bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the immature stage of the beneficial predatory bug Arma chinensis Fallou (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Yin Yanfang , Zhu Yanjuan , Mao Jianjun , Gundersen‐Rindal Dawn E. , Liu Chenxi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and can influence significant biological processes. Arma chinensis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a predaceous insect species that preys upon a wide variety of insect pests. It is important to explore and understand the molecular mechanisms involving miRNAs in regulating developmental and other gene expression for beneficial insects. However, examination of miRNAs associated with Hemiptera, especially predatory bugs, has been absent or scarce. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of predatory bug A. chinensis encoded miRNAs through high throughput sequencing and predicts genes and biological processes regulated by the newly identified miRNAs through analyzing their differential expression in and across five nymphal instars. A total of 64 A. chinensis miRNAs, including 46 conserved miRNAs and 18 novel miRNAs, were identified by analysis of high throughput sequence reads mapped to the genome. A total of 2913 potential gene targets for these 64 miRNAs were predicted by comprehensive analyses utilizing miRanda, PITA, and RNAhybrid. Gene Ontology annotation of predicted target genes of A. chinensis suggested the key processes regulated by miRNAs involved biological processes, regulation of cellular processes, and transporter activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway predictions included the Toll and Imd signaling pathway, Valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, Steroid biosynthesis, the AGE‐RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. This newly identified miRNAs through analyzing their differential expression, assessment of their predicted functions forms a foundation for further investigation of specific miRNAs.
Colorado's Bench‐Scale Lead and Copper Corrosion Testing Protocol
Authors: Arnold Roger B. , Rhoades Jacqueline , Criswell Melanie , Ingels Tyson , Becker William 
Published: June 2021

Key TakeawaysThe Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment developed a standardized protocol for corrosion testing procedures that is available as a resource for utilities.Immersion testing can be used to evaluate corrosion mechanisms, determine optimal corrosion control treatment, and examine the impacts of source water or treatment changes, while greatly reducing the cost and complexity compared with pipe loop testing.Exploring various resources, such as academic research, first‐hand utility experience, and water industry guidelines, can help a utility select the corrosion testing approach that best suits its needs and circumstances.
Screening and cocktail optimization using experimental mixture design: enzymatic saccharification as a biological pretreatment strategy
Authors: Pinheiro Vanessa Elisa , Horváth Ilona Sárvári , Lundin Magnus , Polizeli Maria de Lourdes Teixeira de Moraes 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBiofuels contribute environment‐friendly, renewable energy, minimizing dependence on fossil energy. The pretreatment of biomass is a practical step that accelerates and facilitates the hydrolysis of complex materials. This work aimed to screen, select, and study cocktail formulations for biomass hydrolysis, where the enzymes were provided both from a commercial source (Trichoderma reesei, Novozymes®) and through the cultivation of Aspergillus brasiliensis and Aspergillus tamarii Kita. Experimental mixture designs were used to optimize the enzymatic conversion of substrates into simple sugars. A crude extract rich in amylase (AAB) had a significant favorable influence on cornmeal hydrolysis by maximizing the yield of reducing sugars (RS) (173 μmol mL–1). Celluclast™, rich in cellulase, significantly affected the hydrolysis of banana peel, maximizing the RS yield (175 μmol mL–1). Variable degrees of enzyme synergism were evident from statistical analysis of the biomass hydrolysis. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Carbonstäbe im Bauwesen – Teil 3
Authors: May Maximilian , Riegelmann Philipp , Schumann Alexander , Curbach Manfred 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNachdem im ersten Teil der Veröffentlichungsreihe die grundlegende Materialcharakteristik von Bewehrungsstäben aus Carbonfasern und im zweiten Teil deren Verbundtragverhalten zur umgebenden Betonmatrix beschrieben wurde, wird nun die Bestimmung der Zugtragfähigkeit von Carbonstäben für das Bauwesen thematisiert. Aufgrund der Querdruckempfindlichkeit der Carbonfasern ist der Lasteinleitungsbereich im Zugversuch der kritische Punkt und bedarf bei der Versuchsplanung besonderer Beachtung. Aufbauend auf dem Stand des Wissens zu Verankerungssystemen, die aktuell vor allem bei vorgespannten Bauteilen verwendet werden, wird die Entwicklung einer geeigneten Lasteinleitungskonstruktion vorgestellt, die eine zuverlässige Prüfung der Zugtragfähigkeit des untersuchten Carbonstabs ermöglicht.
