bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C virus‐associated indolent B‐cell lymphomas: A review on the role of the new direct antiviral agents therapy
Authors: Mazzaro Cesare , Dal Maso Luigino , Visentini Marcella , Ermacora Anna , Andreone Pietro , Gattei Valter , Pozzato Gabriele 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSeveral studies have suggested that hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be the causative agent of some B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (B‐NHL). Several authors have demonstrated that pegylated interferon (Peg‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) can revert indolent low‐grade B‐NHL by inducing HCV eradication. Presently, the combination therapy (IFN plus RBV) has been abandoned since the direct antiviral agents (DAAs) have shown very high efficacy in achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) (range: 95%–100%). This review analyzed DAAs efficacy in HCV‐associated indolent low‐grade NHL, providing a detailed literature review. Overall, 122 B‐cell NHL patients were treated with DAAs: complete/partial hematological response, particularly in those with marginal zone lymphoma, was obtained in most cases. Hematological response, obtained either with DAAs or IFN‐based therapy, was similar. Nonetheless, DAAs therapy showed better tolerability and higher SVR. A fraction of the patients, despite SVR, underwent hematologic relapse or progression. In these cases, a recovery treatment with immunotherapy, or chemoimmunotherapy, had to be planned. In conclusion, data obtained from published studies mostly agree that HCV eradication with DAAs should be considered as the first‐line treatment in HCV‐related NHL. In fact, the chronic viral stimulation of the immune system might be the primary pathogenic mechanism in disease development and progression.
Impact of the sampling duration on the uncertainty of averaged velocity measurements with acoustic instruments
Authors: Marian Muste , Kim Jongmin , Kim Dongsu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAverage velocity in streams is a key variable for the analysis and modelling of hydrological and hydraulic processes underpinning water resources science and practice. The present study evaluates the impact of the sampling duration on the quality of average velocity measurements acquired with contemporary instruments such as Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADV) an Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP). The evaluation combines considerations on turbulent flows and principles and configurations of acoustic instruments with practical experience in conducting customized analysis for uncertainty analysis purposes. The study sheds new insights on the spatial and temporal variability of the uncertainty in the measurement of average velocities due to variable sampling durations acting in isolation from other sources of uncertainties. Sampling durations of 90 and 150 s are found sufficient for ADV and ADCP, respectively, to obtain reliable average velocities in a flow affected only by natural turbulence and instrument noise. Larger sampling durations are needed for measurements in most of the natural streams exposed to additional sources of data variability.
Explaining mutual fund behavior through the structure‐conduct‐performance lens
Authors: Coleman Les 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper examines mutual funds. These are economically important as the largest institutional investors, and form an important principal‐agent relationship as custodians of retirement savings. Despite a huge literature, there is no agreed explanation of mutual fund behavior. This analysis links mutual fund research across disciplines under the structure‐conduct‐performance paradigm (SCP), which is widely used in strategy research to explain firm actions and results. SCP explains mutual fund actions after placing the fund manager at the center of fund operations, where their conduct is driven by structure of markets and the funds management industry. Structural influences on fund managers include unpredictability of markets, the oligopolistic nature of the mutual fund industry, and disengagement of clients. As a result, funds derive income as commission on assets under management, which is sub‐optimal for clients. In addition, fund managers' conduct is driven by their homogeneity and socialization with competitors and investee firms. While the most obvious role of fund managers is construction of investment portfolios, outperformance is not their sole, or perhaps even principal, objective. The SCP lens offers insights into mutual funds of value to fund managers, investors, regulators and executives of investee firms. This paper impounds evidence from real‐world data in theory to offer an actor‐centric perspective of investment which is an archetypal practitioner driven discipline.
