bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Domestic inflation, exchange rate, and aggregate import demand nexus in Nigeria: New evidence from cointegrating regression
Authors: Zhou Luanping , Iormom Bruce I. , Azhar Muhammad Salman , Peng Michael Yao‐Ping 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study estimates the Nigerian import demand function with the view to finding the degree of responsiveness of imports to domestic product prices while controlling for exchange rate (EXR), gross domestic product and foreign reserves. To refine inference about stationarity in the presence of structural breaks, the study employed the Lee and Strazicich and Zivot‐Andrews stationarity tests, which all confirmed that the series are integrated of order one. Both the ARDL bound testing for cointegration and the Johansen cointegration approach all confirmed long‐run relationship among the variables. From the cointegrating regression estimates using the Saikkonen and Stock‐Watson Dynamic Ordinary Least Square procedure and the Phillip and Hansen's Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square technique, we found that imports in Nigeria are domestic inflation or cross elastic in the long run. The study, however, found import demand to be inelastic to EXR and income, same as to foreign exchange reserves. The sensitivity of these estimates was confirmed with the ARDL procedure suggested by Peseran, Shin and Smith. With the Granger non‐causality test using the Toda‐Yamamoto's technique, we found unidirectional causality running from domestic inflation to import demand, implying that previous values of domestic inflation offer additional information to explaining future values of aggregate import demand. Diversification of domestic production as well as other policies directed at enhancing price and quality competiveness of domestic products were recommended.
RETRACTED: Immunomodulatory effects of nanocurcumin on Th17 cell responses in mild and severe COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Tahmasebi Safa , El‐Esawi Mohamed A. , Mahmoud Zaid Hameed , Timoshin Anton , Valizadeh Hamed , Roshangar Leila , Varshoch Mojtaba , Vaez Aydin , Aslani Saeed , Navashenaq Jamshid G. , Aghebati‐Maleki Leili , Ahmadi Majid 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), the increased frequency and overactivation of T helper (Th) 17 cells and subsequent production of large amounts of proinflammatory cytokines result in hyperinflammation and disease progression. The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of nanocurcumin on the frequency and responses of Th17 cells in mild and severe COVID‐19 patients. In this study, 40 severe COVID‐19 intensive care unit‐admitted patients and 40 patients in mild condition were included. The frequency of Th17 cells, the messenger RNA expression of Th17 cell‐related factors (RAR‐related orphan receptor γt, interleukin [IL]‐17, IL‐21, IL‐23, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor), and the serum levels of cytokines were measured in both nanocurcumin and placebo‐treated groups before and after treatment. A significant decrease in the number of Th17 cells, downregulation of Th17 cell‐related factors, and decreased levels of Th17 cell‐related cytokines were found in mild and severe COVID‐19 patients treated by nanocurcumin compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the abovementioned parameters were significantly decreased in the nanocurcumin‐treated group after treatment versus before treatment. Curcumin could reduce the frequency of Th17 cells and their related inflammatory factors in both mild and severe COVID‐19 patients. Hence, it could be considered as a potential modulatory compound in improving the patient's inflammatory condition.
Extracellular vesicles containing ACE2 efficiently prevent infection by SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike protein‐containing virus
Authors: Cocozza Federico , Névo Nathalie , Piovesana Ester , Lahaye Xavier , Buchrieser Julian , Schwartz Olivier , Manel Nicolas , Tkach Mercedes , Théry Clotilde , Martin‐Jaular Lorena 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSARS‐CoV‐2 entry is mediated by binding of the spike protein (S) to the surface receptor ACE2 and subsequent priming by host TMPRSS2 allowing membrane fusion. Here, we produced extracellular vesicles (EVs) exposing ACE2 and demonstrate that ACE2‐EVs are efficient decoys for SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein‐containing lentivirus. Reduction of infectivity positively correlates with the level of ACE2, is much more efficient than with soluble ACE2 and further enhanced by the inclusion of TMPRSS2.
