bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applied and Emerging Methods for Meat Tenderization: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Bhat Zuhaib F. , Morton James D. , Mason Susan L. , Bekhit Alaa El‐Din A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe tenderization process, which can be influenced by both pre‐ and post‐slaughter interventions, begins immediately after an animal's death and is followed with the disruption of the muscle structure by endogenous proteolytic systems. The post‐slaughter technological interventions like electrical stimulation, suspension methods, blade tenderization, tumbling, use of exogenous enzymes, and traditional aging are some of the methods currently employed by the meat industry for improving tenderness. Over the time, technological advancement resulted in development of several novel methods, for maximizing the tenderness, which are being projected as quick, economical, nonthermal, green, and energy‐efficient technologies. Comparison of these advanced technological methods with the current applied industrial methods is necessary to understand the feasibility and benefits of the novel technology. This review discusses the benefits and advantages of different emerging tenderization techniques such as hydrodynamic‐pressure processing, high‐pressure processing, pulsed electric field, ultrasound, SmartStretch™, Pi‐Vac Elasto‐Pack® system, and some of the current applied methods used in the meat industry.
Feasibility of re‐biopsy and EGFR mutation analysis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kim Tae‐Ok , Oh In‐Jae , Kho Bo Gun , Park Ha Young , Chang Jin Sun , Park Cheol‐Kyu , Shin Hong‐Joon , Lim Jung‐Hwan , Kwon Yong‐Soo , Kim Yu‐Il , Lim Sung‐Chul , Kim Young‐Chul , Choi Yoo‐Duk 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundIn cases of EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) failure, re‐biopsy may be useful to understand resistance mechanisms and guide further treatment decisions. However, performing re‐biopsy is challenging because of several hurdles. We assessed the feasibility of re‐biopsy in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in real‐world clinical practice.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathologic data of advanced NSCLC patients who experienced disease progression after previous treatment with EGFR‐TKIs at a single tertiary hospital in Korea between January 2014 and December 2016. Re‐biopsy specimens included small biopsy, surgical tissue, or liquid‐based cytology. EGFR mutation was tested using peptide nucleic acid‐mediated clamping PCR.ResultsOf the 230 NSCLC patients that experienced progression after EGFR‐TKI therapy, 105 (45.7%) underwent re‐biopsy. Re‐biopsy was successfully performed in 94 (89.5%) patients, and 11 patients were diagnosed with no malignancy. The complication rate was 8.6%, including seven cases of pneumothorax. EGFR mutation testing was performed on 75 patients using re‐biopsy specimens. Of the 57 patients who had sensitizing mutations at diagnosis, T790M mutations were found in 19 (33.3%), while 38 (66.7%) had no T790M mutation. Multivariate analysis showed that the re‐biopsy group was younger (P = 0.002) and exhibited a previous response to EGFR‐TKIs (P < 0.001).ConclusionRe‐biopsy in advanced NSCLC is feasible in real world clinical practice, particularly in younger patients and those who achieved a previous response to EGFR‐TKIs.
Influence of temperature and humidity on the survival of Monilinia fructicola conidia on stone fruits and inert surfaces
Authors: Bernat M. , Segarra J. , Navas‐Cortés J.A. , Casals C. , Torres R. , Teixidó N. , Usall J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe survival of the fungus Monilinia fructicola on fruit and inert surfaces at different temperatures (range: 0–30°C) and relative humidity (RH) (range: 60–100%) was investigated. M. fructicola conidia survived better on fruit than on inert surfaces. The viability reduction rate at 20°C and 60% RH was 1.2 and 5.8 days−1 on fruit and inert surfaces, respectively. Overall, on fruit surfaces, conidia viability was reduced at high temperatures and was longer at higher RH than at lower RH; in contrast, on inert surfaces, conidia viability was longer at only low temperatures. On fruit surfaces, at 0°C and 100% RH, conidia survived up to 35 days, and at 30°C and 60% RH, conidia survived up to 7 days. However, on inert surfaces at 20°C and 30°C, conidia lost their viability after 48 and 24 h, respectively. These results suggest that M. fructicola can remain viable in cold rooms for over 30 days on fruit surfaces or over 25 days on inert surfaces. Furthermore, under the orchard conditions during the growing season, conidia may remain viable for only 2–3 days on immature fruit surfaces before conidia will be unable to penetrate the host.
