bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitrate consumption by the oxidation of sulfides during an enhanced natural attenuation project at a contaminated site in Berlin, Germany
Authors: Fichtner Thomas , Fischer Axel René , Dornack Christina 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Organic pollutants at contaminated sites are often eliminated naturally by biological degradation. The redox processes responsible can be enhanced by infiltrating electron acceptors such as nitrate or sulfate into the aquifer. However, the addition of oxidative agents can lead to undesired side-effects in the saturated soil zone such as the consumption of nitrate by the oxidation of sulfides contained in the aquifer. Laboratory-scale 1D column experiments in up flow mode were performed to evaluate the potential consumption of nitrate and the related kinetics by the oxidation of sulfides during an enhanced natural attenuation project at a site contaminated with monoaromatic compounds and trimethylbenzene. Water containing nitrate was infiltrated into aquifer soil material containing sulfides. To study side reactions, experiments were conducted with low levels of organic hazardous compounds.

Results
The results indicate that sulfide was oxidized with the simultaneous formation of sulfate by nitrate-consuming processes. The degradation rate of sulfide was calculated to be 1.26 mg kg−1 per exchanged pore volume, corresponding to nitrate consumption of 8.5 mg kg−1 in the case of incomplete denitrification and 3.4 mg kg−1 in the case of complete denitrification.

