bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of DNA methylation patterns and biomarkers for clear-cell renal cell carcinoma by multi-omics data analysis
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Tian Weidong 
Published: August 2020

Background
Tumorigenesis is highly heterogeneous, and using clinicopathological signatures only is not enough to effectively distinguish clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and improve risk stratification of patients. DNA methylation (DNAm) with the stability and reversibility often occurs in the early stage of tumorigenesis. Disorders of transcription and metabolism are also an important molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Therefore, it is necessary to identify effective biomarkers involved in tumorigenesis through multi-omics analysis, and these biomarkers also provide new potential therapeutic targets.

Method
The discovery stage involved 160 pairs of ccRCC and matched normal tissues for investigation of DNAm and biomarkers as well as 318 cases of ccRCC including clinical signatures. Correlation analysis of epigenetic, transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed the connection and discordance among multi-omics and the deregulated functional modules. Diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers were obtained by the correlation analysis, the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and the LASSO-Cox methods. Two classifiers were established based on random forest (RF) and LASSO-Cox algorithms in training datasets. Seven independent datasets were used to evaluate robustness and universality. The molecular biological function of biomarkers were investigated using DAVID and GeneMANIA.

Results
Based on multi-omics analysis, the epigenetic measurements uniquely identified DNAm dysregulation of cellular mechanisms resulting in transcriptomic alterations, including cell proliferation, immune response and inflammation. Combination of the gene co-expression network and metabolic network identified 134 CpG sites (CpGs) as potential biomarkers. Based on the LASSO and RF algorithms, five CpGs were obtained to build a diagnostic classifierwith better classification performance (AUC > 99%). A eight-CpG-based prognostic classifier was obtained to improve risk stratification (hazard ratio (HR) > 4; log-rank test, p-value < 0.01). Based on independent datasets and seven additional cancers, the diagnostic and prognostic classifiers also had better robustness and stability. The molecular biological function of genes with abnormal methylation were significantly associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and signal transduction.

Conclusion
The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of ccRCC using multi-omics data. These findings indicated that multi-omics analysis could identify some novel epigenetic factors, which were the most important causes of advanced cancer and poor clinical prognosis. Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers were identified, which provided a promising avenue to develop effective therapies for ccRCC.
Adoption of Integrated Rice-fish Farming Technology in Ebonyi State Nigeria: Sources of Information and Level of Use
Authors: Onoh Lucy A. , Onoh Charles C. , Agomuo Christiana I. , Ogu Theresa C. , Onwuma Evajoy O. , Anaeto Frank C. 
Published: August 2020

Background: Integrated rice-fish farming is one of the most viable, reliable and profitable of any farming enterprise. It contributes immensely to the economic empowerment of many families especially in the rural communities. It enables the farmer to be productive all year round and fully maximize its production.
Aim: To identify the sources of information available to farmers on integrated rice-fish farming and assess the level of use of integrated rice-fish farming technologies by the farmers in the study area.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. 243 farmers were assessed to ascertain their sources of information and level of use of integrated rice-fish farming technologies in the study area.
Methodology: Primary data were obtained from the field using structured questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions that address the objectives of the study. Farmers were asked to identify the sources of information and the level of use of integrated rice-fish technology on a 4- Likert scale.
Results: The result revealed that 78.2% of the farmers got information on integrated rice-fish farming technology using phone, 75.0% said they heard about it on radio, 70.0% got theirs from friends /relatives while 67.9% indicated getting their information from co-operatives. It revealed that the farmers used the following technologies: use of net guard (M = 3.17) skills in harvesting of fish before rice (M=3.17) stocking of carp fish (M=3.09) use of organic fertilizers (M=3.05) transplanting the rice seedling (M=2.95) and use of pest and disease resistant varieties (M=2.85), while technologies like use of bamboo guard (M=1.97) skills in harvesting of rice before fish (M=1.96) stocking of tilapia fish (M=1.93) construction of trenches (M=1,88) and use of terracing (M=1.86) are not used.
Conclusion: Most of the farmers (78.2%) got their information from the electronic media such as mobile phones and radio. Use of net guard (M= 3.17) skills in harvesting of fish before the rice (M= 3.17), stocking of carp fish (M= 3.09) and use of organic fertilizers (M= 3.05) were the technologies mostly used by the farmers.
Recommendations: For effective communication and information dissemination to be sustained on rice-fish farming, the Federal and State governments should support the farmers by providing mobile phones and radios because farmers will always prefer information channels that are cheaper, accessible and convenient.
Children with Myocarditis: Clinical Profile and Electrocardiographic Changes and Their Prognostic Significance: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Gohil Jayendra R. , Agarwal Tushar S. 
Published: August 2020

