bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of quinolones in porcine blood: Optimization of extraction procedure and CE separation using experimental design
Authors: Vera–Candioti Luciana , Teglia Carla M. , Cámara María S. 
Published: July 2016

A dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure was developed to extract nine fluoroquinolones in porcine blood, six of which were quantified using a univariate calibration method. Extraction parameters including type and volume of extraction and dispersive solvent and pH, were optimized using a full factorial and a central composite designs. The optimum extraction parameters were a mixture of 250 μL dichloromethane (extract solvent) and 1250 μL ACN (dispersive solvent) in 500 μL of porcine blood reached to pH 6.80. After shaking and centrifugation, the upper phase was transferred in a glass tube and evaporated under N2 steam. The residue was resuspended into 50 μL of water–ACN (70:30, v/v) and determined by CE method with DAD, under optimum separation conditions. Consequently, a tenfold enrichment factor can potentially be reached with the pretreatment, taking into account the relationship between initial sample volume and final extract volume. Optimum separation conditions were as follows: BGE solution containing equal amounts of sodium borate (Na2B4O7) and di‐sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4) with a final concentration of 23 mmol/L containing 0.2% of poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and adjusted to pH 7.80. Separation was performed applying a negative potential of 25 kV, the cartridge was maintained at 25.0°C and the electropherograms were recorded at 275 nm during 4 min. The hydrodynamic injection was performed in the cathode by applying a pressure of 50 mbar for 10 s.
Simple, rapid and, cost‐effective fabrication of PDMS electrophoresis microchips using poly(vinyl acetate) as photoresist master
Authors: Lobo‐Júnior Eulício O. , Gabriel Ellen F. M. , dos Santos Rodrigo A. , de Souza Fabrício R. , Lopes Wanderson D. , Lima Renato S. , Gobbi Angelo L. , Coltro Wendell K. T. 
Published: July 2016

This study describes a simple, rapid, and cost‐effective fabrication of PDMS electrophoresis microchips using poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) emulsion as photoresist master. High‐relief microfluidic structures were defined on poly(vinyl acetate) previously deposited on printed circuit boards surfaces without cleanroom facilities and sophisticated instrumentation. After a UV exposure, channels with heights ranging from 30 to 140 μm were obtained by controlling the emulsion mass deposited on the master surface. The developing stage was performed using water rather than the organic solvents that are applied for conventional masks. The surface morphology was characterized by optical imaging, profilometry, and SEM. Based on the achieved results, the proposed method offers suitable reproducibility for the prototyping of electrophoresis microchips in PDMS. The feasibility of the resulting PDMS electrophoresis chips was successfully demonstrated with the separation of major inorganic cations within 100 s using a contactless conductivity detection system. The separation efficiencies ranged from ca. 67 900 to 125 600 plates/m. Due to the satisfactory performance and simplified instrumentation, we believe this fabrication protocol presents potential to be implemented in any chemical, biochemical, or biological laboratory.
Nutrient content of fish powder from low value fish and fish byproducts
Authors: Abbey Lawrence , Glover‐Amengor Mary , Atikpo Margaret O. , Atter Amy , Toppe Jogeir 
Published: July 2016

AbstractConsuming small‐sized fish species whole, and bones of large fish could contribute significantly to reducing the level of micronutrient and protein malnutrition. These fish products are more affordable and could therefore meet the needs of poor, vulnerable groups, particularly in rural and urban areas where limited economic resources prevent dietary diversity. The objectives of the study were to produce fish powder from dried edible byproducts from fish processing factories, an underutilized fish species, burrito and to determine the physical, micromineral, macronutrient and microbiological quality of the dried fish powder. Edible fish processing byproducts and an underutilized fish, burrito (Brachydeuterus auritus) were cleaned thoroughly and dried with a Council for Scientific and Industrial Research‐Food Research Institute (CSIR‐FRI) gas‐fuelled oven at 55°C for 8 h or until dried. The dried products were milled into powder, and packaged into polythene bags. Proximate analysis of the fish powder was done Official Methods of Analysis (AOAC) methods. Minerals and heavy metals in the fish powder were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Microbiological quality was determined by Nordic Committee on Food Analysis Method (NMLK) methods. Tuna trimmings contained 80.71 g/100 g protein, whereas burrito contained 70.40 g/100 g protein. Concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, and mercury varied from <1.00 to 1 mg/kg. Lead was found at 0.04 mg/100 g in tuna frames and gills only. All fish byproducts contained high levels of iron, for example, trimmings contained 16.58 mg/100 g, whereas tuna frames and gills also contained 16.82 and 19.54 mg/100 g, respectively. Burrito contained 8.92 mg/100 g. Zinc levels also ranged from 0.41 mg/100 g in tuna trimmings to 1.88 mg/100 g in tuna gills. The powdered samples according to the standards set by Ghana Standard Authority, were acceptable. Consuming small‐ sized fish species whole, and bones of large fish could contribute significantly to reducing the level of micronutrient and protein malnutrition. These are more affordable and could therefore meet the needs of poor, vulnerable groups.
