bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Screening and Drying on Low‐Quality Wood Chips for Application in Small‐Scale Gasification Plants
Authors: Pollex Annett , Lesche Simon , Kuptz Daniel , Zeng Thomas , Kuffer Georg , Mühlenberg Jana , Hartmann Hans , Lenz Volker 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBefore using low‐quality wood chips for gasification on the small and medium scale (30–500 kWel), mechanical fuel pretreatment has to be employed to ensure the required fuel characteristics concerning particle size distribution and moisture. Two different low‐quality wood assortments (calamity wood and roadside maintenance wood) were subjected to three different mechanical fuel pretreatment strategies and a detailed analysis was realized along the supply chains. The results reveal the enrichment in elements characteristic of soil contamination in the removed fine fraction. Gasification tests were successfully performed with the upgraded low‐quality fuels in field trials and indicated comparable electrical efficiencies but higher supervision effort during plant operation.
Transfer of a human gene variant associated with exceptional longevity improves cardiac function in obese type 2 diabetic mice through induction of the SDF‐1/CXCR4 signalling pathway
Authors: Dang Zexu , Avolio Elisa , Thomas Anita C. , Faulkner Ashton , Beltrami Antonio P. , Cervellin Celeste , Carrizzo Albino , Maciag Anna , Gu Yue , Ciaglia Elena , Finato Nicoletta , Damato Antonio , Spinetti Gaia , Alenzi Aishah , Paisey Stephen J. , Vecchione Carmine , Puca Annibale A. , Madeddu Paolo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsHomozygosity for a four‐missense single‐nucleotide polymorphism haplotype of the human BPIFB4 gene is enriched in long‐living individuals. Delivery of this longevity‐associated variant (LAV) improved revascularisation and reduced endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in mice through a mechanism involving the stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1). Here, we investigated if delivery of the LAV‐BPIFB4 gene may attenuate the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy.Methods and resultsCompared with age‐matched lean controls, diabetic db/db mice showed altered echocardiographic indices of diastolic and systolic function and histological evidence of microvascular rarefaction, lipid accumulation, and fibrosis in the myocardium. All these alterations, as well as endothelial dysfunction, were prevented by systemic LAV‐BPIFB4 gene therapy using an adeno‐associated viral vector serotype 9 (AAV9). In contrast, AAV9 wild‐type‐BPIFB4 exerted no benefit. Interestingly, LAV‐BPIFB4‐treated mice showed increased SDF‐1 levels in peripheral blood and myocardium and up‐regulation of the cardiac myosin heavy chain isoform alpha, a contractile protein that was reduced in diabetic hearts. SDF‐1 up‐regulation was instrumental to LAV‐BPIFB4‐induced benefit as both haemodynamic and structural improvements were inhibited by an orally active antagonist of the SDF‐1 CXCR4 receptor.ConclusionsIn mice with type‐2 diabetes, LAV‐BPIFB4 gene therapy promotes an advantageous remodelling of the heart, allowing it to better withstand diabetes‐induced stress. These results support the viability of transferring healthy characteristics of longevity to attenuate diabetic cardiac disease.
Migration of murine intestinal dendritic cell subsets upon intrinsic and extrinsic TLR3 stimulation
Authors: Garcias López Agnès , Bekiaris Vasileios , Müller Luda Katarzyna , Hütter Julia , Ulmert Isabel , Getachew Muleta Konjit , Nakawesi Joy , Kotarsky Knut , Malissen Bernard , O'Keeffe Meredith , Holzmann Bernhard , Winston Agace William , Lahl Katharina 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInitiation of adaptive immunity to particulate antigens in lymph nodes largely depends on their presentation by migratory dendritic cells (DCs). DC subsets differ in their capacity to induce specific types of immunity, allowing subset‐specific DC‐targeting to influence vaccination and therapy outcomes. Faithful drug design, however, requires exact understanding of subset‐specific versus global activation mechanisms. cDC1, the subset of DCs that excel in supporting immunity toward viruses, intracellular bacteria, and tumors, express uniquely high levels of the pattern recognition receptor TLR3. Using various murine genetic models, we show here that both, the cDC1 and cDC2 subsets of cDCs are activated and migrate equally well in response to TLR3 stimulation in a cell extrinsic and TNF‐α dependent manner, but that cDC1 show a unique requirement for type I interferon signaling. Our findings reveal common and differing pathways regulating DC subset migration, offering important insights for the design of DC‐based vaccination and therapy approaches.
