bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbiota‐Driven Activation of Intrahepatic B Cells Aggravates NASH Through Innate and Adaptive Signaling
Authors: Barrow Fanta , Khan Saad , Fredrickson Gavin , Wang Haiguang , Dietsche Katrina , Parthiban Preethy , Robert Sacha , Kaiser Thomas , Winer Shawn , Herman Adam , Adeyi Oyedele , Mouzaki Marialena , Khoruts Alexander , Hogquist Kristin A. , Staley Christopher , Winer Daniel A. , Revelo Xavier S. 
Published: February 2021

Background and Aims
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is rapidly becoming the leading cause of liver failure and indication for liver transplantation. Hepatic inflammation is a key feature of NASH but the immune pathways involved in this process are poorly understood. B lymphocytes are cells of the adaptive immune system that are critical regulators of immune responses. However, the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of NASH and the potential mechanisms leading to their activation in the liver are unclear.

Approach and Results
In this study, we report that NASH livers accumulate B cells with elevated pro‐inflammatory cytokine secretion and antigen‐presentation ability. Single‐cell and bulk RNA sequencing of intrahepatic B cells from mice with NASH unveiled a transcriptional landscape that reflects their pro‐inflammatory function. Accordingly, B‐cell deficiency ameliorated NASH progression, and adoptively transferring B cells from NASH livers recapitulates the disease. Mechanistically, B‐cell activation during NASH involves signaling through the innate adaptor myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) as B cell–specific deletion of MyD88 reduced hepatic T cell–mediated inflammation and fibrosis, but not steatosis. In addition, activation of intrahepatic B cells implicates B cell–receptor signaling, delineating a synergy between innate and adaptive mechanisms of antigen recognition. Furthermore, fecal microbiota transplantation of human NAFLD gut microbiotas into recipient mice promoted the progression of NASH by increasing the accumulation and activation of intrahepatic B cells, suggesting that gut microbial factors drive the pathogenic function of B cells during NASH.

Conclusion
Our findings reveal that a gut microbiota–driven activation of intrahepatic B cells leads to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis during the progression of NASH through innate and adaptive immune mechanisms.
Experimental investigation of heat transfer in a triple tube heat exchanger with coiled spring inserts
Authors: Kumar Rajan , Chandra Prakash 
Published: February 2021

AbstractExperiments have been performed to investigate the effect of coiled spring inserts on heat transfer, pressure drop, and performance parameters of a triple tube heat exchanger (TTHX). Three different spring inserts having a pitch of 5, 10, and 15 mm are used and the diameter of the spring wire is taken as 1 mm. The experiments were carried out under a turbulent flow regime, with water as a working medium in parallel and counter flow configurations. The variation in different performance characteristics like heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number, and effectiveness have been compared at various Reynolds numbers ranging between 4000 and 16,000 in the considered flow patterns. The Nusselt number of TTHX with the lowest pitch spring is found to be higher than that of the plain TTHX by 57.27% at Re = 4000 for the counter flow configuration. Both the thermal performance factor and effectiveness increased as the pitch of the spring insert was decreased. The effectiveness of TTHX with the lowest pitch spring insert is found higher than that of the plain TTHX by 43.84% in the counter flow pattern.
Fluorescent Probes for the Supramolecular Interactions responsible for Binding of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Hyperbranched Polyelectrolytes in Aqueous Media
Authors: Ihde Michael H. , Steelman Ashley M. , Bonizzoni Marco 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCationic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are known as good supramolecular hosts for a variety of smaller water‐soluble guests. We expanded their binding scope to the uptake of very hydrophobic guests such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in neutral aqueous solution. We used anthracene and pyrene as representatives of this family of hydrocarbons, and as capable fluorescent emitters to probe mode and location of interaction for these hydrocarbons with polycationic amine‐terminated PAMAM dendrimers. We used steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence emission spectroscopy, as well as fluorescence anisotropy measurements and selective quenching experiments, to establish the mode and location of these binding interactions, demonstrating that, although these probes may look relatively similar, their interaction with PAMAM dendrimers is nevertheless significantly different. The results presented here provide insight into the attractive forces at play in the uptake of featureless hydrophobic PAH guests by hydrophilic PAMAM dendrimer hosts, whose applications span practical challenges including chemical separations, analytical discrimination, solubility and bioavailability enhancement of hydrophobic compounds.
