bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nevertheless, They Persisted: Can Hyporheic Zones Increase the Persistence of Estrogens in Streams?
Authors: Cheng Frederick Y. , Preisendanz Heather E. , Mashtare Michael L. , Lee Linda S. , Basu Nandita B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe presence of estrogens has been linked to adverse ecological effects in surface waters downstream of agricultural and domestic wastewater sources. While laboratory studies suggest that these estrogens should not persist because of fast degradation rates, elevated concentrations in surface waters impacted by agricultural activities are commonly observed. Using a combination of measured data and a stream‐hyporheic zone (HZ) model applied to a 100 km reach in a tile‐drained catchment, we show that the HZ can increase the persistence of estrogens. Field data reveal high concentrations of sorbed estrogens in sediments and elevated in‐stream concentrations during low‐flow summer months, suggesting that the HZ acts as a source of estrogens when transport into the streams is minimal. Model results provide further insight into the underlying mechanisms that enable sustained estrogen concentrations in streams, with the HZ acting as a source of dissolved estrogens for 95% of the year. We show that stream water interactions with the HZ may lead to overall suppression of degradation processes and an increase in the persistence of estrogens. Results suggest that when the model considered exchange in the HZ, approximately 28%–49% of estrogen mass remained in the stream ecosystem, while all estrogen mass was degraded in a 100‐km reach in the model without the HZ. The remaining mass increased with increasing estrogen sorption coefficient, and this would potentially increase the lag time for lowering estrogen concentrations in surface water bodies even when inputs have ceased. Our findings highlight the importance of including HZ dynamics in estrogen transport models.
Natural history of patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy—results from the REALITY study
Authors: Yu-Wai-Man Patrick , Newman Nancy J. , Carelli Valerio , La Morgia Chiara , Biousse Valérie , Bandello Francesco M. , Clermont Catherine Vignal , Campillo Lorena Castillo , Leruez Stephanie , Moster Mark L. , Cestari Dean M. , Foroozan Rod , Sadun Alfredo , Karanjia Rustum , Jurkute Neringa , Blouin Laure , Taiel Magali , Sahel José-Alain ,   for the LHON REALITY Study Group, Hussain Rima , Jorany Rasha , Sheel Priyansha , DuBois Lindreth , Carbonelli Michele , Di Vito Lidia , Romagnoli Martina , DeBusk Adam A. , Massini Maria , Hage Rabih , Heilweil Gad , Tsui Irena , Garcia Virginia , Morilla Antonio , Barboni Piero , Cascavilla Maria Lucia , Battista Marco , Calcagno Francesca , Pina Adelaide 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background/objectives
REALITY is an international observational retrospective registry of LHON patients evaluating the visual course and outcome in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

Subjects/methods
Demographics and visual function data were collected from medical charts of LHON patients with visual loss. The study was conducted in 11 study centres in the United States of America and Europe. The collection period extended from the presymptomatic stage to at least more than one year after onset of vision loss (chronic stage). A Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing (LOWESS) local regression model was used to analyse the evolution of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time.

Results
44 LHON patients were included; 27 (61%) carried the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation, 8 (18%) carried the m.3460G>A ND1 mutation, and 9 (20%) carried the m.14484T>C ND6 mutation. Fourteen (32%) patients were under 18 years old at onset of vision loss and 5 (11%) were below the age of 12. The average duration of follow-up was 32.5 months after onset of symptoms. At the last observed measure, mean BCVA was 1.46 LogMAR in ND4 patients, 1.52 LogMAR in ND1 patients, and 0.97 LogMAR in ND6 patients. The worst visual outcomes were reported in ND4 patients aged at least 15 years old at onset, with a mean BCVA of 1.55 LogMAR and no tendency for spontaneous recovery. The LOESS modelling curve depicted a severe and permanent deterioration of BCVA.

Conclusions
Amongst LHON patients with the three primary mtDNA mutations, adult patients with the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation had the worst visual outcomes, consistent with prior reports.