Obesity and associated lifestyles modify the effect of glucose metabolism‐related genetic variants on impaired glucose homeostasis among postmenopausal women
Authors: Jung Su Yon , Sobel Eric M. , Papp Jeanette C. , Crandall Carolyn J. , Fu Alan N. , Zhang Zuo‐Feng 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTPurposeImpaired glucose metabolism‐related genetic variants likely interact with obesity‐modifiable factors in response to glucose intolerance, yet their interconnected pathways have not been fully characterized.MethodsWith data from 1,027 postmenopausal participants of the Genomics and Randomized Trials Network study and 15 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with glucose homeostasis, we assessed whether obesity, physical activity, and high dietary fat intake interact with the SNP–glucose variations. We used regression analysis plus stratification and graphic approaches.ResultsAcross carriers of the 15 SNPs, fasting levels of glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) were higher in obese, inactive, and high fat‐diet women than in their respective counterparts. Carriers within subgroups differently demonstrated the direction and/or magnitude of the variants’ effect on glucose‐relevant traits. Variants in GCKR, GCK, DGKB/TMEM195 (P for interactions = 0.02, 0.02, and 0.01), especially, showed interactions with obesity: obese, inactive, and high fat‐diet women had greater increases in fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA‐IR levels. Obese carriers at TCF7L2 variant had greater increases in fasting glucose levels than nonobese carriers (P for interaction = 0.04), whereas active women had greater decreases in insulin and HOMA‐IR levels than inactive women (P for interaction = 0.02 in both levels).ConclusionsOur data support the important role of obesity in modifying glucose homeostasis in response to glucose metabolism–relevant variants. These findings may inform research on the role of glucose homeostasis in the etiology of chronic disease and the development of intervention strategies to reduce risk in postmenopausal women.
Anti-Osteoporosis Medication Prescriptions and Incidence of Subsequent Fracture Among Primary Hip Fracture Patients in England and Wales: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
Authors: Hawley Samuel , Leal Jose , Delmestri Antonella , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Arden Nigel K , Cooper Cyrus , Javaid M Kassim , Judge Andrew ,   for the REFReSH Study Group
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

In January 2005, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England and Wales provided new guidance on the use of antiosteoporosis therapies for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures. This was shortly followed in the same year by market authorization of a generic form of alendronic acid within the UK. We here set out to estimate the actual practice impact of these events among hip fracture patients in terms of antiosteoporosis medication prescribing and subsequent fracture incidence using primary care data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) from 1999 to 2013. Changes in level and trend of prescribing and subsequent fracture following publication of NICE guidance and availability of generic alendronic acid were estimated using an interrupted time series analysis. Both events were considered in combination within a 1-year “intervention period.” We identified 10,873 primary hip fracture patients between April 1999 and Sept 2012. Taking into account prior trend, the intervention period was associated with an immediate absolute increase of 14.9% (95% CI, 10.9 to 18.9) for incident antiosteoporosis prescriptions and a significant and clinically important reduction in subsequent major and subsequent hip fracture: –0.19% (95% CI, –0.28 to –0.09) and –0.17% (95% CI, –0.26 to –0.09) per 6 months, respectively. This equated to an approximate 14% (major) and 22% (hip) reduction at 3 years postintervention relative to expected values based solely on preintervention level and trend. We conclude that among hip fracture patients, publication of NICE guidance and availability of generic alendronic acid was temporally associated with increased prescribing and a significant decline in subsequent fractures. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
On (4, 2)‐Choosable Graphs
