bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing total RNA extraction method for human and mice samples
Authors: Zeng Yumei , Tang Xiaoxue , Chen Jinwen , Kang Xi , Bai Dazhang 
Published: September 2024

Background
Extracting high-quality total RNA is pivotal for advanced RNA molecular studies, such as Next-generation sequencing and expression microarrays where RNA is hybridized. Despite the development of numerous extraction methods in recent decades, like the cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and the traditional TRIzol reagent methods, their complexity and high costs often impede their application in small-scale laboratories. Therefore, a practical and economical method for RNA extraction that maintains high standards of efficiency and quality needs to be provided to optimize RNA extraction from human and mice tissues.

Method
This study proposes enhancements to the TRIzol method by incorporating guanidine isothiocyanate (GITC-T method) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-T method). We evaluated the effectiveness of these modified methods compared to the TRIzol method using a micro-volume UV-visible spectrophotometer, electrophoresis, q-PCR, RNA-Seq, and whole transcriptome sequencing.

Result
The micro-volume UV-visible spectrophotometer, electrophoresis, and RNA-Seq demonstrated that the GITC-T method yielded RNA with higher yields, integrity, and purity, while the consistency in RNA quality between the two methods was confirmed. Taking mouse cerebral cortex tissue as a sample, the yield of total RNA extracted by the GITC-T method was 1,959.06 ± 49.68 ng/mg, while the yield of total RNA extracted by the TRIzol method was 1,673.08 ± 86.39 ng/mg. At the same time, the OD260/280 of the total RNA samples extracted by the GITC-T method was 2.03 ± 0.012, and the OD260/230 was 2.17 ± 0.031, while the OD260/280 of the total RNA samples extracted by the TRIzol method was 2.013 ± 0.041 and the OD260/230 was 2.11 ± 0.062. Furthermore, q-PCR indicated that the GITC-T method achieved higher yields, purity, and greater transcript abundance of total RNA from the same types of animal samples than the TRIzol method.

Conclusion
The GITC-T method not only yields higher purity and quantity of RNA but also reduces reagent consumption and overall costs, thereby presenting a more feasible option for small-scale laboratory settings.
Fear of COVID-19 and illicit drug use during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a case-control study
Authors: Nitta Katsuya , Naito Haruaki , Tabuchi Takahiro , Kakiuchi Yasuhiro 
Published: September 2024

Background
Some people use illicit drugs to relieve stress. However, these drugs cause serious damage not only to individuals but also to society as a whole. Stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is considerable, as the number of illicit drug users continues to increase, despite a decrease in the availability of drugs and opportunities to leave the house during the pandemic. Fear of COVID-19 causes stress; however, its association with illicit drug use is not yet understood. In this study, we examined whether the fear of COVID-19 affects the subsequent use of illicit drugs.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective longitudinal case-control study using data from an Internet survey performed annually between 2020–2022, with the 2020 survey as the baseline survey and the 2021 and 2022 surveys as follow-up surveys. Those who were illicit drug use-free at the baseline survey but had a history of drug use upon follow-up were defined as the outcome group, whereas those who remained illicit drug use-free at follow-up were defined as the no-outcome group. Logistic regression analysis was conducted between the two groups, using “the fear of COVID-19” as the explanatory variable and adjusting for the effects of confounding factors. The same analysis was conducted by dividing illicit drugs into cannabis and non-cannabis groups, then setting their use as a secondary outcome.

Results
The study included 17,800 subjects, 837 of whom used illicit drugs at follow-up and 16,963 who did not use illicit drugs at follow-up. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher levels of fear over COVID-19 correlated with higher illicit drug use among the participants. However, our analysis of cannabis-only outcomes showed no significant differences.

