bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of exercise training on sarcopenia associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gonzalez Andrea , Valero-Breton Mayalen , Huerta-Salgado Camila , Achiardi Oscar , Simon Felipe , Cabello-Verrugio Claudio 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the efficacy of physical exercise on strength, muscle mass and physical function in adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).DesignWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of seven studies to investigate the effect of exercise training interventions in muscle strength, muscle mass and physical performance.Data sourcesWe identified relevant randomised controlled trials (RCT) in electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus).Eligibility criteriaWe selected seven RCTs from 66 screened studies. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed and English writing articles that included adult patients with liver disease of non-alcoholic origin, applied resistance training, endurance training or both, and assayed at least one variable of sarcopenia.ResultsPhysical performance criterion improved in the exercise groups (mean differences [MD] 8.26 mL/Kg*min [95% CI 5.27 to 11.24 mL/Kg*min], p < 0.0001) versus the control groups; muscle mass, determined as lean body mass (LBM), showed no evidence of the beneficial effects of exercise versus the control groups (MD 1.01 Kg [95% CI −1.78 to 3.80 Kg], p = 0.48); we did not include muscle strength, as none of the selected studies evaluated it.Summary/conclusionExercise training is a useful intervention strategy to treat sarcopenia in patients with NAFLD; it increases their physical performance in the form of aerobic capacity but does not affect LBM. Future research should include muscle strength assessments and resistance training to evaluate the effects of exercise training on sarcopenia in NAFLD patients.PROSPERO reference number CRD42020191471
Development and Validation of the Patient History COVID-19 (PH-Covid19) Scoring System: A Multivariable Prediction Model of Death in Mexican Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Mancilla-Galindo J. , Vera-Zertuche J. M. , Navarro-Cruz A. R. , Segura-Badilla O. , Reyes-Velázquez G. , Tepepa-López F. J. , Aguilar-Alonso P. , de J. Vidal-Mayo J. , Kammar-García A. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryWe sought to develop and validate a multivariable prediction model of death in Mexican patients with COVID-19, by using demographic and patient history predictors. We conducted a national retrospective cohort in two different sets of patients from the Mexican COVID-19 Epidemiologic Surveillance Study. To develop the model, we included 264,026 patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 between February 28 and May 30, 2020. To validate the model, 592,160 patients studied between June 1 and July 23, 2020 were included. Patients with a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and complete unduplicated data were eligible. Demographic and patient history variables were analyzed through Multivariable Cox regression models to evaluate predictors to be included in the prognostic scoring system called PH-Covid19. 83,779 patients were included to develop the model; 100,000, to validate the model. Eight predictors (age, sex, diabetes, COPD, immunosuppression, hypertension, obesity, and CKD) were included in the PH-Covid19 scoring system (range of values: −2 to 25 points). The predictive model has a discrimination of death of 0.8 (95%CI:0.796-0.804). The PH-Covid19 scoring system was developed and validated in Mexican patients to aid clinicians to stratify patients with COVID-19 at risk of fatal outcomes, allowing for better and efficient use of resources.
Quantifying mechanical loading and elastic strain energy of the human Achilles tendon during walking and running
Authors: Kharazi Mohamadreza , Bohm Sebastian , Theodorakis Christos , Mersmann Falk , Arampatzis Adamantios 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe purpose of the current study was to assess Achilles tendon (AT) mechanical loading and strain energy during locomotion using a new in vivo approach for measuring AT length that considers the AT curve-path shape. Eleven participants walked at 1.4 m/s and ran at 2.5 m/s and 3.5 m/s on a treadmill. AT length, defined as the distance between its origin at the gastrocnemius medialis myotendinous junction (MTJ) and the calcaneal insertion, was determined experimentally by integrating kinematics and ultrasound analysis. Small foil markers were placed on the skin covering the AT path from the origin to the insertion, and the MTJ, tracked using ultrasonography, was projected to the reconstructed skin to account for their misalignment. Skin-to-bone displacements were assessed during a passive rotation (5 °/s) of the ankle joint and considered in the calculation of AT length. Force and strain energy of the AT during locomotion were calculated by fitting a quadratic function to the experimentally measured tendon force-length curve obtained from maximum voluntary isometric contractions. Maximum AT strain and force were affected by speed (p<0.05, ranging from 4.0 to 4.9% strain and 1.989 to 2.556 kN), yet insufficient in magnitude to be considered an effective stimulus for tendon adaptation. Further, we found a recoil of elastic strain energy at the beginning of the stance phase of running (70-77 ms after touch down) between 1.7 ±0.6 and 1.9 ±1.1 J, which might be functionally relevant for running efficiency.Summary statementA new accurate in vivo approach to assess Achilles tendon strain, force and strain energy during locomotion.
