bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti-fungal activity of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) leaf extract and its development into a botanical fungicide to control pepper phytophthora blight
Authors: Liao Min , Ren Xuexiang , Gao Quan , Liu Niuniu , Tang Feng , Wang Ge , Cao Haiqun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMoso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens, Gramineae) is a well-known medicinal and edible plant found in China with various bioactivities, but few systematic studies address the utilization of its anti-fungal activity. The extract of moso bamboo leaf showed good anti-fungal activity toPhytophthora capsici,Fusarium graminearum,Valsa maliMiyabe et Yamada,Botryosphaeria dothidea,Venturia nashicola, andBotrytis cinereaPers, with inhibitory rate of 100.00%, 75.12%, 60.66%, 57.24%, 44.62%, and 30.16%, respectively. Anti-fungal activity was different by the difference of samples picking time and location. The extract showed good synergistic effects with carbendazim at the ratios of 9:1 and 15:1 (extract : carbendazim), and the co-toxicity coefficients were 124.4 and 139.95. Compound2was isolated and identified as the main active component, with the EC50value of 11.02 mg L−1. Then, the extract was formulated as a 10% emulsion in water, which was stable and had no acute toxic effects. Moreover, a field trial about this formulation was assayed to control pepper phytophthora blight, with the control effect of 85.60%. These data provided a better understanding of the anti-fungal activity and relevant active component of moso bamboo leaf extract. Taken together, our findings illustrated that bamboo leaf extract could be developed and utilized as a botanical fungicide or fungicide adjuvant.
Synchrotron X-ray induced acoustic imaging
Authors: Choi Seongwook , Park Eun-Yeong , Park Sinyoung , Kim Jong Hyun , Kim Chulhong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractX-ray induced acoustic imaging (XAI) is an emerging biomedical imaging technique that can visualize X-ray absorption contrast at ultrasound resolution with less ionizing radiation exposure than conventional X-ray computed tomography. So far, medical linear accelerators or industrial portable X-ray tubes have been explored as X-ray excitation sources for XAI. Here, we demonstrate the first feasible synchrotron XAI (sXAI). The synchrotron generates X-rays, with a dominant energy of 4 to 30 keV, a pulse-width of 30 ps, a pulse-repetition period of 2 ns, and a bunch-repetition period of 940 ns. The X-ray induced acoustic (XA) signals are processed in the Fourier domain by matching the signal frequency with the bunch-repetition frequency. We successfully obtained two-dimensional XA images of various lead targets. This novel sXAI tool could complement conventional synchrotron applications.
A quantitative evaluation of computational methods to accelerate the study of alloxazine-derived electroactive compounds for energy storage
Authors: Zhang Qi , Khetan Abhishek , Er Süleyman 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAlloxazines are a promising class of organic electroactive compounds for application in aqueous redox flow batteries (ARFBs), whose redox properties need to be tuned further for higher performance. High-throughput computational screening (HTCS) enables rational and time-efficient study of energy storage compounds. We compared the performance of computational chemistry methods, including the force field based molecular mechanics, semi-empirical quantum mechanics, density functional tight binding, and density functional theory, on the basis of their accuracy and computational cost in predicting the redox potentials of alloxazines. Various energy-based descriptors, including the redox reaction energies and the frontier orbital energies of the reactant and product molecules, were considered. We found that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy of the reactant molecules is the best performing chemical descriptor for alloxazines, which is in contrast to other classes of energy storage compounds, such as quinones that we reported earlier. Notably, we present a flexible in silico approach to accelerate both the singly and the HTCS studies, therewithal considering the level of accuracy versus measured electrochemical data, which is readily applicable for the discovery of alloxazine-derived organic compounds for energy storage in ARFBs.
Energy of a free Brownian particle coupled to thermal vacuum
Authors: Spiechowicz J. , Łuczka J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractExperimentalists have come to temperatures very close to absolute zero at which physics that was once ordinary becomes extraordinary. In such a regime quantum effects and fluctuations start to play a dominant role. In this context we study the simplest open quantum system, namely, a free quantum Brownian particle coupled to thermal vacuum, i.e. thermostat in the limiting case of absolute zero temperature. We analyze the average energy $$E=E(c)$$

