bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Addressing the phytochemical prospection of thermally treated Eucalyptus grandis wood
Authors: Santos Ana Cristina Almeida dos , Souza Natália Dias de , Mesquita Jessica Grama , Santos Junior Alfredo José dos , Sampaio Danielle Affonso , Oliveira Ana Carolina Lindolfo de , Cupertino Gabriela Fontes Mayrinck , Dias Júnior Ananias Francisco 
Published: December 2020

This work aimed to investigate phytochemical prospection in treated and untreated wood of Eucalyptus grandis to understand the dynamics of extractives in relation to heat treatment. Samples of E. grandis wood were collected and grouped into external and internal regions. Half of the samples from each region were submitted to heat treatment at 190 ºC. From the treated and untreated samples, phytochemical tests were performed to detect classes of metabolites present in the E. grandis raw wood, hydrophilic extract and lipophilic extract. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds and triterpenoids in all hydrophilic extracts of the studied species. Presence of flavanonols, flavanones and saponins was detected only in the internal region of the wood. Tannins, leucoanthocyanidins, triterpenoids and saponins were influenced by heat treatment. The classes of flavonoids, xanthones and alkaloids are the most resistant to heat treatment. The phytochemical analysis made it possible to identify a new class of extractives that emerged after heat treatment, flavones.
Avaliação dos fatores associados às doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e sua relação com o consumo de vitaminas A, C e E em mulheres em acompanhamento ginecológico preventivo
Authors: Seraglio Heloisa Piva , Lazarotto Angela Khetly , Vieira Valquíria Kulig , Treco Indianara Carlotto , Rech Cinthya Raquel Alba , Wendt Guilherme Welter , Lucio Léia Carolina 
Published: December 2020

As Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT) são condições que impactam na qualidade de vida da população. As vitaminas antioxidantes - dentre elas as vitaminas A, C e E - são micronutrientes que regulam o processo de estresse oxidativo, presente na etiologia dessas doenças. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo quantitativo e transversal foi de avaliar os fatores associados com diabetes mellitus tipo 2, hipertensão arterial sistêmica e obesidade, sobretudo aqueles fatores ligados com o consumo de vitaminas antioxidantes em 112 mulheres em acompanhamento ginecológico preventivo em unidade de referência oncológica da cidade de Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brasil. Para a coleta dos dados, foi efetuada a aplicação de dois questionários, visando avaliar o estado nutricional e de saúde das participantes, dados antropométricos, informações socioeconômicas, presença de comorbidades e o consumo de fontes alimentares das vitaminas antioxidantes por meio do Questionário de Frequência Alimentar (QFA). Os resultados mostraram que 8,9% da população estudada apresentou DM2, possuindo como fatores associados a idade mínima de 50 anos, presença de HAS e consumo de vitamina A. Em se tratando da HAS, verificou-se uma prevalência de 32,1% e o único fator efetivamente associado foi a presença de DM2. Já para a obesidade, não foi observado nenhum fator significativo associado a ela. O presente estudo reforça as evidências de que a ingestão adequada de frutas e hortaliças, por serem fontes de nutrientes antioxidantes, deve ser estimulada para prevenir as DCNT. No entanto, é necessário ampliar os estudos sobre a sua relação com essas patologias de forma mais generalista.
REX-001, a BM-MNC Enriched Solution, Induces Revascularization of Ischemic Tissues in a Murine Model of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Authors: Rojas-Torres Marta , Jiménez-Palomares Margarita , Martín-Ramírez Javier , Beltrán-Camacho Lucía , Sánchez-Gomar Ismael , Eslava-Alcon Sara , Rosal-Vela Antonio , Gavaldá Sandra , Durán-Ruiz Mª Carmen 
Published: December 2020

