bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on frozen-thawed embryo transfer outcomes
Authors: Diao Junrong , Aijun Du , Wang Xinyan , Zhang Shuai , Han Ying , Xiao Nan , Pang Zhe , Ma Junfang , Zhang Yunshan , Luo Haining 
Published: September 2024

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised concerns about its potential effects on human fertility, particularly among individuals undergoing assisted reproductive therapy (ART). However, the impact of COVID-19 on female reproductive and assisted reproductive outcomes is unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes during frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study included 327 enrolled patients who underwent FET cycles at a single reproductive centre. The study group consisted of patients treated between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2023 who recently recovered from COVID-19. The embryos for transfer were generated prior to COVID-19 infection. The control group consisted of patients treated between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021 who were not infected and did not receive a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. Demographic and cycle characteristics and outcomes were compared.

Results
A total of 160 recovered women and 167 controls were included. The primary outcome—the live birth rate—was similar between the two groups (43.8% vs. 43.1%, P > 0.05). The secondary outcomes, such as the implantation rates (41.2% vs. 39.3%), biochemical pregnancy rates (56.3% vs. 56.3%), clinical pregnancy rates (52.5% vs. 52.1%), early abortion rates (8.3% vs. 12.6%) and ongoing pregnancy rates (46.9% vs. 44.3%), were also similar (P < 0.05). According to a logistic regression model, the live birth rate did not decrease after SARS-CoV-2 infection after adjusting for confounding factors (adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.953 (0.597∼1.523)). Regardless of stratification by age or the number of embryos transferred, the differences remained nonsignificant. Subgroup logistic regression demonstrated that the time interval from infection to transplant had no significant influence on the live birth rate.

Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2 infection after oocyte retrieval had no detrimental effect on subsequent FET outcomes.
Toll-like receptor 4 damages the intestinal epithelial cells by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress in septic rats
Authors: Wu Xue , Yang Jilin , Bao Xin , Wang Yijie 
Published: September 2024

Background
The severity of acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) is a critical determinant of survival in sepsis. However, there is no specifically interventional management for gastrointestinal dysfunction. Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important contributor to sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. So, we investigated the effect of TLR4 on leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) + cells and goblet cells and its potential mechanism.

Methods
A cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model reflecting the development of clinical sepsis was developed. Tak-242, a TLR4 inhibitor, was administered to septic rats at a dose of 3 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect TLR4 and Lgr5+ cells. AB-PAS staining was performed to detect goblet cells. MUC1 and MUC2 secreted by goblet cells, biomarkers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammatory cytokines in the intestine were detected by western blotting and real-time PCR.

Results
We found that the upregulation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activated intestinal inflammatory response in sepsis. Meanwhile, the structure of intestinal mucosa was destroyed, Lgr5+ cells and goblet cells count were significantly reduced, and the secretory function of goblet cells also decreased. Further studies have found that TLR4 increased the levels of activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6), XBP1, ER chaperone (Bip) and CHOP, but did not activate the protein kinase RNA (PKR)-like ER kinase (P-PERK).

Conclusion
We concluded that the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway can reduce intestinal inflammatory response, protect intestinal mucosa, protect Lgr5+ cells, goblet cells and relieve ER stress. Our findings suggest that Tak-242 protects Lgr5+ cells and goblet cells after sepsis, partly may be through the suppression of ER stress. Thus, inhibition of TLR4-mediated ER stress may be a promising therapy of septic AGI.
Biophysicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Leaves
Authors: Nnadiukwu Tochukwu A. , Nnadiukwu Chinonso U. 
Published: September 2024