Molecular scale insights into interaction mechanisms between organic inhibitor film and copper
Authors: Wu Xiaocui , Wiame Frédéric , Maurice Vincent , Marcus Philippe 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA model experimental approach, providing molecular scale insight into the build up mechanisms of a corrosion inhibiting interface, is reported. 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (2-MBI), a widely used organic inhibitor, was deposited from the vapor phase at ultra-low pressure on copper surfaces in chemically-controlled state, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used in situ to characterize the adsorption mechanisms upon formation of the inhibiting film. On copper surfaces prepared clean in the metallic state, the intact molecules lie flat at low exposure, with sulfur and both nitrogen atoms bonded to copper. A fraction of the molecules decomposes upon adsorption, leaving atomic sulfur on copper. At higher exposure, the molecules adsorb in a tilted position with sulfur and only one nitrogen bonded to copper, leading to a densification of 2-MBI in the monolayer. A bilayer is formed at saturation with the outer layer not bonded directly to copper. In the presence of a pre-adsorbed 2D oxide, oxygen is substituted and the molecules adsorb intactly without decomposition. A 3D oxide prevents the bonding of sulfur to copper. The molecular film formed on metallic and 2D oxide pre-covered surfaces partially desorbs and decomposes at temperature above 400 °C, leading to the adsorption of atomic sulfur on copper.
X-ray quasi-periodic eruptions from two previously quiescent galaxies
Authors: Arcodia R. , Merloni A. , Nandra K. , Buchner J. , Salvato M. , Pasham D. , Remillard R. , Comparat J. , Lamer G. , Ponti G. , Malyali A. , Wolf J. , Arzoumanian Z. , Bogensberger D. , Buckley D. A. H. , Gendreau K. , Gromadzki M. , Kara E. , Krumpe M. , Markwardt C. , Ramos-Ceja M. E. , Rau A. , Schramm M. , Schwope A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractQuasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs) are very-high-amplitude bursts of X-ray radiation recurring every few hours and originating near the central supermassive black holes of galactic nuclei1,2. It is currently unknown what triggers these events, how long they last and how they are connected to the physical properties of the inner accretion flows. Previously, only two such sources were known, found either serendipitously or in archival data1,2, with emission lines in their optical spectra classifying their nuclei as hosting an actively accreting supermassive black hole3,4. Here we report observations of QPEs in two further galaxies, obtained with a blind and systematic search of half of the X-ray sky. The optical spectra of these galaxies show no signature of black hole activity, indicating that a pre-existing accretion flow that is typical of active galactic nuclei is not required to trigger these events. Indeed, the periods, amplitudes and profiles of the QPEs reported here are inconsistent with current models that invoke radiation-pressure-driven instabilities in the accretion disk5–9. Instead, QPEs might be driven by an orbiting compact object. Furthermore, their observed properties require the mass of the secondary object to be much smaller than that of the main body10, and future X-ray observations may constrain possible changes in their period owing to orbital evolution. This model could make QPEs a viable candidate for the electromagnetic counterparts of so-called extreme-mass-ratio inspirals11–13, with considerable implications for multi-messenger astrophysics and cosmology14,15.
Structural basis of GABAB receptor–Gi protein coupling
Authors: Shen Cangsong , Mao Chunyou , Xu Chanjuan , Jin Nan , Zhang Huibing , Shen Dan-Dan , Shen Qingya , Wang Xiaomei , Hou Tingjun , Chen Zhong , Rondard Philippe , Pin Jean-Philippe , Zhang Yan , Liu Jianfeng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractG-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have central roles in intercellular communication1,2. Structural studies have revealed how GPCRs can activate G proteins. However, whether this mechanism is conserved among all classes of GPCR remains unknown. Here we report the structure of the class-C heterodimeric GABAB receptor, which is activated by the inhibitory transmitter GABA, in its active form complexed with Gi1 protein. We found that a single G protein interacts with the GB2 subunit of the GABAB receptor at a site that mainly involves intracellular loop 2 on the side of the transmembrane domain. This is in contrast to the G protein binding in a central cavity, as has been observed with other classes of GPCR. This binding mode results from the active form of the transmembrane domain of this GABAB receptor being different from that of other GPCRs, as it shows no outside movement of transmembrane helix 6. Our work also provides details of the inter- and intra-subunit changes that link agonist binding to G-protein activation in this heterodimeric complex.
