bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolomics and health: from nutritional crops and plant-based pharmaceuticals to profiling of human biofluids
Authors: Marchev Andrey S. , Vasileva Liliya V. , Amirova Kristiana M. , Savova Martina S. , Balcheva-Sivenova Zhivka P. , Georgiev Milen I. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDuring the past decade metabolomics has emerged as one of the fastest developing branches of “-omics” technologies. Metabolomics involves documentation, identification, and quantification of metabolites through modern analytical platforms in various biological systems. Advanced analytical tools, such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC/MS), and non-destructive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, have facilitated metabolite profiling of complex biological matrices. Metabolomics, along with transcriptomics, has an influential role in discovering connections between genetic regulation, metabolite phenotyping and biomarkers identification. Comprehensive metabolite profiling allows integration of the summarized data towards manipulation of biosynthetic pathways, determination of nutritional quality markers, improvement in crop yield, selection of desired metabolites/genes, and their heritability in modern breeding. Along with that, metabolomics is invaluable in predicting the biological activity of medicinal plants, assisting the bioactivity-guided fractionation process and bioactive leads discovery, as well as serving as a tool for quality control and authentication of commercial plant-derived natural products. Metabolomic analysis of human biofluids is implemented in clinical practice to discriminate between physiological and pathological state in humans, to aid early disease biomarker discovery and predict individual response to drug therapy. Thus, metabolomics could be utilized to preserve human health by improving the nutritional quality of crops and accelerating plant-derived bioactive leads discovery through disease diagnostics, or through increasing the therapeutic efficacy of drugs via more personalized approach. Here, we attempt to explore the potential value of metabolite profiling comprising the above-mentioned applications of metabolomics in crop improvement, medicinal plants utilization, and, in the prognosis, diagnosis and management of complex diseases.
Altered metabolic pathways elucidated via untargeted in vivo toxicometabolomics in rat urine and plasma samples collected after controlled application of a human equivalent amphetamine dose
Authors: Hemmer Selina , Wagmann Lea , Meyer Markus R. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAmphetamine is widely consumed as drug of abuse due to its stimulating and cognitive enhancing effects. Since amphetamine has been on the market for quite a long time and it is one of the most commonly used stimulants worldwide, to date there is still limited information on its effects on the metabolome. In recent years, untargeted toxicometabolomics have been increasingly used to study toxicity-related pathways of such drugs of abuse to find and identify important endogenous and exogenous biomarkers. In this study, the acute effects of amphetamine intake on plasma and urinary metabolome in rats were investigated. For this purpose, samples of male Wistar rats after a single dose of amphetamine (5 mg/kg) were compared to a control group using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Analysis was performed using normal and reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry using positive and negative ionization mode. Statistical evaluation was performed using Welch’s two-sample t test, hierarchical clustering, as well as principal component analysis. The results of this study demonstrate a downregulation of amino acids in plasma samples after amphetamine exposure. Furthermore, four new potential biomarkers N-acetylamphetamine, N-acetyl-4-hydroxyamphetamine, N-acetyl-4-hydroxyamphetamine glucuronide, and amphetamine succinate were identified in urine. The present study complements previous data and shows that several studies are necessary to elucidate altered metabolic pathways associated with acute amphetamine exposure.
The newly synthesized thiazole derivatives as potential antifungal compounds against Candida albicans
Authors: Biernasiuk Anna , Berecka-Rycerz Anna , Gumieniczek Anna , Malm Maria , Łączkowski Krzysztof Z. , Szymańska Jolanta , Malm Anna 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Recently, the occurrence of candidiasis has increased dramatically, especially in immunocompromised patients. Additionally, their treatment is often ineffective due to the resistance of yeasts to antimycotics. Therefore, there is a need to search for new antifungals. A series of nine newly synthesized thiazole derivatives containing the cyclopropane system, showing promising activity against Candida spp., has been further investigated. We decided to verify their antifungal activity towards clinical Candida albicans isolated from the oral cavity of patients with hematological malignancies and investigate the mode of action on fungal cell, the effect of combination with the selected antimycotics, toxicity to erythrocytes, and lipophilicity. These studies were performed by the broth microdilution method, test with sorbitol and ergosterol, checkerboard technique, erythrocyte lysis assay, and reversed phase thin-layer chromatography, respectively. All derivatives showed very strong activity (similar and even higher than nystatin) against all C. albicans isolates with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 0.008–7.81 µg/mL Their mechanism of action may be related to action within the fungal cell wall structure and/or within the cell membrane. The interactions between the derivatives and the selected antimycotics (nystatin, chlorhexidine, and thymol) showed additive effect only in the case of combination some of them and thymol. The erythrocyte lysis assay confirmed the low cytotoxicity of these compounds as compared to nystatin. The high lipophilicity of the derivatives was related with their high antifungal activity. The present studies confirm that the studied thiazole derivatives containing the cyclopropane system appear to be a very promising group of compounds in treatment of infections caused by C. albicans. However, this requires further studies in vivo.