Conclusions
We found that fear of COVID-19 was a contributing factor to illicit drug use. Although the exact mechanism through which fear influences illicit drug use remains unknown, previous studies have shown that fear of certain targets increases illicit drug use, and our study adds to this evidence. However, in this study, we were unable to show a statistically significant causal relationship between fear of COVID-19 and the use of cannabis alone. Further research on the relationship between fear and the use of cannabis or other drugs, for varying focuses of fear, may broaden our knowledge of the different reasons individuals have for using different drugs.
Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain TIA2019A Concentration as Starter Culture on Volatile Aroma Fingerprint of Cocoa Beans and Sensory Perception of End-chocolate
Authors: Assi-Clair Brice Judicaël , Koné Mai Koumba , Yao Mathurin Konan , Lebrun Marc , Maraval Isabelle , Boulanger Renaud , Guéhi Tagro Simplice 
Published: September 2024

Cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire is currently characterized by low technological quality including the absence of desired fine flavors. Various yeasts are essential for cocoa fermentation and play a key role in the formation of cocoa volatile aroma precursors. This study investigated the improvement of aromatic quality of dry fermented cocoa beans through inoculation of yeats reported to be high potential aroma compounds producer to the cocoa fermentation. Starter culture based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain TIA2019A from wine fermentation were prepared at 2 concentrations about 0.5 and 1.0 g yeast per kg of fresh cocoa beans. Cocoa 6 days-fermentation with about 25 kg of fresh beans were carried out in plastic boxes (50×30×30 cm3) for 06 days with 2 turnings at 48 and 96 hours. Fermented cocoa beans was then sun-dried until a moisture content about 8%. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) fingerprint of dry fermented cocoa beans were determined using SPME-GC/MS method. Main results showed that dry fermented cocoa beans fermented from inoculated 0.5 g of S. cerevisiae per kg of fresh cocoa recorded higher contents of relevant VOCs comprised between 100 and 600 µg.g-1 than cocoa beans inoculated at 1.0 g of yeast per kg. Chocolate made from cocoa beans inoculated at 0.5 g of S. cerevisiae per kg of cocoa recorded better score for fresh fruit flavors and global organoleptic quality than those produced from cocoa beans inoculated at 1.0 g of S. cerevisiae per kg of cocoa. Utilization of starter based on S. cerevisiae at low concentration promoted the organoleptic qualities of cocoa and derived chocolate. Selected yeast strains with VOCs producing performance can thus be used to improve aroma quality of dry cocoa beans and the organoleptic quality of chocolate produced thereof.
Analyzing Farmers’ Perceived Information Need and its Mitigation by Extension and Advisory Service (EAS) Providers in Pluralistic System
Authors: Hossain Sk Mosaraf , Mukhopadhyay S D 
Published: September 2024

Agriculture is one vital component of national growth. Access to information related to agriculture is crucial for the betterment of farmers. A complex web of connections among Extension and Advisory Service (EAS) providers mitigates the farmers' diverse information needs. Many EAS providers, working alone or in tandem, facilitate this information need in a pluralistic extension scenario. This study attempted to clarify farmers' information needs and provide a comparative evaluation of EAS providers' ability to mitigate those needs. The research was carried out in the Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, and Nadia districts in West Bengal. Four Extension and Advisory Service providers, namely, ATMA & Dept of Agriculture, KVK, Input Dealer, and FPC, from each district were compared based on the farmers' preferences regarding the specific information that each farmer needed. Twenty farmers for each extension advisory service provider, totaling Eighty from every district, and ultimately, two hundred and forty respondents from three study districts were examined. The study revealed that information about the Varietal Aspects, Government welfare schemes, Crop Production Techniques, and Market information are the most sought needs. The farmer's Extent of Needs is Multiplied by the percentage of farmers choosing any EAS for the Information Need, to generate a Magnitude Score, and after summing them, a Need Mitigation Score for all the EAS Providers is generated. Based on this score, FPCs emerged as the best need mitigator, followed by ATMA & DoA, KVK, and Input Dealer in descending order.
Effects of Cadmium on the Marine Cyanobacteria
Authors: Kabasi Arpita , Ghosh Sahana , Kesh Gargi Saha 
Published: September 2024

