bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Integrated Alcohol Reduction Intervention in Patients With Hepatitis C Infection
Authors: Proeschold‐Bell Rae Jean , Evon Donna M. , Yao Jia , Niedzwiecki Donna , Makarushka Christina , Keefe Kelly A. , Patkar Ashwin A. , Mannelli Paolo , Garbutt James C. , Wong John B. , Wilder Julius M. , Datta Santanu K. , Hodge Terra , Naggie Susanna , Fried Michael W. , Muir Andrew J. 
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol use are patient risk factors for accelerated fibrosis progression, yet few randomized controlled trials have tested clinic‐based alcohol interventions.

Approach and Results
A total of 181 patients with HCV and qualifying alcohol screener scores at three liver center settings were randomly assigned to the following: (1) medical provider–delivered Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), including motivational interviewing counseling and referral out for alcohol treatment (SBIRT‐only), or (2) SBIRT plus 6 months of integrated colocated alcohol therapy (SBIRT + Alcohol Treatment). The timeline followback method was used to assess alcohol use at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Coprimary outcomes were alcohol abstinence at 6 months and heavy drinking days between 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included grams of alcohol consumed per week at 6 months. Mean therapy hours across 6 months were 8.8 for SBIRT‐only and 10.1 for SBIRT + Alcohol Treatment participants. The proportion of participants exhibiting full alcohol abstinence increased from baseline to 3, 6, and 12 months in both treatment arms, but no significant differences were found between arms (baseline to 6 months, 7.1% to 20.5% for SBIRT‐only; 4.2% to 23.3% for SBIRT + Alcohol Treatment; P = 0.70). Proportions of participants with any heavy drinking days decreased in both groups at 6 months but did not significantly differ between the SBIRT‐only (87.5% to 26.7%) and SBIRT + Alcohol Treatment (85.7% to 42.1%) arms (P = 0.30). Although both arms reduced average grams of alcohol consumed per week from baseline to 6 and 12 months, between‐treatment effects were not significant.

Conclusions
Patients with current or prior HCV infection will engage in alcohol treatment when encouraged by liver medical providers. Liver clinics should consider implementing provider‐delivered SBIRT and tailored alcohol treatment referrals as part of the standard of care.
Promoting financial literacy through a digital platform: A pilot study in Luxembourg
Authors: Li Jian , Meyer‐Cirkel Alexis 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the dynamics of individual portfolios in a unique innovation test conducted through a digital financial literacy platform—saalt. We conduct the test at the University of Luxembourg and ask students to construct their own financial portfolios, choosing from among 500+ financial assets; students could adjust their portfolio weights at any time using their registered accounts. Moreover, we stimulate the sharing of portfolio information among students through class presentations and Facebook postings. We find relatively sophisticated diversification strategies and clear momentum‐chasing behaviour for winning stocks; we also discover rapid convergence of individual portfolios to the provided benchmark portfolios. Finally, we find significant peer influences in the test. In general, financial literacy spreads rapidly among students.