High‐risk HPV positivity is a long‐term risk factor for recurrence after cervical excision procedure in women living with HIV
Authors: Agarossi Alberto , Delli Carpini Giovanni , Sopracordevole Francesco , Serri Matteo , Giannella Luca , Gardella Barbara , Maestri Marta , Del Fabro Anna , Sansone Matilde , Fallani Maria Grazia , Pieralli Annalisa , Fasolo Maria Michela , Mazzali Cristina , Ciavattini Andrea 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the risk factors for recurrence of high‐grade disease after cervical excision in women living with HIV (WLWH), with a specific interest in the role of high‐risk (HR‐) HPV positivity.MethodsMulticentric retrospective study conducted on WLWH who underwent cervical excision between January 1987 and June 2017 in six Italian institutions. The rate of high‐grade recurrence was determined. Risk factors for recurrence and HR‐HPV positivity were determined with the Log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsA total of 271 WLWH were included in the final analysis. A high‐grade recurrence was found in 58 (21.4%) patients. Age 41 years or more at inclusion and HR‐HPV positivity during follow up were independently associated with a higher risk of disease recurrence with relative risks of 4.15 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.01–8.58, P < 0.001) and 5.18 (95% CI 2.12–12.67, P < 0.01), respectively. Age 41 years or more (relative risk 1.75, 95% CI 1.01–3.04, P = 0.047) resulted as a risk factor for HR‐HPV positivity during follow up.ConclusionHR‐HPV positivity is a risk factor for recurrence after cervical excision in WLWH. Women older than 41 years may benefit from a long‐term yearly follow up. Future studies regarding HPV vaccination after treatment in WLWH may be useful, considering the protective role of the higher probability of HPV negativity in vaccinated women.
Stay Home, Stay Connected: A virtual model for enhanced prenatal support during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond
Authors: Ramirez Biermann Chloe , Choo Monica S. , Carman Kelsey , Siden Jonathan Y. , Minns Annie , Peahl Alex 
Published: March 2021

SynopsisVirtual prenatal support groups addressed heightened mental health, psychosocial support, and anticipatory guidance needs in pregnant patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
In vivo coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering microscopy reveals vitamin A distribution in the liver
Authors: Rodewald Marko , Bae Hyeonsoo , Huschke Sophie , Meyer‐Zedler Tobias , Schmitt Michael , Press Adrian Tibor , Schubert Stephanie , Bauer Michael , Popp Juergen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHere we present a microscope setup for coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging, devised to specifically address the challenges of in vivo experiments. We exemplify its capabilities by demonstrating how CARS microscopy can be used to identify vitamin A (VA) accumulations in the liver of a living mouse, marking the positions of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). HSCs are the main source of extracellular matrix protein after hepatic injury and are therefore the main target of novel nanomedical strategies in the development of a treatment for liver fibrosis. Their role in the VA metabolism makes them an ideal target for a CARS‐based approach as they store most of the body's VA, a class of compounds sharing a retinyl group as a structural motive, a moiety that is well known for its exceptionally high Raman cross section of the C═C stretching vibration of the conjugated backbone.
Contribution of the Toxoplasma ICT IgG IgM® test in determining the immune status of pregnant women against toxoplasmosis
Authors: Rym Ben‐Abdallah , Yasmine Kalboussi , Hedia Bellali , Nesrine Issaoui , Olfa Souissi , Rania Maatoug , Karim Aoun , Aïda Bouratbine 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundAn immunochromatography technology (ICT) rapid diagnostic test, the Toxoplasma ICT IgG‐IgM®, was recently developed. Our aim was to study its contribution to establish accurately the Toxoplasma immune status in Tunisian pregnant women using Western blot (WB) Toxo II IgG® as a reference technique.MethodsThirty‐nine sera were selected for the study from among 2,615 which were already tested by IgG and IgM ELISA. They displayed equivocal IgG titres (4.4–9 IU/ml) in absence of IgM (19 sera) or IgM anti‐Toxoplasma antibodies in absence of IgG (titre <4.4 IU/ml) (20 sera). All these sera were additionally tested by WB Toxo II IgG®.ResultsImmunochromatography technology Sensitivity in the detection either of low IgG titres in absence of IgM or of specific anti‐Toxoplasma IgM was 100%. Only one serum with equivocal IgG titre by ELISA and negative with Toxo II IgG® test revealed positive in ICT. However, this serum showed a P30 band in WB analysis. On the other hand, three sera positive in ELISA IgM and negative in ELISA IgG revealed positive in ICT and negative in WB Toxo II IgG®, the reference test.ConclusionResults confirm the high sensitivity of Toxoplasma ICT IgG‐IgM® in detecting both specific anti‐Toxoplasma IgG and IgM, and highlight the usefulness of this rapid test as a first or second‐line Toxoplasma serological test in pregnant women.
