bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lateral and longitudinal fish environmental DNA distribution in dynamic riverine habitats
Authors: Thalinger Bettina , Kirschner Dominik , Pütz Yannick , Moritz Christian , Schwarzenberger Richard , Wanzenböck Josef , Traugott Michael 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAssessing the status and distribution of fish populations in rivers is essential for management and conservation efforts in these dynamic habitats. Currently, methods detecting environmental DNA (eDNA) are being established as an alternative and/or complementary approach to the traditional monitoring of fish species. In lotic systems, a sound understanding of hydrological conditions and their influence on the local target detection probability and DNA quantity is key for the interpretation of eDNA‐based results. However, the effect of seasonal and diurnal changes in discharge and the comparability of semi‐quantitative results between species remain hardly addressed. We conducted a cage experiment with four fish species (three salmonid and one cyprinid species) in a glacier‐fed, fish‐free river in Tyrol (Austria) during summer, fall, and winter discharge situations (i.e., 25‐fold increase from winter to summer). Each season, water samples were obtained on three consecutive days at 13 locations downstream of the cages including lateral sampling every 1–2 m across the wetted width. Fish eDNA was quantified by species‐specific endpoint PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis. Close to the cages, lateral eDNA distribution was heterogenous and mirrored cage placement within the stream. In addition to the diluting effect of increased discharge, longitudinal signal changes within the first 20 m were weakest at high discharge. For downstream locations with laterally homogenous eDNA distribution, the signals decreased significantly with increasing distance and discharge. Generally, the eDNA of the larger‐bodied salmonid species was less frequently detected, and signal strengths were lower compared to the cyprinid species. This study exemplifies the importance of hydrological conditions for the interpretation of eDNA‐based data across seasons. To control for heterogenous eDNA distribution and enable comparisons over time, sampling schemes in lotic habitats need to incorporate hydrological conditions and species traits.
Time‐dependent changes in plasma xanthine oxidoreductase during hospitalization of acute heart failure
Authors: Okazaki Hirotake , Shirakabe Akihiro , Matsushita Masato , Shibata Yusaku , Shigihara Shota , Sawatani Tomofumi , Tani Kenichi , Kiuchi Kazutaka , Otsuka Yusuke , Murase Takayo , Nakamura Takashi , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Hata Noritake , Asai Kuniya , Shimizu Wataru 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimsThe aim of present study is to evaluate the clinical significance of the time‐dependent changes in xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) activity during hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF).Methods and resultsA total of 229 AHF patients who visited to emergency room were prospectively enrolled, and 187 patients were analysed. Blood samples were collected within 15 min of admission (Day 1), after 48–72 h (Day 3), and between Days 7 and 21 (Day 14). The AHF patients were divided into two groups according to the XOR activity on Day 1: the high‐XOR group (≥100 pmol/h/mL, n = 85) and the low‐XOR group (<100 pmol/h/mL, n = 102). The high‐XOR patients were assigned to two groups according to the rate of change in XOR from Day 1 to Day 14: the decreased group (≥50% decrease; n = 70) and the non‐decreased group (<50% decrease; n = 15). The plasma XOR activity significantly decreased on Days 3 and 14 [23.6 (9.1 to 63.1) pmol/h/mL and 32.5 (10.2 to 87.8) pmol/h/mL, respectively] in comparison with Day 1 [78.5 (16.9 to 340.5) pmol/h/mL]. A Kaplan–Meier curve indicated that the prognosis, including heart failure (HF) events (all‐cause death and readmission by HF) within 365 days, was significantly poorer in the low‐XOR patients than in the high‐XOR patients and was also significantly poorer in the non‐decreased group than in the decreased group.ConclusionsThe plasma XOR activity was rapidly decreased by the appropriate treatment of AHF. Although high‐XOR activity on admission was not associated with increased HF events in AHF, high‐XOR activity that was not sufficiently reduced during appropriate treatment was associated with increased HF events.
Combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of diesel engine with nanocera added water emulsified Mahua biodiesel blend
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Raheman Hifjur 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a 10 kW, single cylinder, direct injection diesel engine using cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanocera) added water emulsified Mahua biodiesel blend (NWEB) vis‐à‐vis water emulsified Mahua biodiesel blend (WEB), B20, and diesel. NWEB was prepared with 69.7 ppm of cerium oxide nanoparticles, 1% surfactants, 10% water, and 2,500 rpm of stirrer. After measuring the fuel properties of test fuels, these were used to run the diesel engine at different engine loads and combustion, performance, and emission parameters were measured. The peak pressure rise rate significantly reduced with NWEB replacing diesel. CA10 and C50 points were observed earlier for NWEB as compared to base fuels. The rapid combustion, controlled combustion, and total combustion duration reduced by more than 5.0, 4.0, and 4.6%, respectively, in engine operation with NWEB over diesel and B20. The maximum brake thermal efficiency of 30.41% was recorded for NWEB as compared to 28.25% for diesel. The mean brake‐specific fuel consumption was 3.76 and 3.93% lesser with NWEB as compared to B20 and WEB, respectively. The mean EGT, BSCO, BSHC, and BSNOxwere reduced by 5.4, 30.8, 43.7, and 26.9%, respectively, with NWEB over diesel.
Feasibility of using near‐azeotropic refrigerant mixture R290/R1234ze(E) as substitute for R22
Authors: Wang Lele , Li Huixiong , Wu Jiahuan , Qiu Ke 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe flammability and explosiveness are the disadvantages of the application of R290 practically as an alternative refrigerant of R22. However, adding flame‐retardant R1234ze(E) to R290 can make up for those shortcomings. The refrigerant mixture R290/R1234ze(E) with mass ratio 55%:45% (coded RC01) was proposed to replace R22. The data of RC01 were obtained by calculating using the refrigerant software REFPROP9.1. The environmental impact indexes, temperature glide characteristics, thermodynamic and thermophysical properties, theoretical thermodynamic cycle performances, safety, and lubrication properties of RC01 were analyzed and compared with that of R22, R410A, R407C, R290, R1234ze(E), respectively. The results show that the RC01, with the ozone depletion potential of 0 and global warming potential of 12, is a near‐azeotropic refrigerant whose glide temperature is approximately 0, and it has better thermodynamic and thermophysical properties as well as theoretical thermodynamic cycle performances. The RC01 also has good lubrication characteristics and low flammability. So it is technically feasible to replace R22.
Feasibility study on a mini autonomous biosensor based on microbial fuel cell for monitoring hexavalent chromium in wastewater
Authors: Wang Chin‐Tsan , Ubando Aristotle T. , Katiyar Vimal , Li T‐Ting , Lin Yu‐An , Culaba Alvin B. , Jang Jer‐Huan 
Published: December 2020

SummaryMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) are considered as power generation devices for sustainable energy. However, the power generated is insignificant compared to other energy production devices. In this study, a mini autonomous biosensor (MAB) based on MFCs has been designed for detecting hazardous hexavalent chromium in wastewater. Hexavalent chromium has been classified as a human carcinogen causing serious birth defects due to its mutagenic and teratogenic properties. The power generated by the MAB has been investigated to study the feasibility of providing power to itself. In addition, electrochemical analyses of conductive silver paste and carbon cloth as the anode were conducted in the MAB for detecting hexavalent chromium in the anode chamber. Results show that a maximum voltage of 518.17 mV and a power density of 1.075 mW/cm2 could be achieved using carbon cloth with an external resistance of 1000 Ω, while a higher limiting current density of 0.015 mA/cm2 could be achieved with conductive silver glue as the anode electrode. Besides, the voltage output of the MAB decreased rapidly with the addition of hexavalent chromium into the wastewater. Also, the recovery time for the MAB was much shorter than found in previous studies. The MAB demonstrated potential for simultaneous production of electricity and detection of hexavalent chromium, which would open up avenues for autosensing applications in the environment as well as smart powering devices. Results indicate that the MAB with conductive silver glue as anode electrode is feasible for detecting hexavalent chromium in wastewater.
