bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eradication of Chronic HCV Infection: Improvement of Dysbiosis Only in Patients Without Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Wellhöner Freya , Döscher Nico , Woelfl Franziska , Vital Marius , Plumeier Iris , Kahl Silke , Potthoff Andrej , Manns Michael Peter , Pieper Dietmar Helmut , Cornberg Markus , Wedemeyer Heiner , Heidrich Benjamin 
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims
It is well accepted that liver diseases and their outcomes are associated with intestinal microbiota, but causality is difficult to establish. The intestinal microbiota are altered in patients with hepatitis C. As chronic HCV infection can now be cured in almost all patients, it is an ideal model to study the influence of liver disease on the microbiota.

Approach and Results
We aimed to prospectively analyze the changes in the gut microbiome in patients who received direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) and achieved sustained virological response (SVR). Amplicon sequencing of the V1‐V2 region in the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was performed in stool samples of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients in the treatment group received DAA (n = 65), whereas in the control group, no DAA were given (n = 33). Only patients achieving SVR were included. The alpha diversity increased numerically but not significantly from baseline to SVR at week 24 or 48 (SVR24/48; 2.784 ± 0.248 vs. 2.846 ± 0.224; P = 0.057). When stratifying for the presence of liver cirrhosis, a significant increase in diversity was only seen in patients without cirrhosis. Differences in the microbial community structure induced by the achievement of SVR were only observed in patients without liver cirrhosis. In patients with liver cirrhosis and in the control group, no significant differences were observed.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the achievement of SVR24/48 in patients with chronic HCV was associated with changes in the intestinal microbiota. However, these changes were only seen in patients without liver cirrhosis. A major role of liver remodeling on the intestinal microbiota is indicated by the dynamics of the intestinal microbial community structure depending on the stage of fibrosis in patients resolving chronic hepatitis C.
What matters for financial inclusions? Evidence from emerging economy
Authors: Khan Anum , Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Naghavi Navaz 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe major objective of this research is to examine the influence of cybercrimes on financial inclusion in a developing country. Furthermore, the study also tends to examine the role of cybersecurity in controlling the impact of cybercrimes on financial inclusion. Data were collected from the banking sector of Pakistan using a close‐ended questionnaire. Partial least square‐structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) technique was employed to analyse the data. The findings of the study confirm that strong cybersecurity reduces the consequences of cyber threats to financial inclusion. This study suggests that numerous external and internal factors lead to criminals for illegal activities in the banking sector. Therefore, it is obligatory for the banks to enhance their cybersecurity control, to minimize the occurrences of cyber‐attacks. The present study focuses on the banking sector, so its finding cannot be generalized in other sectors. Further in‐depth comparative studies in other sectors with different cultural settings will help to authenticate the research findings.
Thyroid‐stimulating hormone level is negatively associated with fertilization rate in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization
Authors: Gao Haijie , Lu Xiaohui , Huang Hui , Ji Hong , Zhang Ling , Su Zhiying 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the effect of thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) level on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsData pertaining to 60 patients who underwent IVF between May 2017 and May 2018 were included in the study. Thirty‐two patients were diagnosed as PCOS (PCOS group) and 28 patients had tubal infertility (control group). Serum and follicular fluid TSH levels and follicular cyclic AMP (cAMP) level were detected by ELISA. TSH receptor (TSHR) expression level in granulosa cells was quantified by RT‐PCR and Western blot.ResultsIn the PCOS group, oocyte maturation rate and fertilization rate were significantly lower than in the control group. Serum and follicular fluid TSH levels and ovarian cAMP level were higher in the PCOS group with an upregulation of ovarian TSHR. On multivariate linear regression analysis, fertilization rate showed a negative correlation with TSH levels in serum (B = −0.106, P = 0.005) and follicular fluid (B = −0.107, P = 0.001).ConclusionIn PCOS patients, TSH levels, both in serum and follicular fluid, were negatively correlated with IVF oocyte maturation rate and fertilization rate. The effect of TSH on controlled ovarian hyperstimulated oocyte growth was likely mediated by the TSHR/cAMP signaling pathway.