Aims and Objective: To study the clinical profile and electrocardiographic changes in children with myocarditis and their prognostic significance.
Methods: 223 children presented with signs and symptoms of myocarditis from June 2016 to May 2017. Amongst them, 21 children with congenital heart disease or rheumatic heart disease and 166 children with negative cardiac markers were excluded. The remaining 36 patients with myocarditis and elevated levels of both SGOT and CKMB were studied. The patient outcome was recorded as expired or discharged. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test.
Results: Majority (13; 36%) were infants. Post infancy, there was a uniform age distribution of cases. Myocarditis was commonly seen in association with culture-negative (probably viral) pneumonia, and diphtheria. Bradycardia and A-V block, although seen less frequently, were having a significant association with mortality. Congestive cardiac failure (28.6%) and cardiomegaly (25.0%) were not significantly associated with mortality. ECG changes like Sinus tachycardia and T wave inversion (most common) and ST elevation, Q waves and low amplitude (less common) were insignificantly associated with mortality.
Conclusion: In children, myocarditis should be suspected especially in infants with unexplained breathlessness or fatigue, arrhythmia, or signs of acute cardiac decompensation. It was seen more with bacterial-culture-negative (viral) pneumonia and diphtheria. Continuous ECG monitoring and chest X-ray should be done. Congestive cardiac failure and cardiomegaly, though observed in a quarter of patients were not significantly associated with mortality. Bradycardia and A-V block have a poor prognosis and cardiac pacing should be considered. Echocardiography should be available in-house.
Comparative Effects of Different Levels of Kolgrace Organic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield Attributes of Greengram (Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek) in the Screenhouse
Authors: Ihejiofor P. N. , Ukwu U. N. , Adeoye G. O. 
Published: August 2020

Aim: To investigate growth and yield response of greengram to different levels of Kolgrace organic fertilizer with a view to determining the most favorable application rate for greengram production.
Study Design: Completely randomized design (CRD) with treatments replicated five (5) times.
Place and Duration of Study: Screenhouse of the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, between July to November 2016.
Methodology: Six levels of kolgrace organic fertilizer were used (0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00 and 8.00 t ha-1). Top soil (0 -15 cm) was collected from the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, and leached of nutrients by soaking and washing in water for 24 hours. 2 kg of air-dry soil was mixed with the appropriate fertilizer rate and filled in each pot. 3 seeds were sown per pot and thinned to 1 seed at 2 weeks after sowing (WAS). Chemical analysis of air-dry soil sample and Kolgrace fertilizer were done at the soil chemistry laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, to ascertain their elemental composition. Soil particle size distribution [1], Soil pH [2], exchangeable K and Na [3], exchangeable Mg and Ca [4], exchangeable acidity [5], organic matter and organic carbon [6], available P [7], Nitrogen [8] and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) [4] were determined.
Results: Application rates were significant (p<0.05) for all the traits measured. 0.5 t ha-1 was significantly higher in plant height (39.5), number of pods (7.0) and dry pod weight (4.98). Application rate of 1 t ha-1 was higher in number of leaves (18.0) although was comparable to application rate of 0.5 t ha-1.
Conclusion: Application rate of 0.5 t ha-1 was best for three of the five traits measured and is hereby recommended.
Green Tamarind Extract Catalyzed Synthesis of 4-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole Derivatives and Their In-vitro Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Verma Diksha , Sharma Sunita , Sahni Tanvi , Arora Geetika 
Published: August 2020