The protective effect of sulforaphane on type II diabetes induced by high‐fat diet and low‐dosage streptozotocin
Authors: Tian Shuhua , Li Xiangfei , Wang Yunfan , Lu Yingjian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSulforaphane (SFN) which is abundant in broccoli florets, seeds, and sprouts has been reported to have beneficial effects on attenuating metabolic diseases, such as antiobesity, antidiabetes, and antioxidative activities. However, the effects of SFN on the regulation of type II diabetes through easing nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and repairing pancreas tissue are rarely reported. In this study, we found that the administration with different dosages of SFN was able to increase serum insulin level, enhance HOMA‐β index, decrease fasting blood glucose and serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐C), fibroblast growth factor21 (FGF21) levels, ease NAFLD level, and repair the pancreas tissue. In addition, SFN was able to increase liver antioxidant capacities. In particular, high (10 mg/kg) dosage of SFN exerted a significant beneficial effect for decreasing serum lipopolysaccharide levels. Furthermore, the administration of SFN could also decrease the relative abundance of Allobaculum at the genus level. Low dosage (2 mg/kg) of SFN could increase the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and decrease the relative abundance of Firmicutes at the phylum level. Overall, our results showed that SFN exerted its antidiabetic effect through easing NAFLD and repairing pancreas tissue in association with modulation of gut microbiota. The ease of NAFLD by SFN was accompanied by enhancing liver antioxidant abilities and improving FGF21 resistance.
Examining volumetric gradients based on the frustum surface ratio in the brain in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Mann Caroline , Schäfer Tim , Bletsch Anke , Gudbrandsen Maria , Daly Eileen , Suckling John , Bullmore Edward T. , Lombardo Michael V. , Lai Meng‐Chuan , Craig Michael C. ,   MRC AIMS Consortium, Baron‐Cohen Simon , Murphy Declan G.M. , Ecker Christine 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is accompanied by neurodevelopmental differences in regional cortical volume (CV), and a potential layer‐specific pathology. Conventional measures of CV, however, do not indicate how volume is distributed across cortical layers. In a sample of 92 typically developing (TD) controls and 92 adult individuals with ASD (aged 18–52 years), we examined volumetric gradients by quantifying the degree to which CV is weighted from the pial to the white surface of the brain. Overall, the spatial distribution of Frustum Surface Ratio (FSR) followed the gyral and sulcal pattern of the cortex and approximated a bimodal Gaussian distribution caused by a linear mixture of vertices on gyri and sulci. Measures of FSR were highly correlated with vertex‐wise estimates of mean curvature, sulcal depth, and pial surface area, although none of these features explained more than 76% variability in FSR on their own. Moreover, in ASD, we observed a pattern of predominant increases in the degree of FSR relative to TD controls, with an atypical neurodevelopmental trajectory. Our findings suggest a more outward‐weighted gradient of CV in ASD, which may indicate a larger contribution of supragranular layers to regional differences in CV.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients over 60 years with Hodgkin lymphoma treated in Switzerland
Authors: Moccia A. A. , Aeppli S. , Güsewell S. , Bargetzi M. , Caspar C. , Brülisauer D. , Ebnöther M. , Fehr M. , Fischer N. , Ghilardi G. , Krasniqi F. , Lang N. , Mey U. , Mingrone W. , Novak U. , Pfleger C. , Richter P. , Rütti M. , Schmidt A. , Stenner F. , Voegeli M. , Zander T. , Zucca E. , Hitz F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHodgkin lymphoma (HL) in older patients appears to be a different disease compared with younger patients with historically lower survival rates. This is related to a variety of factors, including increased treatment‐related toxicity, the presence of comorbidities, and biologic differences. In order to better assess the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcome of this particular population, we conducted a population‐based, retrospective analysis including 269 patients with HL older than 60 years (median age 71 years, range 60–94), treated between 2000 and 2017 in 15 referral centers across Switzerland. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and cause‐specific survival (CSS). The vast majority of patients were treated with curative intent, either with a combined modality approach (chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy) or with systemic therapy. At a median follow‐up of 6.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0–7.6), 5‐year PFS was 52.2% (95% CI, 46.0–59.2), 5‐year OS was 62.5% (95% CI, 56.4–69.2), and 5‐year CSS was 85.1.8% (95% CI, 80.3–90.1) for the entire cohort. A significant difference in terms of CSS was observed for patients older than 71 years in comparison to patients aged 60–70 years (hazard ratio 2.6, 1.3–5.0, p = 0.005). Bleomycin‐induced lung toxicity (BLT) was documented in 26 patients (17.7%) out of the 147 patients exposed to this compound and was more frequent in patients older than 71 years (15/60, 25%). Outcome of HL pts older than 71 years appeared to decrease substantially in comparison to the younger counterpart. Treatment‐related toxicities appeared to be relevant, in particular, BLT. New, potentially less toxic strategies need to be investigated in prospective clinical trials in this particular frail population.