A comparative analysis of solvent cast 3D printed carbonyl iron powder reinforced polycaprolactone polymeric stents for intravascular applications
Authors: Singh Jasvinder , Pandey Pulak Mohan , Kaur Tejinder , Singh Neetu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the present research, the effectiveness of developed methodology based on solvent cast 3D printing technique was investigated by printing the different geometries of the stents. The carbonyl iron powder (CIP) reinforced polycaprolactone (CIPC) was used to print three pre‐existing stent designs such as ABBOTT BVS1.1, PALMAZ‐SCHATZ, and ART18Z. The physicochemical behavior was analyzed by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The radial compression test, three‐point bending test and stent deployment test were carried out to analyze the mechanical behavior. The degradation behavior of the stents was investigated in static as well as dynamic environment. To investigate the hemocompatible and cytocompatible behaviors of the stents, platelet adhesion test, hemolysis test, protein adsorption, in vitro cell viability test, and live/dead cell viability assay were performed. The results revealed that stents had the adequate mechanical properties to perform the necessary functions in the human coronary. The degradation studies showed slower degradation rate in the dynamic environment in comparison to static environment. in vitro biological analysis indicated that the stents represented excellent resistance to thrombosis, hemocompatible functions as well as cytocompatible nature. The results concluded that PALMAZ‐SCHATZ stent represented better mechanical properties, cell viability, blood compatibility, and degradation behavior.
Expression profile of circular RNAs in cystic echinococcosis pericystic tissue
Authors: Kalifu Baheti , Maitiseyiti Abulaihaiti , Ge Xiaohu , Chen Xiong , Meng Yuan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the expression profiles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the pericystic tissue of patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE).Patients and methodsCircRNA expression profiles were obtained by circRNA microarray of four matched pairs of pericystic tissues affected by CE and adjacent normal liver tissues. qRT‐PCR was used to validate the differential expression of some circRNAs identified by the microarray analysis. The potential functions of the differentially expressed circRNAs in the CE pericystic tissues were predicted by bioinformatic analysis.ResultsCompared with the adjacent normal liver tissues, 177 circRNAs were upregulated and 166 circRNAs were downregulated in CE pericystic tissues based on a ≥2.0‐fold change. The top 10 upregulated circRNAs were hsa_circRNA_001654,hsa_circRNA_103361,hsa_circRNA_001490,hsa_circRNA_104310,hsa_circRNA_100395,hsa_circRNA_102485,hsa_circRNA_001459,hsa_circRNA_104193,hsa_circRNA_400043, and hsa_circRNA_006773; The top 10 downregulated circRNAs were hsa_circRNA_400633,hsa_circRNA_404974,hsa_circRNA_068482 ,hsa_circRNA_100974,hsa_circRNA_049637,hsa_circRNA_404798,hsa_circRNA_400064,hsa_circRNA_004045,hsa_circRNA_101379, and hsa_circRNA_016771;The circRNA‐seq results for 15 selected differentially expressed circRNAs were validated by qRT‐PCR. The qRT‐PCR analysis showed that hsa_circRNA_006773, hsa_circRNA_049637, hsa_circRNA_104349, and hsa_circRNA_406281 were differentially expressed in CE pericystic tissues when compared with their expression in the adjacent normal liver tissues. Interestingly, 319 miRNAs and 52 mRNAs were predicted to be adsorbed by these four differentially expressed circRNAs. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that these circRNAs may be involved in the response to organic cyclic compounds and endogenous stimuli and in cellular organismal processes.ConclusionDifferential expression of circRNAs may be associated with the development and progression of CE, and these circRNAs might be useful as biomarkers for prognosis prediction and as treatment targets.
