bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics and predictors of mortality in African‐Americans with COVID‐19 from an inner‐city community teaching hospital in New York
Authors: Gayam Vijay , Chobufo Muchi Ditah , Merghani Mohamed A. , Lamichhane Shristi , Garlapati Pavani Reddy , Adler Mark K. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThere is limited data on the clinical presentation and predictors of mortality in the African‐American (AA) patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) despite the disproportionately higher burden and mortality. The aim of this study is to report on the clinical characteristics and the predictors of mortality in hospitalized AA patients with COVID‐19 infection. In this retrospective cohort review, we included all AA patients with confirmed COVID‐19 infection admitted to an inner‐city teaching community hospital in New York city. Demographics, clinical presentation, baseline co‐morbidities, and laboratory data were compared between survivors and non‐survivors. The predictors of mortality were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 408 (median age, 67 years) patients included, 276 (66.65%, median age 63 years) survived while 132 (33.35%, median age 71 years) died. The most common presenting symptoms were cough, myalgia, fever/chills, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), with a prevalence of 62.50%, 43.87%, 53.68%, and 27.21%, respectively. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; confidence interval [CI], 1.04‐1.08; P < .001), body mass index (OR, 1.07; CI, 1.04‐1.11; P < .001), elevated serum ferritin (OR, 1.99; CI, 1.08‐3.66; P < .02), C‐reactive protein (OR, 2.42; CI, 1.36‐4.33; P < .01), and D‐dimers (OR, 3.79; CI, 2.21‐6.50; P < .001) at the time of presentation were identified as the independent predictors of mortality. Cough, shortness of breath, fever/chills, gastrointestinal symptoms, and myalgia were the predominant presentation among AAs hospitalized with COVID‐19 infection. Advanced age, higher body mass index, elevated serum ferritin, C‐reactive protein, and D‐dimers are independent predictors of mortality among hospitalized AAs with COVID‐19 infection.
Genetic variants of TBX6 and TBXT identified in patients with congenital scoliosis in Southern China
Authors: Feng Xin , Cheung Jason Pui Yin , Je Jimmy S. H. , Cheung Prudence W. H. , Chen Shuxia , Yue Ming , Wang Ni , Choi Vanessa N. T. , Yang Xueyan , Song You‐Qiang , Luk Keith D. K. , Gao Bo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCongenital scoliosis (CS) is a spinal deformity present at birth due to underlying congenital vertebral malformation (CVM) that occurs during embryonic development. Hemivertebrae is the most common anomaly that causes CS. Recently, compound heterozygosity in TBX6 has been identified in Northern Chinese, Japanese, and European CS patient cohorts, which explains about 7%‐10% of the affected population. In this report, we recruited 67 CS patients characterized with hemivertebrae in the Southern Chinese population and investigated the TBX6 variant and risk haplotype. We found that two patients with hemivertebrae in the thoracic spine and one patient with hemivertebrae in the lumbar spine carry the previously defined pathogenic TBX6 compound heterozygous variants. In addition, whole exome sequencing of patients with CS and their family members identified a de novo missense mutation (c.G47T: p.R16L) in another member of the T‐box family, TBXT. This rare mutation compromised the binding of TBXT to its target sequence, leading to reduced transcriptional activity, and exhibited dominant‐negative effect on wild‐type TBXT. Our findings further highlight the importance of T‐box family genes in the development of congenital scoliosis.
Age‐related differences in morphology and kinematics of the native hip
Authors: Akiyama Keisuke , Sakai Takashi , Koyanagi Junichiro , Yoshikawa Hideki , Sugamoto Kazuomi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOur objectives were to clarify morphology of the hip as well as infinitesimal femoral head movement in specific positions in young and elderly volunteers without joint degeneration. Both hips of 20 young and 20 elderly healthy volunteers were examined. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed at four different positions for each hip: neutral, 45° flexion, 15° extension, and the Patrick position. Femoral and pelvic bone images were separately extracted when in the neutral position and superimposed over the images of each different position by using voxel‐based registration. The distance between the acetabular center and the femoral head center (FHC) at the neutral position was defined as 3D‐migration. The distance between FHCs at neutral position and that at each different position was defined as 3D‐translation. The x‐, y‐, and z‐axes pointed in the anterior, cranial, and lateral directions, respectively. 3D‐migration‐y in the elderly was more caudal than that in the young (P < .001). 3D‐translation of 45° flexion in the elderly was larger than that in the young with statistical significance (P = .001), while 3D‐translation of the Patrick position in the elderly was smaller than that in the young (P = .012). Age was significantly correlated with 3D‐translation in 45° flexion (r = .431; P < .001) and that in Patrick (r = −.296; P = .008). These results can be used as a basis for the natural course with aging of morphometry and kinematics of the hip, as well as for potential disease progression in osteoarthritis of the hip.
