bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Considerations for improvising fortified extruded rice products
Authors: Saha Sreyajit , Jha Shipra , Tiwari Amit , Jayapalan Sudeepan , Roy Anupam 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMicronutrient fortification of rice by extrusion is an effective strategy to enhance micronutrient levels within rice‐consuming individuals. The success of extrusion‐based fortification is associated with micronutrient retention, enhanced bioavailability, low postprocessing losses, prolonged storage stability, and minimal sensory changes. The success of an optimally fortified product is primarily reliant upon the compositional considerations, but many attributes of extrudates can be indebted to the processing parameters too. Hence, an exhaustive investigation of this technology has been taken‐up here, emphasizing on the compositional parameters in association with process parameters, which influence the final quality attributes like nutrient stability, bioavailability, and sensory properties. Based on these attributes of the end product, a collected data have been presented here to bring out the optimal compositional requirements. These together with cooking processes, extrusion process parameters, and storage conditions will enable formulate a product with enhanced sensory acceptance, better retention during cooking and storage, improved texture, and acceptable color. This review will thus help to optimize a need‐based product, its quality, and enhance benefits of fortified extruded rice products.
Carbon catabolite regulation of secondary metabolite formation, an old but not well‐established regulatory system
Authors: Ruiz‐Villafán Beatriz , Cruz‐Bautista Rodrigo , Manzo‐Ruiz Monserrat , Passari Ajit Kumar , Villarreal‐Gómez Karen , Rodríguez‐Sanoja Romina , Sánchez Sergio 
Published: March 2021

SummarySecondary microbial metabolites have various functions for the producer microorganisms, which allow them to interact and survive in adverse environments. In addition to these functions, other biological activities may have clinical relevance, as diverse as antimicrobial, anticancer and hypocholesterolaemic effects. These metabolites are usually formed during the idiophase of growth and have a wide diversity in their chemical structures. Their synthesis is under the impact of the type and concentration of the culture media nutrients. Some of the molecular mechanisms that affect the synthesis of secondary metabolites in bacteria (Gram‐positive and negative) and fungi are partially known. Moreover, all microorganisms have their peculiarities in the control mechanisms of carbon sources, even those belonging to the same genus. This regulatory knowledge is necessary to establish culture conditions and manipulation methods for genetic improvement and product fermentation. As the carbon source is one of the essential nutritional factors for antibiotic production, its study has been imperative both at the industrial and research levels. This review aims to draw the utmost recent advances performed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the negative effect exerted by the carbon source on the secondary metabolite formation, emphasizing those found in Streptomyces, one of the genera most profitable antibiotic producers.
Efficient effort allocation in line‐transect distance sampling of high‐density species: When to walk further, measure less‐often and gain precision
Authors: Knights Kathryn , McCarthy Michael A. , Camac James , Guillera‐Arroita Gurutzeta 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLine‐transect distance sampling is widely used to estimate population densities using distances of observed targets from transect lines to model detectability. When the target taxa are high density, the frequent measuring of distances may make the method seem impractical. We present a method that improves the efficiency of distance sampling when the target species occurs at high density. Only a proportion of targets are measured to model the detection function, and the time saved on the survey is then used to cover a longer total length of transect and accrue a larger ‘count only’ sample. This approach can improve the precision of the population density estimate when the cost of measuring the distance to a detected target is more than half the cost of walking to the next target.We find the optimal proportion of distances to measure that minimises the variance of the density estimate for a fixed survey budget. We quantify how much this optimised strategy increases the precision of the density estimate compared with conventional line‐transect distance sampling. We then use simulated distance sampling data to test our expressions, and illustrate circumstances under which the optimised approach would be beneficial using distance sampling data on high‐density plants.The simulations indicate that the optimised method delivers benefits in precision, but the magnitude of the benefit is lower than predicted from our expressions, which are based on an asymptotic approximation of the variance. We apply an adjustment to the predicted benefit equation to account for this difference, and show that, in all three plant case studies, the optimised approach could improve the precision gained from a distance sampling survey between 20% and 50%.This new approach could broaden the ecological contexts in which distance sampling is applied, to include estimation of densities of abundant taxa where plots are conventionally used. The method may have interesting applications for other survey types, including multispecies surveys or those using cues or signs that occur at high density.
