bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial correlation effect of China's outward foreign direct investment in countries along the One Belt and One Road
Authors: Ma Shuzhong , Liu Mengheng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPromoted by both the “going out” policy and the “One Belt and One Road” (OBOR) Initiative, China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has grown rapidly in the past two decades. A spatial network has gradually formed that facilitates global production, sales, and innovation. This paper studies the spatial correlation of China's OFDI network along the OBOR and its determinants. The block model analysis suggests that China's OFDI spatial network comprises four gradient sections. In addition, the analyses of quadratic assignment procedure and exponential random graph models demonstrate a tendency of agglomeration of China's OFDI, which may hinder the further development of its spatial correlation networks. Finally, we present some policy suggestions stemming from the study in the hope of helping both the government and firms to optimize their OFDI spatial layout strategy along the OBOR.
Aphid population abundance and pestiferous effect on various bean plant species
Authors: Amin Md Ruhul , Sharmin Mohsen Ara , Miah Md Ramiz Uddin , Akanda Abdul Mannan , Suh Sang Jae , Kwon Yong Jung , Kwon Ohseok 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe population abundance, infestation, and harmful effects of the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were studied on four bean plant species, namely the country bean (Lablab purpureus var. BARI Seem 1), the yard‐long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis var. BARI Borboti 1), the hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab var. BARI Seem 6), and the bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris var. BARI Jar Seem 3). Aphid abundance and infestation on the leaves, inflorescences, flowers, and pods differed significantly among the bean plant species, with P. vulgaris and V. sesquipedalis having the lowest and highest results, respectively. Aphid severity grade and the number of trichomes of the bean plant species were negatively correlated. The duration of the growth stages among the bean plant species were significantly different, with V. sesquipedalis having the shortest durations. Aphid abundance and infestation significantly affected the physical and phytochemical characteristics of the bean plant species. The highest reduction of number of leaves, flower inflorescences, and pod inflorescences per plant, and moisture and chlorophyll content in the leaves was found in L. purpureus. The results for V. sesquipedalis revealed the highest reduction in plant height, seed weight, and pH, while those of D. lablab showed the highest reduction in leaf area.
Antioxidant status and ultrastructural defects in the ovaries of red palm weevils (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) intoxicated with spinosad
Authors: Abdelsalam Salaheldin , Alzahrani Abdullah M. , Elmenshawy Omar M. , Abdel‐Moneim Ashraf M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRed palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, destroys palms almost all over the world, especially in the Middle East, where dates are a strategic crop in arid places. In view of the urgent need to combat this destructive pest, effective pesticides with high environmental safety should be sought. Spinosad is a pesticide of bacterial origin that is presumed to have a high degree of environmental safety and is effective in combating a wide range of insect pests. In this study, the efficacy of spinosad was evaluated in females of R. ferrugineus. The lethal concentration for 50% of the treated females was calculated at 44.3 ppm. The effects of spinosad concentrations of 10, 50 and 200 ppm on the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the ovaries were assessed. In addition, the pathological effects of these concentrations were documented on the ultrastructure of the follicle cells and ooplasm. The results showed a significant increase in CAT activity only in response to treatment with 200 ppm. Treating the females with different spinosad concentrations resulted in varying intensity changes in cell organelles, where the most pronounced sign of programmed cell death was at the concentration 200 ppm. This study demonstrates the possibility of using spinosad as an insecticide against females of R. ferrugineus.