Mitigating nitrogen pollution with under‐sown legume–grass cover crop mixtures in winter cereals
Authors: Morris Andrew H. , Isbell Sarah A. , Saha Debasish , Kaye Jason P. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNitrogen (N) pollution from N inputs to agricultural soils contributes to widespread eutrophication and global climate change. One period susceptible to N losses is between winter grain harvest in summer and corn planting in spring in a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–winter grain rotation. Cover crops used to immobilize N during this period often depend on tillage, which can exacerbate N losses. Therefore, we evaluated whether reduced‐till cover crops could decrease nitrate (NO3–) leaching and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions during this period. We tested this strategy in a cropping systems experiment on a 4‐ha plot in central Pennsylvania over 2 yr. This experiment compared a clover (Trifolium pratense L.)–timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cover crop no‐till underseeded into a standing spelt crop with a vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)–triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) cover crop established with tillage after spelt harvest. These systems were compared based on fortnightly N2O emissions using static chambers (n = 4 per six sample dates) and potential NO3– leaching using anion resin bags (n = 4 per system per year). Reduced‐till cover crops minimized peak N2O emissions during the fall compared with tilled cover crops. However, reduced‐till cover crops did not decrease potentially leachable NO3– relative to tilled cover crops despite decreases in soil inorganic N. Cover crop N isotopes revealed that clover N may have mineralized and leached over the winter. Our results suggest that reduced‐till cover crops can decrease N2O emissions to mitigate the climate impact of agriculture but that winter‐hardy cover crops should be chosen to mitigate leaching.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stabilizing nutrients from dairy manure using chemical coagulation
Authors: Ellison Rylie J. , Horwath William R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTwo primary concerns of dairies that store manure wastewater in anaerobic ponds are greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and unpredictable nutrient availability after applying it to forage crops. Solid–liquid separation of dairy manure wastewater with chemical coagulants significantly reduces the fraction of organic matter stored in anaerobic conditions. However, the effects of coagulants on methane emissions from ponds and nutrient availability following field application are not well understood. In this experiment, several metal salts and organic polymers were used to coagulate dairy manure wastewater for separation into solid (floc) and liquid (effluent) fractions. The coagulants tested were ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, polyaluminum chloride, Superfloc C‐569, and chitosan. An anaerobic incubation of manure effluent to simulate liquid manure storage and an aerobic incubation of manure floc‐amended soil to simulate field application were conducted with analysis of GHGs and carbon and nitrogen transformations. The treatment of chemically separating organic matter from manure wastewater effectively eliminated methane emissions under anaerobic conditions in the laboratory. In the solid manure fraction, organic carbon was stabilized in the chemically separated flocs, and, apart from flocs produced with ferric iron, nitrogen mineralization was reduced as well. Carbon dioxide emissions were also reduced from the flocs applied to soil compared with untreated manure solids.
Storm sampling to assess inclement weather impacts on water quality in a karst watershed: Sinking Creek, Watauga watershed, East Tennessee
Authors: McCurdy Porcha , Luffman Ingrid , Joyner T. Andrew , Maier Kurt 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSinking Creek (HUC 06010103046), in the Watauga watershed of northeast Tennessee, is impaired due to Escherichia coli. To assess how E. coli and other water quality parameters fluctuated during storm events, water samples were collected with automated samplers during eight storms at two locations: Sinking Creek and a feeder spring. Turbidity and electrical conductivity data loggers were deployed in the creek, and dissolved oxygen (DO) was measured in situ. The presence of optical brighteners, used in detergents and an indicator of residential wastewater, was assessed using cotton fabric deployed at both sites and analyzed by an external laboratory. The Colilert Quanti‐Tray method was used to process water samples for E. coli. Relationships between water quality parameters and lagged precipitation were assessed using cross‐correlation. At the creek, E. coli and turbidity increased within 2 h of precipitation, exceeding the single sample water quality standard of 941 cfu 100 ml−1 during the storm. At the spring, E. coli became elevated more quickly than at the stream, within 30 min of precipitation, and decreased below the standard during the event. Electrical conductivity decreased within 1.5 h of the storm at the creek, and DO levels were higher at the creek than at the spring. Optical brightener analysis indicated possible presence of residential wastewater during one of two sampled storms. Targeted sampling and dye tracing are recommended to validate this hypothesis. These results may be used to inform field methods in similar storm sampling studies and will be useful in watershed restoration efforts in Sinking Creek.