Authors: Meng Jixian , Puleo Gregory J. , Zhu Xuding 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA graph G is called ‐choosable if for any list assignment L that assigns to each vertex v a set of a permissible colors, there is a b‐tuple L‐coloring of G. An (a, 1)‐choosable graph is also called a‐choosable. In the pioneering article on list coloring of graphs by Erdős et al. , 2‐choosable graphs are characterized. Confirming a special case of a conjecture in , Tuza and Voigt proved that 2‐choosable graphs are ‐choosable for any positive integer m. On the other hand, Voigt proved that if m is an odd integer, then these are the only ‐choosable graphs; however, when m is even, there are ‐choosable graphs that are not 2‐choosable. A graph is called 3‐choosable‐critical if it is not 2‐choosable, but all its proper subgraphs are 2‐choosable. Voigt conjectured that for every positive integer m, all bipartite 3‐choosable‐critical graphs are ‐choosable. In this article, we determine which 3‐choosable‐critical graphs are (4, 2)‐choosable, refuting Voigt's conjecture in the process. Nevertheless, a weaker version of the conjecture is true: we prove that there is an even integer k such that for any positive integer m, every bipartite 3‐choosable‐critical graph is ‐choosable. Moving beyond 3‐choosable‐critical graphs, we present an infinite family of non‐3‐choosable‐critical graphs that have been shown by computer analysis to be (4, 2)‐choosable. This shows that the family of all (4, 2)‐choosable graphs has rich structure.
Epidemiology of pediatric hospitalizations at general hospitals and freestanding children's hospitals in the United States
Authors: Leyenaar JoAnna K. , Ralston Shawn L. , Shieh Meng‐Shiou , Pekow Penelope S. , Mangione‐Smith Rita , Lindenauer Peter K. 
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUNDChildren may be hospitalized at general hospitals or freestanding children's hospitals. Knowledge about how inpatient care differs at these hospitals is important to inform national research and quality efforts.OBJECTIVETo describe the volume and characteristics of pediatric hospitalizations at acute care general and freestanding children's hospitals in the United States.DESIGN, PATIENTS, AND SETTINGCross‐sectional study of hospitalizations in the United States among children <18 years, excluding in‐hospital births, using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database.MEASUREMENTWe examined differences between hospitalizations at general and freestanding children's hospitals, applying weights to generate national estimates. Reasons for hospitalization were categorized using a pediatric grouper, and differences in hospital volumes were assessed for common diagnoses.RESULTSA total of 1,407,822 (standard deviation 50,456) hospitalizations occurred at general hospitals, representing 71.7% of pediatric hospitalizations. Hospitalizations at general hospitals accounted for 63.6% of hospital days and 50.0% of pediatric inpatient healthcare costs. Median volumes of pediatric hospitalizations, per hospital, were significantly lower at general hospitals than freestanding children's hospitals for common medical and surgical diagnoses. Although the most common reasons for hospitalization were similar, the most costly conditions differed.CONCLUSIONSIn 2012, more than 70% of pediatric hospitalizations occurred at general hospitals in the United States. Differences in patterns of care at general hospitals and freestanding children's hospitals may inform clinical programs, research, and quality improvement efforts. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:743–749. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Quality comparison of elephant apple juices after high‐pressure processing and thermal treatment
Authors: Nayak Prakash Kumar , Rayaguru Kalpana , Radha Krishnan Kesavan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn the present work, the effect of high pressure processing (HPP) on the quality parameters (pH, °Brix, total acidity, viscosity, colour, antioxidant activity, total phenols, total flavonoids, microbial flora, and sensory analysis) of elephant apple (Dillenia indica) juice was investigated. The juice samples were analysed periodically (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days) during 60 days of storage period and results were compared with thermally processed as well as with untreated (fresh juice) samples.RESULTSSlight variations had been observed in the quality parameters like pH, °Brix and total acidity. Other parameters like colour values, antioxidant activity, total phenols and total flavonoids were varied significantly (P < 0.05) in between the treated (HPP and thermal) and untreated juice samples. The microbial counts of the HPP treated samples were lower than the other samples. Sensory results also showed similar results to those of the other analyses that the treated samples were better for consumption rather than the untreated samples. The shelf‐life of the HPP processed elephant apple juice was established as 60 days at 4 °C.