bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cooperative breeding behaviors in the Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)
Authors: Dibben‐Young Arleone , Harmon Kristen C. , Lunow‐Luke Arianna , Idle Jessica L. , Christensen Dain L. , Price Melissa R. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCooperative breeding, which is commonly characterized by nonbreeding individuals that assist others with reproduction, is common in avian species. However, few accounts have been reported in Charadriiformes, particularly island‐nesting species. We present incidental observations of cooperative breeding behaviors in the Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), an endangered subspecies of the Black‐necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), during the 2012–2020 nesting seasons on the Hawaiian islands of O‘ahu and Moloka‘i. We describe two different behaviors that are indicative of cooperative breeding: (a) egg incubation by multiple adults; (b) helpers‐at‐the‐nest, whereby juveniles delay dispersal and reproduction to assist parents and siblings with reproduction. These observations are the first published accounts of cooperative breeding in this subspecies and merit further investigation, as cooperative breeding may improve population viability of the endangered, endemic Hawaiian Stilt.
Assessment of (‐) epicatechin as natural additive for improving safety and functionality in fresh “Piel de Sapo” melon juice
Authors: Rúa Aller Javier , González González Sonia , Sanz Gómez Javier , del Valle Fernandez Maria Pilar , García‐Armesto María Rosario 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEpicatechin (EC) is a very abundant flavonoid in vegetable tissues that presents high antioxidant activity in living systems. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of (‐)EC was determined in three species of bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illness of plant origin: Listeria (L.) monocytogenes, Escherichia (E.) coli ‐serogroups O157: H7 and O111‐ and Bacillus (B.) cereus; two strains of probiotic‐type lactic acid bacteria (PT‐LAB) and two control strains. All 10 strains were assayed under three temperature conditions (30º, 10º, and 4ºC) and at each temperature under two pH conditions (6.7 and 5.5). Mean EC MIC values were generally lower at refrigeration (4º and 10ºC) temperatures and at standard pH (6.7). By inoculating with each of the strains separately, both melon juice (MJ) and MJ supplemented with EC (ECSMJ), at the accepted maximum sensorial limit, and storing them at 4ºC for 10 days; the final counts (CFU/mL) were lower for ECSMJ than for plain MJ both for pathogenic bacteria and for PT‐LAB. The presence of EC during refrigerated storage counteracted the ability of MJ as a growth medium for all the pathogenic bacteria. ECSMJ increased the antioxidant activity of MJ significantly to levels similar to those of EC alone. (‐) Epicathechin would be a promising ingredient for increasing the functional properties of “Piel de Sapo” MJ (phenolic compounds and antioxidant ability) while contributing to improving the safety of this type of juice during prolonged refrigerated storage at 4ºC.
On “Not Recommending” ECMO
Authors: Wolfe Ian D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe neonatologist was describing the dire situation, the complexity of the fetus's anomalies, and the options—comfort care, some resuscitation—and finished by saying, “We would not recommend ECMO …” “We would not recommend” is a curious phrase. There is something ambiguous, very nebulous about it, something passive, noncommittal, maybe even deflective. As a bioethics researcher, I wondered how this phrase is interpreted, how it influences parents' moral deliberation over their options.
Digital Health Care Disparities
Authors: Korngiebel Diane M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDigital health includes applications for smartphones and smart speakers as well as more traditional ways to access health information electronically, such as through your health care provider's online web‐based patient portal. As the number of digital health offerings—such as smartphone health trackers and web‐based patient portals—grows, what benefit do ethics, or bioethics, perspectives bring to digital health product development? For starters, the field of bioethics is concerned about issues of social justice, including equitable benefit and minimization and fair distribution of the burden of harms. Researchers who employ user‐centered design methods should consider what digital health applications and products would look like if issues like equity and accessibility were foregrounded throughout design and development. One group whose needs are often neglected in the design of digital health products is older adults. Many people anticipate that the digital divide among older adults will close as the current generation of tech‐savvy consumers ages up. But since technology is constantly evolving, this divide may be constantly recreated. As bioethics moves ever further into the technology era, I want it to be mindful of the creation of digital health care disparities.
