bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver injury is associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of retrospective studies
Authors: Parohan Mohammad , Yaghoubi Sajad , Seraji Asal 
Published: May 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak is a major threat to human beings. Lung injury has been reported as the major outcome of COVID‐19 infection. However, liver damage has also been considered to occur in severe cases. The current meta‐analysis of retrospective studies was carried out to summarize available findings on the association between liver injury and severity of COVID‐19 infection. Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched to detect relevant publications up to 1 April 2020, using relevant keywords. To pool data, a fixed‐ or random‐effects model was used depending on the heterogeneity between studies. Furthermore, publication bias test and sensitivity analysis were also applied. In total, 20 retrospective studies with 3428 COVID‐19 infected patients (severe cases, n = 1455; mild cases, n = 1973), were included in this meta‐analysis. Higher serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (weighted mean difference, 8.84 U/L; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.97 to 11.71; P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (weighted mean difference, 7.35 U/L; 95% CI, 4.77 to 9.93; P < 0.001), total bilirubin (weighted mean difference, 2.30 mmol/L; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.36; P < 0.001), and lower serum levels of albumin (weighted mean difference, −4.24 g/L; 95% CI, −6.20 to −2.28; P < 0.001) were associated with a significant increase in the severity of COVID‐19 infection. The incidence of liver injury, as assessed by serum analysis (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and albumin levels), seems to be higher in patients with severe COVID‐19 infection.
Geochemistry of volcanic glass from Oligocene detrital sediments at DSDP Site 296, Kyushu Palau Ridge: Interpreting the magmatic evolution of the early northern Izu–Bonin–Mariana Island Arc
Authors: Samajpati Eshita , Hickey‐Vargas Rosemary 
Published: May 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the petrologic and geochemical evolution of island arcs is important for interpreting the timing and impacts of subduction and processes leading to the formation of a continental crust. The Izu–Bonin–Mariana (IBM) Arc, western Pacific, is an outstanding location to study arc evolution. The IBM first arc (45–25 Ma) followed a period of forearc basalt and boninite formation associated with subduction initiation (52–45 Ma). In this study, we present new major and trace element data for the IBM first arc from detrital glass shards and clasts from DSDP Site 296, located on the northernmost Kyushu Palau Ridge (KPR). We synthesize these data with published literature for contemporaneous airfall ash and tephra from the Izu–Bonin forearc, dredge and piston core samples from the KPR, and plutonic rocks from the rifted eastern KPR escarpment, locations which lie within or correlate with KPR Segment 1 of Ishizuka, Taylor, Yuasa, and Ohara (2011). Our objective is to test ways in which petrologic and chemical data for diverse igneous materials can be used to construct a complete picture of this section of the Oligocene first arc and to draw conclusions about its evolution. Important findings reveal that widely varying primary magmas formed and differentiated at various depths at this location during this period. Changes in key trace element ratios such as La/Sm, Nb/Yb, and Ba/Th show that mantle sources varied in fertility and in the inputs of subducted sediment and fluids over time and space. Plutonic rocks appear to be related to early K‐poor dacitic liquids represented by glasses sampled both in the forearc and volcanic fronts. An interesting observation is that the variation in magma compositions in this relatively small segment encompasses that inferred for the IBM Arc as a whole, suggesting that sampling is a key factor in inferring temporal, across‐arc, and along‐strike geochemical trends.