Conclusion
The presence of sulfides contained in the soil leads to a nitrate-consuming redox reaction following a linear function in case of sufficient availability of nitrate. This information is helpful for planning ENA projects at contaminated sites to reduce the risk of under- or overdosing the electron acceptor nitrate, which may lead to a lack of nitrate needed to enhance the biodegradation of contaminants in the aquifer or to the deterioration of groundwater quality.
Associations between the gut microbiome and metabolome in early life
Authors: Nguyen Quang P. , Karagas Margaret R. , Madan Juliette C. , Dade Erika , Palys Thomas J. , Morrison Hilary G. , Pathmasiri Wimal W. , McRitche Susan , Sumner Susan J. , Frost H. Robert , Hoen Anne G. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe infant intestinal microbiome plays an important role in metabolism and immune development with impacts on lifelong health. The linkage between the taxonomic composition of the microbiome and its metabolic phenotype is undefined and complicated by redundancies in the taxon-function relationship within microbial communities. To inform a more mechanistic understanding of the relationship between the microbiome and health, we performed an integrative statistical and machine learning-based analysis of microbe taxonomic structure and metabolic function in order to characterize the taxa-function relationship in early life.ResultsStool samples collected from infants enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) at approximately 6-weeks (n = 158) and 12-months (n = 282) of age were profiled using targeted and untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as well as DNA sequencing of the V4-V5 hypervariable region from the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. There was significant inter-omic concordance based on Procrustes analysis (6 weeks:p = 0.056; 12 months:p = 0.001), however this association was no longer significant when accounting for phylogenetic relationships using generalized UniFrac distance metric (6 weeks:p = 0.376; 12 months:p = 0.069). Sparse canonical correlation analysis showed significant correlation, as well as identifying sets of microbe/metabolites driving microbiome-metabolome relatedness. Performance of machine learning models varied across different metabolites, with support vector machines (radial basis function kernel) being the consistently top ranked model. However, predictive R2values demonstrated poor predictive performance across all models assessed (avg: − 5.06% -- 6 weeks; − 3.7% -- 12 months). Conversely, the Spearman correlation metric was higher (avg: 0.344–6 weeks; 0.265–12 months). This demonstrated that taxonomic relative abundance was not predictive of metabolite concentrations.ConclusionsOur results suggest a degree of overall association between taxonomic profiles and metabolite concentrations. However, lack of predictive capacity for stool metabolic signatures reflects, in part, the possible role of functional redundancy in defining the taxa-function relationship in early life as well as the bidirectional nature of the microbiome-metabolome association. Our results provide evidence in favor of a multi-omic approach for microbiome studies, especially those focused on health outcomes.
Genetic fingerprinting and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus section Flavi associated with groundnut in eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Mohammed Abdi , Faustinelli Paola C. , Chala Alemayehu , Dejene Mashilla , Fininsa Chemeda , Ayalew Amare , Ojiewo Chris O. , Hoisington David A. , Sobolev Victor S. , Martínez-Castillo Jaime , Arias Renee S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundAspergillusspecies cause aflatoxin contamination in groundnut kernels, being a health threat in agricultural products and leading to commodity rejection by domestic and international markets. Presence ofAspergillus flavusandA. parasiticuscolonizing groundnut in eastern Ethiopia, as well as presence of aflatoxins have been reported, though in this region, no genetic studies have been done of these species in relation to their aflatoxin production.ResultsIn this study, 145Aspergillusisolates obtained from groundnut kernels in eastern Ethiopia were genetically fingerprinted using 23 Insertion/Deletion (InDel) markers within the aflatoxin-biosynthesis gene cluster (ABC), identifying 133 ABC genotypes. Eighty-four isolates were analyzed by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) for in vitro aflatoxin production. Analysis of genetic distances based on the approximately 85 kb-ABC by Neighbor Joining (NJ), 3D-Principal Coordinate Analysis (3D-PCoA), and Structure software, clustered the isolates into three main groups as a gradient in their aflatoxin production. Group I, contained 98%A. flavus, including L- and non-producers of sclerotia (NPS), producers of B1and B2aflatoxins, and most of them collected from the lowland-dry Babile area. Group II was a genetic admixture population ofA. flavus(NPS) andA. flavusS morphotype, both low producers of aflatoxins. Group III was primarily represented byA. parasiticusandA. flavusS morphotype isolates both producers of B1, B2and G1, G2aflatoxins, and originated from the regions of Darolabu and Gursum. The highest in vitro producer of aflatoxin B1wasA. flavusNPS N1436 (77.98 μg/mL), and the highest producer of aflatoxin G1wasA. parasiticusN1348 (50.33 μg/mL), these isolates were from Gursum and Darolabu, respectively.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that combined the use of InDel fingerprinting of the ABC and corresponding aflatoxin production capability to describe the genetic diversity ofAspergillusisolates from groundnut in eastern Ethiopia.Three InDel markers, AFLC04, AFLC08 and AFLC19, accounted for the main assignment of individuals to the three Groups; their loci corresponded toaflC(pksA),hypC, andaflW(moxY) genes, respectively. Despite InDels within the ABC being often associated to loss of aflatoxin production, the vast InDel polymorphism observed in theAspergillusisolates did not completely impaired their aflatoxin production in vitro.
Genome-wide identification, gene cloning, subcellular location and expression analysis of SPL gene family in P. granatum L
Authors: Li Bianbian , Zhao Yujie , Wang Sha , Zhang Xinhui , Wang Yongwei , Shen Yu , Yuan Zhaohe 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Backgrounds
Pomegranate is an excellent tree species with nutritional, medicinal, ornamental and ecological values. Studies have confirmed that SPL factors play an important role in floral transition and flower development.

Results
Used bioinformatics methods, 15 SPL (SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like) genes were identified and analyzed from the ‘Taishanhong’ pomegranate (P. granatum L.) genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PgSPLs were divided into six subfamilies (G1 ~ G6). PgSPL promoter sequences contained multiple cis-acting elements associated with abiotic stress or hormonal response. Based on the transcriptome data, expression profiles of different tissues and different developmental stages showed that PgSPL genes had distinct temporal and spatial expression characteristics. The expression analysis of miR156 in small RNA sequencing results showed that miR156 negatively regulated the expression of target genes. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of PgSPL2, PgSPL3, PgSPL6, PgSPL11 and PgSPL14 in leaves were significantly higher than those in buds and stems (p < 0.05). The expression levels of PgSPL5, PgSPL12 and PgSPL13 in flower buds were significantly higher than that in leaves and stems (p < 0.05). The full-length of coding sequence of PgSPL5 and PgSPL13 were obtained by homologous cloning technology. The full length of PgSPL5 is 1020 bp, and PgSPL13 is 489 bp, which encodes 339 and 162 amino acids, respectively. Further investigation revealed that PgSPL5 and PgSPL13 proteins were located in the nucleus. Exogenous plant growth regulator induction experiments showed that PgSPL5 was up-regulated in leaves and stems. PgSPL13 was up-regulated in leaves and down-regulated in stems. When sprayed with 6-BA, IBA and PP333 respectively, PgSPL5 and PgSPL13 were up-regulated most significantly at P2 (bud vertical diameter was 5.1 ~ 12.0 mm) stage of bisexual and functional male flowers.

