bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenol adsorption on high microporous activated carbons prepared from oily sludge: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Mojoudi N. , Mirghaffari N. , Soleimani M. , Shariatmadari H. , Belver C. , Bedia J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was the preparation, characterization and application of high-performance activated carbons (ACs) derived from oily sludge through chemical activation by KOH. The produced ACs were characterized using iodine number, N2 adsorption-desorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The activated carbon prepared under optimum conditions showed a predominantly microporous structure with a BET surface area of 2263 m2 g−1, a total pore volume of 1.37 cm3 g−1 and a micro pore volume of 1.004 cm3 g−1. The kinetics and equilibrium adsorption data of phenol fitted well to the pseudo second order model (R2 = 0.99) and Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.99), respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity based on the Langmuir model (434 mg g−1) with a relatively fast adsorption rate (equilibrium time of 30 min) was achieved under an optimum pH value of 6.0. Thermodynamic parameters were negative and showed that adsorption of phenol onto the activated carbon was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic. Desorption of phenol from the adsorbent using 0.1 M NaOH was about 87.8% in the first adsorption/desorption cycle and did not decrease significantly after three cycles. Overall, the synthesized activated carbon from oily sludge could be a promising adsorbent for the removal of phenol from polluted water.
Diagnostic and clinical utility of whole genome sequencing in a cohort of undiagnosed Chinese families with rare diseases
Authors: Liu Hong-Yan , Zhou Liyuan , Zheng Meng-Yue , Huang Jia , Wan Shu , Zhu Aiying , Zhang Mingjie , Dong Anliang , Hou Ling , Li Jia , Xu Haiming , Lu Bingjian , Lu Weiguo , Liu Pengyuan , Lu Yan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRare diseases are usually chronically debilitating or even life-threatening with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in current clinical practice. It has been estimated that 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin, and thus genome sequencing-based diagnosis offers a promising alternative for rare-disease management. In this study, 79 individuals from 16 independent families were performed for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in an effort to identify the causative mutations for 16 distinct rare diseases that are largely clinically intractable. Comprehensive analysis of variations, including simple nucleotide variants (SNVs), copy-number variations (CNVs), and structural variations (SVs), was implemented using the WGS data. A flexible analysis pipeline that allowed a certain degree of misclassification of disease status was developed to facilitate the identification of causative variants. As a result, disease-causing variants were identified in 10 of the 16 investigated diseases, yielding a diagnostic rate of 62.5%. Additionally, new potentially pathogenic variants were discovered for two disorders, including IGF2/INS-IGF2 in mitochondrial disease and FBN3 in Klippel–Trenaunay–Weber syndrome. Our WGS analysis not only detected a CNV associated with 3p deletion syndrome but also captured a simple sequence repeat (SSR) variation associated with Machado–Joseph disease. To our knowledge, this is the first time the clinical WGS analysis of short-read sequences has been used successfully to identify a causative SSR variation that perfectly segregates with a repeat expansion disorder. After the WGS analysis, we confirmed the initial diagnosis for three of 10 established disorders and modified or corrected the initial diagnosis for the remaining seven disorders. In summary, clinical WGS is a powerful tool for the diagnosis of rare diseases, and its diagnostic clarity at molecular levels offers important benefits for the participating families.
Association between localised retinal nerve fibre layer defects and cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Shin Joo Youn , Lee Jonghyun , Lee Chan Joo , Park Sungha , Byeon Suk Ho 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLocalised retinal nerve fibre layer defects (RNFLDs) are reported to indicate the degree of glaucomatous damage but can also be sequelae of retinal vascular insufficiency as a result of systemic vascular factors. We investigated the association between RNFLDs and cardiovascular risk factors. RNFLDs were detected in 440 (29.2%) of 1508 subjects. The presence of RNFLDs was associated with higher HbA1c (odds ratio [OR] 1.289, p < 0.001), higher 24-h mean systolic blood pressure (SBP; OR 1.013, p < 0.005), and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; OR 0.995, p < 0.005). An increasing number of RNFLDs was correlated with higher SBP (r = 0.186, p < 0.001), higher HbA1c (r = 0.128, p < 0.010), lower eGFR (r = −0.112, p < 0.020), and younger age (r = −0.303, p < 0.001). Subjects with RNFLDs had a higher predicted 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease than did those without RNFLDs (9.7% vs 7.9%, p = 0.008 in middle-aged subjects, 25.6% vs 23.2%, p = 0.040 in older subjects). In conclusion, RNFLDs are associated with SBP, eGFR, and HbA1c. Concomitant cardiovascular risk factors should be considered when evaluating patients with localised RNFLDs.
