bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between the commensal microbiota levels and Crohn's disease activity
Authors: de Alencar Junior Hagamenon , Paiotti Ana Paula Ribeiro , de Araújo Filho Humberto Bezerra , Oshima Celina Tizuko Fujiyama , Miszputen Sender Jankiel , Ambrogini‐Júnior Orlando 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and aimHuman gut microbiota play an important role in metabolism and host physiology. Perturbations of the gut microbial communities lead to the development of various diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, allergic diseases, and metabolic diseases. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by periods of remission and relapse. Several studies suggest that intestinal inflammation arises due to an abnormal response of the intestinal immune system to the fecal microbiota. The goal of the study was to evaluate the relative amount of four bacterial groups in fecal samples of Crohn's disease patients and their relation to the inflammatory activity.MethodsWe studied stool samples of 105 individuals, 54 with Crohn's disease and 51 as a control group. The DNA extracted from the stool samples was subjected to real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for quantification of the Bacteroidetes phylum, class Bacilli, and Bifidobacteriaceae and Enterobacteriaceae families.ResultsWe found a significant increase in Bacteroidetes in Crohn's disease samples when compared to the control group (14 650 and 2060 CFU/ng DNA, respectively) (P = 0.014). On the other hand, we observed a significant reduction in Bacilli and Bifidobacteriaceae (13 and 58 CFU/ng DNA, respectively) (P < 0.0001). In contrast, patients without any drug treatment presented an increase of Bacilli and Bifidobacteriaceae (102 521 and 6235 CFU/ng DNA, respectively) (P < 0.0001).ConclusionThe commensal bacteria were decreased in fecal samples of participants with Crohn's disease when compared to the control group. There was no relation between the disease location and/or disease activity with the microbiota.
Prophylactic drain management after pancreaticoduodenectomy without focusing on the drain fluid amylase level: A prospective validation study regarding criteria for early drain removal that do not include the drain fluid amylase level
Authors: Taniguchi Koichi , Matsuyama Ryusei , Yabushita Yasuhiro , Homma Yuki , Ota Yohei , Mori Ryutaro , Morioka Daisuke , Endo Itaru 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground/PurposeEarly drain removal (EDR) based on drain fluid amylase level (DFA) after pancreaticoduodenectomy excluded 15%‐40% patients from EDR because of inappropriate DFA.MethodsOf 198 pancreatoduodenectomy cases, we used the first 105 cases as an exploration cohort to construct the optimal criteria for EDR on postoperative day (POD)4 that were applied to the subsequent 93 cases used as the validation cohort. After that, we examined another 142 patients to further assess the efficacy of the new EDR criteria.ResultsOf the four independent predictors of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR‐POPF) ([1] soft pancreas, [2] positive drain fluid culture on POD1, and [3] serum C‐reactive protein [CRP] ≥13 mg/dL on POD4) in the exploration cohort, EDR was applied to cases in the validation cohort meeting the [2] and/or [3], enabling 96% (89/93) applicability of EDR. Outcomes were improved in the validation cohort compared to the exploration cohort; CR‐POPF: 8.6% vs 25.7%, P = .005; Dindo‐Clavien grade ≥ 3 complications: 23.7% vs 41.9%, P = .007; and median hospital stay (day): 21 vs 27, P = .005. The subsequent 142 patients showed 92% (131/142) applicability of EDR and 5.6% (8/142) incidence of CR‐POPF.ConclusionsOur new criteria for EDR, without DFA, enabled ≥ 90% applicability of EDR and reduced CR‐POPF.
Facial and gill musculature of polynemid fishes, with notes on their possible relationships with sciaenids (Percomorphacea: Perciformes)
Authors: Presti Paulo , Johnson G. David , Datovo Aléssio 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe Polynemidae is a family of primarily marine fishes with eight genera and 42 extant species. Many aspects of their morphology are largely unknown, with few reports about their osteology and barely any information on their myology. This paper describes and illustrates in detail all facial and branchial muscles of representative species of polynemids. Our analysis demonstrates the existence of several remarkable and previously unknown specializations in the polynemid musculature. The aponeurotic and completely independent origin of the pars promalaris of the adductor mandibulae is apparently unique among percomorphs. The differentiation of this section into lateral and medial subsections; the total separation of the promalaris from the retromalaris; the differentiation of the pars primordialis of the levator arcus palatini into external and internal subsections are also uncommon features of polynemids that are shared by sciaenids, thus supporting the hypothesis of a closer relationship between these families.
