bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Banana plant as a source of valuable antimicrobial compounds and its current applications in the food sector
Authors: Mostafa Heba Sayed 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBananas (Musaceae) are one of the world's most common fruit crops and the oldest medicinal plants that are used to treat a variety of infections. There has been recent interest in elucidating the efficiency of the naturally active ingredients, particularly the antimicrobials, in this plant. This review begins with a short background of the banana plant and its cultivars as well as a brief description of its parts. Different experimental tests of the antimicrobial effects and the responsible bioactive compounds of the banana part extracts are then elaborated. A variety of recent and evolving applications of banana parts in the development of functional bakery, dairy, beverage, and meat products as a wheat substitute, fiber/prebiotic source, fat/sucrose substitute, and natural antioxidant are also discussed. Finally, the recent challenges and opportunities presented by different banana parts in creating bio‐packaging materials and bactericidal nanoparticles are addressed. This plant contains a variety of antimicrobial substances, including dopamine, gentisic acid, ferulic acid, lupeol, and 3‐carene. However, few studies have been conducted on its use as a bio‐preservative in food products; it should also be seen as a natural source of both antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. It offers a potentially simple eco‐friendly alternative to antibacterial and fungicidal agents rather than chemicals. Low cost, reliable methods for purifying these compounds from banana waste could be useful for food storage and creating more value‐added bio‐packaging products for perishable food goods.
Reduction in flavor‐intense components in fish protein hydrolysates by membrane filtration
Authors: Steinsholm Silje , Oterhals Åge , Thoresen Lars , Underhaug Jarl , Kousoulaki Katerina , Aspevik Tone 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEnzymatic protein hydrolysates based on side stream materials from the fish‐filleting industry are increasingly explored as food ingredients. However, intense sensory properties, and high salt contents, are often a limiting factor. Most of the sensory attributes, such as fish flavor and salty taste, can be ascribed to low‐molecular‐weight, water‐soluble components, whereas bitterness is associated with small hydrophobic peptides. In this study, protein hydrolysates based on head and backbone residuals from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were produced using two different enzymes. The effects of micro‐ and nanofiltration on the chemical composition, protein recovery, and sensory properties of the final products were investigated. The choice of raw material and enzyme had negligible effects, whereas nanofiltration caused a considerable reduction in metabolites, ash, and the intensity of several sensory attributes. The intensity of bitterness increased after nanofiltration, indicating that small peptides associated with bitter taste were retained by the membrane. Total protein yield after microfiltration was 24%–29%, whereas 19%–24% were recovered in the nanofiltration retentate.Practical ApplicationEnzymatic protein hydrolysates can be included in food products to increase the protein content, and as a nutritional supplement and/or functional ingredient; however, unpalatable and intense flavors limit applications. This study investigated the use of membrane filtration to improve flavor quality and reduce salt content in fish protein hydrolysates. Although some protein loss is unavoidable in micro‐ and nanofiltration, this study demonstrates the production of fish protein hydrolysates with >90% protein and peptide content, which is suitable for inclusion in foods.
Study on the water state, migration, and microstructure modification during the process of salt‐reduced stewed duck
Authors: Li Rui , Kuang Wei , Hu Yili , Jin Weiping , Liao E , Chen Jiwang , Zhou Xiaorong , Wang Haibin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHigh salt content is one of the major problems for stewed products. To help address this issue, the effect of salt reduction on water migration in stewed ducks was investigated through diverse approaches, including water activity (Aw) and water‐holding capacity (WHC) assay, as well as low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. Our results showed that Aw value remained stable, while centrifugal loss decreased, and cooking loss increased significantly (p < 0.05). The analysis of NMR indicated that, during the marinating stage, the proportion of immobilized water increased from 86.86%–89.66% (sodium chloride group) and 90.51% (salt‐reduced group), respectively. After 2 h, the free water content became 0, and then became stable until the end of marinating. In the stewing stage, at the beginning 20 min, relaxation time of immobilized water decreased to about 35 ms and the ratio of immobilized water significantly reduced (p < 0.05) by 5.38% (sodium chloride group) and 5.95% (salt‐reduced group), respectively. Free water peak was detected upon stewing of 10 min, and 20 min later, there was no significant difference in the proportion of free water (p > 0.05). In general, no significance was observed in water behavior and microstructure of stewed duck meat between the salt reduction group and sodium chloride group. In addition, SEM analysis revealed that marinating could expand the muscle fiber gap to accommodate more immobilized water. However, the fiber was looser at the initial stage of stewing and then became more compact.Practical ApplicationThis work demonstrates potentially feasible to produce salt‐reduced duck products.
Prognostic factors and survival outcome of primary pulmonary acinar cell carcinoma
Authors: Meng Fan‐jie , Sun Zhao‐nan , Wang Zhi‐Na , Ma Hong‐Ming , Zhang Wen‐cheng , Gao Zhou‐yong , Ji Lin‐lin , Feng Fu‐kai , Yang Bo , Wang Chun‐yang , Chen Zi‐yi , Zhang Nan , Wang Guang‐shun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeThe objective of our study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with pulmonary acinar cell carcinoma (PACC).MethodsPACC patients diagnosed between 1975 and 2016 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The trend in PACC incidence was assessed using joinpoint regression software. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS and DSS. Nomograms to predict survival possibilities were constructed based on the identified independent prognostic factors.ResultsA total of 2918 patients were identified with PACC. The mean age was 65.2 ± 8.95 years with a female to male of 1.6:1. The incidence of PACC steadily increased by an annual percentage change (APC) of 3.2% (95% CI 2.1–4.4, p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, gender, race, stage, grade, tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, surgery, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for survival. Nomograms specifically for PACC were constructed to predict 1‐ and 5‐year OS and DSS possibility, respectively. The concordance index (C‐index) and calibration plots showed the established nomograms had robust and accurate performance.ConclusionPACC was rare but the incidence has been steadily increasing over the past four decades. Survival has improved in recent years. Surgery or chemotherapy could provide better OS and DSS. The established nomograms specifically for PACC were robust and accurate in predicting 1‐ and 5‐year OS and DSS.
Building ecological networks with local ecological knowledge in hyper‐diverse and logistically challenging ecosystems
Authors: Ong Lisa , Campos‐Arceiz Ahimsa , Loke Vivienne P. W. , Pura Param bin , Tunil Charang Muhamad Tauhid bin , Din Husin Sudin A/L , Angah Rizuan bin , Amirrudin Nurul Ain binti , Tan Wei Harn , Lily Ong , Solana‐Mena Alicia , McConkey Kim R. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Collecting interaction data to build frugivory or seed dispersal networks is logistically challenging in ecosystems that have very high plant and animal diversity and/or where fieldwork is difficult or dangerous. Consequently, the majority of available networks are from ecosystems with low species diversity or they represent a subset of the community.