Congee for the Soul
Authors: Gabbay Ezra , Fins Joseph J. , Banja John , Evans Taylor 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProvision of adequate nutrition to elderly patients who develop dysphagia after a stroke can be quite challenging, often leading to the placement of a percutaneous entero‐gastrostomy (PEG) tube for nutritional support. This hypothetical case describes the additional challenge of cross‐cultural belief that leads a daughter to provide oral feeding to her mother, an act that the medical team believes is dangerous and the daughter sees as salubrious. In this case, what is the proper balance between patient safety and deference to cultural traditions and norms? Where are the limits? Two commentaries offer insights for conflict resolution, including recommending that the medical team seek to understand the cultural motivations of the family, balancing safety and respect for cultural norms. The second commentary also disagrees with the team's presumption that the daughter's feeding of her mother is a greater threat to the patient than the PEG tube feeding is.
Immunoglobulin G: A useful outcome marker in the follow‐up of cystic fibrosis patients?
Authors: Hanssens Laurence S. , Cellauro Sarah , Duchateau Jean , Casimir Georges J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and MethodsHypergammaglobulinemia (hyper‐IgG) and hypogammaglobulinemia (hypo‐IgG) have been reported in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although the clinical respiratory course is paradoxically different, depending on the IgG status, this association remains elusive. Therefore, we performed a longitudinal study to assess the annual evolution of IgG profiles in a cohort of pediatric patients with CF, from their diagnosis until 2016. We then compared clinical findings with the patients’ IgG status to determine whether IgG status could reflect the respiratory clinical course of patients with CF.ResultsAmong the 66 patients with CF that were aged between 12 months and 18 years in 2016 (mean age: 9.3 years [SD: 5.2]), hypo‐IgG was observed in 15.2% and no hyper‐IgG was identified. Longitudinal assessment since diagnosis revealed no hyper‐IgG but 33.3% of patients had at least one sample showing hypo‐IgG, among which two patients displayed persistent hypo‐IgG. The number of pulmonary exacerbations, duration of antibiotic therapy, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were all lower in hypo‐IgG patients. No difference was observed for the genotype, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus infection, and in the parameters of lung function.ConclusionThe IgG profile of pediatric patients with CF has changed over recent decades, particularly with regard to hyper‐IgG. In a significant portion of the pediatric CF population, hypo‐IgG is transient and only identifiable in longitudinal assessments. This study reinforces that hypo‐IgG patients paradoxically present a more favorable course of clinical status. Therefore, IgG levels could be a useful outcome marker in the follow‐up of patients with CF.
Treatment of primary and metastatic breast and pancreatic tumors upon intravenous delivery of a PRDM14‐specific chimeric siRNA/nanocarrier complex
Authors: Taniguchi Hiroaki , Natori Yukikazu , Miyagi Yohei , Hayashi Kotaro , Nagamura Fumitaka , Kataoka Kazunori , Imai Kohzoh 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPRDM14 is highly expressed in several cancers but is not detected in normal tissues. It confers cancer stem cell‐like properties, including chemoresistance and distant metastasis, to cancer cells. Herein, we aimed to develop a highly effective therapy against advanced stage cancer based on intravenously delivered PRDM14‐targeted siRNA. First, we examined PRDM14 expression and gene amplification in breast and pancreatic tumors and cell lines. PRDM14 was expressed in breast cancer, including the triple‐negative subtype, and pancreatic cancer. PRDM14 was amplified in 23.8% of patients with PRDM14+ breast cancer. Next, we investigated the inoculated tumor growth and distant metastasis following PRDM14 depletion by administering mice with PRDM14‐specific chimeric siRNA combined with a novel branched PEGylated poly‐L‐ornithine (PLO)‐based intravenous drug delivery system, designated PRDM14 unit polyion complex (uPIC) (n = 6/group). Inhibition of PRDM14 expression with PRDM14 uPIC by systemic intravenous injection effectively reduced tumor size and metastasis in vivo, thereby improving survival. Finally, pharmacokinetic/toxicokinetic analyses were performed on PRDM14 uPIC, which was intravenously administered to rats (n = 10‐15/group) and cynomolgus monkeys (n = 3‐5/group), twice weekly for 4 weeks. This revealed that PRDM14 uPIC was relatively nontoxic and the siRNA exposure in serum was greater than that predicted by the administered dose ratio when delivered as a uPIC. Taken together, our study indicated that PRDM14 uPIC is highly effective in suppressing malignant features of solid cancers and does not cause severe toxicity, making it a promising therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.
