bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of captivity on the vertebral bone microstructure of xenarthran mammals
Authors: Zack Ellianna H. , Smith Stephanie M. , Angielczyk Kenneth D. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCaptive specimens in museum collections facilitate study of rare taxa, but the lifestyles, diets, and lifespans of captive animals differ from their wild counterparts. Trabecular bone architecture adapts to in vivo forces, and may reflect interspecific variation in ecology and behavior as well as intraspecific variation between captive and wild specimens. We compared trunk vertebrae bone microstructure in captive and wild xenarthran mammals to test the effects of ecology and captivity. We collected μCT scans of the last six presacral vertebrae in 13 fossorial, terrestrial, and suspensorial xenarthran species (body mass: 120 g to 35 kg). For each vertebra, we measured centrum length; bone volume fraction (BV.TV); trabecular number and mean thickness (Tb.Th); global compactness (GC); cross‐sectional area; mean intercept length; star length distribution; and connectivity and connectivity density. Wild specimens have more robust trabeculae, but this varies with species, ecology, and pathology. Wild specimens of fossorial taxa (Dasypus) have more robust trabeculae than captives, but there is no clear difference in bone microstructure between wild and captive specimens of suspensorial taxa (Bradypus, Choloepus), suggesting that locomotor ecology influences the degree to which captivity affects bone microstructure. Captive Tamandua and Myrmecophaga have higher BV.TV, Tb.Th, and GC than their wild counterparts due to captivity‐caused bone pathologies. Our results add to the understanding of variation in mammalian bone microstructure, suggest caution when including captive specimens in bone microstructure research, and indicate the need to better replicate the habitats, diets, and behavior of animals in captivity.
Development of porous silicon‐coated gold nanoparticles as potential theragnostic material
Authors: Kim Jiwon , Hwang Sumin , Luu Quy Son , Jo Donghyuk , Do Uyen Thi , Nguyen Quynh Thi , Kwon Jae‐Sung , Lee Seunghyun , Lee Youngbok 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been used widely as multifunctional materials for several biomedical applications due to their attractive characteristics. However, toxicity and aggregation of AuNPs are critical issues, and methods of effective surface modification are required to overcome these problems. In this study, porous silicon‐coated gold nanoparticles (AuNP@pSi) were fabricated as a hybrid nanocomposite capable of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)‐sensing and drug carrier. First, size‐controlled AuNPs were coated with a silica nano‐shell, and the resulting silica layers were converted to porous silicon through magnesiothermic reduction. Overall results suggest that AuNP@pSi can be exploited as a SERS probe with efficient Raman signal improvement of benzenethiol as well as a drug carrier based on its high surface area (113.7 m2 g−1) and porosity (13.38 nm, 0.3805 cm3 g−1). Since the porous silicon possibly can serve as magnetic resonance imaging probes with DNP technology, this hybrid platform potentially can be utilized as powerful material capable of theragnosis system.
Determination of ginsenoside Rh3 in rat plasma by LC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Yang Ting , Xu Wenwu , Wei Xiyu , Zhang Zhenzhen , Sun Yue , Liu Houru , Yu Peihua , Li Wei , Yu Dehong 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGinsenoside Rh3 (GRh3) is a bacterial metabolite of ginsenoside Rg5, which is the main component of hot‐processed ginseng. A simple, efficient and sensitive method was developed and validated for the determination of GRh3 in rat plasma by LC–tandem mass spectrometry. After protein precipitation with methanol/acetonitrile (1:1, vol/vol) using propranolol as the internal standard, the target analytes were separated on an XDB C18 column, with methanol containing 0.1% formic acid and water containing 0.1% formic acid used as mobile phases for gradient elution. Mass spectrometry was performed in electrospray ion source–positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring mode, monitoring the transitions m/z 622.5 → 425.5 and m/z 260.1 → 116.1 for GRh3 and internal standard, respectively. The concentration range of GRh3 was 20–20,000 ng/mL and the correlation coefficient (r2) was greater than 0.99. The accuracy error and relative standard deviation were below 15%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect were 74.2% to 78.7% and 96.9% to 108.4%, respectively. Under different conditions, GRh3 was stable in the range of 1.8%–8.7%. This method has been successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of GRh3 with an oral dose of 10.0 mg/kg and an intravenous dose of 2.0 mg/kg in rats, respectively. The absolute bioavailability of GRh3 was 37.6%.
