preparation of casein‐derived peptides‐loaded nanofibres through electrospinning and characterizing them for fortification of milk.RESULTSPullulan at 100, 120, and 140 g kg−1 concentrations was used for electrospinning of peptides. Scanning electron and atomic force micrographs revealed the formation of clean bead‐free peptides‐loaded pullulan nanofibres at 120 and 140 g kg−1 concentrations with mean diameter of 60.45–133.05 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 72.95–86.04%. Fourier transform infrared spectra and X‐ray diffractograms revealed the absence of interactions between the functional groups of pullulan and peptides during electrospinning. The zeta potential of the peptides‐loaded nanofibres ranged from −15.6 to −24.6 mV, and the hydrodynamic diameter varied from 118.7 to 256.2 nm. The peptides from electrospun nanofibres showed sustained release to the extent of 75.3% after 8 h in gastrointestinal pH conditions. The release kinetics of peptides from nanofibres was best fitted to a Peppas–Sahlin model (R2 = 0.987), and through diffusion and erosion mechanisms. The antioxidant activity of pure peptides and those from nanofibres was comparable. The physico‐chemical qualities of milk fortified with encapsulated peptides did not show noticeable difference either.CONCLUSIONSFrom the morphological, ultrastructural, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, and antioxidant activity data, it was inferred that electrospinning could be an effective technique for nanoencapsulation of casein‐derived bioactive peptides. These peptides‐loaded nanofibres could be used for fortification of milk and milk products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A polymer‐based dispersive solid phase extraction combined with deep eutectic solvent based‐dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of four hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from urine samples
Authors: Jouyban Abolghasem , Nemati Mahboob , Farazajdeh Mir Ali , Alizadeh Nabil Ali Akbar , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA new and efficient extraction procedure was proposed and used for the simultaneous extraction of four hydroxylated metabolites polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from urine samples. The extraction procedure was started by dissolving an organic polymer into a water‐miscible organic solvent (iso‐propanol) and its injection into the sample solution. The sorbent was re‐precipitated in all parts of the solution as tiny particles and the analytes were adsorbed onto the sorbent. After that, the sorbent was separated and the adsorbed analytes were eluted by choline chloride: dichloroacetic acid deep eutectic solvent. The elution solvent was mixed with choline chloride‐3,3‐dimethyl butyric acid deep eutectic solvent and the mixture was applied in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure for more concentration of the analytes. After optimization, the method validation was followed according to International Council Harmonization guidelines and the results showed that wide linear ranges (26–500 000 ng/L) and low limits of detection (3.6–7.2 ng/L) and quantification (11–26 ng/L) were obtained. Satisfactory enrichment factors (435–475) and extraction recoveries (87–95%), and acceptable relative standard deviations (equal or less than 8.6%) were obtained. Finally, the introduced method was successfully applied for determination of the analytes in urine samples obtained from tobacco smokers.
Marketing and social influences, hospital branding, and medical tourists' behavioural intention: Before‐ and after‐service consumption perspective
Authors: Cham Tat‐Huei , Lim Yet‐Mee , Sigala Marianna 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe international growth of medical tourism requires hospital operators to adopt effective marketing practices to ensure survival and competitiveness. Although there is a burgeoning research on medical tourism, there is still limited knowledge about the roles of brand image and brand trust on medical tourists within the healthcare service context. This study investigates the influence of advertisements and social media communication on the hospital brand image and brand trust formation before consumption stage, and their impacts on medical tourists' perceptions and attitudes at the post‐consumption stage in relation to service quality, satisfaction, and behavioural intention. Data was collected from 294 Chinese medical tourists and a structural equation modelling technique was used for testing the hypotheses. The findings revealed that advertisements and social media communication positively influence medical tourists' perception of hospital brand image, which influences their trust towards the hospital's brand. It was also found that medical tourists' perceived value and trust towards the medical staff mediates the relationship between their perceived service quality and satisfaction. Overall, the study contributes to the literature by providing evidence and understanding on hospital branding formation and its influence on the perceptions and attitudes of medical tourists before and after the consumption of the healthcare service.