Parental care in the Small Tree FinchCamarhynchus parvulusin relation to parasitism and environmental factors
Authors: Heyer Eileen , Cimadom Arno , Wappl Christian , Tebbich Sabine 
Published: May 2020

The parental food compensation hypothesis suggests that parents may compensate for the negative effects of parasites on chicks by increased food provisioning. However, this ability differs widely among host species and may also depend on ecological factors such as adverse weather conditions and habitat quality. Although weed management can improve habitat quality, management measures can bring about a temporary decrease in food availability and thus may reduce parents’ ability to provide their nestlings with enough energy. In our study we investigated the interaction of parasitism and weed management, and the influence of climate on feeding rates in a Darwin’s tree finch species, which is negatively impacted by two invasive species. The larvae of the invasive parasitic flyPhilornis downsiingest the blood and body tissues of tree finch nestlings, and the invasive BlackberryRubus niveusaffects one of the main habitats of Darwin’s tree finches. We compared parental food provisioning of the Small Tree FinchCamarhynchus parvulusin parasitized and parasite‐free nests in three different areas, which differed in invasive weed management (no management, short‐term and long‐term management). In a parasite reduction experiment, we investigated whether the Small Tree Finch increases food provisioning rates to nestlings when parasitized and whether this ability depends on weed management conditions and precipitation. Our results provide no evidence that Small Tree Finches can compensate with additional food provisioning when parasitized withP. downsi. However, we found an increase in male effort in the short‐term management area, which might indicate that males compensate for lower food quality with increased provisioning effort. Furthermore, parental food provisioning was lower during rainfall, which provides an explanation for the negative influence of rain on breeding success found in earlier studies. Like other Darwin’s finches, the Small Tree Finch seems to lack the ability to compensate for the negative effects ofP. downsiparasitism, which is one explanation for why this invasive parasite has such a devastating effect on this host species.
Increasing temperatures increase the risk of reproductive failure in a near threatened alpine ground‐nesting bird, the Cape Rockjumper Chaetops frenatus
Authors: Oswald Krista N. , Diener Elizabeth F. , Diener John P. , Cunningham Susan J. , Smit Ben , Lee Alan T. K. 
Published: May 2020

A major cause of reproductive failure in birds is nest predation. Predation risk depends on predator type, as predators vary in their ecology and sensory modalities (e.g. visual vs. olfactory). Snakes (generally olfactory predators) are a major nest predator for small birds, with predation strongly associated with higher temperatures. We investigated nest survival in a ground‐nesting alpine species, the Cape Rockjumper Chaetops frenatus, endemic to alpine fynbos in southwestern South Africa. We collected 3 years of nest data, testing whether nest survival was related to (1) habitat stage (early post‐fire vs. late post‐fire habitat, ≤ 3 and > 3 years since fire respectively), (2) nest concealment and (3) temperature. We found that nests had better survival at lower temperatures, with snake predation (our main source of predation) increasing in higher temperatures.
Stress in ion exchanged soda‐lime silicate and sodium aluminosilicate glasses: Experimental and theoretical comparison
Authors: Macrelli Guglielmo , Özben Nahide , Kayaalp Ahmet Caner , Çelikbilek Ersundu Miray , Sökmen İlkay 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGlass samples of two different chemical compositions were strengthened by ion exchange. Residual stress profiles were experimentally determined by differential surface refractometry. The experimental results were compared with values theoretically predicted by a formalized viscoelastic mathematical model incorporating both stress buildup and stress relaxation contributions. The comparison exhibited a remarkable agreement both in terms of strengthening characteristics and stress profiles curves between experimentally measured and theoretically predicted values. The mathematical model incorporated terms directly linked to selected relaxation mechanisms either isochoric shear stress driven and fast relaxation. The comparison demonstrated the relevance of the stress relaxation mechanisms for the different glass chemical compositions. The approach presented in this study will allow the prediction of the mechanical behavior of chemically strengthened glass starting from its chemical composition together with the ion exchange process parameters.