Efficient Hydro‐ and Organogelation by Minimalistic Diketopiperazines Containing a Highly Insoluble Aggregation‐Induced, Blue‐Shifted Emission Luminophore**
Authors: Molkenthin Martin , Nau Werner M. , Nachtsheim Boris J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe report the synthesis, gelation abilities and aggregation‐induced, blue‐shifted emission (AIBSE) properties of two minimalistic diketopiperazine‐based gelators. Despite containing a highly insoluble luminophore that makes up more than half of their respective molecular masses, efficient hydrogelation by multiple stimuli for one and efficient organogelation for the other compound are reported. Insights into the aggregation and gelation properties were gained through examination of the photophysical and material properties of selected gels, which are representative of the different modes of gelation. The synthesis of the gelators is highly modular and based on readily available amino acid building blocks, allowing the efficient and rapid diversification of these core structures and fine‐tuning of gel properties.
Outcomes of robotic‐assisted liver surgery versus laparoscopic liver surgery for treatment of stage I hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Duong Linh M. , Cai Hui , Shrubsole Martha J. , Bailey Christina E. , Idrees Kamran , Shu Xiao‐Ou 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundThis article investigated whether robotic‐assisted liver surgery versus laparoscopic liver surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has similar or different short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes.MethodsA total of 3049 patients from the National Cancer Database who received minimally invasive surgery (ie, robotic or laparoscopic surgery) for stage I HCC cancers between 2010 to 2015, of which 123 had robotic and 2926 had laparoscopic surgeries performed, were identified. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate short‐term outcomes. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate all‐cause mortality at 1‐year, 3‐years, and 5‐years after surgery, adjusting for potential confounders. Propensity score‐matched analyses were conducted to compare long‐term outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic surgeries.ResultsRobotic surgery was associated with improved overall survival, with 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates (SRs) of 0.92, 0.75, and 0.63 compared with laparoscopic surgery SRs of 0.86, 0.60, and 0.45, respectively (P value <.01). Multivariate analyses showed that robotic compared with laparoscopic surgery had significantly lower 5‐year total mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.64 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45%‐0.93% for intent‐to‐treat; HR, 0.62 and 95% CI, 0.42%‐0.91% for end‐treatment analyses). Similar results were found in propensity score matched analyses; robotic surgery was associated with improved overall survival compared with laparoscopic surgery (HR, 0.64 and 95% CI, 0.43%‐0.96% for intent‐to‐treat; HR, 0.59 and 95% CI, 0.39%‐0.90% for end‐treatment).ConclusionsRobotic surgery is not inferior to laparoscopic surgery in treating early‐stage HCC and may be associated with improved long‐term survival.
An Efficient Method for Covalent Surface Functionalization of Ultrasmall Metallic Nanoparticles by Surface Azidation Followed by Copper‐Catalyzed Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition (Click Chemistry)
Authors: Klein Kai , Loza Kateryna , Heggen Marc , Epple Matthias 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe azidation of glutathione (GSH)‐functionalized ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (2 nm) by the azide transfer reagent imidazole‐1‐sulfonyl azide hydrogen sulfate leads to azide‐terminated nanoparticles with high yield. A subsequent copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), i. e. a click reaction, leads to covalently functionalized nanoparticles. This was demonstrated with two alkyne‐functionalized dyes, i. e. FAM‐alkyne and AlexaFluor‐647‐alkyne, that were covalently coupled to the nanoparticles. The integrity of the glutathione ligand and the successful surface azidation were demonstrated by one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The surface composition of the nanoparticles was determined by quantitative NMR spectroscopy and UV/vis spectroscopy. Each nanoparticle carries 125 glutathione molecules of which 118 were substituted by an azide group. After dye conjugation, either 6 FAM molecules or 11 AlexaFluor‐647 molecules were present on each nanoparticle, respectively. The dye‐clicked nanoparticles were highly fluorescent due to the absence of surface plasmon resonance. The post‐functionalization of GSH avoids a chemical reaction of a functional ligand during the reduction reaction, gives a high yield (up to 50 mg nanoparticles per batch), is based on water as solvent, and is applicable for metallic nanoparticles in general.
