bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Facile Strategy to Fabricate Polysaccharide‐Based Magnetic Hydrogel Based on Enamine Bond†
Authors: Liu Hongchen , Yang Jingru , Yin Yunlei , Qi Haisong 
Published: May 2020

Summary of main observation and conclusionMagnetic hydrogels have found extensive applications in fields such as soft robotics, drug delivery and shape morphing. Here a facile method was fabricated to prepare polysaccharide‐based magnetic hydrogels. The chitosan‐Fe3O4 ferrofluid was obtained by dispersing carboxyl groups modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles uniformly in chitosan matrix. Subsequently, the magnetic polysaccharide hydrogel was obtained by simply mixing cellulose acetoacetate solution with chitosan‐Fe3O4 ferrofluid. The structures and properties of the magnetic hydrogel were analyzed using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, rheological recovery, responsiveness, and stability measurements. The results indicated that magnetic polysaccharide hydrogel showed pH responsiveness and excellent self‐healing properties, and the hydrogel manifested outstanding stability under physiological conditions (37 °C) for 72 h. In addition, the injectable polysaccharide‐based hydrogel exhibited sensitive magnetic responsive and shape‐shifting ability under an external magnetic field. Therefore, the strategy for the facile preparation of the magnetic polysaccharide‐based hydrogel in this work could provide a benign and versatile method for achieving self‐healing, responsive, injectable properties for the application in biomedical fields.
Genome‐defined African ancestry is associated with distinct mutations and worse survival in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Lee Michelle J. , Koff Jean L. , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Jhaney C. Ileen , Harkins R. Andrew , Patel Sharvil P. , Dave Sandeep S. , Flowers Christopher R. 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundSignificant racial differences have been observed in the incidence and clinical outcomes of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the United States, but to the authors' knowledge it remains unclear whether genomic differences contribute to these disparities.METHODSTo understand the influences of genetic ancestry on tumor genomic alterations, the authors estimated the genetic ancestry of 1001 previously described patients with DLBCL using unsupervised model‐based Admixture global ancestry analysis applied to exome sequencing data and examined the mutational profile of 150 DLBCL driver genes in tumors obtained from this cohort.ResultsGlobal ancestry prediction identified 619 patients with >90% European ancestry, 81 patients with >90% African ancestry, and 50 patients with >90% Asian ancestry. Compared with patients with DLBCL with European ancestry, patients with African ancestry were aged >10 years younger at the time of diagnosis and were more likely to present with B symptoms, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, extranodal disease, and advanced stage disease. Patients with African ancestry demonstrated worse overall survival compared with patients with European ancestry (median, 4.9 years vs 8.8 years; P = .04). Recurrent mutations of MLL2 (KMT2D), HIST1H1E, MYD88, BCL2, and PIM1 were found across all ancestry groups, suggesting shared mechanisms underlying tumor biology. The authors also identified 6 DLBCL driver genes that were more commonly mutated in patients with African ancestry compared with patients with European ancestry: ATM (21.0% vs 7.75%; P < .001), MGA (19.7% vs 5.33%; P < .001), SETD2 (17.3% vs 5.17%; P < .001), TET2 (12.3% vs 5.82%; P = .029), MLL3 (KMT2C) (11.1% vs 4.36%; P = .013), and DNMT3A (11.1% vs 4.52%; P = .016).ConclusionsDistinct prevalence and patterns of mutation highlight an important difference in the mutational landscapes of DLBCL arising in different ancestry groups. To the authors' knowledge, the results of the current study provide the first‐ever characterization of genetic alterations among patients with African descent who are diagnosed with DLBCL.
