bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of sweet whey permeate utilization on Tetradesmus obliquus growth and β‐galactosidase production
Authors: Bentahar Jihed , Deschênes Jean‐Sébastien 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe practicability of culturing microalgae in mixotrophic mode using sweet whey permeate (SWP), a highly perishable by‐product stream from cheese manufacturing, is evaluated for microalgal growth and β‐galactosidase production. This study is conducted with Tetradesmus obliquus, species known for their ability to adapt to various conditions with different carbon sources. The influence of pure lactose, the primary carbon source of SWP, is first surveyed. Partial substitutions of the basal culture medium with SWP in various proportions are then conducted. Results show that substituting 60% (v/v) of the culture medium with SWP significantly enhances T. obliquus growth (up to 2.1 g L−1) and total enzyme production (up to 208.5 U L−1). Besides, a molecule expected to be a galactooligosaccharide (GOS) is detected in the presence of high SWP proportions. Overall results suggest a short‐term culture duration (around 8 days) for producing the β‐galactosidase enzyme and a long‐term culture duration (over 15 days) for biomass production. However, the use of 100% (v/v) SWP seems to be non‐profitable due to a lack of some essential nutrients.
Working cooperatively on current challenges in teacher education
Authors: Ropohl Mathias , Melle Insa , Sommer Katrin , Habig Sebastian , Holländer Monika , Strippel Christian Georg 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSowohl durch die steigende Heterogenität von Lerngruppen als auch durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung in der Bildung stellt sich die Frage, wie die Lehrerbildung im Fach Chemie auf diese Veränderungen reagieren und angehende Chemielehrkräfte optimal vorbereiten kann. Es gilt nicht nur die Curricula anzupassen, sondern auch Lehrveranstaltungen neu zu gestalten. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird derzeit ein kooperatives Lehrprojekt an den drei Standorten der Universitätsallianz Ruhr (UA Ruhr) durchgeführt. Ziel des Projekts ist die inhaltliche Neuausrichtung bestehender Module sowie die gemeinsame standortübergreifende Umsetzung dieser Module. Dazu hat jeder Standort entsprechend seiner Expertise einen Inhalt des Curriculums in Form einer inhaltlichen Einführung vorbereitet. Die Studierenden haben anschließend zu diesen Inhalten Lerngelegenheiten im Rahmen einer Projektarbeit geplant und präsentiert. Aufgrund der positiven Erfahrungen werden in diesem Beitrag sowohl die Konzeption des Lehrprojekts als auch Produkte der Studierenden und Ergebnisse aus der Studierendenbefragung berichtet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Studierenden mehrheitlich mit der Anlage der Lehrveranstaltung hoch zufrieden sind. Sie bewerten die Gestaltung der Lernumgebung besonders positiv und wünschen sich noch mehr Interaktion mit den Studierenden der kooperierenden Universitäten. Für andere Standorte kann dieses Lehrprojekt eine Anregung für mögliche Veränderungen in der Chemielehrerbildung sein.
Modified bi‐weekly cetuximab‐cisplatin and 5‐FU/leucovorin based regimen for effective treatment of recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to reduce chemotherapy exposure of patients
Authors: Meirovitz Amichay , Bergerson Shani , Hirshoren Nir , Weinberger Jeffrey M. , Bersudski Evgeniya , Daniel Sharon , Sheva Kim , Perez Cesar A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe standard chemotherapy treatment protocol for patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) requires as long as 56 days of hospitalization over six months. Where the 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) pump is available, most treatment will be on outpatient bases, however patients will still be under chemotherapy treatment for a comparable period of time (around 50 days).AimA modified protocol was assessed to decrease hospitalization and/or chemotherapy treatment time without sacrificing outcomes, to potentially increase patient quality of life.Methods and resultsA retrospective analysis (2005–2018) of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients with a modified treatment protocol was performed. Treatment consisted of cisplatin, cetuximab, 5‐fluorouracil bolus and leucovorin administered on day 1 of a 2‐week cycle, and a continuous infusion of 5‐fluorouracil on days 1–2 of the cycle. Outcomes were measured by progression‐free survival, overall survival, and patient hospitalization time. Analysis was done using the Kaplan–Meier survival function curve.The study cohort consisted of 27 patients. The modified treatment protocol resulted in a median progression‐free survival of nine months and median overall survival of 14 months, while hospitalization time was reduced by almost 80% in the first six months of treatment.ConclusionsModification of the cisplatin, cetuximab, 5‐FU and leucovorin protocol to a bi‐weekly regimen utilizing alternative drug delivery methods, significantly reduced patient hospitalization from 56 days to 12 days in the first 6 months of treatment. This was achieved without compromising treatment outcome, while significantly reducing the days patients were exposed to chemotherapy, and thus potentially improving quality of life.