E
=
E
(
c
)

of the particle from a weak to strong interaction strength c between the particle and thermal vacuum. The impact of various dissipation mechanisms is considered. In the weak coupling regime the energy tends to zero as $$E(c) \sim c\, \ln {(1/c)}$$

E
(
c
)
∼
c

ln

(
1
/
c
)

while in the strong coupling regime it diverges to infinity as $$E(c) \sim \sqrt{c}$$

E

(
c
)

∼

c

. We demonstrate it for selected examples of the dissipation mechanisms defined by the memory kernel $$\gamma (t)$$

γ
(
t
)

of the Generalized Langevin Equation. We reveal how at a fixed value of c the energy E(c) depends on the dissipation model: one has to compare values of the derivative $$\gamma '(t)$$

γ
′

(
t
)

of the dissipation function $$\gamma (t)$$

γ
(
t
)

at time $$t=0$$

t
=
0

or at the memory time $$t=\tau _c$$

t
=

τ
c

which characterizes the degree of non-Markovianity of the Brownian particle dynamics. The impact of low temperature is also presented.
Identification of a non-coding RNA and its putative involvement in the regulation of tetanus toxin synthesis in Clostridium tetani
Authors: Brüggemann Holger , Chapeton-Montes Diana , Plourde Lucile , Popoff Michel R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractClostridium tetani produces the tetanus toxin (TeNT), one of the most powerful bacterial toxins known to humankind and responsible for tetanus. The regulation of toxin expression is complex and involves the alternative sigma factor TetR as well as other regulators. Here, a transcriptional analysis of the TeNT-encoding large plasmid of C. tetani identified a putative non-coding small RNA (sRNA), located in close vicinity of the 3′ untranslated region of the tent gene. A northern blot experiment could identify a respective sRNA with a size of approx. 140 nucleotides. Sequence analysis showed that the sRNA contains a 14-nucleotide region that is complementary to a 5′ located region of tent. In order to investigate the function of the sRNA, we applied a RNA interference approach targeting the sRNA in two C. tetani wild-type strains; the constructed antisense C. tetani strains showed an approx. threefold increase in both extracellular and total TeNT production compared to the respective wild-type strains. In addition, recombinant C. tetani strains were constructed that contained tent-locus harboring plasmids with and without the sRNA. However, the introduction of the tent-locus without the sRNA in a C. tetani strain lacking the wild-type TeNT-encoding large plasmid resulted in a lower TeNT production compared to the same strain with recombinant tent-locus with the sRNA. This suggests that the expression or the effect of the sRNA is modulated by the C. tetani genetic background, notably that of the wild-type TeNT-encoding large plasmid. In addition, some recombinant strains exhibited modulated growth patterns, characterized by premature bacterial cell lysis. Taken together, our data indicate that the sRNA acts as a negative regulator of TeNT synthesis, with a possible impact on the growth of C. tetani. We hypothesize that the role of this sRNA is to limit toxin levels in the exponential growth phase in order to prevent premature bacterial lysis.
Sensitive protein misfolding cyclic amplification of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prions is strongly seed and substrate dependent
Authors: Bélondrade Maxime , Nicot Simon , Mayran Charly , Bruyere-Ostells Lilian , Almela Florian , Di Bari Michele A. , Levavasseur Etienne , Watts Joel C. , Fournier-Wirth Chantal , Lehmann Sylvain , Haïk Stéphane , Nonno Romolo , Bougard Daisy 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUnlike variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prions, sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prions have been shown to be difficult to amplify in vitro by protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). We assessed PMCA of pathological prion protein (PrPTSE) from 14 human sCJD brain samples in 3 substrates: 2 from transgenic mice expressing human prion protein (PrP) with either methionine (M) or valine (V) at position 129, and 1 from bank voles. Brain extracts representing the 5 major clinicopathological sCJD subtypes (MM1/MV1, MM2, MV2, VV1, and VV2) all triggered seeded PrPTSE amplification during serial PMCA with strong seed- and substrate-dependence. Remarkably, bank vole PrP substrate allowed the propagation of all sCJD subtypes with preservation of the initial molecular PrPTSE type. In contrast, PMCA in human PrP substrates was accompanied by a PrPTSE molecular shift during heterologous (M/V129) PMCA reactions, with increased permissiveness of V129 PrP substrate to in vitro sCJD prion amplification compared to M129 PrP substrate. Combining PMCA amplification sensitivities with PrPTSE electrophoretic profiles obtained in the different substrates confirmed the classification of 4 distinct major sCJD prion strains (M1, M2, V1, and V2). Finally, the level of sensitivity required to detect VV2 sCJD prions in cerebrospinal fluid was achieved.