Electromembrane extraction‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detection of phenobarbital and phenytoin in human plasma, saliva, and urine
Authors: Dolatabadi Roshanak , Mohammadi Ali , Nojavan Saeed , Yaripour Saeid , Tafakhori Abbas , Shirangi Mehrnoosh 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe current article is focused on introduction and validation of electro‐membrane extraction along with a high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with UV detector for the identification of the antiepileptic drugs phenytoin (PT) and phenobarbital (PB) in plasma, saliva, and urine. In addition, 3D‐printing was utilized to fabricate the designed caps required for fixing the electrodes in the prepared setup, giving us a high potential in device fabrication with various dimensions. To arrive at the highest extraction of PB and PT, the parameters impacting the extraction efficiency of electromembrane extraction for example, supported liquid membrane composition, sample solution pH, applied voltage, extraction time along with effect of graphene oxide are examined in detail. In optimized experimental conditions, the calibration plots were obtained to be linear on the concentration range of 25–500 ng/L with the detection limit and quantitation limit of 7.5 and 25 ng/L for both of PB and PT. Relative standard deviations of <9.9% and <9.1% were found for PB and PT, respectively and the enrichment factor for the presented method was computed to be 25.4 and 44.7 for PB and PT, respectively. The proposed method was satisfactorily employed in determination of PB and PT in plasma, urine and saliva.
Medication adherence and complementary therapy usage in inflammatory bowel disease patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Barnes Alex , Andrews Jane , Spizzo Paul , Mountifield Réme 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and AimMedication nonadherence is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and has been associated with worse outcomes. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic led to significant consumer and medical concern regarding the possible risks of immunosuppressive medications during the pandemic. This study aimed to examine medication adherence and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was sent to patients from two tertiary IBD units. The survey included medication nonadherence attributed to the COVID‐19 pandemic, complementary therapy, and IBD medication use. Validated measures of IBD disease activity, medication adherence, and beliefs about medicines were obtained.ResultsOf 262 respondents (median age of 46, 58% female) 14 (5%) patients reported self‐initiated missed doses or dose reduction of IBD medications directly attributed to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Positive associations with medication nonadherence included current corticosteroid requirement (P = 0.022), higher disease activity scores (P = 0.026), and higher concern about medicines score (P = 0.04). CAM usage was common, aimed at treating mental health in most cases, and infrequently attributed to the COVID‐19 pandemic.ConclusionsEven in the setting of low COVID‐19 prevalence, the pandemic reduced IBD medication adherence in 1 in 20 patients. This reduced adherence was co‐associated with increased disease activity and corticosteroid use. Understanding the underlying beliefs driving suboptimal IBD medication adherence is critical to prevent avoidable adverse IBD outcomes.