Drivers and barriers towards circular economy in agri‐food supply chain: A review
Authors: Mehmood Amina , Ahmed Shehzad , Viza Evi , Bogush Anna , Ayyub Rana Muhammad 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOver the past few years, the circular economy (CE) concept has captured considerable attention from researchers and practitioners as a potential solution for social, economic, and environmental challenges. But in literature, limited engagement has been given to explore the CE initiatives, particularly in the agri‐food supply chain (AFSC). This paper aims to address this gap by critically reviewing the existing literature and identify the drivers and barriers for implementing the CE in the AFSC. This study uses a systematic literature review approach to critically analyse the current literature to develop future empirical research areas. The popularity of the CE drivers and barriers in the AFSC following the number of times they appeared in the research studies is examined. It shows that environmental (67%), policy and economy (47%), and financial benefits (43%) are the three top drivers. However, institutional (64%), financial (48%), and technological risks (40%) are the top three barriers in implementing CE practices in the AFSC. It is observed that there is an utmost need for international communities to introduce internationally accepted standards and frameworks for CE practices to be used globally to eliminate waste, particularly in the agriculture sector. Moreover, government intervention to stimulate CE initiatives plays a critical role in the transition process.
Post‐traumatic stress symptoms in long‐term disease‐free cancer survivors and their family caregivers
Authors: De Padova Silvia , Grassi Luigi , Vagheggini Alessandro , Belvederi Murri Martino , Folesani Federica , Rossi Lorena , Farolfi Alberto , Bertelli Tatiana , Passardi Alessandro , Berardi Alejandra , De Giorgi Ugo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe experience of cancer is highly stressful and potentially traumatic. We assessed the presence of Post‐Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) in long‐term cancer survivors and their caregivers, while examining the association between PTSS and clinical, demographic and psychological variables in the long term.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study 212 survivor‐family caregiver dyads completed measures of post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) (Impact of Event Scale), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale). Coping strategies, fatigue, cognitive decline, stressful life events and psychopathological history were also assessed among survivors. Data were analyzed using mixed models, accounting both for individual and dyadic effects.ResultsCancer survivors and their caregivers were assessed after a mean of 6 years after treatment. Twenty per cent of survivors and 35.5% of caregivers had possible posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while 23 patients (11.0%) and 33 caregivers (15.6%) had probable PTSD. Among cancer patients, the severity of post‐traumatic symptoms was associated with an anxious coping style, previous psychopathology and depression (p < 0.001), whereas among caregivers it was associated with depression and having a closer relationship with patients (p < 0.001). Patients’ depression was associated with caregivers’ intrusion symptoms.ConclusionsHigh levels of cancer‐related PTSS were still present several years after treatment in both survivors and caregivers. Psychopathology may derive from complex interactions among coping, previous disorders and between‐person dynamics.