Higher rates of diabetic ketoacidosis and admission to the paediatric intensive care unit among newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes in Kuwait during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Al‐Abdulrazzaq Dalia , Alkandari Abdullah , Alhusaini Fatemah , Alenazi Naser , Gujral Unjali P. , Narayan K. M. Venkat , Al‐Kandari Hessa ,   CODeR group
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe COVID‐19 pandemic might have a multifaceted effect on children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), either directly through infection itself or indirectly due to measures implemented by health authorities to control the pandemic.ObjectiveTo compare data on children newly diagnosed with T1D in Kuwait during the COVID‐19 pandemic to the pre‐pandemic period.Research Design and MethodsWe analysed data on children aged 12 years or less registered in the Childhood‐Onset Diabetes electronic Registry (CODeR) in Kuwait. Data were incidence rate (IR), diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and its severity and admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).ResultsThe IR of T1D was 40.2 per 100,000 (95% CI; 36.0–44.8) during the COVID‐19 pandemic period and was not statistically different from pre‐pandemic. A higher proportion of incident T1D cases presented with DKA and were admitted to the PICU during the pandemic (52.2% vs. 37.8%: p ˂ 0.001, 19.8% vs. 10.9%; p = 0.002, respectively). The COVID‐19 pandemic was positively associated with presentation of DKA and admission to PICU (AOR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.13–2.65; p = 0.012, AOR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.13–3.67; p = 0.018, respectively). Children of families with a positive history for diabetes were less likely to present with DKA and get admitted to the PICU during the COVID‐19 pandemic (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20–0.74; p = 0.004, AOR = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08–0.61; p = 0.004, respectively).ConclusionHigh rates of DKA at presentation and admission to PICU in incident T1D cases during the COVID‐19 pandemic warrant further studies and effective mitigation efforts through increasing awareness, early detection, and timely intervention.
The visceral adiposity index and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in China: A national cohort analysis
Authors: Yu Jinyue , Yi Qian , Chen Ge , Hou Leying , Liu Qing , Xu Yunhan , Qiu Yiwen , Song Peige 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimsVisceral Adiposity Index (VAI) is a sex‐specific index of visceral adiposity based on body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study aims to demonstrate the association of VAI and its longitudinal transition patterns with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in middle‐aged and older Chinese.Materials and methodsData from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018) were analysed. Participants were classified into high‐ and low‐VAI groups at baseline, and subsequently into four transition patterns during follow‐up (2011–2015): maintained‐high, maintained‐low, high‐to‐low, and low‐to‐high VAI. Multivariable Cox frailty models with random effects were used to assess the associations of VAI and its transitions with T2DM.ResultsA total of 7245 participants were analysed, among which 818 developed T2DM by 2018. A positive association between baseline high‐VAI levels and T2DM was observed (HR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.27–1.75). Compared with people with maintained low‐VAI pattern during follow‐up, those with transition patterns of maintained‐high VAI, high‐to‐low VAI, and low‐to‐high VAI were at higher risk of T2DM (HR = 1.97, 1.52, and 1.56, respectively, all p < 0.05). The risk of T2DM decreased significantly in the high‐to‐low VAI group as compared to the maintained‐high VAI group (HR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.60–0.99).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the significant associations of baseline VAI and its transitions with the risk of new‐onset T2DM. Early prevention efforts are needed to control the development of T2DM in Chinese with high‐VAI levels.