EndoVIPER‐seq for Improved Detection of A‐to‐I Editing Sites in Cellular RNA
Authors: Knutson Steve D. , Heemstra Jennifer M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAdenosine to‐inosine (A‐to‐I) RNA editing is a conserved post‐transcriptional modification that is critical for a variety of cellular processes. A‐to‐I editing is widespread in nearly all types of RNA, directly imparting significant global changes in cellular function and behavior. Dysfunctional RNA editing is also implicated in a number of diseases, and A‐to‐I editing activity is rapidly becoming an important biomarker for early detection of cancer, immune disorders, and neurodegeneration. While millions of sites have been identified, the biological function of the majority of these sites is unknown, and the regulatory mechanisms for controlling editing activity at individual sites is not well understood. Robust detection and mapping of A‐to‐I editing activity throughout the transcriptome is vital for understanding these properties and how editing affects cellular behavior. However, accurately identifying A‐to‐I editing sites is challenging because of inherent sampling errors present in RNA‐seq. We recently developed Endonuclease V immunoprecipitation enrichment sequencing (EndoVIPER‐seq) to directly address this challenge by enrichment of A‐to‐I edited RNAs prior to sequencing. This protocol outlines how to process cellular RNA, enrich for A‐to‐I edited transcripts with EndoVIPER pulldown, and prepare libraries suitable for generating RNA‐seq data. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: mRNA fragmentation and glyoxalationBasic Protocol 2: EndoVIPER pulldownBasic Protocol 3: RNA‐seq library preparation and data analysis
Adipose tissue remodelling in obese subjects is a determinant of presence and severity of fatty liver disease
Authors: Cimini Flavia Agata , Barchetta Ilaria , Ciccarelli Gea , Leonetti Frida , Silecchia Gianfranco , Chiappetta Caterina , Di Cristofano Claudio , Capoccia Danila , Bertoccini Laura , Ceccarelli Valentina , Carletti Raffaella , Fraioli Antonio , Baroni Marco Giorgio , Morini Sergio , Cavallo Maria Gisella 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsExperimental data suggest that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) dysfunction contributes to non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development in obesity, however, data on humans are limited. Aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between NAFLD and VAT morphofunctional impairment and to determine whether the extent of VAT remodelling is associated with liver damage and metabolic alterations in obesity.MethodsWe analysed data from 40 obese individuals candidate to bariatric surgery in whom paired intraoperative liver and omental biopsies were performed for diagnosing NAFLD and VAT inflammation by immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression studies.ResultsWithin our study population, NAFLD was significantly associated with greater VAT CD68+macrophages infiltration (P = .04), fibrosis (P = .04) and impaired microvascular density (P = .03) as well as increased expression of markers of local hypoxia, apoptosis and inflammation (UNC5B, CASP7, HIF1‐α, IL‐8, MIP2, WISP‐1, all P < .01). The degree of VAT inflammation correlated with the severity of hepatic injury (steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis; all P < .01) and impaired gluco‐metabolic profile.ConclusionsIn obese patients, NAFLD is associated in a dose‐dependent manner with signs of VAT remodelling, which reflect more severe clinical metabolic impairment. Our study depicts morphological alterations and novel mediators of VAT dysfunction, adding knowledge for future therapeutic approaches to NAFLD and its metabolic complications.
Water balance of municipal wastewater irrigation in a coastal forested watershed
Authors: Gibson Nancy E. , Sun Ge , Nichols Elizabeth Guthrie 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn the southeastern United States, coastal communities face challenges for water resources and wastewater treatment capacity. In North Carolina, 51 municipalities irrigate forests with municipal wastewater to absorb nutrients, reduce direct effluent discharge to surface waters, and recharge groundwater. Most facilities have land‐applied wastewater for decades, but there are no quantitative studies on the hydrologic impacts of this practice. This study developed a simulated water balance for the largest forest land‐application system in North Carolina which treats wastewater daily by irrigating 30 km2 of a mixed hardwood‐loblolly pine forest. A distributed hydrological model (MIKE SHE) was adapted to simulate 20 years of watershed evapotranspiration (ET) and water table depth (WTD) under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. We found that irrigation impact to annual and monthly WTD was negligible in years with average and above average rainfall. For wet years, drainage increased with irrigation while ET and WTD remained similar to nonirrigated conditions. In dry years, ET was 31 to 39 mm higher in irrigated forest than nonirrigated forest though the change in groundwater storage remained close to zero annually. Our simulation study suggested that the drivers of on‐site drainage were predominantly rainfall and irrigation, and the annual watershed drainage increased in volumes equal to 93%–100% of the added annual irrigation input. This study offers insights to water balance dynamics in irrigated forests and coastal forest resiliency to variable wastewater hydraulic loading.