Investigations of Dianhydro‐D‐glucitol adsorbed on AuNPs surface: In silico and in vitro approach based on anticancer activity studies against A549 lung cancer cell lines
Authors: V. Shyni , D. R. Leenaraj , Joseph Lynnette , Sajan D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe adsorption behavior of a lung cancer agent, Dianhydro‐D‐glucitol (DIS) on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was studied using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering techniques. The stabilized geometry, inter‐ and intra‐molecular hydrogen bond, and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers of DIS and DIS adsorbed on AuNPs (DISA) surface have been investigated with the help of the density functional theory (DFT) method. The stability of the molecules arising from stereoelectronic interactions, leading to its bioactivity, has been confirmed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, which was further substantiated by the narrow HOMO LUMO energy gap obtained for DISA, from frontier molecular orbital analysis as well as electronic spectral analysis. The molecular electrostatic potential analysis along with local and global reactivity descriptors predicts the reactive site of the molecules. Molecular docking study was performed to obtain information about protein‐ligand reactions for DIS and DISA, with different cancer proteins. This study enlightens the potential of SERS agents for targeted drug delivery and photothermal. The in vitro cytotoxic effects of DPH and DPHA molecules on lung cancer cell lines were analyzed using the MTT assay and the SERS method.
Impact of bedrest on cardiovascular events and complications associated with temporary pacemakers in patients waiting for permanent pacemaker implantation
Authors: Hama Tomoaki , Morita Norishige , Ushijima Akiko , Ueno Akira , Iida Takayuki , Ikari Yuji , Kobayashi Yoshinori 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundPatients with a temporary pacemaker (TPM) for bradycardias are required to maintain bedrest until permanent pacemakers (PPMs) are implanted because of the development of Adams–Stokes syndrome, worsening heart failure, or complications associated with TPMs is anticipated. However, bedrest may be detrimental in patients because it leads to disuse syndrome. This study examined whether bedrest could decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events or complications associated with TPMs in patients waiting for PPM implantation.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study on 88 patients who had emergency hospitalization for the treatment of bradycardias, and a TPM was inserted during the waiting period before PPM implantation. We divided patients into two groups according to whether they underwent bedrest (Bedrest Group) or not (Ambulation Group) during the period that patients were supported with TPM. We evaluated whether bedrest was a predictor of adverse events using a logistic regression analysis.ResultsAdverse events occurred in 31 patients (35%). In the univariate analysis, there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the Bedrest and Ambulation Groups (39% vs. 29%). In the logistic regression analysis, bedrest was not a predictor of adverse events (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.53‐3.68, P = .497).ConclusionsIn patients with TPMs for bradyarrhythmias during the waiting period for PPM implantations, bedrest might not prevent adverse events, such as cardiovascular events and complications associated with TPMs.
The glucoamylase from Aspergillus wentii: Purification and characterization
Authors: Lago Munira C. , dos Santos Fabiane C. , Bueno Paulo S. A. , de Oliveira Marco A. S. , Barbosa‐Tessmann Ione P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study describes for the first time the purification and characterization of a glucoamylase from Aspergillus wentii (strain PG18), a species of the Aspergillus genus Cremei section. Maximum enzyme production (∼3.5 U/ml) was obtained in submerged culture (72 h) with starch as the carbon source, at 25°C, and with orbital agitation (100 rpm). The enzyme was purified with one‐step molecular exclusion chromatography. The 86 kDa purified enzyme hydrolyzed starch in a zymogram and had activity against p‐nitrophenyl α‐
d‐glucopyranoside. The optimal enzyme pH and temperature were 5.0 and 60°C (at pH 5.0), respectively. The Tm of the purified enzyme was 60°C, at pH 7.0. The purified glucoamylase had a KM for starch of 1.4 mg/ml and a Vmax of 0.057 mg/min of hydrolyzed starch. Molybdenum activated the purified enzyme, and sodium dodecyl sulfate inhibited it. A thin layer chromatography analysis revealed glucose as the enzyme's main starch hydrolysis product. An enzyme's peptide sequence was obtained by mass spectrometry and used to retrieve a glucoamylase within the annotated genome of A. wentii v1.0. An in silico structural model revealed a N‐terminal glycosyl hydrolases family 15 (GH15) domain, which is ligated by a linker to a C‐terminal carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM) from the CBM20 family.