Evaluation of primer pairs for microbiome profiling from soils to humans within the One Health framework
Authors: Wasimuddin  , Schlaeppi Klaus , Ronchi Francesca , Leib Stephen L. , Erb Matthias , Ramette Alban 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe ‘One Health’ framework emphasizes the ecological relationships between soil, plant, animal and human health. Microbiomes play important roles in these relationships, as they modify the health and performance of the different compartments and influence the transfer of energy, matter and chemicals between them. Standardized methods to characterize microbiomes along food chains are, however, currently lacking. To address this methodological gap, we evaluated the performance of DNA extraction kits and commonly recommended primer pairs targeting different hypervariable regions (V3‐V4, V4, V5‐V6, V5‐V6‐V7) of the 16S rRNA gene, on microbiome samples along a model food chain, including soils, maize roots, cattle rumen, and cattle and human faeces. We also included faeces from gnotobiotic mice colonized with defined bacterial taxa and mock communities to confirm the robustness of our molecular and bioinformatic approaches on these defined low microbial diversity samples. Based on Amplicon Sequence Variants, the primer pair 515F‐806R led to the highest estimates of species richness and diversity in all sample types and offered maximum diversity coverage of reference databases in in silico primer analysis. The influence of the DNA extraction kits was negligible compared to the influence of the choice of primer pairs. Comparing microbiomes using 515F‐806R revealed that soil and root samples have the highest estimates of species richness, while lowest richness was observed in human faeces. Primer pair choice directly influenced the estimation of community changes within and across compartments and may give rise to preferential detection of specific taxa. This work demonstrates why a standardized approach is necessary to analyse microbiomes within and between source compartments along food chains in the context of the One Health framework.
Progress and trends in the development of therapies for Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome
Authors: Lai Wing‐Fu , Wong Wing‐Tak 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is an autosomal‐dominant genetic disease that leads to accelerated aging and often premature death caused by cardiovascular complications. Till now clinical management of HGPS has largely relied on the treatment of manifestations and on the prevention of secondary complications, cure for the disease has not yet been established. Addressing this need cannot only benefit progeria patients but may also provide insights into intervention design for combating physiological aging. By using the systematic review approach, this article revisits the overall progress in the development of strategies for HGPS treatment over the last ten years, from 2010 to 2019. In total, 1,906 articles have been retrieved, of which 56 studies have been included for further analysis. Based on the articles analyzed, the trends in the use of different HGPS models, along with the prevalence, efficiency, and limitations of different reported treatment strategies, have been examined. Emerging strategies for preclinical studies, and possible targets for intervention development, have also been presented as avenues for future research.
Re‐pigmentation of hair after prolonged cholinesterase inhibitor therapy in a Chinese population
Authors: Chan Luke Kar Man , Braidy Nady , Ng Wyatt , Xu Ying Hua , Chen Jack , McDonald Robert , Chan Daniel Kam Yin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEighty consecutive Chinese patients diagnosed with Alzheimer disease were assessed for darkening of grey hair. Of the 62 eligible patients (mean age = 79.3 ± 7.9 years; male: female = 1:1.48), 24/62 (38.7%, 95%CI: 26.6 – 51.9) reported hair darkening after prolonged usage of cholinesterase inhibitor for at least 6 months. Of the 24 patients with hair darkening, 17 (70.9%) experienced hair darkening in the occipital region, 3 (12.5%) in the parietal region, 2 (8.3%) patients in the frontal region and 2 (8.3%) patients experienced hair darkening in multiple regions. Analysis of melanin concentration showed no significant difference between darkened hair of patients after prolonged drug use and the dark hair of controls (P = 0.381).
Absence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in semen of a COVID‐19 patient cohort
Authors: Guo Liqiang , Zhao Shengtian , Li Weiguang , Wang Yong , Li Leping , Jiang Shujuan , Ren Wanhua , Yuan Qun , Zhang Fubin , Kong Feng , Lei Jie , Yuan Mingzhen 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundSince SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was first identified in December 2019, the novel coronavirus‐induced pneumonia COVID‐19 spread rapidly and triggered a global pandemic. Recent bioinformatics evidence suggested that angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2—the main cell entry target of SARS‐CoV‐2—was predominantly enriched in spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cells, which suggests the potential vulnerability of the male reproductive system to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.ObjectivesTo identify SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in seminal plasma and to determine semen characteristics from male patients in the acute and recovery phases of infection.MethodsFrom February 26 to April 2, 2020, 23 male patients with COVID‐19 were recruited. The clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and chest computed tomography scans of all patients were recorded in detail. We also investigated semen characteristics and the viral RNA load in semen from these patients in the acute and recovery phases of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection using approved methods.ResultsThe age range of the 23 patients was 20‐62 years. All patients tested negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in semen specimens. Among them, the virus had been cleared in 11 patients, as they tested negative. The remaining 12 patients tested negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in semen samples, but were positive in sputum and fecal specimens. The median interval from diagnosis to providing semen samples was 32 days, when total sperm counts, total motile sperm counts, and sperm morphology of the patients were within normal ranges.Discussion and ConclusionIn this cohort of patients with a recent infection or recovering from COVID‐19, there was no SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA detected in semen samples, which indicates the unlikely possibility of sexual transmission through semen at about 1 month after first detection.