Key points
• The newly thiazoles showed high antifungal activity and some of them — additive effect in combination with thymol.
• Their mode of action may be related with the influence on the structure of the fungal cell wall and/or the cell membrane.
• The low cytotoxicity against erythrocytes and high lipophilicity of these derivatives are their additional good properties.

Graphical abstract
Repeat Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of T1 Renal Cell Carcinomas is Safe in Patients with Von Hippel–Lindau Disease
Authors: Wessendorf Joel , König Alexander , Heers Hendrik , Mahnken Andreas H. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Patients with Von Hippel-Lindau disease often develop multifocal, metachronous renal cell carcinomas which require therapy. The purpose of this retrospective single-center study is to evaluate the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of renal cell carcinomas in patients with Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Materials and Methods
9 patients (4 male, 5 female, 47.9 ± 10.7 y/o) with Von Hippel-Lindau disease underwent 18 CT-guided percutaneous RFA procedures for the treatment 21 renal cell carcinomas (largest diameter: 32.9 ± 8.6 mm, cT1a: 16, cT1b: 5). Seven patients were previously treated either by partial or radical nephrectomy. Technical success, effectiveness, safety, progression-free survival, overall survival and tumor characteristics were analyzed.

Results
All RFA procedures were technically successful without major complications. There were 5 minor complications. No residual or recurrent tumor was seen in the ablation zone during a follow-up of 34.0 ± 18.1 months (0–58 months). No patient required dialysis during follow-up. One patient died after 63 months after the first treatment due to complications from a cerebellar hemangioblastoma. No endpoint was reached for overall or progression-free survival.

Conclusions
The results from this limited case series suggest that RFA of RCCs in patients with VHL is a safe and effective therapy, which can preserve sufficient renal function even after renal surgery.
Ultrasonic velocity profiler applied to explore viscosity–pressure fields and their coupling in inelastic shear-thinning vortex streets
Authors: Tiwari Neetu , Murai Yuichi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
A method for simultaneous estimation of viscosity and pressure fields in inelastic shear-thinning fluids is developed by means of ultrasound velocity profiling technique (UVP). In the method, equation of continuity, rheological model and pressure Poisson equation are incorporated as data processing sequences for measured velocity distributions. The proposed method is applied to study the vortex street structure formed behind a circular cylinder, which shows viscosity–pressure coupling due to shear-thinning property of fluid. For demonstration, aqueous solution of CMC (carboxy methyl cellulose) of weight concentration of 0.1% is chosen as the working fluid with shear-thinning property. An alternating staggered pattern of low-pressure spots is successfully reconstructed for zero-shear-based Reynolds number, Re = 50–300. We have found that increasing Re resulted in decrease in vortex shedding Strouhal number because of vortex sustainability supported by shear-thinning property.