Ultrastructural comparison between the tongue of two reptilian species endemic in Egyptian fauna; Bosc's fringe‐toed lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus and Sinai fan‐fingered gecko Ptyodactylus guttatus
Authors: Gewily Doaa I. , Mahmoud Fatma A. , Saber Samy A. , ElSalkh Boshra A. , El‐Dahshan Asmaa A. , Abumandour Mohamed M. A. , Kandyel Ramadan M. , Gadel‐Rab Ali G. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe current observations focused on the ultrastructure comparison between the tongue of two reptile species endemic the Egyptian fauna; Bosc's fringe‐toed lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus and Sinai fan‐fingered gecko Ptyodactylus guttatus to exhibit the relationship between the lingual epithelium and its function according to their specific feeding strategy. A. boskianus possessed triangular elongated tongue with bifurcated tapering apex and wide base while; the P. guttatus had a triangular flattened tongue with conical shallow bifurcated apex and broad base. The ventral surface of the lingual apex of A. boskianus had transverse while in P. guttatus had two oval pads and median ventral groove. Both surfaces of the tongue of both examined species are covered by stratified squamous epithelium with great variability of degree of keratinization. The dorsal epithelium formed flattened and conical filiform papillae in A. boskianus, while in P. guttatus formed cylindrical papillae, conical, and tall filiform ones. Few taste buds are observed on the fore‐tongue but increase on the mid‐tongue of A. boskianus, while in P. guttatus, numerous taste buds are distributed on the fore‐tongue and mid‐tongue. Both surfaces of the laryngeal mound of both examined species provided with numerous of cilia and orifices of laryngeal gland. The present results confirmed that the tongue of A. boskianus acts as a chemoreceptor organ to follow pheromone trails of prey and mates. While in P. guttatus the tongue may play an important role in the feeding mechanism and act as a chemoreceptor organ.
In silico prediction, molecular docking and binding studies of acetaminophen and dexamethasone to Enterococcus faecalis diaminopimelate epimerase
Authors: Singh Harpreet , Das Satyajeet , Yadav Jyoti , Srivastava Vijay Kumar , Jyoti Anupam , Kaushik Sanket 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEnterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is a Gram‐positive coccoid, non‐sporulating, facultative anaerobic, multidrug resistance bacterium responsible for almost 65% to 80% of all enterococcal nosocomial infections. It usually causes infective endocarditis, urinary tract and surgical wound infections. The increase in E. faecalis resistance to conventionally available antibiotic has rekindled intense interest in developing useful antibacterial drugs. In E. faecalis, diaminopimelate epimerase (DapF) is involved in the lysine biosynthetic pathway. The product of this pathway is precursors of peptidoglycan synthesis, which is a component of bacterial cell wall. Also, because mammals lack this enzyme, consequently E. faecalis diaminopimelate epimerase (EfDapF) represents a potential target for developing novel class of antibiotics. In this regard, we have successfully cloned, overexpressed the gene encoding DapF in BL‐21(DE3) and purified with Ni‐NTA Agarose resin. In addition to this, binding studies were performed using fluorescence spectroscopy in order to confirm the bindings of the identified lead compounds (acetaminophen and dexamethasone) with EfDapF. Docking studies revealed that acetaminophen found to make hydrogen bonds with Asn72 and Asn13 while dexamethasone interacted by forming hydrogen bonds with Asn205 and Glu223. Thus, biochemical studies indicated acetaminophen and dexamethasone, as potential inhibitors of EfDapF and eventually can reduce the catalytic activity of EfDapF.
Synthesis and characterization of tetracycline‐imprinted membranes: A detailed positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy investigation
Authors: Akbulut Söylemez Meshude 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMolecularly imprinted thin membranes for selective removal of tetracycline from real water samples were prepared using the radiation‐induced polymerization method. The chemical and physical characterization of the membranes was conducted by FTIR, XPS, AFM and SEM analyses. The effect of the template on the size and the size distribution of the pores in the membrane structure was investigated by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) experiments. The presence of the template molecule causes the formation of larger cavities, which have a strong correlation to the molecular size of the template molecule. The density of the free volume holes in the imprinted network shows a significant increase due to the presence of the template molecule. The binding performances of the membranes were tested against various factors such as pH, time and initial concentration of template molecules. The specific selectivity of the membranes was investigated by cross‐reactivity experiments. The binding capacity of the imprinted membranes was obtained at 14.5 μmol g−1, with the highest imprinting factor (2.84) for tetracycline. The imprinting factor was obtained at 1.44, 1.25 and 1.57 for oxytetracycline hydrochloride, doxycycline hyclate and chlortetracycline, respectively. The binding capability of the imprinted membranes in real water samples was promising for the application of the membranes as a filter material for removal of tetracycline with high binding capacity. Tetracycline binding percentage of the membranes was determined at 92.4, 81.1., 75.0 and 68.7 for ultra‐pure water, tap water and natural water samples collected from different sources, respectively.
