bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of the pretreatment methods on mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion of fruit, food and vegetable waste
Authors: Chaurasia Amit Kumar , Siwach Puneet , Mondal Prasenjit 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
ABSTRACT

Pretreatment of the fruit, food and vegetable waste materials could enhance the biogas generation in a shorter time along with waste reduction. The aim of the present work was to assess the effectiveness of alkaline, hydrothermal, thermal and ultrasonication pretreatment of fruit, food, and vegetable waste with cow dung for the mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion. The mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion of fruit food and vegetable waste as single substrate with cow dung were performed in a laboratory scale 1L batch digester for 30 days at 40 ± 2 oC temperature. Obtained result show that pretreatment process has enhanced the biogas and biomethane production by 35 % and 44.4 % with 19.89 % TS and 17.30 % VS removal in case of ultrasonication pretreatment (100.45 ml biogas/gVS and 27.92 ml CH4/gVS,), while slight increase is found with thermal and hydrothermal pretreatment as compared to untreated FFVW. The biogas production is enhanced by 35%, 20.4%, 5%, 6% and biomethane production are enhanced by 44.4%, 22%, 11%, 9.8% in the case of ultrasonication, alkaline, thermal and hydrothermal pretreatment process, respectively. The stable mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion operation was achieved and impacts of the different pretreatment methods on the biogas yield and net energy recovery along with viability of anaerobic co-digestion have been explored.
Arching Effect and Displacement on Theoretical Estimation for Lateral Force Acting on Retaining Wall
Authors: Jiang Jun-feng , Zhao Qi-hua , Zhu Shuairun , Peng Sheqin , Wu Yonghong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A new approach is proposed to evaluate the non-limit active earth pressure in cohesive-frictional based on the horizontal slices method and limit equilibrium method. This approach takes into account the arching effect, displacement, average shear stress of the soil slice, rupture angle and tension cracks. The accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the experimental results and other theoretical methods. The comparison results show that the proposed approach is suitable for calculating the non-limit active earth pressure in cohesive-frictional soil and cohesionless soil. Additionally, the empirical formulations of the mobilized internal friction angle and soil-wall interface friction angle usually used to cohesionless soil are still applied to cohesive-frictional soil through comparison calculated results of other theoretical methods and finite element method. Some valid formulations of the rupture angle and tension cracks were derived considering the cohesion, wall height, and unit weight.
CHI3L1 Inhibits Expression of NIS by Activating MEK/ERK1/2 Signal Pathway in Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Li Yunjie , Hu Fengqiong , Wu Yifan , Deng Jie , Huang Xin , Zhou Chunyan , Wu Mengxue , Duan dong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose To study the differentially expressed protein between thyroid cancer and radioactive iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC), which presents highly aggressive and unfavorable prognosis. Meanwhile, to search for a potential radiotherapeutic target for patients suffer from RR-DTC. Methods Totally 6 metastatic lymph nodes of RR-DTC and DTC were collected during lymph node dissection for proteomics studies. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to verify the expression of Chitinase-3-like 1 (CHI3L1) in RR-DTC and DTC tissues. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of sodium-iodine symporter (NIS), MEK, and ERK1/2 in CHI3L1 over-expression stable transfectants, control stable transfectants, and PTC-K1 cells. Results CHI3L1 was demonstrated to be significantly up-regulated in RR-DTC by immunohistochemical staining. Besides, CHI3L1 over expression would inhibit expression of sodium-iodine symporter, a key protein for iodine accumulation, by activating MEK/ERK1/2 signal pathway. Conclusion CHI3L1 might be a potential molecular target for RR-DTC due to its over expression in RR-DTC and membrane location.
Why do people continue to live near polluted sites? Empirical evidence from Southwestern Europe
Authors: Levasseur Pierre , Erdlenbruch Katrin , Gramaglia Christelle 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Poverty is a major determinant for pollution exposure, according to the US location choice literature. In this paper, we assess the impact of socio-economic status on location choices in the European context. Our analysis relies on an original dataset of 1194 households living in polluted and non-polluted areas in three European countries: Spain, Portugal and France. We use instrumental variables strategies to identify the socioeconomic causes of location choices. We show that low education, wealth and income are main reasons for living in polluted areas. We provide several robustness checks testing for the exogeneity of selected instruments. We observe that unobserved heterogeneity tends to understate the impact of socioeconomic status on residence location. Interestingly, we highlight that an important proportion of intermediate social groups (especially young couples) are living in polluted areas, probably because of place attachment and affordable housing facilities. Similarly, we show that middle-income households have lower move-out intentions than other income groups. These latter results contrast the linear vision of environmental inequalities found in the US.