Functional genomic analyses highlight a shift in Gpr17‐regulated cellular processes in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and underlying myelin dysregulation in the aged mouse cerebrum
Authors: Rivera Andrea D. , Pieropan Francesca , Chacon‐De‐La‐Rocha Irene , Lecca Davide , Abbracchio Maria P. , Azim Kasum , Butt Arthur M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBrain ageing is characterised by a decline in neuronal function and associated cognitive deficits. There is increasing evidence that myelin disruption is an important factor that contributes to the age‐related loss of brain plasticity and repair responses. In the brain, myelin is produced by oligodendrocytes, which are generated throughout life by oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Currently, a leading hypothesis points to ageing as a major reason for the ultimate breakdown of remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, an incomplete understanding of the cellular and molecular processes underlying brain ageing hinders the development of regenerative strategies. Here, our combined systems biology and neurobiological approach demonstrate that oligodendroglial and myelin genes are amongst the most altered in the ageing mouse cerebrum. This was underscored by the identification of causal links between signalling pathways and their downstream transcriptional networks that define oligodendroglial disruption in ageing. The results highlighted that the G‐protein coupled receptor Gpr17 is central to the disruption of OPCs in ageing and this was confirmed by genetic fate‐mapping and cellular analyses. Finally, we used systems biology strategies to identify therapeutic agents that rejuvenate OPCs and restore myelination in age‐related neuropathological contexts.
New approaches to predict leaf area in woody tree species from the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil
Authors: Santos José Nailson B. , Jarma‐Orozco Alfredo , Antunes Werner Camargos , Mendes Keila R. , Figueiroa Joselma M. , Pessoa Luciana M. , Pompelli Marcelo F. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMany issues involving leaf areas (LA) allometry, such as the possibility of adjusting morphometric models based on the leaves of different species and the influence model performance on intraspecific variability, are still unclear. In this work, we described allometric equations for 14 different woody tropical species. This study’s novelty is to show how a generalised allometric equation accurately estimates LAs of different species with similar leaf morphologies [oblong: Ŷ = 0.6356(LW)1.0260, and elliptical: Ŷ = 0.6552(LW)1.0094]. Natural variation that occurs in the leaf development does not represent an obstacle to the implementation of generalised models. In general, simple linear models are considered ineffective to describe the full range of leaf variation. Extrapolation of these equations to other woody species of similar leaf morphology can be compared with models developed for oblong and elliptical leaves, based on the principle that in potential models, the variation of the intercept coefficient (β0) tended to 0.5 for leaves more elongated to 0.7 in less elongated leaves. While the angular coefficient (β1) tended to vary from 0.97 for less elongated leaves, up to 1 when the relationship between LA is remarkably close to a rectangle.
Impact of the intersection of anaesthesia and gender on burnout and mental health, illustrated by the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Lorello G. R. , Gautam M. , Barned C. , Peer M. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryPhysician burnout and poor mental health are prevalent and often stigmatised. Anaesthetists may be at particular risk and this is further increased for women anaesthetists due to biases and inequities within the specialty. However, gender‐related risk factors for and experiences of burnout and poor mental health remain under‐researched and under‐reported. This negatively impacts individual practitioners, the anaesthesia workforce and patients and carries significant financial implications. We discuss the impact of anaesthesia and gender on burnout and mental health using the COVID‐19 pandemic as an example illustrating how women and men differentially experience stressors and burnout. COVID‐19 has further accentuated the gendered effects of burnout and poor mental health on anaesthetists and brought further urgency to the need to address these issues. While both personal and organisational factors contribute to burnout and poor mental health, organisational changes that recognise and acknowledge inequities are pivotal to bolster physician mental health.
