bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biochemical conversion of Brassicacarinata biomass to organic acids
Authors: Ammar Ehab M. , Martin Jessica , Philippidis George P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe economics of the inedible oilseed crop Brassica carinata as a source of renewable fuels can be enhanced by converting its cellulosic biomass to value‐added chemicals, such as organic acids. We investigated the biochemical conversion of carinata biomass to propionic acid by first pretreating the carinata meal (CM), which is obtained after extraction of the oil from carinata seeds, with concentrated phosphoric acid to remove hemicellulose and gain access to the cellulose constituent of the meal. We then subjected the pretreated meal to enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulase enzyme to depolymerize cellulose to glucose. The overall conversion of carinata cellulose to glucose was 85%, which is promising. Finally, the recovered glucose was successfully fermented primarily to propionic acid using the bacterium Propionibacterium freudenreichii with a yield of 0.57 g of produced propionic acid per gram of consumed cellulosic glucose. The biobased propionic acid and other co‐produced organic acids can serve as renewable building blocks for manufacturing industrial chemicals and food preservatives replacing fossil‐derived organic acids. Hence, CM constitutes a renewable source of fermentable carbohydrates potentially improving the economics and sustainability of the carinata value chain.
Relationship between two pressure‐sensitive films for testing reduced occlusal force in diagnostic criteria for oral hypofunction
Authors: Horibe Yasuhiro , Matsuo Koichiro , Ikebe Kazunori , Minakuchi Shunsuke , Sato Yuji , Sakurai Kaoru , Ueda Takayuki 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo measure the occlusal force in the same group of patients with the Dental Prescale 50H type R and the Dental Prescale II, examine the association between them, and determine the reference value for Dental Prescale II that corresponds to the 50H type R 200 N reference value used to make a diagnosis of oral hypofunction.BackgroundReduced occlusal force, a measure of frailty in older persons, was previously determined with Prescale 50H type R pressure‐sensitive film, but it has been replaced by the Prescale II.Materials and methodsThe study participants were 441 men and women aged ≥ 65 (mean, 71.8 ± 5.3) years. The occlusal force was measured with the two different types of pressure‐sensitive film, and their association was examined. Receiver operating characteristic curves for the Prescale II measured values were created with the 200 N reference value used for the 50H type R film as the cut‐off value.ResultsThe analysis set included 391 participants for whom measurements were obtained using both the 50H type R and the Prescale II. Linear regression analysis produced regression equations, and a ROC curve analysis provided reference values of 500 N for the Prescale II (without pressure filter) and 350 N for the Prescale II (with pressure filter).ConclusionIn occlusal force tests for making a diagnosis of oral hypofunction, reference values for the Prescale II (without pressure filter) and for the Prescale II (with pressure filter) were determined. The findings suggested that the Prescale II can be used as a diagnostic examination for oral hypofunction.
Variants p.Pro2063Ser and p.Arg324* co‐segregate in type 3 von Willebrand disease patients from Southern Brazil
Authors: Ornaghi Ana Paula , Meireles Mariana Rost , Botton Mariana Rodrigues , Salzano Francisco Mauro , Bandinelli Eliane , Matte Ursula 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionvon Willebrand factor (VWF) is a multimeric plasma glycoprotein that plays an important role in haemostasis. von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited heterogeneous bleeding disorder caused by either a quantitative or qualitative defect of VWF. Type 3 VWD, the most severe form of the disease, leads to complete quantitative VWF deficiency.AimThe present study aims to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of type 3 VWD patients from Southern Brazil.MethodsThe VWF gene was sequenced in 26 cases clinically diagnosed with type 3 VWD by next‐generation sequencing using Ion Torrent PGM.ResultsIn 25 patients, we were able to identify both disease‐causing variants. We identified 72 different variants: 31 intronic and 41 exonic. Five novel variants were found: c.6976+5G>T; c.6885_6886insC; c.3378C>T (p.Cys1126); c.3346_3347insCCA; and c.2503G>T (p.Glu835*). Variants p.Pro2063Ser and p.Arg324* co‐segregated in 17 patients, 15 of them in homozygosity.ConclusionOur results may contribute to the discussion on whether the variant p.Pro2063Ser is pathogenic or not. Finally, the presence of a common haplotype in patients bearing these two variants suggests a founder effect for this variant in our region.
