bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and Physiological Adaptation of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. in Various Altitudes
Authors: Dwiati M , Susanto A H 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Nodeweed (Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn.) is a widely distributed tropical plant species. Nevertheless, it has taxonomically been the only member of genus Synedrella. Hence, it is interesting to study the morphological and physiological adaptation in different altitudes. Three altitudes were selected in this study, i.e. 0, 130, and 820 m above sea level (asl). The parameters examined included number of stomata and trichomes per leaf area unit, size of glandular and non-glandular trichomes, size of peripheral and central seeds, number of peripheral and central seeds. It was found that seed number and length, leaf structure, chlorophyll content show differences among altitudes. S. nodiflora from 0 m asl show lowest central seed number and length, non glandular trichomes number, but highest non-glandular trichomes length and chlorophyll a and carotene contents.
Pathogenicity Profile of Indigenous Bacteria Isolated from Gastrointestinal Tracts and Fecal pellets of Nipah Worm (Namalycastis rhodochorde)
Authors: Setyawati T R , Yanti A H , Kurniatuhadi R 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Screening and selecting of indigenous gastrointestinal bacteria and nipah worm fecal pellets are essential before being applied as probiotics. Previous studies have successfully isolated 10 bacterial isolates that having cellulolytic and proteolytic abilities from intestinal and fecal pellets of nipah worm. The purpose of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of all isolates against nipah worms in vitro and in vivo. Testing of pathogenicity in vitro was carried out on blood agar and DNAse agar, while in vivo testing was carried out by injecting 0.1 ml of bacterial suspension into the nipah worm body which was then cultured for 14 days. The results showed that only 10% (3 from 30 isolates) of all isolates were suspected having pathogenic activity. Isolates NrBF6, NrBF 9, and NrBC4 had been indicated from hemolysis activity in blood agar and lysed DNA on DNAse agar medium. In vivo pathogenicity tests through injection into gastrointestinal cavity showed that isolates NrBF6, NrBF9 and NrBC4 had LD50 at the suspension dose of 103 bacterial cells. LD50 reached for 5, 8 and 20 days, respectively. Symptoms of infection that appeared most dominantly in nipah worms were wounds on the surface of the body, broken body segments, and pale.
Size Variation of River Catfish (Mystus sp.) and It’s Relationship to Cadmium (Cd) Heavy Metal and pH in Blanakan River, Subang
Authors: Anjani I C , Takarina N D 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The Blanakan River is the habitat for many fish species, including river catfish (Mystus sp.). River catfish is a freshwater fish that can survive in the polluted aquatic environment. This fish is also consumed by people living near the river. The Blanakan river is polluted by human activities such as agriculture, transportation, and mining. These activities make heavy metals may expose the waters. Correspondingly, this study aims to determine the size variation of river catfish and its relationship with Cadmium (Cd) and pH parameter in water. Water and fish samples are collected from two stations. The pH was measured directly from water as well as the length and weight of fish. The concentration of Cadmium (Cd) in water was analyzed using AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). The result showed that the value of pH and Cd concentration was 5.78 – 6.64 and 0.03 ppm – 0.10 ppm, respectively. While the ranges for fish length and weight were 13,20 cm – 13,59 cm and 30.69 gr – 34.7 gr. To conclude, the increase in pH can increase the size of fish. In contrast, the increase in Cd reduces the size of fish.
The Induction of Asexual Reproduction on Holothuria scabra and Bohadschia marmorata: The Conservation Effort inTanimbar Archipelago, Maluku
Authors: Furqon A D C , Maulana F , Prihantari E T , Prabowo R E 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Southeast Maluku is the leading supplier of Indonesian trepang, but lately, the production has been decreased significantly. The effort to increase the trepang population through sexual reproductive techniques still requires a long time. Therefore, another method which faster, more productive, and more accessible are needed to be applied by coastal communities, namely inducing asexual reproduction of fission using a rubber band. This research using experimental methods in the field and analyzed descriptively. Fission induction conducted by rubber binding at 1/3 of the anterior body part of trepang. This study induces asexual reproduction in two trepang species found on Matakus Island, Tanimbar Archipelago, Maluku, Holothuria scabra, and Bohadschia marmorata. The results showed that H. scabra (98%) and B. marmorata (100%) rubber binding could induce individual fission of the trepang and divide into two new individuals. The posterior part has a higher regeneration and a better survival rate than the anterior part. The survival rate of B. Marmorata is higher than that of H. scabra.