A de novo EGR2 variant, c.1232A > G p.Asp411Gly, causes severe early-onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Type 3 (Dejerine-Sottas Neuropathy)
Authors: Grosz Bianca R. , Golovchenko Natasha B. , Ellis Melina , Kumar Kishore , Nicholson Garth A. , Antonellis Anthony , Kennerson Marina L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEGR2 (early growth response 2) is a crucial transcription factor for the myelination of the peripheral nervous system. Mutations in EGR2 are reported to cause a heterogenous spectrum of peripheral neuropathy with wide variation in both severity and age of onset, including demyelinating and axonal forms of Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) neuropathy, Dejerine-Sottas neuropathy (DSN/CMT3), and congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy (CHN/CMT4E). Here we report a sporadic de novo EGR2 variant, c.1232A > G (NM_000399.5), causing a missense p.Asp411Gly substitution and discovered through whole-exome sequencing (WES) of the proband. The resultant phenotype is severe demyelinating DSN with onset at two years of age, confirmed through nerve biopsy and electrophysiological examination. In silico analyses showed that the Asp411 residue is evolutionarily conserved, and the p.Asp411Gly variant was predicted to be deleterious by multiple in silico analyses. A luciferase-based reporter assay confirmed the reduced ability of p.Asp411Gly EGR2 to activate a PMP22 (peripheral myelin protein 22) enhancer element compared to wild-type EGR2. This study adds further support to the heterogeneity of EGR2-related peripheral neuropathies and provides strong functional evidence for the pathogenicity of the p.Asp411Gly EGR2 variant.
Improvement of Commercially Valuable Traits of Industrial Crops by Application of Carbon-based Nanomaterials
Authors: Pandey Kamal , Anas Muhammad , Hicks Victoria K. , Green Micah J. , Khodakovskaya Mariya V. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCarbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) have great potential as a powerful tool to improve plant productivity. Here, we investigated the biological effects of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on fiber-producing species (cotton, Gossypium hirsutum) and ornamental species (vinca, Catharanthus roseus). The exposure of seeds to CNTs or graphene led to the activation of early seed germination in Catharanthus and overall higher germination in cotton and Catharanthus seeds. The application of CBNs resulted in higher root and shoot growth of young seedlings of both tested species. Cultivation of Catharanthus plants in soil supplemented with CBNs resulted in the stimulation of plant reproductive system by inducing early flower development along with higher flower production. Catharanthus plants cultivated in CNTs or graphene supplemented soil accelerated total flower production by 37 and 58%, respectively. Additionally, CBNs reduced the toxic effects caused by NaCl. Long-term application of CBNs to crops cultivated under salt stress conditions improved the desired phenotypical traits of Catharanthus (higher flower number and leaf number) and cotton (increased fiber biomass) compared to untreated plants of both species cultivated at the same stress condition. The drought stress experiments revealed that introduction of CBNs to matured Catharanthus plant increased the plant survival with no symptoms of leaf wilting as compared to untreated Catharanthus growing in water deficit conditions.
Rhubarb-Evoke Mucus Secretion through Aggregation and Degranulation of Mast Cell in the Colon of Rat: In vivo and ex vivo studies
Authors: Wu Di , Xue Xiaowei , Gao Chenchen , Liu Yuehong , Wang Tiantian , Li Lisheng , Tong Xuehong , Li Feng , Xu Jingdong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRhubarb is commonly used to treat constipation in China for its function of promoting intestinal movement and optimum water content in feces. However, its mechanism of mucus secretion is vague. The aim of the study is to investigate the role of mast cells and enteric neurons in rhubarb extract (RE)-induced mucus secretion in the rat colon. Immunofluorescence was used to detect histamine receptors. Western blotting and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) were applied to explore the content changes of mast cells activation. The changes in colonic goblet cells (GCs) were determined by means of PAS/AB staining. An intestinal perfusion system with a Bradford protein assay kit was directly to estimate in vitro secretion. And the cytokines were investigated with ELISA. The longitudinal aspect of this study indicate that the number and water content of faecal pellets were enhanced after the administration of different doses of RE accompanied by mast cells accumulated and increased the content of interferon (IFN) -γ or decreased the levels of interleukin (IL) −10 at doses of 3 and 6 g/kg. Pretreatment with ketotifen, mast cell stabilizer, had partially inhibited on RE-induced mucus secretion. Furthermore, RE induced the release of acetylcholine and mucin-2 in the colonic tissue and the histamine levels from the faeces. The results suggest that RE induced colonic mucus secretion involves mast cell activation and some cytokine.
