bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cofactors are Remnants of Life’s Origin and Early Evolution
Authors: Goldman Aaron D. , Kacar Betul 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe RNA World is one of the most widely accepted hypotheses explaining the origin of the genetic system used by all organisms today. It proposes that the tripartite system of DNA, RNA, and proteins was preceded by one consisting solely of RNA, which both stored genetic information and performed the molecular functions encoded by that genetic information. Current research into a potential RNA World revolves around the catalytic properties of RNA-based enzymes, or ribozymes. Well before the discovery of ribozymes, Harold White proposed that evidence for a precursor RNA world could be found within modern proteins in the form of coenzymes, the majority of which contain nucleobases or nucleoside moieties, such as Coenzyme A and S-adenosyl methionine, or are themselves nucleotides, such as ATP and NADH (a dinucleotide). These coenzymes, White suggested, had been the catalytic active sites of ancient ribozymes, which transitioned to their current forms after the surrounding ribozyme scaffolds had been replaced by protein apoenzymes during the evolution of translation. Since its proposal four decades ago, this groundbreaking hypothesis has garnered support from several different research disciplines and motivated similar hypotheses about other classes of cofactors, most notably iron-sulfur cluster cofactors as remnants of the geochemical setting of the origin of life. Evidence from prebiotic geochemistry, ribozyme biochemistry, and evolutionary biology, increasingly supports these hypotheses. Certain coenzymes and cofactors may bridge modern biology with the past and can thus provide insights into the elusive and poorly-recorded period of the origin and early evolution of life.
Management impact of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients with biochemical recurrence after definitive treatment: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Meijer Dennie , van Leeuwen Pim J. , Oosterholt Pepijn M. J. , Bodar Yves J. L. , van der Poel Henk G. , Hendrikse N. Harry , Donswijk Maarten L. , Wondergem Maurits , Vellekoop Annelies E. , van Moorselaar R. Jeroen A. , Nieuwenhuijzen Jakko A. , Oprea-Lager Daniela E. , Vis André N. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate whether an early, accurate identification of disease using 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT imaging resulted in a change of decision on treatment management, for individual patients with biochemically recurrent (BCR), hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Methods
In this retrospective study, a total of 253 patients with BCR who underwent restaging 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT were assessed. Two urologists specialized in uro-oncology were asked to formulate a preferred treatment for each patient before and after knowing the results of the 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT.

Results
Out of 253 patients, 191 (75%) underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) as primary therapy, and 62 (25%) external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). In 103/253 cases (40.7%), a preferred treatment change based on the 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT findings was reported. In patients post-RARP, a positive 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT (OR 6.21; 95%CI 2.78–13.8; p < 0.001) and positive pathological lymph node status (pN1) (OR 2.96; 95%CI 1.15–7.60; p = 0.024) were significant predictors for an intended change of management, whereas a positive surgical margin (OR 0.42; 95%CI 0.20–0.88; p = 0.022) was inversely associated with an intended change of management.

Conclusion
In this study, we found a significant impact of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT on the intended management of patients with biochemically recurrent hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. A positive 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT scan, positive pathological lymph node status, and a negative surgical margin status were significantly associated with increased odds of having a change of management based on 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT findings.
Chromosome Y pericentric heterochromatin is a primary target of HSF1 in male cells
Authors: Penin Jessica , Dufour Solenne , Faure Virginie , Fritah Sabrina , Seigneurin-Berny Daphné , Col Edwige , Verdel André , Vourc’h Claire 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe heat shock factor 1 (HSF1)-dependent transcriptional activation of human pericentric heterochromatin in heat-shocked cells is the most striking example of transcriptional activation of heterochromatin. Until now, pericentric heterochromatin of chromosome 9 has been identified as the primary target of HSF1, in both normal and tumor heat-shocked cells. Transcriptional awakening of this large genomic region results in the nuclear accumulation of satellite III (SATIII) noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and the formation in cis of specific structures known as nuclear stress bodies (nSBs). Here, we show that, in four different male cell lines, including primary human fibroblasts and amniocytes, pericentric heterochromatin of chromosome Y can also serve as a unique primary site of HSF1-dependent heterochromatin transcriptional activation, production of SATIII ncRNA, and nucleation of nuclear stress bodies (nSBs) upon heat shock. Our observation suggests that the chromosomal origin of SATIII transcripts in cells submitted to heat shock is not a determinant factor as such, but that transcription of SATIII repetitive units or the SATIII ncRNA molecules is the critical element of HSF1-dependent transcription activation of constitutive heterochromatin.
PERSEUS 24-month analysis: a prospective non-interventional study to assess the effectiveness of intravitreal aflibercept in routine clinical practice in Germany in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Eter Nicole , Hasanbasic Zoran , Keramas Georgios , Rech Christine , Sachs Helmut , Schilling Harald , Wachtlin Joachim , Wiedemann Peter , Framme Carsten ,   for the PERSEUS Study Group
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of intravitreal aflibercept injections in Germany in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration over 24 months.