Methionine synthase supports tumor tetrahydrofolate pools
Authors: Wang Joshua Z. , Ghergurovich Jonathan M. , Yang Lifeng , Rabinowitz Joshua D. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMammalian cells require activated folates to generate nucleotides for growth and division. The most abundant circulating folate species is 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (5-methyl-THF), which is used to synthesize methionine from homocysteine via the cobalamin-dependent enzyme methionine synthase (MTR). Cobalamin deficiency traps folates as 5-methyl-THF. Here, we show using isotope tracing that methionine synthase is only a minor source of methionine in cell culture, tissues, or xenografted tumors. Instead, methionine synthase is required for cells to avoid folate trapping and assimilate 5-methyl-THF into other folate species. Under conditions of physiological extracellular folates, genetic MTR knockout in tumor cells leads to folate trapping, purine synthesis stalling, nucleotide depletion, and impaired growth in cell culture and as xenografts. These defects are rescued by free folate but not one-carbon unit supplementation. Thus, MTR plays a crucial role in liberating tetrahydrofolate for use in one-carbon metabolism.
Kynurenic acid underlies sex-specific immune responses to COVID-19
Authors: Cai Yuping , Kim Daniel J. , Takahashi Takehiro , Broadhurst David I. , Ma Shuangge , Rattray Nicholas J.W. , Casanovas-Massana Arnau , Israelow Benjamin , Klein Jon , Lucas Carolina , Mao Tianyang , Moore Adam J. , Muenker M. Catherine , Oh Jieun , Silva Julio , Wong Patrick ,   Yale IMPACT Research team, Ko Albert I. , Khan Sajid A. , Iwasaki Akiko , Johnson Caroline H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has poorer clinical outcomes in males compared to females, and immune responses underlie these sex-related differences in disease trajectory. As immune responses are in part regulated by metabolites, we examined whether the serum metabolome has sex-specificity for immune responses in COVID-19. In males with COVID-19, kynurenic acid (KA) and a high KA to kynurenine (K) ratio was positively correlated with age, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines and was negatively correlated with T cell responses, revealing that KA production is linked to immune responses in males. Males that clinically deteriorated had a higher KA:K ratio than those that stabilized. In females with COVID-19, this ratio positively correlated with T cell responses and did not correlate with age or clinical severity. KA is known to inhibit glutamate release, and we observed that serum glutamate is lower in patients that deteriorate from COVID-19 compared to those that stabilize, and correlates with immune responses. Analysis of Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data revealed that expression of kynurenine aminotransferase, which regulates KA production, correlates most strongly with cytokine levels and aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in older males. This study reveals that KA has a sex-specific link to immune responses and clinical outcomes, in COVID-19 infection.