Nano‐CT evaluation of totally corroded coins: A demonstration study to determine if detail might still be discernible despite the lack of internal, non‐corroded, metal
Authors: Bude R. O. , Bigelow E. M. R. 
Published: June 2020

Five unidentifiable, completely corroded ancient coins (three of which were large fragments), proven to lack any residual internal metal, were scanned by nano‐computed tomography (CT) to see if discernible detail might still be present. One fragment could be identified as an early fourth‐century Urbs Roma commemorative AE 3/4. Another fragment was a coin of either Valerian or of the joint rule of Valerian and Gallienus, which could be dated to the period 254–56 ce. The other three lacked discernible detail. This proof‐of‐concept study shows that nano‐CT scanning has the potential to allow non‐invasive identification of at least some totally corroded coins.
Positive associations with native shrubs are intense and important for an exotic invader but not the native annual community across an aridity gradient
Authors: Lucero Jacob E. , Seifan Merav , Callaway Ragan M. , Lortie Christopher J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAim and LocationPositive interactions influence the assembly of plant communities globally, particularly in stressful environments such as deserts. However, few studies have measured the intensity and relative importance of positive interactions involving native and invasive species along aridity gradients. These measures are essential for predicting how dryland communities will respond to biological invasions and environmental change. Here, we measured the intensity and importance of positive associations formed between native shrubs and the annual plant community, which included highly invasive Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens (“B. rubens”) and native neighbours, along an aridity gradient across the Mojave and San Joaquin Deserts.MethodsAlong the gradient, we sampled metrics of abundance and performance for invasive B. rubens, native annual species (pooled), exotic annual species (pooled) and all annual species (pooled) during peak flowering at 120 pairs of shrub and open microsites.ResultsAcross the gradient, B. rubens occurred at far greater abundance, cover, biomass and fitness near shrubs than away from shrubs. When Larrea tridentata was the focal shrub, positive effects on B. rubens abundance and cover were least intense at the most arid sites under the shortest shrubs. The native annual community occurred at greater abundance, cover and species richness away from shrubs, regardless of relative aridity or shrub traits. Community‐level species richness was greatest away from shrubs, but exotic species richness was similar in shrub and open microsites.Main conclusionsAcross two deserts, B. rubens formed intense and important positive associations with native shrubs that consistently improved its abundance, cover, biomass and fitness, and for abundance and cover, the intensity of B. rubens–L. tridentata associations depended upon relative aridity and shrub height. By strongly facilitating a dominant invader but not native‐ or community‐level biodiversity, native shrubs provided the wrong kind of help to the annual plant community.
Revisiting the history of ideas: A forgotten resource for historians of geography
Authors: Bruinsma Mette 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this paper I revisit the mid‐twentieth century body of literature founding the field of the history of ideas, emphasising the work of Arthur Lovejoy (1873–1962). This branch of intellectual history is often overshadowed by both the history of knowledge and the history of science. I will argue that the history of ideas is valuable to any historian of geography, even though some of its key arguments are justly criticised and rejected. Subsequently, I will reflect on recent examples of how histories of geography have been written and the role of geographers within a “spatial turn” taken by intellectual history. These elements will then be connected to the history of ideas, explaining why this field might be valuable to disciplinary historians, and brief reference will be made to the most explicit borrowing from this field by “idealist human geography.” The central argument is that a Lovejoyian history of ideas has contributed to the inclusion of and emphasis on certain non‐elitist voices in academia and the crossing of boundaries between disciplines, language areas and countries. Although certain epistemological aspects of this field might not withstand criticism, other aspects of what it has achieved might still be worth revisiting.