Cyanobacteria, being one of the earliest producers on the planet, have developed unique survival strategies. These uniqueness of cyanobacteria are drawing the attention of the scientists to study the properties of this organism for the goal of the pollution control. Due to industrialisation and other reasons, water bodies across the globe is are facing the problems of the heavy metal toxicity. As a way to remediate the water bodies polluted with the heavy metals like cadmium, use of cyanobacteria could be significant. Cyanobacteria have been shown to remove or absorb 10-60% of the contaminating cadmium in different previous studies. Strain AP25 isolated from islands of the Indian Sundarbans have been used for this study. The photosynthetic pigments of AP 25 have been studied in order to determine whether the uptaken heavy metals alter the vital cellular processes in cyanobacteria. Along with the photosynthetic pigments, the different physiological parameters, like the biomass, total protein of AP25 also showed decline with the time even when the cadmium concentration remained a constant of 1000 µM. The area of study concerning phytoremediation is extremely vast and requires extensive research, this study would act as a stepping stone to elaborate the research in this field of bioremediation, the marine cyanobacteria.
Achiral Inorganic Gypsum Acts as an Origin of Chirality through Its Enantiotopic Surface in Conjunction with Asymmetric Autocatalysis
Authors: Matsumoto Arimasa , Kaimori Yoshiyasu , Uchida Mizuki , Omori Haruna , Kawasaki Tsuneomi , Soai Kenso 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAchiral inorganic gypsum (CaSO4⋅2 H2O) triggers the asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol on its two‐dimensional enantiotopic faces to give highly enantioenriched alkanol products with absolute configurations corresponding to the respective enantiotopic surfaces. This is the first example of highly enantioselective synthesis on the enantiotopic surface of an achiral mineral.
Brief Report: Remission Rates With Tofacitinib Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparison of Various Remission Criteria
Authors: Smolen Josef S. , Aletaha Daniel , Gruben David , Zwillich Samuel H. , Krishnaswami Sriram , Mebus Charles 
Published: December 2016

ObjectiveTofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor that is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In previous clinical trials of tofacitinib, a Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28)–based analysis was used to assess outcomes. In this study, remission rates according to various remission criteria were evaluated across 5 phase III randomized controlled studies.MethodsIn all 5 studies, tofacitinib was administered at a dosage of 5 mg twice daily or 10 mg twice daily, either as monotherapy or with background methotrexate or other conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs. One of the studies included adalimumab 40 mg once every 2 weeks. In addition to the 4‐variable DAS28 using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28‐4[ESR]), a primary efficacy variable used in the phase III studies, disease activity was assessed post hoc by the 4‐variable DAS28 using the C‐reactive protein level (DAS28‐4[CRP]), the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), and Boolean‐based assessment.ResultsA total of 3,306 patients were analyzed (1,213 of these patients received tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, 1,212 received tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, 679 received placebo, and 202 received adalimumab 40 mg every 2 weeks). Remission rates varied according to the criteria used, with higher rates in the active‐treatment groups for the DAS28‐4(CRP) than for other scores. At month 3, remission rates with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily were 18–22% using the DAS28‐4(CRP), 5–10% using the DAS28‐4(ESR), 4–7% using the SDAI, 5–6% using the CDAI, and 2–7% using the Boolean‐based method. In contrast, the remission rates with placebo varied from 0% to 7%, with small differences between the DAS28‐4(ESR) and the DAS28‐4(CRP).ConclusionAlthough tofacitinib at dosages of 5 mg twice daily and 10 mg twice daily was effective compared with placebo in achieving disease remission, regardless of the disease activity measure, remission rates were substantially higher when the DAS28‐4(CRP) was used. The presence or absence and type of acute‐phase reactants in remission criteria were significant contributors to remission rates across treatment groups. This finding has important consequences for trial design and clinical practice.
Testing and Defending Methods Against DOS Attack in State Estimation
Authors: Zhang Heng , Qi Yifei , Zhou Huan , Zhang Jian , Sun Jing 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we consider a state estimation problem. In this problem, a sensor measures the state of a linear discrete‐time system and sends measurements to an estimator via a packet‐dropping communication link. We are concerned with the effect of Denial‐of‐Service (DoS) attacks on stability of the estimation system, and particularly focus on how to examine whether the communication channel is under DoS attack or not as well as how to defend accordingly, if defense is possible. We formulate the detection problem as a hypothesis testing problem provided that the statistics of the communication channel is known a priori. Two defense countermeasures are proposed: one of which uses a secured packet coding approach to partly compensate the previous packet loss; and in the other the sensor's transmission power is raised to resist the jamming effect brought by the DoS attack. Simulations are provided to demonstrate the main results.
Race and ethnicity and preconception folic acid supplement use among pregnant women in Georgia, PRAMS 2009 to 2011
Authors: Mukhtar Ayesha , Kramer Michael R. , Oakley Godfrey P. , Kancherla Vijaya 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundThe United States Public Health Service recommends that all women of reproductive age consume 400 μg of folic acid daily to prevent major neural tube defects. Hispanics have the highest prevalence of neural tube defects compared with other race/ethnic groups. We studied prevalence of preconception folic acid supplement use, and its association with race/ethnicity among pregnant women in Georgia.MethodsUsing state‐wide population‐based data from 2009 to 2011 Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, we examined the prevalence of preconception folic acid supplement use among pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years. We conducted multivariable logistic regression and estimated adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to examine the association between race/ethnicity and supplemental folic acid use among study participants.ResultsOverall, 25% of all participants reported taking folic acid supplements daily before conception. Only 21% of Hispanic women reported preconception folic acid supplement use. Hispanic women were twice as likely to not take folic acid supplements (adjusted odds ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–3.40) compared with non‐Hispanic whites, after controlling for maternal age, parity, pregnancy intention, knowledge that folic acid prevents birth defects, and preconception smoking and exercise.ConclusionHispanics are a growing population in the United States with an expected 14 million women of child‐bearing age by 2020, and the prevalence of preconception folic acid supplement use is low in this group with a high risk of neural tube defects. Promotion of voluntarily fortified corn masa flour can lower neural tube defects in Hispanics. Mandatory corn masa fortification will be a more effective public health policy.Birth Defects Research 109:38–48, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combination of two epitope identification techniques enables the rational design of soy allergen Gly m 4 mutants
Authors: Havenith Heide , Kern Karolin , Rautenberger Paul , Spiegel Holger , Szardenings Michael , Ueberham Elke , Lehmann Jörg , Buntru Matthias , Vogel Simon , Treudler Regina , Fischer Rainer , Schillberg Stefan 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDetailed IgE‐binding epitope analysis is a key requirement for the understanding and development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to address food allergies. An IgE‐specific linear peptide microarray with random phage peptide display for the high‐resolution mapping of IgE‐binding epitopes of the major soybean allergen Gly m 4, which is a homologue to the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 is combined. Three epitopes are identified and mapped to a resolution of four key amino acids, allowing the rational design and the production of three Gly m 4 mutants with the aim to abolish or reduce the binding of epitope‐specific IgE. In ELISA, the binding of the mutant allergens to polyclonal rabbit‐anti Gly m 4 serum as well as IgE purified from Gly m 4‐reactive soybean allergy patient sera is reduced by up to 63% compared to the wild‐type allergen. Basophil stimulation experiments using RBL‐SX38 cells loaded with patient IgE are showed a decreased stimulation from 25% for the wild‐type Gly m 4 to 13% for one mutant. The presented approach demonstrates the feasibility of precise mapping of allergy‐related IgE‐binding epitopes, allowing the rational design of less allergenic mutants as potential therapeutic agents.
Response to ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia improves in quality with time
Authors: Molica Stefano , Carillio Guido , Battaglia Caterina 
Published: December 2016