Estimating bird density using passive acoustic monitoring: a review of methods and suggestions for further research
Authors: Pérez‐Granados Cristian , Traba Juan 
Published: February 2021

Passive acoustic monitoring is a non‐invasive tool for automated wildlife monitoring. This technique has several advantages and addresses many of the biases related to traditional field surveys. However, locating animal sounds using autonomous recording units (ARUs) can be technically challenging and therefore ARUs have traditionally been little employed to estimate animal density. Nonetheless, several approaches have been proposed in recent years to carry out acoustic‐based bird density estimations. We conducted a literature review of studies that used ARUs for estimating bird densities or bird abundances in order to describe the applications and improve future monitoring programmes. We detected a growing interest in the use of ARUs for estimating bird density in the last 6 years (2014–19), with a total of 31 articles assessing the topic. The most common approach was to estimate the relationship between the number of vocalizations per recording time with bird density or bird abundance estimated in the field (61%). In 26 studies (79%), bird estimates obtained by human surveyors agreed with those obtained using ARUs. Some approaches have proven able to reduce biases in acoustic surveys, such as considering imperfect detection (spatially explicit capture–recapture, using microphone arrays), applying paired acoustic sampling to control for different sampling radius between humans and ARUs, or including relative sound level measurements that allow researchers to estimate bird distance to recorder. However, several studies did not include any covariates to reduce existing biases and some did not estimate the sampling radius of the recorder, which may hamper future comparisons between human and ARU surveys. Future studies should include a measurement of the sampling radius of the recorder employed to be able to obtain density estimations using ARUs. Finally, we provide some guidelines to improve the applicability of ARUs to infer bird population estimates in future studies.
Symptom management strategies: Rhythm vs rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation in the Balkan region: Data from the BALKAN‐AF survey
Authors: Kozieł Monika , Mihajlovic Miroslav , Nedeljkovic Milan , Pavlovic Nikola , Paparisto Vilma , Music Ljilja , Trendafilova Elina , Rodica Dan Anca , Kusljugic Zumreta , Dan Gheorghe‐Andrei , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Potpara Tatjana S. ,   the BALKAN‐AF Investigators
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundSymptom‐focused management is one of the cornerstones of optimal atrial fibrillation (AF) therapy.ObjectivesTo evaluate the use of rhythm control and rate control strategy. Second, to identify predictors of the use of amiodarone in patients with rhythm control and of the use of rhythm control strategy in patients with paroxysmal AF in the Balkans.MethodsProspective enrolment of consecutive patients from seven Balkan countries to the BALKAN‐AF survey was performed.ResultsOf 2712 enrolled patients, 2522 (93.0%) with complete data were included: 1622 (64.3%) patients were assigned to rate control strategy and 900 (35.7%) to rhythm control. Patients with rhythm control were younger, more often hospitalised for AF and with less comorbidities (all P < .05) than those with rate control. Symptom score [European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)] was not an independent predictor of a rhythm control strategy [odds ratio (OR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90‐1.10, P = .945]. The most commonly chosen antiarrhythmic agents were amiodarone (49.7%), followed by propafenone (24.3%).ConclusionMore than one‐third of patients in the BALKAN‐AF survey received a rhythm control strategy, and these patients tended to be younger with less comorbidities than those managed with rate control. EHRA symptom score is not significantly associated with rhythm control strategy. The most commonly used antiarrhythmic agents were amiodarone, followed by propafenone.
