bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of blanching, acidification, or addition of EDTA on vitamin C and β‐carotene stability during mango purée preparation
Authors: Guiamba Isabel R. F. , Svanberg Ulf 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe impact of acidification with citric acid, addition of EDTA or water blanching at high temperature, and short time (HTST) conducted at 90°C for 4 min, on the retention of vitamin C (L‐AA and DHAA) and β‐carotene was studied in mango purée 30 min after crushing. HTST blanching prior to matrix disruption into purée resulted in complete inactivation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and minor residual activity (8%) of ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO). The retention of total vitamin C was 100% in blanched purées and in purée with EDTA and about 90% in purées at pH 3.9 and 5.0. Acidification, blanching, and addition of EDTA preserved vitamin C mainly as L‐AA, while complete conversion into DHAA was observed in purée at pH 5.0. The retention of all‐trans‐β‐carotene was between 65 and 72%, with the highest value in purée with EDTA and the lowest value in purée of blanched mango. The ratio of 13‐cis‐β‐carotene in fresh mango was 8.2 ± 0.5% that increased significantly after blanching and in purée at pH 5.0.
Optimization of oil extraction from giant bushel gourd seeds using response surface methodology
Authors: Popoola Yetunde Yemisi , Akinoso Rahman , Raji Akeem Olayemi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractGourd seeds have been identified as a source of edible oil, but there is sparse literature on the effect of processing factors on the characteristics of oil extracted from any Lagenaria spp. Optimization of oil extraction with the aid of expeller was achieved by applying response surface methodology. The variables were roasting temperature (87.70–172.0°C) and roasting duration (7.93–22.07 min), while the responses were oil yield and oil quality (free fatty acid, color, specific gravity, saponification value, moisture, and refractive index). Data obtained were analyzed at P < 0.05. Roasting conditions significantly influenced all the responses at P < 0.05. The optimum roasting condition was 100°C for 20 min, which gave 27.62% oil yield with good quality attributes (free fatty acid: 0.61%, color: 3.47 abs, specific gravity: 0.90 g/mL, saponification value: 289.66 mL, and refractive index: 1.47).
Dynamic Transmission Economic Evaluation of Infectious Disease Interventions in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Drake Tom L. , Devine Angela , Yeung Shunmay , Day Nicholas P. J. , White Lisa J. , Lubell Yoel 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEconomic evaluation using dynamic transmission models is important for capturing the indirect effects of infectious disease interventions. We examine the use of these methods in low‐ and middle‐income countries, where infectious diseases constitute a major burden. This review is comprised of two parts: (1) a summary of dynamic transmission economic evaluations across all disease areas published between 2011 and mid‐2014 and (2) an in‐depth review of mosquito‐borne disease studies focusing on health economic methods and reporting. Studies were identified through a systematic search of the MEDLINE database and supplemented by reference list screening. Fifty‐seven studies were eligible for inclusion in the all‐disease review. The most common subject disease was HIV/AIDS, followed by malaria. A diverse range of modelling methods, outcome metrics and sensitivity analyses were used, indicating little standardisation. Seventeen studies were included in the mosquito‐borne disease review. With notable exceptions, most studies did not employ economic evaluation methods beyond calculating a cost‐effectiveness ratio or net benefit. Many did not adhere to health care economic evaluations reporting guidelines, particularly with respect to full model reporting and uncertainty analysis. We present a summary of the state‐of‐the‐art and offer recommendations for improved implementation and reporting of health economic methods in this crossover discipline. © 2016 The Authors.Health Economicspublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Smoking Response to Health and Medical Spending Changes and the Role of Insurance
Authors: Marti Joachim , Richards Michael R. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSevere health shocks provide new information about one's personal health and have been shown to influence smoking behaviors. In this paper, we suggest that they may also convey information about the hard to predict financial consequences of illnesses. Relevant financial risk information is idiosyncratic and unavailable to the consumer preceding illness, and the information search costs are high. However, new and salient information about the health as well as financial consequences of smoking after a health shock may impact smoking responses. Using variation in the timing of health shocks and two features of the US health care system (uninsured spells and aging into the Medicare program at 65), we test for heterogeneity in the post‐shock smoking decision according to plausibly exogenous changes in financial risk exposure to medical spending. We also explore the relationship between smoking and the evolution of out‐of‐pocket costs. Individuals experiencing a cardiovascular health shock during an uninsured spell have more than twice the cessation effect of those receiving the illness while insured. For those uninsured prior to age 65 years, experiencing a cardiovascular shock post Medicare eligibility completely offsets the cessation effect. We also find that older adults' medical spending changes separate from health shocks influence their smoking behavior. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is the Unequal Treatment of Debtors in Natural Person Insolvency Law Justifiable?: A South African Exposition