Effects of lake‐level changes on water quality and fisheries production of Lake Baringo, Kenya
Authors: Walumona Jacques Riziki , Kaunda‐Arara Boaz , Odoli Ogombe Cyprian , Murakaru James Mugo , Raburu Philip , Muvundja Amisi Fabrice , Nyakeya Kobingi , Kondowe Benjamin N. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe study was conducted in Lake Baringo, Kenya, and determined quantitative relationships between water‐level changes, water quality, and fishery production for purposes of evidence‐based lake basin management. Long‐term data on water level (1956–2020), water quality (2008–2021), and fisheries yields (1982–2021) from Lake Baringo were analysed using a combination of statistical methods. Linear and waveform regression analyses were used to describe patterns of lake‐level fluctuations over time, while Pearson's correlation was applied to determine the concordance of lake level changes with water quality parameters, landings, and condition of fish species. Principal components analysis (PCA) results grouped the study period into different years based on annual water quality variable levels. Locally weighted scatter plot smoothing (LOWESS) analysis showed the annual lake level amplitude declined over time with peak values in 1964 (8.6 m) and 2008 (9.4 m). The waveform regression significantly modelled lake‐level fluctuations as indexed by annual deviations from the long‐term average (DLTM) and showed a 20‐year oscillation between peak water levels in the lake. There were significant positive correlations of water‐level fluctuations (WLFs) with water quality variables and water quality index (WQI) in Lake Baringo. Linear regression analyses showed a significant concordance (p < 0.05) between the annual fishery yields and the rising WLFs (r = 0.66). Also, there was a significant (p < 0.001) relationship between the condition factor of the native species, Oreochromis niloticus, and the annual lake level amplitude (r = 0.69), while catches of the lungfish, Protopterus aethiopicus, and Labeobarbus intermedius showed a differing relationship with WLFs in the lake indicating a species‐specific influence of WLFs on catches. Overall, the results demonstrate that WLFs of Lake Baringo are a significant driver of fish species biomass, species condition, and physico‐chemical properties of the lake.
Copper‐Catalyzed Preparation of Alkenylboronates and Arylboronates
Authors: Alam Safiul , Karim Rejaul , Khan Aminur , Pal Amarta Kumar , Maruani Antoine 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOrganoboron compounds, especially alkenylboronates and arylboronates are highly useful reagents and versatile building blocks in the modern synthetic chemistry toolbox. This review focuses on copper‐catalyzed routes to access alkenyl‐ and arylboronate esters. Various copper salts and ligands have been employed to access them in excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivity as well as high yields. Both addition and substitution reactions to alkenylboronates have been highlighted based on various methodologies including hydroboration, carboboration, borylative opening of propargyl three‐ and four‐membered rings, dehalogenative borylation of alkenyl bromides and iodides, defluoroborylation of fluoroalkenes and direct C(sp2)−H bond activation of alkenes. Preparation of arylboronates involving borylation of aryl halides, C(sp2)−H borylation of arenes and cascade 1,3‐halogen migration/borylation of 2‐halostyrenes have been reviewed. Mechanistic aspects of those borylation reactions are discussed briefly.
Structure‐Performance Guided Design of Sustainable Plasticizers from Biorenewable Feedstocks
Authors: Plass Carmen , Adebar Niklas , Hiessl Robert , Kleber Joscha , Grimm Axel , Langsch Angelika , Otter Rainer , Liese Andreas , Gröger Harald 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe search for more sustainable solutions for plastics production, moving away from petrochemical feedstocks as today's major raw material basis, is a research area of increasing interest. This task goes far beyond the issue of designing greener polymers and their related monomers as tailor‐made plastics require, besides the polymer itself, further components. These additives also need to be switched from typically fossil‐based to bio‐renewable raw materials. One of such necessary components for many applications are plasticizers, and a major application of them is related to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as one of the leading polymers with a wide range of applications. Typically today‘s plasticizers are based on fossil feedstocks, and some of them such as specific ortho‐phthalates as the most important product class of plasticizers are now subject to restrictions and authorization by the EU's REACH legislation due to their toxicological profile. In this contribution, we report the synthesis and technical evaluation of alternative, novel bicyclic plasticizer candidates, which are fully accessible from renewable feedstocks. In detail, these new plasticizer target molecules are based on the use of the furan‐derivative 2‐methylfuran, maleic anhydride and 2‐ethylhexanol as bio‐based starting materials. The synthetic concept consists of an initial Diels‐Alder reaction with 2‐methylfuran and a subsequent hydrogenation and optional esterification step. The applied reactions are well‐known as economic and sustainable technologies. Thus, not only the starting materials (being of bio‐based origin) but also the selected reaction technologies for the syntheses of the target molecules are sustainable. Furthermore, a range of performance tests enabled an insight into structure‐performance relationships and revealed promising plasticizing properties of this new bio‐based plasticizer generation with, e. g., an attractive solution temperature fulfilling the criterium for a “fast fuser” as well as good compatibility with PVC.
