bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of cellulose nanocrystals gellan gum‐based coating on color and respiration rate of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms
Authors: Criado Paula , Fraschini Carole , Shankar Shiv , Salmieri Stephane , Lacroix Monique 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe edible coating has been used for covering fruits and vegetables, bringing surface protection, and extending product shelf‐life. Due to the outstanding properties, nanomaterials have become a part of the packaging/coating new generation, demonstrating improvements in the barrier capacity of materials starting from construction products to the food industry. In the food industry, on the other hand, Agaricus bisporus mushrooms have a limited shelf‐life from 1 to 3 days because of their high respiration rate and enzymatic browning. With the aim to reduce these two parameters and prevent rapid senescence, the objective of this study was to incorporate a natural source of nanomaterials (cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into a gellan gum‐based coating and sprayed the surface of the mushrooms with the coating material. To evaluate the effect of CNCs, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production rate, and color change were recorded during the mushroom storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Results showed that all coatings were able to decrease total color change (ΔE) of mushrooms from 12 to 8 at day 10 when the coating was applied in all samples compared to control. In addition, significant differences were observed in the respiration rate when CNCs were added to the mushrooms. Oxygen consumption results exhibited a 44 mL O2/kg · day production at day 5 with 20% CNCs compared to 269 mL O2/kg · day observed in noncoated samples. This trend was similarly observed in the carbon dioxide production rate.Practical ApplicationWith this research, it was remarkable to see the presence of CNCs in the coating solution reduced the respiration rate and increased the shelf‐life of mushrooms. Similar applications can be industrially scaled‐up to protect fruits and vegetables by CNCs‐based coating or packaging materials. A variety of sustainable materials are available nowadays that serve as packaging matrix, and scientists are working on expanding the compatibility of these nanomaterials. In addition, it has been studied that CNCs enhance the degradation of polymers, an effort that many companies are making to reduce the environmental impact in their products.
The Ocean barcode atlas: A web service to explore the biodiversity and biogeography of marine organisms
Authors: Vernette Caroline , Henry Nicolas , Lecubin Julien , de Vargas Colomban , Hingamp Pascal , Lescot Magali 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe Ocean Barcode Atlas (OBA) is a user friendly web service designed for biologists who wish to explore the biodiversity and biogeography of marine organisms locked in otherwise difficult to mine planetary scale DNA metabarcode data sets. Using just a web browser, a comprehensive picture of the diversity of a taxon or a barcode sequence is visualized graphically on world maps and interactive charts. Interactive results panels allow dynamic threshold adjustments and the display of diversity results in their environmental context measured at the time of sampling (temperature, oxygen, latitude, etc). Ecological analyses such as alpha and beta‐diversity plots are produced via publication quality vector graphics representations. Currently, the Ocean Barcode Altas is deployed online with the (i) Tara Oceans eukaryotic 18S‐V9 rDNA metabarcodes; (ii) Tara Oceans 16S/18S rRNA miTags; and (iii) 16S‐V4 V5 metabarcodes collected during the Malaspina‐2010 expedition. Additional prokaryotic or eukaryotic plankton barcode data sets will be added upon availability, given they provide the required complement of barcodes (including raw reads to compute barcode abundance) associated with their contextual environmental variables. Ocean Barcode Atlas is a freely‐available web service at: http://oba.mio.osupytheas.fr/ocean‐atlas/.
Ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta mimicking lung cancer: A case report
Authors: Takahara Yutaka , Nishiki Kazuaki , Nakase Keisuke , Mizuno Shiro 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA 70‐year‐old woman was admitted to a local hospital with a five‐day history of back pain. She had been referred to our hospital after an abnormal chest shadow was identified on chest X‐ray. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an anterior mediastinal mass in the upper lobe of the left lung. Her general condition was good. She was diagnosed with lung cancer, and examination was planned. However, respiratory failure rapidly worsened on hospital day 2, and a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta (PTA) was diagnosed from contrast‐enhanced CT. Emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair was successfully performed, and her postoperative course was uneventful. The hemodynamics of the PTA were stable in the case of this patient, but the risk of rupture is extremely high and frequently fatal. PTA should therefore be included among the differential diagnoses of mediastinal tumor.Key pointsSignificant findings of the studyPseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta (PTA) may present on imaging findings that resemble lung cancer.What this study addsPTA should be included among the differential diagnoses of mediastinal tumor. Clinicians therefore need to be familiar with the imaging findings of PTA.
