bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rise of atomically dispersed metal catalysts: Are they a new class of catalysts?
Authors: Kim Jae Hyung , Joo Sang Hoon 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAtomically dispersed metal catalysts or single‐atom catalysts have made great strides during the past decade in the catalysis field. While an initial vision of atomically dispersed metal catalysts was to combine the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, their unexpected potentials continue to be discovered. In this account, we introduce historical backgrounds underpinning the emergence of atomically dispersed metal catalysts. Next, we illustrate some recent examples demonstrating the unusual reactivities of atomically dispersed metal catalysts, which are hard to realize by homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts. We conclude the account by suggesting the remaining challenges in this exciting field.
Parameter instance learning with enhanced vision transformers for aerial person re‐identification
Authors: Peng Houfu , Lu Xing , Xu Lili , Xia Daoxun , Xie Xiaoyao 
Published: February 2024

SummaryIn an agnostic space environment, aerial person re‐identification (Re‐ID) is a task that the query person may not occur in the gallery set, it is considered a subordinate task within the domain of open‐world person Re‐ID, and is a more challenging and practical application research. The aerial person images, captured by unmanned aerial vehicles, present more significant challenges such as weak appearance features, fewer individual person samples and occlusion due to variations in camera height and viewing angles compared to ground‐level images. Most state‐of‐the‐arts person Re‐ID methods developed for open‐world datasets rely heavily on local convolutional neural networks but exhibit suboptimal performance when directly applied to aerial person Re‐ID tasks. In this article, a parameter instance learning based on vision transformers (ViT) model is introduced for the design of aerial person Re‐ID. Initially, we employ a self‐supervised paradigm grounded in parameter instance discrimination, aiming to capture feature alignment and instance similarity. Subsequently, using labeled training data, we optimize the network model through the calculation of two types of loss functions. Finally, we employ a feature enhancement strategy utilizing zero‐padding and displacement techniques. This strategy effectively and directly enhances the robustness of the ViT model against issues such as occlusion and misalignment. We conducted experiments on a Re‐ID dataset to validate the effectiveness of the method. Our approach achieves a mean average precision of 57.31% and a Rank‐1 accuracy of 65.29% on the aerial person Re‐ID dataset PRAI‐1581.
Study on synergistic effects of curcumin and bixin against foodborne pathogens
Authors: Hosseini Fereshteh , Habibi Najafi Mohammad Bagher , Rasool Oromiehie Abdul , Nasiri Mahalati Mehdi , Yavarmanesh Masoud 
Published: February 2024

AbstractVarious studies have shown that natural colorants, in addition to their coloring attributes, have valuable biological effects such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammation, and anticarcinogenic properties. Moreover, their use as a food colorant can restrict the potential disadvantages of synthetic additives and turn foods into functional products. In this study, in vitro antimicrobial activities of two natural colorants of bixin and curcumin against some important foodborne pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria innocua (L. innocua), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were investigated by disk diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values were determined by agar dilution and broth microdilution methods. The synergistic activity of the colorants against selected microorganisms was assayed by the checkerboard microdilution method. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of bixin against S. aureus were more pronounced than E. coli and L. innocua. The lowest concentration of curcumin (0.6 mg/mL) in the disk diffusion method was not inhibited by any tested bacteria. However, it was effective at the higher concentrations against three microorganisms, but its diameter of inhibition zones was lower than gentamicin in all concentrations. Synergetic effects were observed by curcumin and bixin combination against S. aureus (FICI ≤ 0.5), but they act as an antagonist against E. coli and L. innocua. The results of the synergy test were confirmed by the isobologram curves.
Effects of Prednisolone and Dexamethasone on Alkali Burns of the Esophagus in Rabbit
Authors: Bautista A. , Tojo R. , Varela R. , Estevez E. , Villanueva A. , Cadranel S. 