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Chaya leaf or spinach tree) commonly found in West Africa especially Nigeria, was carefully investigated for its biophysicochemical properties, and in-vitro antioxidant potential. Well dried and pulverized sample of C. aconitifolius was assayed for its flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, nitrate, moisture, ash and crude content as well as peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) following the standard assay methodologies. The result showed that C. aconitifolius contains 79.12 ± 0.16% moisture content, 6.61 ± 0.27% ash and 13.35 ± 0.27% crude fiber. The result recorded flavonoid content, at 132.83±9.25 mg/100gQE, alkaloid (105.91±1.52 mg/100g), phenol (351.53±2.33 mg/100gCE), and nitrate concentration of 461.29 ± 5.83 mg/100g. The in-vitro antioxidant activity results revealed 0.442 ± 0.027 activity/min/unit/g for peroxidase, and 0.076 ± 0.004 units/g Units/g fresh weight for SOD. Meanwhile, the inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of the sample against DPPH activity was 12.95 as against 0.13 recorded by the standard (ascorbic acid), indicating that the sample has a lower DPPH scavenging potential when compared to ascorbic acid. In conclusion, these findings highlight the nutritional abundance and antioxidant properties of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, indicating its potential health benefits especially in countering the deleterious actions of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, however the antioxidant activity should be examined in-vivo. Also, the high moisture content is an indication that the sample requires effective storage mechanism to inhibit or lower microbial growth, which can reduce its shelf life.
Integrated Weed Management of Mustard Crop (Brassica juncea L.) under Mid-Hill Region of Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Sandeep  , Alam Mohd Shah , Patel Jay Nath , Yograj  
Published: September 2024

Aim: To study on Integrated Weed Management of mustard crop (Brassica juncea L.) under mid-hill region of Himachal Pradesh.
Study Design: The field experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD).
Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was carried out during 2022-2023 with the concept of integrated weed management at Abhilashi University Chail chowk Mandi (H.P.).
Methodology: Eight treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. T1-Oxadiargyl 0.90 kg a.i. ha-1 (pre-emergence), T2-Oxadiargyl 0.90 kg ai. ha-1 (pre-emergence) + two hand weeding at 30 and 60 DAS,T3-Pendimethalin 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 (pre - emergence)T4-Pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i. ha-1 (pre - emergence) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS,T5-Oxadiargyl 0.90 kg a.i. ha-1 (pre - emergence) fb IPU 0.75 kg a.i ha-1 (post emergence),T6-Pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i ha-1 (pre-emergence) fb IPU 0.75 kg a.i ha-1 (post- emergence),T7-Two hand weeding at 30 and 60 DAS, T8-Weedy check.
Results: The investigation found that the most effective ways to control weeds are by keeping the area completely T2-Oxadiargyl 0.90 kg ha-1 (pre-emergence) + two hand weeding at 30 and 60 DAS, which involved keeping the area weed-free, was found to be the most successful in terms of achieving the lowest weed density and highest weed control efficiency.
Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that integrated weed management practices T2-Oxadiargyl 0.90 kg ha-1 (pre-emergence) + two hand weeding at 30 and 60 DAS, treatment is the most effective option for managing weeds in mustard crop.
Amplitude of solar wind density turbulence from 10 to 45 R⊙
Authors: Sasikumar Raja K. , Ingale Madhusudan , Ramesh R. , Subramanian Prasad , Manoharan P. K. , Janardhan P. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractWe report on the amplitude of the density turbulence spectrum (
) and the density modulation index (δN/N) in the solar wind between 10 and 45R⊙. We derive these quantities using a structure function that is observationally constrained by occultation observations of the Crab nebula made in 2011 and 2013 and similar observations published earlier. We use the most general form of the structure function, together with currently used prescriptions for the inner/dissipation scale of the turbulence spectrum. Our work yields a comprehensive picture (a) of the manner in which
and δN/N vary with heliocentric distance in the solar wind and (b) of the solar cycle dependence of these quantities.
Simulations of long‐period ground motions from a large earthquake using finite rupture modeling and the ambient seismic field
Authors: Viens Loïc , Miyake Hiroe , Koketsu Kazuki 
Published: November 2016