Assessments of Heavy Metal Zn and Coliform in Midstream of Blanakan River, Subang, West Java
Authors: Damayanti T , Takarina N D 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The midstream of Blanakan is located between upstream and downstream. Due to its location, the water of the midstream receives pollutants from nearby upstream. Hence, the purpose of this research is to investigate the concentration of Zn and coliform in the midstream. Coliform is one of the standards used for assessing water quality. The samples were collected from three stations in midstream. The Zn in water samples was analyzed by using AAS. Meanwhile, the coliform was examined by MPN and plate count methods. The results of obtained coliform then compared with the river water quality standards issued by Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001. In the midstream of Blanakan, the ranges of coliform were 7.5 x 10−1 MPN/ml, 9.3 x 101 MPN/ml, and 4.3 x 10−1 MPN/ml. Meanwhile, the ranges of Zn contents were 0.45 mg/l, 1.53 mg/l and 0.5 mg/l. According to Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001, the limit of Zn is 0.05 mg/l, and the limit for coliform is 10 MPN/ml. To conclude, the Zn contents in water indicated that pollutants had influenced the midstream of Blanakan from domestic waste disposal from nearby upstream.
Degenerated Primers for The KCS Enzyme Gene Encoding Erucic Acid Content in Winged Bean Seeds
Authors: Sasongko N D , Aziz S , Sulisyono Y 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) contains moderate to high fat in its seeds including erucic acid (C22:1) which is an important raw-material of various oleochemical industries. β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) is one among those enzymes involves in erucic acid biosynthesis pathway by condensation acyl-CoA to β-ketoacyl-CoA. Information about encoding genes of the KCS enzyme involve in erucic acid biosynthesis pathway, therefore, it becomes a prerequisite. Current data show the paired degenerated primers of forward primer 5’-ATNTTCAACCCGACDCCDTC-3’ and reverse 5’-GAGCTTCACCTCCAACATYS-3’. PCR resulted in amplicons of 404 bp and 301 bp which are predicted as putative fragments of the KCS enzyme encoding genes involved in the erucic acid biosynthesis in winged bean.
Sexual Dimorphism Characterization of Splendid threadfin (Philimanus perplexa Feltes, 1991)
Authors: Sukmaningrum S , Suryaningsih S , Nurhaeni A 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Filimanus perplexa is among fish species with high economic value. It has a flattened body shape and yellowish body color. Another characteristic of F. perplexa is seven free filaments on the pectoral fin whose exceeds the anal fin. These species do not show sexual dimorphisms. Therefore, a taxonomic study is needed to distinguish male and female individuals of Kurau fish. Differences between male and female fish can be seen in their morphological performance, truss morphometrics, and meristic characters. The purpose of this study was to know morphological characters that can be used to differentiate between male and female individuals of Splendid threadfin fish. The method used in this research surveys. Samples were taken by purposive random sampling technique. Samples of Kurau fish were obtained from PPI Tanjungsari Pemalang. The variables observed were the morphological performance, truss morphometrics distances, and meristic characters. Morphological data were analyzed descriptively. The truss morphometrics character was statistically analyzed using a t-test on SPSS Version 16.0 program. Furthermore, meristic characters were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that male and female individuals of Kurau fish could be differentiated based on truss distance, where males individuals have larger body sizes and are relatively longer than females. Morphological performance and meristic characteristics cannot be the difference between male and female Kurau fish.
