bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid, simultaneous, and in situ authentication and quality assessment of intact bell peppers using near‐infrared spectroscopy technology
Authors: Sánchez María‐Teresa , Torres Irina , de la Haba María‐José , Chamorro Ana , Garrido‐Varo Ana , Pérez‐Marín Dolores 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe ability of near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to authenticate individual bell peppers as a function of the growing system (outdoor or greenhouse) was tested using partial least squares discriminant analysis. Bell peppers grown outdoors (130 samples) or in a greenhouse (264 samples) during the 2015 and 2016 seasons were selected for this purpose and analysed using a portable, handheld, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) instrument MicroPhazir (spectral range 1600–2400 nm), working in reflectance. Subsequently, the potential of NIR spectroscopy as a non‐destructive sensor for in situ quality (dry matter and soluble solid content) measurements, was investigated.RESULTSThe models correctly classified 89.73% and 88.00% of the samples by growing system, when trained with unbalanced and balanced sets respectively, mainly due to the differences in physical–chemical attributes between bell peppers cultivated in the two growing systems. Separate classification models for bell peppers grouped by ripeness (judged by the colour), allowed the classification of 88.28–91.37% of the samples correctly. The standard error of cross‐validation values for the quantitative models were 0.66% fresh weight and 0.75 °Brix for dry matter and soluble solid content, respectively.CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that NIR spectroscopy can be used successfully for predicting the growing systems used in bell pepper production, which is of particular value to guarantee the authentication of outdoor‐grown peppers. Additionally, the results showed that NIR spectroscopy can be used simultaneously as a rapid preliminary screening technique to measure quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Carotenoids retention in biofortified yellow cassava processed with traditional African methods
Authors: Taleon Victor , Sumbu Dan , Muzhingi Tawanda , Bidiaka Sylvain 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDBiofortified yellow cassava is being cultivated in countries with high cassava consumption to improve its population's vitamin A status. The carotenoid retention in biofortified cassava when processed as boiled, fufu, and chikwangue was evaluated in this study. Commercial biofortified varieties Kindisa and Vuvu and the experimental genotypes MVZ2011B/360 and MVZ2012/044 were used. Fresh cassava roots were processed as boiled, fufu, and chikwangue. Provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs) content of fresh and processed cassava was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and total carotenoids was measured by spectrophotometer.RESULTSpVACs content of fresh peeled cassava was 1.79–6.65 µg g−1 on a fresh weight basis, whereas in boiled cassava, fufu, and chikwangue the pVACs content was 1.71–6.91 µg g−1, 0.04–0.37 µg g−1, and 0.52–1.75 µg g−1 respectively. True retention of carotenoids after cooking was 93.2–96.8%, 0.8–3.1%, and 4.0–18.1% for boiled cassava, fufu, and chikwangue respectively. Significant total carotenoids loss was observed during storage.CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that biofortified boiled cassava could be an effective food product to improve pVACs intake in areas where vitamin A deficiency exists, and processing of chikwangue and fufu should be improved before promoting biofortified cassava in vitamin‐A‐deficient areas with high cassava consumption. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Chemical space of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors: New approaches for discovering novel drugs for old bugs
Authors: Srinivasan* Bharath , Tonddast‐Navaei Sam , Roy Ambrish , Zhou Hongyi , Skolnick Jeffrey 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEscherichia coli Dihydrofolate reductase is an important enzyme that is essential for the survival of the Gram‐negative microorganism. Inhibitors designed against this enzyme have demonstrated application as antibiotics. However, either because of poor bioavailability of the small‐molecules resulting from their inability to cross the double membrane in Gram‐negative bacteria or because the microorganism develops resistance to the antibiotics by mutating the DHFR target, discovery of new antibiotics against the enzyme is mandatory to overcome drug‐resistance. This review summarizes the field of DHFR inhibition with special focus on recent efforts to effectively interface computational and experimental efforts to discover novel classes of inhibitors that target allosteric and active‐sites in drug‐resistant variants of EcDHFR.
