bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invasive‐dominated grasslands in Hawaiʻi are resilient to disturbance
Authors: Yelenik Stephanie , Rose Eli , Cordell Susan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNon‐native‐dominated landscapes may arise from invasion by competitive plant species, disturbance and invasion of early‐colonizing species, or some combination of these. Without knowing site history, however, it is difficult to predict how native or non‐native communities will reassemble after disturbance events. Given increasing disturbance levels across anthropogenically impacted landscapes, predictive understanding of these patterns is important. We asked how disturbance affected community assembly in six invaded habitat types common in dryland, grazed landscapes on Island of Hawai‘i. We mechanically disturbed 100 m2 plots in six vegetation types dominated by one of four invasive perennial grasses (Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus clandestinus, Cenchrus setaceus, or Melinis repens), a native shrub (Dodonaea viscosa), or a native perennial bunchgrass (Eragrostis atropioides). We censused vegetation before disturbance and monitored woody plant colonization and herbaceous cover for 21 months following the disturbance, categorizing species as competitors, colonizers, or a combination, based on recovery patterns. In addition, we planted individuals of the native shrub and bunchgrass and monitored survival to overcome dispersal limitation of native species when exploring these patterns. We found that the dominant vegetation types showed variation in post‐disturbance syndrome, and that the variation in colonizer versus competitor syndrome occurred both between species, but also within species among different vegetation types. Although there were flushes of native shrub seedlings, these did not survive to 21 months within invaded habitats, probably due to regrowth by competitive invasive grasses. Similarly, survival of planted native individuals was related to the rate of regrowth by dominant species. Regardless of colonization/competitor syndrome, however, all dominant vegetation types were relatively resilient to change. Our results highlight that the altered post‐agricultural, invaded grassland landscapes in Hawaiʻi are stable states. More generally, they point to the importance of resident communities and their effects on species interactions and seed availability in shaping plant community response to disturbance.
Novel SCN5A gene mutation in a patient affected by multifocal ectopic premature Purkinje‐related contractions syndrome
Authors: Ventrella Nicoletta , Bianchini Lorenzo , Riva Stefania , Pizzamiglio Francesca , Dessanai Maria Antonietta , Tundo Fabrizio , Sattin Tommaso , De Lio Francesca , Cellucci Selene , Tondo Claudio 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe report the case of a 36‐year‐old woman who presented to the emergency department complaining of palpitations and asthenia. Investigations showed frequent ventricular ectopy and severe left ventricular ejection fraction impairment. She was diagnosed with a peculiar condition defined multifocal ectopic premature Purkinje‐related contractions syndrome, which in some cases can be associated with a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype. Genetic testing showed a novel mutation in the SCN5A gene (c.673C > G). In the context of acute left ventricular dysfunction in a young patient, we discuss the clinical presentation of this rare condition and its clinical management, as well as its genetic substrate.
Phosphine‐Catalyzed 1,6‐Addition and Tandem Addition/Self‐Aldol Condensation Reactions of Para‐Quinone Methides with Thiols
Authors: Zhong Yuan , Li Guichen , Zhang Dan , Xie Yuxuan , Hao Long , Cai Zhengjun , Wang Xin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPhosphine‐catalyzed chemodivergent reactions of para‐quinone methides (p‐QMs) affording a wide variety of diarylmethyl thioether derivatives have been reported. In the transformation presented in this work, P(4‐FC6H4)3 catalyzed the direct 1,6‐addition of p‐QMs with thiols, whereas P(4‐MeC6H4)3 promoted the tandem addition/self‐aldol condensation reactions of p‐QMs with 1,4‐dithiane‐2,5‐diol. Moreover, some of the obtained products were screened against cancer cell lines HepG2, NB4, and K562, and one was found to inhibit the proliferation of all the tested cancer cell types.