Authors: Coetzee Hermie 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe South African natural person insolvency system has remained largely creditor‐orientated and excludes many honest but unfortunate debtors from its ambit. This is despite the worldwide trend to accommodate all such debtors. Although the system does provide for three different statutory natural person debt relief procedures, the cumulative effect of these measures' entry requirements results in differentiation on financial grounds. This is as all statutory measures require the debtor to have some form of disposable assets or income available – thereby drawing a distinction between those debtors with and those without assets and or income (the so‐called no income no asset debtors). The main aim of this article is to measure the South African natural person insolvency system against the right to equality in terms of both the South African Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. The article may benefit legislatures and policymakers in constitutional jurisdictions that subscribe to the equality principle and that directly or indirectly exclude some debtors from debt relief while providing others therewith. Copyright © 2016 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substrate stiffness modulates lung cancer cell migration but not epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Authors: Shukla V. C. , Higuita‐Castro N. , Nana‐Sinkam P. , Ghadiali S. N. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBiomechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment, including matrix/substrate stiffness, play a significant role in tumor evolution and metastasis. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a fundamental biological process that is associated with increased cancer cell migration and invasion. The goal of this study was to investigate (1) how substrate stiffness modulates the migration behaviors of lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and (2) if stiffness‐induced changes in cell migration correlate with biochemical markers of EMT. Collagen‐coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates and an Ibidi migration assay were used to investigate how substrate stiffness alters the migration patterns of A549 cells. RT‐PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to investigate how substrate stiffness alters biochemical markers of EMT, that is, E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin, and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins. Increases in substrate stiffness led to slower, more directional migration but did not alter the biochemical markers of EMT. Interestingly, growth factor (i.e., Transforming Growth Factor‐β) stimulation resulted in similar levels of EMT regardless of substrate stiffness. We also observed decreased levels of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin on stiffer substrates which correlated with slower cell migration. These results indicate that substrate stiffness modulates lung cancer cell migration via focal adhesion signaling as opposed to EMT signaling. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1182–1193, 2016.
Effects of surface area to volume ratio of PLGA scaffolds with different architectures on scaffold degradation characteristics and drug release kinetics
Authors: Chew Sue Anne , Arriaga Marco A. , Hinojosa Victor A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this work, PLGA scaffolds with different architectures were fabricated to investigate the effects of surface area to volume ratio (SVR) (which resulted from the different architectures) on scaffold degradation characteristics and drug release kinetics with minocycline as the model drug. It was hypothesized that the thin strand scaffolds, which had the highest SVR, would degrade faster than the thick strand and globular scaffolds as the increase in surface area will allow more contact between water molecules and degradable ester groups in the polymer. However, it was found that globular scaffolds, which had the lowest SVR, resulted in the fastest degradation which demonstrated that the amount of degradation of the scaffolds does not only depend on the SVR but also on other factors such as the retention of acidic degradation byproducts in the scaffold and scaffold porosity. PLGA 50 : 50 globular scaffolds resulted in a biphasic release profile, with a burst release in the beginning and the middle of the release study which may be beneficial for some drug delivery applications. A clear correlation between SVR and release rates was not observed, indicating that besides the availability of more surface area for drug to diffuse out of the polymer matrix, other factors such as amount of scaffold degradation and scaffold porosity may play a role in determining drug release kinetics. Further studies, such as scanning electron microscopy, need to be performed in the future to further evaluate the porosity, morphology and structure of the scaffolds. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1202–1211, 2016.
Mechanical properties of commercially available nylon sutures in the United States
Authors: Callahan Travis L. , Lear William , Kruzic Jamie J. , Maughan Cory B. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSurgeons can choose from a wide selection of commercially available suture brands, which come at a range of prices. There is currently limited evidence in the literature to guide this selection process. This investigation examined the breaking force, stress, and elongation of a variety of commercially available nylon sutures compared to their relative prices. Seven 5‐0, nonabsorbable, nylon suture brands were tensile tested in straight, knotted and knot‐security configurations according to the procedures outlined by the United States Pharmacopeia for the tensile testing of sutures. Covidien, the cheapest brand tested, had the highest failure load of straight and knot‐security tests. Dafilon was found to have the highest breaking force and percent elongation of knot‐pull tests. J&J Ethicon and Supramid had the highest percent elongation to failure for straight‐pull and knot‐security tests, respectively. This study was limited to specific in vitro tensile properties of nylon suture. Other factors affecting suture quality and price, such as needle properties, were not investigated. The data presented in the study provide information for guiding the selection and purchase of sutures according to tensile properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 815–819, 2017.