Proton pump inhibitors are not associated with inflammatory myopathies: A case control study
Authors: Khoo Thomas , Caughey Gillian E. , Hill Catherine , Limaye Vidya 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: A rare association of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use with the development of inflammatory myopathies (IM) has been reported, but, unlike with statin medications, there is limited data supporting or refuting this observation. Methods: A case‐control study was conducted on patients with IM. Clinical information, medications, and demographics were recorded. Controls were matched 3:1 for age and gender. Results: Two hundred twenty‐one cases of IM were identified. No association of PPI use with IM was observed when compared with controls (odds ratio 1.04 [95% confidence interval 0.68–1.58]) and similar results were observed after adjusting for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and statin exposure (adjusted odds ratio 1.084 [95% confidence interval 0.69–1.70]). There was no association of any histologic subtype of IM with PPI exposure. Discussion: Our findings do not support an association of PPI exposure with IM. Co‐prescription of PPI with other medications was not considered and could be further investigated with larger cohorts. Muscle Nerve 58:855–857, 2018
GNE myopathy in the bedouin population of Kuwait: Genetics, prevalence, and clinical description
Authors: Alrohaif Hadil , Pogoryelova Oksana , Al‐Ajmi Abdullah , Aljeryan Lulwa A. , Alrashidi Nuwayer H. , Alefasi Sara A. , Urtizberea Andoni , Lochmüller Hanns , Bastaki Laila 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: GNE myopathy is a rare recessive myopathy caused by mutations in the GNE gene. It is mainly a distal myopathy with relative sparing of the quadriceps muscle. Methods: Patients with distal myopathies from Kuwait were examined and tested for the Middle Eastern GNE gene founder mutation, p.M743T. Patients were further studied for disease‐associated features. Results: GNE myopathy was confirmed in 14 of the 37 patients (37.8%) screened. All cases were caused by the p.M743T mutation. Age of onset and time from disease onset to loss of ambulation were variable. Both wasted and hypertrophied calf muscles were noted. Severely affected quadriceps were present in 1 patient, and ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and tongue wasting in another. Discussion: The scope of the p.M743T mutation now includes the Arabian Peninsula. Variations in age of onset, disease progression, and distribution in patients harboring the same mutation suggest the role of other genetic‐ and environment‐modifying factors. Muscle Nerve 58: 700–707, 2018
Stable isotope analysis of human bone hydroxyapatite and collagen for the reconstruction of dietary patterns of hunter‐gatherers from Jomon populations
Authors: Kusaka Soichiro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractStable isotope analysis on human skeletal remains is a powerful tool to reconstruct prehistoric human diet. A previous study used carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of bone collagen to reveal that the incorporation of marine resources was significant in the diet of people in the Jomon period. It was found that carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in bone collagen reflect those of protein sources in the diet during adulthood, whereas the incorporation of terrestrial plants could not be evaluated. In this study, we assessed the consumption of terrestrial plants during adulthood by analysing the carbon isotope ratios in bone hydroxyapatite, which reflect the respective values in the whole diet (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins). We studied 55 human skeletal remains from the Yoshigo and Inariyama shell mounds of the Tokai region in Japan. The carbon isotope ratios in bone hydroxyapatite from these samples were analysed to evaluate the dietary dependence on marine and terrestrial resources. We discovered that the carbon isotope ratios in the bone hydroxyapatite were as low as those in terrestrial mammals, thereby indicating that C3 plants and terrestrial mammals were the main sources of dietary energy for the Jomon people. This result suggests that the dietary incorporation of terrestrial resources was recorded in the bone hydroxyapatite. Finally, the difference between the carbon isotope ratios of the bone hydroxyapatite and collagen was correlated to the nitrogen isotope ratios of the bone collagen, thereby suggesting the large dietary variation among individuals. This study highlighted the utility of carbon isotope analysis of bone hydroxyapatite and bone collagen from human skeletal remains in the investigation of the prehistoric diet of Jomon populations.
Evolution of the biocontrol active substances in the framework of the European Pesticide Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009
Authors: Robin Diane C , Marchand Patrice A 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe use of biocontrol agents (BCA) is growing strongly with a market of €1.9 billion worldwide and €542 million in Europe, and an estimated annual growth of between 15% and 20%. Biocontrol substances use natural mechanisms as part of integrated pest management. With the exception of macro‐organisms, substances or products comprising microorganisms, semiochemicals and natural substances depend on plant protection Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009.RESULTSWhen this regulation came into force, a number of BCA had already been approved. The total number of BCA rose during the period 2011–2018 to ∼ 60 substances in line with global growth in approved substances. This growth was not smooth or equal between biocontrol categories; the microorganisms category increased the most, with a doubling of the number of approved substances in use, followed by natural substances and semiochemicals.CONCLUSIONThis positive development has been influenced by many factors such as scientific advances and environmental characteristics. However, some obstacles remain that limit the development of BCA (market size, variability in effectiveness, etc.). Regulatory measures could be a key to enhancing the development of biocontrol registrations. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of serum amino acids involved in gallic acid detoxification of formaldehyde by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and neutral loss scan
Authors: Jiang Hai‐peng , Cai Nian , Ju Xiu‐lian , Huang Juan , Wang Xian 
Published: September 2018

RationaleGallic acid is one of the most common polyphenols in natural products and human diet. The consumption of gallic acid reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, chronic metabolic disorders and cancers. Most previous publications focused on the antioxidative or prooxidative properties of gallic acid. In the present work, gallic acid as a trapping agent of blood formaldehyde was investigated by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and neutral loss scan.MethodsSerum samples incubated with gallic acid were subjected to LC/MS/MS analysis using an LTQ XL ion trap mass spectrometer. The adduct ions of gallic acid‐formaldehyde‐amino acids were explored by investigation of their fragmentation patterns and neutral loss scan experiments.ResultsA series of Mannich adducts (namely, gallic acid‐formaldehyde‐alanine, gallic acid‐formaldehyde‐proline, gallic acid‐formaldehyde‐leucine or gallic acid‐formaldehyde‐isoleucine and gallic acid‐formaldehyde‐phenylalanine) were identified as metabolites by neutral loss scan experiments.ConclusionsThis work demonstrated that serum amino acids are involved in gallic acid detoxification of formaldehyde. Because excessive formaldehyde in blood is implicated in a variety of disease pathologies, detoxification of formaldehyde, especially endogenous formaldehyde, may be another health beneficial effect of gallic acid. It also suggested that more attention should be paid to Mannich‐type metabolites of polyphenol‐formaldehyde‐amino acids in research into the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of polyphenols.