Convalescent plasma transfusion for the treatment of COVID‐19: Systematic review
Authors: Rajendran Karthick , Krishnasamy Narayanasamy , Rangarajan Jayanthi , Rathinam Jeyalalitha , Natarajan Murugan , Ramachandran Arunkumar 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe recent emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has reassessed the usefulness of historic convalescent plasma transfusion (CPT). This review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CPT therapy in COVID‐19 patients based on the publications reported till date. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on convalescent plasma on clinically relevant outcomes in individuals with COVID‐19. PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline databases were searched upto 19 April 2020. All records were screened as per the protocol eligibility criteria. We included five studies reporting CPT to COVID‐19 patients. The main findings from available data are as follows: (a) Convalescent plasma may reduce mortality in critically ill patients, (b) Increase in neutralizing antibody titers and disappearance of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was observed in almost all the patients after CPT therapy, and (c) Beneficial effect on clinical symptoms after administration of convalescent plasma. Based on the limited scientific data, CPT therapy in COVID‐19 patients appears safe, clinically effective, and reduces mortality. Well‐designed large multicenter clinical trial studies should be conducted urgently to establish the efficacy of CPT to COVID‐19 patients.
TUDCA inhibits HSV‐1 replication by the modulating unfolded protein response pathway
Authors: Su Airong , Wang Huanru , Zheng Datong , Wu Zhiwei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), an endogenous bile acid, was used to protect liver function through antiapoptosis or reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress). Previous studies showed that ER stress was modulated by herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV‐1) infection to facilitate viral replication. Here, we investigated the effect of TUDCA on HSV‐1 infection of HEC‐1‐A cells and showed that both replication and multiplication of the virus were inhibited by TUDCA in a dose dependent manner. Unfolded protein response was induced to deliver stress signals from ER to nucleus. We found that TUDCA alleviated activating transcription factor 6 branch inhibition, partially enhanced protein kinase RNA‐like ER kinase pathway activation, and repressed inositol‐requiring protein 1α arm activation significantly in infected cells. The findings of this study suggest that TUDCA inhibits HSV‐1 replication through ER stress pathway, which may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for HSV‐1 infection.
Commercial fish ELISA kits have a limited capacity to detect different fish species and their products
Authors: Ruethers Thimo , Taki Aya C , Khangurha Jasmit , Roberts James , Buddhadasa Saman , Clarke Dean , Hedges Claire E , Campbell Dianne E , Kamath Sandip D , Lopata Andreas L , Koeberl Martina 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDFish is a major food and allergen source, requiring safety declarations on packages. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are often used to ensure that the product meets the required standards with regard to the presence of allergens. Over 1000 different fish species are traded and consumed worldwide, and they are increasingly provided by aquaculture. Up to 3% of the general population is at risk of sometimes fatal allergic reactions to fish, requiring strict avoidance of this commodity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the capacity of three commercially available ELISA tests to detect a wide variety of bony and cartilaginous fish and their products, which is essential to ensure reliable and safe food labeling.RESULTSThe detection rates for 57 bony fish ranged from 26% to 61%. Common European and North American species, including carp, cod, and salmon species, demonstrated a higher detection rate than those from the Asia‐Pacific region, including pangasius and several mackerel and tuna species. Among the 17 canned bony fish products, only 65% to 86% were detected, with tuna showing the lowest rate. None of the cartilaginous fish (n = 9), other vertebrates (n = 8), or shellfish (n = 5) were detected.CONCLUSIONSWe demonstrated that three commercial fish ELISA kits had a limited capacity to detect fish and their products. The complexity of fish as a protein source that is increasingly utilized means that there is an urgent need for improved detection methods. This is crucial for the food industry to provide safe seafood products and comply with international legislation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The effects of variable nitrogen fertilization on amino acid content in sweet potato tubers (Ipomoea batatas L. [Lam.]) cultivated in central and eastern Europe
Authors: Sawicka Barbara , Pszczółkowski Piotr , Krochmal‐Marczak Barbara , Barbaś Piotr , Özdemir Fethi Ahmet 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe weakest link in the whole cycle of chemical quality testing of sweet potato tubers for both food and feed purposes, where the main determinant of their nutritional value is the level of protein and its nutritional value, is the effect of nitrogen fertilization. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of differentiated nitrogen fertilization on protein content and its amino acid composition, biological value, and the possibility of modification of these features.RESULTSChanges in total nitrogen content in sweet potato tubers were accompanied by changes in amino acid composition of protein. The consequence of intensified nitrogen fertilization was a decrease in the sum of exogenous amino acids and sum of endogenous amino acids. The amino acid limiting the biological value of sweet potato protein was mainly lysine, followed by arginine and methionine. The ratio of essential to total amino acids indicated high usefulness of sweet potato tubers in human nutrition and their high nutritional value.CONCLUSIONThe consequence of nitrogen fertilization was a decrease in the sum of exogenous amino acids and the sum of endogenous amino acids. Fertilization of sweet potato with a nitrogen dose of 100 kg ha−1, due to the content of crude and true protein, turned out to be beneficial and sufficient under the conditions in central–eastern Europe. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
How effective is vegetation in reducing gravity erosion on loess gully sidewall under intense rainfalls?