Numerical modeling and experimental optimization of Taylor dispersion analysis with and without an electric field
Authors: Chenyakin Yuri , Chen David Da Yong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNumerical modeling of Taylor dispersion analysis (TDA) was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics to facilitate better and faster optimization of the experimental conditions. Parameters, such as pressure, electric field, diameter, and length of capillary on the TDA conditions, were examined for particles with hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of 2.5–250 Å. The simulations were conducted using 25, 50, and 100 cm length tubes with diameters of 25, 50, and 100 µm. It was shown that particles with larger diffusion coefficients gave more accurate results at higher velocities, and in longer and wider columns; particles with smaller diffusion coefficients gave more accurate results at smaller velocities, and in shorter and thinner columns. Moreover, the effect of electric field on the validity and the applicability of TDA was studied using TDA in conjunction with capillary electrophoresis. Diffusion coefficients were obtained using a pressure and the TDA equation and compared with those obtained with a pressure in combination of an electric field for fluorescein, FD4, FD20, FD70, and FD500. We found that TDA can be used with the presence of moderate electrophoretic migration and electroosmotic flow, when appropriate conditions were met.
Modelling the impact of a dam‐break wave on a vertical wall
Authors: Del Gaudio Andrea , La Forgia Giovanni , Constantinescu George , De Paola Francesco , Di Cristo Cristiana , Iervolino Michele , Leopardi Angelo , Vacca Andrea 
Published: March 2024

SummaryDam‐Break waves arise from the sudden release of the water stored behind a wall, and they cause destruction and losses on nearby areas. Characterisation of the impact force on obstacles is very important for risk assessment. In this work, we performed a series of lock‐release experiments to evaluate the wave‐induced impact force on a vertical end wall situated some distance from the lock. Laboratory data were used to evaluate the performance of several types of numerical models to predict the wave‐induced force on the vertical end wall. The selected models were as follows: the hydrostatic 1D De Saint‐Venant model, the multi‐layer hydrostatic model and the Navier–Stokes two‐phase flow. For the latter two models, both 2D (in the
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plane) and 3D simulations were performed. The results show that, independently of the hydrostatic assumption, the 2‐D simulations generate nonphysical oscillations which are not present in the measured temporal histories of the pressure and force values. By contrast, the predictions of both 3D numerical models better reproduce the temporal variation of the pressure forces on the end wall. The present study also shows that from a practical point of view, the 1D De Saint‐Venant model predicts with sufficient accuracy the impact time and the magnitude of the peak value of the impact force. Therefore, if the use of a fully 3D models is not a feasible option, in terms of a trade‐off between computation cost and accuracy, the use of a simple hydrostatic 1D De Saint‐Venant model is preferable to a 2D model.
Ovarian torsion–detorsion in a 10‐year premenarchial female with chronic recurrent abdominal pain misdiagnosed as ‘ama‐afo’ in a suburb: A case report
Authors: Igbodike Emeka Philip , Iwuala Ijeoma Chinyere , Maduako Rita Obiageli , Eleje George Uchenna , Akinjo Andrea Oludapo , Ubom Akaninyene Eseme , Ikechebelu Joseph Ifeanyichukwu , Onwudiegwu Uchenna , Anunobi Charles Chidozie 
Published: March 2024

SynopsisThis case involved a 10‐year‐old female with recurrent abdominal pain misdiagnosed as ‘ama‐afo’. Intraoperative findings showed a left‐sided strangulated/gangrenous tubo‐ovarian mass twisted four times on its pedicle.
Vaginal microbiota are associated with in vitro fertilization during female infertility
Authors: Wang Tao , Li Penghao , Bai Xue , Tian Shilin , Yang Maosen , Leng Dong , Kui Hua , Zhang Sujuan , Yan Xiaomiao , Zheng Qu , Luo Pulin , He Changming , Jia Yan , Wu Zhoulin , Qiu Huimin , Li Jing , Wan Feng , Ali Muhammad A. , Mao Rurong , Liu Yong‐Xin , Li Diyan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe vaginal microbiome plays an essential role in the reproductive health of human females. As infertility increases worldwide, understanding the roles that the vaginal microbiome may have in infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes is critical. To determine the vaginal microbiome composition of 1411 individuals (1255 undergoing embryo transplantation) and their associations with reproductive outcomes, clinical and biochemical features are measured, and vaginal samples are 16S rRNA sequenced. Our results suggest that both too high and too low abundance of Lactobacillus is not beneficial for pregnancy; a moderate abundance is more beneficial. A moderate abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus iners (~80%) (with a pregnancy rate of I‐B: 54.35% and III‐B: 57.73%) is found beneficial for pregnancy outcomes compared with a higher abundance (>90%) of Lactobacillus (I‐A: 44.81% and III‐A: 51.06%, respectively). The community state type (CST) IV‐B (contains a high to moderate relative abundance of Gardnerella vaginalis) shows a similar pregnant ratio (48.09%) with I‐A and III‐A, and the pregnant women in this CST have a higher abundance of Lactobacillus species. Metagenome analysis of 71 samples shows that nonpregnant women are detected with more antibiotic‐resistance genes, and Proteobacteria and Firmicutes are the main hosts. The inherent differences within and between women in different infertility groups suggest that vaginal microbes might be used to detect infertility and potentially improve IVF outcomes.