What are the triggers for arrears on debt over a business cycle? Evidence from panel data
Authors: Kukk Merike 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe paper investigates the triggers of arrears on debt in a full recourse euro area country. An extensive individual‐level quarterly panel dataset enables quarterly arrears on debt to be tracked while controlling for individual specific heterogeneity. The estimations show that lower income and higher debt service ratios are associated with a higher probability of arrears, confirming the “ability to pay” hypothesis. The results reveal different debt repayment behaviour for housing and consumer loans over a business cycle. Newly taken housing loans exhibit a lower probability of arrears and the same applies to loans granted during the period of easy credit conditions and high real estate prices, indicating that housing credit boom has not contributed to the rise in arrears on debt. Newly taken consumer loans are related to a higher probability of arrears, suggesting that consumer loans have been used to alleviate financial difficulties.
Evaluation of water productivity with three rice genotypes under different irrigation regimes and nitrogen fertilizer treatments in Rasht, northern Iran*
Authors: Najafi Samaneh , Khaledian Mohammadreza , Rezaei Mojtaba 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the water productivity of three rice genotypes in physical, economic and virtual water terms through different irrigation and fertilizer treatments. The experiment was conducted in 2017 and 2018 in split plot designs based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factors include irrigation regimes: flood irrigation of I1 and alternate irrigation treatments of I2, I3 and I4 that involve alternate irrigation with irrigation intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. The subfactors include different rice genotypes at three levels of certified local Hashemi, M5 and M12 genotypes at three levels of nitrogen fertilizer of 60, 80 and 100 kg N/ha1. Results showed that the certified Hashemi variety with the 7‐day irrigation interval and 100 kg N/ha1; treatment showed satisfactory physical water productivity (being 1.41 and 1.01 kg/m3 in 2017 and 2018, respectively), and also the highest net benefit per drop (being 31 200 and 29 800 rials/m3 in 2017 and 2018, respectively). According to the results of this study, using alternate irrigation at the 7‐day irrigation interval would save 285 million m3 of water in the Sefidroud irrigation and drainage network.
Performing Piety and Perfection: The Affective Labor of Hijabi Fashion Videos
Authors: Peterson Kristin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article examines the work of a popular Muslim woman on YouTube, Amena Khan, who has attracted over 310 thousand subscribers to her channel and runs a successful online boutique. While Amena's hijab tutorials and lifestyle videos might appear to be just about superficial topics like fashion or makeup, this article argues that she does actual labor to not only produce an aesthetic style but to also create an affective condition of what it means to be a Muslim woman living within a neoliberal context. Amena's videos illustrate what Michael Hardt (1999) defines as “affective labor” within this neoliberal economy. Amena might sell hijabs online, but she does not actually produce physical objects. What she does produce is an affective state–feelings around how to properly act within this neoliberal culture while still maintaining Islamic piety. The space of YouTube also allows for Amena to blend different affects and aesthetic styles, such as neoliberal elements of aspiration, creativity and individuality with Islamic ethics like piety, modesty and submission. Ultimately, the reason why Amena can attract viewers and run a successful fashion business is because she works to produce an affective state that seamlessly moves between Islamic ethics and neoliberal values.