Enhanced recovery pathways and patient‐reported outcome measures in gynaecological oncology
Authors: Chen Q. , Mariano E. R. , Lu A. C. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryComprehensive peri‐operative care for women with gynaecological malignancy is essential to ensure optimal clinical outcomes and maximise patient experience through the continuum of care. Implementation of peri‐operative enhanced recovery pathways in gynaecological oncology have been repeatedly shown to improve postoperative recovery, decrease complications and reduce healthcare costs. With increasing emphasis being placed on patient‐centred care in the current healthcare environment, incorporation of patient‐reported outcome data collection and analysis within the enhanced recovery pathway as part of quality measurement is not only useful, but necessary. Inclusion of patient‐reported outcome enhanced recovery pathway evaluation enables clinicians to capture authentic patient‐reported parameters such as subtle symptoms, changes in function and multiple dimensions of well‐being, directly from the source. These data guide the treatment course by encouraging shared decision‐making between the patient and clinicians and provide the necessary foundation for ongoing peri‐operative quality improvement efforts. Elements of the gynaecological oncology enhanced recovery pathway are divided into five phases of care: pre‐admission; pre‐operative; intra‐operative; postoperative; and post‐discharge. The development process starts with detailing each step of the patient's journey in all five phases, then identifying stakeholder groups responsible for care at each of these phases and assembling a multidisciplinary team including: gynaecologists; anaesthetists; nurses; nutritionists; physical therapists; and others, to provide input into the institutional pathway. To practically integrate patient‐reported outcomes into an enhanced recovery pathway, a validated measurement tool should be incorporated into the peri‐operative workflow. The ideal tool should be concise to facilitate longitudinal assessments by the clinical staff.
Corneal sub‐basal nerve plexus assessment and its association with phenotypic features and lymphocyte subsets in Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Barcelos Filipe , Hipólito‐Fernandes Diogo , Martins Catarina , Ângelo‐Dias Miguel , Cardigos Joana , Monteiro Ricardo , Alves Nuno , Vaz‐Patto José , da Cunha‐Branco Jaime , Borrego Luís‐Miguel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeTo assess and compare corneal sub‐basal nerve plexus morphology with circulating lymphocyte subsets, immunologic status and disease activity in Sjögren syndrome (SjS) patients.MethodsFifty‐five SjS patients, 63 Sicca patients (not fulfilling SjS criteria), 18 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) were included. Systemic disease activity in SjS was assessed with the ESSDAI score. Lymphocyte subpopulations were studied with flow cytometry. Corneal confocal microscopy and ImageJ software were used to characterize corneal sub‐basal nerve plexus in terms of nerve density (CNFD), length (CNFL) and tortuosity (CNFT). Conventional dry eye tests were also performed.ResultsCNFL and CNFD were lower in SjS, Sicca and RA groups, compared to HC (p < 0.001 for both SjS and Sicca); CNFL p = 0.005, CNFD p = 0.018 in RA). CNFT was higher in SjS, followed by Sicca, RA and HC. A negative correlation was found between ESSDAI score and CNFL (r=−0.735, p = 0.012). CNFL correlated negatively with IL21+CD8+T cells (r=−0.279, p = 0.039) and a positively with total memory (r = 0.299, p = 0.027), unswitched memory (r = 0.281, p = 0.038) and CD24HiCD27+ (r = 0.278, p = 0.040) B cells. CNFD showed a tendency to significance in its negative correlation with ESSDAI (r=−0.592, p = 0.071) and in its positive correlation with switched memory B cells (r = 0.644, p = 0.068).ConclusionsThis is the first study aiming to correlate ocular findings with lymphocyte subsets in SjS. The associations founded between CNFL and CNFD and disease activity, IL21+ follicular T cells and some B‐cell subsets suggest that corneal nerve damage may parallel systemic disease activity and inflammatory cells' dynamics.