Plasma testosterone and arrhythmic events in male patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ren Jie , Chen Liang , Zhang Ningning , Chen Xiao , Zhao Qian , Chen Kai , Li Xiangjie , Ruschitzka Frank , Duru Firat , Song Jiangping 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is associated with life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmia and progressive ventricular dysfunction. Previous studies suggested that sex hormones play an important role in the onset and prognosis of ARVC. This study aimed to investigate the role of testosterone in predicting major adverse cardiac events in the Chinese ARVC cohort.Methods and resultsNinety‐nine ARVC patients (median age, 40 years; 70.7% male) and 96 healthy controls (median age, 41 years; 62.5% male) were enrolled. The circulating levels of testosterone were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The median follow‐up time of all ARVC male patients was 17 months (interquartile range/IQR 9–29). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyse the effect of plasma testosterone and other well‐described risk factors on malignant arrhythmic events in male ARVC patients. The male ARVC patients had significantly elevated levels of total testosterone [TT, 6.390 (4.438–8.768) ng/mL vs. 3.617 (2.073–4.479) ng/mL, P < 0.0001, data shown as the median with IQR], bioavailable testosterone [BT, 4.11 (1.990–6.545) ng/mL vs. 1.32 (0.7965–2.0350) ng/mL, P < 0.0001, median with IQR], and free testosterone [FT, 0.2055 (0.1000–0.4073) ng/mL vs. 0.0768 (0.0405–0.1105) ng/mL, P < 0.0001, median with IQR] than healthy male volunteer, whereas no differences were observed among female counterparts. There was no significant correlation between the baseline clinical characteristics and testosterone levels in male ARVC patients (Spearman's correlation test, P > 0.05). During the follow‐up, the levels of testosterone were higher in male patients who experienced malignant arrhythmic events (N = 22) than in those who did not (N = 25) [TT, 9.034 (7.222–15.370) ng/mL vs. 4.633 (3.363–6.375) ng/mL, P < 0.001; BT, 7.485 (2.070–9.163) ng/mL vs. 3.300 (1.685–4.690) ng/mL, P < 0.05; FT, 0.453 (0.221–0.758) ng/mL vs. 0.161 (0.075–0.337) ng/mL P < 0.05, data expressed as median (IQR) and adjusted by Dunn's multiple comparisons test], whereas such distinction was not observed among patients with significant structural progression events (N = 16). Through multivariable adjustments, the Cox regression analysis showed the level of plasma total testosterone (HR = 1.325, 95% confidence interval = 1.171–1.498, P < 0.001) was an independent predictor for malignant arrhythmic events.ConclusionsThe levels of plasma testosterone in ARVC male patients are higher than those in healthy males. Testosterone level, without relation to the baseline cardiac function and future significant structural progression events, is a strong predictor of future adverse arrhythmic events in male patients with ARVC. Therefore, our results suggest that testosterone may be a useful biomarker in arrhythmic risk prediction in the ARVC.
Diuretic and renal effects of spironolactone and heart failure hospitalizations: a TOPCAT Americas analysis
Authors: Kalogeropoulos Andreas P. , Thankachen Jincy , Butler Javed , Fang James C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsIt is unclear whether spironolactone reduced heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial through potential diuretic or other effects. We examined the effects of spironolactone on weight, diuretic use, and renal function, and their subsequent impact on outcomes.Methods and resultsWe analysed data from TOPCAT Americas (1767 patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction; 886 in spironolactone, 881 in placebo arm). We used mixed‐effects models for serial data and shared frailty models to identify determinants of recurrent HF hospitalizations among baseline and serial parameters. There were 800 HF hospitalizations after a median of 3.0 years. Despite more weight loss with spironolactone initially, weight trajectories overlapped after 12 months. Daily furosemide dose (time‐averaged Δ: −4.8% vs. +11.6%, P < 0.001) and thiazide use (−4.3% vs. +1.7%; P = 0.003) decreased with spironolactone; however, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use decreased also (−13.1% vs. −7.3%; P = 0.004). Serum creatinine increased more with spironolactone (+12.5% vs. +3.5%; P < 0.001). In time‐updated models, loop diuretic dose [hazard ratio (HR) per doubling 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.32; P < 0.001], creatinine (HR per doubling 1.28; 95% CI 1.04–1.40; P = 0.019), and ACEI/ARB use (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.67–1.00; P = 0.048) were associated with HF hospitalizations. However, the effect of spironolactone on HF hospitalizations persisted (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.62–0.96; P = 0.021) in these models. Results were similar for cardiovascular mortality and time to first HF hospitalization.ConclusionsIn TOPCAT Americas, the benefit of spironolactone on outcomes could not be solely attributed to potential diuretic effects, suggesting the presence of non‐diuretic mechanisms.