Ceramic Cs2HfCl6: A Novel Scintillation Material for Use in Gamma Ray Spectroscopy
Authors: Hunsaker Aaron , Goodwin William B. , Rowe Emmanuel , Wheeler Caleb , Matei Liviu , Buliga Vladimir , Burger Arnold 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSingle crystal scintillators have become one of the most common materials used in technologies that use radiation detectors. Unfortunately, as technology demands improved detectors, research into better single crystal scintillators has nearly reached its limit. Ceramics provide many benefits over single crystal scintillators and have emerged as a promising new production process. Recent research into ceramic scintillators has mostly dealt with oxides as they are relatively easy to handle and are typically non‐hygroscopic. Among single crystal scintillators, a trend has emerged indicating that the addition of halide ions into the crystal structure improves the light yield and energy resolution of the scintillation material but also tends to make the material hygroscopic and in some cases intrinsically radioactive. Little research is devoted to the investigation of undoped halide ceramic scintillators. Transparent halide Cs2HfCl6 ceramics are developed by hot uniaxial pressing, and the scintillation properties are compared to that of its single crystal counterpart. The energy resolution of the ceramic is found to be 6.4% at 662 keV. The initial results indicate that ceramic scintillators are a viable alternative and a promising new direction in scintillator material technology.
Diagnostic and prognostic performance of CSF α‐synuclein in prion disease in the context of rapidly progressive dementia
Authors: Mastrangelo Andrea , Baiardi Simone , Zenesini Corrado , Poleggi Anna , Mammana Angela , Polischi Barbara , Ladogana Anna , Capellari Sabina , Parchi Piero 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionSurrogate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of neurodegeneration still have a central role in the first‐line screening of patients with suspected Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). Recently, CSF α‐synuclein, a marker of synaptic damage, showed a close to optimal performance in distinguishing between CJD and other neurodegenerative dementias.MethodsWe evaluated the diagnostic value of CSF α‐synuclein in patients with prion disease, non‐prion rapidly progressive dementias, and non‐neurodegenerative controls. Additionally, we studied its distribution across the different prion disease subtypes and evaluated its association with survival.ResultsCSF α‐synuclein levels were significantly higher in patients with prion disease than in the other groups but showed a lower diagnostic value than CSF total tau or 14‐3‐3. Moreover, CSF α‐synuclein was significantly associated with survival in the whole prion cohort and the most frequent clinicopathological subtypes.DiscussionIn the clinical setting, CSF α‐synuclein does not exceed the diagnostic performance of currently used surrogate markers, but it might constitute a robust prognostic indicator.
Intraspecific trait variation alters the outcome of competition in freshwater ciliates
Authors: Flöder Sabine , Yong Joanne , Klauschies Toni , Gaedke Ursula , Poprick Tobias , Brinkhoff Thorsten , Moorthi Stefanie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTrait variation among heterospecific and conspecific organisms may substantially affect community and food web dynamics. While the relevance of competition and feeding traits have been widely studied for different consumer species, studies on intraspecific differences are more scarce, partly owing to difficulties in distinguishing different clones of the same species. Here, we investigate how intraspecific trait variation affects the competition between the freshwater ciliates Euplotes octocarinatus and Coleps hirtus in a nitrogen‐limited chemostat system. The ciliates competed for the microalgae Cryptomonas sp. (Cry) and Navicula pelliculosa (Nav), and the bacteria present in the cultures over a period of 33 days. We used monoclonal Euplotes and three different Coleps clones (Col 1, Col 2, and Col 3) in the experiment that could be distinguished by a newly developed rDNA‐based molecular assay based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. While Euplotes feeds on Cry and on bacteria, the Coleps clones cannot survive on bacteria alone but feed on both Cry and Nav with clone‐specific rates. Experimental treatments comprised two‐species mixtures of Euplotes and one or all of the three different Coleps clones, respectively. We found intraspecific variation in the traits “selectivity” and “maximum ingestion rate” for the different algae to significantly affect the competitive outcome between the two ciliate species. As Nav quickly escaped top‐down control and likely reached a state of low food quality, ciliate competition was strongly determined by the preference of different Coleps clones for Cry as opposed to feeding on Nav. In addition, the ability of Euplotes to use bacteria as an alternative food source strengthened its persistence once Cry was depleted. Hence, trait variation at both trophic levels codetermined the population dynamics and the outcome of species competition.