Authors: Gao Hang , Xu Xiangzhou , Zhang Hongwu , Jiang Yunzhong , Zhao Tianqing 
Published: May 2020

AbstractVegetation has long been recognized as an efficient way of preventing soil erosion; however, the effects of plants on gravity erosion are still broadly unknown, especially under heavy rain conditions. In order to evaluate their influences on gravity erosion, a series of rainfall simulation experiments were performed on a model of the loess gully sidewall, with a height of 1.5 m anda slope gradient of 70°. The experiments were divided into two groups––bare land models (BLMs) and shrub land models (SLMs)––for inter‐ and intragroup comparison, respectively. The experimental results reveal that shrubs had different influences on the varied types of gravity erosion on the gully sidewall. The average landslide volume was 42% greater in the SLMs than in the BLMs, while the average avalanches and mudslide volumes in the SLMs were 50 and 36% less, respectively. Additionally, the average amount of erosion after rain in the SLMs was 33.17 × 103 cm3 more than that in the BLMs, indicating that the vegetation may increase the occurrence of mass failure after a heavy rainfall. Compared with the anchoring effect of vegetation root, the change in soil water resulted from vegetation on the slope had a relatively great effect on aggravating the gravity erosion under heavy rainfalls. The experimental results suggest that the shrub restoration measures can be used to mitigate erosion in the areas experiencing frequent debris flows and hydraulic movements on the Loess Plateau, China.
Are annual nitrous oxide fluxes sensitive to warming and increasing precipitation in the Gurbantunggut Desert?
Authors: Yue Ping , Cui Xiaoqing , Wu Wenchao , Gong Yanming , Li Kaihui , Misselbrook Tom , Liu Xuejun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTemperate desert soils are an important source of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O). However, it is uncertain how N2O emissions respond to warming, increased rainfall and nitrogen (N) addition in such soils. A multifactorial field manipulation study was carried out in the Gurbantunggut Desert, China's second largest desert, to investigate how these factors influence desert soil N2O emissions and to assess inter‐year variation. In our 3‐year study, under current climatic conditions, the annual flux of N2O in this temperate desert soil was 0.13 ± 0.02 kg N ha−1 yr−1, with the period of no plant growth contributing 43% of the annual emission. Surprisingly, there was no significant change in annual N2O flux under warming (+1°C) or increased precipitation (30%, +60 mm yr−1). In contrast, N2O emissions were significantly affected by extreme drought followed by precipitation. Additional N input, at 30 or 60 kg N ha−1 yr−1, greatly elevated annual N2O emission by 55–133%. The combined impact of N deposition and increasing rainfall on N2O emission was greater than that of any single factor, except for N deposition. This suggests that N2O emissions in this desert are driven primarily by soil available N content and are less sensitive to variations in soil temperature and moisture.
How Do I Examine Patients With Functional Tremor?
Authors: Lidstone Sarah C. , Lang Anthony E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFunctional tremor is the most common presentation of functional movement disorders and can occur in isolation or together with other functional symptoms, including other abnormal movements. The diagnosis of functional tremor is based on positive features on history, examination, and, if necessary, neurophysiological studies. Historical features include: sudden onset, a preceding physical event or injury, variability in severity with or without remission, variability in affected body parts, the presence of other somatic symptoms, and a history of failed therapeutic trials. Positive signs on examination include: variability in the frequency, direction, and distribution of the tremor; clear coherence in the different body parts affected; reduction or elimination of the tremor with distraction; and tremor amplification with attention, entrainability, suggestibility, and the presence of co‐contraction. Neurophysiological studies include electromyography and accelerometry and can be helpful to make a laboratory‐supported diagnosis when the clinical picture is less clear.