Vitamin D has an effect on airway inflammation and Th17/Treg balance in asthmatic mice
Authors: Ma Jing‐Guo , Wu Guang‐Ji , Xiao Hong‐Li , Xiao Yan‐Min , Zha Lin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAsthma is regarded as a chronic inflammation of the airway. Research has highlighted the significance of Vitamin D in asthma. This study explored the mechanism of vitamin D on asthma. The asthma mouse model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and treated with vitamin D (50 or 100 ng/ml). The morphological changes of the airway were observed by HE staining. The serum IgE contents and MDA, ROS, and SOD expressions in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA. The Th17 and Treg cells were detected using flow cytometry. The RORγt and Foxp 3 expressions were detected by Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). IL‐17, IL‐10, and TGF‐β1 expressions were detected using ELISA. The NF‐κB pathway was blocked using the NF‐κB pathway inhibitor, Andrographolide sulfonate. The NF‐κB pathway‐related indexes were detected by western blotting. After blockade of the NF‐κB pathway, the IL‐17, IL‐10, and TGF‐G1 expressions were detected. OVA‐sensitized asthma induced airway remodeling and elevated IgE content in mice, which was downregulated after vitamin D treatment. MDA and ROS were upregulated and SOD was downregulated in asthmatic mice, while vitamin D inverted the changes. Th17/Treg ratio was imbalanced, RORγt and IL‐17 were upregulated, and Foxp 3, IL‐10, and TGF‐β1 were downregulated after OVA sensitization, while vitamin D treatment inverted these changes and inhibited the NF‐κB‐p65 phosphorylation level. After blockade of the NF‐κB pathway, IL‐17 was downregulated and IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 were upregulated. In conclusion, vitamin D rectified the Th17/Treg balance and alleviated airway inflammation by inhibiting the NF‐κB pathway in asthmatic mice.
The life course paradigm and consumer behavior: Research frontiers and future directions
Authors: Moschis George P. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAlthough researchers have been increasingly using life course perspectives for studying various types of consumption‐related behaviors, they are yet to fully benefit from a recently developed multidisciplinary research approach, known as “the life course paradigm.” This paradigm is viewed as a theoretical orientation for the study of stability and change in thoughts and actions over time. It is used extensively across disciplines and internationally, but it has received limited attention in the consumer field; and it has the potential of helping researchers improve their efforts to study consumers over time. To help inform the reader about this paradigm and its assumptions, this article first presents a conceptual life course model and demonstrates its application. Next, it briefly discusses studies that have employed life course explanations of a variety of consumption‐related activities, and interprets their results within the context of the life course model, identifying gaps and research questions that could be effectively studied using the life course paradigm. Finally, the article presents a research agenda on topics of interest to several groups of researchers, offering novel insights and innovative methods to help them think about how to study various types of consumer behavior over time within the life course conceptual blueprint.
Co‐Occurrence of Apathy and Impulsivity in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Kok Zi Q. , Murley Alexander G. , Rittman Timothy , Rowe James , Passamonti Luca 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundApathy and impulsivity are common consequences of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and can worsen its prognosis. They can co‐exist in the same patients although their concomitant prevalence remains unclear. Their relationship to emotional lability is unknown.ObjectivesTo estimate the co‐occurrence of apathy and impulsivity and their relationship to emotional lability in PSP. To characterize the demographic, clinical, and cognitive features of PSP patients with apathy and impulsivity.MethodsIn a retrospective study of a long‐term clinical cohort, we assessed the prevalence of apathy, impulsivity, and emotional lability from clinical interviews, medical records, and contemporary carer questionnaires. One hundred fifty‐four patients with a diagnosis of probable or possible PSP (according to the 2017 Movement Disorder Society criteria) were identified. Sixty‐four of these patients had neuropathological confirmation of PSP. PSP patients with both apathy and impulsivity were compared in terms of demographic, clinical, and cognitive characteristics to PSP patients with either one or neither of these neuropsychiatric features.ResultsApathy and impulsivity co‐existed in two‐thirds of people with PSP. A fifth displayed emotional lability in addition to apathy and impulsivity. Apathy and impulsivity were more commonly co‐expressed than by chance. There was no single demographic, clinical or cognitive feature that distinguished between PSP patients with versus patients without apathy and impulsivity.ConclusionsThe co‐existence of apathy and impulsivity in PSP suggests that these neuropsychiatric features may share similar risk factors and etio‐pathogenetic mechanisms. Apathy and impulsivity should be jointly assessed when planning symptomatic treatments for detrimental behavioral problems caused by PSP.