Conclusions
Our findings suggested that PgSPL2, PgSPL3, PgSPL6, PgSPL11 and PgSPL14 played roles in leaves development of pomegranate. PgSPL5, PgSPL12 and PgSPL13 played roles in pomegranate flower development. PgSPL5 and PgSPL13 were involved in the response process of different plant hormone signal transduction in pomegranate development. This study provided a robust basis for further functional analyses of SPL genes in pomegranate.
Utility of the narrow-band imaging international colorectal endoscopic classification for optical diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology in clinical practice: a retrospective study
Authors: Hamada Yasuhiko , Tanaka Kyosuke , Katsurahara Masaki , Horiki Noriyuki , Yamada Reiko , Yamada Tomomi , Takei Yoshiyuki 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Narrow-band imaging (NBI) highlights the surface structures and vessels of colorectal polyps and is useful for determining the polyp histology. The narrow-band imaging international colorectal endoscopic (NICE) classification is a diagnostic tool for determining colorectal polyp histology based on NBI without optical magnification. In this study, we aimed to investigate the value of each type of the NICE classification for determining colorectal polyp histology using endoscopy data accumulated in a clinical setting.

Methods
Endoscopy data for 534 colorectal polyps (316 patients) treated at our facility were retrospectively analyzed. First, we investigated the diagnostic performance of each type of the NICE classification for the optical diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology. The procedures were performed by experienced endoscopists using high-definition colonoscopy without optical magnification. Second, inter-observer and intra-observer agreements were assessed after providing experts and non-experts with a short lecture on the NICE classification. Using 50 fine NBI images of colorectal polyps without optical magnification, the inter-observer and intra-observer agreements between five experts and five non-experts were assessed.

Results
The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values were 86.0%, 99.6%, and 98.5% for NICE type 1 lesions; 99.2%, 85.2%, and 97.8% for NICE type 2 lesions; and 81.8%, 99.6%, and 99.3% for NICE type 3 lesions, respectively. The inter-observer and intra-observer agreements ranged from substantial to excellent for both experts and non-experts.

Conclusions
The NICE classification had good diagnostic ability in terms of determining the polyp histology and demonstrated a high level of reproducibility among experts and non-experts. Thus, the NICE classification is a useful clinical tool that can be used without optical magnification.
Transcriptome sequencing reveals high-salt diet-induced abnormal liver metabolic pathways in mice
Authors: Li Yanping , Lyu Yufei , Huang Jing , Huang Kun , Yu Jiufei 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Although salt plays an important role in maintaining the normal physiological metabolism of the human body, many abnormalities in the liver caused by a high-salt diet, especially with normal pathological results, are not well characterized.

Methods
Eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a normal group and a high salt group. These groups were then fed with normal or sodium-rich chow (containing 6% NaCl) for 6 weeks. Liver injury was evaluated, and the influences of a high-salt diet on the liver were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing at the end of week 6.

Results
We found that although no liver parenchymal injury could be found after high-salt feeding, many metabolic abnormalities had formed based on transcriptome sequencing results. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes revealed that at least 15 enzymatic activities and the metabolism of multiple substances were affected by a high-salt diet. Moreover, a variety of signaling and metabolic pathways, as well as numerous biological functions, were involved in liver dysfunction due to a high-salt diet. This included some known pathways and many novel ones, such as retinol metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and signaling pathways.