Bacmethy: A novel and convenient tool for investigating bacterial DNA methylation pattern and their transcriptional regulation effects
Authors: Liu Ji‐Hong , Zhang Yizhou , Zhou Ning , He Jiale , Xu Jing , Cai Zhao , Yang Liang , Liu Yang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDNA methylation serves as the primary mode of epigenetic regulation in prokaryotes, particularly through transcriptional regulation. With the rapid implementation of third‐generation sequencing technology, we are currently experiencing a golden age of bacterial epigenomics. However, there has been a lack of comprehensive research exploring the versatility and consequential impact of bacterial DNA methylome on cellular and physiological functions. There is a critical need for a user‐friendly bioinformatics tool that can effectively characterize DNA methylation modification features and predict the regulation patterns. To address this gap, the current study introduces Bacmethy, an innovative tool that utilizes SMRT‐seq data and offers a range of analytical modules. First, the tool classifies methylation sites in the genome, highlighting the distinct regulations present under varying modification fractions and location enrichment. Furthermore, this tool enables us to identify regulatory region methylation and potential cis and trans interactions between methylation sites and regulatory effectors. Using benchmark data sets and our data, we show that our tool facilitates the understanding of the distinctive traits of DNA methylation modifications and predicts transcriptional regulation effects on important physiological and pathological functions. Bacmethy code is freely available, and the Docker image is downloadable. Bacmethy has been made available as a user‐friendly web server interface at https://bacmethy.med.sustech.edu.cn.
Assessment of Bone Marrow Involvement in B‐Cell non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma Using Immunoglobulin Gene Rearrangement Analysis with Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Jeon Min Ji , Yu Eun Sang , Kim Dae Sik , Choi Chul Won , Kim Ha Nui , Kwon Jung Ah , Yoon Soo‐Young , Yoon Jung 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundAssessment of bone marrow involvement (BMI) in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is crucial for determining patient prognosis and treatment strategy. We assessed the prognostic value of next‐generation sequencing (NGS)–based immunoglobulin (Ig) gene clonality analysis as an ancillary test for BMI evaluation in NHL.MethodsA retrospective cohort of 124 patients newly diagnosed with B‐cell NHL between 2019 and 2022 was included. NGS‐based Ig clonality analysis was conducted using LymphoTrak IGH FR1 Assay and IGK Assay (Invivoscribe Technologies, San Diego, CA, USA) on BM aspirate samples, and the results were compared with those of histopathological BMI (hBMI).ResultsAmong the 124 patients, hBMI was detected in 16.9% (n = 21). The overall agreement of BMI between Ig clonality analyses and histopathological analysis for IGH, IGK, and either IGH or IGK was 86.3%, 92.7%, and 90.3%. The highest positive percent agreement was observed with clonal rearrangements of either IGH or IGK gene (90.5%), while the highest negative percent agreement was observed with clonal rearrangement of IGK gene (96.1%). For the prediction of hBMI, positive prediction value ranged between 59.1% and 80.0% and the negative prediction value ranged between 91.3% and 97.9%.ConclusionNGS‐based clonality analysis is an analytic platform with a substantial overall agreement with histopathological analysis. Assessment of both IGH and IGK genes for the clonal rearrangement analysis could be considered for the optimal diagnostic performance of BMI detection in B‐cell NHL.