The MdXTHB gene is involved in fruit softening in ‘Golden Del. Reinders’ (Malus pumila)
Authors: Ma Mengmeng , Yuan Yongbing , Cheng Chenxia , Zhang Yong , Yang Shaolan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDFruit softening is a major determinant of commercial value and shelf life. A transcriptomic analysis of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Golden Del. Reinders’ (a bud mutation of ‘Golden Delicious’ that readily softens) apple fruit was conducted during storage.RESULTSA comparative analysis of the obtained expression profiles of fruit between two cultivars identified 1345 upregulated and 3475 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The DEGs identified were associated with cellular processes and carbohydrate metabolism and were especially enriched in cell‐wall‐related genes. Among the cell‐wall‐related genes, the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTH) gene MdXTHB was significantly upregulated and exhibited high expression levels in ‘Golden Del. Reinders’ fruit, which had a lower level of firmness relative to ‘Golden Delicious’. Overexpression of MdXTHB in both ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Fuji’, which typically maintain high levels of firmness in storage, exhibited faster rates of softening and an earlier peak of ethylene production than empty‐vector‐infiltrated fruit did.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study indicate that MdXTHB potentially promotes apple fruit softening by degrading the fruit cell wall. This result is also useful to designing further experiments on the molecular regulation of fruit softening in apple. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Pharmacokinetics study of 16 active ingredients from Tabson‐2 decoction in normal and d‐galactose induced osteoporosis rats by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Na , Dong Xin , Ma Feixiang , Tian Xianting , Bu Ren , Li Chunyan , Gao Peng , Lu Yingyuan , Xue Peifeng , Guo Xiaoyu , Tu Pengfei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTabson‐2 decoction is the traditional Mongolian formula for anti‐osteoporosis, and the ambiguous of active ingredient is an important factor in restricting its modernization and globalization. Although pharmacokinetic profiles research is a viable approach to find the components being responsible for formula efficacy, the pharmacokinetics study of Tabson‐2 decoction has not been elucidated yet. Owing to the existence of isomers, low bioavailability of some small molecule and interference of endogenous, the pharmacokinetics study of Tabson‐2 decoction are more difficult than that of chemical drugs. In our experiment, a specific and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of 16 active ingredients in Tabson‐2 decoction, which could fulfill the requirements of multi‐compounds pharmacokinetic study of Tabson‐2 decoction. Additionally, the ingredients with significant distributions in rats were gentianic acid, chlorogenic acid, and aucubin, which could be the main potential active components in Tabson‐2 decoction. The components with a significant bioavailability difference between normal and d‐galactose induced osteoporosis rats were achieved as well. These data offer useful information for screening the active ingredients in Tabson‐2 decoction, and assessing the bioavailability of these active ingredients in different physiological status, which might provide a possible mechanism of anti‐osteoporosis efficacy of Tabson‐2 decoction.
Significant soil acidification caused by grazing exclusion across China’s grassland areas
Authors: Hong Jiangtao , Xu Xin , Pang Bo , Ma Xingxing , Wang Xiaodan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSoil pH is strongly associated with soil biogeochemical cycles and biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. Grazing exclusion (GE) has been widely adopted as an effective practice to restore degraded grasslands. However, the effect of GE on soil pH is still poorly understood and remains inconclusive. We synthesized data for 63 sites from the peer‐reviewed literature and 43 additional field sites and investigated the differences in soil pH following grazing exclusion across China’s grasslands. The mean pH across all samples decreased by 0.13 units with grazing exclusion (mean pH 8.15 and 8.02 for the grazed and grazing exclusion groups, respectively, p < 0.001). The pH of the surface soil (0–20 cm) showed the greatest rates of decrease in grazing exclusion grasslands, whereas the pH of the deep soil layers (20–100 cm) showed a limited response to grazing exclusion. In general, the largest rate of decrease in soil pH occurred after medium‐term periods (5–15 years) of grazing exclusion, whereas a smaller rate of change was found over short‐ (≤5 years) and long‐term periods (≥15 years) of grazing exclusion. Of the environmental factors examined, the climatic conditions, accumulation of biomass and the soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics were important factors influencing soil pH following grazing exclusion. Our results indicate that grazing exclusion causes significant soil acidification, especially in surface soils and humid areas. Our results provide an important reference for the future management of China’s grasslands.