Investigating the effectiveness of simplified labels for safe use communication: The case of household detergents
Authors: Geuens Maggie , Byrne Dominic , Boeije Geert , Peeters Virginie , Vandecasteele Bert 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study assessed the effectiveness of safety communication on the back labels of hazardous products (with regulatory and safety information as dictated by regulatory requirements), with household detergents as a test case. The potential of simplification to increase label effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the currently used labelling approach with two simplified alternatives. The labels mainly differed in terms of the amount of information and the prominence of pictograms. The generalisability of theoretical insights on the effectiveness of pictograms in safety messages to a more real‐life context was tested by (a) realistic labels containing several other information elements besides the safety information and (b) target users who are knowledgeable about the product type. One thousand eight hundred (1,800) respondents participated in an online experiment and were randomly exposed to one of the labels. The positive cognitive and behavioural effects commonly attributed to pictorials could not be confirmed, but positive affective effects did emerge. Specifically, even though participants were asked to carefully read the label, they did not spend enough time to process all the content except for the most simplified label. The results did not show meaningful differences between the three labels in terms of information recall (which was poor for all executions), hazard perceptions and behavioural intentions when confronted with an accident. In contrast to this lack of differentiation in cognitive and behavioural intention effects, we did find a clear difference in the affective measure. A majority of the respondents preferred the simplified safety labels. As such, avoiding information overload, and conveying the information in an easier way by means of more prominent use of pictograms, appeared to be appreciated by consumers of household products, while it did not negatively impact label effectiveness.
Evaluation of antibacterial protein with antioxidant activity from Rahnellaaquatilis L103 and its effect on beef during refrigerated storage
Authors: Tao Huan‐yu , Hu Qin , Wu Yi , Han Peng , Liang Xiaobo 
Published: February 2021

SummaryA strain, Rahnella aquatilis L103, which was isolated from the soil around the roots of mushrooms, produced antibacterial protein though fermentation. This protein has broad antibacterial spectrum towards gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. The protein has a significant antioxidant capacity on scavenging ABTS+· (82.5%, 120 μg mL−1), DPPH· (64.1%, 600 μg mL−1) and OH· (60.1%, 750 μg mL−1) as well. The protein was considered to be safe within concentration of 150 μg mL−1 as shown by MTT results and was applied to beef refrigerated preservation. The treatment group presented lower total viable counts (TVC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), 2‐thiobarbituric acid (TBA), meanwhile, higher sensory score and longer shelf life (2 days) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that the protein under safe concentration was beneficial to beef preservation.
Stromal–immune cell crosstalk fundamentally alters the lung microenvironment following tissue insult
Authors: Worrell Julie C. , MacLeod Megan K. L. 
Published: February 2021

SummaryCommunication between stromal and immune cells is essential to maintain tissue homeostasis, mount an effective immune response and promote tissue repair. This ‘crosstalk’ occurs in both the steady state and following a variety of insults, for example, in response to local injury, at sites of infection or cancer. What do we mean by crosstalk between cells? Reciprocal activation and/or regulation occurs between immune and stromal cells, by direct cell contact and indirect mechanisms, including the release of soluble cytokines. Moving beyond cell‐to‐cell contact, this review investigates the complexity of ‘cross‐space’ cellular communication. We highlight different examples of cellular communication by a variety of lung stromal and immune cells following tissue insults. This review examines how the ‘geography of the lung microenvironment’ is altered in various disease states; more specifically, we investigate how this influences lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts via their communication with immune cells and each other.
Yield curve inversions: A study of country‐level and firm‐level stock reactions
Authors: Quinn Mitchell D. , Zhang Lei , Mi Lin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe examine the short‐term stock reactions to yield curve inversions. Our country‐level analysis reveals that including the United States, only 13 out of 41 countries exhibit significantly negative stock returns when yield curves invert. Hence, while inverted yield curves act as a negative signal in some countries, it is not a ubiquitous rule internationally. Our firm‐level analysis is the first of its kind. We find that company stocks exhibit strong responses with 3‐day cumulative abnormal returns averaging −1.22% globally and − 2.83% for US firms. The results suggest that corporate bond yield curves contain valuable information of firms' future performance.