A modifiable risk factors atlas of lung cancer: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shen Jiayi , Zhou Huaqiang , Liu Jiaqing , Zhang Yaxiong , Zhou Ting , Yang Yunpeng , Fang Wenfeng , Huang Yan , Zhang Li 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere has been no study systematically assessing the causal effects of putative modifiable risk factors on lung cancer. In this study, we aimed to construct a modifiable risk factors atlas of lung cancer by using the two‐sample Mendelian randomization framework.MethodsWe included 46 modifiable risk factors identified in previous studies. Traits with p‐value smaller than 0.05 were considered as suggestive risk factors. While the Bonferroni corrected p‐value for significant risk factors was set to be 8.33 × 10−4.ResultsIn this two‐sample Mendelian randomization analysis, we found that higher socioeconomic status was significantly correlated with lower risk of lung cancer, including years of schooling, college or university degree, and household income. While cigarettes smoked per day, time spent watching TV, polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosapentaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid in blood were significantly associated with higher risk of lung cancer. Suggestive risk factors for lung cancer were found to be serum vitamin A1, copper in blood, docosahexaenoic acid in blood, and body fat percentage.ConclusionsThis study provided the first Mendelian randomization assessment of the causality between previously reported risk factors and lung cancer risk. Several modifiable targets, concerning socioeconomic status, lifestyle, dietary, and obesity, should be taken into consideration for the development of primary prevention strategies for lung cancer.
The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates autophagy and migration in ovarian cancer
Authors: Pan Yibin , Zhou Jiena , Zhang Weidan , Yan Lili , Lu Meifei , Dai Yongdong , Zhou Hanjing , Zhang Songying , Yang Jianhua 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway plays an important role in various types of human cancers including ovarian cancer; however, its function and underlying mechanism in ovarian cancer are still not entirely understood.MethodsWe detected the expressions of SHH and SQSTM1 in borderline ovarian tumor tissues, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues and benign ovarian tumor tissues. Cyclopamine (Cyp, a well‐known inhibitor of SHH signaling pathway) and chloroquine (CQ, the pharmaceutical inhibitor of autophagy) were used in vivo and in vitro (autophagic flux, CCK‐8 assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, tumor xenograft model). The mechanism of action was explored through Quantitative RT‐PCR and Western Blot.ResultsWe found up‐regulation of SHH and accumulation of SQSTM1/P62 in epithelial ovarian cancer. Cyp induced autophagy through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, low‐dose Cyp and chloroquine (CQ) significantly promoted the migratory ability of SKOV3 cells.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that inhibition of the SHH pathway and autophagy may be a potential and effective therapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
PD‐L1, PARP1, and MMRs as potential therapeutic biomarkers for neuroendocrine cervical cancer
Authors: Ji Xiaoyu , Sui Lei , Song Kejuan , Lv Teng , Zhao Han , Yao Qin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveNeuroendocrine cervical cancer (NECC) is a rare cervical cancer with high aggressivity that causes poor prognosis even in the early stage. Given other neuroendocrine carcinomas and other types of cervical cancer have been proved to have expression of programmed cell death protein 1 ligand 1(PD‐L1) and poly ADP‐ribose polymerase‐1(PARP1), we would measure and analyze these proteins in this invasive cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the application value of PD‐1/PD‐L1 and PARP1 inhibitors in NECC.MethodsThe NECC cases in our center with formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue blocks were collected, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of PD‐L1, PARP1, Mismatch repair proteins (MMRs), and P53 was performed. Chi‐square test was used to analyze associations between various protein expressions. We analyzed the efficacy of immunotherapy in a recent patient with secondary recurrence after two courses of chemotherapy.ResultsAfter rigorous screening, 20 cases were finally included. Three cases did not undergo surgical treatment because of their advanced stage. Twelve (60%) developed distant metastases or relapsed within five years, and most of them within two years. The positive rate of PD‐L1 and PARP1 were 70% and 75% respectively. Among all the cases, microsatellite instability (MSI) was seen in six cases (30%) and abnormal p53 expression was in 15 patients (75%). PD‐L1 was associated with PARP1 expression in the MSI subgroup. The patient treated with chemotherapy + VEGF inhibitor (VEGFi) + programmed cell death protein 1(PD‐1) inhibitor had an excellent improvement in clinical symptoms, tumor markers, and mass size.ConclusionThe IHC results of PD‐L1, PARP1, and MMRs suggested that NECC was the target of immunotargeted therapy. Our case confirmed that immune checkpoint therapy was effective in patients with PD‐L1 positive and MMRs loss. Considering the clinical practicability, more cases should be collected, and effective biomarkers still need to be further searched.