A prospective study to assess the efficacy of various surgical modalities in treatment of stable vitiligo patches over resistant sites
Authors: Dalla Amit , Parsad Davinder , Vinay Keshavamurthy , Thakur Vishal , Sendhil Kumaran Muthu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite advances in surgical management of vitiligo, lesions on acral areas and bony prominences remain treatment refractory. There is lack of literature on the treatment efficacy of various surgical modalities over these treatment refractory sites.ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of three common methods of grafting in vitiligo in known resistant areas.MethodsA single‐center interventional clinical trial involving 30 patients of stable vitiligo (disease stability ≥1 year) located over bony prominences and acral areas. All patients were treated with noncultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES), suction blister epidermal grafting (SBEG), and mini punch grafting (MPG) on three separate patches. Extent of repigmentation was assessed at 12 and 24 weeks, color matching and patient satisfaction were evaluated at 24 weeks.ResultsAmong 30 participants, 22 (73%) were females, mean age was 27.4 (±10.7) years, and the majority (93.3%) had nonsegmental vitiligo. At 12 weeks, repigmentation >75% was noted in 56.6, 60, and 16.6% of patches treated by NCES, SBEG, and MPG, respectively. At 24 weeks, results remained the same in both the NCES and SBEG groups, while the number of patches with >75% repigmentation increased to 23.3% in the MPG group. The difference in repigmentation rate between NCES and MPG as well as between SBEG and MPG achieved statistical significance. Color matching of treated area and patient satisfaction were better in NCES and SBEG groups compared to MPG.ConclusionNCES and SBEG are superior to MPG with reasonably good efficacy and can be offered as a therapeutic modality for stable vitiligo patches over these sites.
Experimental and DFT insights into elastic, magnetic, electrical, and thermodynamic properties of MAB‐phase Fe2AlB2
Authors: Bai Yuelei , Qi Xinxin , He Xiaodong , Song Guangping , Zheng Yongting , Hao Bingbing , Yin Hang , Gao Jin , Ian Duff Andrew 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe elastic, magnetic, electrical, and thermodynamic properties of bulk polycrystalline Fe2AlB2 are reported, with further theoretical insights provided through first‐principles calculations. DFT simulations, along with an appropriate empirical method to treat magnetic contributions, reproduce well the experimental heat capacity, phonon thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion. The shear, Young's and bulk moduli all decrease linearly from 107.7, 264.5, and 162.4 GPa at 298 K to 91.4, 227.7, and 149.6 GPa at 1273 K, respectively, while the Poisson's ratio shows a weak dependence on temperature, hovering around 0.23‐0.26. The mechanical damping, Q−1, is found to be a weak function of temperature up to 973 K, but above this temperature increases sharply, peaking at a specific temperature that becomes higher with increasing resonant frequency. The phonon contribution plays a dominant role in the measured heat capacity from 4.2 to 1000 K, while the magnetic contribution becomes significant around the Curie temperature (301 K). The electronic contribution increases with temperature above 100 K. Furthermore, the standard enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy are calculated as 16.60 kJ/mol, 92.92 J/(mol·K) and −11.09 kJ/mol, respectively. The thermal conductivity increases linearly with increasing temperature from RT to 1173 K, up to around 13.0 W/(m·K) at 1323 K after hovering at around 7.8 W/(m·K) in the low‐temperature range. The electrons play a dominant role in heat conduction, while the phonons contribute only a little to the thermal conductivity. The dilatometric coefficient of thermal expansion of Fe2AlB2 is measured as 13.5 × 10−6 K−1 in the temperature range RT‐1348 K.
Simulated Power and the Power of Simulations: The European Union in the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia
Authors: Gashi Krenar 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis article offers a poststructuralist analysis of the role of the European Union (EU) in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia by employing the works of Jean Baudrillard. Drawing from the content and discourse analysis of texts – policy documents, speeches, statements – as well as 14 interviews conducted in Kosovo, Serbia and the EU, the article is framed to explore how the EU assert power in this dialogue. It suggests that the EU simulates its power, firstly by denying its own role in the process and secondly by exaggerating the European future for Kosovo and Serbia. Observing how the dialogue produced ambiguities in which meanings are relativized, the article suggests that Baudrillard's framework can be useful in understanding and problematizing certain aspects of the nature of EU's power and its effects.
