bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin transporters on the pharmacogenetics of Atremorine in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cacabelos Ramón , Carrera Iván , Martínez Olaia , Naidoo Vinogran , Cacabelos Natalia , Aliev Gjumrakch , Carril Juan C. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAtremorine is a potent dopamine (DA) enhancer obtained by nondenaturing biotechnological processes from a genetic species of Vicia faba. Atremorine affects the neuronal dopaminergic system by acting as a neuroprotective agent against Parkinson's disease (PD). PD patients (N = 127) responded to a single dose of Atremorine (5 g, p.o.) 1 h after administration in a sex‐, time‐, dose‐, and genotype‐dependent fashion. Drug‐free patients (N = 81) showed an increase in DA levels from 12.14 ± 0.34 pg/ml to 6463.21 ± 1306.90 pg/ml; and patients chronically treated with anti‐PD drugs (N = 46) showed an increase in DA levels from 1321.53 ± 389.94 pg/ml to 16,028.54 ± 4783.98 pg/ml, indicating that Atremorine potentiates the dopaminergic effect of conventional anti‐PD drugs. The variability in Atremorine‐induced DA response is strongly attributable to pharmacogenetic factors. Polymorphic variants in pathogenic, mechanistic, metabolic, transporter, and pleiotropic genes influence the DA response to Atremorine. Genetic variation in the DA (SLC6A3; rs460000), noradrenaline (NA) (SLC6A2; rs12708954, rs3785143, rs5569), and serotonin (5‐HT) transporter (SLC6A4; rs2020934, rs2020936, rs4251417, rs6354) genes exert a genotype‐dependent Atremorine‐induced DA response in PD, with potential impact on the DA‐related pharmacogenetic outcome and minimum effects on NA and 5‐HT levels.
Exploiting Deprotonative Co‐complexation to Access Potassium Metal(ates) Supported by a Bulky Silyl(bis)amide Ligand
Authors: Mastropierro Pasquale , Kennedy Alan R. , Hevia Eva 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBimetallic complexes combining an alkali‐metal with a lower electropositive metal have demonstrated unique chemical profiles which can be rationalised in terms of chemical cooperativity. Advancing the rational design of these types of complexes, a adaptable method is described to prepare a new family of potassium metal(ates) containing the highly sterically demanding silyl(bis)amide {Ph2Si(NAr*)2}2− (Ar*=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl). Using a sequential deprotonative co‐complexation approach, mono‐metallation of Ph2Si(NHAr*)2 (1) is accomplished using potassium alkyl KCH2SiMe3 yielding [{Ph2Si(NHAr*)(NAr*)K}∞] (2), which, in turn, undergoes co‐complexation with the relevant M(CH2SiMe3)2 (M=Mg, Zn, Mn) enabling metallation of the remaining NHAr* group to furnish silylbis(amido) alkyl potassium metal(ates) [{Ph2Si(NAr*)2M(THF)x(CH2SiMe3)}−{K(THF)y}+] (M=Zn, x=0, y=4, 3; M=Mg, x=1, y=3, 4; and M=Mn, x=0, y=4, 5). Reactivity studies of potassium manganate 5 with the amine HMDS(H) (HMDS=N[SiMe3]2 revealed the kinetic activation of the remaining alkyl group on Mn furnishing [K(THF)2{Ph2Si(NAr*)2}Mn(HMDS)] (6). The structures of these bimetallic complexes along with that of the potassium precursor 2 have been established by X‐ray crystallographic studies.