Methods
PERSEUS was a prospective, non-interventional cohort study. The primary endpoint was the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with a VA gain or loss of ≥ 15 letters and the frequency of injections and examinations. Patients with regular (bimonthly after 3 monthly injections during year 1 and ≥ 4 injections in year 2) and irregular (any other) treatment were analyzed. The last observation carried forward (LOCF) and the observed cases (OC) approach was applied for primary endpoint analysis to account for missing data.

Results
803 patients were considered for effectivity analysis. At month 24, only 38% of the patients were still under observation. The LOCF population included 727, the OC population 279 patients. Treatment-naïve patients improved by 6.3 (LOCF)/8.1 (OC) letters with regular treatment over 24 months but only by 3.3 (LOCF)/3.1 (OC) letters with irregular treatment. The proportion of treatment-naïve patients achieving a VA improvement of ≥ 15 letters was similar between regularly and irregularly treated cohorts. However, considerably more patients in the irregular cohorts experienced a VA worsening of ≥ 15 letters than in the regular cohorts (LOCF: 18.7% vs. 7.4%).

Conclusions
Regular IVT-AFL treatment resulted in better VA outcomes than irregular treatment at month 24. However, only a minority of patients received regular treatment over a 2-year period.
Phase transitions for a class of gradient fields
Authors: Buchholz Simon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe consider gradient fields on $${\mathbb {Z}}^d$$

Z

d

for potentials V that can be expressed as $$\begin{aligned} e^{-V(x)}=pe^{-\frac{qx^2}{2}}+(1-p)e^{-\frac{x^2}{2}}. \end{aligned}$$

e

-
V
(
x
)

=
p

e

-

q

x
2

2

+

(
1
-
p
)

e

-

x
2

2

.

This representation allows us to associate a random conductance type model to the gradient fields with zero tilt. We investigate this random conductance model and prove correlation inequalities, duality properties, and uniqueness of the Gibbs measure in certain regimes. We then show that there is a close relation between Gibbs measures of the random conductance model and gradient Gibbs measures with zero tilt for the potential V. Based on these results we can give a new proof for the non-uniqueness of ergodic zero-tilt gradient Gibbs measures in dimension 2. In contrast to the first proof of this result we rely on planar duality and do not use reflection positivity. Moreover, we show uniqueness of ergodic zero tilt gradient Gibbs measures for almost all values of p and q and, in dimension $$d\ge 4$$

d
≥
4

, for q close to one or for $$p(1-p)$$

p
(
1
-
p
)