Enhanced oral bioavailability and bioefficacy of phloretin using mixed polymeric modified self‐nanoemulsions
Authors: Wang Yiling , Li Dongli , Lin Huiqiong , Jiang Sen , Han Lei , Hou Shuli , Lin Shuying , Cheng Zhefeng , Bian Wangqing , Zhang Xinxin , He Yan , Zhang Kun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPhloretin (Ph) is a natural active ingredient with wide biological properties. However, its poor water‐solubility and low oral bioavailability limit the application significantly in functional food and drug. This study was to explore the mixed polymer Pluronic® F127 and P123 modified the different triglycerides (LCT, MCT, SCT) in self‐nanoemulsions (SNEs) for enhancing the oral bioavailability and bioefficacy of Ph. The SNEs were characterized in terms of physical property study, lipolysis study, pharmacokinetic study, and anti‐inflammatory effect. The water‐solubility of LCT‐Ph‐SNE increased 3000‐fold compared with Ph solution. Pharmacokinetic study of SNEs and other carriers (HP‐β‐CD, PVP) results indicated that LCT‐Ph‐SNE was 7.9‐fold more bioavailable compared with unformulated Ph. The anti‐inflammatory activity of LCT‐Ph‐SNE in vivo represented a 6.8‐fold enhancement compared with unformulated Ph. This novel SNE formulation may also be used for other poorly soluble ingredients with high loading capacity, which made a significant impact on functional food and drug.
Effect of salt mixture on flavor of reduced‐sodium restructured bacon with ultrasound treatment
Authors: Zhou Yu , Wang Yu , Pan Qiong , Wang Xi‐xi , Li Pei‐jun , Cai Ke‐zhou , Chen Cong‐gui 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFlavor loss from sodium reduction is a large challenge faced in the meat industry. The effects of salt mixture (KCl: CaCl2 = 1:1, w/w) content (0%–1.0%) on flavor of reduced‐sodium (1.5% NaCl) restructured bacon with ultrasound treatment (UT, 600 w for 30 min) were investigated. The results showed that 0.5% salt mixture (0.25% KCl and 0.25% CaCl2) could significantly (p < .05) enhance the lipid oxidation, the protein oxidation, and the formation of free amino acids of reduced‐sodium UT‐restructured bacon and could also markedly (p < .05) improve its flavor and the overall quality of sensory evaluation via promoting the release of five kinds of volatile phenolic compounds (o‐cresol, m‐cresol, 2‐methoxy‐phenol, 2‐methoxy‐4‐methylphenol, and 2‐methoxy‐5‐methylphenol) and the formation of five kinds of volatile aldehyde compounds (hexanal, nonanal, decanal, furfural, and 5‐methyl furfural). It is interesting to understand the mechanism for the effect of salt mixture on flavor and to efficiently develop a technique for improving the flavor of reduced‐sodium products in the meat industry.
Vaccine Rationing and the Urgency of Social Justice in the Covid‐19 Response
Authors: Schmidt Harald 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe Covid‐19 pandemic needs to be considered from two perspectives simultaneously. First, there are questions about which policies are most effective and fair in the here and now, as the pandemic unfolds. These polices concern, for example, who should receive priority in being tested, how to implement contact tracing, or how to decide who should get ventilators or vaccines when not all can. Second, it is imperative to anticipate the medium‐ and longer‐term consequences that these policies have. The case of vaccine rationing is particularly instructive. Ethical, epidemiological, and economic reasons demand that rationing approaches give priority to groups who have been structurally and historically disadvantaged, even if this means that overall life years gained may be lower.