Pain after a motor vehicle crash: The role of socio‐demographics, crash characteristics and peri‐traumatic stress symptoms
Authors: Beaudoin Francesca L. , Kessler R. C. , Hwang I. , Lee S. , Sampson N. A. , An X. , Ressler K. J. , Koenen K. C. , McLean S. A. ,   the AURORA Study Group
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe vast majority of individuals who come to the emergency department (ED) for care after a motor vehicle collision (MVC) are diagnosed with musculoskeletal strain only and are discharged to home. A significant subset of this population will still develop persistent pain and posttraumatic psychological sequelae may play an important role in pain persistence.MethodsWe conducted a multisite longitudinal cohort study of adverse post‐traumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae among patients seeking ED treatment in the aftermath of a traumatic life experience. We report on a sub‐group of patients (n = 666) presenting after an MVC, the most common type of trauma and we examine associations of socio‐demographic and MVC characteristics, and persistent pain 8 weeks after MVC. We also examine the degree to which these associations are related to peritraumatic psychological symptoms and 2‐week acute stress reactions using an applied approach.ResultsEight‐week prevalence of persistent moderate or severe pain was high (67.4%) and positively associated with patient sex (female), older age, low socioeconomic status (education and income) and pain severity in the ED. Peritraumatic stress symptoms (distress and dissociation) appear to exert some influence on both acute pain and the transition from acute to persistent pain.Discussion and ConclusionsThe early aftermath of an MVC may be an important time period for intervening to prevent and reduce persistent pain. Substantial variation in mediating pathways across predictors also suggests potential diverse and complex underlying biological and psychological pathogenic processes are at work in the early weeks following trauma.SignificanceThe first several days after trauma may dictate recovery trajectories. Persistent pain, pain lasting beyond the expected time of recovery, is associated with pain early in the recovery period, but also mediated through other pathways. Future work is needed to understand the complex neurobiological processes in involved in the development of persistent and acute post‐traumatic pain.
Impact of social accountability monitoring on health facility performance: Evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Francetic Igor , Fink Günther , Tediosi Fabrizio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSocial accountability programs are increasingly used to improve the performance of public service providers in low‐income settings. Despite their growing popularity, evidence on the effectiveness of social accountability programs remains mixed. In this manuscript, we assess the impact of a social accountability intervention on health facility management exploring quasiexperimental variation in program exposure in Tanzania. We find that the social accountability intervention resulted in a 1.8 SD reduction in drug stockouts relative to the control group, but did not improve facility infrastructure maintenance. The results of this study suggest that social accountability programs may be effective in areas of health service provision that are responsive to changes in provider behavior but may not work in settings where improvements in outcomes are conditional on larger health systems features.
Characterization and Application of Precore/Core‐Related Antigens in Animal Models of Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Hong Xupeng , Luckenbaugh Laurie , Perlman David , Revill Peter A. , Wieland Stefan F. , Menne Stephan , Hu Jianming 
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims
The hepatitis B core‐related antigen (HBcrAg), a composite antigen of precore/core gene including classical hepatitis B core protein (HBc) and HBeAg and, additionally, the precore‐related antigen PreC, retaining the N‐terminal signal peptide, has emerged as a surrogate marker to monitor the intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and to define meaningful treatment endpoints.

Approach and Results
Here, we found that the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) precore/core gene products (i.e., WHV core‐related antigen [WHcrAg]) include the WHV core protein and WHV e antigen (WHeAg) as well as the WHV PreC protein (WPreC) in infected woodchucks. Unlike in HBV infection, WHeAg and WPreC proteins were N‐glycosylated, and no significant amounts of WHV empty virions were detected in WHV‐infected woodchuck serum. WHeAg was the predominant form of WHcrAg, and a positive correlation was found between the serum WHeAg and intrahepatic cccDNA. Both WHeAg and WPreC antigens displayed heterogeneous proteolytic processing at their C‐termini, resulting in multiple species. Analysis of the kinetics of each component of the precore/core‐related antigen, along with serum viral DNA and surface antigens, in HBV‐infected chimpanzees and WHV‐infected woodchucks revealed multiple distinct phases of viral decline during natural resolution and in response to antiviral treatments. A positive correlation was found between HBc and intrahepatic cccDNA but not between HBeAg or HBcrAg and cccDNA in HBV‐infected chimpanzees, suggesting that HBc can be a better marker for intrahepatic cccDNA.