Here, we propose an approach applying local ecological knowledge (LEK) of indigenous communities to build quantitative interaction databases and networks that would otherwise be difficult to achieve with direct observations. Indigenous communities live in many hyper‐diverse ecosystems and the people within these communities often have detailed knowledge of ecological processes.

Working in a Sundaland biodiversity hotspot—Royal Belum State Park, Peninsular Malaysia—we used visually oriented interviews with indigenous people (Orang Asli, in the Jahai and Temiar ethnic subgroups), field data and published records to collate interactions, and their estimated frequency of occurrence, of animal fruit consumption and seed dispersal.

We documented 2,063 fruit consumption and 1,360 seed dispersal interactions among 164 plant species and 34 animal taxa, the latter representing groups of closely related species or individual species. The majority of the interactions (97%) were identified by the LEK interviews, with the additional methods (field data and published records) used to support and marginally expand the interview data. The metrics for the networks we built reflect those of networks structured by biological mechanisms, supporting the validity of our novel approach.

LEK is highly relevant for building detailed databases for ecological interactions in hyper‐diverse and/or challenging ecosystems. Such ecosystems are among the most vulnerable on earth, harbouring ecological interactions that are often poorly documented at a community level. We show how LEK can broaden our knowledge of such sensitive ecosystems, but our approach is useful for any ecosystem in which people hold rich LEK.
TAPER: Pinpointing errors in multiple sequence alignments despite varying rates of evolution
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhao Yiming , Braun Edward L. , Mirarab Siavash 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Erroneous data can creep into sequence datasets for reasons ranging from contamination to annotation and alignment mistakes and reduce the accuracy of downstream analyses. As datasets keep getting larger, it has become difficult to check multiple sequence alignments visually for errors, and thus, automatic error detection methods are needed more than ever before. Alignment masking methods, which are widely used, remove entire aligned sites and may reduce signal as much as or more than they reduce the noise.

The alternative we propose here is a surprisingly under‐explored approach: looking for errors in small species‐specific stretches of the multiple sequence alignments. We introduce a method called TAPER that uses a novel two‐dimensional outlier detection algorithm. Importantly, TAPER adjusts its null expectations per site and species, and in doing so, it attempts to distinguish the real heterogeneity (signal) from errors (noise).

Our results show that TAPER removes very little data yet finds much of the error. The effectiveness of TAPER depends on several properties of the alignment (e.g. evolutionary divergence levels) and the errors (e.g. their length).