Background: Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells (BM-MNC) constitute a promising alternative for the treatment of Chronic Limb-Threatening ischemia (CLTI), a disease characterized by extensive blockade of peripheral arteries, clinically presenting as excruciating pain at rest and ischemic ulcers which may lead to gangrene and amputation. BM-MNC implantation has shown to be efficient in promoting angiogenesis and ameliorating ischemic symptoms in CLTI patients. However, the variability seen between clinical trials makes necessary a further understanding of the mechanisms of action of BM-MNC, and moreover, to improve trial characteristics such as endpoints, inclusion/exclusion criteria or drug product compositions, in order to implement their use as stem-cell therapy.Materials: Herein, the effect of REX-001, a human-BM derived cell suspension enriched for mononuclear cells, granulocytes and CD34+ cells, has been assessed in a murine model of CLTI. In addition, a REX-001 placebo solution containing BM-derived red blood cells (BM-RBCs) was also tested. Thus, 24 h after double ligation of the femoral artery, REX-001 and placebo were administrated intramuscularly to Balb-c nude mice (n:51) and follow-up of ischemic symptoms (blood flow perfusion, motility, ulceration and necrosis) was carried out for 21 days. The number of vessels and vascular diameter sizes were measured within the ischemic tissues to evaluate neovascularization and arteriogenesis. Finally, several cell-tracking assays were performed to evaluate potential biodistribution of these cells.Results: REX-001 induced a significant recovery of blood flow by increasing vascular density within the ischemic limbs, with no cell translocation to other organs. Moreover, cell tracking assays confirmed a decrease in the number of infused cells after 2 weeks post-injection despite on-going revascularization, suggesting a paracrine mechanism of action.Conclusion: Overall, our data supported the role of REX-001 product to improve revascularization and ischemic reperfusion in CLTI.
Evaluation of Microbiological Performance and the Potential Clinical Impact of the ePlex® Blood Culture Identification Panels for the Rapid Diagnosis of Bacteremia and Fungemia
Authors: Bryant Sabrina , Almahmoud Iyad , Pierre Isabelle , Bardet Julie , Touati Saber , Maubon Daniele , Cornet Muriel , Richarme Claire , Maurin Max , Pavese Patricia , Caspar Yvan 
Published: December 2020

Molecular rapid diagnostic assays associated with antimicrobial stewardship have proven effective for the early adaptation of empiric therapy in bloodstream infections. The ePlex® BCID (GenMark Diagnostics) Panels allow identification of 56 bacteria and fungi and 10 resistance genes in 90 min directly from positive blood cultures. We prospectively evaluated 187 sepsis episodes at Grenoble University Hospital and retrospectively analyzed the cases to measure the potential clinical impact of the ePlex BCID results. Identification of all pathogens was obtained for 164/187 (88%) bloodstream infections with 100% detection of antimicrobial resistance genes (17 blaCTX-M, 1 vanA, and 17 mecA genes). Only 15/209 (7%) strains were not covered by the panels. Sensitivity for detection of micro-organisms targeted by the RUO BCID-GP, BCID-GN, and BCID-FP Panels was respectively 84/84 (100%), 103/107 (96%), and 14/14 (100%). Interestingly, accurate identification of all pathogens was achieved in 15/17 (88%) polymicrobial samples. Retrospective analysis of medical records showed that a modification of antimicrobial treatment would have been done in 45% of the patients. Treatment modifications would have been an optimization of empiric therapy, a de-escalation or an escalation in respectively 16, 17, and 11% of the patients. Moreover, 11% of the samples were classified as contaminants or not clinically relevant and would have led to early de-escalation or withdrawal of any antibiotic. Detection of resistance genes in addition to identification alone increased escalation rate from 4 to 11% of the patients. Absence of the ePlex result was considered a lost opportunity for therapy modiﬁcation in 28% of patients.
Insights Into the Internal Dynamics of Natural Lahars From Analysis of 3-Component Broadband Seismic Signals at Volcán de Colima, Mexico
Authors: Walsh Braden , Coviello Velio , Capra Lucia , Procter Jonathan , Márquez-Ramirez Victor 
Published: December 2020