AbstractLong‐period ground motions generated by large earthquakes slowly attenuate with distance and can be significantly amplified by local velocity structures even at large distances. We take advantage of the wave propagation information carried by the ambient seismic field to simulate the long‐period ground motions of the 2008 Mw 6.9 Iwate‐Miyagi Nairiku earthquake, which occurred in the Tohoku region, Japan. We extract Green's functions between pairs of stations by regarding seismometers located in the vicinity of the main shock fault plane as virtual sources and others as receivers. We calibrate the amplitude of the extracted Green's functions using records of a Mw 5.0 aftershock with a reverse‐faulting focal mechanism similar to that of the main shock. We use scaling relations between small and large earthquakes to construct several finite fault models that are used together with the extracted Green's functions to simulate the ground motions of the main shock. Among the different models, a uniform finite source model with a rupture velocity of 1.95 km/s combined with the Green's functions extracted using one virtual source station located at the center of the fault plane yields the best fit between the simulated and observed long‐period ground motions. This study demonstrates the potential of the ambient seismic field combined with finite source modeling to assess the seismic hazard related to long‐period ground motions that could be generated by forthcoming large earthquakes.
The performance of the EarthCARE Cloud Profiling Radar in marine stratiform clouds
Authors: Burns David , Kollias Pavlos , Tatarevic Aleksandra , Battaglia Alessandro , Tanelli Simone 
Published: November 2016

AbstractMarine stratiform clouds are a challenging target for spaceborne radars due to their proximity to Earth's surface, limited vertical extent, and low radar reflectivity. The joint European‐Japanese Earth Clouds, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) mission is scheduled for launch in 2019 and features the first atmospheric Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) with Doppler capability in space. Here the performance of the CPR in (i) detecting these clouds and their boundaries and (ii) measuring the Doppler velocities of drizzle particles is evaluated. Extensive observations from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Mobile Facility in marine stratus regimes are used as input to an EarthCARE CPR simulator and to compare the resulting reflectivity factors, Doppler velocities, and cloud detections. Cloud detection of the CPR is 70–80% that of the ground‐based radars, depending upon integration length and feature mask configuration. For clouds entirely contained within the surface clutter, detection is limited but is predicted to be an order of magnitude greater for the EarthCARE CPR than for CloudSat due to the improved range sampling rate of the former. The EarthCARE‐CPR range resolution is found to introduce cloud top height and reflectivity biases of +100 m (equal to the range sampling rate) and +1.3 dB; by applying a constrained linear inversion to the range resolution, these are reduced to 30 m and 0.1 dB, respectively. The analysis indicates that a velocity uncertainty of 0.5 ms−1 is achievable through either a 5 km along‐track integration or a combination of matched spatial filters and 1 km along‐track integration.
Nitrogen mineralization and immobilization in sediments of the East China Sea: Spatiotemporal variations and environmental implications
Authors: Lin Xianbiao , Hou Lijun , Liu Min , Li Xiaofei , Zheng Yanling , Yin Guoyu , Gao Juan , Jiang Xiaofen 
Published: November 2016

