bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decomposition and detoxification of aflatoxin B1 by lactic acid
Authors: Aiko Visenuo , Edamana Prasad , Mehta Alka 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDA degradation study of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was carried out using a combination of physical and chemical methods. AFB1 was heated at 80 °C in the presence of acetic, citric and lactic acids for various time periods. The cytotoxicity of the degraded AFB1 and its products were determined by MTT assay.RESULTSThe results showed that among the three organic acids lactic acid was most efficient in degrading AFB1. Although complete degradation was not observed, up to 85% degradation of AFB1 was obtained when heated for 120 min. Degradation of AFB1 was confirmed by the reduced toxicity on HeLa cells using MTT assay. Treatment with lactic acid resulted in the conversion of AFB1 into two degradation products. These products were observed at lower retention factors of 0.63 and 0.38, which were identified as AFB2 and AFB2a, respectively. The cytotoxicity of AFB2a exhibited much reduced toxicity on HeLa cells compared to that of AFB1.CONCLUSIONThe results have shown the efficiency of lactic acid in degrading AFB1. This study suggest that lactic acid may be considered for use in the food and feed industry since it is present naturally in food and is considered safe. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A review on flow characterization methods for cereal grain‐based powders
Authors: Ambrose RP Kingsly , Jan Shumaila , Siliveru Kaliramesh 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFlow difficulties during handling, storage, and processing are common in cereal grain‐based powder industries. The many studies that focus on the flow properties of powders can be classified as flow indicators, shear properties, and dynamic flow properties. The non‐uniformity of physical and chemical characteristics of the individual particles that make up the bulk solid of cereal grain‐based powders adds complexity to the characterization of flow behavior. Even so, knowledge of flow behavior is critical to the design of productive and cost‐effective equipment for handling and processing of these powders. Because many factors influence flow, a single property/index value may not satisfactorily quantify the flow or no‐flow of powders. For powders of biological origin, chemical composition and environmental factors such as temperature and relative humidity complicate flow characterization. This review focuses on the specific flow characteristics that directly affect powder flow during handling, processing, and storage. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Physiological responses to low temperature in spring and winter wheat varieties
Authors: Zhang Bin , Jia Dong , Gao Zhiqiang , Dong Qi , He Liheng 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDNorthward expansion of winter wheat is an efficient means to improve crop yield and quality in many countries. However, inadequate cold hardiness restricts the northward expansion of winter wheat. This study aimed to investigate cold adaption of different wheat varieties and underlying physiological mechanism.RESULTSIn the field experiment, soluble sugar and proline content, relative electric conductivity (EC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were higher in wheat varieties in the overwintering period than those in the pre‐wintering period. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower in the overwintering period than in the pre‐wintering period and spring growth period. Photosynthetic rate was reduced dramatically in the winter variety (Suyin 10), weak winter variety (Lumai 22) and spring (Jinchun 9) variety after low‐temperature treatment. Cold treatment inhibited stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr). Influences of high‐temperature treatment and cold acclimation after vernalization were further analyzed in the greenhouse in wheat variety Jinghe 1. High‐temperature treatment after vernalization significantly inhibited SOD and peroxidase activities in the vernalized plants, while cold acclimation after vernalization enhanced peroxidase activity.CONCLUSIONCold tolerance of wheat varieties may be associated with effective osmoregulation ability, photosynthetic capacity, Gs and Tr, as well as activity of antioxidant enzymes. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Up in Smoke? The Impact of Smog on Risk Perception and Satisfaction of International Tourists in Beijing