In several organic synthesis and chemical transformations, the use of green chemistry has decreased the reaction time and chemical waste. Due to the tremendous advantages of green chemistry, the paper presents the synthesis of benzylidene derivatives of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole by reacting it with various substituted aldehydes/benzaldehydes using different catalytic amount(ln mL) of tamarind extract/glacial acetic acid as a catalyst by conventional and microwave method. All the synthesized compounds (1-7) were characterized using spectroscopic techniques viz. UV, IR, and 1H NMR. Antimicrobial activity of all the compounds was done using negative gram bacteria i.e. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp. against standard Ampicillin. Compound 2 containing 4-nitro substitution increased the antimicrobial activity as compared to other Enterobacter sp, but none of them showed better In-vitro antimicrobial potential than standard ampicillin. All the synthesized Schiff bases differed significantly from one another within the range of test concentrations.
Damping correction formula considering the period‐dependent characteristics of the design response spectra of long‐period ground motions for the hypothetical Nankai Trough earthquake: An investigation of the simplified spectra and waveform example provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Authors: Kobayashi Masahito , Kataoaka Yuto 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn June 2016, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan announced a countermeasure against the Nankai Trough’s long‐period ground motions. However, the response spectrum method provided in the Ministry of Construction notification Vol. 2009 was not included in the countermeasure because it could not reflect the influence of long‐period ground motions. Therefore, this paper proposes a damping correction formula for long‐period ground motions considering the period‐dependent characteristics of the earthquake response spectra for the design. The applicability of the proposed damping correction formula to seismically isolated buildings is verified by comparing the result by the response spectrum method using this formula with those of a time‐history analysis using the single‐degree‐of‐freedom models.
One‐Step Fabrication of Universal Slippery Lubricated Surfaces
Authors: Chen Liwei , Park Sohyeon , Yoo Jin , Hwang Hyesun , Kim Hyeonjin , Lee Junghoon , Hong Jinkee , Wooh Sanghyuk 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAmong the various liquid‐repellent surfaces studied in recent times, lubricant‐impregnated surfaces (LISs) with a mobile lubricant top surface exhibit distinctive liquid repellency. For the fabrication of LISs with stable lubricant impregnation, there are two surface requirements: i) a porous/textured structure and ii) a hydrophobic surface. These limitations require complex processes to be overcome and impede the fabrication of a variety of potential substrates. Herein, a stable and homogeneous lubricant thin layer fabricated by a simple one‐step heating process is introduced on a nonhydrophobic surface with no porous/textured structures. Since the reaction minimizes the interfacial energy, a surface with a stable mobile lubricant thin layer, named “lubricated surface” (LuS), is fabricated. The LuS exhibits outstanding liquid repellency, anti‐biofouling properties against bacteria, and anticorrosivity for metals, along with excellent self‐healing characteristics. Additionally, the LuS can be applied on various materials and structures, including completely flat, nonporous surfaces. These superior virtues of the LuS can open new pathways for the production of universal slippery lubricant thin films for various potential applications.
Voltage Induced Molecular Motors Constitute the Smallest Self‐Assembled Molecular Electronic Counter
Authors: Dagar Parveen , Bera Jayanta , Gandi Appala Naidu , Daukiya Lakshya , Vyas Giriraj , Sahu Satyajit 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAn electronic counter is an integral component in an analog to digital (A/D) or digital to analog signal conversion circuit. The number of flip‐flops (n) in these devices decides the quality of the conversion as the output is proportional to 2n. Since each flip‐flop is a combination of transistors, and each transistor occupies some space, there is a limitation in the quality of conversion. The smallest 4‐bit asynchronous counter is built by using a self‐assembled redox‐active organic molecule 2,3‐Dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ), where each DDQ molecule is acting as an individual flip‐flop which is the building block of a counter. These molecules reduce the size of the counter by two orders. The output of the counter is obtained by tracking the translational motion of a group of molecules which are oscillating about the average value concerning the applied bias. Sixteen new spatial locations are obtained corresponding to sixteen distinct analog inputs (bias voltage) to the flip‐flops. So, unconventional conversion of an analog signal to ultra‐digital (UD) signal is possible by using an n‐bit counter consisting of as many numbers of flip‐flops and thus can become a system for the conversion of A/UD signal.
Role of the Processing Solvent on the Electrical Conductivity of PEDOT:PSS
Authors: Dong Jingjin , Portale Giuseppe 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPoly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is one of the most studied conductive polymers, holding great potential in many applications such as thermoelectric generators, solar cells, and memristors. Great efforts have been invested in trying to improve its mechanical and electrical properties and to elucidate the structure–property relationship. In this work, a systematic and quantitative study of the effect of solvent polarity and solution processing on the film structure and conductivity is presented. By using grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) together with atomic force microscopy (AFM), the importance of the quality of the PEDOT crystal packing is highlighted as a key factor to reach improved electrical conductivity, rather than the overall degree of crystallinity. Moreover, the (re)structuring mechanisms occurring during the film formation and film exposure processes are also studied by in situ GIWAXS. Different intermediate precursor stages and different pathways to reach improved crystallinity are reported depending on the used solvent. The structural results are interpreted looking at the solvent nature and the PSS/solvent affinity. With this contribution, a guidance is hoped to be given not only on how to improve the PEDOT:PSS electrical conductivity, but also on how to tune the film structural or electrical property for different applications.
Synthesis and Applications of β‐Aminoalkylboronic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Li Xiangyu , Hall Dennis G. 
Published: August 2020