By enabling data clean up with minimal loss of signal, TAPER can improve downstream analyses such as phylogenetic reconstruction and selection detection. Data errors, small or large, can reduce confidence in the downstream results, and thus, eliminating them can be beneficial even when downstream analyses are not impacted.
Inferring species absence from zero‐sighting records using analytical Bayesian models with population growth
Authors: Barnes Belinda , Giannini Fiona , Parsa Mahdi , Ramsey David 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

The eradication of invasive species and surveillance to detect new incursions are important for protecting native biodiversity and agricultural productivity, and are being applied across increasingly large areas due to improvements in eradication tools and funding commitments. For an effective and cost‐efficient assessment of eradication success or population absence, quantitative frameworks play a critical role, with many current methods relying on Bayesian stochastic models to simulate the monitoring and detection processes.

While flexible, Bayesian simulation models of monitoring systems can be computationally expensive, particularly when applied over large areas or when trying to capture rare events. In addition, it can be difficult to gain insight into system behaviour from large simulation models. Here, we develop analytical solutions for the posterior distributions of these simulation models and derive expressions for statistics of interest, such as the probability of pest absence and population size, given no detections.

Solutions are fast and simple to apply and explicitly expose the nonlinear interactions between system drivers—prior assumptions, population growth and detection processes. Using an example application, we demonstrate that solutions are equivalent to published simulation results, with the potential to simplify and extend current analysis. We also show that model results without population growth, results with deterministic growth and results with stochastic growth can be quite different, with the potential to affect management decisions.

Analytical solutions for the posterior distributions of these Bayesian models offer a powerful and efficient means of assessing population absence following eradication or surveillance programmes, which complements current simulation‐based methods.
Association of malignant neoplasms with semen quality in Guangdong province, China: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Fan Zhaoyu , Wang Qiling , Xu Ruijun , Wang Yaqi , Liu Tingting , Li Yingxin , Duan Yonggang , Liu Yuewei , Zhang Xinzong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have reported lower semen quality in malignant neoplasm patients before antineoplastic treatments, but the adverse effects of malignant neoplasms on semen quality have rarely been quantitatively evaluated. In addition, due to the lack of a comparable control group and limited types of studied malignant neoplasms, the results remain inconsistent and inconclusive.ObjectivesTo quantitatively evaluate the potential adverse effects of specific malignant neoplasms on semen quality.Materials and methodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study to investigate 445 malignant neoplasm patients undergoing sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation in Guangdong province, China during 2016–2019. A propensity score matching method was used to select a comparable control group from 9170 sperm donation volunteers. Each subject was analyzed for semen quality. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to assess the association between malignant neoplasm and semen quality.ResultsUsing the propensity score matching method, 413 (92.8%) malignant neoplasm patients were successfully matched with 798 sperm donation volunteers. Overall, malignant neoplasms were significantly associated with a 0.3 ml, 17.1 × 106/ml, 67.6 × 106, 9.8%, 10.2%, and 6.4% reduction in semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, progressive motility, and normal forms, respectively. Malignant neoplasm of testis, nasopharynx and digestive organs, Hodgkin lymphoma, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia were significantly associated with a reduction in sperm motility and normal forms, while malignant neoplasm of testis, Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia were also significantly associated with reduced sperm concentration and/or total sperm number. The reduction in sperm concentration and total sperm number associated with malignant neoplasms was significantly greater in subjects < 30 years.Discussion and conclusionWe found that malignant neoplasms were significantly associated with a reduction in semen quality, which varied across the type of malignant neoplasms. Our results highlight the needs to examine semen quality for young malignant neoplasm patients, especially those who are expected to conceive.
Punishment mechanisms and cooperation in public goods games: Experimental evidence
Authors: Peng Hui‐Chun 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTThis paper proposes the majority‐voting punishment mechanism and compares its effect on the contribution decision with other punishment mechanisms when individuals have homogeneous or heterogeneous marginal per capita returns on public goods. The experimental results show that if individuals are homogeneous, the majority‐voting punishment mechanism is an alternative to encourage cooperation and reduce antisocial punishment. But, if individuals are heterogeneous, the individual and majority‐voting punishment mechanisms are similarly effective in promoting cooperation in the organization. Furthermore, whatever punishment mechanism is implemented, organizations should pay attention to the problem of antisocial punishment.
Regulatory authority and clinical acceptability: Physicians' responses to regulatory drug safety warnings
Authors: Bhasale Alice L. , Sarpatwari Ameet , Lipworth Wendy , Møllebæk Mathias , McEwin Eliza J. , Gautam Nileesa , Santiago Ortiz Adrian , Mintzes Barbara J. 
Published: August 2021