Increased Synaptic Strength and mGlu2/3 Receptor Plasticity on Mouse Prefrontal Cortex Intratelencephalic Pyramidal Cells Following Intermittent Access to Ethanol
Authors: Joffe Max E. , Winder Danny G. , Conn P Jeffrey 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundThe medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for regulating craving and alcohol seeking in alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients and alcohol seeking in animal models. Maladaptive changes in volitional ethanol (EtOH) intake have been associated with PFC function, yet synaptic adaptations within PFC have not been consistently detected in voluntary drinking rodent models. At least 80% of the neurons in PFC are glutamatergic pyramidal cells. Pyramidal cells provide the predominant cortical output to several brain regions relevant to AUD, including structures within the telencephalon (IT: e.g., basal ganglia, amygdala, other neocortical regions) and outside the telencephalon (ET: e.g., lateral hypothalamus, midbrain monoaminergic structures, thalamus).MethodsIn addition to their anatomical distinctions, studies from several laboratories have revealed that prefrontal cortical IT and ET pyramidal cells may be differentiated by specific electrophysiological parameters. These distinguishable parameters make it possible to readily classify pyramidal cells into separable subtypes. Here, we employed and validated the hyperpolarization sag ratio as a diagnostic proxy for separating ET (type A) and IT (type B) neurons. We recorded from deep‐layer prelimbic PFC pyramidal cells of mice 1 day after 4 to 5 weeks of intermittent access (IA) EtOH exposure.ResultsMembrane properties were not altered by IA EtOH, but excitatory postsynaptic strength onto IT type B neurons was selectively enhanced in slices from IA EtOH mice. The increased excitatory drive was accompanied by enhanced mGlu2/3 receptor plasticity on IT type B neurons, providing a potential translational approach to mitigate cognitive and motivational changes to PFC function related to binge drinking.ConclusionsTogether, these studies provide insight into the specific PFC neurocircuits altered by voluntary drinking. In addition, the findings provide an additional rationale for developing compounds that potentiate mGlu2 and/or mGlu3 receptor function as potential treatments for AUD.
Early Identification of Alcohol Use Disorder Patients at Risk of Developing Korsakoff’s Syndrome
Authors: Ritz Ludivine , Laniepce Alice , Cabé Nicolas , Lannuzel Coralie , Boudehent Céline , Urso Laurent , Segobin Shailendra , Vabret François , Beaunieux Hélène , Pitel Anne‐Lise 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to determine whether the Brief Evaluation of Alcohol‐Related Neuropsychological Impairments (BEARNI), a screening tool developed to identify neuropsychological deficits in alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients, can also be used for the early identification of AUD patients at risk of developing Korsakoff’s syndrome (KS).MethodsEighteen KS patients, 47 AUD patients and 27 healthy controls underwent BEARNI testing (including 5 subtests targeting episodic memory, working memory, executive function, visuospatial abilities, and ataxia) and a comprehensive neuropsychological examination.ResultsPerformance of AUD and KS patients on BEARNI subtests was consistent with the results on the standardized neuropsychological assessment. On BEARNI, ataxia and working memory deficits observed in AUD were as severe as those exhibited by KS patients, whereas for visuospatial abilities, a graded effect of performance was found. In contrast, the subtests involving long‐term memory abilities (episodic memory and fluency) were impaired in KS patients only. AUD patients with a score lower than 1.5 points (out of 6) on the episodic memory subtest of BEARNI exhibited the lowest episodic memory performance on the neuropsychological battery and could be considered at risk of developing KS.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that BEARNI is a useful tool for detecting severe memory impairments, suggesting that it could be used for the early identification of AUD patients at high risk of developing KS.
What should every dental health professional know about electronic cigarettes?
Authors: Briggs K , Bell C , Breik O 
Published: January 2021

AbstractElectronic cigarettes (E‐cigarettes) have become increasingly popular around the world. Currently, dental professionals’ knowledge and attitudes are varied with many clinicians unclear regarding the impact of E‐cigarette products on the oral and general health of their patients. With developing social and health‐related challenges, advice of dental and medical associations and other regulatory bodies on E‐cigarette use is changing. Growing evidence demonstrating the risks of E‐cigarette usage has prompted a review of legislation in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Australia and Canada to include the sale and availability of E‐cigarettes, particularly those containing nicotine. Further consideration within the scientific and public health community is being given to assessing demographic usage patterns particularly uptake by non‐smokers and adolescents, efficacy as a cessation tool, the impact of vapour on bystanders and direct injuries via explosions as well as emerging lung injuries. This article aims to provide a summary of the most up to date evidence relating to E‐cigarette use, the latest position of dental associations and the oral health implications of E‐cigarettes compared to conventional smoking. The article also aims to collate this information in order to provide dental clinicians with guidance on how to advise patients, specifically in answering common questions posed regarding E‐cigarette use.