RPL34‐AS1–induced RPL34 inhibits cervical cancer cell tumorigenesis via the MDM2‐P53 pathway
Authors: Zhu Yuanhang , Ren Chenchen , Jiang Dongyuan , Yang Li , Chen Yannan , Li Feiyan , Wang Baojin , Zhang Yali 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRibosomal proteins (RPs) are important components of ribosomes and related to the occurrence and development of tumors. However, little is known about the effects of the RP network on cervical cancer (CC). In this study, we screened differentially expressed RPL34 in CC by high‐throughput quantitative proteome assay. We found that RPL34 acted as a tumor suppressor and was downregulated in CC and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of CC cells. Next, we verified that RPL34 regulated the CC through the MDM2‐P53 pathway by using Act D medicine, MDM2 inhibitor, and a series of western blotting（WB）assays. Moreover, an antisense lncRNA, RPL34‐AS1, regulated the expression of RPL34 and participated in the tumorigenesis of CC. RPL34 can reverse the effect of RPL34‐AS1 in CC cells. Finally, by RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay we found that eukaryotic initiation factor 4A3 (EIF4A3), which binds to RPL34‐AS1, regulated RPL34‐AS1 expression in CC. Therefore, our findings indicate that RPL34‐AS1–induced RPL34 inhibits CC cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through modulation of the MDM2‐P53 signaling pathway, which provides a meaningful target for the early diagnosis and treatment of CC.
‘Their status will be affected by that child’: How masculinity influences father involvement in the education of learners with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Karisa Amani , McKenzie Judith , De Villiers Tania 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundParents play a critical role in the formal education of their children. However, a limited body of scientific knowledge exists on fathers' involvement in the formal education of their children with disabilities, particularly in Global South settings. This study sought to understand how father involvement is constructed in the formal education of learners with intellectual disabilities in an African context.MethodsThe study uses data from a broad qualitative case study of one special school in Kenya. Data were collected from eight fathers, six mothers, nine teachers and six children with disabilities using individual interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A document review was also conducted. The data were analysed thematically.ResultsTwo themes emerging from the data are presented, named using selected quotes from the participants thus: ‘He's a monster, you're the one who gave birth to him’ and ‘The excuse that he has work to do’. Father involvement in the education of learners with intellectual disabilities is influenced by the need of the fathers to protect their identities as men in a society whose cultural norms and values associates manliness with strength and perfection, and disability with weakness and imperfection. Father involvement is also impacted by the teachers' perceptions of the fathers' masculinity. Additionally, father involvement is influenced by the ways fathers cope with the threats to their masculinity.ConclusionPerceptions of masculinity and disability intersect to construct father involvement in the formal education of learners with intellectual disabilities in this African context.
Short‐term outcomes of a COVID‐adapted triage pathway for colorectal cancer detection
Authors: Miller Janice , Maeda Yasuko , Au Stephanie , Gunn Frances , Porteous Lorna , Pattenden Rebecca , MacLean Peter , Noble Colin L. , Glancy Stephen , Dunlop Malcolm G. , Din Farhat V. N. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimThe dramatic curtailment of endoscopy and CT colonography capacity during the coronavirus pandemic has adversely impacted timely diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). We describe a rapidly implemented COVID‐adapted diagnostic pathway to mitigate risk and maximize cancer diagnosis in patients referred with symptoms of suspected CRC.MethodThe ‘COVID‐adapted pathway’ integrated multiple quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (qFIT) to enrich for significant colorectal disease with judicious use of CT with oral contrast to detect gross pathology. Patients reporting ‘high‐risk’ symptoms were triaged to qFIT+CT and the remainder underwent an initial qFIT to inform subsequent investigation. Demographic and clinical data were prospectively collected. Outcomes comprised cancer detection frequency.ResultsOverall, 422 patients (median age 64 years, 220 women) were triaged using this pathway. Most (84.6%) were referred as ‘urgent suspicious of cancer’. Of the 422 patients, 202 (47.9%) were triaged to CT and qFIT, 211 (50.0%) to qFIT only, eight (1.9%) to outpatient clinic and one to colonoscopy. Fifteen (3.6%) declined investigation and seven (1.7%) were deemed unfit. We detected 13 cancers (3.1%), similar to the mean cancer detection rate from all referrals in 2017–2019 (3.3%). Compared with the period 1 April–31 May in 2017–2019, we observed a 43% reduction in all primary care referrals (1071 referrals expected reducing to 609).ConclusionThis COVID‐adapted pathway mitigated the adverse effects on diagnostic capacity and detected cancer at the expected rate within those referred. However, the overall reduction in the number of referrals was substantial. The described risk‐mitigating measures could be a useful adjunct whilst standard diagnostic services remain constrained due to the ongoing pandemic.