Habitat filtering shapes the differential structure of microbial communities in the Xilingol grassland
Authors: Yang Jie , Wang Yanfen , Cui Xiaoyong , Xue Kai , Zhang Yiming , Yu Zhisheng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe spatial variability of microorganisms in grasslands can provide important insights regarding the biogeographic patterns of microbial communities. However, information regarding the degree of overlap and partitions of microbial communities across different habitats in grasslands is limited. This study investigated the microbial communities in three distinct habitats from Xilingol steppe grassland, i.e. animal excrement, phyllosphere, and soil samples, by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. All microbial community structures, i.e. for bacteria, archaea, and fungi, were significantly distinguished according to habitat. A high number of unique microorganisms but few coexisting microorganisms were detected, suggesting that the structure of microbial communities was mainly regulated by species selection and niche differentiation. However, the sequences of those limited coexisting microorganisms among the three different habitats accounted for over 60% of the total sequences, indicating their ability to adapt to variable environments. In addition, the biotic interactions among microorganisms based on a co-occurrence network analysis highlighted the importance of Microvirga, Blastococcus, RB41, Nitrospira, and four norank members of bacteria in connecting the different microbiomes. Collectively, the microbial communities in the Xilingol steppe grassland presented strong habitat preferences with a certain degree of dispersal and colonization potential to new habitats along the animal excrement- phyllosphere-soil gradient. This study provides the first detailed comparison of microbial communities in different habitats in a single grassland, and offers new insights into the biogeographic patterns of the microbial assemblages in grasslands.
Quantitative Phase Imaging Using Digital Holographic Microscopy Reliably Assesses Morphology and Reflects Elastic Properties of Fibrotic Intestinal Tissue
Authors: Bokemeyer Arne , Tepasse Phil Robin , Quill Lena , Lenz Philipp , Rijcken Emile , Vieth Michael , Ding Nik , Ketelhut Steffi , Rieder Florian , Kemper Björn , Bettenworth Dominik 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntestinal strictures are a frequent complication in patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD) and the presence of fibrosis within strictures impacts the therapeutic treatment approach. Here, we evaluate quantitative phase imaging (QPI) using digital holographic microscopy (DHM) for the evaluation of fibrosis within CD strictures. 30 full thickness resection specimens were obtained from non-stenotic and stenotic tissue areas of 15 CD patients. Cryostat sections were analyzed by DHM to measure the spatial distribution of the refractive index (RI) to quantify tissue density. Complementary, histopathological evaluation of H&E staining and immunofluorescence (IF) targeting fibrosis markers served as the gold standard. Moreover, tissue stiffness was evaluated by elastography. RI values assessed by DHM were significantly higher in stenotic compared to non-stenotic tissue areas (p < 0.001). Histopathological analysis using H&E staining and IF confirmed the elevated expression of fibrosis markers in stenotic compared to non-stenotic tissue (all p < 0.001). The RI retrieved by DHM strongly correlated with the amount of fibrosis as determined by IF (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.48). Furthermore, elastography detected a significantly higher tissue stiffness in stenotic as compared to non-stenotic tissue sections (p < 0.001). In conclusion, QPI using DHM accurately assesses fibrotic properties of CD-associated strictures and may improve the characterization of CD strictures.
The lncRNAs RP1-261G23.7, RP11-69E11.4 and SATB2-AS1 are a novel clinical signature for predicting recurrent osteosarcoma
Authors: Ying Tang , Dong Jin-ling , Yuan Cen , Li Peng , Guo Qingshan 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and adolescents. In order to find factors related to its recurrence, and thus improve recovery prospects, a powerful clinical signature is needed. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are essential in osteosarcoma processes and development, and here we report significant lncRNAs to aid in earlier diagnosis of osteosarcoma.