Impact of COVID‐19 on wound care in Germany
Authors: Schlager Justin Gabriel , Kendziora Benjamin , Patzak Leilah , Kupf Sophie , Rothenberger Christoph , Fiocco Zeno , French Lars E. , Reinholz Markus , Hartmann Daniela 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecent studies showed that the COVID‐19 pandemic caused collateral damage in health care in terms of reduced hospital submissions or postponed treatment of other acute or chronic ill patients. An anonymous survey was sent out by mail to patients with chronic wounds in order to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on wound care. Sixty‐three patients returned the survey. In 14%, diagnostic workup or hospitalisation was cancelled or postponed. Thirty‐six percent could not seek consultation by their primary care physician as usual. The use of public transport or long travel time was not related to limited access to medical service (P = .583). In ambulatory care, there was neither a significant difference in the frequency of changing wound dressings (P = .67), nor in the person, who performed wound care (P = .39). There were no significant changes in wound‐specific quality of life (P = .505). No patient used telemedicine in order to avoid face‐to‐face contact or anticipate to pandemic‐related restrictions. The COVID‐19 pandemic impaired access to clinical management of chronic wounds in Germany. It had no significant impact on ambulatory care or wound‐related quality of life. Telemedicine still plays a negligible role in wound care.
Lipid emulsion therapy in women with recurrent pregnancy loss and repeated implantation failure: The role of abnormal natural killer cell activity
Authors: Canella Paula Renata Bueno Campos , Barini Ricardo , Carvalho Patrícia de Oliveira , Razolli Daniela Soares 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAltered immune and/or inflammatory response plays an important role in cases of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and repeated implantation failure (RIF). Exacerbation of the maternal immune response through increased NK cell activity and inflammatory cytokines can cause embryo rejection leading to abortion or embryo implantation failure. Immunosuppressors or immunomodulators can help or prevent this condition. Currently, lipid emulsion therapy (LET) has emerged as a treatment for RPL and RIF in women with abnormal NK cell activity, by decreasing the exacerbated immune response of the maternal uterus and providing a more receptive environment for the embryo. However, the mechanisms by which the intralipid acts to reduce NK cell activity are still unclear. In this review, we focus on the studies that conducted LET to treat patients with RPL and RIF with abnormal NK cell activity. We find that although some authors recommend LET as an effective intervention, more studies are necessary to confirm its effectiveness in restoring NK cell activity to normal levels and to comprehend the underlying mechanisms of the lipids action in ameliorating the maternal environment and improving the pregnancy rate.
Role of EIF4G1 network in non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) cell survival and disease progression
Authors: Del Valle Luis , Dai Lu , Lin Hui‐Yi , Lin Zhen , Chen Jungang , Post Steven R. , Qin Zhiqiang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAlthough the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4 Gamma 1 (EIF4G1) has been found overexpressed in a variety of cancers, its role in non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) pathogenesis especially in immunoregulatory functions, its clinical relevance and therapeutic potential remain largely unknown. By using cancer patients tissue assays, the results indicate that EIF4G1 expressional levels are much higher in NSCLC tissues than in adjacent or normal lung tissues, which are also associated with NSCLC patient survival. By using an RNA‐Sequencing based pipeline, the data show that EIF4G1 has a significant association with immune checkpoint molecules such as PD‐1/PD‐L1 in NSCLC. EIF4G1 small‐molecule inhibitors effectively repress NSCLC growth in cell culture and xenograft animal models. Protein array results identify the signature of proteins controlled by EIF4G1 in NSCLC cells, in which new candidates such as MUC1 and NRG1 are required for NSCLC survival and tumorigenesis with clinical relevance. Taken together, these results have for the first time demonstrated the immunoregulatory functions, clinical relevance and therapeutic potential of the EIF4G1 network in NSCLC, which may represent a promising and novel target to improve lung cancer treatment.