A detective quantum efficiency for spectroscopic X‐ray imaging detectors
Authors: Tanguay Jesse , Richtsmeier Devon , Dydula Christopher , Day James A. , Iniewski Kris , Bazalova‐Carter Magdalena 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeSpectroscopic X‐ray detectors (SXDs) are under development for X‐ray imaging applications. Recent efforts to extend the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) to SXDs impose a barrier to experimentation and/or do not provide a task‐independent measure of detector performance. The purpose of this article is to define a task‐independent DQE for SXDs that can be measured using a modest extension of established DQE‐metrology methods.MethodsWe defined a task‐independent spectroscopic DQE and performed a simulation study to determine the relationship between the zero‐frequency DQE and the ideal‐observer signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of low‐frequency soft‐tissue, bone, iodine, and gadolinium signals. In our simulations, we used calibrated models of the spatioenergetic response of cadmium telluride (CdTe) and cadmium–zinc–telluride (CdZnTe) SXDs. We also measured the zero‐frequency DQE of a CdTe detector with two energy bins and of a CdZnTe detector with up to six energy bins for an RQA9 spectrum and compared with model predictions.ResultsThe spectroscopic DQE accounts for spectral distortions, energy‐bin‐dependent spatial resolution, interbin spatial noise correlations, and intrabin spatial noise correlations; it is mathematically equivalent to the squared SNR per unit fluence of the generalized least‐squares estimate of the height of an X‐ray impulse in a uniform noisy background. The zero‐frequency DQE has a strong linear relationship with the ideal‐observer SNR of low‐frequency soft‐tissue, bone, iodine, and gadolinium signals, and can be expressed in terms of the product of the quantum efficiency and a Swank noise factor that accounts for DQE degradation due to, for example, charge sharing (CS) and electronic noise. The spectroscopic Swank noise factor of the CdTe detector was measured to be 0.81 0.04 and 0.83 0.04 with and without anticoincidence logic for CS suppression, respectively. The spectroscopic Swank noise factor of the CdZnTe detector operated with four energy bins was measured to be 0.82 0.02 which is within 5% of the theoretical value.ConclusionsThe spectroscopic DQE defined here is (1) task‐independent, (2) can be measured using a modest extension of existing DQE‐metrology methods, and (3) is predictive of the ideal‐observer SNR of soft‐tissue, bone, iodine, and gadolinium signals. For CT applications, the combination of CS and electronic noise in CdZnTe spectroscopic detectors will degrade the zero‐frequency DQE by 10 %–20 % depending on the electronic noise level and pixel size.