AbstractNitrogen (N) mineralization and immobilization are important processes of N biogeochemical cycle in marine sediments. This study investigated gross N mineralization (GNM) and NH4+ immobilization (GAI) in the sediments from the East China Sea (ESC), using 15N stable isotope dilution technique. Results show that measured rates of GNM and GAI ranged from 0.04 to 6.1 µg N g−1 d−1 and from undetectable to 9.82 µg N g−1 d−1, respectively. In general, both GNM and GAI rates were significantly greater in summer as compared to winter, and the high rates occurred mainly in the muddy area and increased gradually from the Yangtze Estuary to Zhe‐Min Coastal muddy areas. The GNM and GAI processes were related closely to sediment temperature, pH, ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−), total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) contents in the muddy area, while they were associated tightly with sediment temperature, pH, NH4+, TOC, TN, sulfide, and Fe(III) concentrations in the sandy area. In addition, the total mineralized and immobilized N in the East China Sea (ECS) were estimated to be approximately 2.1 × 106 t N yr−1 and 2.7 × 106 t N yr−1, respectively. Overall, these results highlight the importance of N mineralization and immobilization in controlling the N budget in the ECS and improve the understanding of both processes and associated controlling mechanisms in the coastal marine ecosystem.
Three‐dimensional flow structure and bed morphology in large elongate meander loops with different outer bank roughness characteristics
Authors: Konsoer Kory M. , Rhoads Bruce L. , Best James L. , Langendoen Eddy J. , Abad Jorge D. , Parsons Dan R. , Garcia Marcelo H. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractFew studies have examined the three‐dimensional flow structure and bed morphology within elongate loops of large meandering channels. The present study focuses on the spatial patterns of three‐dimensional flow structure and bed morphology within two elongate meander loops and examines how differences in outer bank roughness influence near‐bank flow characteristics. Three‐dimensional velocities were measured during two different events—a near‐bankfull flow and an overbank event. Detailed data on channel bathymetry and bed form geometry were obtained during a near‐bankfull event. Flow structure within the loops is characterized by strong topographic steering by the point bar, by the development of helical motion associated with flow curvature, and by acceleration of flow where bedrock is exposed along the outer bank. Near‐bank velocities during the overbank event are less than those for the near‐bankfull flow, highlighting the strong influence of the point bar on redistribution of mass and momentum of the flow at subbankfull stages. Multiple outer bank pools are evident within the elongate meander loop with low outer bank roughness, but are not present in the loop with high outer bank roughness, which may reflect the influence of abundant large woody debris on near‐bank velocity characteristics. The positions of pools within both loops can be linked to spatial variations in planform curvature. The findings indicate that flow structure and bed morphology in these large elongate loops is similar to that in small elongate loops, but differs somewhat from flow structure and bed morphology reported for experimental elongate loops.
Bed load transport in a very steep mountain stream (Riedbach, Switzerland): Measurement and prediction
Authors: Schneider Johannes M. , Rickenmann Dieter , Turowski Jens M. , Schmid Bastian , Kirchner James W. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractCompared to lower‐gradient channels, steep mountain streams typically have rougher beds and shallower flow depths, making macro‐scale flow resistance (due to, e.g., immobile boulders and irregular bedforms) more important as controls on sediment transport. The marked differences in hydraulics, flow resistance, and grain mobility between steep and lower‐gradient streams raise the question of whether the same equations can predict bed load transport rates across wide ranges of channel gradients. We studied a steep, glacier‐fed mountain stream (Riedbach, Ct. Valais, Switzerland) that provides a natural experiment for exploring how stream gradients affect bed load transport rates. The streambed gradient increases over a 1 km stream reach by roughly one order of magnitude (from 3% to 38%), while flow discharge and width remain approximately constant. Sediment transport rates were determined in the 3% reach using Bunte bed load traps and in the 38% reach using the Swiss plate geophone system. Despite a ten‐fold increase in bed gradient, bed load transport rates did not increase substantially. Observed transport rates for these two very different bed gradients could be predicted reasonably well by using a flow resistance partitioning approach to account for increasing bed roughness (D84 changes from 0.17 m to 0.91 m) within a fractional bed load transport equation. This suggests that sediment transport behavior across this large range of steep slopes agrees with patterns established in previous studies for both lower‐gradient and steep reaches, and confirms the applicability of the flow resistance and bed load transport equations at very steep slopes.
Telerheumatology: A Systematic Review