Graphical abstract
Progressive brachial plexus enlargement in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis
Authors: Salvalaggio Alessandro , Coraci Daniele , Obici Laura , Cacciavillani Mario , Luigetti Marco , Mazzeo Anna , Pastorelli Francesca , Grandis Marina , Cavallaro Tiziana , Bisogni Giulia , Lozza Alessandro , Gemelli Chiara , Gentile Luca , Russo Massimo , Ermani Mario , Fabrizi Gian Maria , Plasmati Rosaria , De Napoli Federica , Campagnolo Marta , Castellani Francesca , Salvi Fabrizio , Fenu Silvia , Devigili Grazia , Pareyson Davide , Gasparotti Roberto , Rapezzi Claudio , Martinoli Carlo , Padua Luca , Briani Chiara 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAxonal polyneuropathy is the main feature of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv). Nerve morphological abnormalities have been reported, but longitudinal changes have never been assessed. We performed a prospective widespread nerve ultrasound evaluation and nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) was compared with baseline data in both ATTRv patients and pre-symptomatic carriers. Thirty-eight subjects were evaluated (mean follow-up 17.1 months), among them 21 had polyneuropathy while 17 were pre-symptomatic carriers. CSA significantly increased at brachial plexus in both groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.012) pointing to progressive brachial plexus enlargement as a longitudinal biomarker of both disease progression and disease occurrence in pre-symptomatic carriers.
High-altitude decompression strain can be reduced by an early excursion to moderate altitude while breathing oxygen
Authors: Ånell Rickard , Grönkvist Mikael , Gennser Mikael , Eiken Ola 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRecent observations suggest that development of venous gas emboli (VGE) during high-altitude flying whilst breathing hyperoxic gas will be reduced by intermittent excursions to moderate altitude. The present study aimed to investigate if an early, single excursion from high to moderate altitude can be used as an in-flight means to reduce high-altitude decompression strain. Ten healthy men were investigated whilst breathing oxygen in a hypobaric chamber under two conditions, once during a 90-min continuous exposure to a simulated cabin altitude of 24,000 ft (High; H) and once during 10 min at 24,000 ft, followed by 30 min at 15,000 ft and by 80 min at 24,000 ft (high–low–high; H–L–H). VGE scores were assessed by cardiac ultrasound, using a 6-graded scale. In H, VGE increased throughout the course of the sojourn at 24,000 ft to attain peak value [median (range)] of 3 (2–4) at min 90, just prior to descent. In H–L–H, median VGE scores were 0 throughout the trial, except for at min 10, just prior to the excursion to 15,000 ft, whence the VGE score was 1.5 (0–3). Thus, an early, single excursion from high to moderate cabin altitude holds promise as an in-flight means to reduce the risk of altitude decompression sickness during long-duration high-altitude flying in aircraft with limited cabin pressurization. Presumably, such excursion acts by facilitating the gas exchange in decompression bubbles from a predomination of nitrogen to that of oxygen.
Through 40,000 years of human presence in Southern Europe: the Italian case study
Authors: Aneli Serena , Caldon Matteo , Saupe Tina , Montinaro Francesco , Pagani Luca 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe Italian Peninsula, a natural pier across the Mediterranean Sea, witnessed intricate population events since the very beginning of the human occupation in Europe. In the last few years, an increasing number of modern and ancient genomes from the area have been published by the international research community. This genomic perspective started unveiling the relevance of Italy to understand the post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) re-peopling of Europe, the earlier phase of the Neolithic westward migrations, and its linking role between Eastern and Western Mediterranean areas after