Recent Progress on Black Phosphorus‐Based Materials for Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Yan Junqing , Verma Priyanka , Kuwahara Yasutaka , Mori Kohsuke , Yamashita Hiromi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEmploying photocatalytic technology for efficient water splitting to hydrogen evolution is a sustainable and renewable solution for energy and environmental issues. Large‐scale utilization of solar hydrogen requires the appropriate usage of photocatalysts with high efficiency and their easy integration into solar devices. Recently, 2D materials have been widely studied because of their potential utility in device fabrication. Black phosphorus (BP) is a newly developed 2D direct bandgap semiconductor with an impressive tunable bandgap and fast carrier migration characteristics. In this review, the optical and electronic characteristics of 2D phosphorene‐based materials are mainly discussed in terms of water splitting reaction. Density functional theory calculations are first summarized, followed by brief discussions on the direct application of BP in photocatalytic water splitting based on recent reports. This review might assist researchers to design new materials for photocatalytic water splitting.
The illegal pet trade is driving Madagascar's ploughshare tortoise to extinction
Authors: Mandimbihasina Angelo R. , Woolaver Lance G. , Concannon Lianne E. , Milner-Gulland E. J. , Lewis Richard E. , Terry Andrew M.R. , Filazaha Niaraha , Rabetafika Lydia L. , Young Richard P. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe illegal wildlife trade is driving declines in populations of a number of large, charismatic animal species but also many lesser known and restricted-range species, some of which are now facing extinction as a result. The ploughshare tortoiseAstrochelys yniphora, endemic to the Baly Bay National Park of north-western Madagascar, is affected by poaching for the international illegal pet trade. To quantify this, we estimated population trends during 2006–2015, using distance sampling surveys along line transects, and recorded national and international confiscations of trafficked tortoises for 2002–2016. The results suggest the ploughshare tortoise population declined > 50% during this period, to c. 500 adults and subadults in 2014–2015. Prior to 2006 very few tortoises were seized either in Madagascar or internationally but confiscations increased sharply from 2010. Since 2015 poaching has intensified, with field reports suggesting that two of the four subpopulations are extinct, leaving an unknown but almost certainly perilously low number of adult tortoises in the wild. This study has produced the first reliable population estimate of the ploughshare tortoise and shows that the species has declined rapidly because of poaching for the international pet trade. There is an urgent need for increased action both in Madagascar and along international trade routes if the extinction of the ploughshare tortoise in the wild is to be prevented.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha in depression and the response to electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Ryan Karen M. , Patterson Ian , McLoughlin Declan M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC-1α), termed the ‘master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis’, has been implicated in stress and resilience to stress-induced depressive-like behaviours in animal models. However, there has been no study conducted to date to examine PGC-1α levels in patients with depression or in response to antidepressant treatment. Our aim was to assess PGC-1α mRNA levels in blood from healthy controls and patients with depression pre-/post-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and to examine the relationship between blood PGC-1α mRNA levels and clinical symptoms and outcomes with ECT.MethodsWhole blood PGC-1α mRNA levels were analysed in samples from 67 patients with a major depressive episode and 70 healthy controls, and in patient samples following a course of ECT using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Exploratory subgroup correlational analyses were carried out to determine the relationship between PGC-1α and mood scores.ResultsPGC-1α levels were lower in patients with depression compared with healthy controls (p = 0.03). This lower level was predominantly accounted for by patients with psychotic unipolar depression (p = 0.004). ECT did not alter PGC-1α levels in the depressed group as a whole, though exploratory analyses revealed a significant increase in PGC-1α in patients with psychotic unipolar depression post-ECT (p = 0.045). We found no relationship between PGC-1α mRNA levels and depression severity or the clinical response to ECT.ConclusionsPGC-1α may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of depression, and be a common link between various pathophysiological processes implicated in depression.