Conclusions
A high-salt diet can induce serious abnormal liver metabolic activities in mice at the transcriptional level, although substantial physical damage may not yet be visible. This study, to our knowledge, was the first to reveal the impact of a high-salt diet on the liver at the omics level, and provides theoretical support for potential clinical risk evaluation, pathogenic mechanisms, and drug design for combating liver dysfunction. This study also provides a serious candidate direction for further research on the physiological impacts of high-salt diets.
Blepharochalasis: clinical and epidemiological characteristics, surgical strategy and prognosis-- a retrospective cohort study with 93 cases
Authors: Zhou Jinqiong , Ding Jingwen , Li Dongmei 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundBlepharochalasis is a rare eyelid disorder but eventually leading to destructive eyelid deformation. Until now the clinical and epidemiological data are unavailable. This study aimed to report the manifestations, epidemiological characteristics and surgical strategy of a large series of blepharochalasis patients with long-term follow-up. The prognosis of different clinical deformities was also investigated.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study, including consecutive patients diagnosed with blepharochalasis in a single center. Blepharoplasty and other surgical approaches were performed according to manifestations, after a 2-year quiescent period with no recurrent attacks and exacerbation of lesions. Prognosis after surgery was recorded.ResultsA total of 93 patients, with a mean age of 30.77 ± 14.04 (range: 9.00–70.00) years were included. Of all those 93 patients, 72.04% were females (67,P = 0.02). The mean follow-up was 5.29 ± 2.07 (range: 3–10) years before surgery, and 2.07 (range:1.54–4.22)years follow-up after surgery. The mean age of onset of blepharochalasis symptoms was 10.09 ± 3.32 (range: 5–16) years, and 83.87% patients got symptoms in puberty. With an average of 5 times per year, the mean duration of each acute attack was 28.12 ± 1.01 (rang: 2–192) hours. The mean duration from the onset of acute attack to the quiescent stage lasted for 7.33 ± 2.05 (range: 4–10) years. Most of the cases (88, 94.62%) had more than one manifestation at the end of the last follow-up before surgery. Ptosis (48.39%) was the most common deformity. Followed by lacrimal gland prolapse (44.09%), canthal angle deformity (29.04%), lower eyelid retraction (17.20%). After surgery, the functional and cosmetically acceptable results were achieved in all patients except for overcorrection in 5 (11.90%) patients with ptosis. The lacrimal gland prolapse recurred in two (4.00%) patients at 29 and 36 months after surgery.ConclusionsBlepharochalasis is rare but mostly occurred in adolescent females. The process from the onset to the stable stage usually lasted for about 7 years, which might be associated with the onset of puberty. Surgical management of clinical manifestations after at least 2-year follow-up period of quiescence would be appropriate in order to observe a great plastic effect, low overcorrection and recurrence rate.
Thai version of the dry eye-related quality-of-life score questionnaire: preliminary assessment for psychometric properties
Authors: Tansanguan Sasiwimon , Tananuvat Napaporn , Wongpakaran Nahathai , Wongpakaran Tinakon , Ausayakhun Somsanguan 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to develop a Thai version of the Dry Eye–Related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS-Th) questionnaire and evaluate its validity, reliability, and feasibility among Thai participants.

Methods
The DEQS-Th, a 15-item self-report measuring dry eye and its impact on quality of life (QOL) was developed based on the DEQS. The questionnaire was divided into two subscales: Bothersome Ocular Symptoms (six questions), and Impact on Daily Life (nine questions). It employed a 5-point Likert scale, addressing on both the frequency and the degree of symptoms. Backward and forward and cultural adaptation process translation methods were employed. Thirty healthy participants were enrolled to evaluate the feasibility of the DEQS-Th in terms of difficulty and convenience. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency determined by Cronbach’s alpha, with values > 0.7 considered acceptable. Convergent validity was determined by the correlation between DEQS-Th and overall health status. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for its factor structure.

Results
The participants’ mean age was 38.6 ± 12.9 years, and 23 (76.7%) were females. The mean time to complete the questionnaire was 9.3 ± 2.7 min. The Cronbach’s alpha of the ocular symptoms subscale, impact on QOL subscale, and summary score on frequency and degree were 0.80 and 0.70, 0.89 and 0.89, and 0.90 and 0.89, respectively. The overall health status significantly correlated with the summary score (r = 0.564, p = .001), subscale ocular symptoms (r = 0.594, p = .001), and impact on QOL scores (r = 0.626, p < .001) of the DEQS-Th, respectively. A one-factor model fitted the data the best for both the ocular symptoms subscale (CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.000) and the impact on QOL subscale (CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.997, RMSEA = 0.053).