AimsMedicines regulators issue post‐market safety warnings to advise of newly uncovered risks, but with mixed impacts. We aimed to identify factors influencing the use of regulatory warnings by primary care and specialist physicians in the US and Australia.MethodsSemi‐structured qualitative interviews were carried out with 40 primary care physicians, endocrinologists and other generalist specialists in Boston (USA) and Australia. Coding and analysis were performed inductively and iteratively to identify and examine key factors. Analysis centred around four areas: physicians' awareness of drug safety information, preferred information sources, opinion‐forming and sharing of information with patients.ResultsUncertainty, trust and clinical authority emerged as factors influencing use of advisories. Although regulators were trusted as authoritative institutions, they appeared to lack clinical authority, and physicians validated regulatory information against other trusted sources including evidence, expert opinion and experience. Specialists became aware of drug safety issues through specialised literature, using evidence and clinical consensus to form opinions. Primary care physicians, fielding high volumes of information, relied on convenient, accessible information sources including the media and the “clinical grapevine” for awareness, and on clinical colleagues, specialists and experience for interpretation. Communicating risk to patients was complicated by uncertainty; physicians tailored information to patients' health literacy and information needs. US physicians were more aware of their national regulator's post‐market safety role than Australian physicians of theirs.ConclusionDrug safety warnings may not be optimally received or used. Regulators should consider strategies that increase trust, clinical relevance and accessibility, and address physicians' needs in communicating risk to patients.
Saving lives through early diagnosis: the promise and role of point of care testing for sickle cell disease
Authors: Dexter Daniel , McGann Patrick T. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSickle cell disease (SCD) is a devastating and under‐recognised global child health issue affecting over 300,000 infants annually, with the highest prevalence in India and sub‐Saharan Africa. Most affected infants born in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) lack access to SCD testing and die from complications in the first years of life without a formal diagnosis. The majority of deaths are preventable with early diagnosis and provision of inexpensive interventions. Despite global recognition of the urgent need, expansion of SCD newborn screening (NBS) programmes beyond the pilot stage has been obstructed by a dependence on an expensive and logistically challenging centralised laboratory testing model. Recently, several point‐of‐care tests (POCT) for SCD have been developed with promising field validation studies. Here, we summarise the state of POCT for SCD, review barriers and unanswered questions, and discuss optimal strategies for utilising POCT to address the growing global burden of SCD. There is an urgent need to prospectively evaluate the ability of POCT to reduce the morbidity and high early mortality of SCD. To impact a sustainable reduction to this end, it is essential to link a diagnosis with comprehensive SCD care, including wide and affordable access to affordable hydroxycarbamide therapy.
Disease outcomes and biomarkers of progression in smouldering Waldenström macroglobulinaemia
Authors: Zanwar Saurabh , Abeykoon Jithma P. , Ansell Stephen M. , Gertz Morie A. , Colby Colin , Larson Dirk , Paludo Jonas , He Rong , Warsame Rahma , Greipp Patricia T. , King Rebecca L. , Thompson Carrie A. , Witzig Thomas E. , Lacy Martha Q. , Gonsalves Wilson , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Dingli David , Go Ronald S. , Habermann Thomas M. , Vincent Rajkumar S. , Kyle Robert A. , Kumar Shaji , Kapoor Prashant 
Published: August 2021

SummaryPatients with asymptomatic/smouldering Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (SWM) have a variable risk of progression to active WM. Our study evaluated 143 patients with SWM consecutively seen between January 1996 and December 2013. With a median [95% confidence interval (CI)] follow‐up of 9·5 [8·1–11·5] years, the cumulative rate of progression was 11% at 1 year, 38% at 3 years and 55% at 5 years. On multivariate analysis, haemoglobin (Hb) ≤123 g/l [risk ratio (RR) 2·08; P = 0·009] and β2‐microglobulin (β2M) ≥2·7 µg/ml (RR 2·0; P = 0·01) were independent predictors of a shorter time‐to‐progression (TTP) to active WM. Patients with myeloid differentiation factor 88 wild type (MYD88WT) genotype (n = 11) demonstrated a trend toward shorter TTP [median (95% CI) 1·7 (0·7–8·7) vs. 4·7 (2·4–7·7) years for the MYD88L265P cohort, n = 42; P = 0·11]. The presence of C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) mutation (n = 29) did not impact the TTP (median: 3 years for CXCR4WT vs. 5·6 years for CXCR4MUT, P = 0·34). The overall survival (OS) for patients with SWM (median: 18·1 years) was comparable to an age‐, sex‐ and calendar year‐matched USA population (median: 20·3 years, P = 0·502). In conclusion, Hb and β2M at diagnosis represent independent predictors of progression to active WM. Comparable survival of SWM and a matched USA population argues against pre‐emptive intervention in this patient population.