Dental professionals’ perspectives working with Aboriginal children in Western Australia: a qualitative study
Authors: Durey A , Hearn L , Lund S , O’Grady M , Slack‐Smith L 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe disproportionate burden of oral disease in Aboriginal children and the issues in accessing mainstream dental services are well documented. Yet little is known about dental professionals’ perspectives in providing oral care for Aboriginal children. This paper presents findings from a study exploring such perspectives.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were carried out in Western Australia following purposive sampling of non‐Aboriginal dentists, dental clinic assistants (dental nurses) and oral health therapists/dental hygienists. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed guided by grounded theory for key themes related to the topic.ResultsFindings included a service delivery model sometimes unresponsive to Aboriginal families’ needs; dental professionals’ limited education and training to work with confidence and cultural sensitivity with Aboriginal patients and socioeconomic influences on Aboriginal children’s poor oral health considered outside dental professionals’ remit of care.DiscussionFindings suggest oral health policies and practices and dental professionals’ education and training need reviewing for how well such policies support dental professionals in an Aboriginal context. This includes engaging with Aboriginal stakeholders, working effectively with Aboriginal families, and developing shared understandings about what is needed to increase access to care and improve oral health outcomes for Aboriginal children.
Understanding valvular heart disease in the dental setting
Authors: Truong T , Koh Y , Yosufi R , Marangou J , Slack‐Smith L , Katzenellenbogen JM 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundLimited evidence is available regarding dentists’ knowledge and interpretation of infective endocarditis (IE) prophylaxis guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine understanding and management of rheumatic and non‐rheumatic valvular heart disease (VHD) in the dental setting in Western Australia (WA).MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of dentists within Perth utilized an online Qualtrics questionnaire developed after consultation with stakeholders. A sampling frame was compiled from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency with contact details obtained from the White Pages (online), using five quintiles of Socio‐Economic Indexes for Areas according to dentist’s place of practice.ResultsOf 41 (13.7% of 300 approached) dentists completing the survey (95.1% general dentists, mean years of practice = 15.6), 90.2% reported following the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines (ATG) regarding IE antibiotic prophylaxis in VHD. Most (92.7%) were unaware of the rheumatic heart disease (RHD) control program. Nearly all participants indicated prophylaxis for clearly invasive procedures such as tooth extraction (100.0%) and periodontal surgery (95.1%). Many dentists made the decision to prescribe antibiotics themselves (36.6%).ConclusionsThe majority of dentists followed the ATG’s IE prophylaxis recommendations for cardiac lesions and dental procedures. There was limited knowledge of the national RHD guidelines and the WA RHD control program.
New evidence regarding the effects of contract farming on agricultural labor use
Authors: Ruml Anette , Qaim Matin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractContractual agreements between smallholder farmers and agribusiness companies have gained in importance in many developing countries. While productivity and income effects of contracting in the small farm sector were analyzed in many previous studies, labor market and employment effects are not yet well understood. This is an important research gap, especially against the background of continued population growth and structural transformation. Here, we investigate the effects of two types of contractual agreements between large international processing companies and smallholder farmers on agricultural labor use, household labor allocation, and hired labor demand in Ghana's palm oil sector. We use cross‐sectional survey data and a willingness‐to‐pay approach to control for unobserved heterogeneity between farmers with and without contracts. We find that agricultural labor intensity is substantially reduced through the contracts, because contracting in Ghana is associated with the adoption of labor‐saving procedures and technologies. Simple marketing contracts lead to reallocation of the saved household labor to off‐farm employment, whereas resource‐providing contracts lead to a stronger reallocation of labor within the farming enterprise. Household labor is more affected by labor savings than hired labor.
Two‐stage penalized regression screening to detect biomarker–treatment interactions in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Wang Jixiong , Patel Ashish , Wason James M.S. , Newcombe Paul J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHigh‐dimensional biomarkers such as genomics are increasingly being measured in randomized clinical trials. Consequently, there is a growing interest in developing methods that improve the power to detect biomarker–treatment interactions. We adapt recently proposed two‐stage interaction detecting procedures in the setting of randomized clinical trials. We also propose a new stage 1 multivariate screening strategy using ridge regression to account for correlations among biomarkers. For this multivariate screening, we prove the asymptotic between‐stage independence, required for familywise error rate control, under biomarker–treatment independence. Simulation results show that in various scenarios, the ridge regression screening procedure can provide substantially greater power than the traditional one‐biomarker‐at‐a‐time screening procedure in highly correlated data. We also exemplify our approach in two real clinical trial data applications.
What influences adherence to guidance for postoperative instillation of intravesical chemotherapy to patients with bladder cancer?