Dissociation Phenomenon of Erythrocyte Agglutination and Its Application to Assay of Functional Activity of the Complement System in Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Ding Xuewei , Liu Lina , Yang Guang , Liu Hui 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe objective of the study was to validate the dissociation phenomenon of erythrocyte agglutination which is based on erythrocyte fragments and to apply it in the functional activity assay of the complement system.MethodsThe dissociation–agglutination effect of erythrocyte fragments was validated by detecting the number of free erythrocytes after the action of erythrocyte fragments on agglutinated erythrocytes. The number of free erythrocytes produced after hemolysis of agglutinated erythrocytes caused by complements and complement activators(CAs) was detected by auto hematology analyzer and the results were indicated by mean hemoglobin concentration of erythrocytes (MCHC). We optimized the test conditions and validated the inter‐batch stability, explored the resolution of the assay method, and assayed for the total complement activity (AC) and the CAs activated complement activity (ACA) in serum from patients and healthy individual groups.ResultsErythrocyte fragments have a dissociative effect on agglutinated erythrocytes. The auto hematology analyzer was able to detect AC and ACA, where AC showed an inverse correlation with MCHC, and ACA demonstrated a positive correlation with MCHC. The inter‐batch CV of AC, ACA, and ACA/AC was found to be 5%, 9%, and 11.7%, respectively, with good stability. The study found that serum samples from acute phase reaction patients showed significant differences in ACA compared with healthy individuals, with a p value of 0.018; serum samples from patients with nephrotic syndrome showed significant differences in AC, ACA, and ACA/AC compared with healthy individuals, with p values of 0.014, 0.002, and 0.041, respectively.ConclusionErythrocyte fragments have dissociation–agglutination effect. The complement system immunological functional detection method, based on this effect, has potential clinical application value due to its sensitivity and accuracy.
Exploration of the prognostic prediction value of the PANoptosis‐based risk score and its correlation with tumor immunity in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Xiaojian , Zhang Xuefeng , Li Feng , Lu Caiping 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a common cancer with high mortality worldwide. PANoptosis is a novel inflammatory programmed cell death modality with the characteristics of pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis. It is necessary to explore PANoptosis‐related genes in LUAD patients and offer evidence for prognosis prediction and therapeutic strategies. Single‐cell RNA sequencing data and RNA expression profiles of LUAD patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases are used to screen PANoptosis‐related differential genes for the construction of a risk model. Fifteen PANoptosis‐related markers with prognostic value were identified by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO)–Cox regression analysis. Kaplan–Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis further demonstrated the significant predictive capability. Immune infiltration, Single Nucleotide Variants (SNV) mutations, and clinical drug susceptibility were analyzed. In conclusion, a risk model of 15 PANoptosis‐related genes has significant value in prognostic prediction for LUAD and has potential to direct clinical therapeutic strategies during the treatment.
PCR testing for herpesviruses in aqueous humor samples from patients with and without clinical corneal endothelial graft rejection
Authors: Abu Dail Yaser , Daas Loay , Flockerzi Elias , Munteanu Cristian , Kahlert Julian , Smola Sigrun , Seitz Berthold 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo compare prevalence of positive PCR tests for herpesviruses between patients with and without a history of clinical corneal endothelial allograft rejection (AGR). Retrospective cross‐sectional study with two‐group comparison. A total of 307 aqueous humor (AH) samples from 235 Patients and 244 eyes who underwent penetrating keratoplasty or Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty or had a diagnostic AH aspiration due to clinical AGR between 2019 and 2023 were tested for DNA of herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella‐zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). PCR test results were compared between the two groups (with/without AGR). Another sub‐analysis examined the results of patients without a history of herpetic keratitis. A total of 8% of eyes with clinical AGR (9/108) had a positive PCR result for one of the herpesviruses (HSV:3, CMV:3, EBV:2, VZV:1). All patients in the group without AGR had negative PCR results for all previous viruses (0/136). The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The sub‐analysis of eyes without a history of herpetic keratitis also revealed significantly more positive herpes PCR results (7/87) in eyes with AGR than in eyes without AGR (0/42, p = 0.005). Clinical AGR after keratoplasty shows a significant correlation to viral replication. Herpetic infection and AGR could occur simultaneously and act synergistically. Timely differentiation between active herpetic infection and/or AGR is pivotal for proper treatment and graft preservation.