Abstractα‐Aminoalkylboronic acids display a distinct role in medicinal chemistry, and their utility has been demonstrated by the successful commercialization of three drugs: bortezomib, ixazomib, and vaborbactam. Just as α‐aminoalkylboronic acids are a bioisostere of α‐amino acids, β‐aminoalkylboronates are a bona fide bioisostere of β‐amino acids, thus they also hold promising potential in drug discovery. Moreover, β‐aminoalkylboronates are versatile synthetic intermediates that are amenable to many of the established C−B bond derivatization reactions of chiral optically enriched alkylboronates, leading to the stereocontrolled preparation of valued classes of products such as β‐amino alcohols, 1,2‐diamines, and hemiboronic acid heterocycles. In addition, β‐aminoalkylboronates were shown to act as catalysts in certain organic reactions. This review presents an overview of the strengths and limitations of current preparative methods to access β‐aminoalkylboronic acid derivatives stereoselectively with various substitution patterns. Strategically, several disconnections can be exploited to establish both functional groups. Some of the key methods include the classical Matteson asymmetric homologation chemistry, transition metal‐catalyzed aminoboration of alkenes and formal hydroboration of enamine derivatives, nucleophilic additions of boryl‐substituted carbanions onto N‐functionalized imines, borylative ring openings of aziridines, and functionalization of alpha‐boryl aldehydes.magnified image
Recent Progress in the Nanoscale Evaluation of Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties via Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Kwon Owoong , Seol Daehee , Qiao Huimin , Kim Yunseok 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPiezoelectric and ferroelectric materials have garnered significant interest owing to their excellent physical properties and multiple potential applications. Accordingly, the need for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties has also increased. The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties are evaluated macroscopically using laser interferometers and polarization–electric field loop measurements. However, as the research focus is shifted from bulk to nanosized materials, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques have been suggested as an alternative approach for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. In this Progress Report, the recent progress on the nanoscale evaluation of piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of diverse materials using SPM‐based methods is summarized. Among the SPM techniques, the focus is on recent studies that are related to piezoresponse force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy; further, the utilization of these two modes to understand piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties at the nanoscale level is discussed. This work can provide guidelines for evaluating the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of materials based on SPM techniques.
Paying for animal welfare? A hedonic analysis of egg prices
