bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cellular stress response mechanisms as therapeutic targets of ginsenosides
Authors: Qi Hong‐yi , Li Li , Ma Hui 
Published: June 2017

AbstractGinseng, one of the most widely used traditional herbal medicines and dietary supplements, has historically been recognized as a tonic herb and adaptogen that can enhance the body's tolerance to various adversities. Ginsenosides are a diverse group of steroidal saponins that comprise the major secondary metabolites of ginseng and are responsible for its multiple pharmacological effects. Emerging evidence suggests that hormetic phytochemicals produced by environmentally stressed plants can activate the moderate cellular stress response mechanisms at a subtoxic level in humans, which may enhance tolerance against severe dysfunction or disease. In this review, we initially describe the role of ginsenosides in the chemical defense of plants from the genus Panax suffering from biotic and abiotic stress. Next, we summarize the diverse evolutionarily conserved cellular stress response pathways regulated by ginsenosides and the subsequent stress tolerance against various dysfunctions or diseases. Finally, the structure–activity relationship involved in the effect of ginsenosides is also analyzed. The evidence presented in this review implicates that ginseng as “the King of all herbs” could be regarded as a well‐characterized example of the critical role of cellular stress response mechanisms in understanding the health benefits provided by herbal medicines from an evolutionary and ecological perspective.
VSPrep: A General KNIME Workflow for the Preparation of Molecules for Virtual Screening
Authors: Gally José‐Manuel , Bourg Stéphane , Do Quoc‐Tuan , Aci‐Sèche Samia , Bonnet Pascal 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOver the past decades, virtual screening has proved itself to be a valuable asset to identify new bioactive compounds. The vast majority of commonly used techniques can be described in three steps: pre‐processing the dataset i. e. small (ligands) and eventually larger (receptors) molecules, execute the method and finally analyse the results. Hence, the preparation of ligands is a critical step for success of commonly used virtual screening approaches such as protein‐ligand docking, similarity or pharmacophore search. We present here a new workflow, VSPrep, for the pre‐processing of small molecules; it is based on freely accessible tools for academics and is integrated within the KNIME platform. It can be used to perform several chemoinformatics tasks such as molecular database cleaning, tautomer and stereoisomer enumeration, focused library design and conformer generation. Additionally, graphical reports of the results are provided to the user as a convenient analysis tool.
Pru p 3‐Epitope‐based sublingual immunotherapy in a murine model for the treatment of peach allergy
Authors: Rodriguez Maria J. , Mascaraque Ainhoa , Ramos‐Soriano Javier , Torres Maria J. , Perkins James R. , Gomez Francisca , Garrido‐Arandia Maria , Cubells‐Baeza Nuria , Andreu David , Diaz‐Perales Araceli , Rojo Javier , Mayorga Cristobalina 
Published: June 2017

ScopeFood‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a promising treatment for lipid transfer protein (LTP)‐syndrome. We propose a novel sublingual‐SIT (SLIT) that combines a Pru p 3 T‐cell peptide and an oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) with CpG motifs (ODN‐CpG) as adjuvants to induce a specific Th1/Treg response.Methods and resultsLTP‐peach allergic mice were treated sublingually with a combination of a CpG sequence and mono‐ or tetravalent systems including a Pru p 3 peptide, D1(Prup3) or D4(Prup3). Mice were challenged intraperitoneally with Pru p 3 one or three weeks after SLIT and tolerance was assessed.Mice treated with D1(Prup3)+CpG were protected from anaphylaxis after Pru p 3 challenge. They showed no change in body temperature, lower levels of Pru p 3‐specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies and higher levels of sIgG2a compared to the untreated group. They had fewer IgE and IgG1 secreting cells and more sIgG2a secreting cells. Moreover, a significantly lower number of Pru p 3‐specific CD4+T cells and a higher number of Treg cells were found, alongside a Th1 cytokine pattern. These changes were maintained for three weeks after stopping treatment.ConclusionD1Prup3+CpG represents a promising SIT for food allergy. It is easily synthesized and induces protection from anaphylaxis to Pru p 3 that is maintained for at least three weeks.
Xanthophyll esters are found in human colostrum
Authors: Ríos José J. , Xavier Ana Augusta Odorissi , Díaz‐Salido Elena , Arenilla‐Vélez Isabel , Jarén‐Galán Manuel , Garrido‐Fernández Juan , Aguayo‐Maldonado Josefa , Pérez‐Gálvez Antonio 
Published: June 2017