Association of quantitative sensory testing parameters with clinical outcome in patients with lumbar radiculopathy undergoing microdiscectomy
Authors: Tampin Brigitte , Slater Helen , Jacques Angela , Lind Christopher R. P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground/AimThis study aimed to establish the somatosensory profile of patients with lumbar radiculopathy at pre‐and post‐microdiscectomy and to explore any association between pre‐surgical quantitative sensory test (QST) parameters and post‐surgical clinical outcomes.MethodsA standardized QST protocol was performed in 53 patients (mean age 38 ± 11 years, 26 females) with unilateral L5/S1 radiculopathy in the main pain area (MPA), affected dermatome and contralateral mirror sites and in age‐ and gender‐,and body site‐matched healthy controls. Repeat measures at 3 months included QST, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and numerous other clinical measures; at 12 months, only clinical measures were repeated. A change <30% on the ODI was defined as ‘no clinically meaningful improvement’.ResultsPatients showed a significant loss of function in their symptomatic leg both in the dermatome (thermal, mechanical, vibration detection p < .002), and MPA (thermal, mechanical, vibration detection, mechanical pain threshold, mechanical pain sensitivity p < .041) and increased cold sensitivity in the MPA (p < .001). Pre‐surgical altered QST parameters improved significantly post‐surgery in the dermatome (p < .018) in the symptomatic leg and in the MPA (p < .010), except for thermal detection thresholds and cold sensitivity. Clinical outcomes improved at 3 and 12 months (p < .001). Seven patients demonstrated <30% change on the ODI at 12 months. Baseline loss of function in mechanical detection in the MPA was associated with <30% change on the ODI at 12 months (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.09–6.37, p = .032).ConclusionMicrodiscectomy resulted in improvements in affected somatosensory parameters and clinical outcomes. Pre‐surgical mechanical detection thresholds may be predictive of clinical outcome.SignificanceThis study documented quantitative sensory testing (QST) profiles in patients with lumbar radiculopathy in their main pain area (MPA) and dermatome pre‐ and post‐microdiscectomy and explored associations between QST parameters and clinical outcome. Lumbar radiculopathy was associated with loss of function in modalities mediated by large and small sensory fibres. Microdiscectomy resulted in significant improvements in loss of function and clinical outcomes in 85% of our cohort. Pre‐surgical mechanical detection thresholds in the MPA may be predictive of clinical outcome.
Nested control loop design for differential boost inverter using generalized averaged model in photovoltaic applications
Authors: Amirparast Ali , Gholizade‐narm Hossein 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTo use photovoltaic energy, voltage source inverters are playing an important role. The most of local AC loads such as AC motors need higher voltage than solar panel output voltage. Differential boost inverter produces an AC voltage that is greater than the DC input voltage in a single power stage. This inverter consists of two DC‐DC bilateral boost converters in which work via time‐variant duty cycles to produce sinusoidal voltage, and this feature causes complexity in control design. To deal with this complexity, new modeling so‐called generalized averaged model is used to achieve a linear time‐invariant model. In this paper, a nested control loop is designed. This control strategy consists of two control loops in which the inner loop is designed by linear quadratic regulator theory to displace poles in proper location and the second loop uses a PI‐PR controller to track desired voltage and reject disturbances. To evaluate the proposed control method, the sliding mode controller is applied and compared as well. As shown by simulations, the proposed control strategy has more reliable performance and provides higher robustness in comparison with sliding mode control technique in rigid situations such as dealing with nonlinear load, parameters values changes, and external disturbances.