Identification of novel dysregulated circular RNAs in early‐stage breast cancer
Authors: Rao Arunagiri Kuha Deva Magendhra , Arvinden Vittal Rangan , Ramasamy Deepa , Patel Krishna , Meenakumari Balaiah , Ramanathan Priya , Sundersingh Shirley , Sridevi Velusami , Rajkumar Thangarajan , Herceg Zdenko , Gowda Harsha , Mani Samson 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBreast cancer is a major cause of cancer‐related death in women worldwide. Non‐coding RNAs are a potential resource to be used as an early diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer. Circular RNAs are a recently identified group of non‐coding RNA with a significant role in disease development with potential utility in diagnosis/prognosis in cancer. In this study, we identified 26 differentially expressed circular RNAs associated with early‐stage breast cancer. RNA sequencing and two circRNA detection tools (find_circ and DCC) were used to understand the circRNA expression signature in breast cancer. We identified hsa_circ_0006743 (circJMJD1C) and hsa_circ_0002496 (circAPPBP1) to be significantly up‐regulated in early‐stage breast cancer tissues. Co‐expression analysis identified four pairs of circRNA‐miRNA (hsa_circ_0023990 : hsa‐miR‐548b‐3p, hsa_circ_0016601 : hsa_miR‐1246, hsa_circ_0001946 : hsa‐miR‐1299 and hsa_circ_0000117:hsa‐miR‐502‐5p) having potential interaction. The miRNA target prediction and network analysis revealed mRNA possibly regulated by circRNAs. We have thus identified circRNAs of diagnostic implications in breast cancer and also observed circRNA‐miRNA interaction which could be involved in breast cancer development.
Cross‐Border Social Dumping as a ‘Game of Jurisdiction’ – Towards a Legal Geography of Labour Relations in the EU Internal Market*
Authors: Iossa Andrea , Persdotter Maria 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe question of social dumping has again climbed the EU policy agenda. In this article, we call into question some established views of social dumping that conceptualize the relationship between EU internal market and Member States in binary terms. Based on an analysis of relevant case law, and drawing on the conceptual tools provided by critical legal geography, we show that the project of EU integration relies as much on the scalar differentiation of powers as it does on the ‘upward’ shift of powers from the national‐ to the supra‐national level. We propose an understanding of EU internal market law as productive of a ‘labour law patchwork’, defined by the simultaneous fragmentation and overlap of labour law regulations across and within EU Member States. Here, we re‐conceptualize cross‐border social dumping as a ‘game of jurisdiction’ – a set of strategic moves by actors within a multi‐scalar and multi‐jurisdictional space.
Developmental differences in neural connectivity for semantic processing in youths with autism
Authors: Fan Li‐Ying , Booth James R. , Liu Min , Chou Tai‐Li , Gau Susan Shur‐Fen 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundYouths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rely more on lower‐level visual processing as revealed by greater occipital activation, yet less effectively engage higher‐level processing of modality‐independent semantic knowledge as indicated by reduced frontal activation, compared to typically developing (TD) youths. However, little is known about age‐dependent differences in neural connectivity during semantic processing in youths with ASD as compared to TD youths.MethodsFour groups were recruited: 31 ASD children (mean age = 10.5 years old), 33 TD children (mean age = 10.4), 30 ASD adolescents (mean age = 14.9), and 34 TD adolescents (mean age = 15.1). We explored their differences in neural connectivity by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with psychophysiological interaction (PPI) during semantic judgments.ResultsIn comparison with TD children, children with ASD showed greater activation in the left cuneus and weaker connectivity between the left cuneus and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). In comparison with TD adolescents, adolescents with ASD showed less activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and weaker functional connectivity between the left IFG and left MTG.ConclusionsChildren with ASD may rely more on visual processes in the occipital cortex that are disconnected from modality‐independent semantics in the temporal cortex. However, adolescents with ASD may less effectively engage frontal mechanisms involved in the top‐down control of modality‐independent semantic knowledge in the temporal cortex. Our findings provide evidence of developmental differences in the neural substrates of the alterations in semantic processing in youths with ASD compared to TD youths.