Fluorescent Sensors of Phosphate Containing Biomolecules
Authors: Nag Arundhati , Das Samir 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPhosphates are an essential functional group in living organisms. Phosphates are required to synthesize ATP, the energy unit in cells, and the synthesis of DNA and RNA, phosphoproteins, phospholipids, and various metabolites. This article is focused on reviewing current research on fluorescent sensing of biologically relevant phosphate functionalities in an aqueous environment or more complex environments such as live cells. There are three different approaches for the fluorescent detection of phosphates. These involve using metal‐ligand complexes as sensors, using metal‐free small molecules as sensors, and using protein or peptide molecules as sensors. The utilization of these approaches for fluorescent sensing of different phosphate‐containing biomolecule classes such as nucleoside polyphosphates, phosphorylated peptides, phosphorylated proteins, pyrophosphates, phospholipids, and RNA are discussed.
Perceptions of Portuguese parents about the acceptability of a multicomponent intervention targeted at behavioral inhibition during early childhood
Authors: Guedes Maryse , Matos Inês , Almeida Telma , Freitas Miguel , Alves Stephanie , Santos António J. , Verissimo Manuela , Chronis‐Tuscano Andrea , Rubin Kenneth H. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTHigh and stable behavioral inhibition during early childhood is a risk factor for later anxiety disorders. The few available interventions targeted at behavioral inhibition have not yet been implemented in European countries. Evaluating intervention acceptability is essential when introducing interventions in new cultures. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of parents about the acceptability of the multicomponent Turtle Program in Portugal. Participants were 12 parents (from seven families) of children with a positive screening on the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire and no diagnoses of developmental disorders/selective mutism. Children's mean age was 55.86 months and most children were female and first‐born. Parents and children participated in the eight‐sessions Turtle Program. After each session, parents completed weekly satisfaction checklists. Following completion of the full intervention, parents were invited to participate in individual qualitative in‐depth interviews. The thematic analysis revealed that both parents perceived the intervention objectives and contents as relevant. Both parents suggested the introduction of follow‐up sessions, the discussion of practical experiences, the need to be sensitive to cultural differences in positive language, and the provision of more feedback about children's activities. These findings support prior research on the acceptability and cultural tailoring needed for parenting and child socioemotional learning interventions.
Elevated microRNA‐130b‐5p or silenced ELK1 inhibits self‐renewal ability, proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities, and promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer stem cells
Authors: Huang Yu , Luo Fangyuan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCervical cancer (CC) is the most familiar gynecological malignancy. With the poor prognosis of CC patients, this study explored the effect of microRNA (miR)‐130b‐5p targeting ELK1 expression on self‐renewal ability and stemness of CC stem cells. The tissues of patients with CC or cervical benign lesions were collected. MiR‐130b‐5p and ELK1 expression was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Human CC cell line Hela was cultured and the induced CC stem cells were introduced with miR‐130b‐5p mimic or silenced ELK1 to figure their roles in self‐renewal ability, stemness, colony formation, proliferation, migration, invasion abilities, and apoptosis of CC stem cells. Tumor growth was detected in nude mice in vivo. The targeting relationship between miR‐130b‐5p and ELK1 was analyzed using bioinformatic prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Decreased miR‐130b‐5p and elevated ELK1 existed in CC tissues of patients. Up‐regulated miR‐130b‐5p decreased ELK1 expression in CC stem cells. Elevated miR‐130b‐5p or silenced ELK1 inhibited self‐renewal ability and stemness, colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion abilities, promoted apoptosis of CC stem cells, as well as decreased the weight and volume of tumor in nude mice. ELK1 was found to be targeted by miR‐130b‐5p. Overexpression ELK1 effectively reversed the cellular phenotypic changes and tumor formation in vivo caused by up‐regulation of miR‐130b‐5p. We conclude that up‐regulated miR‐130b‐5p or silenced ELK1 inhibits CC stem cell growth.
Speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography of cerebral blood flow in perinatal disease model of neonatal piglets
Authors: Huang Chong , Mazdeyasna Siavash , Mohtasebi Mehrana , Saatman Kathryn E. , Cheng Qiang , Yu Guoqiang , Chen Lei 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe adapted and tested an innovative noncontact speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography (scDCT) system for 3D imaging of cerebral blood flow (CBF) variations in perinatal disease models utilizing neonatal piglets, which closely resemble human neonates. CBF variations were concurrently measured by the scDCT and an established diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) during global ischemia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and asphyxia; significant correlations were observed. Moreover, CBF variations associated reasonably with vital pathophysiological changes. In contrast to DCS measurements of mixed signals from local scalp, skull and brain, scDCT generates 3D images of CBF distributions at prescribed depths within the head, thus enabling specific determination of regional cerebral ischemia. With further optimization and validation in animals and human neonates, scDCT has the potential to be a noninvasive imaging tool for both basic neuroscience research in laboratories and clinical applications in neonatal intensive care units.
Simultaneous determination of paraquat and diquat in human plasma by HPLC‐DAD: Its application in acute poisoning patients induced by these two herbicides
Authors: Yuan Guiyan , Li Rong , Zhao Qi , Kong Xianglin , Wang Yanyan , Wang Xiaojing , Guo Ruichen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundParaquat and diquat are widely used in agricultural production in many countries, which are very toxic to human beings. Paraquat can be detected in some diquat solution sold in the market. The blood concentration of paraquat or diquat is an important indicator for clinical diagnosis of paraquat or diquat poisoning. So, it is very meaningful to develop a method for simultaneous determination of paraquat and diquat in human plasma.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a HPLC‐DAD method for simultaneous determination of paraquat and diquat in human plasma and to apply it in the acute poisoning patients by these two herbicides.MethodsParaquat and diquat were simultaneously determined by HPLC‐DAD. The plasma was treated using Waters OASIS® Column and then separated on a Thermo Hypersil GOLD (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) Column with the mobile phase consisted of 75 mmol/L sodium heptane sulfonate (containing 0.1 mol/L phosphoric acid, pH 3.0) and acetonitrile (87:13, v:v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The full‐wavelength scanning was 200‐400 nm, and the detection wavelength of paraquat and diquat was 257nm and 310nm, respectively. 120 and 30 plasma samples from patients with paraquat and diquat poisoning were collected and analyzed by the established method.ResultsThe standard curve for paraquat and diquat ranged from 0.05 to 20 μg/mL, and the precision of LLOQ for paraquat was 16.49%, which was required to be less than 20%. The precision of other concentrations was less than 14.14%. The recovery of paraquat and diquat was 95.38%‐103.97% and 94.79%‐98.40%, respectively. The results showed that paraquat and diquat were stable under various storage conditions. 120 plasma samples of paraquat poisoning patients and 30 plasma samples of diquat poisoning patients were determined by the established method. The blood concentration of paraquat ranged from 0.10 to 20.62 μg/mL, with an average of 3.61 μg/mL, while for diquat, the concentration ranged from 0 to 26.59 μg/mL, with an average of 2.00 μg/mL. Among the diquat suspected poisoning samples, 5 samples were detected not only diquat but also paraquat, and 2 samples were detected only paraquat, no diquat.ConclusionThe HPLC‐DAD method established in this study was high throughput, high sensitivity, simple operation, and wide linear ranges. It can be used for the screening analysis and quantitative detection of paraquat and diquat in acute poisoning patients, which can provide basis for the treatment and prognosis of these two herbicides poisoning patients.