The key role of increased fine sediment loading in shaping macroinvertebrate communities along a multiple stressor gradient in a Eurasian steppe river (Kharaa River, Mongolia)
Authors: Schäffer Michael , Hellmann Claudia , Avlyush Saulyegul , Borchardt Dietrich 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAquatic communities across the Eurasian steppe face increasing anthropogenic pressures due to rapid population growth, catchment‐wide land‐use changes, and climate change. The particular type, intensity, overlay, and legacy of impacts along longitudinal gradients of Eurasian river networks provide a unique setting to investigate ecological responses in identifiable multiple stressor environments. We studied macroinvertebrate communities along the Kharaa River, Mongolia, which display a distinct, downstream gradient of moderate nutrient enrichment, disturbed bank morphology, reduced riparian vegetation, elevated turbidity, increased fine sediment substrate proportions, and fine sediment intrusion into the hyporheic zone. Within the encountered ranges of physical and chemical environmental factors (TP 0.02–0.09  mg/L, TN 0.33–0.96  mg/L, conductivity 167–322 µS/cm, formazin nephelometric units 0.62–5.43) and hyporheic fine sediment intrusion (0.9–1.6 g dry weight [DW]·L−1·day−1) the population densities and biomass of macroinvertebrates were high (5,313 ± 410 individuals/m2and 2,656 ± 152 mg DW/m2) and notably stable. In contrast, macroinvertebrate community structure showed strong and statistically significant negative linear relationships (Pearson'sr) with turbidity, that is, for taxa richness (r = −.83), Shannon index of diversity (r = −.89), Evenness (r = −.86), the relative abundance of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) individuals (r = −.93) and relative biomass of hard substrate colonizers (r = −.86). The relative biomasses of fine substrate colonizers, as well as Chironomidae and Oligochaeta (bothr = .76), were positively correlated with mean turbidity values. In addition, the Proportion of Sediment‐sensitive Invertebrates (PSI) methodology was adjusted for local application and the resulting index scores followed a similar pattern, with PSI also being significantly correlated (r = .66) with the relative abundance of EPT individuals, the latter being the most sensitive macroinvertebrate community index. We conclude that fine sediment load is the key factor for shaping macroinvertebrate community structure in the multistressor setting of the Kharaa River followed by hydromorphological habitat complexity determined by shear stress, substrate, and grain size distributions. We suggest that the implementation of effective regional management strategies aiming at the reduction of fine sediment pollution should be given the highest priority.
Neuroprotective effects of curcumin through autophagy modulation
Authors: Forouzanfar Fatemeh , Read Morgayn I. , Barreto George E. , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAutophagy is a highly conserved cellular degradation process involving lysosomal degradation for the turnover of proteins, protein complexes, and organelles. Defects in autophagy produces impaired intercellular communication and have subsequently been shown to be associated with pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases. Curcumin is a polyphenol found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa, which has been shown to exert health benefits, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer effects. There is increasing evidence in the literature revealing that autophagy modulation may provide neuroprotective effects. In light of this, our current review aims to address recent advances in the neuroprotective role of curcumin‐induced autophagy modulation, specifically with a particular focus on its effects in Alexander disease, Alzheimer's disease, ischemia stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease.
Personalized Management of Chemotherapy‐Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Based on a Patient Reported Outcome: CALGB 40502 (Alliance)
Authors: Sharma Manish R. , Mehrotra Shailly , Gray Elizabeth , Wu Kehua , Barry William T. , Hudis Clifford , Winer Eric P. , Lyss Alan P. , Toppmeyer Deborah L. , Moreno‐Aspitia Alvaro , Lad Thomas E. , Velasco Mario , Overmoyer Beth , Rugo Hope S. , Ratain Mark J. , Gobburu Jogarao V. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractChemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (henceforth, neuropathy) is often dose limiting and is generally managed by empirical dose modifications. We aimed to (1) identify an early time point that is predictive of future neuropathy using a patient‐reported outcome and (2) propose a dose‐adjustment algorithm based on simulated data to manage neuropathy. In previous work, a dose‐neuropathy model was developed using dosing and patient‐reported outcome data from Cancer and Leukemia Group B 40502 (Alliance), a randomized phase III trial of paclitaxel, nanoparticle albumin–bound paclitaxel or ixabepilone as first‐line chemotherapy for locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. In the current work, an early time point that is predictive of the future severity of neuropathy was identified based on predictive accuracy of the model. Using the early data and model parameters, simulations were conducted to propose a dose‐adjustment algorithm for the prospective management of neuropathy in individual patients. The end of the first 3 cycles (12 weeks) was identified as the early time point based on a predictive accuracy of 75% for the neuropathy score after 6 cycles. For paclitaxel, nanoparticle albumin–bound paclitaxel, and ixabepilone, simulations with the proposed dose‐adjustment algorithm resulted in 61%, 48%, and 35% fewer patients, respectively, with neuropathy score ≥8 after 6 cycles compared to no dose adjustment. We conclude that early patient‐reported outcome data on neuropathy can be used to guide dose adjustments in individual patients that reduce the severity of future neuropathy. Prospective validation of this approach should be undertaken in future studies.