Monoamine oxidase A activity in fibroblasts as a functional confirmation of MAOA variants
Authors: Peters Tessa M. A. , Lammerts van Bueren Irma , Geurtz Ben P.B.H. , Coene Karlien L. M. , de Leeuw Nicole , Brunner Han G. , Jónsson Jón J. , Willemsen Michèl A. A. P. , Wevers Ron A. , Verbeek Marcel M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMonoamine oxidase A (MAO‐A) deficiency is a rare inborn error of metabolism with impaired degradation of biogenic amines including 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), resulting in borderline intellectual disability and behavioral abnormalities. Genetic variants in MAOA need functional confirmation to enable a definite diagnosis. To this end, we developed an inexpensive, simple and nonradioactive MAO‐A activity assay based on the conversion of 5‐HT into 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA). Fibroblast cell lysates were incubated with 5‐HT and aldehyde dehydrogenase to allow 5‐HIAA production. 5‐HIAA was quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection. We optimized reaction mixture components, pH, and substrate concentration and tested linearity and specificity of the assay. We verified the functional validity of the enzyme assay using fibroblasts of controls, female mutation carriers and MAO‐A deficient patients. This included a newly described patient with a novel MAOA variant (c.1336G>A, p.(Glu446Lys)), who represents the fifth MAO‐A deficiency family so far. The optimized enzyme assay showed good linearity and specificity. Application to clinical samples showed a 100% differentiation of affected patients (with negligible MAO‐A enzyme activity) and controls or mutation carriers. In conclusion, the described MAO‐A activity assay is easy to implement and can readily be used to test the pathogenicity of variants in the MAOA gene in a clinical setting. Especially in this era of whole‐exome (and whole‐genome) sequencing, this functional assay fulfills a clinical need for functional confirmation of a suspected diagnosis of MAO‐A deficiency.
Understanding the glioblastoma tumor biology to optimize photodynamic therapy: From molecular to cellular events
Authors: Ibarra Luis Exequiel , Vilchez María Laura , Caverzán Matías Daniel , Milla Sanabria Laura Natalia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has recently gained attention as an alternative treatment of malignant gliomas. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent within tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). Conventional treatments for this CNS tumor include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery is still being considered as the treatment of choice. Even so, the poor prognosis and/or recurrence of the disease after applying any of these treatments highlight the urgency of exploring new therapies and/or improving existing ones to achieve the definitive eradication of tumor masses and remaining cells. PDT is a therapeutic modality that involves the destruction of tumor cells by reactive oxygen species induced by light, which were previously treated with a photosensitizing agent. However, in recent years, its experimental application has expanded to other effects that could improve overall performance against GBM. In the current review, we revisit the main advances of PDT for GBM management and also, the recent mechanistic insights about cellular and molecular aspects related to tumoral resistance to PDT of GBM.
Developing strategies to increase the possibility of being selected as a “regular” independent community pharmacy: an application of MUlticriteria Satisfaction Analysis
Authors: Glaveli Niki , Manolitzas Panagiotis , Grigoroudis Evangelos 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPharmacy customer satisfaction is a predictor of customers’ behaviour and thus becomes a critical issue in the highly competitive pharmacy sector. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to determine the evaluative criteria that customers use in selecting an independent community pharmacy as their regular one, as well as their contribution to customer satisfaction. Moreover, areas of customer service that can provide competitive parity or advantage to a pharmacy are identified. A survey was carried out among randomly selected customers of pharmacies located in Thessaloniki, Greece, using a structured questionnaire. A total of 223 usable questionnaires were collected. Descriptive statistics and MUlticriteria Satisfaction Analysis (MUSA) were used for data analysis. The findings highlight reputation, community contribution, and professional expertise/behaviour of the pharmacist(s) and staff, as the criteria that contribute the most to customer satisfaction and choice of a pharmacy as a regular one. Also, the study outcomes suggest that the above variables combined with a fast and error‐free service, respect and confidentiality can be used as advantages against competition. The current research findings provide directions for strategic actions that could help a pharmacy to enhance customer satisfaction and consequently build long‐term relationships with patients and stand out from the competition.