Tracheostomy time‐out: New safety tool in the setting of COVID‐19
Authors: Dharmarajan Harish , Snyderman Carl H. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTracheostomy procedures have a high risk of aerosol generation. Airway providers have reflected on ways to mitigate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) transmission risks when approaching a surgical airway. To standardize institutional safety measures with tracheostomy, we advocate using a dedicated tracheostomy time‐out applicable to all patients including those suspected of having COVID‐19. The aim of the tracheostomy time‐out is to reduce preventable errors that may increase the risk of transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2.
Use of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wolf Erin , Rich Nicole E. , Marrero Jorge A. , Parikh Neehar D. , Singal Amit G. 
Published: May 2020

Background and Aims
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is associated with early tumor detection and improved survival; however, it is often underused in clinical practice. We aimed to characterize surveillance use among patients with cirrhosis and the efficacy of interventions to increase surveillance.

Approach and Results
We performed a systematic literature review using the MEDLINE database from January 2010 through August 2018 to identify cohort studies evaluating HCC surveillance receipt or interventions to increase surveillance in patients with cirrhosis. A pooled estimate for surveillance receipt with 95% confidence intervals was calculated. Correlates of surveillance use were defined from each study and prespecified subgroup analyses. Twenty‐nine studies, with a total of 118,799 patients, met inclusion criteria, with a pooled estimate for surveillance use of 24.0% (95% confidence interval, 18.4‐30.1). In subgroup analyses, the highest surveillance receipt was reported in studies with patients enrolled from subspecialty gastroenterology/hepatology clinics and lowest in studies characterizing surveillance in population‐based cohorts (73.7% versus 8.8%, P < 0.001). Commonly reported correlates of surveillance included higher receipt among patients followed by subspecialists and lower receipt among those with alcohol‐associated or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)–related cirrhosis. All eight studies (n = 5,229) evaluating interventions including patient/provider education, inreach (e.g., reminder and recall systems), and population health outreach strategies reported significant increases (range 9.4%‐63.6%) in surveillance receipt.

Conclusions
HCC surveillance remains underused in clinical practice, particularly among patients with alcohol‐associated or NASH‐related cirrhosis and those not followed in subspecialty gastroenterology clinics. Interventions such as provider education, inreach including reminder systems, and population health outreach efforts can significantly increase HCC surveillance.
Protective effect of carnosic acid on acrylamide‐induced liver toxicity in rats: Mechanistic approach over Nrf2‐Keap1 pathway
Authors: Donmez Dilek B. , Kacar Sedat , Bagci Ridvan , Sahinturk Varol 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAcrylamide is a food contaminant with a range of toxic effects. Carnosic acid (C20H28O4) is a phenolic compound found in plants and has many beneficial effects. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effect of carnosic acid on acrylamide‐induced liver damage. Rats (n = 7) were allotted to control, carnosic acid, acrylamide, acrylamide + carnosic acid groups. Animals were euthanized. Their blood was taken for biochemical analysis, and liver tissue was excised for morphological, immunohistochemical, and immunoblotting analyses. As a result, acrylamide reduced bodyweight, liver weight, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity levels but increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index levels, Nrf2, and Keap1 protein levels. In addition, acrylamide disrupted liver histology leading to vascular congestion, cellular infiltration, necrotic cells, and so forth. Carnosic acid cotreatment ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters, liver histology, Nrf2, and Keap1 enzyme levels. In conclusion, carnosic acid has the potential to be used as a protective agent against acrylamide‐induced liver damage.
Immune checkpoints in hematologic malignancies: What made the immune cells and clinicians exhausted!