TNF‐α‐dependent lung inflammation upregulates superoxide dismutase‐2 to promote tumor cell proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Han Xiaojing , Liu Xiaoyi , Wang Xiuqing , Guo Wenli , Wen Yue , Meng Wei , Peng Daijun , Lv Ping , Zhang Xianghong , Shen Haitao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractManganese superoxide dismutase (SOD‐2), an important primary antioxidant enzyme located in mitochondria, plays a critical role in tumor progression. Reportedly, the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, can increase SOD‐2 expression in a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line in vitro, indicating that TNF‐α‐mediated inflammation may regulate SOD‐2 expression, which may be related to cancer promotion. Using a urethane‐induced inflammation‐driven lung adenocarcinoma (IDLA) mice model, we investigated whether and how TNF‐α‐mediated inflammation upregulated SOD‐2 expression in lung adenocarcinoma. Our results showed that SOD‐2 was mostly expressed on surfactant protein‐C+ AT‐II cells (alveolar type II cell) and tumor cells in IDLA mice, which were surrounded by CD68+ macrophages. Blocking TNF‐α‐dependent inflammation downregulated SOD‐2 expression in inflamed lung tissues at the protumor stage and also inhibited SOD‐2 expression in tumor cells in the IDLA model. In human lung adenocarcinoma, both the number of infiltrating CD68+ macrophages and TNF‐α expression correlated positively with SOD‐2 expression, which is related to lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. We collected the conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide‐activated phorbol myristate acetate‐induced THP1 (M1) cells to stimulate A549 and H1299 cells and observed that THP1‐M1 upregulated SOD‐2 by secreting TNF‐α. Blocking SOD‐2 expression significantly inhibited TNF‐α‐induced cell proliferation in A549 and H1299 cells in vitro. Thus, TNF‐α‐mediated lung inflammation can upregulate SOD‐2 expression in lung adenocarcinoma, and macrophages contribute to SOD‐2 upregulation by secreting TNF‐α.
Identification and structural characterization of lipid A from Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas taiwanensis using liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Froning Matti , Helmer Patrick O. , Hayen Heiko 
Published: July 2020

RationaleLipid A is a part of the lipopolysaccharide layer, which is a main component of the outer membrane from Gram‐negative bacteria. It can be sensed by mammalians to identify the presence of Gram‐negative bacteria in their tissues and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections. Lipid A is also used as an adjuvant in human vaccines, emphasizing the importance of its structural analysis.MethodsIn order to distinguish and characterize various lipid A species, a liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed. Isolation of lipid A from different bacteria was carried out using a modified Bligh and Dyer extraction following a mild acid hydrolysis. Chromatography was performed using a bifunctional reversed‐phase‐based stationary phase. High‐resolution MS using negative electrospray ionization was applied and MS/MS experiments utilizing high‐energy collisional dissociation generated diagnostic product ions, which allowed the assignment of the side chains to distinct positions of the lipid A backbone.ResultsThe method was applied to lipid A isolations of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) and Pseudomonas taiwanensis (P. taiwanensis). Various lipid A species were identified by their accurate masses and their structures were characterized using MS/MS experiments. Previously described lipid A structures from E. coli were identified and their structures confirmed by MS/MS. For the biotechnologically relevant strains P. putida and P. taiwanensis, we confirmed species by MS/MS, which have previously only been analyzed using MS. In addition, several lipid A species were discovered that have not been previously described in the literature.ConclusionsThe combination of LC and MS/MS enabled the selective and sensitive identification and structural characterization of various lipid A species from Gram‐negative bacteria. These species varied in their substituted side chains, speaking of fatty acids and phosphate groups. Characteristic product ions facilitated the assignment of side chains to distinct positions of the lipid A backbone.
Interval set‐membership estimation for continuous linear systems
Authors: Xu Feng , Yang Songlin , Liang Bin 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThis article proposes a mixed interval set‐membership estimation (ISME) method for continuous linear time‐invariant (LTI) systems by combining the positive system theory and the set theory. The proposed ISME method gives a new mixed interval‐set estimation framework for continuous LTI systems, whose benefit consists in that it has potential to achieve a balance of computational complexity and robust state estimation conservatism with respect to the interval observer (IO) and the set‐valued observer (SVO) for continuous LTI systems. Particularly, the proposed ISME method first uses a coordinate transformation such that the original system is transformed into an equivalent system. Second, the equivalent system is partitioned into two subsystems, where the first subsystem has a Meztler and Hurwitz subsystem matrix and then an IO is designed for the first subsystem based on the positive system theory. Because it is not guaranteed that the second subsystem also has a Meztler and Hurwitz subsystem matrix, a zonotopic SVO is further designed for the second subsystem based on the set theory. Consequently, an integration of the two steps above provides the whole SE results for the original system. At the end of this article, an example is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed ISME method.