Magnetic Resonance T2* Is Increased in Patients With Early‐Stage Achilles and Patellar Tendinopathy
Authors: Malmgaard‐Clausen Nikolaj M. , Tran Peter , Svensson Rene B. , Hansen Philip , Nybing Janus D. , Magnusson Stig Peter , Kjær Michael 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundT2* mapping has proven useful in tendon research and may have the ability to detect subtle changes at an early stage of tendinopathy.PurposeTo investigate the difference in T2* between patients with early tendinopathy and healthy controls, and to investigate the relationship between T2* and clinical outcomes, tendon size, and mechanical properties.Study TypeProspective cross‐sectional.SubjectsSixty‐five patients with early tendinopathy and 25 healthy controls.Field Strength/SequenceThree Tesla, ultrashort time to echo magnetic resonance imaging.AssessmentTendon T2* was quantified using a monoexponential fitting algorithm. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment‐Achilles/Patella (VISA‐A/VISA‐P). In vivo mechanical properties were measured using an ultrasound‐based method that determined force and deformation simultaneously in tendons of patellar tendinopathy patients.Statistical TestsA generalized linear model adjusted for age was applied to investigate the difference between patients and controls. In the two patient groups, linear regressions were applied to investigate the association between T2* and tendon size, clinical outcomes, and biomechanical properties.ResultsThere was a significant difference in T2* between patients and healthy controls (204.8 [95% CI: 44.5–365.0] μsec, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between tendon size and T2* for both Achilles (r = 0.72; P < 0.05) and patellar tendons (r = 0.53; P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between VISA‐A and T2* (r = −0.2; P = 0.17) or VISA‐P and T2* (r = −0.5; P = 0.0504). Lastly, there was a negative correlation between modulus and T2* (r = −0.51; P < 0.05).Data ConclusionsT2* mapping can detect subtle structural changes that translate to altered mechanical properties in early‐phase tendinopathy. However, T2* did not correlate with clinical scores in patients with early‐phase Achilles and patellar tendinopathy. Thus, T2* mapping may serve as a tool for early detection of structural changes in tendinopathy but does not necessarily describe the clinical severity of disease.Level of Evidence1Technical Efficacy Stage2
Ionization of organic molecules with metal ions formed in the laser plasma
Authors: Filatov Vasily V. , Nikiforov Sergey M. , Zelenov Vladislav V. , Pento Andrey V. , Bukharina Aygul B. , Sulimenkov Ilia V. , Brusov Vladimir S. , Yu Jiajun , Kozlovskiy Viacheslav I. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA laser plasma ion source was used to ionize volatile organic compounds in a gas sample. The plasma was generated on a metal target in the intermediate vacuum region of ~0.3 Torr using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1 μm. The resulting ions mass spectra were acquired using orthogonal time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (O‐TOF MS). When using a copper target, the ions formed are simple complexes (CuM+) of copper ions with organic molecules. The possibility of online identification of trace amounts of alkanes in nitrogen and air, with a detection limit of ~10 ppb, was demonstrated. The ionization efficiency of volatile organic compounds through the formation of clusters with metal ions is 10−4 in terms of the quasimolecular complex ions. The rate constants of ion‐molecular reactions of copper ions with octane and water molecules in nitrogen and air are estimated.