Gait alterations in patient with intermittent claudication: Effect of unilateral vs bilateral ischemia
Authors: Guilleron Céline , Beaune Bruno , Durand Sylvain , Pouliquen Camille , Henni Samir , Abraham Pierre 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe seek to evaluate whether ischemia extent (unilateral or bilateral) impacts spatiotemporal and neuromuscular gait parameters differently in patients with peripheral arterial disease and presenting intermittent claudication (PAD‐IC).MethodsTwo groups of PAD‐IC patients: unilateral (Unilat‐IC; n = 15), bilateral (Bilat‐IC; n = 15) and a group of control subjects with similar risk factors (n = 15) were evaluated during a constant load treadmill walking test. Spatiotemporal parameters and neuromuscular activation in tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis were recorded. Patients were instructed to describe their pain during walking test, and three phases were analysed: pain‐free, onset of pain and maximum pain in PAD‐IC patients.FindingsSingle leg stance in the asymptomatic leg of Unilat‐IC increases and becomes higher than the symptomatic leg and the Bilat‐IC legs at maximum pain. Step time is higher and cadence is lower in PAC‐IC than in controls. Tibialis anterior activation peak in Unilat‐IC continuously decreases between phases and becomes lower than in Bilat‐IC during maximum pain. Tibialis anterior activation time is higher in Bilat‐IC and in the asymptomatic leg than in the symptomatic of Unilat‐IC during all the phases. Gastrocnemius medialis activation peak in Bilat‐IC decreases with pain. Gastrocnemius medialis activation time in the symptomatic leg of Unilat‐IC presents a significant decrease between pain‐free and maximum pain phases.InterpretationIschemia impacts gait in PAD‐IC patients differently according to its extent between legs compared to controls. Imbalance between legs in Unilat‐IC induces compensatory mechanism and an asymmetrical pattern. Bilat‐IC should not be simply considered as a ‘double’ Unilat‐IC when evaluating gait.
Factors associated with degraded trabecular bone score in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Rakusa Matej , Poglajen Gregor , Vrtovec Bojan , Goricar Katja , Janez Andrej , Jensterle Mojca 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTrabecular bone score (TBS) is a textural index that provides indirect evaluation of trabecular microarchitecture. It improves fracture risk assessment in several high‐risk populations. We aimed to evaluate the role of TBS assessment in heart transplant recipients (HTR). In a cross‐sectional study with 87 HTR (69 males and 18 females), we assessed TBS and evaluated potential associations between TBS and factors related to increased fracture risk. We also evaluated the correlations between the presence of vertebral fractures (VF) and degraded TBS. We confirmed degraded TBS in the majority of HTR. 27.6% of HTR had partially degraded, 27.6% had degraded TBS. HTR with degraded TBS were older, had higher body mass index, lower bone mineral density (BMD), and T‐score. As opposed to stable BMD over different time points, TBS significantly differed among different post‐transplant time periods. TBS did not correlate with current methylprednisolone or past zoledronic acid treatment, presence of hypogonadism or diabetes. TBS did not have additional value over BMD in predicting the presence of VF. Most fractures occurred in patients with osteopenia and in patients with partly degraded TBS. Studies with longitudinal designs and larger sample sizes are warranted to further assess the potential role of TBS in HRT.