Authors: Vukina Tomislav , Nestic Danijel 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe investigate whether consumers are willing to pay a premium price for animal welfare attributes of foods they eat. To answer this question, we carry out a hedonic analysis of the retail eggs prices in Croatia. Scientific evidence clearly supports the notion that birds' wellbeing is higher in cage‐free systems than in a typical cage system. Therefore, there is a clear link between production systems and animal welfare. We use the retail level monthly data for 2017 on sales quantities and unit values of all fresh egg stock keeping units from all stores belonging to one of the largest retail chains in the country. The estimation results of the equilibrium hedonic price equation model shows that holding other attributes constant, the clean price premium for cage‐free eggs is 15 cents per 10‐egg carton or 7.8% of the retail price. Although the implicit price premium for cage‐free eggs is relatively modest, there are not that many people actually willing to buy them. Because only 2.2% of all eggs sold by the retail chain were actually cage‐free, the average per‐person willingness to pay for cage‐free eggs is only 0.3 cents for a 10‐egg carton [EconLit Citations: D12, L66, M31].
Spatio‐Temporally Reporting Dose‐Dependent Chemotherapy via Uniting Dual‐Modal MRI/NIR Imaging
Authors: Ma Yiyu , Yan Chenxu , Guo Zhiqian , Tan Guang , Niu Dechao , Li Yongsheng , Zhu Wei‐Hong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractUnpredictable in vivo therapeutic feedback of hydroxyl radical (.OH) efficiency is the major bottleneck of chemodynamic therapy. Herein, we describe novel Fenton‐based nanotheranostics NQ‐Cy@Fe&GOD for spatio‐temporally reporting intratumor .OH‐mediated treatment, which innovatively unites dual‐channel near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals. Specifically, MRI signal traces the dose distribution of Fenton‐based iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with high‐spatial resolution, meanwhile timely fluorescence signal quantifies .OH‐mediated therapeutic response with high spatio‐temporal resolution. NQ‐Cy@Fe&GOD can successfully monitor the intracellular release of IONPs and .OH‐induced NQO1 enzyme in living cells and tumor‐bearing mice, which makes a breakthrough in conquering the inherent unpredictable obstacles on spatio‐temporally reporting chemodynamic therapy, so as to manipulate dose‐dependent therapeutic process.
Enabling NMR Studies of High Molecular Weight Systems Without the Need for Deuteration: The XL‐ALSOFAST Experiment with Delayed Decoupling
Authors: Rößler Philip , Mathieu Daniel , Gossert Alvar D. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCurrent biological research increasingly focusses on large human proteins and their complexes. Such proteins are difficult to study by NMR spectroscopy because they often can only be produced in higher eukaryotic expression systems, where deuteration is hardly feasible. Here, we present the XL‐ALSOFAST‐[13C,1H]‐HMQC experiment with much improved sensitivity for fully protonated high molecular weight proteins. For the tested systems ranging from 100 to 240 kDa in size, 3‐fold higher sensitivity was obtained on average for fast relaxing signals compared to current state‐of‐the‐art experiments. In the XL‐ALSOFAST approach, non‐observed magnetisation is optimally exploited and transverse relaxation is minimized by the newly introduced concept of delayed decoupling. The combination of high sensitivity and superior artefact suppression makes it ideal for studying inherently unstable membrane proteins or for analysing therapeutic antibodies at natural13C abundance. The XL‐ALSOFAST and delayed decoupling will therefore expand the range of biomolecular systems accessible to NMR spectroscopy.