The impact of mobility restriction measures on the reproduction index of Covid-19 in the city of Queretaro, Mexico
Authors: Orozco Oscar San Roman , Orozco Santiago Agraz , Alvarez Isidro A Gutierrez , Radaios Vasiliki 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAn observational study based on official data (CONACYT and Ministry of Health) was carried out in which the effective reproduction index R(e) and the reproduction index R0 are compared with the mobility presented by Google. Additionally, an overview of the development of the pandemic in Querétaro, Mexico. Highlights key events; such as the main government interventions and social factors that could affect society’s behavior.A positive relationship is observed between Re, R0, and the levels of mobility presented by Google. This indicates that an increase in mobility is associated with the transmission of SARSCoV-2. In February, a significant decrease in mobility is observed, which lasts until approximately May 1st. This period corresponds to an R0 and R(e) between 1.17 and 1.87. After May 1st, there is a sustained increase in mobility levels. And, as of May 16, the effective reproduction index R (e) and the reproduction index R0 begin to increase. This is expected as it reflects the delay between the infection and the diagnosis of COVID-19. The R0 and R (e) increase from 1.45 on May 16 to 3.59 on July 5. According to the baseline of normal mobility levels, an increase from −49.6% on May 1st, to −20.6% on July 5 was observed.Based on these data, we conclude that the relaxation of restrictive mobility measures should be reconsidered. Despite this, mobility restrictions must not be a unique mitigation strategy for controlling the Reproductive Index. A comprehensive approach is needed, which generates socio-behavioral changes that allow a further reduction in reproductive rates.Key MessagesThere is a positive correlation between the reproductive number (R0) and the effective reproductive index (Re) of SARS-CoV-2 and mobility trends in Querétaro, Mexico.A clear increase in mobility in the population in Queretaro, Mexico is associated with an increase in the rate of transmission of Covid-19.
Learning a force field from small-molecule crystal lattice predictions enables consistent sub-Angstrom protein-ligand docking
Authors: Park Hahnbeom , Zhou Guangfeng , Baek Minkyung , Baker David , DiMaio Frank 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAccurate and rapid calculation of protein-small molecule interaction energies is critical for computational drug discovery. Because of the large chemical space spanned by drug-like molecules, classical force fields contain thousands of parameters describing atom-pair distance and torsional preferences; each parameter is typically optimized independently on simple representative molecules. Here we describe a new approach in which small-molecule force field parameters are jointly optimized guided by the rich source of information contained within thousands of available small molecule crystal structures. We optimize parameters by requiring that the experimentally determined molecular lattice arrangements have lower energy than all alternative lattice arrangements. Thousands of independent crystal lattice-prediction simulations were run on each of 1,386 small molecule crystal structures, and energy function parameters of an implicit solvent energy model were optimized so native crystal lattice arrangements had lowest energy. The resulting energy model was implemented in Rosetta, together with a rapid genetic algorithm docking method employing grid based scoring and receptor flexibility. The success rate of bound structure recapitulation in cross-docking on 1,112 complexes was improved by more than 10% over previously published methods, with solutions within <1 Å in over half of the cases. Our results demonstrate that small molecule crystal structures are a rich source of information for systematically improving computational drug discovery.
Characterizing mechanics of membrane tether from relaxation curve obtained by optical tweezers
Authors: Li Xuanling , Song Xiaoyu , Li Yinmei , Li Ming , Wang Haowei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOptical tweezers is a powerful tool in the study of membrane tension. Comparing to pulling out an entire membrane tether at one time, the step-like method is more efficient because multiple relaxation curves can be obtained from one membrane tether. However, there is few proper models that describe relaxation curves to characterize mechanical properties of cell membrane. Here we established a model to describe the relaxation curve of HeLa cells based on the relationship between membrane tether diameter and tensions. We obtained effective viscosities and static tensions by fitting relaxation curves to our model. We noticed the delicate structure of relaxation curves contains information of cell skeleton changes and protein diffusion. Our study paved a novel pathway to characterize the dynamics and mechanics of cell membrane.