Conclusions
In conclusion, careful monitoring of each component of HBcrAg along with other classical markers will help understand intrahepatic viral activities to elucidate natural resolution mechanisms as well as guide antiviral development.
Analysis of seasonal snowmelt contribution using a distributed energy balance model for a river basin in the Altai Mountains of northwestern China
Authors: Wu Xuejiao , Zhang Wei , Li Hongyi , Long Yinping , Pan Xiaoduo , Shen Yongping 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSnowmelt water is a vital freshwater resource in the Altai Mountains of northwestern China. Yet its seasonal hydrological cycle characteristics could change under a warming climate and more rapid spring snowmelt. Here, we simulated snowmelt runoff dynamics in the Kayiertesi River catchment, from 2000 to 2016, by using an improved hydrological distribution model that relied on high‐resolution meteorological data acquired from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (Fnl‐NCEP) that were downscaled using the Weather Research Forecasting model. Its predictions were compared to observed runoff data, which confirmed the simulations' reliability. Our results show the model performed well, in general, given its daily validation Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.62 (from 2013 to 2015) and a monthly NSE score of 0.68 (from 2000 to 2010) for the studied river basin of the Altai Mountains. In this river basin catchment, snowfall accounted for 64.1% of its precipitation and snow evaporation for 49.8% of its total evaporation, while snowmelt runoff constituted 29.3% of the annual runoff volume. Snowmelt's contribution to runoff in the Altai Mountains can extend into non‐snow days because of the snowmelt water retained in soils. From 2000 to 2016, the snow‐to‐rain ratio decreased rapidly, however, the snowmelt contribution remained relatively stable in the study region. Our findings provide a sound basis for making snowmelt runoff predictions, which could be used prevent snowmelt‐induced flooding, as well as a generalizable approach applicable to other remote, high‐elevation locations where high‐density, long‐term observational data are currently lacking. How snowmelt contributes to water dynamics and resources in cold regions is garnering greater attention. Our proposed model is thus timely perhaps, enabling more comprehensive assessments of snowmelt contributions to hydrological processes in those alpine regions characterized by seasonal snow cover.
Sources and biodegradability of dissolved organic matter in two headwater peatland catchments at the Marcell Experimental Forest, northern Minnesota,USA
Authors: Sebestyen Stephen D. , Funke Meghan , Cotner James B. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhere they are present in catchments, peatlands are a dominant source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to surrounding waterways due, in part, to high production rates. Despite the preponderance of peatlands in northern latitudes and expected peatland vulnerability to climate change, little is known about peatland DOM degradation relative to a more comprehensive understanding of degradation when DOM is sourced from upland‐dominated catchments. We compared DOM biodegradability of various sources of stream water in two catchments having peatlands (22%–33% of the area) surrounded by upland forests (70%–90% of the area, either deciduous or coniferous). We measured total organic carbon (TOC), and biodegradable dissolved organic carbon concentrations; bacterial respiration rates; streamflow; and upland runoff during and after snowmelt (March to June, 2009–2011). We also explored if DOM in upland runoff stimulated biodegradation of peatland‐derived DOM (i.e., a priming effect), and if forest cover type affected DOM biodegradability. As expected, the peatlands were the largest sources of both water (72%–80%) and TOC (92%–96%) to the streams although more area in each catchment was in uplands (70%–90%). Several results were unexpected, yet revealing: (1) DOM from peatlands sometimes had the same biodegradability as DOM from uplands, (2) upland sources of DOM had negligible effects on biodegradability in the peatland and downstream, and (3) upland deciduous cover did not yield more degradable DOM than conifer cover. The most pronounced effect of upland runoff was dilution of downstream TOC concentrations when there was upland runoff. Overall, the effects of upland DOM may have been negligible due to the overriding effect of the large amount of biodegradable DOM that originated in bogs. This research highlights that peatland‐sourced DOM has important effects on downstream DOM biodegradability even in catchments where upland area is substantially larger than peatland area.