Shared Metabolic Profile of Caffeine in Parkinsonian Disorders
Authors: Takeshige‐Amano Haruka , Saiki Shinji , Fujimaki Motoki , Ueno Shin‐Ichi , Li Yuanzhe , Hatano Taku , Ishikawa Kei‐Ichi , Oji Yutaka , Mori Akio , Okuzumi Ayami , Tsunemi Taiji , Daida Kensuke , Ishiguro Yuta , Imamichi Yoko , Nanmo Hisayoshi , Nojiri Shuko , Funayama Manabu , Hattori Nobutaka 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine comprehensive metabolic changes of caffeine in the serum of patients with parkinsonian disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) and to compare this with healthy control serum.MethodsSerum levels of caffeine and its 11 downstream metabolites from independent double cohorts consisting of PD (n = 111, 160), PSP (n = 30, 19), MSA (n = 23, 17), and healthy controls (n = 43, 31) were examined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The association of each metabolite with clinical parameters and medication was investigated. Mutations in caffeine‐associated genes were investigated by direct sequencing.ResultsA total of 9 metabolites detected in more than 50% of participants in both cohorts were decreased in 3 parkinsonian disorders compared with healthy controls without any significant association with age at sampling, sex, or disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr stage and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor section) in PD, and levodopa dose or levodopa equivalent dose in PSP and MSA. Of the 9 detected metabolites, 8 in PD, 5 in PSP, and 3 in MSA were significantly decreased in both cohorts even after normalizing to daily caffeine consumption. No significant genetic variations in CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 were detected when compared with controls.ConclusionSerum caffeine metabolic profiles in 3 parkinsonian diseases show a high level of overlap, indicative of a common potential mechanism such as caffeine malabsorption from the small intestine, hypermetabolism, increased clearance of caffeine, and/or reduced caffeine consumption. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A millimeter‐wave scalable small‐signal modeling approach based on FW‐EM for AlGaN/GaN HEMT up to 110 GHz
Authors: Zhu Guiqiang , Chang Chen , Xu Yuehang , Zhang Ziheng , Al‐saman Amgad A. , Lin Fujiang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA new scalable small‐signal model for 0.1 μm AlGaN/GaN HEMT up to 110 GHz is presented in this paper. The taps between the gate/drain manifold and fingers on the device has been investigated and included in the equivalent circuit. In addition, to ensure high scalability, a set of scaling rules are presented. A novel extraction procedure for extrinsic capacitances using full‐wave electromagnetic (FW‐EM) method has been introduced along with corresponding structures used for EM simulation. The nonlinear dependence of the extrinsic inductances on the gate‐width has been accounted for by a new scaling rule, which can be used to extract their value from measurement data. To guarantee the stability of the scaling coefficients, two devices with different gate‐width have been utilized for their generation. The proposed scalable model has been verified using 0.1 μm AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices with different gate‐widths and different gate‐fingers. The experiment results show good agreement between model and measurement S‐parameters up to 110 GHz.
Ferroelectric polymer/ceramic nanocomposites with low energy losses
Authors: Saba Sadaf , Mustafa Ghulam M. , Saleem Murtaza , Ramay Shahid M. , Atiq Shahid 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn order to meet the continuously increasing demand of modern electronic industries, there is an urgent need to develop the advanced energy storage materials. In this regard, polymer‐based dielectric composites are promising materials for futuristic technological applications. Herein, we synthesized a (1 − x) PVDF + xBFO composite by means of sol‐gel auto‐combustion route to explore its energy storage capabilities using impedance spectroscopy. After synthesis, field emission scanning electron microscope was utilized to examine exterior texture and obtained images showed the uniform distribution of BiFeO3 particles in polyvinylidene fluoride matrix with considerable amount of porosity. The particle size was measured using the ImageJ software. In conjunction with scanning electron microscopy, the stoichiometric amounts of all constituents were confirmed using energy dispersive X‐rays spectroscopy, working on the measurement of relative abundance of X‐rays vs their energy. Dielectric traits of these polymer composite ceramics were explored using precision impedance analyzer with varying frequency from 20 Hz to 20 MHz which explored their energy storage potential. The analysis of Nyquist plot helped to define the range of impedance spectrum where the different electroactive regions participated significantly in impedance response of the material. The effect of reinforcement contents on the nature of hopping length and relaxation phenomenon was probed through the complex modulus analysis. The energy storage capacity in terms of energy density was analyzed by checking the polarization response of the composite material in varying electric field which is a key feature for grading a material for energy storage devices.
Deuteration of nonexchangeable protons on proteins affects their thermal stability, side‐chain dynamics, and hydrophobicity
Authors: Nichols Parker J. , Falconer Isaac , Griffin Aaron , Mant Colin , Hodges Robert , McKnight Christopher J. , Vögeli Beat , Vugmeyster Liliya 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe have investigated the effect of deuteration of non‐exchangeable protons on protein global thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and local flexibility using well‐known thermostable model systems such as the villin headpiece subdomain (HP36) and the third immunoglobulin G‐binding domain of protein G (GB3). Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) measurements as a function of temperature probe global thermal stability in the presence of acetonitrile, while differential scanning calorimetry determines thermal stability in solution. Both indicate small but measurable changes in the order of several degrees. RP‐HPLC also permitted quantification of the effect of deuteration of just three core phenylalanine side chains of HP36. NMR dynamics investigation has focused on methyl axes motions using cross‐correlated relaxation measurements. The analysis of order parameters provided a complex picture indicating that deuteration generally increases motional amplitudes of sub‐nanosecond motion in GB3 but decreases those in HP36. Combined with earlier dynamics measurements at Cα–Cβ sites and backbone sites of GB3, which probed slower time scales, the results point to the need to probe multiple atoms in the protein and variety of time scales to the discern the full complexity of the effects of deuteration on dynamics.