Conversion of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone over Au catalysts on various supports
Authors: Ke Yihu , Li Xiaohua , Li Jifan , Liu Chun‐Ling , Xu Chunli , Dong Wen‐Sheng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDGlycerol, which is a coproduct of biodiesel production, has been identified as a key platform compound for producing various valuable chemicals. The selective catalytic oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone is very attractive.RESULTSA series of Au catalysts supported on metallic oxides, i.e. ZnO, CuO, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and NiO, were studied for selective catalytic oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone under base‐free conditions. Among the catalysts, Au/CuO showed the best catalytic activity (glycerol conversion of 89% and dihydroxyacetone selectivity of 82.6% at 80 °C under 10 bar of O2), followed by Au/ZnO ≫ Au/NiO > Au/Al2O3 ≈ Au/CuO‐SD ≈ Au/Fe2O3. The catalytic behaviors of these supported Au catalysts varied depending on the Au particle size, Au oxidation state, Au–support interactions and lattice oxygen reducibility.CONCLUSIONThe main reasons for the high catalytic activity of Au/CuO are as follows. Firstly, the catalyst has small metallic Au particles, which are more active in cleavage of the secondary CH bond in glycerol molecules. Secondly, the interactions between Au and CuO facilitate lattice oxygen reduction, and this increases oxygen mobility, which may promote regeneration of Au–support perimeter active sites by gaseous oxygen. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyhydroxyalkanoate production using two‐stage continuous stirred tank activated sludge systems with glycerol as a carbon source
Authors: Heepkaew Pimsiri , Suwannasilp Benjaporn Boonchayaanant 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDPolyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a biopolymer that can be used as a biodegradable plastic. The incorporation of PHA production into wastewater treatment processes is a promising strategy for resource recovery. This study investigated PHA production in two‐stage continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR)‐activated sludge (AS) systems fed with synthetic wastewater containing glycerol. The effects of the hydraulic retention time (HRT) ratios of the first and the second stages, which reflects the feast/famine ratio, at 0.04, 0.15, and 0.33 were examined.RESULTSThe PHA accumulation and PHA consumption patterns under feast/famine conditions were successfully achieved in systems operated at HRT ratios of 0.04, 0.15, and 0.33 with influent glycerol concentrations of 3000 mg COD/L. Then, the sludge from these systems was tested for PHA accumulation in fed‐batch reactors. Maximum PHA contents of 21.8 wt%, 13.1 wt%, and 8.7 wt% were obtained for the sludge from the systems operated at HRT ratios of 0.04, 0.15, and 0.33, respectively. From the microbial community analysis via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (MiSeq, Illumina), the relative abundance of betaproteobacteria decreased, whereas the relative abundances of alphaproteobacteria and gammaproteobacteria increased after cultivation in the two‐stage CSTR AS systems.CONCLUSIONThe highest PHA accumulation was achieved at the lowest HRT ratio of the first and the second stages in the two‐stage CSTR AS systems. This study serves as an example of integrating PHA production into wastewater treatment systems, which enables us to apply the concept of resource recovery from wastewater. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Ionic liquids removal by sequential photocatalytic and biological oxidation
Authors: Gomez‐Herrero E , Tobajas M , Rodriguez JJ , Mohedano AF 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe industrial application of ionic liquids (ILs) can induce the generation of wastewater and their release into the aquatic media. ILs can be efficiently removed by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), which are expensive to implement. An alternative, using solar photocatalysis and biological degradation in combination, was used here to remove 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (HmimCl) and 1‐butyl‐4‐methylpyridinium chloride (BmpyrCl). The chemical pretreatment allowed the ILs to be converted into by‐products for easier biodegradation in a sequential batch reactor (SBR).RESULTSPhotocatalytic degradation, using 0.25 g TiO2 L−1 and 600 W m−2 solar radiation for 24 h, allowed a complete ILs removal and a partial mineralization of the organic matter, 28% for Bmpyr+ and 35% for Hmim+. A degradation pathway based on the by‐products identified was proposed for each IL. The reaction effluents were submitted to a biological treatment in an SBR, using organic loading rates of 0.18–0.2 kg COD kg−1 VSS d−1 and a biomass concentration of 3.5 g VSS L−1 in 8 h cycles. The combined treatment allowed highly efficient removal of organic matter [total organic carbon (TOC) conversion exceeded 75% for HmimCl and 78% for BmpyrCl].CONCLUSIONSolar photocatalytic oxidation efficiently removed ILs and produced more biodegradable and less ecotoxic effluents. Biological oxidation increased TOC and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal to more than 75% for the overall treatment. Combining solar photocatalysis and biological degradation therefore provided an effective system for IL removal. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
CD226 deficiency on regulatory T cells aggravates renal fibrosis via up-regulation of Th2 cytokines through miR-340
Authors: Mu Yang , Zhang Jinxue , Liu Yongming , Ma Jingchang , Jiang Dongxu , Zhang Xuexin , Yi Xin , Cheng Kun , Shen Shen , Yang Yixin , Zhuang Ran , Zhang Yuan 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In this study, we observed that deletion of CD226 on regulatory T cells (Tregs) precedes renal fibrosis in a mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. First, we generated Treg-specific CD226 gene knockout mice (CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre). Next, CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre mice and Foxp3YFP-Cre control mice were subjected to UUO surgery. Pathologic analysis and Sirius red and Masson's trichrome staining showed that the kidneys of CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre mice following UUO showed much more severe interstitial fibrosis than Foxp3YFP-Cre control mice at days 10 and 20. Additionally, CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre mice showed increased fibronectin expression, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Although Treg cell-restricted CD226 deficiency showed increased Foxp3+ expression, expression of the cell surface functional molecule CD103 was significantly reduced, indicating impaired homeostasis in the Tregs of CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre mice. To better understand CD226 function, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis was conducted in Tregs isolated from CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre and Foxp3YFP-Cre mice. RNA-Seq data showed that the helper T cell (Th) 2-related cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly up-regulated in CD226 deficient Tregs. In addition, mRNA analysis of kidney samples from the mice following UUO by qPCR also showed increased IL-4 and IL-10 expression in CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre mice, as well as elevated TGF-β1 levels, indicating that CD226 deficiency in Tregs resulted in the acquisition of the ability to produce Th2 cytokines. Finally, we found that microRNA-340 (miR-340), which was down-regulated in Tregs isolated from CD226fl/fl Foxp3YFP-Cre mice, directly regulated IL-4 gene expression in vitro. These data suggest that the promotion of CD226 signaling on Tregs is a therapeutic target for renal disease.
An ancestral variant causing type I xanthinuria in Turkmen and Arab families is predicted to prevail in the Afro‐Asian stone‐forming belt
Authors: Peretz Hava , Korostishevsky Michael , Steinberg David M. , Kabha Mustafa , Usher Sali , Krause Irit , Shalev Hannah , Landau Daniel , Levartovsky David 
Published: December 2019

AbstractClassical xanthinuria is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder characterized by lack of xanthine dehydrogenase activity that often manifests as xanthine urolithiasis and risk of drug toxicity. Variants in the XDH or HMCS gene underlie classical xanthinuria type I and type II, respectively. Here we present two Israeli Arab families affected by type I xanthinuria in whom a c.2164A>T (Lys722Ter) variant in the XDH gene, previously reported in a Turkish family of Turkmen origin, was identified. Analysis of polymorphic markers surrounding the variant site revealed common haplotypes spanning 0.6 Mbp shared by all three, and 1.7 Mbp shared by two of the studied families. By applying Bayesian methods to a simple model of crossover events through generations in the chromosomes carrying the variant, the most recent common ancestor of these families was found to be 179 (95% credible limit 70) generations old. The estimated antiquity of the variant, the historical genealogy of the affected families and the history and present day dispersion of their people strongly suggest prevalence of this variant in the Afro‐Asian stone‐forming belt. As far as we are aware, this is a first report of an ancient variant causing xanthinuria with potential wide geographical dispersion.