Authors: Dunsmore Jennifer , Duncan Eilidh , Mariappan Paramananthan , de Bruin Marijn , MacLennan Sara , Dimitropoulos Konstantinos , Kasivisvanathan Veeru , Mostafid Hugh , Briganti Alberto , N’Dow James , MacLennan Steven 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveTo understand the barriers and facilitators to single instillation of intravesical chemotherapy (SI‐IVC) use after resection of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in Scotland and England using a behavioural theory‐informed approach.Subjects and MethodsIn a cross‐sectional descriptive study of practices at seven hospitals, we investigated care pathways, policies, and interviewed 30 urology staff responsible for SI‐IVC. We used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to organise our investigation and conducted deductive thematic analyses, while inductively coding emergent beliefs.ResultsBarriers to SI‐IVC were present at different organisational levels and professional roles. In four hospitals, there was a policy to not instil SI‐IVC in theatre. Six hospitals’ staff reported delays in mitomycin C (MMC) ordering and/or local storage. Lack of training, skills and perceived workload affected motivation. Facilitators included access to modern instilling devices (four hospitals) and incorporating reminders in operation proforma (four hospitals). Performance targets (with audit and feedback) within a national governance framework were present in Scotland but not England. Differences in coordinated leadership, sharing best practices, and disliking being perceived as underperforming, were evident in Scotland.ConclusionsHigh‐certainty evidence shows that SI‐IVC, such as MMC, after NMIBC resection reduces recurrences. This evidence underpins international guidance. The number of eligible patients receiving SI‐IVC is variable indicating suboptimal practice. Improving SI‐IVC adherence requires modifications to theatre instilling policies, delivery and storage of MMC, staff training, and documentation. Centralising care, with bladder cancer expert leadership and best practices sharing with performance targets, likely led to improvements in Scotland. National quality improvement, incorporating audit and feedback, with additional implementation strategies targeted to professional role could improve adherence and patient outcomes elsewhere. This process should be controlled to clarify implementation intervention effectiveness.
Can foreign direct investment foster the manufacturing industries’ spatial total factor productivity convergence in a transition economy? An empirical approach from Vietnam
Authors: Pham Anh Tuan , Nguyen Minh Khac , Dang Hoang Linh , Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study tries to examine the influence of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the total factor productivity (TFP) convergence of the manufacturing industries in Vietnamese provinces. We find that the convergence rates estimated using spatial lag and error models are larger than those implied by panel data models that do not consider spatial dependence. The spatial dependence of TFP growth in the provinces is due to geographical TFP and FDI spillovers. Our findings indicate that studies on the convergence rate of regions should check for spatial dependence.
STAT3/NF‐κB signalling disruption in M2 tumour‐associated macrophages is a major target of PLGA nanocarriers/PD‐L1 antibody immunomodulatory therapy in breast cancer
Authors: Cavalcante Rômulo S. , Ishikawa Uta , Silva Emanuell S. , Silva‐Júnior Arnóbio A. , Araújo Aurigena A. , Cruz Luis J. , Chan Alan B. , de Araújo Júnior Raimundo F. 
Published: January 2021

Background and PurposeInflammation associated with the tumour microenvironment (TME) is critical for cancer development, and immunotherapeutic strategies modulating the immune response in cancer have been crucial. In this study, a methotrexate‐loaded (MTX) poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐based (PLGA) drug nanocarrier covered with polyethyleneimine (Pei) and hyaluronic acid (HA) was developed and combined with an PD‐L1 antibody to investigate anti‐cancer and immunomodulatory effects in breast cancer TME.Experimental ApproachNaked or HA‐coated PeiPLGA‐MTX nanoparticles (NPs) were assessed on 4T1 breast cancer cells grown in culture and in a mouse model of orthotopic tumour growth. Tumours were evaluated by qRT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. The cell death profile and cell migration were analysed in vitro in 4T1 cells. Polarization of murine macrophages (RAW cells) was also carried out.Key ResultsNaked or HA‐coated PeiPLGA‐MTX NPs used alone or combined with PD‐L1 antibody modified the tumourigenic course by TME immunomodulation, leading to reduction of primary tumour size and metastases. STAT3 and NF‐κB were the major genes downregulated by NPs. In tumor‐associated macrophages (TAM) such regulation switched M2 phenotype (CD163) towards M1 (CD68) and reduced levels of IL‐10, TGF‐β and CCL22. Moreover, malignant cells showed overexpression of FADD, APAF‐1, caspase‐3 and E‐cadherin, and decreased expression of Bcl‐2, MDR‐1, survivin, vimentin, CXCR4 and PD‐L1 after treatment with NPs.Conclusion and ImplicationsNPs‐mediated STAT3/NF‐κB signalling axis suppression disrupted crosstalk between immune and malignant cells, reducing immunosuppression and critical pro‐tumour events. These findings provide a promising therapeutic approach capable of guiding the immune TME to suppress the development of breast cancer.