The role of shareholders and creditors' rights in affecting cash holdings and firm value: A recent evidence from ASEAN
Authors: Akhtar Tahir , Tareq Mohammad Ali , Rashid Kashif 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of shareholders' and creditors' rights (CR) on cash holdings (CH) and the firm value in emerging economies (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and based hypotheses on the characteristics of these markets. The sample contains 648 listed manufacturing firms from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines for the period 2005–2015. The results suggest that higher investor protection leads to the accumulation of more cash. Besides, a powerful country‐level framework controls the value‐destroying activities of firm managers. The results also support the flexibility hypothesis by providing evidence that strong CR in the economy lead to higher CH by the managers. Finally, investor protection in the presence of high CR reduces the incentive to hold more cash supporting stewardship theory in these markets. The results being economically robust are innovative and valuable to academics and policymakers in ASEAN.
Functional income distribution in Pakistan: Co‐integration and vector error correction model analysis
Authors: Aziz Abdul , Memon Javed Ahmed , Qader Aleem Ahmed 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis research aims to explore the long‐ and short‐run impact of the functional income distribution variables of Pakistan. Three main variables were analysed, real wage, non‐agricultural wage and operating surplus (OS), as all three are the pillars of the functional income distribution. Annual data were collected from 1986 to 2019 from the State Bank of Pakistan, and time series analysis co‐integration and vector error correlation model have been applied. We found that only two variables, real wage and non‐agricultural wage, are affected in the long run while the OS is not affected in the long run. There is no short‐term effect of any variable except real wage and non‐agricultural wage. It is recommended that the government should invest in the human capital of both agriculture and industrial sectors to overcome the problem of unequal functional income distribution in Pakistan.
Neonatal and maternal outcome of small‐for‐gestational‐age neonates delivered by vacuum‐assisted delivery
Authors: Levin Gabriel , Rottenstreich Amihai , Shapira Moran , Cahan Tal , Yagel Itai , Tsur Abraham , Meyer Raanan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the association between neonatal weight centile and neonatal and maternal morbidity following vacuum‐assisted delivery (VAD) among term nulliparous women.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of all nulliparous women who delivered at term by VAD between 2011 and 2019. Deliveries were allocated into two groups and compared: (1) delivery of an small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonate, and (2) delivery of an appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) neonate.ResultsOverall, 3116 women were included in the study; 2878 (92.4%) were AGA and 163 (5.2%) were SGA and comprised the study groups. Neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes did not vary between groups. Rates of composite neonatal adverse outcome for SGA and AGA neonates were 26 (16.0%) versus 462 (16.1%), respectively (P = 0.972). Duration of the second stage of labor and rate of prolonged second stage were significantly lower among the SGA group compared with the AGA group (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Maternal rates of anal sphincter injury and postpartum hemorrhage did not differ between groups.ConclusionNeonatal outcomes among SGA neonates delivered by VAD at term did not differ from those of AGA neonates. Maternal outcome did not differ. These data provide reassurance for practitioners to perform VAD in SGA neonates at term.
Accuracy of noninvasive tests in the prediction of portal hypertensive gastropathy in Egyptian patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Amer Ibrahim F , El Shennawy Eslam M , El Batea Hassan , Ahmed Mohammed Hussien , El Sharawy Shimaa , Mahros Aya M 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground and AimLiver cirrhosis (LC) is commonly associated with portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), and it causes gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the gold standard in diagnosing PHG. Besides its invasiveness, the disadvantages of EGD include psychological and financial problems. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different noninvasive screening tools in predicting PHG.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted on 100 patients with LC who were divided into two groups based on EGD: group (A), 50 patients with LC with PHG, and group (B), 50 patients with LC without PHG. All patients were subjected to history taking, full clinical examination, laboratory investigations, abdominal–pelvic ultrasonography, and EGD.ResultsTo predict PHG, the respective sensitivity and specificity of portal vein diameter (>10.5 mm) were 86 and 67%, of gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) (>3.5 mm) were 64 and 68%, of platelets/GBWT (<40) were 68 and 78%, of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/platelet ratio index (APRI) score (>1.1) were 60 and 66%, of platelet/spleen diameter (<1290) were 88 and 72%, of right liver lobe diameter/albumin ratio (>4) were 74 and 80%, and of AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (>1.1) were 50 and 58% (P = 0.353).ConclusionPortal vein diameter, platelet/spleen diameter, and right liver lobe diameter/albumin ratio were independently associated with PHG and were good predictors of the PHG, whereas AST/ALT ratio and King score are poor predictors.