Investigation on the Interaction of Norgestrel with Human Serum Albumin Using Spectroscopy and Molecular‐Docking Method
Authors: Ma Xiangling , Wang Qing , Wang Lili , Huang Yanmei , Liao Xiaoxiang , Li Hui 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe interaction of norgestrel with human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by spectroscopy and molecular‐docking methods. Results of spectroscopy methods suggested that the quenching mechanism of norgestrel on HSA was static quenching and that the quenching process was spontaneous. Negative values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS) indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces dominated the binding between norgestrel and HSA. Three‐dimensional fluorescence spectrum and circular dichroism spectrum showed that the HSA structure was slightly changed by norgestrel. Norgestrel mainly bound with Sudlow site I based on a probe study, as confirmed by molecular‐docking results. Competition among similar structures indicated that ethisterone and norethisterone affected the binding of norgestrel with HSA. CH3 in R1 had little effect on norgestrel binding with HSA. The surface hydrophobicity properties of HSA, investigated using 8‐anilino‐1‐naphthalenesulfonic acid, was changed with norgestrel addition.
Use of texture analysis based on contrast‐enhanced MRI to predict treatment response to chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jia , Mao Yu , Li Zhenjiang , Zhang Dakai , Zhang Zicheng , Hao Shengnan , Li Baosheng 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo explore the clinical potential of texture analysis using contrast‐enhanced 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting the therapeutic response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to chemoradiotherapy.Materials and MethodsThe dataset comprised pretreatment T1‐, T2‐, and diffusion‐weighted MR images from 53 eligible patients with newly diagnosed NPC. The patients were divided into two sets: the training set including 31 responders and 11 nonresponders and the testing set including eight responders and three nonresponders. The region of interest (ROI) was delineated by two radiologists for each sequence. Quantitative image parameters were extracted and statistically filtered to identify a subset of reproducible and nonredundant parameters that were used to construct the predictive model. The internal validation was performed using stratified 10‐fold cross‐validation in the training set and the external validation was performed in the testing set. McNemar's test was used to test the statistical difference between the performances of the extracted parameters in predicting the treatment response.ResultsAll three parameter sets showed potential in predicting treatment response with high accuracy (T1: 0.952/0.939, T2: 0.904/0.905, diffusion‐weighted [DWI]: 0.881/0.929). Supervised learning models based on parameters extracted from the T1 sequence showed better classification performance than those extracted from the T2‐weighted (T2W) (artificial neural network [ANN]: P = 0.043, k‐nearest neighbors [kNN]: P = 0.033) and DWI (ANN: P = 0.032. kNN: P = 0.014). No statistical difference was observed in the performance of the two classifiers (P = 0.083).ConclusionTexture analysis based on T1W, T2W, and DWI could act as imaging biomarkers of tumor response to chemoradiotherapy in NPC patients and serve as a new radiological analysis tool for treatment prediction. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:445–455.
Effect of a concomitant urologic procedure on outcomes following cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Lyon Timothy D. , Turner II Robert M. , Nikonow Tara N. , Wang Li , Uy Jamie , Ramalingam Lekshmi , Holtzman Matthew P. , Pingpank James F. , Bartlett David L. , Davies Benjamin J. 