Discounted-cost Linear Quadratic Regulation of Switched Linear Systems
Authors: Ruicheng Ma , Xiang Aoxue 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we will investigate the design of discounted-cost linear quadratic regulator for switched linear systems. The distinguishing feature of the proposed method is that the designed discounted-cost linear quadratic regulator will achieve not only the desired optimization index, but also the exponentially convergent of the state trajectory of the closed-loop switched linear systems. First, we adopt the embedding transformation to transform the studied problem into a quadratic-programming problem. Then, the bang-bang-type solution of the embedded optimal control problem on a finite time horizon is the optimal solution to the original problems. The bang-bang-type solutions of the embedded optimal control problem is to be shown the optimization solution of the studied problem. Then, the computable sufficient conditions on discounted-cost linear quadratic regulator are proposed for finite-time and infinite-time horizon case, respectively. Finally, an example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Long term exposure of marine mussels to paracetamol: is time a healer or a killer?
Authors: Koagouw Wulan , Stewart Nicolas A. , Ciocan Corina 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Pharmaceuticals pose a major threat to the marine environment and several studies have recently described their negative effects on marine organisms. Pharmaceutical compounds are constantly being released into aquatic ecosystems and chronic exposure, even at low concentrations, may have impact on marine organisms. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the biological changes induced by one of the most widely used pharmaceuticals – paracetamol – in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis, after a long-term exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations. We present our data alongside and in comparison with results from a previous short-term exposure, to demonstrate the significance of exposure period on the effects of paracetamol in adult blue mussels. After 24 days of laboratory exposure, seven potential target genes were selected to examine toxicological effects in mussels’ gonads and possible disruptive effects on reproductive processes. The results show the modulation of some important reproduction-related genes: estrogen receptor-2 (ER2), vitelline envelope zona pellucida domain-9 (V9) and vitellogenin (VTG). Variations in mRNA expression of four other genes involved in apoptosis (HSP70, CASP8, BCL2 and FAS) are also highlighted. Histopathological alterations caused by paracetamol, together with neutral red retention time response in mussels’ hemocytes, are presented herein. Overall, this study highlights the exacerbated effects of low concentration of paracetamol after chronic exposure, similar to the damage induced by higher concentrations in a short exposure scenario, thus emphasizing the importance of length of exposure period when studying the effects of this substance. Additionally, this study also discusses the potential of paracetamol to inflict several major changes on the reproductive system of mussels and thus possibly affect the survival of populations.
Comparison of Trifecta Outcome Among Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy in Patients With Small Renal Masses: 10-Year Experience in Ramathibodi Hospital
Authors: Soisrithong Chaichant , Viseshsindh Wit , Kongchareonsombat Wisoot , Leenanupunth Charoen , Kochakarn Wachira , Sirisreetreerux Pokket , Sangkum Premsant , Kijvikai Kittinut , Jenjitranant Pocharapong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To compare the trifecta outcome and perioperative and postoperative outcomes among open partial nephrectomy (OPN), laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), and robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in patients with small renal masses in Ramathibodi Hospital.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 141 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy from January 2009 to December 2018. The baseline characteristics and preoperative outcomes were compared among the three surgical approaches. Results: Among the 141 patients, 42 (29.79%), 29 (20.57%), and 70 (49.64%) patients underwent OPN, LPN, and RAPN, respectively. Among 116 patients with available data, 71 achieved the trifecta outcome [18 (56.25%), 14 (56.00%), and 39 (73.58%) in the OPN, LPN, and RAPN group, respectively; p=0.276]. The rate of conversion to OPN was higher in the LPN than RAPN group. The number of patients who received intraoperative packed red cells was lowest in the RAPN group. The estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the LPN group than OPN and RAPN groups (p=0.041). The operative time was shorter in the OPN group than LPN and RAPN groups (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the intraoperative complication rate was a predictive factor for trifecta outcome achievement.Conclusion: OPN had the shortest operative time. LPN had the highest rate of conversion to OPN and lowest estimated blood loss. The number of patients who received intraoperative packed red cells was lowest in the RAPN group. However, achievement of the trifecta outcome was not significantly different among the three groups. The predictive factor for trifecta outcome achievement was the intraoperative complication rate.
Hs-CRP to albumin ratio predicts mortality of acute myocardial infarction patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing coronary angiography
Authors: Zuo Bo , Li Jiayu , Chen Hui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

The diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still a challenging problem. The high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to albumin ratio (HCAR) was proved to be a sensitive biomarker in predicting the prognosis of many diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of HCAR in postoperative 2-year mortality of AMI patients with CKD undergoing coronary angiography(CAG).