Key Clinical MessageUnlike chemoimmunotherapy regimens, which are given for a defined period, ibrutinib, a first‐in‐class Bruton's kinase inhibitor, allows most patients with CLL to remain on treatment for an extended period. Our experience, supported by sequential CT scan images, suggests that long‐term ibrutinib promotes a high response rate that improves in quality with time.
Electrochemical Oxidation and Radical Cations of Structurally Non‐rigid Hypervalent Silatranes: Theoretical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Sidorkin Valery F. , Belogolova Elena F. , Wang Yu , Jouikov Viatcheslav , Doronina Evgeniya P. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractUsing 18 silatranes XSi(OCH2CH2)3N (1) as examples, the potentials of electrochemical oxidationE0of the hypervalent compounds of Si were calculated for the first time at the ab initio and DFT levels. The experimental peak potentialsEp(acetonitrile) show an excellent agreement (MAE=0.03) with the MP2//B3PW91 calculatedE0(C‐PCM). Radical cations of1reveal a stretch isomerism of the N→Si dative bond. Localization of the spin density (SD) on the substituent X and the short (s) coordination contact Si⋅⋅⋅N (dSiN<2.13 Å) along with the high five‐coordinate character of Si are typical for the first isomer1+.(s), whereas the second one,1+.(l), has a longer (l) Si⋅⋅⋅N distance (dSiN>3.0 Å), the four‐coordinate Si and the SD localized on the silatrane nitrogen atom Ns. The vertical model of adiabatic ionization (1→1+.(s)or1→1+.(l)) was developed. It allows, in accordance with an original experimental test (electrooxidation of1in the presence of ferrocene), a reliable prediction of the most probable pathways of the silatrane oxidation. The reliable relationships ofE0(1) with the strength characteristics of the dative contact N→Si were revealed.
Taming Metal/Fluorine Carbenoids
Authors: Molitor Sebastian , Feichtner Kai‐Stephan , Gessner Viktoria H. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAlthough Li/Cl carbenoids are versatile reagents in organic synthesis, the controlled handling of the extremely reactive and labile M/F carbenoids remains a challenge. We now show that even these compounds can be stabilized and isolated in solid state, as well as in solution. Particularly the sodium and potassium compounds exhibit a remarkable stability, thus allowing the first isolation of a room‐temperature‐stable fluorine carbenoid. Spectroscopic, as well as DFT studies confirmed the pronounced carbenoid character, showing M‐F‐C interactions with elongated C−F bonds. The different stabilities of the carbenoids was found to originate from the different strength of the M–F interaction. Hence, the lithium compounds are considerably more reactive than their heavier congeners. Reactivity studies showed that the nature of the metal also influences the reactivity, resulting in different selectivity in the addition to thioketones.
Altered natal dispersal at the range periphery: The role of behavior, resources, and maternal condition
Authors: Merrick Melissa J. , Koprowski John L. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractNatal dispersal outcomes are an interplay between environmental conditions and individual phenotypes. Peripheral, isolated populations may experience altered environmental conditions and natal dispersal patterns that differ from populations in contiguous landscapes. We document nonphilopatric, sex‐biased natal dispersal in an endangered small mammal, the Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis), restricted to a single mountain. Other North American red squirrel populations are shown to have sex‐unbiased, philopatric natal dispersal. We ask what environmental and intrinsic factors may be driving this atypical natal dispersal pattern. We test for the influence of proximate factors and ultimate drivers of natal dispersal: habitat fragmentation, local population density, individual behavior traits, inbreeding avoidance, competition for mates, and competition for resources, allowing us to better understand altered natal dispersal patterns at the periphery of a species’ range. A juvenile squirrel's body condition and its mother's mass in spring (a reflection of her intrinsic quality and territory quality) contribute to individual behavioral tendencies for movement and exploration. Resources, behavior, and body condition have the strongest influence on natal dispersal distance, but affect males and females differently. Male natal dispersal distance is positively influenced by its mother's spring body mass and individual tendency for movement; female natal dispersal distance is negatively influenced by its mother's spring body mass and positively influenced by individual tendency for movement. An apparent feedback between environmental variables and subsequent juvenile behavioral state contributes to an altered natal dispersal pattern in a peripheral population, highlighting the importance of studying ecological processes at the both range center and periphery of species’ distributions.