Published: February 2024

SummarySteroids have been widely used to prevent the severe secondary strictures that inevitably follow accidental ingestion of caustic substances by children, though with controversial results. To confirm the efficacy of large early doses of dexamethasone, we conducted an experimental study in rabbits. A cotton swab soaked in sodium hydroxide was placed on the esophageal mucosa of 30 rabbits. The rabbits were then treated with antibiotics and randomly allocated to one of three groups. One group received no steroids; the second group was treated with prednisolone; and the third was given dexamethasone. After 21 days, the rabbits were killed and the severity of the lesion was evaluated by radiological, anatomical, and histological examination. Rabbits with moderate or severe stricture, as defined on the basis of radiological examination, made up 80% of the control group, 70% of the prednisolone‐treated group, and 40% of the dexamethasone‐treated group. Rabbits with third‐degree burns, with or without macroscopic ulcers, made up 60% of the control group, 40% of the prednisolone‐treated group, and 30% of the dexamethasone‐treated group. On histological examination, rabbits with third‐degree lesions made up 70% of the control group, 40% of the prednisolone‐treated group, and only 20% of the dexamethasone‐treated group. Only the difference between the control and dexamethasone‐treated group was statistically significant. Taken together, our results clearly indicate that, in rabbits, rapid postburn administration of dexamethasone leads to significant reductions in the frequency and severity of strictures and in the severity of burns.
Variables Related to Urinary Calcium Excretion in Young Girls
Authors: O'Brien Kimberly O. , Abrams Steven A. , Stuff Janice E. , Liang Lily K. , Welch Thomas R. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryThe relations among dietary and calcium kinetic factors and 24‐h urinary mineral excretion were evaluated in a group of 89 healthy girls (51 white and 38 black) aged 4.9‐16.7 years. Nutrient intakes were calculated for each participant using a weighed intake of all food and beverage on the day of the 24‐h urine collection study and two subsequent 24‐h food records. A significant relation was noted between urinary calcium and sodium excretion (r = 0.55; p < 0.0001). No significant relations were found between urinary calcium and (a) calcium intake (r = 0.08), (b) protein intake (r = 0.14), or (c) phosphorus intake (r = 0.11). Urinary calcium was not significantly related to fractional calcium absorption (r = 0.03) or net calcium absorption (r = 0.11), but was significantly associated with the bone calcium deposition rate (r = 0.24; p < 0.03). Using a multiple regression model, both urinary sodium and the bone calcium deposition rate were independent predictors of urinary calcium excretion in this population (r = 0.57; p = 0.0001). A substantial number of the children in this population had urinary calcium excretion >4 mg/kg/day (12%). The incidence of hypercalciuria differed between the racial groups and was markedly higher in the white than in the black children (17.6 vs. 5.3%). Over a range of usual calcium intakes, during the rapid‐bone‐growth period in childhood and early adolescence, urinary calcium appears relatively unaffected by calcium intake and is most strongly associated with urinary sodium levels.
Risk of Low Vitamin B6 Status in Infants Breast‐Fed Exclusively Beyond Six Months
Authors: Heiskanen Kaarina , Siimes Martti A. , Perheentupa Jaakko , Salmenperä Leena 
Published: February 2024

SummaryOur aim was to ascertain the adequacy of human milk as the sole source of vitamin B6 and the associations between maternal and infant status during extended exclusive breast‐feeding. Vitamin B6 status was followed in lactating mothers and their exclusively breast‐fed infants by determinations of erythrocyte pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate concentration and the erythrocyte aspartate transaminase stimulation test at 2 months (n = 118), 4 months (n = 118), 6 months (n = 112), 7.5 months (n = 70), 9 months (n = 36), 10 months (n = 14), 11 months (n = 11), and 12 months (n = 7) postpartum. Of the mothers, 54% had used vitamin B6 supplement during pregnancy, and all received a pyridoxine hydrochloride supplement of 1 mg/day throughout lactation. The infants had a higher vitamin B6 status than their mothers. During the first 4 months, infant vitamin B6 status was generally adequate independently of the actual vitamin status of the nursing mother. Most of the infants with low status at 2 months were those born to mothers who were not supplemented during pregnancy. By 6 months of exclusive breast‐feeding, 30% of cases of low vitamin B6 status in nursing mothers were reflected in their infants. Thereafter, the risk of low vitamin B6 status in exclusively breast‐fed infants increased even if the mother's status was adequate. Our findings suggest that gestationally accumulated stores are important for the maintenance of adequate vitamin B6 status of infants during the early months and that for some infants, human milk alone, without supplementary foods, may be insufficient to meet vitamin B6 needs after 6 months of age.