Acrylamide in non‐centrifugal sugars and syrups
Authors: Phaeon Nuchnicha , Chapanya Pisittinee , Mueangmontri Rattana , Pattamasuwan Anutin , Lipan Leontina , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A , Sriroth Klanarong , Nitayapat Nuttakan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDAcrylamide in foods has been widely studied because of its possible carcinogenicity. Most of the foods investigated were prepared using low moisture and high temperature conditions. Non‐centrifugal sugars (NCSs), which have been promoted as ‘non‐chemical’ natural sweeteners, contain precursors of acrylamide and their production processes involved prolonged heating. The acrylamide content in 32 commercial NCSs from coconut, cane and palmyra palm purchased in Asian countries was investigated. Additionally, syrups (80 oBrix) produced from coconut and palmyra raw saps and cane juice were prepared by evaporation with prolonged heating (2.5 h to reach 100 °C, 1 h to increase to 110 °C, held at 110 °C for 30 min). The compositions and contents of sugars, amino acids and minerals, as well as the physical characteristics of the raw saps, juice and syrups, were determined.RESULTSThe acrylamide content of these 32 products ranged from < 15 to 4011 μg kg−1. The raw saps and juice were mildly acidic (pH 5.14–5.66) and similar values were observed for their syrups (4.73–5.73). The contents of sucrose, fructose and glucose in the saps and juice from these plants were similar, whereas their compositions varied with respect to amino acids. The variation of the ornithine content was significant, demonstrating a striking influence on the extent of acrylamide formation (867–1564 μg kg−1) in the syrups prepared from these materials.CONCLUSIONThe present study emphasizes the importance of a careful monitoring and control of the critical steps invloved in the manufacturing process of NCSs (particularly the evaporation phase), aiming to protect the health and safety of consumers. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Perfusion Patterns of Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions in COVID‐19 Patients Using Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS)
Authors: Safai Zadeh Ehsan , Beutel Björn , Dietrich Christoph Frank , Keber Corinna Ulrike , Huber Katharina Paulina , Görg Christian , Trenker Corinna 
Published: January 2021

PurposeTo describe perfusion patterns of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) in COVID‐19 patients using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).Patients and methodsFrom April 2020 until July 2020, 11 consecutive patients with RT‐PCR‐confirmed COVID‐19 and PPLs sized over 5 mm were investigated by B‐mode ultrasound (B‐US) and CEUS. The homogeneity of enhancement (homogeneous and inhomogeneous) was examined retrospectively using CEUS. An inhomogeneous enhancement was defined as a perfused lesion with coexisting non‐perfused areas (NPA).ResultsOn B‐US, all 11 patients showed an interstitial syndrome (B‐lines) with PPLs between 0.5 and 6 cm. On CEUS, all cases showed peripheral NPA during the complete CEUS examination. One patient underwent a partial lung resection with subsequent histopathological examination. The histological examination showed vasculitis, microthrombus in the alveolar capillary, and small obliterated vessels.ConclusionIn our case series, PPLs in patients with RT‐PCR‐confirmed COVID‐19 infection presented a CEUS pattern with NPA during the complete CEUS examination. Our findings suggest a peripheral pulmonary perfusion disturbance in patients with COVID‐19 infection. In 1 case, the histopathological correlation with the perfusion disturbance in the PPL was proven.