A retrospective study assessing the acceleration effect of type I Helicobacter pylori infection on the progress of atrophic gastritis
Authors: Liu Weidong , Tian Junjie , Hui Wenjia , Kong Wenjie , Feng Yan , Si Junqiang , Gao Feng 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBased on the antibody typing classification, Helicobacter pylori infection can be divided into type I H. pylori infection and type II H. pylori infection. To observe the effects of different H. pylori infection types on the distribution of histopathological characteristics and the levels of three items of serum gastric function (PG I, PG II, G-17). 1175 cases from October 2018 to February 2020 were collected with ratio 1:2. All patients were performed with 14C-Urea breath test (14C-UBT), H. pylori antibody typing classification, three items of serum gastric function detection, painless gastroscopy, pathological examination, etc. According to H. pylori antibody typing classification, patients were divided into three groups: type I H. pylori infection group, type II H. pylori infection group and control group. Significant difference existed among type I H. pylori infection group, type II H. pylori infection group and control group in inflammation and activity (χ2 = 165.43, 354.88, P all < 0.01). The proportion of three groups in OLGA staging had statistic difference (χ2 = 67.99, P all < 0.01); Compared with type II H. pylori infection group and control group, the level of pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, gastrin17 in type I H. pylori infection group increased, and PG I/PG II ratio (PG I/PG II ratio, PGR) decreased, which was statistically significant (χ2 = 35.08, 166.24, 134.21, 141.19; P all < 0.01). Type I H. pylori infection worsened the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation and activity. H. pylori infection was prone to induce atrophy of gastric mucosa, while type I H. pylori infection played a key role in promoting the progress of atrophic gastritis and affected the level of serum gastric function. The study indicated that the eradication of H. pylori should be treated individually.
Dosimetric and radiobiological comparison of treatment plan between CyberKnife and EDGE in stereotactic body radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Dai Zhi-tao , Ma Li , Cao Ting-ting , Zhu Lian , Zhao Man , Li Ning 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo perform a comparison of the different stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans between the Varian EDGE and CyberKnife (CK) systems for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. Fifteen patients with pancreatic cancer were selected in this study. The median planning target volume (PTV) was 28.688 cm3 (5.736–49.246 cm3). The SBRT plans for the EDGE and CK were generated in the Eclipse and Multiplan systems respectively with the same contouring and dose constrains for PTV and organs at risk (OARs). Dose distributions in PTV were evaluated in terms of coverage, conformity index (CI), new conformity index (nCI), homogeneity index (HI), and gradient index (GI). OARs, including spinal cord, bowel, stomach, duodenum and kidneys were statistically evaluated by different dose-volume metrics and equivalent uniform dose (EUD). The volume covered by the different isodose lines (ISDL) ranging from 10 to 100% for normal tissue were also analyzed. All SBRT plans for EDGE and CK met the dose constraints for PTV and OARs. For the PTV, the dosimetric metrics in EDGE plans were lower than that in CK, except that D99 and GI were slightly higher. The EDGE plans with lower CI, nCI and HI were superior to generate more conformal and homogeneous dose distribution for PTV. For the normal tissue, the CK plans were better at OARs sparing. The radiobiological indices EUD of spinal cord, duodenum, stomach, and kidneys were lower for CK plans, except that liver were higher. The volumes of normal tissue covered by medium ISDLs (with range of 20–70%) were lower for CK plans while that covered by high and low ISDLs were lower for EDGE plans. This study indicated that both EDGE and CK generated equivalent plan quality, and both systems can be considered as beneficial techniques for SBRT of pancreatic cancer. EDGE plans offered more conformal and homogeneous dose distribution for PTV, while the CK plans could minimize the exposure of OARs.
Syngenetic rapid growth of ellipsoidal silica concretions with bitumen cores