ScopeCarotenoids in human milk are associated with other lipid counterparts in several metabolic processes. One interesting association that has not been demonstrated to date is the presence of xanthophyll esters. Colostrum and mature milk samples were analyzed to determine the occurrence of xanthophyll esters and identify the compounds. Thus, the association of the amounts of these compounds with lactation and whether they are significant contributors to the carotenoid profile of human milk was assessed.Methods and resultsPre‐term and term delivering mothers were included in the study to donate colostrum at 3–5 days postpartum and mature milk at 15 days postpartum. Carotenoids extracts were subjected to a clean‐up procedure to remove the triacylglycerol fraction and then analyzed by HPLC‐MSn. Identification of xanthophyll esters was achieved by considering their chromatographic behaviour, UV‐visible characteristics and MSn features.ConclusionXanthophyll esters are significant contributors to the carotenoid profile in the colostrum, while mature milk does not contain these compounds. Therefore, fatty acid acylation to xanthophylls is activated during the accumulation of carotenoids in the human mammary gland. The sharp decline in the amount of xanthophyll esters in mature milk indicates that the lipophilic components are those recently incorporated in the mammary epithelium.
Tomoelastography of the prostate using multifrequency MR elastography and externally placed pressurized‐air drivers
Authors: Dittmann Florian , Reiter Rolf , Guo Jing , Haas Matthias , Asbach Patrick , Fischer Thomas , Braun Jürgen , Sack Ingolf 
Published: June 2017

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) of the prostate using externally placed drivers.MethodsThree pressurized‐air drivers were used to excite shear waves within the prostate at vibration frequencies of 60, 70, and 80 Hz. Full 3D wave fields were acquired by multislice spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging in conjunction with tomoelastography wave speed recovery for generating full field‐of‐view stiffness maps. Twelve healthy volunteers were repeatedly scanned to analyze test–retest reproducibility. Five patients with suspected prostate cancer were investigated to demonstrate the clinical feasibility of the method.ResultsIn healthy volunteers, the shear wave speed of the entire prostate was 2.24 ± 0.20 m/s with a repeatability coefficient of 0.14 m/s and 88% intraclass correlation coefficient. No significant difference between the peripheral zone (2.27 ± 0.20 m/s) and the central gland (2.22 ± 0.23 m/s) was observed. In patients, wave‐speed maps displayed stiff regions consistent with the localization of suspicious masses detected by other imaging markers.ConclusionsThe proposed method provides reproducible quantitative maps of tissue stiffness throughout the pelvic region and can easily be integrated into clinical imaging protocols. Clinical stiffness maps display many details of potential interest for cancer diagnosis. Magn Reson Med 79:1325–1333, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Quantitative assessment of fascia preservation improves the prediction of membranous urethral length and inner levator distance on continence outcome after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Grivas Nikolaos , van der Roest Rosanne , Schouten Daan , Cavicchioli Francesca , Tillier Corine , Bex Axel , Schoots Ivo , Artibani Walter , Heijmink Stijn , Van Der Poel Henk 
Published: June 2017