Innovative Technologies to Promote Sustainable Recirculating Aquaculture in Eastern Africa—A Case Study of a Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Hatchery in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Clough Samuel , Mamo Julian , Hoevenaars Kyra , Bardocz Tamas , Petersen Paw , Rosendorf Poul , Atiye Tahla , Gukelberger Ephraim , Guya Edwin , Hoinkis Jan 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Lake Victoria, regionally important both as a source of food and income, is under pressure due to overfishing and severe pollution. Currently, the vast majority of east African aquaculture is open-pond based. The adoption of modern and sustainable aquaculture technologies and practices—in this case study recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)—will help the region increase food security and decrease its current reliance on imported fish and stressed wild stock. To this end, VicInAqua, a project under the EU Horizon 2020 program, has developed a pilot Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) hatchery in Kisumu, Kenya using RAS adapted to local conditions. The hatchery is designed as a flexible, scalable, and modular system. An online monitoring system enables farmers to access farm data from both fish tanks and the supporting renewable energy systems, allowing around-the-clock monitoring and control. The hatchery is linked to a 14.3 kWp Photovoltaic (PV) system, including a 30 kWh Li-battery storage, to supply sustainable electricity. The water for the RAS, treated by a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and certified for use in aquaculture and agriculture, comes chiefly from Kisumu's municipal sewage, which reduces the farms' reliance on an expensive and occasionally intermittent potable water supply. Combining these technologies represents an industry first and offers a working example for larger-scale future developments. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the possible technologies and practices in situ as well as provide a template for future development and investment. The hatchery is used by the Department of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Kisumu County, Kenya, as a training and demonstration facility to promote the aquaculture sector and increase the awareness, knowledge, and skills of fish farmers, as well as provide high quality fingerlings to cage farmers within the lake. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:934–941. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
Distinct immune evasion in APOBEC‐enriched, HPV‐negative HNSCC
Authors: Messerschmidt Clemens , Obermayer Benedikt , Klinghammer Konrad , Ochsenreither Sebastian , Treue Denise , Stenzinger Albrecht , Glimm Hanno , Fröhling Stefan , Kindler Thomas , Brandts Christian H. , Schulze‐Osthoff Klaus , Weichert Wilko , Tinhofer Ingeborg , Klauschen Frederick , Keilholz Ulrich , Beule Dieter , Rieke Damian T. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibition leads to response in some patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Robust biomarkers are lacking to date. We analyzed viral status, gene expression signatures, mutational load and mutational signatures in whole exome and RNA‐sequencing data of the HNSCC TCGA dataset (n = 496) and a validation set (DKTK MASTER cohort, n = 10). Public single‐cell gene expression data from 17 HPV‐negative HNSCC were separately reanalyzed. APOBEC3‐associated TCW motif mutations but not total single nucleotide variant burden were significantly associated with inflammation. This association was restricted to HPV‐negative HNSCC samples. An APOBEC‐enriched, HPV‐negative subgroup was identified, that showed higher T‐cell inflammation and immune checkpoint expression, as well as expression of APOBEC3 genes. Mutations in immune‐evasion pathways were also enriched in these tumors. Analysis of single‐cell sequencing data identified expression of APOBEC3B and 3C genes in malignant cells. We identified an APOBEC‐enriched subgroup of HPV‐negative HNSCC with a distinct immunogenic phenotype, potentially mediating response to immunotherapy.
Attention and memory biases for aggressive information in college students with fragile high self‐esteem
Authors: Dai Jiaxing , Gao Heming , Zhang Lihua , Chen Hong 
Published: May 2020

In this study, we examined attention and memory biases for aggressive information in two groups of college students. Individuals with fragile high self‐esteem (n = 30) and individuals with secure high self‐esteem (n = 30) first performed a dot‐probe task investigating attention bias, followed by a memory task. Incidental free recall of words presented in the memory task was then completed to assess memory bias. Results revealed that individuals with fragile high self‐esteem exhibited significant attention and memory biases for aggressive words compared with secure high self‐esteem individuals. Attention bias for aggressive words was positively correlated with memory bias in individuals with fragile high self‐esteem, but no correlation was found for individuals with secure high self‐esteem. These findings suggest that individuals with fragile high self‐esteem selectively attend to and remember aggression‐related information. They may process information in ways that are congruent with an aggression‐related schema. This study reveals the aggressive cognitive processes of individuals with fragile high self‐esteem, which may be related to aggression.