the Iron Age. However, many open questions are still waiting for more data to be addressed in full. With this review, we summarize the current knowledge emerging from the available ancient Italian individuals and, by re-analysing them all at once, we try to shed light on the avenues future research in the area should cover. In particular, open questions concern (1) the fate of pre-Villabruna Europeans and to what extent their genomic components were absorbed by the post-LGM hunter-gatherers; (2) the role of Sicily and Sardinia before LGM; (3) to what degree the documented genetic structure within the Early Neolithic settlers can be described as two separate migrations; (4) what are the population events behind the marked presence of an Iranian Neolithic-like component in Bronze Age and Iron Age Italian and Southern European samples.
Exploring the missing heritability in subjects with hearing loss, enlarged vestibular aqueducts, and a single or no pathogenic SLC26A4 variant
Authors: Smits Jeroen J. , de Bruijn Suzanne E. , Lanting Cornelis P. , Oostrik Jaap , O’Gorman Luke , Mantere Tuomo ,   DOOFNL Consortium, van Dooren M. F. , Kant S. G. , de Gier H. H. W. , Hoefsloot E. H. , van der Schroeff M. P. , Rotteveel L. J. C. , Ropers F. G. , Widdershoven J. C. C. , Hof J. R. , Vanhoutte E. K. , Feenstra I. , Kremer H. , Lanting C. P. , Pennings R. J. E. , Yntema H. G. , Free R. H. , Wassink-Ruiter J. S. Klein , Stokroos R. J. , Smit A. L. , van den Boogaard M. J. , Ebbens F. A. , Maas S. M. , Plomp A. , Goderie T. P. M. , Merkus P. , van de Kamp J. , Cremers Frans P. M. , Roosing Susanne , Yntema Helger G. , de Vrieze Erik , Derks Ronny , Hoischen Alexander , Pegge Sjoert A. H. , Neveling Kornelia , Pennings Ronald J. E. , Kremer Hannie 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPathogenic variants in SLC26A4 have been associated with autosomal recessive hearing loss (arHL) and a unilateral or bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA). SLC26A4 is the second most frequently mutated gene in arHL. Despite the strong genotype–phenotype correlation, a significant part of cases remains genetically unresolved. In this study, we investigated a cohort of 28 Dutch index cases diagnosed with HL in combination with an EVA but without (M0) or with a single (M1) pathogenic variant in SLC26A4. To explore the missing heritability, we first determined the presence of the previously described EVA-associated haplotype (Caucasian EVA (CEVA)), characterized by 12 single nucleotide variants located upstream of SLC26A4. We found this haplotype and a delimited V1-CEVA haplotype to be significantly enriched in our M1 patient cohort (10/16 cases). The CEVA haplotype was also present in two M0 cases (2/12). Short- and long-read whole genome sequencing and optical genome mapping could not prioritize any of the variants present within the CEVA haplotype as the likely pathogenic defect. Short-read whole-genome sequencing of the six M1 cases without this haplotype and the two M0/CEVA cases only revealed previously overlooked or misinterpreted splice-altering SLC26A4 variants in two cases, who are now genetically explained. No deep-intronic or structural variants were identified in any of the M1 subjects. With this study, we have provided important insights that will pave the way for elucidating the missing heritability in M0 and M1 SLC26A4 cases. For pinpointing the pathogenic effect of the CEVA haplotype, additional analyses are required addressing defect(s) at the RNA, protein, or epigenetic level.
Rating the incidence of iatrogenic vascular injuries in thoracic and lumbar spine surgery as regards the approach: A PRISMA-based literature review
Authors: Giotta Lucifero Alice , Gragnaniello Cristian , Baldoncini Matias , Campero Alvaro , Savioli Gabriele , Tartaglia Nicola , Ambrosi Antonio , Luzzi Sabino 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the rate, timing of diagnosis, and repairing strategies of vascular injuries in thoracic and lumbar spine surgery as their relationship to the approach.