Postharvest factors affect under‐skin browning in ‘Honey Gold’ mango fruit
Authors: Li Guoqin , Joyce Daryl C , Marques Jose R , Hofman Peter J , Macnish Andrew J , Gupta Madan L , San Anh T 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDUnder‐Skin Browning (USB) is a physiological skin disorder that significantly reduces quality of ‘Honey Gold’ mango (HG) fruit. Relationships between potential causative factors (vibration, holding temperature, sap) and expression factors (enzymes activities, phenolic concentration, anatomy) were investigated.RESULTSUSB incidence was 2.6–3.6‐fold higher in ripe HG fruit vibrated for 3–18 h at 12 °C to simulate transport damage and held then at 12 °C for 8 days compared to control fruit held under the same conditions. USB severity of fruit lightly abraded with sand paper to simulate physical damage and artificially induce USB was higher in fruit held at 10 °C than at 6–8 °C or 12–13 °C for 6–8 days. Compared to non‐affected skin, USB‐affected tissue had a 7.4% increase in total phenolics concentration. However, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities decreased by 19%. Anatomical similarities were observed between USB symptoms and sapburn caused by spurt sap or terpinolene (a major sap component) to abraded skin areas. Incidence of sapburn was higher in abraded fruit held at 12 °C than at 20 °C.CONCLUSIONHolding HG mango fruit at 10 °C can intensify USB. Activities of PPO and POD appear not to be regulatory factors in USB expression in HG. Sap components may be involved in USB expression under conducive postharvest conditions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Induced matchings in strongly biconvex graphs and some algebraic applications
Authors: Saeedi Madani Sara , Kiani Dariush 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper, motivated by a question posed by H. de Alba and D. T. Hoang, we introduce strongly biconvex graphs as a subclass of weakly chordal and bipartite graphs. We give a linear time algorithm to find an induced matching for such graphs and we prove that this algorithm indeed gives a maximum induced matching. Applying this algorithm, we provide a strongly biconvex graph whose (monomial) edge ideal does not admit a unique extremal Betti number. Using this constructed graph, we provide an infinite family of the so‐called closed graphs (also known as proper interval graphs) whose binomial edge ideals do not have a unique extremal Betti number. This, in particular, answers the aforementioned question.
Chromosomal analysis for embryos from balanced chromosomal rearrangement carriers using next generation sequencing
Authors: Ma Xiaoling , Xu Xiaojuan , Mao Bin , Liu Hongfang , Li Hongxing , Liu Kun , Song Dexiao , Xue Shilong , Wang Naihui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe aimed to use next generation sequencing (NGS) to investigate chromosomal abnormalities in blastocyst trophectoderm (TE) samples, and reproductive outcomes with the different types of chromosomal rearrangements (CR) and for each sex of CR carrier. A total of 1189 blastocyst TE samples were evaluated using NGS to detect chromosomal unbalanced translocations as well as aneuploidy, including blastocytes from 637 blastocysts from carriers of balanced CR and 552 blastocysts from carriers of normal chromosomes. The optimal embryos had lower chromosomal abnormality rates compared to the poor‐quality embryos. The experimental group had significantly reduced rates of normal embryos and euploidy, and higher rates of total abnormalities, aneuploidy and unbalanced chromosomal aberrations. Carriers of reciprocal translocations had a reduced rate of normal embryos and an increased percentage of embryos with total abnormalities and unbalanced chromosomal aberrations compared with carriers of Robertsonian translocations. Couples with female carriers of chromosomal abnormalities had significantly reduced rates of normal embryos and euploidy, and a higher percentage of embryos with total abnormalities, aneuploidy, and unbalanced chromosomal aberrations compared with couples of male carriers. Our preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) study identified higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities, including chromosomal unbalanced translocations and aneuploidy, in blastocysts from CR carriers, especially from the female carriers, in a Chinese population. The PGT cycles successfully improved clinical outcomes by increasing the fertilization rate and reducing the early spontaneous abortion rate compared with the in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, especially for CR carriers.