Subjective social status and neural processing of race in Mexican American adolescents
Authors: Muscatell Keely A. , McCormick Ethan , Telzer Eva H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAdolescence is a sensitive period for sociocultural development in which facets of social identity, including social status and race, become especially salient. Despite the heightened importance of both social status and race during this developmental period, no known work has examined how individual differences in social status influence perceptions of race in adolescents. Thus, in the present study, we investigated how both subjective social status and objective socioeconomic status (SES) influence neural responses to race. Twenty-three Mexican American adolescents (15 females; mean age = 17.22 years) were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging while they viewed Black and White faces in a standard labeling task. Adolescents rated their subjective social status in US society, while their parents responded to questions about their educational background, occupation, and economic strain (objective SES). Results demonstrated a negative association between subjective social status and neural responses in the amygdala, fusiform face area, and medial prefrontal cortex when adolescents viewed Black (relative to White) faces. In other words, adolescents with lower subjective social status showed greater activity in neural regions involved in processing salience, perceptual expertise, and thinking about the minds of others when they viewed images of Black faces, suggesting enhanced salience of race for these youth. There was no relationship between objective SES and neural responses to the faces. Moreover, instructing participants to focus on the gender or emotion expression on the face attenuated the relationship between subjective social status and neural processing of race. Together, these results demonstrate that subjective social status shapes the way the brain responds to race, which may have implications for psychopathology.
Arboreal birds do not avoid scattered trees in West Africa
Authors: ZWARTS LEO , BIJLSMA ROB G. , VAN DER KAMP JAN 
Published: September 2018

SummaryArboreal birds tend to remain in woody vegetation and avoid crossing open areas. Therefore, few tree-dwelling birds are to be expected in scattered trees. We tested this expectation with field data collected in the deserts, savannas and open agricultural parklands of West Africa where woody cover in 1,327 stratified random study sites varied between 0.2 and 29%. We found no evidence that scattered trees were avoided. Instead, bird density in trees was independent of trees occurring clumped or singly. The presence of birds in an individual tree was related to tree species and tree-related variables, but not to woody cover or species composition of the surrounding woody vegetation. We hypothesise that scattered trees are not avoided because (1) travel time between trees is too short to have a negative impact on foraging time, (2) predation risk of arboreal passerines is very low (bird-hunting raptors are scarce in the deserts and savannas of West Africa and mostly prey on ground-feeding, not arboreal, birds), and (3) the probability of being chased away by other arboreal birds is less when trees are more scattered. Scattered trees are ecologically important since hundreds of millions of migratory woodland birds, of which several species are in decline, spend the northern winter in Africa in open, often human-modified, landscapes where trees are well spaced.
Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III: Psychometric Characteristics and Relations to Functional Ability in Dementia
Authors: So Matthew , Foxe David , Kumfor Fiona , Murray Cynthia , Hsieh Sharpley , Savage Greg , Ahmed Rebekah M. , Burrell James R. , Hodges John R. , Irish Muireann , Piguet Olivier 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectives:The Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE) is a common cognitive screening test for dementia. Here, we examined the relationship between the most recent version (ACE-III) and its predecessor (ACE-R), determined ACE-III cutoff scores for the detection of dementia, and explored its relationship with functional ability.Methods:Study 1 included 199 dementia patients and 52 healthy controls who completed the ACE-III and ACE-R. ACE-III total and domain scores were regressed on their corresponding ACE-R values to obtain conversion formulae. Study 2 included 331 mixed dementia patients and 87 controls to establish the optimal ACE-III cutoff scores for the detection of dementia using receiver operator curve analysis. Study 3 included 194 dementia patients and their carers to investigate the relationship between ACE-III total score and functional ability.Results:Study 1: ACE-III and ACE-R scores differed by ≤1 point overall, the magnitude varying according to dementia type. Study 2: a new lower bound cutoff ACE-III score of 84/100 to detect dementia was identified (compared with 82 for the ACE-R). The upper bound cutoff score of 88/100 was retained. Study 3: ACE-III scores were significantly related to functional ability on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale across all dementia syndromes, except for semantic dementia.Conclusions:This study represents one of the largest and most clinically diverse investigations of the ACE-III. Our results demonstrate that the ACE-III is an acceptable alternative to the ACE-R. In addition, ACE-III performance has broader clinical implications in that it relates to carer reports of functional impairment in most common dementias. (JINS, 2018,24, 854–863)