Deformation and stenosis of the sinus‐SuperFlex‐DS stent after ductal stenting for the hybrid stage 1 procedure
Authors: Hribernik Ines , Thomson John , Bentham James 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe present five cases of sinus‐SuperFlex‐DS stent stenosis during early follow up that resulted in inadequate ductal patency and required urgent re‐stenting with a balloon‐expandable stent. This causes concern that these stents lack sufficient radial force against ductal constriction and if used need to be kept under close scrutiny.
Rationalizing the Mechanism of Peroxyformate Decomposition: Computational Insights To Understand Solvent Influence
Authors: Garay‐Ruiz Diego , Bo Carles 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe heterolytic decomposition of tert‐butyl peroxyformate to tert‐butanol and carbon dioxide, catalyzed by pyridine, is a long‐known example of a reaction whose kinetics are strongly affected by solvent polarity. From DFT and ab initio methods together with the SMD implicit solvation model, an extension on the formerly accepted mechanism is proposed. This novel proposal involves the formation of a carbonic acid ester intermediate and its further decomposition, through an unreported pyridine‐mediated stepwise route. Computed barriers for this mechanism at DLPNO/CCSD(T)‐def2‐TZVP are in excellent agreement with experimental kinetic data across different solvents. Furthermore, the strong relationships between activation energies, geometric parameters in the transition state and the characteristics of the different solvents are also analyzed in depth.
Reliable computational quantification of liver fibrosis is compromised by inherent staining variation
Authors: Astbury Stuart , Grove Jane I , Dorward David A , Guha Indra N , Fallowfield Jonathan A , Kendall Timothy J 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBiopsy remains the gold‐standard measure for staging liver disease, both to inform prognosis and to assess the response to a given treatment. Semiquantitative scores such as the Ishak fibrosis score are used for evaluation. These scores are utilised in clinical trials, with the US Food and Drug Administration mandating particular scores as inclusion criteria for participants and using the change in score as evidence of treatment efficacy. There is an urgent need for improved, quantitative assessment of liver biopsies to detect small incremental changes in liver architecture over the course of a clinical trial. Artificial intelligence (AI) methods have been proposed as a way to increase the amount of information extracted from a biopsy and to potentially remove bias introduced by manual scoring. We have trained and evaluated an AI tool for measuring the amount of scarring in sections of picrosirius red‐stained liver. The AI methodology was compared with both manual scoring and widely available colour space thresholding. Four sequential sections from each case were stained on two separate occasions by two independent clinical laboratories using routine protocols to study the effect of inter‐ and intra‐laboratory staining variation on these tools. Finally, we compared these methods to second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging, a stain‐free quantitative measure of collagen. Although AI methods provided a modest improvement over simpler computer‐assisted measures, staining variation both within and between laboratories had a dramatic effect on quantitation, with manual assignment of scar proportion being the most consistent. Manual assessment also most strongly correlated with collagen measured by SHG. In conclusion, results suggest that computational measures of liver scarring from stained sections are compromised by inter‐ and intra‐laboratory staining. Stain‐free quantitative measurement using SHG avoids staining‐related variation and may prove more accurate in detecting small changes in scarring that may occur in therapeutic trials.