The Potential Advantage of Myo-Inositol as a Dietary Supplement for Juvenile Hybrid Grouper (Brown-Marbled Grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Giant Grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)
Authors: Zhu Zhanhao , Li Rimei , Yang Qihui , Tan Beiping , Dong Xiaohui , Chi Shuyan , Liu Hongyu , Zhang Shuang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum dietary myo-inositol (MI) requirement for juvenile hybrid grouper (Brown-marbled Grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Giant Grouper E. lanceolatus ♂). Myo-inositol was supplemented at 0 (control group), 150, 300, 600, 900, 1,200, and 2,000 mg/kg of diet. Basic diet contained no MI. Each diet was randomly fed to quadruplicate groups of juveniles, and each tank was stocked with 30 fish (initial weight = 7.40 ± 0.01 g [mean ± SD]). Results showed that the addition level of MI exerted no significant effect on the survival rate, feed conversion ratio, or protein efficiency ratio of juvenile grouper (P &gt; 0.05). However, the weight gain rate in the 150-mg/kg group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). The total cholesterol levels in the serum of the control and 150-mg/kg groups were significantly higher than those of the other groups, and the triglyceride level in the 150-mg/kg group was significantly lower than those in the other groups. The glutamine aminotransferase level was significantly higher in the control group than in the supplemented groups, but no significant difference in lysozyme activity was observed. In the liver, superoxide dismutase activity in the control group was significantly lower than that in the 150–900-mg/kg groups, and the total antioxidant capacity in the 150-mg/kg group was significantly higher than those in the other groups. Broken-line regression analysis showed that the MI required for juvenile hybrid grouper was 181.47 mg/kg diet based on weight gain rate, which can significantly improve growth performance and increase the activity of serum and liver enzymes.
Bone pearl: An enigmatic supernumerary ossicle of the thumb
Authors: Mann Robert W. , Ruengdit Sittiporn 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA 73‐year‐old Polynesian male exhibits a small, round, supernumerary bone along the radial diaphysis of the proximal phalanx of the right thumb. This accessory bone resembles a pearl in shape and color and is firmly attached via soft tissue, a ligament. A search of the literature failed to reveal any supernumerary bones attached to the radial surface of the first proximal phalanx. The presence of this supernumerary bone, although quite small and different from other small ossicles in the human skeleton, is potentially important to clinicians, anatomists, and anthropologists. This bone, or others like it, could be symptomatic and represents a rare trait that contributes to our knowledge of anatomical variation in hand bones.
Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase onto electrospun polyurethane nanofiber matrices
Authors: Morales Urrea Diego Alberto , Caracciolo Pablo Christian , Haure Patricia Mónica , Contreras Edgardo Martín 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this work, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized onto polyurethane nanofiber membranes. The following variables were optimized to maximize the surface density of grafted HRP (Q): NaClO functionalization time (tf), immobilization time (ti), HRP concentration of the immobilization solution (CHRP), and immobilization temperature (T). Catalytic activity was evaluated using the decolorization reaction of Orange II (OII). A statistical analysis of SEM images demonstrates that fiber diameters (d) of native (M), AGE‐modified (MA), and HRP immobilized (MAH) electrospun membranes obeyed a log‐normal distribution and that the effects of the NaClO activation procedure, and the use of MAH membranes in OII oxidation during 4 h on the fiber size were negligible. Although obtained membranes at 40°C (MAH9540) presented the highest Q, matrices obtained at 20°C (MAH9520) exhibited the highest catalytic activity, indicating that HRP was partially inactivated during the immobilization at 40°C. Reusability tests demonstrated that membranes retained between 11% and 33% of their initial enzyme activity after a total reaction time between 4 and 8 h.
Green fabrication of flame retardant and superhydrophobic materials with application in oil‐water separation
Authors: Qu Mengnan , Luo Zhanxia , Wang Rong , He Dan , Pang Yajie , Shi Fan , Sun Wenchao , Peng Lei , He Jinmei 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFlame‐retardant materials with superwettability have received broad attention and research in the field of oil‐water separation in recent years. However, it remains big challenging to fabricate flame‐retardant and superwettable materials in terms of the complexity and environmental performance. Herein, a non‐fluorinated coating containing flame retardants phytic acid/3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and silica micron‐particle/hexadecyltrimethoxysilane was developed. The performance of the coated samples is evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimetry, and, water contact angle tests. The percentage of residue at 800°C for coated samples (cotton fabric, absorbent cotton, filter paper, cottonwood, packing cardboard) was reduced by 47.6%, 42.2%, 45.5%, 53.2%, and 50.8%, respectively. However, their control samples reduced by 87.4%, 84.6%, 88.4%, 77.2%, and 72.2%, respectively, under the same conditions. The percentage of residue at 800°C for coated samples is much higher than that of the pristine samples. The coated cotton fabric showed excellent flame retardant and superhydrophobic properties. Specifically, the coated cotton fabrics exhibited self‐extinguishing properties in the flame burning tests, and the LOI increased significantly from 17.7% to 50.8%. Furthermore, the peak heat release rate and the total heat release values of the coated cotton fabric were significantly declined by 83.4% and 83.6% compared to untreated cotton fabrics, respectively. Additionally, due to its super‐hydrophobic surface, the coated cotton fabric exhibited super‐strong self‐cleaning ability and waterproof performance. The coated cotton fabrics also showed good organic solvent/oil and water separation capabilities while reducing the risk of fire.