Methods
PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases were utilized for a comprehensive literature search based on keywords and mesh terms to find articles reporting iatrogenic vascular injury during thoracic and lumbar spine surgery. English articles published in the last ten years were selected. The search was refined based on best match and relevance.

Results
Fifty-six articles were eligible, for a cumulative volume of 261 lesions. Vascular injuries occurred in 82% of instrumented procedures and in 59% during anterior approaches. The common iliac vein (CIV) was the most involved vessel, injured in 49% of anterior lumbar approaches. Common iliac artery, CIV, and aorta were affected in 40%, 28%, and 28% of posterior approaches, respectively. Segmental arteries were injured in 68% of lateral approaches. Direct vessel laceration occurred in 81% of cases and recognized intraoperatively in 39% of cases.

Conclusions
Incidence of iatrogenic vascular injuries during thoracic and lumbar spine surgery is low but associated with an overall mortality rate up to 65%, of which less than 1% for anterior approaches and more than 50% for posterior ones.
Anterior approaches for instrumented procedures are at risk of direct avulsion of CIV. Posterior instrumented fusions are at risk for injuries of iliac vessels and aorta. Lateral routes are frequently associated with lesions of segmental vessels. Suture repair and endovascular techniques are useful in the management of these severe complications.
Merging familiar and new senses to perceive and act in space
Authors: Nardini Marko 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOur experience of the world seems to unfold seamlessly in a unitary 3D space. For this to be possible, the brain has to merge many disparate cognitive representations and sensory inputs. How does it do so? I discuss work on two key combination problems: coordinating multiple frames of reference (e.g. egocentric and allocentric), and coordinating multiple sensory signals (e.g. visual and proprioceptive). I focus on two populations whose spatial processing we can observe at a crucial stage of being configured and optimised: children, whose spatial abilities are still developing significantly, and naïve adults learning new spatial skills, such as sensing distance using auditory cues. The work uses a model-based approach to compare participants’ behaviour with the predictions of alternative information processing models. This lets us see when and how—during development, and with experience—the perceptual-cognitive computations underpinning our experiences in space change. I discuss progress on understanding the limits of effective spatial computation for perception and action, and how lessons from the developing spatial cognitive system can inform approaches to augmenting human abilities with new sensory signals provided by technology.
Climate effects on US infrastructure: the economics of adaptation for rail, roads, and coastal development
Authors: Neumann James E. , Chinowsky Paul , Helman Jacob , Black Margaret , Fant Charles , Strzepek Kenneth , Martinich Jeremy 
Published: August 2021

AbstractChanges in temperature, precipitation, sea level, and coastal storms will likely increase the vulnerability of infrastructure across the USA. Using models that analyze vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation, this paper estimates impacts to railroad, roads, and coastal properties under three infrastructure management response scenarios: No Adaptation; Reactive Adaptation, and Proactive Adaptation. Comparing damages under each of these potential responses provides strong support for facilitating effective adaptation in these three sectors. Under a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario and without adaptation, overall costs are projected to range in the $100s of billions annually by the end of this century. The first (reactive) tier of adaptation action, however, reduces costs by a factor of 10, and the second (proactive) tier reduces total costs across all three sectors to the low $10s of billions annually. For the rail and road sectors, estimated costs for Reactive and Proactive Adaptation scenarios capture a broader share of potential impacts, including selected indirect costs to rail and road users, and so are consistently about a factor of 2 higher than prior estimates. The results highlight the importance of considering climate risks in infrastructure planning and management.
Design and analysis of SHE-assisted STT MTJ/CMOS logic gates
Authors: Barla Prashanth , Joshi Vinod Kumar , Bhat Somashekara 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe have investigated the spin-Hall effect (SHE)-assisted spin transfer torque (STT) switching mechanism in a three-terminal MTJ device developed using p-MTJ (perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction) and heavy metal materials of high atomic number, which possesses large spin–orbit interaction. Using p-MTJ schematic and complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, we have designed three basic hybrid logic-in-memory structure-based logic gates NOR/OR, NAND/AND, and XNOR /XOR. Then the performances of these hybrid gates are evaluated and the results are compared with the conventional CMOS-based gates in terms of power, delay, power delay product, and device count. From the analysis, it is concluded that SHE-assisted STT MTJ/CMOS logic gates are nonvolatile, consume less power, and occupy a smaller die area as compared to conventional CMOS only logic gates.