Graphene based Van der Waals contacts on MoS2 field effect transistors
Authors: Mootheri Vivek , Arutchelvan Goutham , Banerjee Sreetama , Sutar Surajit , Leonhardt Alessandra , Boulon Marie-Emmanuelle , Huyghebaert Cedric , Houssa Michel , Asselberghs Inge , Radu Iuliana , Heyns Marc , Lin Dennis 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Device performance of two dimensional (2D) material based field effect transistors is severely limited by the relatively high contact resistance encountered at the contact-channel interface. Metal-graphene hybrid contacts have been previously used to improve the contact resistance of devices based on thick exfoliated materials. Here we report a novel 2D FET fabrication process entailing the transfer of metal-graphene hybrid contacts on top of 3 monolayer-thick chemical vapor deposition (CVD) MoS2, enabling a lithography free contacting strategy, with respect to MoS2. Three different metal-graphene stacks consisting of Ni, Pd and Ru, have been fabricated, transferred onto MoS2 and characterized extensively using electrical and physical characterization techniques. We find strong correlation between the measured electrical characteristics and physical characterization of the contact interface. From Raman spectra measurement, maximum charge transfer of 1.7 × 1013 cm−2 is observed between graphene and Ru, leading to an improved contact resistance for MoS2 devices with Ru-Gr contacts. Ru-Gr contact shows the lowest contact resistance of 9.34 kΩ · µm among the three metal-graphene contact stacks reported in this article. This contact resistance is also the best among reported CVD grown graphene contacted MoS2 devices. Using more than 400 devices, we study the impact of the different metal-graphene contacts on other electrical parameters such as hysteresis, sub-threshold swing and threshold voltage. The metal-graphene contact stack transfer technique represents a technologically relevant contacting approach which can be further up-scaled to larger wafer areas.
Beneficial effects of autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in active progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Petrou Panayiota , Kassis Ibrahim , Levin Netta , Paul Friedemann , Backner Yael , Benoliel Tal , Oertel Frederike Cosima , Scheel Michael , Hallimi Michelle , Yaghmour Nour , Hur Tamir Ben , Ginzberg Ariel , Levy Yarden , Abramsky Oded , Karussis Dimitrios 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In this study (trial registration: NCT02166021), we aimed to evaluate the optimal way of administration, the safety and the clinical efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in patients with active and progressive multiple sclerosis. Forty-eight patients (28 males and 20 females) with progressive multiple sclerosis (Expanded Disability Status Scale: 3.0–6.5, mean : 5.6 ± 0.8, mean age: 47.5 ± 12.3) and evidence of either clinical worsening or activity during the previous year, were enrolled (between 2015 and 2018). Patients were randomized into three groups and treated intrathecally (IT) or intravenously (IV) with autologous MSCs (1 × 106/kg) or sham injections. After 6 months, half of the patients from the MSC-IT and MSC-IV groups were retreated with MSCs, and the other half with sham injections. Patients initially assigned to sham treatment were divided into two subgroups and treated with either MSC-IT or MSC-IV. The study duration was 14 months. No serious treatment-related safety issues were detected. Significantly fewer patients experienced treatment failure in the MSC-IT and MSC-IV groups compared with those in the sham-treated group (6.7%, 9.7%, and 41.9%, respectively, P = 0.0003 and P = 0.0008). During the 1-year follow-up, 58.6% and 40.6% of patients treated with MSC-IT and MSC-IV, respectively, exhibited no evidence of disease activity compared with 9.7% in the sham-treated group (P &lt; 0.0001 and P &lt; 0.0048, respectively). MSC-IT transplantation induced additional benefits on the relapse rate, on the monthly changes of the T2 lesion load on MRI, and on the timed 25-foot walking test, 9-hole peg test, optical coherence tomography, functional MRI and cognitive tests. Treatment with MSCs was well-tolerated in progressive multiple sclerosis and induced short-term beneficial effects regarding the primary end points, especially in the patients with active disease. The intrathecal administration was more efficacious than the intravenous in several parameters of the disease. A phase III trial is warranted to confirm these findings.