Correlation of molecular and morphologic effects of thermoembolization in a swine model using mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Guo Chunxiao , Baluya Dodge L. , Thompson Emily A. , Whitley Elizabeth M. , Cressman Erik N.K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma is a growing worldwide problem with a high mortality rate. This malignancy does not respond well to chemotherapy, and most patients present late in their disease at which time surgery is no longer an option. Over the past three decades, minimally invasive methods have evolved to treat unresectable disease and prolong survival. Intra‐arterial embolization techniques are used for large or multiple tumors but have distressingly high levels of local recurrence and can be costly to implement. A new method called thermoembolization was recently reported, which destroys target tissue by combining reactive exothermic chemistry with an extreme local change in pH and ischemia. Described herein are experiments performed using this technique in vivo in a swine model. A microcatheter was advanced under fluoroscopic guidance into a branch of the hepatic artery to deliver a targeted dose of dichloroacetyl chloride dissolved in ethiodized oil into the liver. The following day, the animals were imaged by computed tomography and euthanized. Assessing the reaction product distribution and establishing a correlation with the effects are important for understanding the effects. This presented a significant challenge, however, as the reagent used does not contain a chromophore and is not otherwise readily detectable. Mass spectrometry imaging was employed to determine spatial distribution in treated samples. Additional insights on the biology were obtained by correlating the results with histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. The results are encouraging and may lead to a therapy with less local recurrence and improved overall survival for patients with this disease.
Influenza B viral load analysis in patients with acute respiratory infection from a tertiary hospital in Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Guimarães Alves Vitória , Kleber de Souza Luna Luciano , Santiago Cruz Jessica , Helena Perosa Ana , Bellei Nancy 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCurrently, 2 genotypes of Influenza B viruses (IFB) are cocirculating in humans: Victoria (VIC) and Yamagata (YAM). Infection and viral load (VL) were analyzed in 105 genotyped IFB (59 VIC and 46 YAM) out of 3452 respiratory samples from immunodepressed (ID), immunocompetent (IC) including outpatients (OP) and hospitalized patients (HP) attended during 2001‐2013 at São Paulo Hospital. VL (Log10 RNA copies/mL) calculation was possible in 78 samples (47 VIC, 31 YAM). The age group of 12 to 18 years presented the highest detection (14.13%). Rates of infection among groups were of 3.67% (IC), 1.68% (ID), 3.50% (OP), 0.6% (HP), and VLs varied from 2.8 to 10.13 with no difference regarding age, immune status, and disease severity. From 10 OP vaccinated against influenza, 8 (7 children, 1 ID) received a matching strain shot (VIC), and 2 a monovalent influenza A H1N1pdm09. Those patients presented a VL of 6.31 ± 1.62 (mean ± SD). IFB infection rates follow an age pattern, but VL seems not to be related to frequency or clinical outcome. IFB patients with previous immunization could point to some protection for VIC infections since there was no HP. Other immunological aspects, such as lineage infection immune priming, previous infections, and vaccinations, should be further investigated.
Relationship of the Southeast Asian summer monsoon and Mascarene High to the tropical cyclone activity in the western North Pacific
Authors: Choi Jae‐Won , Kim Hae‐Dong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the present study, a highly positive correlation between the western North Pacific tropical cyclone (TC) genesis frequency and the Southeast Asian summer monsoon (SASM) was found during the June–August period. In order to examine the cause of the positive correlation between the two variables, the 14 years with the highest SASM index (positive SASM years) and the 14 years with the lowest SASM index (negative SASM years) were selected from a total of 39 years (1977–2015) and the mean difference between the two periods was analysed. In the positive SASM years, more TCs were generated in most of the western North Pacific region and tended to move in a northerly direction from the far northeastern sea of the Philippines towards Korea via the East China Sea. In the negative SASM years, TCs moved westward from the eastern sea of the Philippine to the southern coast of China and the Indochinese Peninsula via the South China Sea. A similar result is found in further comparisons in which years with strong El Niño‐Southern Oscillations are removed. Anomalous westerlies from the Mascarene High moved eastward, thereby forming anomalous cyclonic circulations in the western North Pacific. Thus, the Mascarene High played a decisive role in strengthening anomalous cyclonic circulations in the western North Pacific. This finding was verified by examining various environmental factors that affected TC genesis and the correlation analyses between the 850‐hPa geopotential height and the western North Pacific TC genesis frequency during the June–August period in addition to an analysis of the velocity potential and divergent winds.