Methods: A univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and a multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to analyze osteosarcoma patients’ lncRNA expression data from the Therapeutically Applicable Research To Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET), a public database.
Results: A lncRNA signature consisting of three lncRNAs (RP1-261G23.7, RP11-69E11.4 and SATB2-AS1) was selected. The signature was used to sort patients into high-risk and low-risk groups with meaningful recurrence rates (median recurrence time 16.80 vs. &gt;128.22 months, log-rank test, P&lt;0.001) in the training group, and predictive ability was validated in a test dataset (median 16.32 vs. &gt;143.80 months, log-rank test, P=0.006). A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the significant lncRNA was an independent prognostic factor for osteosarcoma patients. Functional analysis suggests that these lncRNAs were related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, and the G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, all of which have various, important roles in osteosarcoma development. The significant 3-lncRNA set could be a novel prediction biomarker that could aid in treatment and also predict the likelihood of recurrence of osteosarcoma in patients.
Quantifying the Effects of Background Speech Babble on Preschool Children's Novel Word Learning in a Multisession Paradigm: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Avivi-Reich Meital , Roberts Megan Y. , Grieco-Calub Tina M. 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
This study tested the effects of background speech babble on novel word learning in preschool children with a multisession paradigm.

Method
Eight 3-year-old children were exposed to a total of 8 novel word–object pairs across 2 story books presented digitally. Each story contained 4 novel consonant–vowel–consonant nonwords. Children were exposed to both stories, one in quiet and one in the presence of 4-talker babble presented at 0-dB signal-to-noise ratio. After each story, children's learning was tested with a referent selection task and a verbal recall (naming) task. Children were exposed to and tested on the novel word–object pairs on 5 separate days within a 2-week span.

Results
A significant main effect of session was found for both referent selection and verbal recall. There was also a significant main effect of exposure condition on referent selection performance, with more referents correctly selected for word–object pairs that were presented in quiet compared to pairs presented in speech babble. Finally, children's verbal recall of novel words was statistically better than baseline performance (i.e., 0%) on Sessions 3–5 for words exposed in quiet, but only on Session 5 for words exposed in speech babble.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that background speech babble at 0-dB signal-to-noise ratio disrupts novel word learning in preschool-age children. As a result, children may need more time and more exposures of a novel word before they can recognize or verbally recall it.
Spectroscopic detection of coronal plasma flows in loops undergoing thermal non-equilibrium cycles
Authors: Pelouze Gabriel , Auchère Frédéric , Bocchialini Karine , Froment Clara , Parenti Susanna , Soubrié Elie 
Published: December 2019

Context. Long-period intensity pulsations were recently detected in the EUV emission of coronal loops and attributed to cycles of plasma evaporation and condensation driven by thermal non-equilibrium (TNE). Numerical simulations that reproduce this phenomenon also predict the formation of periodic flows of plasma at coronal temperatures along some of the pulsating loops.
Aims. We aim to detect these predicted flows of coronal-temperature plasma in pulsating loops.
Methods. We used time series of spatially resolved spectra from the EUV imaging spectrometer (EIS) onboard Hinode and tracked the evolution of the Doppler velocity in loops in which intensity pulsations have previously been detected in images of SDO/AIA.
Results. We measured signatures of flows that are compatible with the simulations but only for a fraction of the observed events. We demonstrate that this low detection rate can be explained by line of sight ambiguities combined with instrumental limitations, such as low signal-to-noise ratio or insufficient cadence.
NuSTAR/XMM–Newton monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy HE 1143-1810
Authors: Ursini F. , Petrucci P.-O. , Bianchi S. , Matt G. , Middei R. , Marcel G. , Ferreira J. , Cappi M. , De Marco B. , De Rosa A. , Malzac J. , Marinucci A. , Ponti G. , Tortosa A. 
Published: December 2019

Aims. We test the two-corona accretion scenario for active galactic nuclei in the case of the “bare” Seyfert 1 galaxy HE 1143-1810.
Methods. We perform a detailed study of the broad-band UV–X-ray spectral properties and of the short-term variability of HE 1143-1810. We present results of a joint XMM–Newton and NuSTAR monitoring of the source, consisting of 5 × 20 ks observations, each separated by 2 days, performed in December 2017.