The classification of the Compositae: A tribute to Vicki Ann Funk (1947–2019)
Authors: Susanna Alfonso , Baldwin Bruce G. , Bayer Randall J. , Bonifacino José Mauricio , Garcia‐Jacas Núria , Keeley Sterling C. , Mandel Jennifer R. , Ortiz Santiago , Robinson Harold , Stuessy Tod F. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe classification of the family Compositae (Asteraceae) has been much improved in the last decades by the application of molecular methods culminating in the recompilation published in 2009, Systematics, evolution, and biogeography of Compositae. Additional evidence of relationships has come from the use of high‐throughput sequencing methods. Our late colleague Vicki Ann Funk (1947–2019) was a pioneer in this line of research. Together with her team, she contributed to the achievement of a mature classification of the family, which she left outlined. In this paper, we contribute this classification including all of the recent advances at the subtribal level and review in depth all contributions to Compositae classification made since the 2009 compilation.
Fate of environmental pollutants: A review
Authors: Aryal Niroj , Wood Jonae , Rijal Ishara , Deng Dongyang , Jha Manoj K. , Ofori‐Boadu Andrea 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA review of the literature published in 2019 on topics associated with the fate of environmental pollutants is presented. Environmental pollutants covered include pharmaceuticals, antibiotic‐resistant bacteria and genes, pesticides and veterinary medicines, personal care products and emerging pollutants, PFAS, microplastics, nanomaterials, heavy metals and radionuclides, nutrients, pathogens and indicator organisms, and oil and hydrocarbons. For each pollutant, the occurrence in the environment and/or their fate in engineered as well as natural systems in matrices including water, soil, wastewater, stormwater, runoff, and/or manure is presented based on the published literature. The review includes current developments in understanding pollutants in natural and engineered systems, and relevant physico‐chemical processes, as well as biological processes.
Automatic detection of pith location along norway spruce timber boards on the basis of optical scanning
Authors: Habite Tadios , Olsson Anders , Oscarsson Jan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractKnowledge of annual ring width and location of pith in relation to board cross-sections, and how these properties vary in the longitudinal direction of boards, is relevant for many purposes, such as assessment of shape mechanical properties and stability of sawn timber. Hence, the present research aims at developing a novel method and an algorithm, based on data obtained from optical surface scanning, by which the pith location along the length of sawn timber boards can be determined accurately and automatically. The first step of the method is to identify clear wood sections, free of defects along boards. Then time-frequency analysis, using the continuous wavelet transform, is applied to detect the surface annual ring width distribution of the four sides of the selected sections. Finally, the pith location is estimated by comparing annual ring width distributions on the different surfaces, and assuming that annual rings are concentric circles with the pith in the centre. The proposed algorithm was applied to a total sample of 104 Norway spruce boards. Results indicate that optical scanners and the suggested automatic method allow for accurate detection of annual ring width and location of pith along boards. For a sample of boards with the pith located within the cross-section, a mean error of 2.6 mm and 3.2 mm in the depth and thickness direction, respectively, was obtained. For a sample of boards of which 60% with pith located outside the cross-section, a mean discrepancy between automatically and manually determined pith locations of 3.9 mm and 5.8 mm in depth and thickness direction, respectively, was obtained.
Use of a symptom-based questionnaire to screen for the presence of significant voiding dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis and lower urinary tract symptoms: a pilot study
Authors: Li Vivien , Panicker Jalesh N. , Haslam Collette , Chataway Jeremy 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Lower urinary tract dysfunction is common in people with multiple sclerosis, leading to overactive bladder symptoms, voiding difficulties or a combination. First-line medications for overactive bladder symptoms are effective. Current guidelines recommend measuring post-void residual volume (PVR) before commencing these treatments, as they can potentially exacerbate voiding difficulties in those with significant underlying voiding dysfunction (pre-treatment PVR > 100 ml). However, facilities to do so are not readily available to all clinicians, potentially delaying effective therapy.

Aims
To conduct a pilot study investigating the association between lower urinary tract symptoms and PVR volume in people with multiple sclerosis using a validated questionnaire and to determine if questionnaire scores can be used to exclude a significantly elevated (> 100 ml) PVR volume.

Methods
Patients with multiple sclerosis referred to a tertiary hospital uro-neurology service completed the Urinary Symptom Profile questionnaire and underwent PVR measurement by bladder ultrasound. A ratio of the questionnaire low stream score/total score was calculated to standardise the relative degree of voiding symptoms compared to overall lower urinary tract symptoms.

Results
Of 40 patients (29 females, mean age 50 years), 30% had an elevated PVR volume. PVR volume was correlated with low stream score and ratio of low stream/total score. A cut-off of > 0.15 for low stream/total score ratio had 92% sensitivity and 71% specificity in predicting an elevated PVR volume.

Conclusion
A symptom-based questionnaire maybe a useful screening tool to distinguish patients in whom PVR measurement is required from those who could safely start on treatment for overactive bladder symptoms.