Authors: Yoshida Hidekazu , Kuma Ryusei , Hasegawa Hitoshi , Katsuta Nagayoshi , Sirono Sin-iti , Minami Masayo , Nishimoto Shoji , Takagi Natsuko , Kadowaki Seiji , Metcalfe Richard 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIsolated silica concretions in calcareous sediments have unique shapes and distinct sharp boundaries and are considered to form by diagenesis of biogenic siliceous grains. However, the details and rates of syngenetic formation of these spherical concretions are still not fully clear. Here we present a model for concretion growth by diffusion, with chemical buffering involving decomposition of organic matter leading to a pH change in the pore-water and preservation of residual bitumen cores in the concretions. The model is compatible with some pervasive silica precipitation. Based on the observed elemental distributions, C, N, S, bulk carbon isotope and carbon preference index (CPI) measurements of the silica-enriched concretions, bitumen cores and surrounding calcareous rocks, the rate of diffusive concretion growth during early diagenesis is shown using a diffusion-growth diagram. This approach reveals that ellipsoidal SiO2 concretions with a diameter of a few cm formed rapidly and the precipitated silica preserved the bitumen cores. Our work provides a generalized chemical buffering model involving organic matter that can explain the rapid syngenetic growth of other types of silica accumulation in calcareous sediments.
Technical efficiency among agricultural households and determinants of food security in East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Hakim Rachman , Haryanto Tri , Sari Dyah Wulan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRice is a staple food in East Java, and the average consumption is 100 kg/capita/year. However, rice productivity has declined dramatically in recent years. Food security can be reached by improving the technical efficiency of rice farming, especially in rice farming centers such as East Java Province. This study aims to measure technical efficiency and its determinants using two limit tobit. And it also aims to examine the effect of the technical efficiency of rice farming on food security using logit regression. Technical efficiency will be measured by using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The results show that the technical efficiency of rice farming is very low in East Java. Government assistance, irrigation, and extension have a significant effect on technical efficiency. Meanwhile, membership of farmer organization has no effect on technical efficiency. Around 69% of farmers can be categorized as food secure households. The estimation of logit regression shows that household size, income, land size, education, age, and gender significantly influence food security in East Java. Meanwhile, credit and technical efficiency did not have any significant effect.
Patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms who most deserve to be investigated for primary bladder neck obstruction
Authors: Schifano Nicolò , Capogrosso Paolo , Matloob Rayan , Boeri Luca , Candela Luigi , Fallara Giuseppe , Costa Antonio , Pozzi Edoardo , Belladelli Federico , Cazzaniga Walter , Abbate Costantino , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe aimed to investigate clinical features potentially useful in primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) diagnosis in men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Data from 1229 men presenting for LUTS as their primary complaint at a single centre were retrospectively analysed. All patients underwent a comprehensive medical and physical assessment, and completed the International Prostate Symptoms Score. All patients were investigated with uroflowmetry, and trans-rectal ultrasound imaging to define prostate volume. Urodynamic evaluation was performed when the diagnosis of benign prostatic enlargement was not confirmed and the patient presented a significant chance of detrusor overactivity or underactivity. As per our internal protocol, patients < 60 years old with bothersome LUTS and > 60 years with a prostate volume (PV) < 40 mL were also investigated with urethrocystoscopy to rule out urethral stricture. Logistic regression analysis tested clinical predictors of possible PBNO. Of 1229 patients, 136 (11%) featured a clinical profile which was consistent with PBNO. Overall, these patients were younger (p < 0.0001), had lower BMI (p < 0.0001), less comorbidities (p = 0.004) and lower PSA values (p < 0.0001), but worse IPSS scores (p = 0.01) and lower PV values (p < 0.0001) compared to patients with other-aetiology LUTS. At multivariable analysis, younger age (OR 0.90; p = 0.003) and higher IPSS scores (OR 1.12; p = 0.01) were more likely to be associated with this subset of patients, after accounting for other clinical variables. One out of ten young/middle-aged men presenting for LUTS may be affected from PBNO. Younger patients with more severe LUTS systematically deserve an extensive assessment to rule out PBNO, thus including urethrocystoscopy and urodynamics with voiding-cysto-urethrogram.