The 13C‐Octanoic Acid Breath Test: A Noninvasive Technique to Assess Gastric Emptying in Preterm Infants
Authors: Veereman‐Wauters G. , Ghoos Y. , van der Schoor S. , Maes B. , Hebbalkar N. , Devlieger H. , Eggermont E. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryGastric emptying (GE) is difficult to evaluate properly in preterm infants because of the lack of safe and reliable noninvasive methods. The 13C‐octanoic acid breath test, a noninvasive method to assess GE, was validated in adults. The aim of this study was to adapt the methodology of the 13C‐octanoic acid breath test regarding test meal and sampling methods and to define normal values for healthy preterm infants. We tested 11 clinically stable preterm infants who demonstreated normal fetal growth. The infant's mean gestational age at birth was 33 weeks, mean birth weight was 1754 g, mean postnatal age at the day of study was 26 days, and mean weight was 2296 g. After a fasting period of 3 h, the subject was fed a test meal with low and stable 13C background activity mixed with 50 μl of 13C‐labeled octanoic acid and 1 g polyethylene glycol 3350. Breath samples were collected using a nasal prong in basal conditions and after the test meal. CO2 production according to weight and age was used in the calculations for 13CO2 enrichment of exhaled air. Results were expressed as percentage of 13C dose excretion per hour and percentage of cumulative 13C after 4 h, gastric emptying coefficient (GEC), and gastric half‐emptying time (t½b). The values for percent of cumulative 13C after 4 h ranged from 30.7 to 52.6% (mean, 40.2%), GEC ranged from 2.7 to 3.4 (mean, 3.0), and the values for t½b ranged from 17 to 100 min (mean, 57 min). We conclude that the 13C‐octanoic acid breath test can be adapted to preterm infants to allow the study of GE in various conditions.
Plasma and Urine Riboflavin and Pyridoxine Concentrations in Enterally Fed Very‐Low‐Birth‐Weight Neonates
Authors: Porcelli Peter J. , Adcock Eugene W. , DelPaggio Dia , Swift Larry L. , Greene Harry L. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryPreterm infant formulas (PIFs) for very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight, <1,500 g) are augmented to provide daily riboflavin and pyridoxine at levels up to five‐fold greater than in term infant formula and 18‐fold greater than in human milk. We evaluated plasma riboflavin and pyridoxine concentrations in VLBW infants who received PIF during their first postnatal month. Eighty‐eight plasma and 124 urine samples were collected for riboflavin‐ and pyridoxine‐concentration measurements from 57 clinically healthy VLBW infants weekly during their first postnatal month. Concentrations were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography. At the time of the sample, patients were receiving ≥80% of their total calories via enteral feedings. Plasma riboflavin concentrations rose from 45.3 ± 7.3 ng/ml at baseline (mean ± SEM) to 173.5 ± 20.3 ng/ml by 1 week of age and remained at 177.3‐199.7 ng/ml during the following three weekly measurements; values were up to 14‐fold above baseline concentration. Urine riboflavin concentration increased from 534 ± 137 ng/ml at baseline to 3,521 ± 423 ng/ml by 1 week of age and remained at 4,451‐5,216 ng/ml during the next 3 weeks. In a similar pattern, baseline plasma (69.4 ± 10.4 ng/ml) and urine (145 ± 30 ng/ml) pyridoxine concentrations were significantly increased by 1 week postnatal age; they remained at 163‐248 ng/ml (plasma) and 1,573‐2,394 ng/ml (urine) through the first postnatal month. Plasma and urine riboflavin and pyridoxine concentrations in enterally fed VLBW infants increased from baseline concentrations by 1 week of postnatal age and remained elevated for the first postnatal month. High daily intake and immature renal development are probable contributing causes of the elevated plasma riboflavin and pyridoxine concentrations. We suggest that lower daily enteral administration of riboflavin and pyridoxine should maintain adequate blood concentrations and minimize potential toxicity.
Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Helicobacter pylori—Positive Antral Gastritis in Children
Authors: Broide Efrat , Klinowski Elieser , Varsano Rina , Eshchar Jerachmiel , Herbert Mehrdad , Scapa Eitan 
Published: February 2024

SummaryReactive oxygen metabolites have been implicated in gastric mucosal injuries. Superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide radical, is a key enzyme in gastric mucosal protection against several damaging factors. This study was aimed at investigating the relationship of superoxide dismutase activity to Helicobacter pylori—induced antral gastritis in children. Two groups of 11 children each, one positive and the other negative for Helicobacter pylori, were studied. Biopsies from the antrum and corpus were obtained for evaluation of Helicobacter pylori by CLOtest and histology as well as for superoxide dismutase activity (cytochrome c method). Erythrocytic and serum superoxide dismutase levels were determined as well. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher only in the antrum of children with Helicobacter pylori—induced antral gastritis. There was no significant difference in superoxide dismutase activity in the corpus, erythrocytes, or serum of both groups. These findings may suggest a pathogenic relationship between the presence of Helicobacter pylori and oxygen radicals in inducing antral mucosal injury.
Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Healthy, Full‐Term Infants Fed Hydrolysate Infant Formula
Authors: Decsi T. , Veitl V. , Szász Mária , Pintér Z. , Méhes K. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryThe effect of feeding hydrolysate infant formula (HF) on protein and amino acid metabolism was investigated in healthy, full‐term infants who were either breast‐fed (BF, n = 10) or received conventional formula (CF, n = 10) or HF based on soy and beef collagen (n = 10) with equal total protein equivalent contents. There were no differences between groups for gain in weight, length, and head and chest circumferences throughout the study. Plasma concentrations of total proteins, albumin, urea nitrogen, uric acid, and creatinine as well as total amino acid and total essential amino acid concentrations did not differ at the ages of 2, 4, and 8 weeks. In contrast, significant differences were seen in concentrations of five free amino acids. Arginine concentrations were significantly higher at the age of 4 weeks in the infants fed HF than in the other groups (71 ± 12 versus 27 ± 6 and 30 ± 4, μmol/L, mean ± SEM, HF versus BF and CF, p < 0.01). Plasma histidine concentrations were also higher in infants receiving HF (4 weeks: 217 ± 33 versus 91 ± 18, HF versus BF, p < 0.01; 8 weeks: 218 ± 33 versus 105 ± 20, HF versus CF, p < 0.01). The most pronounced feeding‐related differences were seen in plasma glycine concentrations (2 weeks: 653 ± 89 versus 345 ± 55, HF versus BF, p < 0.01; 8 weeks: 613 ± 74 versus 385 ± 56 and 312 ± 46, HF versus BF and CF, p < 0.01), with the mean value exceeding the upper limit of the normal range in infants fed HF. Although the biological importance of the differences observed remains to be clarified, further investigations on amino acid metabolism are needed to establish the final nutritional safety of feeding hydrolysate infant formulae.
Comparison of Two Regimens of Feeding and Oral Electrolyte Solutions in Infants with Diarrhea
Authors: Goepp Julius G. , Katz Scott , Cuervo Elizabeth , Reid Raymond , Moran J. Roberto , Santosham Mathuram 
Published: February 2024

Background:Glucose‐based oral rehydration solutions (ORS) available in the United States do not appear to reduce the severity or duration of diarrhea. The use of cereal‐derived ORS and cereal‐based feedings appears to diminish the severity of illness in studies conducted in the developing world. To our knowledge, no controlled trials of cereal‐derived ORS or cereal‐based feedings have been performed in the United States.Methods:We performed a randomized, double‐blind trial of two ORS feeding regimens in outpatients with diarrhea. Patients aged 2‐13 months with acute watery diarrhea were enrolled. Subjects received standard glucose‐based ORS in alternation with soy‐based, lactose‐free infant formula (Group 1) or rice syrup solid containing ORS in alternation with rice‐based, lactose‐free infant formula (Group 2). Subjects were visited at home daily to determine the severity of illness and characteristics of the stool.Results:After the first 2 days, significantly more Group 1 subjects continued to have diarrhea than did Group 2 subjects (median duration of diarrhea 3 vs. 2 days) as demonstrated by Kaplan‐Meier survival curves (p = 0.04).Conclusion:We conclude that infants fed a regimen consisting of rice syrup solid containing ORS and rice formula resolved their diarrhea sooner than did infants fed a regimen of standard glucose‐based ORS with soy formula. The relative contributions of ORS and formula to this more rapid recovery can be elucidated by further studies.