Trabecular and cortical mandibular bone investigation in familial adenomatous polyposis patients
Authors: Pacheco-Pereira Camila , Silvestre-Barbosa Yuri , Almeida Fabiana T. , Geha Hassem , Leite Andre F. , Guerra Eliete N. S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMandibular cortical and trabecular bone abnormalities in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) were evaluated using dental panoramic radiographs (DPR) radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimension (FD). Sixty DPRs from 15 FAP patients and 45 healthy controls were evaluated. FAP group was composed of 33.3% females and 66.6% males, agemean = 37.2 years (SD 15.79). The non-FAP group was paired by gender and sex. The parameters analyzed were: FD of the trabecular bone in four regions of interest (ROI), mandibular cortical index (MCI) and width (MCW). FD values were lower for the FAP group. Statistically significance differences were shown by ROI 2 and 3 anteriorly to the mental foramen bilaterally, p = 0.001, and p = 0.006. The ROI 1 and 4, at the mandibular angle trabeculae, indicated statistical significances on the right side (p = 0.036) and no differences on the left side (p = 0.091). There was no significant difference in MCI and MCW when the groups were compared, MCW (L) p = 0.247, and MCW (R) p = 0.070. Fractal values of FAP patients' mandibular trabecular bone were lower than healthy controls. The radiomorphometric indices MCI and MCW were not useful for analyzing the cortical bone pattern. Therefore, FD is a promising tool for detection of abnormal bone structure in DPRs and for supporting the appropriate referral of FAP patients.
Vicilin and legumin storage proteins are abundant in water and alkali soluble protein fractions of glandless cottonseed
Authors: He Zhongqi , Mattison Christopher P. , Zhang Dunhua , Grimm Casey C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this work, we sequentially extracted water (CSPw)- and alkali (CSPa)-soluble protein fractions from glandless cottonseed. SDS-Gel electrophoresis separated CSPw and CSPa to 8 and 14 dominant polypeptide bands (110–10 kDa), respectively. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry identified peptide fragments from 336 proteins. While the majority of peptides were identified as belonging to vicilin and legumin storage proteins, peptides from other functional and uncharacterized proteins were also detected. Based on the types (unique peptide count) and relative abundance (normalized total ion current) of the polypeptides detected by mass spectrometry, we found lower levels (abundance) and types of legumin isoforms, but higher levels and more fragments of vicilin-like antimicrobial peptides in glandless samples, compared to glanded samples. Differences in peptide fragment patterns of 2S albumin and oleosin were also observed between glandless and glanded protein samples. These differences might be due to the higher extraction recovery of proteins from glandless cottonseed as proteins from glanded cottonseed tend to be associated with gossypol, reducing extraction efficiency. This work enriches the fundamental knowledge of glandless cottonseed protein composition. For practical considerations, this peptide information will be helpful to allow better understanding of the functional and physicochemical properties of glandless cottonseed protein, and improving the potential for food or feed applications.
Dyslipidemia and its associated factors in southern Iranian women, Bandare-Kong Cohort study, a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Nikparvar Marzieh , Khaladeh Mohadeseh , Yousefi Hadi , Vahidi Farashah Mohammadsadegh , Moayedi Behzad , Kheirandish Masoumeh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDyslipidemia, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, has become a global issue. Due to the variations in the prevalence of dyslipidemia, this study aimed to evaluate dyslipidemia and its associated factors in women of the Bandare-Kong Cohort Study (BKNCD). This study was conducted on women from the population-based BKNCD, as part of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). Sociodemographic data, medical history, and anthropometric indices were collected. Dyslipidemia was defined as any lipid abnormality including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ≥ 160, total cholesterol (TC) ≥ 240, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) < 40, or triglyceride > 200 mg/dl. From the 2223 women in this study (mean age: 48.28 ± 9.26 years), dyslipidemia was observed in 851 (38.3%). High TC was the most common lipid abnormality (18.5%) followed by high LDL (17.7%). Dyslipidemia was most prevalent among women aged 55–70 years, the married, those with < 6 years of education, the unemployed, the overweight or obese, with low socioeconomic status, diabetes, hypertension, and high waist circumference, those using the hookah and living in urban areas. Logistic regression revealed that women with high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.60–3.08), those aged 45–54 years (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.07–1.68) and 55–70 years (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.03–1.72), and those living in urban areas (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.05–1.73) were at significantly increased risk of dyslipidemia. In addition, the results were confirmed using deep neural network models. Dyslipidemia was highly prevalent in Iranian women in the southern coastal region. Central obesity, age over 45 years, and living in urban areas appear to be relatively significant risk factors for dyslipidemia among women.