Authors: Li Jing , Pearce Philip L. , Morrison Alastair M. , Wu Bihu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis research explored the perceptions of on‐site international tourists towards the smog in Beijing. A scale measuring the degree of tourists' concern about smog conditions was developed. The links among smog concern, risk perception, trip satisfaction and destination loyalty were tested with a structural equation model. Direct relationships were found for the hypothesized effects of smog concern on risk perception and satisfaction. Further, the influence of risk perception on reducing satisfaction as well as the role of satisfaction in forming revisit intention (loyalty) was identified. The broad concerns of this study are applicable across all key Chinese tourism cities visited by international tourists. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olive Husk Compost Improves the Quality of Intensively Cultivated Agricultural Soils
Authors: Moreno María Teresa , Carmona Eusebio , de Santiago Ana , Ordovás José , Delgado Antonio 
Published: June 2015

AbstractOrganic amendments improve the quality of degraded cultivated agricultural soils. In this work, we examined the impact of an olive husk compost (OHC) on quality‐related physical, chemical and biochemical properties of intensively managed greenhouse soil. To this end, a completely randomized block experiment involving a single factor and two treatments (viz., annual application of OHC at 30 Mg ha−1 or no application) with three replications was used for 5 years. The effect of the compost was studied at two soil depths (0–10 and 10–25 cm) and two positions relative to crop rows (viz., on rows and between rows). Application of OHC increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, which is consistent with the low degradation rate of the compost in soil and confirms its usefulness as a source of organic C for soil. Increased SOM content resulted in decreased bulk density, and also in increased porosity and available water in the soil. The amendment was also an effective source of nutrients, particularly N, P, K and Ca, the last of which contributed to decrease exchangeable Na levels in the soil surface layer. The compost increased the activity of all enzymes studied except urease. This result can be ascribed to increased microbial activity, the presence of enzymes in the compost and their stabilization by organic matter and clay in the soil. Dehydrogenase and phosphatase were the individual enzyme activities in the soil, which were correlated with the largest number of soil properties favourably affected by OHC. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Promoting Cell Survival and Proliferation in Degradable Poly(vinyl alcohol)–Tyramine Hydrogels
Authors: Lim Khoon S. , Ramaswamy Yogambha , Roberts Justine J. , Alves Marie‐Helene , Poole‐Warren Laura A. , Martens Penny J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA photopolymerizable‐tyraminated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA‐Tyr) system that has the ability to covalently bind proteins in their native state was evaluated as a platform for cell encapsulation. However, a key hurdle to this system is the radicals generated during the cross‐linking that can cause oxidative stress to the cells. This research hypothesized that incorporation of anti‐oxidative proteins (sericin and gelatin) into PVA‐Tyr gels would mitigate any toxicity caused by the radicals. The results showed that although incorporation of 1 wt% sericin promoted survival of the fibroblasts, both sericin and gelatin acted synergistically to facilitate long‐term 3D cell function. The encapsulated cells formed clusters with deposition of laminin and collagen, as well as remaining metabolically active after 21 d.
Cellular Uptake Behavior of Doxorubicin‐Conjugated Nanodiamond Clusters for Efficient Cancer Therapy
Authors: Ryu Tae‐Kyung , Lee Gyoung‐Ja , Rhee Chang‐Kyu , Choi Sung‐Wook 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper describes the design and fabrication of doxorubicin (Dox)‐conjugated nanodiamond (ND) clusters with controlled sizes and cellular uptake behaviors of free Dox and Dox‐conjugated ND clusters. The ND clusters with an average size of 45.84 nm exhibited a higher amount of cellular uptake as compared to the ND clusters with larger sizes. The amount of Dox taken up as free Dox increased initially and then decreased over time. In contrast, the amount of Dox taken up as Dox‐ND clusters continuously increased and reached a plateau, resulting in high ablation efficiency. At the same Dox concentration, the cell viabilities after treatment with free Dox and Dox‐ND clusters were 26.38 and 5.31%, respectively. The Dox‐ND clusters potentially could be employed as efficient drug carriers for efficient cancer therapy.