Combining finite mixture distribution, receptor model, and geostatistical simulation to evaluate heavy metals pollution in soils: Source and spatial pattern
Authors: Zhu Linyu , Zhang Lixia , Wang Jining , Lv Jianshu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSoil heavy metals (HMs) pollution has caused significant land degradation by affecting soil properties and functions. Clarifying sources and spatial distributions of soil HMs is necessary for the investigation of land degradation, but lacks accurate and efficient methods. This study proposes a combined method for improving source apportionment and spatial prediction of soil HMs. Finite mixture distribution modelling (FMDM) was used to explore the backgrounds and contamination thresholds, and can verify the source contribution calculated by positive matrix factorization (PMF). To improve the efficiency of traditional multivariate geostatistical simulation, independent component analysis and sequential Gaussian simulation were integrated into geostatistical independent simulation for revealing the spatial patterns and the polluted areas. The combined method was applied to an HMs dataset of Longkou City, eastern China as a case‐study. Both PMF and FMDM produced three sources of HMs. Cr and Ni were dominated by natural sources. Agricultural inputs mainly affected Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations. Hg, 66.8%, and Pb, 8.1%, originated from industrial, mining, and traffic emissions. Hazardous areas exceeding moderate pollution cutoffs comprised 203.88 km2, accounting for 23.2% of the study area. Less than 0.1% of the areas for all HMs were identified as hazardous zones exceeding the high pollution thresholds. The reasonable management of industrial and agricultural activities, traffic emissions, and mining could have an important influence on the protection of land resources. Combining FMDM, PMF, and geostatistical independent simulation proved valid for investigating the land degradation due to HMs pollution.
Biogeomorphic patterns emerge with pond expansion in deteriorating marshes affected by relative sea level rise
Authors: Qi Man , MacGregor Jessica , Gedan Keryn 
Published: December 2020

AbstractInterior marsh pond formation has been commonly observed in tidal marshes affected by high rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR). However, it is difficult to conclude whether an accretion deficit (accretion which does not keep pace with RSLR) or natural ice and wrack disturbance has driven pond formation. We propose that marsh deterioration caused by accretion deficit can be differentiated from that caused by other disturbances based upon temporal vegetation changes and the spatial configuration of vegetation zones relative to tidal creeks and the marsh platform. We tested this hypothesis in six newly ponded sites within RSLR‐affected marshes in Deal Island, Chesapeake Bay. At each site, we used field surveys and remote sensing to study spatiotemporal dynamics of marsh vegetation, marsh topography, and tidal creek incision. We found flood tolerant plants displaced flood intolerant species over time in the landward direction, or upslope, of ponds. A reverse species transition was observed seaward of ponds because tidal creek incision alleviated interior marsh inundation. The landscape‐scale biogeographic pattern we have recognized sheds light on how plants adapt to chronically reshaped geomorphological configurations of the marsh platform, which differentiates ponding caused by accretion deficit from ponding caused by natural and artificial disturbances. Furthermore, our results point to vegetation patterns that can be used as early warning signals of interior marsh loss to ponding. As ponding has been a major driver of tidal marsh habitat loss in microtidal marshes around the world, early indicators of decline are sorely needed to direct conservation activities.