Clinical performance of Roche cobas 6800, Luminex ARIES, MiRXES Fortitude Kit 2.1, Altona RealStar, and Applied Biosystems TaqPath for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection in nasopharyngeal swabs
Authors: Lee Chun Kiat , Tham Jason Wei Ming , Png Siyu , Chai Chean Nee , Ng Shu Chi , Tan Eunice Jia Min , Ng Li Jie , Chua Rui Ping , Sani Musa , Seow Yiqi , Yan Gabriel , Tang Julian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe compared the performance of five assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) detection on nasopharyngeal swab samples: Roche “cobas,” Luminex “ARIES,” MiRXES “Fortitude,” Altona “RealStar,” and Thermo Fisher Scientific “TaqPath.” A total of 94 nasopharyngeal swab samples were obtained from 80 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the first 2 weeks of illness (median, 7 days; range, 2–14 days) and 14 healthy controls. After collection, all samples were transported to the hospital clinical laboratory within 24 h. These samples were tested on all five assays within 3 days of sample receipt. Of the 94 samples, 69 yielded the same result on all platforms, resulting in an agreement of 73.4% (69 of 94). Of these, 14 were the healthy control swabs which all tested negative, demonstrating good specificity across all platforms. The ARIES assay had the lowest detection rate (68.8%), followed by Fortitude (85.0%), RealStar (86.3%), cobas (95.0%), and TaqPath (100%). Statistically significant differences were observed for ARIES, Fortitude, and RealStar when compared against the best performing TaqPath using McNemar's χ2 test. A consensus result was established based on the results obtained by the cobas, Fortitude, RealStar, and TaqPath. Six discrepancies had failed to reach a consensus and were adjudicated using the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS‐CoV‐2. Overall, the TaqPath and cobas assays were the most sensitive at detecting their designated SARS‐CoV‐2 gene targets. On the other hand, the ARIES assay was the least sensitive, thus warranting the need for assay re‐optimization before go‐live at the testing laboratory.
Heterodielectric oxide‐engineered single‐lateral pocket‐based gated source TFET
Authors: Ashita  , Loan Sajad A. , Alkhammash Hend I. , Rafat Mohammad 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this work, we propose and investigate a new pocket‐based Si0.55Ge0.45/Si gate normal tunnel FET design employing a gate over source with a single lateral pocket (GSLP) with and without a heterogeneous dielectric (HD) gate oxide. Miller capacitance is significantly reduced with the GSLP design, which is further improved by the HD gate oxide leading to full overshoot/undershoot suppression capability in transient response. Further, a steep switching with more than one order improvement in ON current is achieved when compared to state‐of‐the‐art line pocket designs. As a result, an ~98.8% and ~88% improved intrinsic delay (CGGVDD/ION) is achieved in comparison to dual line pocket and non‐pocketed designs, respectively. Additionally, an improved worst‐case trap‐charge tolerance, reduced pocket‐width‐induced fluctuations, and excellent immunity to gate misalignment‐induced fluctuations are achievable just by replacing the gate‐aligned parallel‐line pockets with a vertically aligned single‐lateral pocket (LP) improving the design reliability. A Ge/Si HD‐GSLP TFET design further offers stable ON currents with SS < 60 mV/dec over a feasible range of pocket widths between ~6 and 8 nm at VDS = VGS = 0.7 V.
Predictors of lead break during transvenous lead extraction
Authors: Morita Junji , Yamaji Kyohei , Nagashima Michio , Kondo Yusuke , Sadohara Yohei , Hirokami Jun , Kuji Rei , Korai Kengo , Fukunaga Masato , Hiroshima Kenichi , Ando Kenji , Goya Masahiko 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of lead break during transvenous lead extraction (TLE) were previously unknown.MethodsWe included consecutive patients who underwent TLE between September 2013 and July 2019 at our institute. Lead break during removal was defined as lead stretching and becoming misshapen, as assessed by fluoroscopy.ResultsA total of 246 patients underwent TLE for 501 leads. At a patient level, complete success was achieved in 226 patients (91.9%). At a lead level, 481 leads (96.0%) were completely removed and 101 leads (20.1%) were broken during the procedure. Of 392 identified pacemaker leads, 71 (18.3%) were broken during the TLE procedure. A multivariable analysis confirmed high lead age (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07‐1.17; P < .001), passive leads (OR 2.29 95% CI 1.09‐4.80; P = .028), coradial leads (OR 3.45 95% CI 1.72‐6.92; P < .001), and insulators made of nonpolyurethane (OR 2.38 95% CI 1.03‐5.26; P = .04) as predictors of lead break. Broken leads needed longer procedure times and were associated with a higher rate of cardiac tamponade.ConclusionsLead age, coradial bipolar leads, passive leads, and leads without polyurethane insulation were predictors of lead break and could increase the difficulty of lead extraction.