Authors: Hajifathali Abbas , Parkhideh Sayeh , Kazemi Mohammad H. , Chegeni Rouzbeh , Roshandel Elham , Gholizadeh Majid 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHematologic malignancies comprise a considerable part of cancers with high mortality at any age. Since the introduction of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the overall survival of patients dramatically increased. The main goal of HSCT is the induction of a graft‐versus‐leukemia effect to eradicate the residual cancer cells and also reconstitute a healthy immune system for patients. However, relapse is a nettlesome challenge of HSCT. Like many other tumors, hematologic cancer cells induce immune exhaustion leading to immune escape and relapses after HSCT. Besides malignant cells, inhibitory cells such as tumor‐associated macrophages and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells express various inhibitory receptors capable of inducing exhaustion in immune cells, especially T and natural killer cells. The significance of immune checkpoint blocking in tumor regression in clinical trials led to the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine. Here, we reviewed the clinical roles of immune checkpoints in hematologic malignancies and post‐HSCT relapses.
Feasibility, face validity, and sensitivity of a web‐based simulation tool for assessing genetic counseling communication
Authors: Setzer Michael R. , Roter Debra L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe conducted a test of concept study to explore feasibility, face validity, and sensitivity of an interactive web‐based video tool designed to assess communication practices of genetic counselors in response to standardized video prompts. A convenience sample of genetic counselors was recruited from the National Society of Genetic Counselors to respond verbally to a set of brief standardized video prompts from a virtual client in a prenatal genetic counseling session and a cancer genetic counseling session, embedded in an interactive online platform. Participant verbal responses to prompts were captured through a secure voicemail service. A total of 89 participants attempted to use the online tool and 51 (57%) successfully completed the simulation and produced an audio record of their responses. The average length of recordings was 12.2 min. Face validity was high; participants rated the virtual client as similar to clients seen in practice (75% agree; 12% strongly agree, 7% neutral, 6% disagree) and rated their own responses to the virtual client prompts as similar to those in practice (63% agree; 19% strongly agree; 12% neutral, 6% disagree). Feasibility was assessed by ratings of ease of use (57% agreed, 24% strongly agreed, 17% were neutral, and none disagreed). Content checklists showed that the tool was sensitive enough to detect variation in frequency of certain topics discussed by participants that was similar to previous descriptive studies. The test of concept demonstrated feasibility, face validity, and sensitivity of this communication tool with possible applications in research, training, and program evaluation.
A biallelic pathogenic variant in the OGDH gene results in a neurological disorder with features of a mitochondrial disease
Authors: Yap Zheng Yie , Strucinska Klaudia , Matsuzaki Satoshi , Lee Sukyeong , Si Yue , Humphries Kenneth , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Yoon Wan Hee 
Published: May 2020

Abstract2‐Oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) is a rate‐limiting enzyme in the mitochondrial TCA cycle, encoded by the OGDH gene. α‐Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) deficiency was previously reported in association with developmental delay, hypotonia, and movement disorders and metabolic decompensation, with no genetic data provided. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified two individuals carrying a homozygous missense variant c.959A>G (p.N320S) in the OGDH gene. These individuals presented with global developmental delay, elevated lactate, ataxia and seizure. Fibroblast analysis and modeling of the mutation in Drosophila were used to evaluate pathogenicity of the variant. Skin fibroblasts from subject # 2 showed a decrease in both OGDH protein and enzyme activity. Transfection of human OGDH cDNA in HEK293 cells carrying p.N320S also produced significantly lower protein levels compared to those with wild‐type cDNA. Loss of Drosophila Ogdh (dOgdh) caused early developmental lethality, rescued by expressing wild‐type dOgdh (dOgdhWT) or human OGDH (OGDHWT) cDNA. In contrast, expression to the mutant OGDH (OGDHN320S) or dOgdh carrying homologous mutations to human OGDH p.N320S variant (dOgdhN324S) failed to rescue lethality of dOgdh null mutants. Knockdown of dOgdh in the nervous system resulted in locomotion defects which were rescued by dOgdhWT expression but not by dOgdhN324S expression. Collectively, the results indicate that c.959A>G variant in OGDH leads to an amino acid change (p.N320S) causing a severe loss of OGDH protein function. Our study establishes in the first time a genetic link between an OGDH gene mutation and OGDH deficiency.