Dynamic 2H irrigation pulse labelling reveals rapid infiltration and mixing of precipitation in the soil and species‐specific water uptake depths of trees in a temperate forest
Authors: Kahmen Ansgar , Buser Till , Hoch Günter , Grun Georges , Dietrich Lars 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the movement of water in terrestrial ecosystems and determining the soil depths from which mature trees take up water has become an important research priority. Here, we test the suitability of a dynamic 2H pulse‐labelling experiment for assessing (1) the fate of a simulated precipitation event as it moves through the ecohydrological system and (2) the water uptake depths of different tree species in a mature temperate forest. We applied 2H‐labelled water as a single pulse to the top soil using a sprinkler system and then allowed it to infiltrate into deeper soil layers by washing it through the soil column with a sequence of non‐2H‐labelled irrigation pulses. We then followed this 2H‐enriched irrigation pulse over a period of 81 days in different depths of the soil and in the xylem of four tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus petraea, Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris). Our experiment shows infiltration and mixing of the irrigation pulse in the soil occurs within a few days. Furthermore, we found that tree species differed significantly in their use of shallow (−10‐ to −30‐cm soil depth) and deep (−80‐cm soil depth) soil water. We also found immediate uptake of infiltrating mobile soil water by trees, which questions the recently established two‐water‐worlds hypothesis. Our study demonstrated that a dynamic 2H‐labelled irrigation pulse is a useful approach to (1) assess how water from a precipitation event infiltrates into a forest ecosystem and (2) assess the water uptake depths of different temperate tree species.
Sex‐specific differences in outcome and risk stratification of ventricular arrhythmias in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients
Authors: van der Lingen Anne‐Lotte C.J. , Theuns Dominic A.M.J. , Rijnierse Mischa T. , Becker Marthe A.J. , van de Ven Peter M. , van Rossum Albert C. , van Halm Vokko P. , Kemme Michiel J.B. , Yap Sing C. , Allaart Cornelis P. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimsRisk stratification models of sudden cardiac death (SCD) are based on the assumption that risk factors of SCD affect risk to a similar extent in both sexes. The aim of the study is to evaluate differences in clinical outcomes between sexes and evaluate whether risk factors associated with appropriate device therapy (ADT) differ between men and women.Methods and resultsWe performed a cohort study of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients referred for primary or secondary prevention of SCD between 2009 and 2018. Multivariable Cox regression models for prediction of ADT were constructed for men and women separately. Of 2300 included patients, 571 (25%) were women. Median follow‐up was 4.6 (inter‐quartile range: 4.4–4.9) years. Time to ADT was shorter for men compared with women [hazard ratio (HR) 1.71, P < 0.001], as was time to mortality (HR 1.37, P = 0.003). In women, only secondary prevention ICD therapy (HR 1.82, P < 0.01) was associated with ADT, whereas higher age (HR 1.20, P < 0.001), absence of left bundle branch block (HR 0.72, P = 0.01), and secondary prevention therapy (HR 1.80, P < 0.001) were independently associated with ADT in men. None of the observed parameters showed a distinctive sex‐specific pattern in ADT.ConclusionsMale ICD patients were at higher risk of ADT and death compared with female ICD patients, irrespective of an ischaemic or non‐ischaemic underlying cardiomyopathy. Our study highlights the importance to stratify outcomes of ICD trials by sex, as study results differ between men and women. However, none of the available clinical parameters showed a clear sex‐specific relation to ventricular arrhythmias. As a consequence, sex‐specific risk stratification models of SCD using commonly available clinical parameters could not be derived.