Published: January 2016

Background and ObjectivesTo evaluate whether urologic procedures during cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS‐HIPEC) are associated with adverse postoperative outcomes.MethodsWe identified patients who underwent CRS‐HIPEC at our institution from 2001 to 2012 and compared outcomes between operations that did and did not include a urologic procedure.ResultsA total of 938 CRS‐HIPEC procedures were performed, 71 of which included a urologic intervention. Urologic interventions were associated with longer operative times (547 vs. 459 min, P < 0.001) and greater length of stay (15 vs. 12 days, P = 0.003). Major complications (Clavien III and IV) were more common in the urologic group (31% vs. 20%, P = 0.028). On multivariable analysis, urologic procedures were associated with a low anterior resection (OR: 2.25, 95%CI 1.07–4.74, P = 0.033) and a greater number of enteric anastomoses (OR: 1.83, 95%CI 1.31–2.56, P < 0.001). At a median follow up of 17 months (IQR 5.6–35 months), addition of a urologic procedure did not significantly impact overall survival for appendiceal or colorectal cancers.ConclusionUrologic surgery at the time of CRS‐HIPEC is associated with longer operative times, length of stay and increased risk of major complications, but not with decreased overall survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:218–222. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Completion thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer: Comparison and prediction of postoperative hypoparathyroidism
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Xing Tengfei , Wei Tao , Zhu Jingqiang 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundConsensus regarding the difference of postoperative hypoparathyroidism following completion thyroidectomy (CT) and total thyroidectomy (TT) has yet to be reached. We compare the occurrence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism between CT and TT for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and explore the predictive factors for postoperative hypoparathyroidism.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 221 consecutive patients underwent CT or TT for DTC between February 2012 and March 2014. Patients’ demographic and clinical data of the two groups were analyzed.ResultsThere were 57 CTs and 164 TTs. Temporary hypoparathyroidism occurred in 12.3% (7 of 57) and 28.0% (46 of 164) of patients in the CT and TT groups, respectively. In univariate analysis, type of surgical procedure (CT or TT) and extent of central lymph node dissection (CND) (unilateral or bilateral) were significantly associated with the postoperative temporary hypoparathyroidism (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that only the extent of CND was an independent risk factor for temporary hypoparathyroidism.ConclusionsAlthough temporary hypoparathyroidism was lower in the CT group, our analysis indicates the difference is due to the extent of CND rather than type of surgical procedure (CT vs. TT). Only bilateral CND is an independent risk factor for temporary hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:522–525. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectrophotometric determination of phosphate in matrices from sequential leaching of sediments
Authors: Anschutz Pierre , Deborde Jonathan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe speciation of Phosphorus (P) in geologic materials can inform diverse investigations in such as aquatic biogeochemistry, soil sciences, and paleo‐oceanography. Here, we describe in detail a set of sequential extraction schemes to measure P concentrations from several operationally defined phases: pore water, exchangeable or loosely sorbed P, Fe‐bound P, P associated with biogenic apatite, P associated with authigenic apatite and carbonate forms, P associated with detrital apatite and inorganic forms, and organic P. The two benefits of the procedures we describe compared to prior methodological studies are: (1) fast, simple and inexpensive colorimetric methods have been developed for P determination in all the different matrices; and (2) the Fe‐bound phosphorus pool is separated into two fractions, allowing the P associated with most reactive Fe‐fraction to be distinguished from P bound to the remainder of the Fe‐oxides. Adaptations of these procedures to optimize the characterization of P pools in a range of material types are also outlined.
Factors Associated with Low Body Mass Index in Huntington's Disease: A Spanish Multicenter Study of the European Huntington's Disease Registry
Authors: Cubo Esther , Rivadeneyra Jessica , Mariscal Natividad , Martinez Asunción , Armesto Diana , Camara Rafael J. ,   the Spanish Members of the European Huntington's Disease Registry
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundPatients with Huntington's disease (HD) are at risk for body weight loss and increased risk for institutionalization, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with low body mass index (BMI) in patients with HD.MethodsIn this national, observational, cross‐sectional study of the European Huntington's Disease Network, the frequency of food consumption, calories, and nutrient intake in patients with HD was assessed using questionnaires validated for the Spanish population and were calculated using the software package Alimentación and Salud (Diet and Health), version 2.0. Nutritional status was estimated using the BMI, and disease severity was assessed using the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale and a total functional capacity (TFC) score. Linear regression models were performed using BMI as the dependent variable and using energy balance (energy caloric intake − energy expenditure); the TFC score; the presence of a caregiver; dysphagia; cytosine, adenine, guanine (CAG) repeats; comorbidities; intake of supplements; pharmacologic treatments; age; gender; education; and physical activity as the independent variables.ResultsTwo hundred twenty‐four patients with HD were included (59% women), and their mean age was 47.41 ± 14.26 years, a median TFC score of 9 (range, 3–13), normal BMI in 124 patients (55.4%), and low BMI in 13 patients (6.7%). In the linear regression model, older age (β = 0.003; P = 0.01), male gender (β = 0.13; P = 0.003), and lower energy balance (β = −0.0001; P = 0.0003) were associated with a higher log‐transformed BMI.ConclusionsYounger female HD patients are at risk for low BMI. To counteract the influence of the HD gene mutation on decreased BMI, an increase in kilocalories per day should be encouraged.