The morphology of mating plugs and its formation in scorpions: Implications for intersexual participation
Authors: Oviedo‐Diego Mariela A. , Mattoni Camilo I. , Vrech David E. , Michalik Peter , Peretti Alfredo V. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMating plugs have been proposed as a mechanism that has evolved to avoid sperm competition. Their structure and composition vary across taxa and are related to the effectiveness of its function. This effectiveness could be related to different evolutionary interests of the sexes.Urophonius brachycentrusandUrophonius achalensis(Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) are highly suitable species to study mating plugs because both are monandrous species with specific morphological and physiological responses in the female's genitalia. Here, we analyze (a) the morphology and fine structure of the mating plugs of both species, (b) the site of production in males and the formation process of the mating plug, and (c) the changes that it undergoes over time in the female's reproductive tract. In both species, a complex mating plug obliterates the female's genital aperture and fills the genital atrium. We observed considerable interspecific variation in the mating plug morphology. A mating hemi‐plug was found surrounding the capsular lobes of the hemispermatophore, which could have a mixed composition (involving portions of the hemispermatophore and glandular products). The glandular portion was transferred in a semi‐solid state filling the female's genital atrium and then hardening. Changes that the plug undergoes in the female's genitalia (darkening and increase of the “distal” area of the plug) indicate a participation of the female to the formation of this type of plug. Our study provides new insights into the plugging phenomenon in scorpions, and we discussed the adaptive significance as a post‐copulatory mechanism to avoid sperm competition.
Asymptomatic cases with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Wang Yishan , Kang Hanyujie , Liu Xuefeng , Tong Zhaohui 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOn 31 March 2020, Chinese Health Authorization announced that numbers of asymptomatic cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection will be made to the public daily. This was a very important step since different counties have different capacities for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and control strategy for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak. We summarized the characteristics of asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and the transmission potential of asymptomatic cases. Then we provided guidelines for the management of asymptomatic cases through quarantine and nucleic acid/serology tests.
Variability of southwest Pacific tropical cyclone track geometry over the last 70 years
Authors: Sharma Krishneel K. , Magee Andrew D. , Verdon‐Kidd Danielle C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractVariability in tropical cyclone (TC) track morphology, as it evolves post genesis, presents continued challenges in accurately forecasting TC movement. Therefore, an improved understanding of TC track climatology is essential, given that TCs are one of the most critical natural hazards in the southwest Pacific (SWP) region. We examine the historical variability of TC tracks within the SWP over the last 70 years (1948–2017) using 6‐hourly track data obtained from the South Pacific Enhanced Archive of Tropical Cyclones (SPEArTC) database. A probabilistic clustering technique is applied to separate TC tracks into distinct groups in order to assess the primary cyclone trajectories for the region and its relationship with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). TC tracks are also classified into four sinuosity categories: straight, recurving, sinuous and highly sinuous; and their spatial and temporal characteristics subsequently analysed. The results of the cluster analysis identified five optimal groups of TC tracks, four of which exhibited southeast propagation, except for the southwest moving tracks in Cluster 5. Temporally, significant trends were observed over the last seven decades, with Clusters 1, 3 and 4 becoming less frequent with a substantial increase in the occurrence of Cluster 2 tracks (representing TCs east of dateline), a geometry favoured by El Niño conditions. Further, the sinuosity analysis revealed continued dominance of straight TCs within the eastern SWP with a tendency of encountering TCs of other morphology types. Conversely, the western SWP region is typically exposed to highly sinuous tracks. We also observed a significant decrease (increase) in TCs with straight and quasi‐straight (highly sinuous) tracks, particularly during the last decade. These findings suggest that combined cluster analysis and TC track sinuosity analysis is an important tool in generalising the TC track regimes, refining predicted trajectories and understanding impacts on SWP island nations.