Contextualizing Internet Studies: Beyond the Online/Offline Divide
Authors: Nordenson Jon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis essay discusses the issue of contextualization in studies of online platform usage and online material. It argues that a separation between online and offline cannot be sustained, as social media users relate to many different online and offline contexts simultaneously. Why protagonists make use of online platforms, which platforms they use, how they make use of them, who they seek to reach, and so on, is all dependent on the various geographical and social contexts within which they work. At the same time, these users are also part of and are influenced by different online contexts that may be based on topic, identity, or geography, and which may be local, national, regional or international. When we study online material – be it activism, language use, discourse, or something else - we must do so with all these relevant settings in mind. Throughout the essay, I seek to illustrate these complex relationships between different online and offline contexts through concrete examples from Egypt and Kuwait. I argue that the material shows that we cannot generalize and simply assume similar patterns of usage of online platforms producing similar outcomes across different contexts. Still, research so far has provided insights that are important both in their own right and, not least, as methodological and theoretical considerations for future studies, and I conclude by suggesting three principles that should guide our investigations of online material.
Increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairments associated with increased expression of TNF‐α and caspase‐3 in palmitic acid‐induced lipotoxicity in myoblasts
Authors: Mansuri Mohammad Lukman , Sharma Garima , Parihar Priyanka , Dube Kirti Tiwari , Sharma Tejasweta , Parihar Arti , Parihar Mordhwaj Singh 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSaturated fatty acids, whose circulating levels are markedly increased in the body, significantly affect the growth and functions of skeletal muscle. These fatty acids may exert a detrimental effect on the undifferentiated skeletal myoblasts that may adversely affect their differentiation. In the present study, the exposure of myoblasts to excess palmitic acid caused an elevation of tumor necrosis factor‐α expression and an increase in reactive oxygen species levels consistent with the enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress. Various concentrations of palmitic acid significantly decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, induced the programmed cell death by an increase in the caspase‐3 expression, and DNA fragmentation in the myoblasts. These findings suggest that the increased concentrations of saturated fatty acid in the myoblasts increase lipotoxicity by increasing inflammation and oxidative stress, decreasing the mitochondrial function, and inducing apoptosis.
To control or to compromise? The prominence of chief compliance officer and foreign corrupt practices act violation
Authors: Liu Chenyong , Xu Chunhao , Liu Zhenfeng 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe investigate the influence of chief compliance office (CCO) prominence in the corporate management team on FCPA violation and audit fees. Based on the compliance function leader's position seniority, we find that a CCO's position rank is positively associated with the propensity of FCPA violation. It indicates that promoting CCO in the firm can facilitate more aggressive compliance policies—it is a “compromise” instead of a “control.” We also find that CCO prominence is positively associated with audit fees even without an FCPA violation happening, which implies that auditors could fully perceive the potential risks embedded in the compliance chief's promotion. The results of this study can be of interest to audit practitioners as well as regulators to better monitor the firms with higher FCPA violation risks.
Surface charging‐dependent deposition of silver on gold nanorods
Authors: Chang Sheng‐Te , Dong Wen‐Yi , Chen Kai‐Cheng , He Yan , Yen Yi‐An , Kao Chih‐Wei , Deng Jin‐Pei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe surface of gold nanorods is chemically charged by ascorbic acid; the charging effect results in not only the blue shift on their surface plasmon bands, but also the change of the deposition rate of silver on their surfaces. The rate was prominently accelerated at room temperature, but slightly slowed down at higher temperature. The shape of gold‐silver core‐shell nanoparticles could not be obviously affected. The Fermi level of gold nanorods begins to increase under the action of charging and alters the electrical double‐layer structure of gold nanorods, resulting in the different deposition rate of silver on gold.