Authors: McDougall John A. , Ferucci Elizabeth D. , Glover Janis , Fraenkel Liana 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveTo identify and summarize the published and gray literature on the use of telemedicine for the diagnosis and management of inflammatory and/or autoimmune rheumatic disease.MethodsWe performed a registered systematic search (CRD42015025382) for studies using MEDLINE (1946 to July 2015), Embase (1974 to July 2015), Web of Science (1900 to July 2015), and Scopus (1946 to July 2015) databases. We included studies that demonstrated the use of telemedicine for diagnosis and/or management of inflammatory/autoimmune rheumatic disease. Following data extraction, we performed a descriptive analysis.ResultsOur literature search identified 1,468 potentially eligible studies. Of these studies, 20 were ultimately included in this review. Studies varied significantly in publication type, quality of evidence, and the reporting of methods. Most demonstrated a high risk of bias. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most commonly studied rheumatic disease (42% of patients). Studies demonstrated conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of telemedicine (18 found it effective, 1 found it effective but possibly harmful, and 1 found it ineffective). A limited number of studies included some component of a cost analysis (n = 6; 16% of patients); all of these found telemedicine to be cost‐effective.ConclusionStudies identified by this systematic review generally found telemedicine to be effective for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune/inflammatory rheumatic disease; however, there is limited evidence to support this conclusion. Further studies are needed to determine the best uses of telemedicine for the diagnosis and management of these conditions.
Hallux Valgus, By Nature or Nurture? A Twin Study
Authors: Munteanu Shannon E. , Menz Hylton B. , Wark John D. , Christie Jemma J. , Scurrah Katrina J. , Bui Minh , Erbas Bircan , Hopper John L. , Wluka Anita E. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the contributions of shared but unmeasured genetic and environmental factors to hallux valgus (HV).MethodsBetween 2011 and 2012, 74 monozygotic (MZ) and 56 dizygotic (DZ) female twin pairs self‐reported HV and putative risk factors, including footwear use across their lifespan. Estimates of casewise concordance (PC), correlation (ρ), and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated, adjusting for age and other risk factors, and compared between MZ and DZ pairs using logistic regression, generalized estimating equations, and a maximum likelihood‐based method, respectively.ResultsA total of 70 participants (27%) reported HV, with 12 MZ and 7 DZ pairs being concordant. After adjusting for age, twins were correlated (ρ = 0.27 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.08, 0.46]) and concordant (PC = 0.45 [95% CI 0.29, 0.61]; mean age 58 years), with no difference between MZ and DZ pairs (P = 0.7). HV was associated with regularly wearing footwear with a constrictive toe‐box during the fourth decade (adjusted OR 2.73 [95% CI 1.12, 6.67]). This risk factor was correlated in MZ (ρ = 0.38 [95% CI 0.15, 0.60]) but not DZ (ρ = −0.20 [95% CI −0.43, 0.03]) pairs. These correlations were significantly different (P = 0.002).ConclusionTwins are correlated for HV, but we found no evidence that correlation was due to shared genetic factors. We identified an environmental risk factor, footwear with a constrictive toe‐box, that is not shared to the same extent by MZ and DZ pairs, contrary to the assumption of the classic twin model. Footwear, and possibly genetic factors and unknown shared environmental factors, could contribute to developing HV.
The association of low birth weight with serum C reactive protein in 3‐year‐old children living in Cuba: A population‐based prospective study
Authors: Josefina Venero‐Fernández Silvia , Fundora‐Hernández Hermes , Batista‐Gutierrez Lourdes , Suárez‐Medina Ramón , de la C. Mora‐Faife Esperanza , García‐García Gladys , del Valle‐Infante Ileana , Gómez‐Marrero Liem , Britton John , Fogarty Andrew W. ,   HINASIC (Historia Natural de la Sibilancia en Cuba/Natural History of Wheezing in Cuba) Study Group
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveLow birthweight is associated with a decreased risk of childhood leukemia and an increased risk of both cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality in adult life. Possible biological mediators include systemic innate immunity and inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that birthweight was inversely associated with serum high sensitivity C reactive protein assay (hsCRP), a measure of both innate immunity and systemic inflammation.MethodsData on birthweight and current anthropometric measures along with a range of exposures were collected at 1 and 3 years of age in a population‐based cohort study of young children living in Havana, Cuba. A total of 986 children aged 3‐years‐old provided blood samples that were analyzed for serum hsCRP levels.ResultsNearly 49% of children had detectable hsCRP levels in their serum. Lower birthweight was linearly associated with the natural log of hsCRP levels (beta coefficient −0.70 mg L−1 per kg increase in birthweight, 95% CI: −1.34 to −0.06). This was attenuated but still present after adjustment for the child's sex and municipality (−0.65 mg L−1 per kg birthweight; 95% CI: −1.38 to +0.08). There were no associations between growth from birth or anthropometric measures at 3 years and systemic inflammation.ConclusionsBirthweight was inversely associated with serum hsCRP levels in children aged 3 years living in Cuba. These observations provide a potential mechanism that is present at the age of 3 years to explain the association between low birthweight and both decreased childhood leukemia and increased cardiovascular disease in adults.