Results. The source is variable in flux among the different observations, and a correlation is observed between the UV and X-ray emission. Moderate spectral variability is observed in the soft band. The time-averaged X-ray spectrum exhibits a cut-off at ∼100 keV consistent with thermal Comptonization. We detect an iron Kα line consistent with being constant during the campaign and originating from a mildly ionized medium. The line is accompanied by a moderate, ionized reflection component. A soft excess is clearly present below 2 keV and is well described by thermal Comptonization in a “warm” corona with a temperature of ∼0.5 keV and a Thomson optical depth of ∼17 − 18. For the hot hard X-ray emitting corona, we obtain a temperature of ∼20 keV and an optical depth of ∼4 assuming a spherical geometry. A fit assuming a jet-emitting disc (JED) for the hot corona also provides a nice description of the broad-band spectrum. In this case, the data are consistent with an accretion rate varying between ∼0.7 and ∼0.9 in Eddington units and a transition between the outer standard disc and the inner JED at ∼20 gravitational radii.
Conclusions. The broad-band high-energy data agree with an accretion flow model consisting of two phases: an outer standard accretion disc with a warm upper layer, responsible for the optical–UV emission and the soft X-ray excess, and an inner slim JED playing the role of a hard X-ray emitting hot corona.
Prospects for measuring Mercury’s tidal Love numberh2with the BepiColombo Laser Altimeter
Authors: Thor R. N. , Kallenbach R. , Christensen U. R. , Stark A. , Steinbrügge G. , Di Ruscio A. , Cappuccio P. , Iess L. , Hussmann H. , Oberst J. 
Published: December 2019

Context.The Love numberh2describes the radial tidal displacements of Mercury’s surface and allows constraints to be set on the inner core size when combined with the potential Love numberk2. Knowledge of Mercury’s inner core size is fundamental to gaining insights into the planet’s thermal evolution and dynamo working principle. The BepiColombo Laser Altimeter (BELA) is currently cruising to Mercury as part of the BepiColombo mission and once it is in orbit around Mercury, it will acquire precise measurements of the planet’s surface topography, potentially including variability that is due to tidal deformation.Aims.We use synthetic measurements acquired using BELA to assess how accurately Mercury’s tidal Love numberh2can be determined by laser altimetry.Methods.We generated realistic, synthetic BELA measurements, including instrument performance, orbit determination, as well as uncertainties in spacecraft attitude and Mercury’s libration. We then retrieved Mercury’sh2and global topography from the synthetic data through a joint inversion.Results.Our results suggest thath2can be determined with an absolute accuracy of ± 0.012, enabling a determination of Mercury’s inner core size to ± 150 km given the inner core is sufficiently large (>800 km). We also show that the uncertainty ofh2depends strongly on the assumed scaling behavior of the topography at small scales and on the periodic misalignment of the instrument.
Weniger Kohlenhydrate in der Therapie des Diabetes?
Authors: Bosy-Westphal Anja , Müller Manfred J. 
Published: December 2019

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGLifestyle-Diäten mit einer Einschränkung des Kohlenhydratverzehrs (Low Carb, Paleo, ketogen) erfreuen sich insbesondere zur Kontrolle des Körpergewichts zunehmender Beliebtheit. Bei Patienten mit Typ-2-Diabetes sollen sie nicht nur zur Gewichtsreduktion beitragen, sondern auch zu einer verbesserten Einstellung der Glykämie und einer Senkung des Insulinbedarfs führen. Was sind die Vor- und Nachteile einer Reduktion der Kohlenhydrataufnahme bei Patienten mit Typ-2-Diabetes? Wenn die Kohlenhydrate ersetzt werden, wovon sollte stattdessen mehr verzehrt werden? Kann eine kohlenhydratreiche Diät bei Patienten mit Typ-2-Diabetes heute noch empfohlen werden? Der Beitrag versucht, diese Fragen in Kürze zu beantworten und rückt den Fokus der Diskussion weg von der reinen Betrachtung der Makronährstoffrelation hin zur Bedeutung der Kohlenhydrat- und Fettqualität und einer individualisierten Ernährungstherapie. Darüber hinaus bieten sowohl die Stratifizierung metabolischer Phänotypen des Prädiabetes als auch die differenzierte bioinformatische Analyse von Ernährungsmustern anstelle von rein korrelativen nährstoffbasierten Auswertungen neue Ansätze für die Ernährungsforschung.