The medical applications of biobased aerogels: ‘Natural aerogels for medical usage’
Authors: Okutucu Burcu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe biotechnology sector needs cost‐effective, renewable, reusable and sustainable raw materials. There are many different biomaterials existed in this area, such as magnetic nanoparticles, silica, clay and polymers. But they have many disadvantages about cost, preparation conditions and toxic chemicals. Aerogel technology provides high added‐value lightweight materials with huge porous structures high surface area and low density. The aerogels are classified into inorganic and organic according to the source of gel precursors. The inorganic aerogels are mostly prepared from alkoxides and various metal oxides. But either inorganic aerogels or first organic aerogels (resorcinol–formaldehyde) are composed of toxic chemicals that inherent them using in life science. Nowadays for preparing organic aerogels, natural precursors, such as polysaccharides (cellulose, chitosan, starch, alginate, carrageenan and curdlan) or proteins (silk fibroin and ovalbumin), milk (caseins and whey proteins, soy), are used and named as bioaerogels or biobased aerogels. All of these components are natural, biodegradable, bioactive and biocompatible for human. The biobased aerogels are mostly synthesized with polysaccharides. The natural polysaccharides and/or their derivatives can be used because of their availability, low toxicity, stability upon storage, good biological performance and enzyme‐controlled biodegradability. Also, cellulose‐based aerogels can be prepared using many renewable sources (wheat husk, potato tubers, paper waste, bagasse, etc) which is also very important for waste management. Biodegradable and biobased aerogels are of increasing pursuit, as the use of these compounds can be an alternative for reducing the impact on the environment. This mini review summarized the steps of preparation techniques of aerogels and explained the usage areas of biobased aerogels with examples of in drug delivery, wound healing and tissue engineering.
Duplex echography as an adjuvant tool to clinical examination to detect early postoperative free flap vascular compromise
Authors: Gonzalez Jesus , Gardikiotis Ioannis , Ruiz‐Moya Alejandro , Fontdevila Joan , Weshahy Omar , Palacin Jose , Vinals Joan , Hong Joon Pio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundClinical examination remains the cornerstone for postoperative monitoring of free flaps but is highly dependent on the surgeon's ability and experience. Duplex echography provides a noninvasive objective evaluation of tissue perfusion. The authors hypothesized that duplex echography may be a more sensitive and specific monitoring method for early detection of postoperative flap compromise compared to clinical examination alone. The goal was to evaluate any differences between combined duplex echography and clinical examination flap monitoring versus isolated clinical evaluation.MethodsA total of 730 free flaps in 700 patients were included in the study. We conducted an intra‐subject prospective study of a cohort of patients who underwent free flap reconstruction in our unit to compare clinical examination with duplex echography for postoperative monitoring. An inter‐subject study was also undertaken comparing the prospective cohort with a historical control group of patients in whom free flap monitoring was made using clinical examination alone. The patency flow and velocities through the artery and vein of the flap were measured at the donor and recipient vessels of every anastomosis by duplex scanning, by the same plastic surgeon every 4 hr, during the first 18 hr after surgery.ResultsDuplex echography and clinical evaluation were used in 175 patients. The historical cohort included a total of 525 flaps. Every patient with suspicion of vascular compromise based on duplex echography was taken back for surgical re‐exploration. There were no cases of overdiagnosis using duplex echography (Sensitivity 100%, Specificity 100%). Clinical evaluation detected issues with the vascularan astomoses in 23/175 flaps. However, it failed to detect 12/22 cases which presented with vascular complications and gave a false indication of possible complications in 13 flaps (Sensitivity 45%, Specificity 92%).ConclusionIn our practice, duplex echography is considered a useful adjunct monitoring tool for early detection of postoperative flap compromise, which compliments clinical evaluation. It provides anatomic and hemodynamic information of the vascular status and may therefore increase survival of flaps by allowing earlier detection of vascular compromise, compared to clinical examination alone, in postoperative monitoring of free flaps.