AimsTo determine whether preoperative prostate/pelvic anatomical structures and intraoperative fascia preservation (FP) predict continence recovery after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).MethodsBetween January 2012 and March 2016, 439 prostate cancer (PCa) patients with normal preoperative continence were retrospectively included. FP score was defined as the extent of FP from base to apex of the prostate, quantitatively assessed by the surgeon. Anatomical prostate structures were measured on endorectal preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF) was used to assess urinary incontinence (UI). Cox analysis was used to determine predictive factors for early continence recovery. Finally a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to develop a risk calculator.ResultsAt a median follow up of 12.1 months 50.8% of men reported UI. In the Cox multivariate analysis longer membranous urethral length (MUL; P < 0.0001; OR 1.309; CI 1.211, 1.415) and shorter inner levator distance (ILD; P < 0.0001; OR 0.904; CI 0.85, 0.961) were predictors of earlier continence recovery. In the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis longer MUL (P < 0.0001; OR 1.565, CI 1.362, 1.798), shorter ILD (P < 0.0001; OR 0.819, CI 0.742, 0.904) and higher FP score (P = 0.024; OR 1.089, CI 1.011, 1.172) were independent predictors of continence outcome. The risk calculator predicted continence recovery between 1.3% and 99%.ConclusionsPreoperative longer MUL and shorter ILD, but also intraoperative FP independently improve continence recovery after RARP. The risk calculator could be used to identify patients at high risk of UI.
Adaptive hierarchical refinement of NURBS in cohesive fracture analysis
Authors: Chen Lin , Lingen Erik Jan , de Borst René 
Published: June 2017

SummaryAdaptive hierarchical refinement in isogeometric analysis is developed to model cohesive crack propagation along a prescribed interface. In the analysis, the crack is introduced by knot insertion in the NURBS basis, which yields
continuous basis functions. To capture the stress state smoothly ahead of the crack tip, the hierarchical refinement of the spline basis functions is used starting from a coarse initial mesh. A multilevel mesh is constructed, with a fine mesh used for quantifying the stresses ahead of the crack tip, knot insertion to insert the crack, and coarsening in the wake of the crack tip, since a lower resolution suffices there. This technique can be interpreted as a moving mesh around the crack tip. To ensure compatibility with existing finite element programs, an element‐wise point of view is adopted using Bézier extraction. A detailed description is given how the approach can be implemented in a finite element data structure. The accuracy of the approach to cohesive fracture modelling is demonstrated by several numerical examples, including a double cantilever beam, an L‐shaped specimen, and a fibre embedded in an epoxy matrix.
Functionalization of oxabenzonorbornadiene: Manganese(III)‐mediated oxidative addition of dimedone
Authors: Çalışkan Raşit , Sari Ozlem , Balci Metin 
Published: June 2017

Abstract3‐Chloro‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxynaphthalen‐2‐yl)‐3‐hydroxy‐5,5‐dimethylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one, synthesized by the reaction of oxabenzonorbornadiene with Mn(OAc)3 and dimedone in the presence of HCl in acetic acid, was submitted to ring‐opening reactions with BBr3 and H2SO4. Reaction with BBr3 yielded 2 products, a 5‐membered ring and an 8‐membered ring, with the former being the major product. However, the H2SO4‐supported reaction exclusively formed an 8‐membered ring. The mechanism of formation of these products was supported by theoretical calculations.
Reduce pests, enhance production: benefits of intercropping at high densities for okra farmers in Cameroon
Authors: Singh Akanksha , Weisser Wolfgang W , Hanna Rachid , Houmgny Raissa , Zytynska Sharon E 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDIntercropping can help reduce insect pest populations. However, the results of intercropping can be pest‐ and crop‐species specific, with varying effects on crop yield, and pest suppression success. In Cameroon, okra vegetable is often grown in intercropped fields and sown with large distances between planting rows (∼ 2 m). Dominant okra pests include cotton aphids, leaf beetles and whiteflies. In a field experiment, we intercropped okra with maize and bean in different combinations (okra monoculture, okra–bean, okra–maize and okra–bean–maize) and altered plant densities (high and low) to test for the effects of diversity, crop identity and planting distances on okra pests, their predators and yield.RESULTSWe found crop identity and plant density, but not crop diversity to influence okra pests, their predators and okra yield. Only leaf beetles decreased okra yield and their abundance reduced at high plant density. Overall, okra grown with bean at high density was the most economically profitable combination.CONCLUSIONSWe suggest that when okra is grown at higher densities, legumes (e.g. beans) should be included as an additional crop. Intercropping with a leguminous crop can enhance nitrogen in the soil, benefiting other crops, while also being harvested and sold at market for additional profit. Manipulating planting distances and selecting plants based on their beneficial traits may thus help to eliminate yield gaps in sustainable agriculture. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantification and risk assessment of organic products resulting from non‐thermal plasma removal of toluene in nitrogen
Authors: Guo Teng , Du Xubing , Peng Zhen , Xu Li , Dong Junguo , Li Jianquan , Cheng Ping , Zhou Zhen 
Published: June 2017