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that application of HPP effectively maintained quality attributes and extended shelf life of the elephant apple juice. It may be suggested that application of HPP could be considered for commercial application during storage and marketing. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Green tea extract as an anti‐browning agent for cloudy apple juice
Authors: Klimczak Inga , Gliszczyńska‐Świgło Anna 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDEnzymatic browning of fruits and vegetables and their products is an important factor worsening their quality. The influence of five green tea extracts at the concentrations of 1 g L−1, 2 g L−1 and 3 g L−1 on polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in fresh cloudy apple juice was investigated. Moreover, PPO inhibition by tea extract and colour stability of juice during short‐time refrigerated storage was studied. The changes of juice colour during storage was expressed as the total colour differences (ΔE*), browning index (BI), yellowness index (YI), and the absorbance at 420 nm (A420).RESULTSAll extracts inhibited PPO activity in fresh apple juice in concentration‐dependent manner. PPO activity in pure apple juice decreased by 7% after 48 h, whereas PPO activity in samples with 1 g L−1, 2 g L−1 and 3 g L−1 tea extract decreased by 53%, 74%, and 96%, respectively. Browning of apple juice during storage decreased with increased concentration of green tea extract. After 48 h, extract at 1 g L−1, 2 g L−1 and 3 g L−1 inhibited browning of juice expressed as BI by 48%, 60%, and 86%, respectively, comparing to pure apple juice.CONCLUSIONGreen tea extract may be an effective anti‐browning agent for short‐time stored cloudy apple juices. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Three‐dimensional posture changes of the vocal fold from paired intrinsic laryngeal muscles
Authors: Vahabzadeh‐Hagh Andrew M. , Zhang Zhaoyan , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: July 2016

Objectives/HypothesisAlthough the geometry of the vocal fold medial surface affects voice quality and is critical in the treatment of glottic insufficiency, the prephonatory shape of the vocal fold medial surface is not well understood. In this study, we activated intrinsic laryngeal muscles individually and in combinations, and recorded the temporal sequence and precise three‐dimensional configurational changes of the vocal fold medial surface.Study DesignIn vivo canine hemilarynx model.MethodsA hemilaryngectomy was performed in an in vivo canine model and ink was used to mark the medial surface of the in situ vocal fold in a grid‐like fashion. The thyroarytenoid (TA), lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA), cricothyroid (CT), and posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles were stimulated individually and in combinations. A right‐angle prism whose hypotenuse formed the glottal midline provided two distinct views of the medial surface for a high‐speed digital camera. Image‐processing package DaVis (LaVision Inc., Goettingen, Germany) allowed time series cross‐correlation analysis for three‐dimensional deformation calculations of the vocal fold medial surface.ResultsCombined TA and LCA activation yields an evenly adducted rectangular glottal surface. Addition of thyroarytenoid to cricoarytenoid adducts the vocal fold from inferior to superior in a graded fashion allowing formation of a divergent glottis. Posterior cricoarytenoid has a bimodal relationship with thyroarytenoid favoring abduction. Cricothyroid and lateral cricoarytenoid yield unique glottal postures necessary but likely not conducive for efficient phonation.ConclusionsUnderstanding the three‐dimensional geometry of the vocal fold medial surface will help us better understand the cause‐effect relationship between laryngeal physiology and phonation.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 127:656–664, 2017
Low‐grade myofibroblastic sarcoma: A population‐based study
Authors: Chan Jason Y. K. , Gooi Zhen , Wong Eddy W. Y. , Ng Siu K. , Tong Michael C. F. , Vlantis Alexander C. 