Mortality in unipolar depression preceding and following chronic somatic diseases
Authors: Koyanagi A. , Köhler‐Forsberg O. , Benros M. E. , Munk Laursen T. , Haro J. M. , Nordentoft Merete , Hjorthøj Carsten 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveIt is largely unknown how depression prior to and following somatic diseases affects mortality. Thus, we examined how the temporal order of depression and somatic diseases affects mortality risk.MethodData were from a Danish population‐based cohort from 1995 to 2013, which included all residents in Denmark during the study period (N = 4 984 912). Nineteen severe chronic somatic disorders from the Charlson Comorbidity Index were assessed. The date of first diagnosis of depression and somatic diseases was identified. Multivariable Cox proportional Hazard models with time‐varying covariates were constructed to assess the risk for all‐cause and non‐suicide deaths for individual somatic diseases.ResultsFor all somatic diseases, prior and/or subsequent depression conferred a significantly higher mortality risk. Prior depression was significantly associated with a higher mortality risk when compared to subsequent depression for 13 of the 19 somatic diseases assessed, with the largest difference observed for moderate/severe liver disease (HR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.79–2.44), followed by metastatic solid tumor (HR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.39–1.58), and myocardial infarction (HR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.34–1.49).ConclusionA particularly high mortality risk was observed in the presence of prior depression for most somatic diseases. Future studies that assess the underlying mechanisms are necessary to adequately address the excessive mortality associated with comorbid depression.
Water availability, fundamental niches and realized niches: A case study from the Cape flora
Authors: Born Julia , Linder Hans Peter 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe ability of plants to survive drought or waterlogging constitutes an important niche parameter, which might be particularly significant in explaining species coexistence in the species‐rich and seasonally dry Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. However, the degree of physiological adaptation and specialization to these eco‐hydrological parameters (the fundamental niche) cannot be readily inferred from correlative studies based on species distributions and spatial variation in environmental parameters (the realized niche). We used an ex situ greenhouse experiment to compare the fundamental hydrological niches (different mean annual precipitation, rainfall seasonality and soil drainage) of six eco‐hydrologically divergent African Restionaceae species. Juvenile plants were subjected to six different watering treatments, ranging from no watering to waterlogging, to determine drought and waterlogging susceptibility and optimal growth conditions. We used the rate of biomass accumulation and survival rate as response measures. We found that species from dry and mesic (but well‐drained) habitats had optimal or near‐optimal growth at benign conditions (under which most restio species grow well). All species performed worse when droughted and died when not watered. Species from dry habitats tended to perform better (assessed in growth) than species from wet habitats under droughting. Species from wet habitats performed best when waterlogged, whereas species from dry habitats performed very poorly when waterlogged – thus showing that realized and fundamental niches covaried at the wet end of the hydrological gradient. We conclude that eco‐hydrological parameters are part of the fundamental niche, and fundamental and realized species niches are approximately correlated along them. The distribution of wet habitat species appears not to reflect their drought tolerance, suggesting that it may not be predicted by bioclimatic variables, but rather by soil drainage characteristics.