Oral health and gastrointestinal cancer: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Lee Kijeong , Lee Ji Sung , Kim Jinkwon , Lee Huisong , Chang Yoonkyung , Woo Ho Geol , Kim Jin‐Woo , Song Tae‐Jin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsPoor oral hygiene is closely associated with bacteraemia and systemic inflammation, which are known mediators of cancer development. We investigated the relationship between oral hygiene indicators and the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in a nationwide population‐based cohort.Materials and MethodsThis study was conducted on data from 150,774 subjects from the Korean National Health Screening Cohort. The occurrence of gastrointestinal cancer was analysed according to the presence of periodontal disease and oral hygiene indicators: frequency of toothbrushing, dental visits for any reason, professional dental cleanings and number of missing teeth. Gastrointestinal cancer was defined using International Statistical Classification of Diseases‐10 codes C15–C26.ResultsDuring a median 11.6 years of follow‐up, the estimated 10‐year event rate for gastrointestinal cancer was 6.76%. In a multivariable analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, income level, regular exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking status, body mass index, history of comorbidities, systolic blood pressure and laboratory findings, frequent toothbrushing (≥3/day) was significantly associated with a reduced risk for gastrointestinal cancer (hazard ratio: 0.91, 95% confidence interval (0.86–0.96), p < .001, p for trend < .001).ConclusionsGood oral hygiene behaviour, especially frequent toothbrushing, could be associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal cancer.
Does asymmetric information always help entry deterrence? Can it increase welfare?
Authors: Pires Cesaltina Pacheco , Catalão‐Lopes Margarida 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper compares the scenarios of complete and incomplete information in a general model where the incumbent can make a capital investment to deter entry. We show that the informational structure can make an unexpected difference in terms of entry deterrence and efficiency. Although asymmetric information encourages entry deterrence behavior, in some cases it decreases the probability of this behavior inducing no entry and thus promotes competition. In other cases, asymmetric information induces less entry but may lead to higher welfare.
Enzymatic synthesis of prebiotic carbohydrates from lactose: Kinetics and optimization of transgalactosylation activity of β‐galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Cinar Kadir , Gunes Gurbuz , Gulec Haci Ali 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe aim of the study was to analyze galactooligosaccharide (GOS) synthesis catalyzed by β‐galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae by applying experimental data to optimization and kinetic parameter estimation methods. The apparent kinetic parameters were determined in varying initial lactose concentrations by using six‐step, 11‐parameter GOS synthesis mechanism. The results revealed that GOS yield was mainly dependent on initial lactose concentration; on the other hand, all of the reaction parameters affected the required time to achieve maximum GOS yield (TMGY) significantly. The values of 32 °Brix, 36.8°C, and 8.32 U/g lactose solution were determined as the optimum reaction experimental set which offers 26.73% GOS yield and 369.82 min TMGY. The increased enzyme‐galactose complex dissociation ratio (k3/k−3) with decreasing initial lactose concentration resulted to low GOS productivity although GOS production/GOS dissociation rate ratio (k4/k−4) increased with decreasing initial lactose concentration. This result signified that hydrolysis characteristics dominated the reaction medium at low initial lactose concentration. The role of monosaccharide inhibition became important on GOS synthesis for increasing initial lactose concentration.Practical ApplicationsThe proposed study deals with investigation of the effects of initial lactose concentration, enzyme concentration, and temperature on enzymatic synthesis of galactoligosaccharide (GOS) from lactose by β‐galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae (βgAO) and estimation of apparent kinetic rate constants of the reaction which is important to design of futuristic strategies improving the GOS yield. Low GOS yield is the main concern of the prebiotic food industry due to thermodynamic and kinetic realities of the reaction. Deeper evaluation of the reaction mechanism will contribute valuable data to the partners in the scope of designing more productive engineering methods.