In vivo enrichment of busulfan-resistant germ cells for efficient production of transgenic avian models
Authors: Kim Young Min , Park Kyung Je , Park Jin Se , Jung Kyung Min , Han Jae Yong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMost transgenic animals are generated using a genome-modified stem cell system and genome modification directly in embryos. Although this system is well-established in the development of transgenic animals, donor cell-derived transgenic animal production is inefficient in some cases. Especially in avian models such as chickens, the efficiency of transgenic animal production through primordial germ cells (PGCs) is highly variable compared with embryonic manipulation of mammalian species. Because germ cell and germline-competent stem cell-mediated systems that contain the transgene are enriched only at the upstream level during cell cultivation, the efficiency of transgenic animal production is unreliable. Therefore, we developed an in vivo selection model to enhance the efficiency of transgenic chicken production using microsomal glutathione-S-transferase II (MGSTII)-overexpressing PGCs that are resistant to the alkylating agent busulfan, which induces germ cell-specific cytotoxicity. Under in vitro conditions, MGSTII-tg PGCs were resistant to 1 μM busulfan, which was highly toxic to wild-type PGCs. In germline chimeric roosters, transgene-expressing germ cells were dominantly colonized in the recipient testes after busulfan exposure compared with non-treated germline chimera. In validation of germline transmission, donor PGC-derived progeny production efficiency was 94.68%, and the transgene production rate of heterozygous transgenic chickens was significantly increased in chickens that received 40 mg/kg busulfan (80.33–95.23%) compared with that of non-treated germline chimeras (51.18%). This system is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of generating transgenic chickens and other animal species by increasing the distribution of donor cells in adult testes.
Long-term treatment with subcutaneous immunoglobulin in multifocal motor neuropathy
Authors: Gentile Luca , Russo Massimo , Rodolico Carmelo , Arimatea Ilenia , Vita Giuseppe , Toscano Antonio , Mazzeo Anna 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMultifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare disease with a prevalence of less than 1 per 100,000 people. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, performed for a long-term period, has been demonstrated able to improve the clinical picture of MMN patients, ameliorating motor symptoms and/or preventing disease progression. Treatment with subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) has been shown to be as effective as IVIG. However, previously published data showed that follow-up of MMN patients in treatment with SCIg lasted no more than 56 months. We report herein the results of a long-term SCIg treatment follow up (up to 96 months) in a group of 8 MMN patients (6 M; 2F), previously stabilized with IVIG therapy. Clinical follow-up included the administration of Medical Research Council (MRC) sum-score, the Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS) and the Life Quality Index questionnaire (LQI) at baseline and then every 6 months. Once converted to SCIg, patients’ responsiveness was quite good. Strength and motor functions remained stable or even improved during this long-term follow-up with benefits on walking capability, resistance to physical efforts and ability in hand fine movements.