Lahar monitoring on active volcanoes is challenging, and the ever changing environment leads to inconsistent results that hamper a warning systems ability to characterize the flow event properly. Therefore, more data, new methods, and the use of different sensors needs to be tested, which could lead to improvements in warning capabilities. Here, we present data from a 3-component broadband seismometer and video camera installed 3 m from the Lumbre channel on Volcán de Colima, Mexico to understand rheology differences within multiple lahar events that occurred in late 2016. We examine differences in frequency and directionality from each seismic component. Results indicate an increase in peak frequency above background in each component when a lahar nears the sensor, and a decrease in overall peak frequency when transitioning from a streamflow to a higher concentration flow. The seismic frequency distribution for the cross-channel component for the streamflow has a wider range compared with the lahar events. In contrast, the peak spectral frequency of the streamflow is narrower in comparison to the lahar events in the flow parallel and vertical directions. Estimated directionality ratios (cross-channel signal divided by flow parallel signal) yielded further evidence for a rheologic change between streamflow and lahars. Directionality ratios &gt;1 were calculated for each lahar, and &lt;1 for streamflow. Finally, we demonstrate from component analyses that channelization or freedom of movement in the cross-channel, bedload transport in the flow parallel, and bed composition in the vertical directions are possibly the main drivers in the peak spectral frequency output of lahars. The results described here indicate that using all three components may provide important information about lahar dynamics, which may be useful for automatic detection and warning systems, and using all three components should be encouraged.
Dexamethasone Stimulation Test in the Diagnostic Work-Up of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Childhood: Clinical Value and Comparison With Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia
Authors: Cattoni Alessandro , Molinari Silvia , Medici Francesco , De Lorenzo Paola , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Masera Nicoletta , Adavastro Marta , Biondi Andrea 
Published: December 2020

Contextdexamethasone has been demonstrated to elicit GH secretion in adults, but few data are available about its effectiveness as a provocative stimulus in the diagnostic work-up of GH deficiency (GHD) in childhood.Objectiveto assess the clinical value of dexamethasone stimulation test (DST) as a diagnostic tool for pediatric GHD.Design and settingretrospective single-center analysis. The study population included 166 patients with a pathological response to arginine stimulation test (AST, first-line test) and subsequently tested with either insulin tolerance test (ITT) or DST as a second-line investigation between 2008 and 2019.Main outcome measurescomparison between GH peaks and secretory curves induced by ITT and DST; degree of agreement between DST and AST versus ITT and AST.Resultsthe pathological response to AST (GH peak &lt; 8 ng/mL) was confirmed by an ITT in 80.2% (89/111) of patients and by a DST in 76.4% (42/55), with no statistical difference between the two groups (p value 0.69). Mean GH peaks achieved after ITT and DST were entirely comparable (6.59 ± 3.59 versus 6.50 ± 4.09 ng/ml, respectively, p 0.97) and statistically higher than those elicited by arginine (p &lt; 0.01 for both), irrespectively of the average GH peaks recorded for each patient (Bland-Altman method). Dexamethasone elicited a longer lasting and later secretory response than AST and ITT. No side effects were recorded after DST.ConclusionsDST and ITT confirmed GHD in a superimposable percentage of patients with a pathological first-line test. DST and ITT share a similar secretagogue potency, overall greater than AST.
Investment Planning Methodology for Complex Urban Energy Systems Applied to a Hospital Site
Authors: Bornand Bastien , Girardin Luc , Belfiore Francesca , Robineau Jean-Loup , Bottallo Stéphane , Maréchal François 
Published: December 2020