Comparison of the large muscle group widths of the pelvic limb in seven breeds of dogs
Authors: Sabanci Seyyid Said , Ocal Mehmet Kamil 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOrthopaedic diseases are common in the pelvic limbs of dogs, and reference values for large muscle groups of the pelvic limb may aid in diagnosis such diseases. As such, the objective of this study was to compare the large muscle groups of the pelvic limb in seven breeds of dogs. A total of 126 dogs from different breeds were included, and the widths of the quadriceps, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles were measured from images of the lateral radiographies. The width of the quadriceps was not different between the breeds, but the widths of the hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles were significantly different between the breeds. The widest hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles were seen in the Rottweilers and the Boxers, respectively. The narrowest hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles were seen in the Belgian Malinois and the Golden retrievers, respectively. All ratios between the measured muscles differed significantly between the breeds. Doberman pinschers and Belgian Malinois had the highest ratio of gastrocnemius width:hamstring width. Doberman pinschers had also the highest ratio of quadriceps width:hamstring width. German shepherds had the highest ratio of gastrocnemius width:quadriceps width. The lowest ratios of quadriceps width:hamstring width were determined in the German shepherds. The ratios of the muscle widths may be used as reference values to assess muscular atrophy or hypertrophy in cases of bilateral or unilateral orthopaedic diseases of the pelvic limbs. Further studies are required to determine the widths and ratios of the large muscle groups of the pelvic limbs in other dog breeds.
The organisation of critical care for burn patients in the UK: epidemiology and comparison of mortality prediction models
Authors: Toft‐Petersen A. P. , Ferrando‐Vivas P. , Harrison D. A. , Dunn K. , Rowan K. M. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryIn the UK, a network of specialist centres has been set up to provide critical care for burn patients. However, some burn patients are admitted to general intensive care units. Little is known about the casemix of these patients and how it compares with patients in specialist burn centres. It is not known whether burn‐specific or generic risk prediction models perform better when applied to patients managed in intensive care units. We examined admissions for burns in the Case Mix Programme Database from April 2010 to March 2016. The casemix, activity and outcome in general and specialist burn intensive care units were compared and the fit of two burn‐specific risk prediction models (revised Baux and Belgian Outcome in Burn Injury models) and one generic model (Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre model) were compared. Patients in burn intensive care units had more extensive injuries compared with patients in general intensive care units (median (IQR[range]) burn surface area 16 (7–32 [0–98])% vs. 8 (1–18 [0–100])%, respectively) but in‐hospital mortality was similar (22.8% vs. 19.0%, respectively). The discrimination and calibration of the generic Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre model was superior to the revised Baux and Belgian Outcome in Burn Injury burn‐specific models for patients managed on both specialist burn and general intensive care units.
Laparoscopic versus open approach to neurolytic celiac plexus block in inoperable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tepelenis Kostas , Tsimogiannis Konstantinos E. , Zikos Nikolaos , Koulas Spyridon , Pappas–Gogos George , Benetatos Nikolaos , Tsimogiannis Ioannis , Tsimoyiannis Evangelos C. 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundNeurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is an effective method of palliative pain control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the laparoscopic NCPB versus open approach.MethodsEight patients (Group A) underwent diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed an inoperable pancreatic cancer. Forty millilitres of solution (20 mL of 95% ethanol mixed with 20 mL of xylocaine) was injected into either side of para‐aortic soft tissue. The same solution was injected in 10 patients (Group B), with inoperable pancreatic body cancer diagnosed during laparotomy.ResultsThere were no intraoperative or post‐operative, NCPB related, complications. Patients in both groups, reported significant pain relief in the early post‐operative period. Using the visual analogue scale preoperatively, in second post‐operative day, first and third post‐operative month, no significant different was observed between the two groups. The mean hospital stay in both groups was 2.1 versus 5.2 (P = 0.0005) and the mean survival 8.1 versus 7.9 months (ns).ConclusionsThe NCPB is feasible method for palliation in inoperable pancreatic cancer. Laparoscopic NCPB gives excellent results and could still be considered in selected cases, as an effective alternative during staging laparoscopy.
Pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime in infants and neonates undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Gertler Ralph , Gruber Michael , Wiesner Gunther , Grassin‐Delyle Stanislas , Urien Saïk , Tassani‐Prell Peter , Martin Klaus 
Published: May 2018

AimsVery little data exist regarding the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on cefuroxime (CXM) pharmacokinetics in children less than one year of age.Methods50 mg kg−1 CXM i.v. after induction were followed by 75 mg kg−1 into the CPB circuit. In 42 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, 15–20 samples were obtained between 5 and 360 min after the first dose. Total CXM concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography and a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling was performed.ResultsUsing a fixed protein binding of 15.6% for CXM, peak plasma concentrations of unbound CXM were 229 ± 52 μg ml−1 after the first bolus and 341 ± 86 μg ml−1 on CPB. Nadir concentrations before CPB were 69 ± 20 μg ml−1 and six hours later decreased to 41 ± 19 μg ml−1 with and 24 ± 14 μg ml−1 without CPB. A two‐compartment model was fitted with the main covariates body weight, CPB and postmenstrual age (PMA). PK parameters were as follows: systemic clearance, 5.15 [95% CI 4.5–5.8] l h−1; central volume of distribution, 11.25 [9.41–13.09] l; intercompartmental clearance, 18.19 [14.79–21.58] l h−1; and peripheral volume, 17.07 [15.7–18.5] L. ƒT > MIC of 32 μg ml−1 for an 8‐h time period was between 70 and 100% (2.5–10 kg BW). According to our simulation, 25 mg ml−1 CXM as a primary bolus and into the prime plus a 5 mg kg−1 h−1 infusion maintain CXM concentrations continuously above 32 μg ml−1.ConclusionsThe routine dosing regimen provided was sufficient for prophylaxis, but continuous dosing can provide a higher percentage of ƒT > MIC.
CREC: the role of serious games in improving flexibility in thinking in neuropsychological rehabilitation
Authors: Colautti Laura , Baldassini Davide , Colombo Vera , Mottura Stefano , Sacco Marco , Sozzi Matteo , Corbo Massimo , Rusconi Maria Luisa , Antonietti Alessandro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAn exploratory study aimed at testing CREC, a training programme designed for people with cognitive impairments caused by a stroke, is reported. The goal of the programme is to improve flexibility in thinking through a creative approach based on everyday problems. The programme includes two Serious Games (SGs) developed ad hoc, dealing with the transfer of the learned strategies to the home environment. The training was applied to six patients to test if it could bring beneficial effects to them. Before and after the training, patients’ neuropsychological functioning, emotional state and level of creativity were assessed. Results showed improvements in memory, logical reasoning and praxic skills. Improvements in quality of life and in creativity emerged as well. At the end of the training, the patients perceived themselves as more efficient in problem solving and recognised that the SGs led them to reflect critically on some aspects of their daily life that they usually took for granted.
New country and regional records of the pine needle blight pathogens Lecanosticta acicola, Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini
Authors: Mullett M. S. , Adamson K. , Bragança H. , Bulgakov T. S. , Georgieva M. , Henriques J. , Jürisoo L. , Laas M. , Drenkhan R. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryDothistroma needle blight (DNB), caused by Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini, and brown spot needle blight (BSNB), caused by Lecanosticta acicola, are some of the most serious and damaging foliar diseases of pines (Pinus spp.). Lecanosticta acicola is reported for the first time from Ireland and Portugal and confirmed from the Black Sea coast of Russia (Krasnodar region, Sochi). It has also been recovered from the first, and only, reported site in Latvia 4 years after efforts to eradicate it were undertaken. Dothistroma septosporum is reported for the first time from Ireland on Pinus sylvestris and Pinus radiata. It was also found in Comunitat Valenciana, Spain, and confirmed as the causal agent of the disease in Bulgaria. Dothistroma pini was found in Aragon, Spain, and in Arkansas, USA, where it was found on Pinus elliottii, a new host for this pathogen. A new ITS haplotype of D. septosporum is reported from the Bulgarian isolates and a new ITS haplotype of D. pini from the Arkansas isolates. These new country and regional reports extend the geographical and host range of these pathogenic fungi and continue a trend seen since the 1990s. Of particular concern are the geographically widespread new reports of L. acicola from the most north‐ and south‐westerly (Ireland and Portugal) to the most south‐easterly (Russia) regions in Europe, suggesting that not only is this pathogen continuing to spread in Europe but also is well adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions.