Published: July 2016

Objectives/HypothesisLow‐grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a rare entity that is described as having a predilection for occurring in the head and neck region. Here we analyze its demographics, clinic‐pathologic, and survival characteristics.Study DesignRetrospective database analysis.MethodsA cohort from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database of cases with LGMS between 2001 and 2012.ResultsThere were 49 cases with a 5‐year overall survival of 71.6% and disease‐ specific survival of 76.3%. The majority of cases were in patients <60 years old, female, and white ethnicity. The most common sites were the extremities in 40.8% of cases followed by the head and neck region with 26.5% of cases. Multivariate analysis showed that only older age was significantly associated with worse survival (P < .05).ConclusionsLGMS is uncommon in the United States and occurs most commonly in the extremities followed by the head and neck region, despite an existing characterization of a predilection for the head and neck region. Treatment most commonly involves surgery, but the optimal surgical extent and/or radiotherapy needs to be further investigated.Level of Evidence2c Laryngoscope, 127:116–121, 2017
Successes and Failures in Rangeland Restoration: An Icelandic Case Study
Authors: Petursdottir Thorunn , Aradottir Asa L. , Baker Susan , Halldorsson Gudmundur , Sonneveld Ben 
Published: July 2016

AbstractRangeland restoration is a multilayered process aimed at improving land condition, often parallel to utilization. To ensure the long‐term progress that restoration programmes are expected to deliver, they must be designed, implemented and maintained in partnership with local stakeholders. Each programme should have clear goals, followed up by measurable ecological and/or socio‐economic objectives, to facilitate their evaluation in the long run. In this research, we examine if a large‐scale rangeland restoration programme in Iceland had contributed to the expected attitudinal and behavioural changes among the participating sheep farmers, as described in the initial objectives of the programme. A survey, based on a questionnaire on sheep farmers' attitude and behaviour related to rangeland restoration and land management practices, was used to gauge the perception of participating farmers, in comparison with non‐participating farmers. Our results show that participating farmers are more aware of the potential of rangeland restoration and are more motivated to engage in further collaboration, when compared with non‐participating farmers. Nevertheless, our results indicate that, despite extensive areas of degraded land already successfully treated within the restoration programme, the programme has not facilitated other anticipated attitudinal and behavioural changes among its participants as expected. Furthermore, it seems that the direct incentives provided by the programme are pushing participating farmers towards favouring agronomic instead of ecological approaches in their restoration activities, when compared with the non‐participating farmers. Our results also point to several organizational errors embedded in the programme management that might be halting its further progress. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Soil Development Time and Litter Quality on Soil Carbon Sequestration: Assessing Soil Carbon Saturation with a Field Transplant Experiment along a Post‐mining Chronosequence
Authors: Frouz Jan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn previous studies, the rate of soil carbon (C) sequestration decreased with increasing age of post‐mining soils. It was also shown to depend on plant biomass and earthworm bioturbation. Here, a soil transplant experiment was used to determine whether this decrease is caused by soil C saturation or other factors (such as bioturbation and litter input). Soils collected on 15‐, 25‐ and 50‐year‐old successional sites, dominated by willow (Salix caprea L.) and birch (Betula pendula Roth), and on a 50‐year‐old site reclaimed by the planting of alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) were placed in plastic boxes that were accessible to soil macrofauna. The boxes were buried in the 50‐year‐old reclaimed site and supplemented with either alder litter or successional (willow and birch) litter. Soil C content and soil C fractions (hot water C, particulate organic C, particulate organic C bound in aggregates and C bound to mineral soil) were studied. After 1 year, the C content increased by 2–5%, but there was no effect of soil source or litter type. For all C fractions, the relationships between change in C content and initial C content were described by bell‐shaped curves. Easily available C fractions were saturated earlier than more recalcitrant fractions. Despite these saturation tendencies in individual soil organic matter pools, the soil was evidently far from saturation after 50 years of soil development. The decrease in C sequestration with soil age previously observed for this soil was probably caused by a decrease in litter input rather than by C saturation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.