Methods

A total of 11933 patients underging CAG were collected in this retrospective study. Finally, 466 AMI patients with CKD undergoing CAG were enrolled. HCAR was calculated by dividing hs-CRP by albumin obtained from blood biochemical examination. Patients were divided into two groups according to the HCAR cutoff value in predicting 2-year mortality by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at a 2-year follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the survival of patients.
Results

A significant correlation was found between HCAR and NT-proBNP, LVEF, CK-MB, TnI and eGFR (P < 0.05). A cut-off value of 0.24 of HCAR predicted 2-year mortality, with a sensitivity of 66.18% and specificity of 52.21% (ROC area under the curve: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.53–0.68, P < 0.001). A higher HCAR was significantly associated with a higher 2-year mortality rate (45/236 (19%) vs. 23/230 (10%), P = 0.006). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the group with a higher HCAR had a worse prognosis (log-rank P < 0.001). HCAR was an independent risk factor for 2-year mortality (OR: 1.779, 95% CI: 1.017–3.112, P = 0.043).
Conclusion

HCAR might be a potential prognostic indicator of AMI patients with CKD undergoing CAG.
Endometrial Factors Causing Subfertility in Cows
Authors: Matsuyama Shuichi , Nakamura Sho , Minabe Shiori , Sakatani Miki , Takenouchi Naoki , Sasaki Takuya , Iwata Hisataka , Kimura Koji 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
An inadequate uterine environment is believed to promote embryonic mortality and to result in reproductive failure. We conducted global endometrial gene expression analyses in fertile and subfertile cows to investigate the cause of reproductive failure. The gene expression pattern differed between fertile and subfertile cows; subfertile cows showed a greater number of highly expressed genes than the fertile cows. In particular, the genes encoding ribosomal proteins and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation were found among the more highly expressed genes in subfertile cows. The mitochondrial DNA copy number was significantly higher in the endometrium of subfertile cows, whereas the ATP content did not differ between fertile and subfertile cows. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the expression of BCL2L13 was significantly lower in subfertile cows than that in fertile cows. These results suggest that cellular senescence occurs in the endometrium and causes poor-quality mitochondria to accumulate there by reducing mitophagy in subfertile cows. Administration of resveratrol into the uteri of subfertile cows partially increased endometrial BCL2L13 mRNA levels, decreased mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, and allowed for conception following embryo transfer. Collectively, these results suggest that decreased mitophagy in the endometrium of subfertile cows may contribute to infertility.
DNA&nbsp;Methylation Signatures Associated With Prognosis of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Dai Jin , Nishi Akihiro , Li Zhe-Xuan , Zhang Yang , Zhou Tong , You Wei-Cheng , Li Wen-Qing , Pan Kai-Feng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Few studies have examined prognostic outcomes-associated molecular signatures other than overall survival (OS) for gastric cancer (GC). We aimed to identify DNA methylation biomarkers associated with multiple prognostic outcomes of GC in an epigenome-wide association study.Methods: Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), DNA methylation loci associated with OS (n=381), disease-specific survival (DSS, n=372), and progression-free interval (PFI, n=383) were discovered in training set subjects (false discovery rates < 0.05) randomly selected for each prognostic outcome and were then validated in remaining subjects (P-values < 0.05). Key CpGs simultaneously validated for OS, DSS, and PFI were further assessed for disease-free interval (DFI, n=247). Gene set enrichment analyses were conducted to explore the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways simultaneously enriched for multiple GC prognostic outcomes. Methylation correlated blocks (MCBs) were identified for co-methylation patterns associated with GC prognosis. Based on key CpGs, risk score models were established to predict four prognostic outcomes. Spearman correlation analyses were performed between key CpG sites and their host gene mRNA expression.Results: We newly identified DNA methylation of seven CpGs significantly associated with OS, DSS, and PFI of GC, including cg10399824 (GRK5), cg05275153 (RGS12), cg24406668 (MMP9), cg14719951(DSC3), and cg25117092 (MED12L), and two in intergenic regions (cg11348188 and cg11671115). Except cg10399824 and cg24406668, five of them were also significantly associated with DFI of GC. Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway was suggested to play a key role in the effect of DNA methylation on GC prognosis. Consistent with individual CpG-level association, three MCBs involving cg11671115, cg14719951, and cg24406668 were significantly associated with multiple prognostic outcomes of GC. Integrating key CpG loci, two risk score models performed well in predicting GC prognosis. Gene body DNA methylation of cg14719951, cg10399824, and cg25117092 was associated with their host gene expression, whereas no significant associations between their host gene expression and four clinical prognostic outcomes of GC were observed. Conclusions: We newly identified seven CpGs associated with OS, DSS, and PFI of GC, with five of them also associated with DFI, which might inform patient stratification in clinical practices.