Industrial process integration based on mixed integer linear programming has been used for decades to design and improve industrial processes. The technique has later been extended to solve multi-period and multi-scale problems for the design of urban energy systems. Assistance is indeed required for the elaboration of coordinated investment scheduling strategies to promote renewable and efficient urban energy infrastructure shaping the future energy context for the next decades. Major energy consumers, such as hospital complexes, airports, or educational campuses can act as a driving force for the development of renewable energy cities by attracting profitable large-scale energy networks and infrastructure. The proposed methodology generates optimal alternatives for the replacement, in a long-term perspective, of the various energy supply units and systems considering the evolution of the energy demand and the availability of the energy resources. Energy integration techniques are coupled to a parametric multi-objective optimization routine to select and size the energy equipment with both financial profitability and CO2 emission reduction as objectives. The originality of the developed method lies in the integration of a multi-period mixed integer linear programming formulation to generate long-term investment planning scenarios. The method has been demonstrated on a complex of eight hospitals totaling 466,000 m2 and an operating budget of 1.85 billion USD per year. The energy integration of new centralized and decentralized equipment has been evaluated on a monthly basis over four periods until the year 2035. The results show that among the four scenarios identified, the most optimistic alternative allows to decrease the final energy consumption of about 36%, cut the CO2 emissions by a half, multiply the renewable energy share by a factor 3.5 while reducing the annual total cost by 24%. This scenario considers mainly the integration of a very low temperature district heating with decentralized heat pumps to satisfy the heat requirements below 75°C, as well as heat recovery systems and the refurbishment of about 33% of the building stock.
Early Phases of COVID-19 Are Characterized by a Reduction in Lymphocyte Populations and the Presence of Atypical Monocytes
Authors: Lombardi Andrea , Trombetta Elena , Cattaneo Alessandra , Castelli Valeria , Palomba Emanuele , Tirone Mario , Mangioni Davide , Lamorte Giuseppe , Manunta Maria , Prati Daniele , Ceriotti Ferruccio , Gualtierotti Roberta , Costantino Giorgio , Aliberti Stefano , Scaravilli Vittorio , Grasselli Giacomo , Gori Andrea , Porretti Laura , Bandera Alessandra 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a recently discovered pathogen responsible of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The immunological changes associated with this infection are largely unknown.MethodsWe evaluated the peripheral blood mononuclear cells profile of 63 patients with COVID-19 at diagnosis. We also assessed the presence of association with inflammatory biomarkers and the 28-day mortality.ResultsLymphocytopenia was present in 51 of 63 (80.9%) patients, with a median value of 720 lymphocytes/µl (IQR 520-1,135). This reduction was mirrored also on CD8+ (128 cells/µl, IQR 55-215), natural killer (67 cells/µl, IQR 35–158) and natural killer T (31 cells/µl, IQR 11–78) cells. Monocytes were preserved in total number but displayed among them a subpopulation with a higher forward and side scatter properties, composed mainly of cells with a reduced expression of both CD14 and HLA-DR. Patients who died in the 28 days from admission (N=10, 15.9%), when compared to those who did not, displayed lower mean values of CD3+ (337.4 cells/µl vs 585.9 cells/µl; p=0.028) and CD4+ cells (232.2 cells/µl vs 381.1 cells/µl; p=0.042) and an higher percentage of CD8+/CD38+/HLA-DR+ lymphocytes (13.5% vs 7.6%; p=0.026).DiscussionThe early phases of COVID-19 are characterized by lymphocytopenia, predominance of Th2-like lymphocytes and monocytes with altered immune profile, which include atypical mononuclear cells.
Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 Mediates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation
Authors: Fan Ziqi , Zhao Shuai , Zhu Yueli , Li Zheyu , Liu Zhirong , Yan Yaping , Tian Jun , Chen Yanxing , Zhang Baorong 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundActivated microglia play a vital role in neuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), which is associated with the pathogenesis and the progression of neurological diseases. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) has been well established participating in inflammatory responses and is highly expressed in M1 macrophage in the periphery, the role of which in the CNS remains elusive.MethodsLipopolysaccharide (LPS) was employed to induce neuroinflammation. Down-regulation of IRF5 in C57/BL6 mice and BV2 microglial cells were achieved by IRF5 siRNA transfection. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR. The expression levels of IRF5 were examined by immunofluorescence and Western blot.ResultsLPS induced significantly elevated expression of IRF5 in mouse brain, which co-localized with CD11b-positive microglia. Down-regulation of IRF5 quenched the pro-inflammatory responses. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were up-regulated at 4 h after LPS treatment, which were significantly down-regulated with the knockdown of IRF5. LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses were transient, which were comparable to control group at 24 h after LPS treatment. However, LPS did not up-regulate the expression of IRF5 in BV2 microglial cells, indicating that LPS-induced inflammation in BV2 cells does not involve IRF5 signaling.ConclusionsIRF5 mediates the inflammatory responses in the CNS, which might serve as a therapeutic target for CNS inflammatory diseases. LPS-induced inflammation does not involve IRF5 signaling in BV2 microglia.
Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Community-Based Osteoporosis and Associated Fractures in Beijing: Study Protocol for a Cross-Sectional and Prospective Study
Authors: Sun Menghua , Zhang Yili , Shen Hao , Sun Kai , Qi Baoyu , Yu Chenchen , Zhi Yingjie , Zhang Ranxing , Jiang Junjie , Chai Yan , Wei Xu , Xie Yanming 
Published: December 2020