Assembly of long carbon nanotube bridges across transparent electrodes using novel thickness‐controlled dielectrophoresis
Authors: Abdulhameed Abdullah , Mohtar Mohd Nazim , Hamidon Mohd Nizar , Halin Izhal Abdul 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) across planner electrodes using dielectrophoresis (DEP) is one of the standard methods used to fabricate CNT‐based devices such as sensors. The medium drag velocity caused by electrokinetic phenomena such as electrothermal and electroosmotic might drive CNTs away from the deposition area. This problem becomes critical at large‐scale electrode structures due to the high attenuation of the DEP force. Herein, we simulated and experimentally validated a novel DEP setup that uses a top glass cover to minimize the medium drag velocity. The simulation results showed that the drag velocity can be reduced by 2–3 orders of magnitude compared with the basic DEP setup. The simulation also showed that the optimum channel height to result in a significant drag velocity reduction was between 100 μm and 240 μm. We experimentally report, for the first time, the assembly and alignment of CNT bridges across indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes with spacing up to 125 μm. We also derived an equation to optimize the CNT's concentration in suspensions based on the electrode gap width and channel height. The deposition of long CNTs across ITO electrodes has potential use in transparent electronics and microfluidic systems.
Transcriptomic evidence for a trade-off between germline proliferation and immunity inDrosophila
Authors: Rodrigues Marisa A. , Merckelbach Antoine , Durmaz Esra , Kerdaffrec Envel , Flatt Thomas 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLife-history theory posits that investment into reproduction might occur at the expense of investment into somatic maintenance, including immune function. If so, reduced or curtailed reproductive effort might be expected to increase immunity. In support of this notion, work in Caenorhabditis elegans has shown that worms lacking a germline exhibit improved immunity, but whether the antagonistic relation between germline proliferation and immunity also holds for other organisms is less well understood. Here, we report that transgenic ablation of germ cells in late development or early adulthood in Drosophila melanogaster causes elevated baseline expression and increased induction of Toll and Imd immune genes upon bacterial infection, as compared to fertile flies with an intact germline. We also identify immune genes whose expression after infection differs between fertile and germline-less flies in a manner that is conditional on their mating status. We conclude that germline activity strongly impedes the expression and inducibility of immune genes and that this physiological trade-off might be evolutionarily conserved.
Prospects to improve the nutritional quality of crops
Authors: Scharff Lars B. , Saltenis Vandasue L. R. , Jensen Poul Erik , Baekelandt Alexandra , Burgess Alexandra J. , Burow Meike , Ceriotti Aldo , Cohan Jean‐Pierre , Geu‐Flores Fernando , Halkier Barbara Ann , Haslam Richard P. , Inzé Dirk , Klein Lankhorst René , Murchie Erik H. , Napier Johnathan A. , Nacry Philippe , Parry Martin A. J. , Santino Angelo , Scarano Aurelia , Sparvoli Francesca , Wilhelm Ralf , Pribil Mathias 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA growing world population as well as the need to enhance sustainability and health create challenges for crop breeding. To address these challenges, not only quantitative but also qualitative improvements are needed, especially regarding the macro‐ and micronutrient composition and content. In this review, we describe different examples of how the nutritional quality of crops and the bioavailability of individual nutrients can be optimised. We focus on increasing protein content, the use of alternative protein crops and improving protein functionality. Furthermore, approaches to enhance the content of vitamins and minerals as well as healthy specialised metabolites and long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are considered. In addition, methods to reduce antinutrients and toxins are presented. These approaches could help to decrease the ‘hidden hunger’ caused by micronutrient deficiencies. Furthermore, a more diverse crop range with improved nutritional profile could help to shift to healthier and more sustainable plant‐based diets.