Quantitative analyses for effects of neddylation on CRL2VHL substrate ubiquitination and degradation
Authors: Wang Kankan , Reichermeier Kurt M. , Liu Xing 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThrough catalyzing the ubiquitination of key regulatory proteins, cullin‐RING ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) play essential biological roles and their activities are controlled by multiple mechanisms including neddylation, the conjugation of NEDD8 to cullins. Upon neddylation, a CRL, such as the CUL1‐based CRL1, undergoes conformational changes that accelerate substrate ubiquitination. Given the structural diversity across subfamilies of CRLs and their substrates, to what extent neddylation modulates the activity of individual CRLs remains to be evaluated. Here, through reconstituting the CRL2 ubiquitination reaction in vitro, we showed that neddylation promotes CRL2VHL‐dependent degradation of both full‐length HIF1α and the degron peptide of HIF1α, resulting in more than 10‐fold increase in the rate of substrate ubiquitination. Consistently, pevonedistat (also known as MLN4924), an inhibitor of neddylation, inhibits the degradation of HIF1α in RCC4 cells stably expressing VHL in cycloheximide chase assays. However, such inhibitory effect of pevonedistat on HIF1α degradation was not observed in HEK293 cells, which was further found to be due to CRL2VHL‐independent degradation that was active in HEK293 but not RCC4 cells. After truncating HIF1α to its Carboxy‐terminal Oxygen‐Dependent Degradation (CODD) domain, we showed that pevonedistat inhibited the degradation of CODD and increased its half‐life by six‐fold in HEK293 cells. Our results demonstrate that neddylation plays a significant role in activating CRL2, and the cellular activity of CRL2VHL is better reflected by the degradation of CODD than that of HIF1α, especially under conditions where CRL2‐independent degradation of HIF1α is active.
Braneworld‐Klein‐Gordon System in the Framework of Gravitational Decoupling
Authors: León P. , Sotomayor A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe analyze the effective field equations of the Randall‐Sundrum braneworld coupled with a Klein‐Gordon scalar field through the minimal geometric deformation decoupling method (MGD‐decoupling). We introduce two different ways to apply the MGD‐decoupling method to obtain new solutions for this enlarged system. We also compare the behavior of the new solutions with those obtained directly from the Randall‐Sumdrum braneworld without coupling to the scalar field.
Modeling SARS‐CoV‐2 proteins in the CASP‐commons experiment
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Moult John , Billings Wendy M. , Della Corte Dennis , Fidelis Krzysztof , Kwon Sohee , Olechnovič Kliment , Seok Chaok , Venclovas Česlovas , Won Jonghun ,   CASP‐COVID participants
Published: August 2021

AbstractCritical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP) is an organization aimed at advancing the state of the art in computing protein structure from sequence. In the spring of 2020, CASP launched a community project to compute the structures of the most structurally challenging proteins coded for in the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome. Forty‐seven research groups submitted over 3000 three‐dimensional models and 700 sets of accuracy estimates on 10 proteins. The resulting models were released to the public. CASP community members also worked together to provide estimates of local and global accuracy and identify structure‐based domain boundaries for some proteins. Subsequently, two of these structures (ORF3a and ORF8) have been solved experimentally, allowing assessment of both model quality and the accuracy estimates. Models from the AlphaFold2 group were found to have good agreement with the experimental structures, with main chain GDT_TS accuracy scores ranging from 63 (a correct topology) to 87 (competitive with experiment).