Perfect matchings and derangements on graphs
Authors: Bucic Matija , Devlin Pat , Hendon Mo , Horne Dru , Lund Ben 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe show that each perfect matching in a bipartite graph intersects at least half of the perfect matchings in . This result has equivalent formulations in terms of the permanent of the adjacency matrix of a graph, and in terms of derangements and permutations on graphs. We give several related results and open questions.
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloid analysis using high‐resolution Orbitrap LC‐MSn
Authors: Menéndez‐Perdomo Ivette M. , Hagel Jillian M. , Facchini Peter J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) have profound implications on human health owing to their potent pharmacological properties. Notable naturally occurring BIAs are the narcotic analgesics morphine, the cough suppressant codeine, the potential anticancer drug noscapine, the muscle relaxant papaverine, and the antimicrobial sanguinarine, all of which are produced in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Thebaine, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of codeine and morphine, is used in the manufacture of semisynthetic opiates, including oxycodone and naloxone. As the only commercial source of pharmaceutical opiates, opium poppy has been the focus of considerable research to understand BIA metabolism in the plant. The elucidation of several BIA biosynthetic pathways has enabled the development of synthetic biology platforms aimed at the alternative commercial production of valuable phytochemicals in microorganisms. The detection and identification of BIA pathway products and intermediates in complex extracts is essential for the continuing advancement of research in plant specialized metabolism and microbial synthetic biology. Herein, we report the use of liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole and high‐resolution Orbitrap multistage mass spectrometry to characterize 44 authentic BIAs using collision‐induced dissociation (CID), higher‐energy collisional dissociation (HCD), and pulsed Q collision‐induced dissociation (PQD) MS2 fragmentation, with MS2 CID followed by MS3 and MS4 fragmentation. Our deep library of diagnostic spectral data constitutes a valuable resource for BIAs identification. In addition, we identified 22 BIAs in opium poppy latex and roots extracts.
Chemical profiling and separation of bioactive secondary metabolites in Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) by normal and reverse phase thin layer chromatography coupled to desorption electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Perez Consuelo J. , Conceição Rodrigo S. , Ifa Demian R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMaca is a Peruvian tuberous root of the Brassicaceae family grown in the central Andes between altitudes of 4000 and 4500 m. The medicinal plant is a nutraceutical with important biological activities and health effects. In this study, we report a rapid high‐performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)‐(−)desorption electrospray ionization (DESI)‐mass spectrometry (MS) method to profile and separate intact glucosinolates without prior biochemical modifications from the hydromethanolic extracts of two phenotypes, red and black Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) seeds. In the first stage of the plant's life cycle, aromatic glucosinolates were the main chemical constituents whereby six aromatic, three indole, and one aliphatic glucosinolate were tentatively identified. At the seedling stage, glucolepigramin/Glucosinalbin was the most predominant precursor, rather than Glucotropaeolin, which is mainly found in hypocotyls and roots. These findings lead us to suggest that glucolepigramin/glucosinalbin play a major role as active precursors in the biosynthetic pathways of other secondary metabolites in the early stages of plant development. Between red and black Maca seeds, only minor differences in the relative abundances of glucosinolates were observed rather than different plant metabolites. For the first time, we report six potential plant antibiotics, phytoanticipins: glycosylated ascorbigens and dihydroascorbigens from Maca seeds. We also investigated a targeted reverse phase C18 functionalized TLC‐DESI‐MS method with high sensitivity and specificity for Brassicaceae fatty acids in Maca seeds and health supplements such as black Maca root lyophilized powder and tinctures. The investigation of secondary metabolites by normal and reverse phase TLC‐DESI‐MS methods, described in this study, can aid in their identification as they begin to emerge in later stages of development in plant tissues such as leaves, hypocotyls, and roots.