In‐patient multidisciplinary rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Monticone Marco , Ambrosini Emilia , Laurini Alessandro , Rocca Barbara , Foti Calogero 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPurposeThis study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of an inpatient 2‐month multidisciplinary rehabilitative program of task‐oriented exercises, cognitive–behavioral training, and occupational therapy on motor impairment, activities of daily living, and quality of life (QoL) in subjects with long‐duration Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsSubjects were randomly selected for an experimental (multidisciplinary rehabilitative care) and a control group (general physiotherapy) and were assessed before treatment, after 8 weeks (post‐treatment), and 12 months after the end of treatment. Medications were not adjusted during training. Outcome measures were the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Part III (primary outcome), the Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Independence Measure, and the 39‐Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire. A linear mixed model for repeated measures was used for each outcome.ResultsSeventy subjects with PD (46 females; mean age, 74 ± 7 years; mean disease duration,15 ± 3 years, modified Hoehn & Yahr stage, 2.5‐4) were randomized, 64 completed the study (experimental = 32; control = 32). A significant effect of time, group, and time by group interaction were noted for all outcomes. The primary outcome showed a between‐group difference in favor of the experimental group of 25 points after training, which was maintained at follow‐up. After training, the Berg Balance Scale score of the experimental group was greater than 43.5, a value previously identified as a cutoff between fallers and nonfallers for subjects with PD.ConclusionOur findings suggest that multidisciplinary rehabilitative care is useful in changing the course of motor impairment, balance, activities of daily living, and QoL. The effects lasted for at least 1 y after the intervention. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Educational attainment and motor burden in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kotagal Vikas , Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Müller Martijn L.T.M. , Koeppe Robert A. , Frey Kirk A. , Langa Kenneth M. , Albin Roger L. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveGreater educational attainment is a protective factor for neurodegenerative dementias. If education earlier in life leads to greater cerebral reserve, it may play a similar protective role in Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional clinical imaging study of 142 subjects with PD. All subjects underwent [11C]dihydrotetrabenazine PET to confirm nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation and brain MRI to estimate adjusted cortical gray matter volume (GMV).ResultsAfter adjusting for possible confounders, including cognitive and dopaminergic covariates, as well as nonspecific neurodegeneration covariates (age, disease duration, and total adjusted cortical GMV), lower years of education remained a significant predictor of higher total MDS‐UPDRS motor score (t = −3.28; P = 0.001). Education level associated inversely with white matter (WM) hyperintensities in a post‐hoc analysis (n = 83).ConclusionsHigher educational attainment is associated with lower severity of motor impairment in PD. This association may reflect an extranigral protective effect upon WM integrity.
Defective erythropoiesis in a mouse model of reduced Fbxo7 expression due to decreased p27 expression
Authors: Randle Suzanne J , Nelson David E , Patel Shachi P , Laman Heike 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDuring the final stages of erythropoiesis, lineage‐restricted progenitors mature over three to five cell divisions, culminating with withdrawal from the cell cycle and the loss of most organelles, including mitochondria and nuclei. Recent genome‐wide association studies in human populations have associated several SNPs near or within FBXO7 with erythrocyte phenotypes. Fbxo7 encodes a multi‐functional F‐box protein known to bind p27 and participate in selective mitophagy. One SNP causes an amino acid substitution (Met115Ile) and is associated with smaller erythrocytes. We find that the less common IIe115 allele of Fbxo7 binds less efficiently to p27, and cells expressing this allele proliferate faster than cells expressing Met115. We show that an erythroleukaemic cell line with reduced Fbxo7 expression fails to stabilize p27 levels, exit the cell cycle, and produce haemoglobin. In addition, mice deficient in Fbxo7 expression are anaemic due to a reduction in erythrocyte numbers, and this is associated with lower p27 levels, increased numbers of late‐stage erythroblasts with greater than 2N DNA content, and delayed mitophagy during terminal differentiation. Collectively, these data support an important physiological, cell cycle regulatory role for Fbxo7 during erythropoiesis. © 2015 Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
A practical prenatal ultrasound classification system for common oral clefts
Authors: Maarse Wiesje , Boonacker Chantal W. B. , Breugem Corstiaan C. , Kon Moshe , Manten Gwendolyn T. R. , Mink van der Molen Aebele B. 
Published: June 2015

What's already known about this topic?