Persistence and Adherence to Biologic Therapies in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Nieto-González Juan Carlos , Trives Laura , Melgarejo-Ortuño Alejandra , Ais Aranzazu , Serrano-Benavente Belen , Sanjurjo María , Álvaro-Gracia José María , Monteagudo-Sáez Indalecio 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundJuvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that often requires the use of biological therapies to control disease activity. Persistence and adherence to treatment are important aspects on which we have scarce information.MethodsWe performed a longitudinal, retrospective, and observational study based on daily clinical management of JIA patients. We calculated the clinical remission status at 6 and 12 months. Persistence of biological therapy was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves and adherence by the Medication Possession Ratio (MPR).ResultsWe included 68 patients who received biological therapy. Of these, 11 (16.2%) and 5 (7.4%) required a second and third biological, respectively. Persistence rate of biological therapies at 5 years was 64%, with no differences between the first and second biological line. Adherence was high the first year of treatment (MPR80: 96.3%) as well as the second and third years (MPR80: 85.2% and 91.8% respectively).ConclusionsPersistence and adherence to biological therapies were remarkably high in our JIA cohort. Adherence to biological treatments could be related to a higher probability of accomplishing Wallace remission criteria at 6 months, but it was not confirmed at 12 months.
Enhanced Mutualistic Symbiosis Between Soil Phages and Bacteria With Elevated Chromium-induced Environmental Stress
Authors: Huang Dan , Yu Pingfeng , Ye Mao , Schwarz Cory , Jiang Xin , Alvarez Pedro J.J. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Microbe-virus interactions have broad implications on the composition, function, and evolution of microbiomes. Elucidating effects of environmental stresses on these interactions is critical to identify the ecological function of viral communities and understand microbiome environmental adaptation. Heavy metal-contaminated soils represent a relevant ecosystem to study the interplay between microbes, viruses and environmental stressors.Results: Metagenomic analysis revealed that Cr pollution adversely altered the abundance, diversity and composition of viral and bacterial communities. Host-phage linkage based on CRISPR indicated that, in soils with high Cr contamination, the abundance of phages associated with heavy metal tolerant hosts increased, as did the relative abundance of phages with broad host ranges (identified as host-phage linkages across genera), which would facilitate transfection and broader distribution of resistance genes in the bacterial community. Examining variations along the pollutant gradient, phage-bacteria interactions shifted to a more protective mutualistic relationship in the face of greater environmental stresses. Specifically, the fractions of lysogens in bacterial communities (identified by integrase genes within bacterial genomes and prophage induction assay by mitomycin-C) were positively correlated with Cr contamination levels. Furthermore, viral genomic analysis demonstrated that lysogenic phages under higher Cr-induced stresses carried more auxiliary metabolic genes regulating microbial heavy metal detoxification.Conclusion: With the intensification of Cr-induced environmental stresses, the composition, replication strategy, and ecological function of the phage community all evolve alongside the bacterial community to adapt to extreme habitats. This results in a transformation of the phage-bacteria interaction from parasitism to protective mutualism in extreme environments, and underscores the influential role of phages in bacterial adaptation to pollution-related stress and in related biogeochemical processes.
Acute Adverse Effects of Metallic Nanomaterials on Cardiac and Behavioral Changes in Daphnia Magna
Authors: Park Jihoon , Park Chang Gyun , Sung Baeckkyoung , Lee Yong Oh , Ryu Chang Seon , Park Ja Young , Kim Young Jun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Nanomaterials are widely believed to induce toxic effects on organisms by evoking oxidative stress. In this study, we evaluated the toxic effects of nanomaterials on cardiac and behavioral changes in Daphnia magna under varying exposure conditions. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) were selected for the acute toxicity tests. The adverse effects of the substances on the neonates including heart rate, swimming speed, and oxidative stress, were measured. The heart rate level decreased as the concentration of NPs and silver ions (Ag+) increased. The average swimming speed was measured to be approximately 15 mm/min for the control group. The swimming speed generally increased for longer exposure to both NPs, although it reached a plateau at the lowest concentration of AgNPs. A similar but less clear trend was observed for Ag+. For all substances, the overall swimming speed exhibited no correlation or weak negative correlations with the exposure concentration. The oxidative stress levels increased after exposure compared to the control group. We conclude that aquatic nanotoxicity tests should consider multilevel physicochemical, physiological, and behavioral parameters for the official guidelines to quantify more robust adverse outcomes.