sufficiently small.
Concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and some essential metals in wild boar from Sweden
Authors: Malmsten Anna , Dalin Anne-Marie , Pettersson Jean , Persson Sara 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe wild boar (Sus scrofa) is becoming more common in Europe and has potential to be used as sentinel species for local contamination of heavy metals. Concentrations of nine trace elements (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn)) were examined in kidney tissue of 104 female wild boars hunted at three sites in Sweden. The interrelationships between the trace elements and age dependency were investigated. Reproductive health was previously known to differ among animals at the different study sites, but could not be explained by heavy metal concentrations and no associations were found between heavy metals and reproductive parameters. Kidney concentrations of Cd (mean 4.16 mg/kg wet weight (w.w.), range 0.16–12.8) were higher than the permissible level for human consumption in 99.9% of the samples. Pb concentrations were generally intermediate or low (mean 0.14 mg/kg w.w., range 0.03–1.01) and exceeded the levels accepted for human consumption in 0.02% of the samples. Age class was significantly associated with the concentrations of Cd, Mg, and Mn. Concentrations of As were low (mean 0.02 mg/kg w.w., range <0.0001–0.08) and Cu and Se concentrations were within the ranges of suspected deficiency for 10% and 4% of the wild boars, respectively.
Enhanced pyrocatalysis of the pyroelectric BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure for dye decomposition driven by cold-hot temperature alternation
Authors: Chen Mingzi , Jia Yanmin , Li Huamei , Wu Zheng , Huang Tianyin , Zhang Hongfang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure, which is fabricated via a simple mixing-calcining method, benefits the significant enhancement of the pyrocatalytic performance. With the growth of g-C3N4 content in the heterostructure pyrocatalysts from 0 to 25%, the decomposition ratio of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye after 18 cold-hot temperature fluctuation (25–65 °C) cycles increases at first and then decreases, reaching a maximum value of ∼94.2% at 10% while that of the pure BiFeO3 is ∼67.7%. The enhanced dye decomposition may be due to the generation of the internal electric field which strengthens the separation of the positive and negative carriers and further accelerates their migrations. The intermediate products in the pyrocatalytic reaction also have been detected and confirmed, which proves the key role of the pyroelectric effect in realizing the dye decomposition using BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure catalyst. The pyroelectric BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure shows the potential application in pyrocatalytically degrading dye wastewater.
Impact of the municipal merger on watershed management: a study of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan
Authors: Mizunoya Takeshi , Nozaki Noriko , Singh Rajeev Kumar 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn the early 2000s, Japan instituted the Great Heisei Consolidation, a national strategy to promote large-scale municipal mergers. This study analyzes the impact that this strategy could have on watershed management. We select the Lake Kasumigaura Basin, the second largest lake in Japan, for the case study and construct a dynamic expanded input–output model to simulate the ecological system around the Lake, the socio-environmental changes over the period, and their mutual dependency for the period 2012–2020. In the model, we regulate and control the following water pollutants: total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand. The results show that a trade-off between economic activity and the environment can be avoided within a specific range of pollution reduction, given that the prefectural government implements optimal water environment policies, assuming that other factors constraining economic growth exist. Additionally, municipal mergers are found to significantly reduce the budget required to improve the water environment, but merger budget efficiency varies nonlinearly with the reduction rate. Furthermore, despite the increase in financial efficiency from the merger, the efficiency of installing domestic wastewater treatment systems decreases drastically beyond a certain pollution reduction level and eventually reaches a limit. Further reductions require direct regulatory instruments in addition to economic policies, along with limiting the output of each industry. Most studies on municipal mergers apply a political, administrative, or financial perspective; few evaluate the quantitative impact of municipal mergers on the environment and environmental policy implications. This study addresses these gaps.
Lactose Intolerance—Old and New Knowledge on Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Authors: Catanzaro Roberto , Sciuto Morena , Marotta Francesco 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLactose intolerance is a pathology frequently encountered today. It occurs when the activity of lactase in the intestine is reduced or absent, with consequent failure to digest lactose. The global prevalence of this clinical condition is estimated of about 57% with instrumental methods, while the real prevalence exceeds 65%. The absence of lactase determines both the excessive osmotic load in the small intestine and the fermentation of lactose by the bacterial flora with consequent production of short-chain fatty acids and gas. This latter process is responsible for the onset of symptoms associated with lactose intolerance (abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, etc.) which arise after the intake of lactose. Several studies have shown an increased risk of developing various pathologies for lactose-intolerant subjects (some types of cancer, osteoporosis, etc.). Therefore, it is essential to diagnose and properly treat this pathology. Various options exist for diagnosing lactose intolerance: Hydrogen Breath Test, genetic test, Quick Lactose Intolerant Test, Lactose Tolerance Test, Gaxilose Test. Like diagnostic methods, there are several options for treating intolerance. In addition to a food restriction, the use of exogenous enzymes and/or probiotic and the selection of milk containing specific types of beta-caseins less correlated to the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms are very useful. The aim of this review is to illustrate the main and most modern diagnostic and therapeutic choices for lactose intolerance currently available.
Green energy technology from buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.) for Brazilian agro-extractive communities