Low temperature and high velocity assisted fluidized bed drying characteristics of bee pollen as bioactive food
Authors: Kilic Aydin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study reveals the low temperature high velocity (LTHV) assisted fluidized bed drying can preserve to the bioactive components of bee pollen. LTHV assisted fluidized bed drying characteristics of bee pollen. For this purpose, 100 g of the raw bee pollen samples are used to the investigation of drying characteristics at 4, 10, 24, and 40°C, ~40–50 humidity (%) and 6 m/s air velocity. In this regard, moisture loss, dimensionless mass loss, equilibrium moisture content, drying rate, drying time, mass shrinkage, some product characteristics, and sensory quality characteristic were investigated. Finally, the best drying air temperature was selected as 10°C because the bee pollen samples had the best drying performance and sensory quality scores. LTHV assisted fluidized bed drying can be used for bioactive bee pollen drying.Practical applicationsThe LTHV assisted fluidized bed drying is a new drying application that preserve to the sensitive food and bioactive food component. This method is usable for sensitive drying applications as medical and bioactive product production applications for the highest quality and safety production.
Targeted delivery of mitochondria to the liver in rats
Authors: Liu Xiaocong , Khouri‐Farah Nagham , Wu Catherine H. , Wu George Y. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and AimMitochondrial damage is commonly involved in liver injury. We have previously shown that normal mitochondria can be coated with a carrier protein to form complexes that are specifically taken up by liver cells in culture. The aim of the current study was to determine whether mitochondrial complexes could be specifically delivered to the livers of living rats by intravenous injection.MethodsMitochondria were harvested from fresh mouse liver, mixed with an asialoglycoprotein‐based carrier, asialoorosomucoid‐polylysine (AsOR‐PL), and purified to form complexes. To facilitate the release of internalized mitochondria from endosomes, an endosomolytic peptide, listeriolysin O (LLO), was coupled to AsOR to form AsOR‐LLO. Mitochondria alone, mitochondrial complexes with AsOR‐PL, and mitochondrial complexes plus AsOR‐LLO conjugate all containing the same number of mitochondria were injected intravenously. Animals were killed, and organs were removed and analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction of mouse mitochondrial DNA, electron microscopy (EM), and in situ polymerase chain reaction and hybridization followed by immunohistochemical analyses.ResultsCalculations revealed that approximately 27% of the total injected mitochondria was detected in the liver, while less than 2% was found in spleen, and < 1% in lungs. Immunohistochemistry showed that mouse mitochondrial DNA staining was minimal with mitochondrial complexes alone, strong periportal with mitochondrial complexes co‐injected with AsOR‐LLO, and absent with mitochondria alone.ConclusionsTargetable mitochondrial complexes can be delivered to rat liver, and the efficiency of that process is greatly enhanced by co‐injection of a targetable endosomal release agent, AsOR‐LLO.
Butyrospermum parkii butter increased the photostability and in vivo SPF of a molded sunscreen system
Authors: Sarruf Fernanda D. , Sauce Rafael , Candido Thalita M. , Oliveira Camila A. , Rosado Catarina , Velasco Maria V. R. , Baby André R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundUltraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is related to skin and lip tumors. Therefore, the development of photoprotective lipstick formulations is of utmost importance.AimsConsidering the biological properties of Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii), we assessed its potential as an adjuvant in a molded lipstick sunscreen system by in vivo tests and photostability.Patients/MethodsShea butter was used in a photoprotective lipstick formulation at two different concentrations (10.0% and 15.0% w/w) associated with ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHM) and titanium dioxide. Skin compatibility was assessed in vivo. The in vivo SPF value was determined according to the current recognized method. Additionally, the photostability of EHM was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography.ResultsBy the cutaneous compatibility, the product presented no interference with skin barrier and no adverse reactions, thus proving its safety. The in vivo SPF assay showed that the highest concentration of Shea butter increased the in vivo SPF value of the sample by 35%, demonstrating it to be a booster in photoprotective lipstick formulations. Also, Shea butter was proved to enhance the photostability of EHM, a commonly used UVB filter available in several countries.ConclusionShea butter increased the photostability and in vivo SPF of a molded lipstick sunscreen.