H2FPEF score predicts atherosclerosis presence in patients with systemic connective tissue disease
Authors: Vasilev Vladimir , Popovic Dejana , Ristic Gorica G. , Arena Ross , Radunovic Goran , Ristic Arsen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundCardiovascular diseases are common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic connective tissue diseases (SCTD) due to accelerated atherosclerosis which couldn't be explained by traditional risk factors (CVDRF).HypothesisWe hypothesized that recently developed score predicting probability of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (H2FPEF), as well as a measure of right ventricular‐pulmonary vasculature coupling [tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ratio], are predictive of atherosclerosis in SCTD.Methods203 patients (178 females) diagnosed with SCTD underwent standard and stress‐echocardiography (SE) with TAPSE/PASP and left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling pressure (E/e') measurements, carotid ultrasound and computed tomographic coronary angiography. Patients who were SE positive for ischemia underwent coronary angiography (34/203). The H2FPEF score was calculated according to age, body mass index, presence of atrial fibrillation, ≥2 antihypertensives, E/e' and PASP.ResultsMean LV ejection fraction was 66.3 ± 7.1%. Atherosclerosis was present in 150/203 patients according to: 1) intima‐media thickness>0.9 mm; and 2) Agatstone score > 300 or Syntax score ≥ 1. On binary logistic regression analysis, including CVDRF prevalence, echocardiographic parameters and H2FPEF score, only H2FPEF score remained significant for the prediction of atherosclerosis presence (χ2 = 19.3, HR 2.6, CI 1.5‐4.3, p < 0.001), and resting TAPSE/PASP for the prediction of a SE positive for ischemia (χ2 = 10.4, HR 0.01, CI = 0.01‐0.22, p = 0.004). On ROC analysis, the optimal threshold value for identifying patients with atherosclerosis was a H2FPEF score ≥2 (Sn 60.4%, Sp 69.4%, area 0.67, SE = 0.05, p < 0.001).ConclusionsH2FPEF score and resting TAPSE/PASP demonstrated clinical value for an atherosclerosis diagnosis in patients diagnosed with SCTD.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation combined with spironolactone in the treatment of atrial fibrillation: A single‐center randomized controlled study
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Chen Quanhe , Zhang Feilong , Chen Xuehai , Xu Zhe , Sun Xudong , Li Jinguo , Chen Lianglong , Chen Jianhua 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAt present, the question of whether radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with spironolactone can reduce the levels of plasma angiotensin II (AngII) and aldosterone (ALD) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and reduce the recurrence of AF has not been reported.HypothesisThe present study evaluates the effect of spironolactone as an ALD antagonist on the short‐term and long‐term recurrence of AF after RFA. A total of 203 patients were enrolled in the present study, with 102 patients in the spironolactone therapy group (Group PVI/SP) and 101 patients in the control group (Group PVI alone). The AngII and ALD levels and the size of the left atrium in patients with AF were observed in order to evaluate the relationship between the combination therapy of spironolactone with RFA and the success rate in AF treatment. After therapy, the levels of AngII (52.8 vs. 64.3 pg/ml, p < .001), ALD (45.7 vs. 60.6 pg/ml, p = .016), and N‐terminal of B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) (73.5 vs. 110 pg/ml, p = .016), along with the size of the left atrium (35.8 vs. 37.2 mm, p = .007), were all significantly lower in Group PVI/SP compared with Group PVI alone. The cumulative AF‐free survival rate was higher in Group PVI/SP than in Group PVI alone after treatment (85.3% vs.73.3%, p = .033). In RFA combined with spironolactone treatment, spironolactone can directly antagonize the effects of ALD and AngII and the recurrence of AF and improve left ventricular function.
A Semi‐Batch Flow System for the Production of 5‐Chloromethylfurfural
Authors: Smith Bailey A. , Champagne Pascale , Jessop Philip G. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe bioplatform molecule 5‐chloromethylfurfural (CMF) has potential as an intermediate or precursor in the preparation of useful products, such as bioderived fuels, chemicals and polymers. The replacement of the halogenated solvents and the use of a semi‐batch system have been investigated in the synthesis to reduce the human and environmental safety concerns associated with current CMF production methods. The new method gives a high yield of CMF from fructose without chlorinated solvents, and can be extended to the synthesis of CMF from other feedstocks such as sugars, cellulose, seaweed and sawdust.