RationaleNon‐thermal plasma (NTP) has proven to be an effective approach for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, harmful organic by‐products, produced during NTP‐mediated removal of VOCs, hinder practical applications of this technology. It is necessary to characterize the organic by‐products to assess their health risks.MethodsA method is proposed for analyzing and evaluating organic by‐products for NTP‐mediated removal of VOCs in this work. NTP generated by a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor was used for the removal of a model VOC, toluene, in nitrogen. Organic products were characterized using a real‐time proton transfer reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (PTR‐TOF‐MS) apparatus.ResultsThe PTR‐TOF‐MS apparatus has been shown to be effective for real‐time high‐sensitivity detection of trace VOCs. The main observed organic compounds, with concentrations on the order of ppb/ppm, were hydrogen cyanide, acetonitrile, propanenitrile, benzene, benzonitrile, and benzyl nitrile, etc.ConclusionsA health‐related index (HRI) was introduced to assess the health risks associated with these organic products. The HRI was not correlated with the removal efficiency (η), with higher η possibly yielding higher HRI, associated with higher health risks. Specific input energy (SIE) was a key factor affecting the formation of the observed organic products and their HRI values. We conclude that in practical applications, SIE, HRI, and η must be balanced.
Robot for weed species plant‐specific management
Authors: Bawden Owen , Kulk Jason , Russell Ray , McCool Chris , English Andrew , Dayoub Feras , Lehnert Chris , Perez Tristan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe rapid evolution of herbicide‐resistant weed species has revitalized research in nonchemical methods for weed destruction. Robots with vision‐based capabilities for online weed detection and classification are a key enabling factor for the specialized treatment of individual weed species. This paper describes the design, development, and testing of a modular robotic platform with a heterogeneous weeding array for agriculture. Starting from requirements derived from farmer insights, technical specifications are put forward. A design of a robotic platform is conducted based on the required technical specifications, and a prototype is manufactured and tested. The second part of the paper focuses on the weeding mechanism attached to the robotic platform. This includes aspects of vision for weed detection and classification, as well as the design of a weeding array that combines chemical and mechanical methods for weed destruction. Field trials of the weed detection and classification system show an accuracy of 92.3% across a range of weed species, while the heterogeneous weed management system is able to selectively apply a mechanical or chemical control method based on the species of weed. Together, the robotic platform and weeding array demonstrate the potential for robotic plant‐species–specific weed management enabled by the vision‐based online detection and classification algorithms.
Ka‐band HTS channel uplink SNIR probability model
Authors: Ai Liping 
Published: June 2017

SummaryI present a novel analytical study of the signal‐to‐noise‐plus‐interference ratio (SNIR) for Ka‐band high throughput satellite uplink channels. The Ka‐band high throughput satellite systems employ frequency and polarization (color) reuse among the spot beams to achieve throughput increase many times the throughput of the system without reuse. However, color reuse also produces substantial co‐color interference and adding to it, tropospheric precipitation attenuation rises sharply in Ka‐band. The co‐color interference and precipitation induced fading vary randomly; they degrade the system performances. To assess the impact, I develop the uplink channel SNIR probability model in this study. Compared with the known studies of the same topic, this study takes the theoretic approach and is applicable to the urban users in particular. The model is feasible to implement and can provide accurate assessment of the channel SNIR performances statistically in theory for a wide array of system operational scenarios. The SNIR probability model is applied to a model spot beam system of 101 user beams to obtain and compare sample channel performances, which can be used for making system design choices at the early stage of a satellite project. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The development of statistical ToF‐SIMS applied to minerals recovery by froth flotation
Authors: Smart Roger St. C. , Gerson Andrea R. , Biesinger Mark C. , Hart Brian R. 
Published: June 2017