Long‐term safety and efficacy results from the phase 3b, open‐label, multicentre Continuation study of rurioctocog alfa pegol for prophylaxis in previously treated patients with severe haemophilia A
Authors: Chowdary Pratima , Mullins Eric S. , Konkle Barbara A. , McGuinn Catherine , Park Young Shil , Stasyshyn Oleksandra , Zulfikar Bülent , Engl Werner , Tangada Srilatha 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionPrevious studies reported the efficacy and safety profile of extended half‐life PEGylated recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) rurioctocog alfa pegol (TAK‐660, SHP660, BAX 855) in preventing bleeding in haemophilia A patients.AimThis study evaluated long‐term safety and efficacy of rurioctocog alfa pegol for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding in previously treated children and adults.MethodsIn this phase 3b, prospective, open‐label, multicentre study (NCT01945593), eligible patients ≤ 75 years with severe haemophilia A (FVIII < 1%) received prophylactic rurioctocog alfa pegol in a fixed dose (FD, twice‐weekly or less frequent) or pharmacokinetic (PK)‐tailored dose regimen. Co‐primary endpoints were incidence of confirmed FVIII inhibitory antibody development and spontaneous annualized bleed rate (ABR), analysed using a generalised linear model. Secondary endpoints included overall haemostatic efficacy, occurrence of adverse events and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).ResultsOverall, 216 patients were included; mean (SD) age at enrolment was 22.8 (15.7) years. No patients developed confirmed FVIII inhibitors. The point estimate (95% CI) of mean spontaneous ABR was 1.20 (0.92‐1.56) among 186 patients receiving twice‐weekly FD prophylaxis and 0.96 (0.54‐1.71) among 25 patients receiving PK‐tailored prophylaxis. Overall haemostatic efficacy was rated good or excellent in 88.6% of all bleeds. No new safety signals were observed. Patients reported improvements in HRQoL measures of pain, and physical and mental well‐being.ConclusionThese results highlight the long‐term safety and efficacy of rurioctocog alfa pegol prophylaxis in previously treated children and adults with severe haemophilia A, with a safety profile similar to previous studies and continuing ABR reduction.
Factors affecting infant toy preferences: Age, gender, experience, motor development, and parental attitude
Authors: Liu Liquan , Escudero Paola , Quattropani Christina , Robbins Rachel A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn contrast to the anecdotal claim that “male infants like cars and female infants like dolls,” previous studies have reported mixed findings for gender‐related toy preferences in infancy. In Experiment 1, we explored the emergence of gender‐related preferences using face–car pairs (Experiment 1a, n = 51, 6–20 months) or face–stove pairs (Experiment 1b, n = 54, 6–20 months). In Experiment 2 (n = 42, 14–16 months), we explore the effect of toy properties, infants' past toy exposure, activity levels, and parental attitudes on such preferences using a wider range of toys. For both studies, infants demonstrated a general preference for faced stimuli over other objects, except for male infants who showed no preference between dolls and cars at around 15 months. Infants' prior experience participating in motor‐intensive activities, with wheeled toys and parental attitudes appeared to relate to female infants' preferences for dynamic toys. These results indicate a range of factors influence gendered toy preferences and suggest that nurture plays an important role.