Authors: Guimarães Munique Gonçalves , Evaristo Rafael Benjamin Werneburg , de Mendonça Brasil Augusto César , Ghesti Grace Ferreira 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe present work analyzed the energy generation potential of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.) by thermochemical reactions. The experimental part of the study performed immediate analyses, elemental analyses, lignocellulosic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, calorific values, and syn gas concentrations measurements of the gasification of Buriti in a fixed-bed reactor. Additionally, numerical simulations estimated the syn gas concentrations of the gasification reactions of Buriti. The immediate analysis showed that Buriti has the highest ash content (4.66%) and highest volatile matter content (85%) compared to other Brazilian biomass analyzed, but the higher heating value was only 18.28 MJ.kg−1. The elemental analysis revealed that the oxygen to carbon ratio was 0.51 while hydrogen to carbon ratio was 1.74, indicating a good thermal conversion efficiency. The Lignocellulosic analysis of Buriti resulted in a high content of holocellulose (69.64%), a lignin content of 28.21% and extractives content of 7.52%. The thermogravimetry of the Buriti indicated that the highest mass loss (51.92%) occurred in a temperature range between 150 °C and 370 °C. Lastly, the experimental gasification study in a fixed-bed updraft gasifier resulted in syn gas concentrations of 14.4% of CO, 11.5% of CO2and 17.5% of H2while the numerical simulation results confirmed an optimal equivalence ratio of 1.7 to maximize CO and H2concentrations. Therefore, based on the results presented by the present work, the gasification process is adequate to transform Buriti wastes into energy resources.Graphic abstract
The Kv1.3 K+ channel in the immune system and its “precision pharmacology” using peptide toxins
Authors: Varga Zoltan , Tajti Gabor , Panyi Gyorgy 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSince the discovery of the Kv1.3 voltage-gated K+ channel in human T cells in 1984, ion channels are considered crucial elements of the signal transduction machinery in the immune system. Our knowledge about Kv1.3 and its inhibitors is outstanding, motivated by their potential application in autoimmune diseases mediated by Kv1.3 overexpressing effector memory T cells (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis). High affinity Kv1.3 inhibitors are either small organic molecules (e.g., Pap-1) or peptides isolated from venomous animals. To date, the highest affinity Kv1.3 inhibitors with the best Kv1.3 selectivity are the engineered analogues of the sea anemone peptide ShK (e.g., ShK-186), the engineered scorpion toxin HsTx1[R14A] and the natural scorpion toxin Vm24. These peptides inhibit Kv1.3 in picomolar concentrations and are several thousand-fold selective for Kv1.3 over other biologically critical ion channels. Despite the significant progress in the field of Kv1.3 molecular pharmacology several progressive questions remain to be elucidated and discussed here. These include the conjugation of the peptides to carriers to increase the residency time of the peptides in the circulation (e.g., PEGylation and engineering the peptides into antibodies), use of rational drug design to create novel peptide inhibitors and understanding the potential off-target effects of Kv1.3 inhibition.
Disgust and preference for familiar brands
Authors: Donato Carmela 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDisgust represents an undesired state that signals the presence of threats in the external environment, leading to a change in needs and motivations aimed at coping with the threats. The present research aims at studying the effects of disgust in a consumer setting, proposing that once disgusted consumers show an immediate avoidance for familiar (vs. unfamiliar) brands. However, this avoidant reaction is followed by an opposite response of preference for familiar (vs. unfamiliar) brands. Moreover, conversely to the immediate response of avoidance of familiar brands, the subsequent response of preference for familiar brands is even stronger in case the consumer is depleted, showing a more deliberative nature of that response. The proposed results contribute to both emotion and consumer research debates demonstrating how an externally induced emotion, as disgust, influences consumers’ brand choice over time. Moreover, the present findings offer interesting suggestions to brand managers and retailers in order to better promoting the commercialized brands.
Locke on the Motivation to Suspend Desire
Authors: Leisinger Matthew A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper takes up two questions regarding Locke’s doctrine of suspension. First, what motivates suspension? Second, what are the conditions under which we are motivated to suspend? In response to the first question, I argue that suspension is motivated by the desire to avoid the possible future evils that might result from acting precipitately upon some desire without suspending. In response to the second question, I argue against the common assumption that the desire motivating suspension must be an agent’s most pressing desire.
Agility in the workplace: Conceptual analysis, contributing factors, and practical examples
Authors: Petermann Moritz K. H. , Zacher Hannes 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOver the last few years, the concept of agility has become increasingly popular in organizations. Companies are hoping to foster speed, adaptability, and innovation by rolling out an agile strategy, implementing agile methods, and creating an agile mind-set among leaders and employees. There is, however, much ambiguity about what the concept of agility entails and how it can be successfully implemented in an organization. The purpose of this practice-focused paper is to organize the extant agility literature for readers by giving an overview of different definitions of agility; outlining evidence-based factors that contribute to agility at the individual, team, and organizational levels; and describing three practical examples at a large German car company. Finally, the authors suggest steps that organizations can take to increase agility in their workforce.
Patterns of aeolian deposition in subtropical Australia through the last glacial and deglacial periods
Authors: Lewis Richard J. , Tibby John , Arnold Lee J. , Gadd Patricia , Jacobsen Geraldine , Barr Cameron , Negus Peter M. , Mariani Michela , Penny Daniel , Chittleborough David , Moss Edward 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDebate about the nature of climate and the magnitude of ecological change across Australia during the last glacial maximum (LGM; 26.5–19 ka) persists despite considerable research into the late Pleistocene. This is partly due to a lack of detailed paleoenvironmental records and reliable chronological frameworks. Geochemical and geochronological analyses of a 60 ka sedimentary record from Brown Lake, subtropical Queensland, are presented and considered in the context of climate-controlled environmental change. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of dune crests adjacent to prominent wetlands across North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) returned a mean age of 119.9 ± 10.6 ka; indicating relative dune stability soon after formation in Marine Isotope Stage 5. Synthesis of wetland sediment geochemistry across the island was used to identify dust accumulation and applied as an aridification proxy over the last glacial-interglacial cycle. A positive trend of dust deposition from ca. 50 ka was found with highest influx occurring leading into the LGM. Complexities of comparing sedimentary records and the need for robust age models are highlighted with local variation influencing the accumulation of exogenic material. An inter-site comparison suggests enhanced moisture stress regionally during the last glaciation and throughout the LGM, returning to a more positive moisture balance ca. 8 ka.