One‐step ultrasonic production of the chitosan/lactose/g‐C3N4 nanocomposites with lactose as a biological capping agent: Photocatalytic activity study
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Ali , Ranjbar Mehdi , Mohadesi Alireza 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this work, the basic and applied purpose was to synthesize and modify chitosan/lactose nanocomposites with g‐C3N4 structures using the ultrasonic‐assisted electrospinning method. We evaluated effective photocatalytic of chitosan/lactose/g‐C3N4 nanocomposites to photodegrade methyl red, methyl orange, and methyl blue in different nanophotocatalyst concentration such as 0.1–1%g/L in pH 6.5. According to the experimental results, it was found that nanocomposites in different concentrations of g‐C3N4 had high potential in degradation of organic compounds. The lactose structures as a green capping agent and stabilizer modified chitosan surfaces to produce uniform particle size distribution. Different lactose concentrations like 0.1–0.5%wt/vol indicate a particle size range between 270 and 422 nm. The obtained as‐synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The crystalline size and diameter (Dc) of the nanostructures can be determined through XRD data with ∼90–110 nm. Results show that photocatalytic activity in low pH is more increased than other values due to more electron–hole pairs formed on the surface.
Molecular Structure, Molecular Docking and Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity study of cellulose II
Authors: Celik Sefa , Demirag Aliye Demet , E. Ozel Aysen , Akyuz Sevim 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCellulose is a renewable biopolymer which is the most abundant in nature, formed by binding of glucose units with β‐1,4 glycosidic bonds. Cellulose is divided into two groups as bacterial cellulose (BC) and vegetable cellulose. This study reports the interaction mechanism of Cellulose II, which is a BC, with the cellulase enzymes, determined by molecular docking method based on key‐lock theory. The most stable molecular geometry of the Cellulose II molecule was determined by density functional theory using Gaussian 09 program. The scaled vibration frequencies of optimized geometry were calculated by using Molvib program. Molecular electrostatic potential and frontier molecular orbital analyses were performed. Molecular interactions between cellulose II and endoglucanase, exogluconase and β‐glucosidase II have been determined. Moreover, the drug likeness and ADMET properties of cellulose II were analyzed for the prediction of pharmacokinetic profiles.
Multi‐compartment metabolomics and metagenomics reveal major hepatic and intestinal disturbances in cancer cachectic mice
Authors: Pötgens Sarah A. , Thibaut Morgane M. , Joudiou Nicolas , Sboarina Martina , Neyrinck Audrey M. , Cani Patrice D. , Claus Sandrine P. , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Bindels Laure B. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundCancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by multiple metabolic dysfunctions. Besides the muscle, other organs such as the liver and the gut microbiota may also contribute to this syndrome. Indeed, the gut microbiota, an important regulator of the host metabolism, is altered in the C26 preclinical model of cancer cachexia. Interventions targeting the gut microbiota have shown benefits, but mechanisms underlying the host–microbiota crosstalk in this context are still poorly understood.MethodsTo explore this crosstalk, we combined proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) metabolomics in multiple compartments with 16S rDNA sequencing. These analyses were complemented by molecular and biochemical analyses, as well as hepatic transcriptomics.Results1H‐NMR revealed major changes between control (CT) and cachectic (C26) mice in the four analysed compartments (i.e. caecal content, portal vein, liver, and vena cava). More specifically, glucose metabolism pathways in the C26 model were altered with a reduction in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis and an activation of the hexosamine pathway, arguing against the existence of a Cori cycle in this model. In parallel, amino acid uptake by the liver, with an up to four‐fold accumulation of nine amino acids (q‐value <0.05), was mainly used for acute phase response proteins synthesis rather than to fuel the tricarboxylic acid cycle and gluconeogenesis. We also identified a 35% reduction in hepatic carnitine levels (q‐value <0.05) and a lower activation of the phosphatidylcholine pathway as potential contributors to the hepatic steatosis present in this model. Our work also reveals a reduction of different beneficial intestinal bacterial activities in cancer cachexia. We found decreased levels of two short‐chain fatty acids, acetate and butyrate (72% and 88% reduction in C26 caecal content; q‐value <0.001), and a reduction in aromatic amino acid metabolites, which may contribute to the altered intestinal homeostasis in these mice. A member of the Ruminococcaceae family (ASV 2) was identified as the main bacterium responsible for the drop in butyrate. Finally, we report a two‐fold intestinal transit acceleration (P‐value <0.001) as a key factor shaping the gut microbiota composition and activity in cancer cachexia, which together lead to a faecal loss of proteins and amino acids.ConclusionsOur work highlights new metabolic pathways potentially involved in cancer cachexia and further supports the interest of exploring the gut microbiota composition and activity, as well as intestinal transit, in cancer patients with and without cachexia.