Circulating tumor DNA is a sensitive marker for routine monitoring of treatment response in advanced colorectal cancer
Authors: Zou Donghui , Day Robert , Cocadiz Judy A , Parackal Sarah , Mitchell Wilson , Black Michael A , Lawrence Ben , Fitzgerald Sandra , Print Cristin , Jackson Christopher , Guilford Parry 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Accurate assessment of chemotherapy response provides the means to terminate ineffective treatment, trial alternative drug regimens or schedules and reduce dose to minimize toxicity. Here, we have compared circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for the cycle by cycle assessment of chemotherapy response in 30 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. CtDNA (quantified using individualized digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assays) and CEA levels were determined immediately prior to each chemotherapy cycle over time periods ranging from 42–548 days (average of 10 time points/patient). Twenty-nine/thirty (97%) patients had detectable ctDNA compared with 83% whose tumors were CEA-positive (&gt;5 ng/ml) during the monitoring course. Over the course of treatment, 20 disease progression events were detected by computed tomography; ctDNA predicted significantly more of these events than CEA (16 (80%) versus 6 (30%), respectively; P-value = 0.004). When progression was detected by both ctDNA and CEA, the rise in ctDNA occurred significantly earlier than CEA (P-value = 0.046). Partial responses to chemotherapy were also detected more frequently by ctDNA, although this was not significant (P-value = 0.07). In addition, another 28 colorectal cancer patients who underwent potentially curative surgery and showed no evidence of residual disease were monitored with ctDNA for up to 2 years. Clinical relapse was observed in 6/28 (21%) patients. Four out of 6 of these patients showed a significant increase in ctDNA at or prior to relapse. Overall, ctDNA analyses were able to be performed in a clinically relevant timeline and were a more sensitive and responsive measure of tumor burden than CEA.
Totalitarian Transhumanism versus Christian Theosis: From Russian Orthodoxy with Love
Authors: Siewers Alfred Kentigern 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTechnological change and the growth of technocratic approaches to government have gone hand-in-hand with the development of secular transhumanism in the West. The result is a perfect storm for the onset of cultural or “soft” totalitarianism in what during the Cold War was known as the “Free World.” Accelerating political opposition to traditional and biological definitions of sex, and to traditional marriage and family networks in Christian contexts, has undermined anthropological and value assumptions basic to self-government. Paradoxically, in this post-Cold War environment, Russian culture now provides a model for renewing the Christian understanding of sex related to defining freedom as self-restraint. Specifically, that model is that of the Russian Orthodox Christian anthropology of sex and its related theological tradition.
Increasing prescription of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockers associated with improved kidney prognosis in Korean IgA nephropathy patients
Authors: Park Sehoon , Baek Chung Hee , Park Su-Kil , Kang Hee Gyung , Han Seung Hyeok , Ryu Dong-Ryeol , Kim Dong Ki , Oh Kook-Hwan , Joo Kwon Wook , Kim Yon Su , Moon Kyung Chul , Chin Ho Jun , Lee Hajeong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
We aimed to describe the characteristics of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in Korea with assessment for time trends.

Methods
We performed a multicenter retrospective observational cohort study including biopsy-confirmed native IgAN cases from four tertiary hospitals in Korea. Time eras of diagnosis were stratified into 1979–2003, 2004–9 and 2010–17. The prognostic variable was progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) analyzed by multivariable Cox regression analysis.

Results
We included 1366 (from 1979 to 2003), 1636 (from 2004 to 2009) and 1442 (from 2010 to 2017) IgAN patients in this study. In the recent periods, IgAN had relatively better clinical characteristics, as patients had higher estimated glomerular filtration rates and lower baseline blood pressures than before. The use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers increased from 57.7% in 1979–2003 to 80.0% in 2010–17. During a median follow-up duration of 11.3 years, 722 patients progressed to ESKD with an incidence rate of 12.5 per 1000 person-years. The 10-year risk of progression to ESKD was lower in 2010–17 compared with that of 1979–2003 [adjusted hazard ratio 0.692 (95% confidence interval 0.523–0.915)], even after adjustment for multiple clinicopathologic characteristics. The use of RAAS blockers was a significant mediator (P &lt; 0.001) for the association between time trends and lower 10-year ESKD risk.