Conclusion
When tested among normal participants, the DEQS-Th is a valid and reliable measurement for dry eye symptoms and impact on QOL.
Prevalence and associated metabolic factors for thyroid nodules: a cross-sectional study in Southwest of China with more than 120 thousand populations
Authors: Xu Li , Zeng Fanling , Wang Yutong , Bai Ye , Shan Xuefeng , Kong Lingxi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Objective
To explore the prevalence and its associated metabolic factors of thyroid nodules (TNs) among subjects who participated in the physical examinations in Chongqing, China.

Methods
The participants from the Health Management Center of JinShan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, between September 2015 and May 2020, were included in this study. All of the participants underwent thyroid ultrasonography, anthropometric measurements, and serum examinations. Differences in the TNs prevalence were compared with the chi-square test or Wilcoxon rang-sum test. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the metabolic factors associated with TNs and multiple thyroid nodules (MTNs).

Results
Of the included 121,702 participants, 41,547 had TNs, and 20,899 had MTNs, with the prevalence of 34.1 and 17.0 %, respectively. Women had a significantly higher prevalence of TNs than men (40.6 % vs. 29.8 %; χ2 = 1517.33, P < 0.001), and TNs prevalence was gradually increased with age (P for trend < 0.001). Female gender, advanced age, and metabolic factors including central obesity, hypertension, diabetes and fatty liver were positively associated with TNs; BMI, hyperlipoidemia and hyperuricemia were not independent risk factors of TNs. While female gender, advanced age, central obesity, hypertension and diabetes were independent risk factors of MTNs.

Conclusions
The prevalence of thyroid nodules was relatively high. The associated factors identified in this study could help the clinicians to detect the high-risk patients and make targeted screening strategies for the preventing of the occurrence of TNs.
Vulvar Crohn’s disease in an adolescent diagnosed after unsuccessful surgical treatment
Authors: Kim Suhra , Won Young Bin , Seo Seok Kyo , Cho SiHyun , Choi Young Sik , Lee Byung Seok , Yun Bo Hyon 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis case report presents a case of Vulvar Crohn’s disease (VCD) in an adolescent, that is an uncommon manifestation of Crohn’s disease (CD) without gastrointestinal symptoms. Before treating CD itself with proper medication, vulvar abscess continued to recur without improvement.Case presentationWe report the case of an 18-year-old woman with VCD. After treatment with azathioprine 50 mg daily and mesalazine 1 g three times daily, vulvar lesions resolved after 6 weeks. We collected electronic medical data on patient characteristics, and evaluated findings of physical examinations, pelvic MRI, and biopsy specimen obtained from gastroduodenoscopy/colonoscopy.ConclusionsVCD is a rare manifestation of CD that may be misdiagnosed in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms leading to delayed treatment. If a patient has an unexplained vulvar inflammatory lesion and with repeated failed surgical treatment, gynecologists should consider the possibility of a VCD.
Analysis of basal serum TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels based on age, sampling time in women with infertility
Authors: Zhang Yuchao , Wu Wenbin , Liu Yanli , Wang Xingling , Guan Yichun , Jia Liting 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
To analyze the characteristics of basal thyroid hormone levels in infertile women consulting for assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

Methods
This was a retrospective study. Serum TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels of women seeking ART consultation were tested routinely. Analyses were performed based on age and sampling time. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used to compare the continuous data among the groups, and the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical data where appropriate.

Results
A total of 6426 women were initially included in the study. After exclusion criteria were applied, the remaining 4126 women were categorized into different groups. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism significantly decreased with age and sampling time, from 21.09 to 11.91% and from 28.57 to 10.67%, respectively (P < 0.001, respectively). Mean serum TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels decreased significantly with age (P = 0.017, < 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). In the context of sampling time, TSH levels from early in the morning were significantly higher (P < 0.001), while FT4 and FT3 levels were similar in different groups (P = 0.258, 0.300, respectively).

Conclusions
The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism significantly decreased with increasing age and sampling time, as did the serum TSH levels. Even though, the establishment of reference interval of TSH level based on age or sampling time was not recommended. Full consideration of age and sampling time should be carefully taken before initiation of treatment.