Oral cleft is the most common congenital facial malformation, with increased detection prenatally. An accurate diagnosis is essential because different types of cleft are associated with specific risks of anomalies and chromosomal disorders. Former classification of oral cleft is outdated.
What does this study add?

The new prenatal ultrasound classification system presented here offers a systematic and practical approach for prenatal screening of oral clefts and, and unlike former classification, provides an accurate correlation with the postnatal cleft diagnosis. The classification is based on a commonly used postnatal system; therefore, it will improve communication between obstetricians and cleft lip and palate teams.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adverse Reactions to Pneumococcal Vaccine in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Han Jin , Kemiki Opeyemi , Hsu Lewis L. , Rivers Angela E. 
Published: June 2015

Study ObjectiveTo review five cases of severe adverse reactions after vaccination with the 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in pediatric and adolescent patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), and to evaluate the prevalence of adverse reactions to PPSV23 in patients with SCD by analyzing data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).DesignCase series and retrospective analysis of data from the VAERS.Data SourcesMedical records from a tertiary care hospital and the VAERS database.Measurements and Main ResultsFive cases of severe adverse reactions after vaccination with PPSV23 in pediatric and adolescent patients with SCD (aged 2–22 years) were reviewed. The adverse reactions occurred within 24 hours after immunization, and all five patients required medical attention. Analysis of data from the VAERS found that PPSV23 was the most commonly reported vaccine causing adverse events in patients with SCD, accounting for 62% of all vaccine‐induced adverse events. This rate is significantly higher than the rate of adverse events related to PPSV23 in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or asthma (62% vs 16%, p<0.0001). The reported number of adverse reactions in pediatric patients (< 18 years old) with SCD was 4 times higher than that reported in adult patients (18–39 years old) with SCD.ConclusionThe risk of developing severe adverse reactions to PPSV23 is greater in patients with SCD than in patients with HIV or asthma, and especially in pediatric and adolescent patients with SCD compared with their adult counterparts. Health care professionals should closely monitor for potential adverse events after PPSV23 vaccination or revaccination in patients with SCD, adhere to the recommended time interval between PCV13 and PPSV23 administration, and possibly consider avoiding simultaneous administration of other vaccines with PPSV23.
Retrospective Evaluation of Postoperative Bleeding Events in Patients Receiving Rivaroxaban After Undergoing Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty: Comparison with Clinical Trial Data
Authors: Wood Robert C. , Stewart David W. , Slusher Lindsey , El‐Bazouni Hadi , Cluck David , Freshour Jessica , Odle Brian 
Published: June 2015

Study ObjectiveAlthough data from the Regulation of Coagulation in Orthopedic Surgery to Prevent Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (RECORD) 1–4 trials have shown a similar postoperative bleeding risk between rivaroxban and enoxaparin in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), anecdotal observations from local institutions have suggested that postoperative bleeding rates seemed higher in patients who received rivaroxaban than those reported in the RECORD trials. Thus, the objective of this pilot study was to assess postoperative bleeding events observed in clinical practice in patients receiving rivaroxaban after undergoing THA and TKA and to compare their results with those published in the RECORD trials.DesignRetrospective cohort study with a comparator group of patients from the RECORD 1–4 trials.SettingTwo institutions within a regional health care system.PatientsFour hundred forty adults who received at least one dose of rivaroxaban 10 mg daily after undergoing THA or TKA in the two institutions between August 2011 and October 2013 (cohort group), and 6183 patients who received rivaroxaban in the RECORD 1–4 trials (comparator group).Measurements and Main ResultsPostoperative bleeding was assessed in the cohort patients versus the patients in the RECORD trials. The primary outcome, occurrence of any postoperative bleeding, was a composite of major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding as defined in the RECORD trials. Any postoperative bleeding occurred in 6.8% of the cohort patients versus 3.2% of the RECORD trial patients (p<0.0001); 1.4% of the cohort patients versus 0.38% of the RECORD trial patients suffered a major bleed (p=0.013). Within defined major bleeding, bleeding leading to reoperation and clinically overt extrasurgical site bleeding resulting in either a hemoglobin level decrease of at least 2 g/dl or transfusion of 2 units or greater of packed red blood cells were reported in 0.68% versus 0.19% (p=0.073) and 0.68% versus 0.13% (p=0.032), respectively, of the cohort patients versus the RECORD trial patients.ConclusionOverall, any postoperative bleeding in the cohort patients occurred significantly more frequently than that observed in the RECORD trial patients. The major bleeding rate was also significantly higher in the cohort patients, influenced by higher rates of bleeding leading to reoperation and clinically overt extrasurgical site bleeding resulting in either a hemoglobin decrease of at least 2 g/dl or transfusion of two units or greater of packed red blood cells. These findings from our pilot study are thought provoking and, thus, invite further investigation.