Role of 3D echocardiography‐determined atrial volumes in distinguishing between pre‐capillary and post‐capillary pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Jenei Csaba , Kádár Rebeka , Balogh László , Borbély Attila , Győry Ferenc , Péter Andrea , Daragó Andrea , Csanádi Zoltán 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimsThe current guidelines on pulmonary hypertension (PH) recommend the use of invasive examination for differentiating between left‐sided heart disease‐related (post‐capillary) and pre‐capillary PH. However, atrial sizes are considered markers of ventricular filling pressures. Therefore, we aimed to test the clinical applicability of atrial volumes measured by transthoracic three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) in differentiating between pre‐capillary and post‐capillary PH.Methods and resultsSeventy‐five consecutive patients with PH were prospectively examined with transthoracic 3DE. After less than 24 h, the patients underwent right heart catheterization and 3DE and were classified as pre‐capillary or post‐capillary PH according to the recommendations of the ESC guidelines. The atrial volumes were measured offline with dedicated commercial software. Thirty‐eight patients (13 men, age 65 ± 18 year) had pre‐capillary PH, and 37 (23 men, age 62 ± year) had post‐capillary PH. The mean pulmonary artery pressures were similar in patients with pre‐capillary and post‐capillary PH (38 [IQR 26, 54] mmHg vs. 41 [IQR 33, 48] mmHg, respectively, P = 0.49). The left atrial indexed maximum (LAVi max) and minimum (LAVi min) volumes were significantly larger in the post‐capillary PH patient group than in the pre‐capillary PH patient group (LAVi max: 64 ± 32 mL/m2 vs. 41 ± 25 mL/m2, P = 0.001; LAVi min: 50 ± 22 mL/m2 vs. 26 ± 24 mL/m2, P < 0.0001). The indexed right atrial minimum volume (RAVi min) was also higher in patients with post‐capillary PH (51 ± 27 mL/m2 vs. 38 ± 26 mL/m2; P = 0.02). Both the left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) volumes, especially the LA minimum volume, correlated with the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) (r = 0.62 (P < 0.0001) for LAV min vs. r = 0.49 (P < 0.0001) for LAV max; r = 0.32 (P = 0.005) for RAV min vs. r = 0.24 (P = 0.04) for RAV max). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAVi min was an independent predictor of post‐capillary PH. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of parameters predicting the post‐capillary PH, the areas under the curve (AUC) for LAVi min, LAVi max, and RAVi min were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.76–0.95), 0.78 (95% CI, 0.67–0.89), and 0.66 (0.53–0.78), respectively. Concerning the performance of the atrial volume ratio for differentiating post‐capillary PH, the AUC of the atrial volume ratio was significantly lower [AUC: 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53–0.78)]. The ROC analysis indicated a possible cutoff value of 27.7 mL/m2 for LAVi min to predict post‐capillary PH (AUC = 0.86; sensitivity = 86%, specificity = 76%).ConclusionsThe BSA‐indexed left atrial minimum volume measured by transthoracic 3DE is a useful parameter for differentiating pre‐capillary from post‐capillary pulmonary hypertension.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy in Iraq: initial registry‐based data and 6 month outcomes
Authors: Farhan Hasan Ali , Yaseen Israa Fadhil 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, echocardiographic measurements, medical treatment, pregnancy outcomes, and the 6 month follow‐up outcomes among patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in Iraq.Methods and resultsData were collected prospectively at cardio‐maternal clinic in Baghdad Heart Center, using case report form for the EORP‐PPCM registry from January 2015 to November 2020. Six month follow‐up was performed either by attendance of patients or by phone contact. A total of 64 PPCM patients were enrolled with a mean age of 32.1 ± 6.8 years. Diagnosis in 35 (54.7%) women was made in the post‐partum period. There was a history of previous PPCM in 9 (14%), coexisting hypertension with the current pregnancy in 30 (51.7%), cholelithiasis in 5 (7.8%), and cancer in 3 (4.7%). Baseline mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 34.7 ± 8.1%, significantly higher than that reported globally (31 ± 10%) (P‐value 0.011), and 26 (40.6%) of our patients had LVEF of ≤34%. Baseline mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) for 26 (40.6%) patients was −9.4 ± 4.1%. Baseline mean left ventricular end‐diastolic and end‐systolic dimensions were 61.2 ± 8.5 and 50.6 ± 10.2 mm, respectively. At 6 month follow‐up, 11 (36.7%) women recovered their LVEF, lower than global data (46%) but higher than that in the Middle East (25%) with P‐value 0.241 and 0.919, respectively. The mean LVEF was 44.5 ± 11.9%, and the mean GLS for 15 (23.4%) of patients was −13.4 ± 5.3%, including 5 (33.3%) with the range of −18.6% to −17%. Bromocriptine was the least used drug in 4 (8.2%) vs. globally reported (15%) (P‐value 0.188). Thrombo‐embolic events and maternal death were reported in 2 (4.1%) and 3 (4.7%) cases, respectively, within 6 months.ConclusionsAround half of our PPCM patients were diagnosed at post‐partum period with impaired initial LVEF and GLS, and one‐third had early LVEF recovery at 6 month follow‐up, higher than that in the Middle East but lower than the globally reported figure in the EORP‐PPCM registry. Limited use of bromocriptine might explain the later finding. The co‐morbid diseases in our setting were hypertension and cholelithiasis. Interestingly, the comparable ratios of neonatal and maternal mortalities in our study to that of the EORP‐PPCM registry were found less than the Middle East figures. Bromocriptine needs to be considered in Middle East countries, including Iraq, which may be the key to improving LVEF recovery and perhaps reducing maternal mortality.
Cardiac, renal, and metabolic effects of sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors: a position paper from the European Society of Cardiology ad‐hoc task force on sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors
Authors: Herrington William G. , Savarese Gianluigi , Haynes Richard , Marx Nikolaus , Mellbin Linda , Lund Lars H. , Dendale Paul , Seferovic Petar , Rosano Giuseppe , Staplin Natalie , Baigent Colin , Cosentino Francesco 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn 2015, the first large‐scale placebo‐controlled trial designed to assess cardiovascular safety of glucose‐lowering with sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition in type 2 diabetes mellitus raised hypotheses that the class could favourably modify not only risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but also hospitalization for heart failure, and the development or worsening of nephropathy. By the start of 2021, results from 10 large SGLT2 inhibitor placebo‐controlled clinical outcome trials randomizing ∼71 000 individuals have confirmed that SGLT2 inhibitors can provide clinical benefits for each of these types of outcome in a range of different populations. The cardiovascular and renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors appear to be larger than their comparatively modest effect on glycaemic control or glycosuria alone would predict, with three trials recently reporting that clinical benefits extend to individuals without diabetes mellitus who are at risk due to established heart failure, or albuminuric chronic kidney disease. This European Society of Cardiology position paper summarizes reported results from these 10 large clinical outcome trials considering separately each of the different types of cardiorenal benefit, summarizes key molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms, and provides a synopsis of metabolic effects and safety. We also describe ongoing placebo‐controlled trials among individuals with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and among individuals with chronic kidney disease.
Single Molecule Magnet Features in the Butterfly [CoIII2LnIII2] Pivalate Family with Alcohol‐Amine Ligands
Authors: Funes Alejandro V. , Perfetti Mauro , Kern Michal , Rußegger Nadine , Carrella Luca , Rentschler Eva , van Slageren Joris , Alborés Pablo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe are reporting the synthesis and structural characterization of a new family of butterfly complexes with formula [Co2IIILn2III−(μ3−(OR))2] where −OR is an alcohol‐amine type ligand, in this case N‐methyldiethanolamine (H2mdea) with Ln=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb. This new family adds to the previously reported one, where the alcohol‐amine ligand is triethanolamine (H3tea), and allows a one‐to‐one comparison between them. From a combined experimental study, that included DC and AC magnetometry as well as HF‐EPR measurements, and a theoretical approach based on Broken‐Symmetry DFT and CASSCF‐SA‐SOC ab‐initio computations, we discuss the single molecule magnet (SMM) performance in these complexes. We focus in a few key structural parameters that correlate with the magnetization relaxation behaviour observed along the different explored lanthanide ions.