Usefulness of serum hyaluronic acid levels as a predictor of incidence of hand osteoarthritis analyzed by longitudinal analysis from the Iwaki cohort
Authors: Saruga Tatsuro , Sasaki Eiji , Inoue Ryo , Chiba Daisuke , Ota Seiya , Iwasaki Hiroki , Uesato Ryoko , Nakaji Shigeyuki , Ishibashi Yasuyuki 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe factors predicting hand osteoarthritis (HOA) in patients remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of serum hyaluronic acid (sHA) levels in predicting HOA progression from a 6-year longitudinal epidemiological study. A total of 417 participants in the Iwaki cohort were followed-up over 6 years. Hand and knee radiographs taken at baseline and follow-up were scored according to Kellgren–Lawrence grades and Kallman score. Participants were classified into the HOA group and the non-HOA group. sHA levels at baseline were determined by ELISA. Correlations between sHA levels, the number of involved joints, and Kallman score were estimated. Factors related to the incidence or progression of HOA over 6 years were analyzed. The prevalence of HOA was 19.9% at baseline, and 3.6 ± 2.1 joints were involved. sHA levels in the HOA group at baseline were significantly higher than in the non-HOA group (p < 0.001) and correlated with the number of involved joints (r = 0.399, p < 0.001) and Kallman score (r = 0.540, p < 0.001). The incidence rate was 14.5%, and the progression rate was 46.1% over 6 years. Higher sHA levels at baseline were the risk factor of HOA incidence. Thus, sHA levels predicted the incidence of HOA over 6 years.
Study on interaction mechanism of different atomic ratio of neodymium, arsenic and iron
Authors: Mao Juncheng , Huang Run , Fu Chenghui , Lv Xiaodong , He Lihua , Zhang Jinzhu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this study, neodymium and arsenic were sealed into industrial pure iron cylinders at a temperature of 1223 K for 50 h. The interaction mechanism of the Nd–Fe–As system at various atomic ratios was investigated by optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Binary compounds Fe12As5, NdAs, Fe2As, and Fe17Nd2 were the main products formed, with traces of NdFeAs compounds. In addition, at high temperatures, As content affected the diffusion of Fe atoms; the diffusion of Fe increased with an increase in the atomic ratio. Furthermore, the diffusion ability of Nd was weaker than that of As. The major diffusion mechanism of Nd was through the Fe atomic vacancy mechanism. As mainly bind to Fe to form Fe and As compounds. The formation of ternary compounds was confirmed by laboratory experiments and mismatch calculations.
Decongestant use and the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke: a case-crossover study
Authors: Grimaldi-Bensouda Lamiae , Begaud Bernard , Benichou Jacques , Nordon Clementine , Dialla Olivia , Morisot Nicolas , Hamon Yann , Cottin Yves , Serrano Elie , Abenhaim Lucien , Touzé Emmanuel 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPharmacovigilance reports of cerebral and cardiovascular events in those who use decongestants have triggered alerts related to their use. We aimed to assess the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) associated with the use of decongestants. We conducted a nested case-crossover study of patients with incident stroke and MI identified in France between 2013 and 2016 in two systematic disease registries. Decongestant use in the three weeks preceding the event was assessed using a structured telephone interview. Conditional logistic multivariable models were used to estimate the odds of incident MI and stroke, also accounting for transient risk factors and comparing week 1 (index at-risk time window, immediately preceding the event) to week 3 (reference). Time-invariant risk factors were controlled by design. In total, 1394 patients with MI and 1403 patients with stroke, mainly 70 years old or younger, were interviewed, including 3.2% who used decongestants during the three weeks prior to the event (1.0% definite exposure in the index at-risk time window, 1.1% in the referent time window; adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.78; 95%CI, 0.43–1.42). Secondary analysis yielded similar results for individual events (MI/stroke). We observed no increased risk of MI or stroke for patients 70 years of age and younger without previous MI or stroke who used decongestants.