Scanning electron microscopy of Sophora alopecuroides L. seeds and their cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition potentials
Authors: Zahra Syeda Anber , Iqbal Javed , Abbasi Banzeer Ahsan , Yaseen Tabassum , Hameed Ayesha , Shahbaz Amir , Kanwal Sobia , Mahmood Tariq , Ahmad Parvaiz 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSophora alopecuroides L. is a highly medicinal plant. The aim of the current study was to determine the phytochemical screening, pharmacological potentials and application of scanning electron microscope (SEM) of S. alopecuroides (SA) seeds. To achieve this purpose, six different solvents were used to prepare SA seed extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant activities were determined calorimetrically. To investigate the antidiabetic activity, α‐amylase inhibition assay was determined. Brine shrimp assay was used to determine cytotoxicity potential. Anti‐leishmanial potential was confirmed using MTT assay. Disc‐diffusion method was used to detect protein kinase inhibitory, antibacterial and antifungal activities and showed significant results. SEM analysis was used as an identification tool. Considerable amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents were identified in methanol extract (SASM) (93.76 ± 2.71 GAE/mg) and (77 ± 3.60 QE/mg). Highest DPPH scavenging potential (82%) was reported for SASM. Significant total antioxidant capacity (90.60 ± 1.55 alpha amylase enzyme [AAE]/mg) and total reducing power (94.44 ± 1.38 AAE/mg) were determined for LOSM. Highest α‐amylase inhibition was reported in SASM (78.20 ± 1.58%). Highest LD50 of brine shrimp was found for n‐hexane extract (SASH) 13.03 μg/ml. All extracts showed strong anti‐leishmanial activity except SASH. The seeds of SA were seen to be oblong to obovate, projections, wavy slightly straight, anticlinal wall was raised with apex acuminate. In conclusion, our experimental findings highly support the ethnomedicinal and biological potentials of the SA seeds. Moreover, SA seeds need to be explored for identification and isolation of bioactive compounds. In future, we recommend further in vivo toxicity assays and clinical efficacies to further evaluate its different biomedical properties.
Isolation methodology is essential to the evaluation of the extracellular vesicle component of the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype
Authors: Wallis Ryan , Josipovic Natasa , Mizen Hannah , Robles‐Tenorio Arturo , Tyler Eleanor J. , Papantonis Argyris , Bishop Cleo L. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA hallmark of senescence is the acquisition of an enhanced secretome comprising inflammatory mediators and tissue remodelling agents – the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Through the SASP, senescent cells are hypothesised to contribute to both ageing and pathologies associated with age. Whilst soluble factors have been the most widely investigated components of the SASP, there is growing evidence that small extracellular vesicles (EVs) comprise functionally important constituents. Thus, dissecting the contribution of the soluble SASP from the vesicular component is crucial to elucidating the functional significance of senescent cell derived EVs. Here, we take advantage of a systematic proteomics based approach to determine that soluble SASP factors co‐isolate with EVs following differential ultracentrifugation (dUC). We present size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) as a method for separation of the soluble and vesicular components of the senescent secretome and thus EV purification. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SEC EVs isolated from senescent cells contribute to non‐cell autonomous paracrine senescence. Therefore, this work emphasises the requirement for methodological rigor due to the propensity of SASP components to co‐isolate during dUC and provides a framework for future investigations of the vesicular component of the SASP.