Salvianic acid A alleviates chronic alcoholic liver disease by inhibiting HMGB1 translocation via down‐regulating BRD4
Authors: Lan Yanwen , Yan Ran , Shan Wen , Chu Junyi , Sun Ruimin , Wang Ruiwen , Zhao Yan , Wang Zhanyu , Zhang Ning , Yao Jihong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAlcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the major cause of chronic liver disease and a global health concern. ALD pathogenesis is initiated with liver steatosis, and ALD can progress to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Salvianic acid A (SAA) is a phenolic acid component of Danshen, a Chinese herbal medicine with possible hepatoprotective properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SAA on chronic alcoholic liver injury and its molecular mechanism. We found that SAA significantly inhibited alcohol‐induced liver injury and ameliorated ethanol‐induced hepatic inflammation. These protective effects of SAA were likely carried out through its suppression of the BRD4/HMGB1 signalling pathway, because SAA treatment largely diminished alcohol‐induced BRD4 expression and HMGB1 nuclear translocation and release. Importantly, BRD4 knockdown prevented ethanol‐induced HMGB1 release and inflammatory cytokine production in AML‐12 cells. Similarly, alcohol‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokines were blocked by HMGB1 siRNA. Collectively, our results reveal that activation of the BRD4/HMGB1 pathway is involved in ALD pathogenesis. Therefore, manipulation of the BRD4/HMGB1 pathway through strategies such as SAA treatment holds great therapeutic potential for chronic alcoholic liver disease therapy.
Expression of PD‐1 and Tim‐3 is increased in skin of patients with bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Ernst N. , Friedrich M. , Bieber K. , Kasperkiewicz M. , Gross N. , Sadik C.D. , Zillikens D. , Schmidt E. , Ludwig R.J. , Hartmann K. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundBullous pemphigoid (BP) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) are common autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBD) characterized by blisters and erosions. Treatment options are limited and often insufficient. Immune checkpoint receptors play critical roles in immune homoeostasis and self‐ tolerance. Targeting checkpoint receptors is highly efficient in treatment of various cancers, but often also associated with autoimmune side effects.ObjectivesWe therefore aimed to investigate the expression of immune checkpoint receptors in patients with BP and PV.MethodsWe analysed expression of the checkpoint receptors programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1), T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim‐3) and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (Lag‐3) in lesional skin of patients with BP and PV compared to healthy control skin as well as the expression patterns of PD‐1 and Tim‐3 on various infiltrating immune cells in skin sections of AIBD by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. We also measured serum levels of soluble PD‐1, Tim‐3 and Lag‐3 in AIBD patients by ELISA.ResultsWe report on increased expression of PD‐1 and Tim‐3, but not Lag‐3, in lesional skin of patients with BP and PV. Investigating the expression pattern of PD‐1 and Tim‐3 on different cutaneous immune cells, we observed significant upregulation of PD‐1 predominantly on infiltrating CD8 T cells and upregulation of Tim‐3 on CD8 T cells as well as macrophages.ConclusionsOur results suggest exploring immune checkpoint receptors as novel therapeutic targets using an agonistic approach in autoimmune bullous diseases.
Effects of gingival margin asymmetries on the smile esthetic perception of dental professionals and lay people
Authors: Koseoglu Merve , Bayindir Funda 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effects of different gingival margin asymmetries of anterior tooth on the smile esthetic perceptions of dentists, prosthodontists, periodontists and lay people.Materials and methodsA frontal close‐up smile photo of a woman was used in this study. Image was digitally altered in order to create gingival margin asymmetries in left maxillary central, lateral incisors, and canines. Four stages of alterations were made in 0.5 mm increments. The final images were randomly assessed by 240 evaluators: 60 dentists, 60 prosthodontists, 60 periodontists, and 60 lay people. Questionnaire was carried out by a single researcher and each rater was asked to evaluate the attractiveness of the smile images by using the visual analog scale. Collected data were analyzed by using one‐way ANOVA test with post hoc Scheffé test.ResultsSmiles with 0.5 mm gingival margin asymmetries were found to be more esthetic, while 2 mm gingival asymmetries were less esthetic (P ˂ .001). Lay people's esthetic scores were higher than other groups in all degrees of asymmetries (P ˂ .001). Esthetic scores of canine teeth were higher than, lateral, and central teeth (P ˂ .001).ConclusionsAs the amount of asymmetries increased, esthetic scores decreased in all groups. Gingival margin asymmetries were less perceptible laterally.Clinical significanceThis study may help dental professionals to understand which gingival asymmetries are found by patients as esthetic or unesthetic and guides them in their dental treatment, especially in the aesthetic zone.