The translation attenuating arginine-rich sequence in the extended signal peptide of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPRJ/DEP1 is conserved in mammals
Authors: Karagyozov Luchezar , Grozdanov Petar , Böhmer Frank-D. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe signal peptides, present at the N-terminus of many proteins, guide the proteins into cell membranes. In some proteins, the signal peptide contains an extended N-terminal region and a recessed hydrophobic signal sequence. Previously, it was demonstrated that the N-terminally extended signal peptide of the humanPTPRJcontains a cluster of arginine residues, which attenuates translation. The analysis of the orthologous sequences revealed that this sequence is highly conserved among mammals. ThePTPRJtranscripts in placentals, marsupials, and monotremes encode a stretch of 10 – 14 arginine residues, positioned 11-12 codons downstream of the initiating AUG. The remarkable conservation of the repeated arginine residues in thePTPRJsignal peptides points to their key role. Further, the presence of an arginine cluster in the extended signal peptides of other proteins (E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, NOTCH3) is noted and indicates a more general importance of this cis-acting mechanism of translational suppression.
Response of land use change and ecosystem services based on different functional scenarios: Case study of Nanjing
Authors: Wang Ziyi , wang Yu , Zhang Jingxiang , Sun Dongqi , Zhou Zihang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLand Use/Land Cover Change (LUCC) is one of the important reasons for the change of ecosystem services (ESs). Due to the uncertainty of future development policies and the complexity of LUCC, assessing the impact of future urban sprawl on ecosystem services remains challenging. We simulated the effect of urban land-use change on ESs on the basis of different functional scenarios, which is of important value to urban land-use planning and ESs protection. In our study, we designed three scenarios: Production function priority scenario (PFP scenario)、 Living function priority scenario (LFP scenario)、 Ecological function priority scenario (EFP Scenario). And we used the GeoSOS-FLUS software to realize visualization. Based on invest model, we evaluated five types of ESs: carbon storage, warter yield, habitat quality, water purification and soil conservation. Research showed that from 2000 to 2015, carbon storage, habitat quality and water production in Nanjing decreased significantly, soil conservation increased slightly, and the performance of the two indicators for water purification was not consistent. From different scenarios, carbon storage and habitat quality were the highest in EFP scenario, water yield was the highest in PFP scenario and soil conservation was the highest in LFP scenario. We analyzed the trade-offs among various ESs, found that the change of land-use types in cities does not fundamentally change the trade-offs among various ESs. We believed that the determination of the main function of LUCC was the first condition to judge the applicability of scenario, and the scenario simulation which integrated the main function of the city could provide more references for the related research.
Microbial activated mineral weathering and cementation as precursors to hardpan formation and heavy metal encapsulation in sulfidic tailings
Authors: Liu Yunjia , Wu Songlin , Southam Gordon , Chan Ting-Shan , Lu Ying-Rui , Paterson David J. , Huang Longbin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExtensive mineral weathering and formation of large amounts of Fe-rich secondary mineral gels have been identified as precursors critical to forming massive hardpan caps in the surface layers of sulfidic tailings. However, how to initiate and accelerate these precursor processes remains to be established before developing this hardpan-based novel method to rehabilitate sulfidic tailings landscapes. In a 5-month microcosm experiment, the present study has demonstrated the concept of bio-engineering sulfidic tailings by inoculating Fe/S-oxidizing bacterial consortium to accelerate the weathering of sulfides and other Si-rich minerals for mineral gels formation. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) demonstrated that the weathering of pyrite and biotite-like minerals was rapidly accelerated by the presence of Fe/S-oxidizing bacterial consortium. The microbial process and associated mineral transformation led to the formation of critical precursor mineral gels,i.e., jarosite-like minerals, as indicators of the onset of hardpan formation. In the meantime, the labile Zn liberated in the weathering was encapsulated in the jarosite-like minerals as revealed by X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM). This concept-proven bio-engineering process is ready to be scaled up in further studies under field conditions to develop an alternative hardpan-based method to cover and rehabilitate sulfidic tailing landscapes.TOC Art
Financial constraints and speed of working capital adjustment
Authors: Ahangar Nufazil 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThe study examines the existence of target level of working capital and the speed of adjustment toward the target for eight manufacturing sectors of Indian economy. In addition, this study examines the impact of financial constraints on the speed of adjustment.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on secondary financial data of 1936 Indian manufacturing companies from eight sectors for a period of 18 years (2000–2018). This study employs two-step GMM techniques to arrive at results.FindingsResults of the study confirm that firms do have target working capital, but the speed of adjustment from the current level of working capital to the target working capital is slow, and the speed of adjustment varies across sub-sectors. Moreover, we found that firms that are likely to be less constrained adjust their working capital quickly compared to firms facing high financial constraints.Originality/valueThis study contributes to working capital management literature by examining the speed with which the firms move toward their target and also the impact of financial constraints on the speed of adjustment across eight manufacturing sectors of Indian economy. Further, the study examines the impact of financial constraints on the speed of adjustment.