The Effect of Visual Sort and Rate Versus Visual Analog Scales on the Reliability of Judgments of Dysphonia
Authors: Kapsner-Smith Mara R. , Opuszynski Amanda , Stepp Cara E. , Eadie Tanya L. 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe reliability of auditory-perceptual judgments between listeners is a long-standing problem in the assessment of voice disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relatively novel experimental scaling method, called visual sort and rate (VSR), yielded stronger reliability than the more frequently used method of visual analog scales (VAS) for ratings of overall severity (OS) and breathiness (BR) in speakers with voicedisorders.MethodFifty speech samples were selected from a database of speakers with voice disorders. Twenty-two inexperienced listeners provided ratings of OS or BR in four rating blocks: VSR-OS, VSR-BR, VAS-OS, and VSR-BR. For the VAS task, listeners rated each speaker for BR or OS using a vertically oriented 100-mm VAS. For the VSR task, stimuli were distributed into sets of samples with a range of speaker severities in each set. Listeners sorted and ranked samples for OS or BR within each set, and final ratings were captured on a vertically oriented 100-mm VAS. Interrater variability, defined as the mean of the squared differences between a listener's ratings and group mean ratings, and intrarater reliability (Pearsonr) were compared across rating tasks for OS and BR using pairedttests.ResultsResults showed that listeners had significantly less interrater variability (better reliability) when using VSR methods compared to VAS for judgments of both OS and BR. Intrarater reliability was high across rating tasks and dimensions; however, ratings of BR were significantly more consistent within individual listeners when using VAS than when using VSR.ConclusionsVSR is an experimental method that decreases variability of auditory-perceptual judgments between inexperienced listeners when rating speakers with a range of dysphonic severities and disorders. Future research should determine whether a clinically viable tool may be developed based on VSR principles and whether such benefits extend to experienced listeners.
Perspectives for Uranyl Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Jiang Xuefeng , Hu Deqing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe application of uranyl salts as powerful photoredox catalysts in chemical transformations lags behind the advances achieved in thermocatalysis and structural chemistry. In fact, uranyl cations (UO2
2+) have proven to be ideal photoredox catalysts in visible-light-driven chemical reactions. The excited state of uranyl cations (*UO2
2+) that is generated by visible-light irradiation has a long-lived fluorescence lifetime up to microseconds and high oxidizing ability [E
o = +2.6 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)]. After ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT), quenching occurs with organic substrates via hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) or single-electron transfer (SET). Interestingly, the ground state and excited state of uranyl cations (UO2
2+) are chemically inert toward oxygen molecules, preventing undesired transformations from active oxygen species. This review summarizes recent advances in photoredox transformations enabled by uranyl salts.1	Introduction2	The Application of Uranyl Photoredox Catalysis in HAT Mode3	The Application of Uranyl Photoredox Catalysis in SET Mode4	Conclusion and Outlook
A Short Enantioselective Synthesis of (S)-Levetiracetam through Direct Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric N-Allylation of Methyl 4-Aminobutyrate
Authors: Schmalz Hans-Günther , Albat Dominik , Neudörfl Jörg-Martin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn exceedingly short and enantioselective synthesis of the antiepileptic drug (S)-levetiracetam was elaborated. As the chirogenic key step, a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric N-allylation of methyl 4-aminobutyrate was achieved in the presence of only 1 mol% of a catalyst prepared in situ from [Pd(allyl)Cl]2 and a tartaric acid-derived C
2-symmetric diphosphine ligand.
A dual high-energy radiography platform with 15 μm resolution at the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Khan S. F. , Martinez D. A. , Kalantar D. H. , Kirkwood R. K. , Santos C. , Ose N. A. , Johnson S. , Alessi D. A. , Prantil M. A. , Woods D. T. , Glendinning S. G. , Tommasini R. , Mackinnon A. J. , Prisbrey S. T. , Dittrich T. R. , Bowers M. W. , Cabral J. , Crane J. , Di Nicola J. -M. , Hamamoto M. , Herriot S. , Lanier T. , Lowe-Webb R. , Pelz L. J. , Widmayer C. C. , Williams W. , Yang S. 
Published: April 2021

To study matter at extreme densities and pressures, we need mega laser facilities such as the National Ignition Facility as well as creative methods to make observations during timescales of a billionth of a second. To facilitate this, we developed a platform and diagnostic to characterize a new point-projection radiography configuration using two micro-wires irradiated by a short pulse laser system that provides a large field of view with up to 3.6 ns separation between images. We used tungsten-carbide solid spheres as reference objects and inferred characteristics of the back-lighter source using a forward-fitting algorithm. The resolution of the system is inferred to be 15 μm (using 12.5 μm diameter wires). The bremsstrahlung temperature of the source is 70–300 keV, depending on laser energy and coupling efficiency. By adding the images recorded on multiple stacked image plates, the signal-to-noise of the system is nearly doubled. The imaging characterization technique described here can be adapted to most point-projection platforms where the resolution, spectral contrast, and signal-to-noise are important.