Letermovir use may impact on the Cytomegalovirus DNA fragmentation profile in plasma from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Giménez Estela , Gozalbo‐Rovira Roberto , Albert Eliseo , Piñana José Luis , Solano Carlos , Navarro David 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in plasma is mainly unprotected and highly fragmented. The size of the amplicon largely explains the variation in CMV DNA loads quantified across PCR platforms. In this proof‐of‐concept study, we assessed whether the CMV DNA fragmentation profile may vary across allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (allo‐SCT), within the same patient over time, or is affected by letermovir (LMV) use. A total of 52 plasma specimens from 14 nonconsecutive allo‐SCT recipients were included. The RealTime CMV PCR (Abbott Molecular), was used to monitor CMV DNA load in plasma, and fragmentation was assessed with a laboratory‐designed PCR generating overlapping amplicons (around 90−110 bp) within the CMV UL34, UL80.5, and UL54 genes. Intrapatient, inter‐patient, and LMV‐associated qualitative and quantitative variations in seven amplicons were observed. These variations were seemingly unrelated to the CMV DNA loads measured by the Abbott PCR assay. CMV DNA loads quantified by UL34_4, UL54.5, and UL80.5_1 PCR assays discriminate between LMV and non‐LMV patients. Our observations may have relevant implications in the management of active CMV infection in allo‐SCT recipients, either treated or not with LMV, although the data need further validation.
Projected changes in daily precipitation, temperature and wet‐bulb temperature across Arizona using statistically downscaled CMIP6 climate models
Authors: Kim Taereem , Villarini Gabriele 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo evaluate future changes in the climate system, the outputs from coarse‐resolution global climate models (GCMs) need to be downscaled to a finer scale, making them more directly applicable for impact assessment. Here we focus on examining the projected changes of three key climate variables (precipitation, air temperature, and wet bulb temperature) across Arizona (south‐western United States). We use daily outputs from GCMs from the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) and bias correct and downscale them to a 4‐km resolution. Through leave‐one‐out cross‐validation, we compare various bias correction methods and identify that the empirical quantile mapping approach performs the best regardless of the climate variable. Then, we analyse the projected bias‐corrected outputs for two future periods (Mid‐of‐Century: 2015–2048; End‐of‐Century: 2067–2100) with respect to the 1981–2014 period, under four shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios (SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5, SSP3‐7.0 and SSP5‐8.5). Our results show that Arizona's climate is projected to become overall warmer and wetter, more so towards the end of this century and for higher emission scenarios. Additionally, our findings project an increase in wet bulb temperature and cooling degree days, implying the ongoing warming climate's potential impacts on public health and the economy. These results provide a baseline understanding of climate change impacts in the state and highlight the projected changes in the future in response to the climate scenarios.
Application of fixed‐frequency ultrasound in the cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for rice wine fermentation
Authors: Hao Jing , Xu Haining , Yan Pengfei , Yang Mengyuan , Mintah Benjamin Kumah , Dai Chunhua , Zhang Rong , Ma Haile , He Ronghai 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDRice wine (RW) fermentation is limited by its long fermentation time, weak taste and unpleasant flavors such as oil and odor. In this study, a novel ultrasound technology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used with the aim of improving fermentation efficiency and volatile flavor quality of RW.RESULTSThe results showed that fixed‐frequency ultrasonic treatment (28 kHz, 45 W L−1, 20 min) of S. cerevisiae seed culture at its logarithmic metaphase significantly increased the biomass and alcohol yield by 31.58% and 26.45%, respectively, and reduced fermentation time by nearly 2 days. Flavor analysis indicated that the flavor compounds in RW, specifically the esters and alcohols, were also increased in quantity after the ultrasonic treatment of S. cerevisiae seed liquid. Isobutyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate and phenethyl acetate contents were increased by 78.92%, 129.19%, 7.79% and 97.84%, respectively, as compared to the control.CONCLUSIONUltrasonic treatment of S. cerevisiae reduced fermentation time and enhanced the flavor profile of RW. This study could provide a theoretical and/or technological basis for the research and development of RW. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.