The interactive effects of religiosity and recognition in increasing donation
Authors: Septianto Felix , Tjiptono Fandy , Paramita Widya , Chiew Tung Moi 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine a three-way interaction between the two motivational orientations of religiosity (i.e. intrinsic and extrinsic) and recognition (in this study, an explicit expectation that behavior is recognized) on charitable behavior. Further, drawing upon the evolutionary psychology perspective, the status motive is predicted to mediate the predicted effects.Design/methodology/approachThree experimental studies were conducted using a 2 (intrinsic religiosity: low/high; measured) × 2 (extrinsic religiosity: low/high; measured) × 2 (recognition: yes/no; manipulated) between-subjects design to examine the predicted effects on likelihood to donate and donation allocations in two Asian countries, namely, Indonesia and Malaysia.FindingsThe results show that recognition increases charitable behavior among consumers with a high level of extrinsic religiosity but low level of intrinsic religiosity (Studies 1a, 1b and 2). Further, a status motive mediates the predicted effects (Study 2).Research limitations/implicationsThe present research provides a novel perspective on how marketers can purposively use recognition in charitable advertising to encourage charitable behavior among religious consumers – but only in Asia.Practical implicationsThis paper presents the case for how a non-profit organization can develop charitable advertising for disaster relief in Indonesia (Studies 1a and 1b) and Malaysia (Study 2). The findings of this research could potentially be extended to other organizations in Asia or other countries where religiosity places an important role in consumer behavior.Originality/valueThis research shows the interactive effect between extrinsic religiosity, intrinsic religiosity and recognition can increase charitable behavior in Asia.
The allure of starting afresh: the effects of mortality-related sadness on the effectiveness of fresh start appeals
Authors: Septianto Felix , Khan Saira , Seo Yuri , Shi Linsong 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how mortality-related sadness, as compared to other emotions such as fear, anger and happiness, can leverage the effectiveness of fresh start appeals.Design/methodology/approachDrawing upon the consumption-based affect regulation principle, this paper investigates how sadness associated with mortality can elicit the appraisal of irretrievable loss, which subsequently increases the effectiveness of fresh start appeals. These predictions are tested across three experimental studies.FindingsFindings demonstrate that mortality-related sadness enhances donation allocations (Study 1), willingness to pay (Study 2) and favorable attitudes (Study 3) toward an advertisement promoted with a fresh start appeal. This effect is mediated by an appraisal of irretrievable loss (Studies 1–3). Moreover, the emotion’s effect only emerges among consumers who believe that their emotional experiences are stable (vs malleable) (Study 3).Research limitations/implicationsThis paper investigates the effects of negative (vs positive emotions). It would thus be of interest to explore whether different discrete positive emotions may also enhance favorable evaluations of fresh start appeals.Practical implicationsWhile fresh start appeals have been widely used by marketers and organizations, the extant literature in this area has yet to identify how marketers can leverage the effectiveness of such appeals. This paper highlights how a specific negative emotion can be beneficial to marketers in leveraging the effectiveness of fresh start appeals.Originality/valueThe findings of this research suggest a novel potential strategy for the regulation of sadness. Specifically, consumers experiencing mortality-related sadness show favorable evaluations of fresh start appeals, indicating they are seeking to dissociate themselves from the past.