A main event and multiple introductions of SARS‐CoV‐2 initiated the COVID‐19 epidemic in Greece
Authors: Spanakis Nikolaos , Kassela Katerina , Dovrolis Nikolas , Bampali Maria , Gatzidou Elisavet , Kafasi Athanasia , Froukala Elisavet , Stavropoulou Anastasia , Lilakos Konstantinos , Veletza Stavroula , Tsiodras Sotirios , Tsakris Athanasios , Karakasiliotis Ioannis 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a novel coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Chains of infections starting from various countries worldwide seeded the outbreak of COVID‐19 in Athens, capital city of Greece. A full‐genome analysis of isolates from Athens' hospitals and other healthcare providers revealed the variety of SARS‐CoV‐2 that initiated the pandemic before lockdown and passenger flight restrictions. A dominant variant, encompassing the G614D amino acid substitution, spread through a major virus dispersal event, and sporadic introductions of rare variants characterized the local initiation of the epidemic. Mutations within the genome highlighted the genetic drift of the virus as rare variants emerged. An important variant contained a premature stop codon in orf7a leading to the truncation of a possibly important for viral pathogenesis domain. This study may serve as a reference for resolving future lines of infection in the area, especially after resumption of passenger flight connections to Athens and Greece during summer of 2020.
Neutralizing antibody PR8‐23 targets the footprint of the sialoglycan receptor binding site of H1N1 hemagglutinin
Authors: Yan Liting , Sun Lijun , Guo Chunyan , Li Lanlan , Sun Jingying , Huang Xiaoyan , Zhao Penghua , Xie Xin , Hu Jun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInfluenza virus cause seasonal influenza epidemic and seriously sporadic influenza pandemic outbreaks. Hemagglutinin (HA) is an important target in the therapeutic treatment and diagnostic detection of the influenza virus. Variation in the sialic acid receptor binding site leads to strain‐specific binding and results in different binding modes to the host receptors. Here, we evaluated the neutralizing activity and hemagglutination inhibition activity of a prepared murine anti‐H1N1 monoclonal antibody PR8‐23. Then we identified the epitope peptide of antibody PR8‐23 by phage display technique from phage display peptide libraries. The identified epitope, 63‐IAPLQLGKCNIA‐74, containing two α‐helix and two β‐fold located at the footprint of the sialoglycan receptor on the RBS in the globular head domain of HA. It broads the growing arsenal of motifs for the amino acids on the globular head domain of HA in sialic acid receptor binding site and neutralizing antibody production.
Importance of the length of the myocardial sleeve in the superior vena cava in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Nyuta Eiji , Takemoto Masao , Sakai Togo , Mito Takahiro , Masumoto Akihiro , Todoroki Wataru , Yagyu Keishiro , Ueno Jiro , Antoku Yoshibumi , Koga Tokushi , Ueno Takafumi , Tsuchihashi Takuya 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundPulmonary vein (PV) antrum isolation (PVAI) has proven to be a useful strategy for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) worldwide. However, non‐PV foci, especially from the superior vena cava (SVC), play an important role in initiating and maintaining AF.MethodsIn all, 427 consecutive patients with non‐valvular AF who were admitted to our hospitals to undergo RFCA of AF using an EnSite™ system were evaluated. The length from the top of the sinus node to the top of the myocardial sleeve of SVC (L‐SVC), longer and shorter diameter of SVC of 1 cm above of junction of right atrium and SVC, and local activation time (LAT) of SVC were measured. Then, the SVC firing was evaluated by an intravenous administration of isoproterenol and adenosine triphosphate.ResultsL‐SVC, longer and shorter diameter of SVC, and LAT of SVC were significantly longer in the SVC firing group than non‐SVC firing group (P < .05). Moreover, in accordance with the L‐SVC, the frequency of the SVC firing significantly increased (P < .001). A univariate analysis and multivariate statistical analysis revealed that L‐SVC longer than 37.0 mm (odds ratio 6.39) and longer diameter of SVC (odds ratio 6.78) were independent risk factors for SVC firing in patients with AF who underwent RFCA of AF.ConclusionsIn view of these findings, L‐SVC longer than 37.0 mm longer diameter SVC longer than 17.0 mm may be one of the important predictors of SVC firing in patients with AF.