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) patients are usually asymptomatic until osteoporotic fractures occur, which makes early diagnosis and prevention difficult, and the associated fractures secondary to OP could be preventable with appropriate management. Therefore, early identification and relevant evidence-based management of OP could guide the prevention of subsequent fractures. This study will investigate the prevalence of OP and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in Beijing community residents to further explore the related risk factors and put forward suggestions for people aged 45–80 years old.Methods: Over 2 years, this study will conduct an OP screening and a prospective follow-up in the Beijing community to investigate the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. The study will undertake bone mineral density detection, collect biological samples, and record information via questionnaires.Discussion: The study aims to investigate the potential risk factors for osteoporosis and explore syndromes from traditional Chinese medicine that are associated with this condition based on large samples from the Beijing community. Data on the incidence of osteoporotic fractures among community dwellers in Beijing over the two-years will be available on the Chinese clinical trial registry: ChiCTR-SOC-17013090.
Normal-Appearing Salivary Gland Ultrasonography Identifies a Milder Phenotype of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Zandonella Callegher Sara , Zabotti Alen , Giovannini Ivan , Treppo Elena , Quartuccio Luca , De Vita Salvatore 
Published: December 2020

Objective: Salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) is emerging as a valid tool in the management of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This study aimed to investigate whether pSS patients with normal-appearing or pathological SGUS findings showed different clinical, laboratory, and pathologic pSS-related features, and to compare the results by using two different SGUS scores.Methods: Consecutive pSS patients, according to the ACR-EULAR classification criteria, were evaluated. Salivary glands were scored using the early 1992 score by De Vita et al. and the latest 2019 OMERACT score, both being semiquantitative 0–3 scoring systems focused on ultrasonographic parenchymal inhomogeneity (grades 0 and 1, normal-appearing; grades 2 and 3, pathological). The patients were then divided into two groups: “SGUS normal-appearing” if all the salivary glands had normal-appearing parenchyma (grade 0 or 1), or “SGUS pathological” if the grade was 2 or 3 in at least one salivary gland. The associations between SGUS and pSS-related clinical, laboratory, and pathological features were then investigated in the two groups.Results: One hundred pSS patients were evaluated, the mean age (±SD) was 60.9 ± 12.0 years, and mean disease duration was 11.7 ± 7.2 years. Twenty-nine out of 100 (29%) patients were in the “SGUS normal-appearing” group and 71/100 (71%) were in the “SGUS pathological” group. A normal-appearing SGUS was significantly associated with the absence of anti-La/SSB antibodies (p &lt; 0.001) and normal unstimulated salivary flow rate (p = 0.02) by both univariate and multivariate analyses. By univariate analysis, a normal-appearing SGUS was significantly associated also with the absence of rheumatoid factor (p = 0.002) and of serum monoclonal component (p = 0.003), ESSDAI &lt; 5 (p = 0.03), and with a negative lip biopsy (p = 0.029). No associations were found with other items, including anti-Ro/SSA (p = 0.145), Schirmer's test (p = 0.793), ESSPRI (p = 0.47), and demographic data. No differences in these results were observed by using the two SGUS scoring systems.Conclusion: The SGUS allowed the identification of different phenotypes of pSS, and different SGUS scores focused on salivary gland inhomogeneity may be effective to this end.