The role of surface chemistry in recovery of minerals is central to several processes such as froth flotation, leaching, and electrostatic separation. In separation of base metals (eg, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni) by froth flotation of their minerals, usually sulphides, the attachment of these mineral particles, after hydrophobic collector addition, to air bubbles is used in operation. The stability of this bubble/particle attachment in both pulp and froth phases is dependent on the hydrophobic/hydrophilic ratio of surface species on individual mineral particle surfaces. The surfaces of individual mineral particles are a complex, distinctly non‐uniform array of hydrophobic collector molecules and hydrophilic species (eg, oxidation products, adsorbed ions, fine particles, and precipitates). Hence, this ratio varies widely between different particles of the same mineral. It has been shown to determine whether particles report, correctly or incorrectly, to concentrate or tail (residue). To improve poor flotation recovery or grade, the analysis needed is the variation of this ratio by particle and as a statistical distribution between different mineral phases across a flotation circuit (eg, feed, successive concentrates, and tails). This requires surface analysis of a large number of particles with high spatial resolution and chemical speciation. In this Surface Science Western special issue article, methods to achieve this, using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and principal component analysis, developed between the Ian Wark Research Institute and Surface Science Western over 25 years are reviewed with applications to flotation. They are equally applicable to interferences in leaching, extraction, and electrostatic separation processes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Choledochal Malformation in Children: Lessons Learned from a Dutch National Study
Authors:   Nederlandse Studiegroep voor Choledochus Cysten/malformaties (NeSCHoC), van den Eijnden Maria. H. A. , de Kleine Ruben H. J. , de Blaauw Ivo , Peeters Paul G. J. M. , Koot Bart P. G. , Oomen Matthijs W. N. , Sloots Cornelius E. J. , van Gemert W. G. , van der Zee David C. , van Heurn L. W. E. , Verkade Henkjan J. , Wilde Jim C. H. , Hulscher Jan B. F. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroductionA choledochal malformation (CM) is a rare entity, especially in the Western world. We aimed to determine the incidence of CM in the Netherlands and the outcome of surgery for CM in childhood.MethodsAll pediatric patients who underwent a surgical procedure for type I–IV CM between 1989 and 2014 were entered into the Netherlands Study group on choledochal cyst/malformation. Patients with type V CM were excluded from the present analysis. Symptoms, surgical details, short‐term (<30 days) and long‐term (>30 days) complications were studied retrospectively.ResultsBetween January 1989 and December 2014, 91 pediatric patients underwent surgery for CM at a median age of 2.1 years (0.0–17.7 years). All patients underwent resection of the extrahepatic biliary tree with restoration of the continuity via Roux‐en‐Y hepaticojejunostomy. Twelve patients (12%) were operated laparoscopically. Short‐term complications, mainly biliary leakage and cholangitis, occurred in 20 patients (22%), without significant correlations with weight or age at surgery or surgical approach. Long‐term postoperative complications were mainly cholangitis (13%) and anastomotic stricture (4%). Eight patients (9%) required radiological intervention or additional surgery. Surgery before 1 year of age (OR 9.3) and laparoscopic surgery (OR 4.4) were associated with more postoperative long‐term complications. We did not observe biliary malignancies during treatment or follow‐up.ConclusionSurgery for CM carries a significant short‐ and long‐term morbidity. Given the low incidence, we would suggest that (laparoscopic) hepatobiliary surgery for CM should be performed in specialized pediatric surgical centers with a wide experience in laparoscopy and hepatobiliary surgery.