Association between personality factors and suicide intent in attempted suicide: Gender as a possible mediator?
Authors: Menon Vikas , Sarkar Siddharth , Kattimani Shivanand 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundGender appears to be a factor closely related to key suicide‐related constructs.AimsThe study aims to assess gender differences in personality factors among suicide attempters and to examine the role of gender in mediating the relationship between suicide attempts and selected personality attributes in the same group.MethodsA chart review of 156 consecutive suicide attempters was carried out. All participants were administered the Beck Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale‐11 (BIS‐11), Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) and Past Feelings and Acts of Violence (PFAV) Scale.ResultsThe suicidal intent and impulsiveness did not differ significantly between men and women, although men had significantly greater PFAV scores (t = 3.361, p = 0.001). BPAQ showed a significant difference between the genders (F = 3.621, p = 0.008; Wilk's Λ = 0.950, partial η2 = 0.100), mainly for physical aggression (F = 11.006; p = 0.001; partial η2 = 0.076) and anger (F = 4.298; p = 0.040; partial η2 = 0.031).ConclusionCertain differences seem to be present between Indian male and female suicide attempters with regard to baseline personality attributes and their role in predicting suicide intent. The import of personality traits as potential targets for suicide prevention is worth exploring further. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the role of interfacial width on intermolecular charge recombination in block copolymer photovoltaics
Authors: Kuang Hao , Janik Michael J. , Gomez Enrique D. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTBlock copolymers have the potential to control the interfacial and mesoscopic structure in the active layer of organic photovoltaics and consequently enhance device performance beyond systems which rely on physical mixtures. When utilized as the active layer, poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl)‐block‐poly((9,9‐bis‐(2‐octyldodecyl)fluorene‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐(4,7‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)−2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)−5′,5″‐diyl) donor–acceptor block copolymers have recently demonstrated 3% power conversion efficiencies in devices. Nevertheless, the role of the interfacial structure on charge transfer processes remains unclear. Using density functional theory, we examined charge transfer rate constants in model interfaces of donor–acceptor block copolymers. Our results demonstrate that intermolecular charge recombination can depend on the interfacial breadth, where sharp interfaces (ca. 1 nm) suppress intermolecular charge recombination by orders of magnitude. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1224–1230
Relaxation suppression in a stretched copolymer matrix above Tg
Authors: Alhazov Dmitriy , Burman Michael , Arinstein Arkadii , Zussman Eyal 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTElectrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) copolymer nanofiber mats are known to contract considerably upon heating up to ∼90 °C, whereas cast TPU films expand as expected. This work examined contraction in single electrospun nanofibers. In contrast to nanofiber mats, where mat contraction appears like a critical phenomenon, no temperature threshold for contraction was measured for a single electrospun nanofiber. Unexpectedly, we demonstrate that cast TPU films can also massively contract upon heating, but only after thermomechanical programming which relies on film stretching (∼100%) at a high temperature (∼90 °C). This nonequilibrium stretched state is highly preserved, despite sample temperatures that significantly exceeded the glass transition temperature of the soft phase, and hard segments concentration in the TPU macromolecules is too low to form a percolated “solid” system. A possible physical explanation of the observed phenomenon is proposed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1254–1259