A retrospective study on the potential of 99mTc‐HDP imaging before therapy for individualizing treatments with 223Ra‐Cl2 for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Mínguez Pablo , Rodeño Emilia , Fernández Irache , Esteban Alba , Martínez‐Indart Lorea , Gómez de Iturriaga Alfonso 
Published: December 2020

PurposeResearch on dose‐effect correlation is necessary to move toward an individualization of treatments of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with 223Ra‐Cl2. We first looked for a possible correlation of 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake in pretreatment whole‐body scans (WBSs) with lesion absorbed dose. Moreover, we looked for a possible correlation of 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake in pretreatment WBSs and of lesion absorbed dose with relative change in the 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake obtained from pre‐ and post‐treatment WBSs in patients treated for mCRPC with six cycles of 223Ra‐Cl2.MethodsEleven patients received six cycles of 55 kBq/kg of 223Ra‐Cl2 separated by 4 weeks. In addition, one patient received concomitant treatment with abiraterone and two patients with enzalutamide. The 99mTc‐HDP WBSs were acquired before the first cycle and after the sixth cycle of the treatment. For the lesions with the higher 99mTc‐HDP uptake, the absorbed dose was calculated for the first cycle. Lesion volume was determined from 99mTc‐HDP SPECT/CT images before the first cycle and 223Ra‐Cl2 activity in the lesions was determined from 223Ra‐Cl2 planar images after the first cycle. The effect of the treatment was evaluated from the relative change of the mean and the maximum counts in the lesions, both estimated from the WBSs acquired before the first cycle and after the sixth cycle.ResultsThe absorbed dose was calculated for 30 lesions, with values ranging between 0.4 and 3.8 Gy (mean 1.5 Gy). A significant (P < 0.05) high positive linear correlation was found between the lesion absorbed dose in the first treatment cycle and the mean and maximum counts in the lesions in the WBSs acquired before the first cycle (R = 0.75 and 0.76, respectively). The relative change of the mean and the maximum counts in the lesions in the 99mTc‐HDP WBSs showed a significant (P < 0.05) high positive logarithmic correlation with the 99mTc‐HDP mean and maximum counts in the lesions before the first cycle (R = 0.79 and 0.78, respectively). Lastly, a significant (P < 0.05) high positive logarithmic correlation was also found between the relative change of the mean and the maximum counts in the lesions in the 99mTc‐HDP WBSs and the lesion absorbed dose (R = 0.86 and 0.85, respectively). For this correlation the influence of the administered activity and of the concomitant treatments was not found to be significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe high correlations found for the 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake before the first cycle lesion with the relative change in the 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake after the six cycles of 223Ra‐Cl2, and with the lesion absorbed dose in the first cycle show the potential of pretreatment 99mTc‐HDP imaging in order to personalize the performance of these treatments.
Evaluation of Habitat Use by a Catch-and-Release Regulated Flathead Catfish Population in Branched Oak Reservoir, Nebraska, USA
Authors: Blank, Aaron J. , Barada Tony J. , Katt Jordan D. , Jackson Jeffrey J. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
A series of rock jetty and A-Jack structures was built in 1998 at Branched Oak Reservoir, Nebraska, in an attempt to reduce shoreline erosion and cove degradation. In conjunction with the habitat enhancement project, Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris were stocked to help control the abundant White Perch Morone americana population. Previous research found that Flathead Catfish utilized the habitats created by the enhancement project; however, the research was conducted while the Flathead Catfish population was still developing and the reservoir water elevation was held for an extended period below conservation pool. We sampled three habitat types (rock jetty structures, concrete A-Jack structures, and new-growth trees) during the summer months from 2015 to 2019 using daytime low-frequency electrofishing to determine differences in size distribution and relative abundance among habitat types. Flathead Catfish utilization of the rock jetty structures was characterized by high catch rates (137 fish/h) and smaller fish (&lt;400 mm). Lower catch rates were found in the A-Jack structures (86 fish/h) and new-growth trees (36 fish/h); however, these habitats were primarily utilized by larger fish (&gt;600 mm). Habitat use changed with the developing population and the availability of a new habitat type, inundated new-growth trees. The catch-and-release regulation changed both density and size structure of the Flathead Catfish population in Branched Oak Reservoir. The results of this study can assist fisheries managers in locating or enhancing favorable reservoir habitats for Flathead Catfish.