Conclusions
Clinicopathologic characteristics of IgAN in Korea have changed over time. Although the limitation of a retrospective observational study remains, the result showed that the prognosis of IgAN has improved over the study period, possibly related to increased prescription of RAAS blockers.
Physiological condition of Eastern Baltic cod, Gadus morhua, infected with the parasitic nematode Contracaecum osculatum
Authors: Ryberg Marie Plambech , Skov Peter V , Vendramin Niccolò , Buchmann Kurt , Nielsen Anders , Behrens Jane W 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Establishing relationships between parasite infection and physiological condition of the host can be difficult and therefore are often neglected when describing factors causing population declines. Using the parasite–host system between the parasitic nematode Contracaecum osculatum and the Eastern Baltic cod Gadus morhua, we here shed new light on how parasite load may relate to the physiological condition of a transport host. The Eastern Baltic cod is in distress, with declining nutritional conditions, disappearance of the larger fish, high natural mortality and no signs of recovery of the population. During the latest decade, high infection levels with C. osculatum have been observed in fish in the central and southern parts of the Baltic Sea. We investigated the aerobic performance, nutritional condition, organ masses, and plasma and proximate body composition of wild naturally infected G. morhua in relation to infection density with C. osculatum. Fish with high infection densities of C. osculatum had (i) decreased nutritional condition, (ii) depressed energy turnover as evidenced by reduced standard metabolic rate, (iii) reduction in the digestive organ masses, and alongside (iv) changes in the plasma, body and liver composition, and fish energy source. The significantly reduced albumin to globulin ratio in highly infected G. morhua suggests that the fish suffer from a chronic liver disease. Furthermore, fish with high infection loads had the lowest Fulton’s condition factor. Yet, it remains unknown whether our results steam from a direct effect of C. osculatum, or because G. morhua in an already compromised nutritional state are more susceptible towards the parasite. Nevertheless, impairment of the physiological condition can lead to reduced swimming performance, compromising foraging success while augmenting the risk of predation, potentially leading to an increase in the natural mortality of the host. We hence argue that fish–parasite interactions must not be neglected when implementing and refining strategies to rebuild deteriorating populations.
Development of a Simple, Serum Biomarker-based Model Predictive of the Need for Early Biologic Therapy in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Con Danny , Parthasarathy Nina , Bishara Maria , Luber Raphael P , Joshi Neetima , Wan Anna , Rickard James A , Long Tony , Connoley Declan J , Sparrow Miles P , Gibson Peter R , van Langenberg Daniel R , Vasudevan Abhinav 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
Early or first-line treatment with biologics, as opposed to conventional immunomodulators, is not always necessary to achieve remission in Crohn’s disease [CD] and may not be cost-effective. This study aimed to develop a simple model to predict the need for early biologic therapy, in order to risk-stratify CD patients and guide initial treatment selection.

Methods
A model-building study using supervised statistical learning methods was conducted using a retrospective cohort across two tertiary centres. All biologic-naïve CD patients who commenced an immunomodulator between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2016, were included. A predictive score was derived using Cox regression modelling of immunomodulator failure, and was internally validated using bootstrap resampling.

Results
Of 410 patients [median age 37 years, 47% male, median disease duration 4.7 years], 229 [56%] experienced immunomodulator failure [39 required surgery, 24 experienced a new stricture, 44 experienced a new fistula/abscess, 122 required biologic escalation] with a median time to failure of 16 months. Independent predictors of treatment failure included raised C-reactive protein [CRP], low albumin, complex disease behaviour, younger age, and baseline steroids. Highest CRP and lowest albumin measured within the 3 months preceding immunomodulator initiation outperformed baseline measurements. After model selection, only highest CRP and lowest albumin remained and the resultant Crohn’s Immunomodulator CRP-Albumin [CICA] index demonstrated robust optimism-corrected discriminative performance at 12, 24, and 36 months (area under the curve [AUC] 0.84, 0.83, 0.81, respectively).

Conclusions
The derived CICA index based on simple, widely available markers is feasible, internally valid, and has a high utility in predicting immunomodulator failure. This requires external, prospective validation.