Cross‐modal restoration of ocular dominance plasticity in adult mice
Authors: Teichert Manuel , Isstas Marcel , Zhang Yitong , Bolz Jürgen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe temporal closure of one eye in juvenile and young adult mice induces a shift of the ocular dominance (OD) of neurons in the binocular visual cortex. However, OD plasticity typically declines with age and is completely absent in matured mice beyond postnatal day (PD) 110. As it has been shown that the deprivation of one sensory input can induce neuronal alterations in non‐deprived sensory cortices, we here investigated whether cross‐modal interactions have the potential to reinstall OD plasticity in matured mice. Strikingly, using intrinsic signal imaging we could demonstrate that both whisker deprivation and auditory deprivation for only one week reinstated OD plasticity in fully adult mice. These OD shifts were always mediated by an increase of V1 responsiveness to visual stimulation of the open eye, a characteristic feature of OD plasticity normally only found in young adult mice. Moreover, systemic administration of the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist CPP completely abolished cross‐modally induced OD plasticity. Taken together, we demonstrate here for the first time that the deprivation of non‐visual senses has the potential to rejuvenate the adult visual cortex.
Filling ephemeral ponds affects development and phenotypic expression in Ambystoma talpoideum
Authors: Pintar Matthew R. , Resetarits William J. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Populations and communities are often greatly affected by disturbances and variation in abiotic habitat conditions. Many of these effects are contingent on relatively predictable, yet still variable, environmental conditions that drive the life history strategies and development pathways of organisms in those habitats. However, much focus has been placed on aspects of such changes that cause mortality or movement from patches, whereas a multitude of outcomes can occur in natural systems. In lentic freshwater habitats, hydroperiod is a defining environmental characteristic, with temporary ponds supporting distinct communities of organisms with complex life cycles and plastic developmental trajectories.

Little consideration has been given to the effects of refilling of ponds with variable hydroperiods, as lengthening the hydroperiod can extend the time organisms spend in their aquatic stages, allowing for the acquisition of more resources. We hypothesised that increasing the volume of small ponds and adding competitors (Ambystoma maculatum) at the time of filling would interactively affect the development and phenotypic expression of Ambystoma talpoideum.

We introduced larval A. talpoideum to experimental mesocosms and manipulated water level (small, low volume mesocosms; filled, full mesocosms) and the addition of competitors (A. maculatum) at the time of filling in a 2 × 2 factorial design.

We found that low volume mesocosms were dominated by metamorphs, while filling resulted in a more even mix of metamorphs, larvae and paedomorphs in full mesocosms. Filling resulted in larger metamorphs and paedomorphs, but did not affect larvae, whereas addition of A. maculatum shortened the larval period of metamorphs.

We provide evidence that changes in abiotic habitat conditions, such as variation in the volume of ponds, can shift the development and phenotype of organisms. This plasticity may allow species to ensure the success of populations under both improvement and deterioration of environmental conditions. Hence, phenotypes like paedomorphic A. talpoideum can breed sooner than metamorphs, theoretically maximising the fitness of both individuals and populations.
Parallel matheuristics for the discrete unit commitment problem with min‐stop ramping constraints
Authors: Dupin Nicolas , Talbi El‐ghazali 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe discrete unit commitment problem with min‐stop ramping constraints optimizes the daily production of thermal power plants, subject to an operational reactivity of thermal units in a 30‐minute delay. Previously, mixed integer programming (MIP) formulations aimed at an exact optimization approach. This paper derives matheuristics to face the short time limit imposed by the operational constraints. Continuous relaxations guide the search for feasible solutions exploiting tailored variable fixing strategies. Parallel matheuristics are derived considering complementary strategies in parallel. Tests were performed on more than 600 real‐life instances. Our parallel matheuristic provides high‐quality solutions and outperforms the MIP approach in the time limits imposed by the industrial application. This paper illustrates a special interest for matheuristics in industrial highly constrained problems: many tailored neighborhood searches can be derived from an MIP formulation, and their combination in a parallel scheme improves the solution quality as well as the consistency of the heuristic.