Surgical Therapy and Follow‐up of Pancreatitis in Children
Authors: Petersen C. , Goetz A. , Bürger D. , Mildenberger H. 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundAcute and chronic pancreatitis in children differ from that in adults both from the etiology and the therapeutic approach. Within the frame of a blunt abdominal trauma‐the most frequent cause in children‐acute pancreatitis is often detected by emergency laparotomy and external drainage is recommended. Chronic relapsing pancreatitis, and particularly its hereditary form, is very rare in children and requires a different therapeutic concept. The results of surgical therapy for both forms of pancreatitis in childhood were evaluated in the present study.MethodsSixteen patients with acute and chronic relapsing pancreatitis were operated on in our facility between 1976 and 1988. Their history and postoperative course were analyzed in a retrospective study, including a final examination at the end of the follow‐up period.ResultsEight children with acute pancreatitis were operated on at an average age of 6 years and were followed up for an average of 7.5 years, with good results. The remaining children, aged between 3 and 14 years (average age of 9 years), were operated on for chronic relapsing pancreatitis. Our experience with early operative treatment, on average 2.7 years after onset of symptoms, is presented. Only three patients experienced a mild relapse during the follow‐up period of 2‐13 years (average of 5.4 years).ConclusionsFor acute pancreatitis in childhood, operative treatment by inner drainage is necessary and effective only in case of complications, should conservative treatment fail. In children with chronic relapsing pancreatitis, the good exocrine and the normal endocrine function of the pancreas in these patients justified the early operation. Timely treatment is recommended in cases with typical changes of the pancreatic duct so as to shorten the relapsing clinical problems of the children and to maintain the function of the pancreas.
Treatment of Childhood Peptic Esophagitis: A Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Nizatidine
Authors: Simeone Domenico , Caria Maria Cristina , Miele Erasmo , Staiano Annamaria 
Published: February 2024

Background:Nizatidine is an H2 histaminic receptor blocker, which acts on the oxintic cells in the stomach. The efficacy of nizatidine on acid gastric secretion has been widely studied in adults with erosive and ulcerative esophagitis, but not in children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of nizatidine in children with reflux esophagitis.Methods:Twenty‐six patients were studied; all of them underwent endoscopy with multiple esophageal biopsies and 24‐h intraesophageal pH monitoring. The diagnosis of esophagitis was based on histologic features. Patients were randomly assigned to double‐blind treatment with either nizatidine or a placebo (10 mg/kg/day in two doses) for 8 weeks. A symptomatic score assessment was evaluated during the study.Results:Twenty‐four patients completed the 8‐week protocol. After therapy, 9/13 (69%) patients on nizatidine and 2/13 (15%) patients on the placebo were healed (p < 0.007 by Fisher's exact test). Histological findings were improved in two other (16.7%) patients and unchanged in the last (8.3%) patient on nizatidine. In the placebo group there was histological improvement in three (25%) patients, no variation in six (50%), and worsening in one (8.3%). After therapy, determination of esophageal pH showed a statistically significant decrease of the total acid exposure time (p < 0.01) only in the nizatidine group. The clinical score analysis showed an improvement of symptoms only in the nizatidine group (p < 0.01), except for vomiting, which was reduced in both groups.Conclusions:Our results show that nizatidine is effective in treating children with reflux esophagitis. The children included in this study did not have severe esophagitis, and the conclusion must be limited to those with mild to moderate degrees of disease.
Normal Gastric Histology in Helicobacter pylori‐Infected Children
Authors: Gottrand F. , Cullu F. , Turck D. , Vincent P. , Michaud L. , Husson M. O. , Martin‐Delasalle E. , Farriaux J. P. 
Published: February 2024

Background:In adults, Helicobacter pylori infection is always associated with gastritis or ulcer. However, very active gastritis and ulcers are rarely seen in children. The aim of the present work was to study the relationships between H. pylori and gastric mucosa in children.Methods:Eighty infected children and adolescents including 48 (60%) neurologically impaired institutionalized patients, aged 2 months‐22 years (mean 11.7 ± 5.2 years) were studied retrospectively. All the patients underwent gastroscopy, and three antral and two fundic biopsy specimens were taken for histology and bacteriology.Results:A normal gastric mucosa was found in 22 of 80 patients (27.5%), whereas the others had gastritis (n = 58, 72.5%). There were no statistical differences between patients with normal histology and those presenting with gastritis for age, sex, ethnic background, symptoms, and the degree of bacterial colonization. The macroscopic aspect of gastritis was less frequently found in children with a normal histology compared with those with histological gastritis (p < 0.001).Conclusions:These data show that H. pylori infection can be associated with a normal gastric histology in children.