bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probing the possibility of lesion formation/progression in vicinity of a primary atherosclerotic plaque: A fluid–solid interaction study and angiographic evidences
Authors: Nooraeen Ahmad , Ghalichi Farzan , Taghizadeh Hadi , Guidoin Robert 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIt is shown that certain locations in the arterial tree, such as coronary and cerebral arteries, are more prevalent to plaque formation. Endothelial activation and consequent plaque development are attributed to local hemodynamic parameters such as wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), relative residence time (RRT), and stress phase angle. After a certain level of plaque progression, these hemodynamic parameters are disturbed before and after the plaque. In the current study, it is hypothesized that the vicinity of a primary lesion is susceptible for further degeneration and second plaque formation. A fluid–solid interaction (FSI) model of the coronary artery with different levels of asymmetric constriction, is simulated and the trend of hemodynamic parameters were studied in both of the plaque side (PS) and the opposite wall (facing the plaque [PF]). Also, a novel factor is introduced that can identify the high‐risk regions associated with WSS oscillations to negative values. Our results indicate that when more than half of the artery is constricted, the downstream of the plaque is highly exposed to endothelial pathogenesis the PS, such that negative WSS, and as well, critical values of OSI and RRT, that is, −1.2 Pa, 0.42 and 6.5 s, respectively arise in this region. PS endothelial cells in this region exposed to the highest risk of atherosclerosis based on the proposed index (3 out of 3). As well, three cases of angiographic images are provided that confirms existence of secondary lesion close to the primary one as predicted by our computational simulations.
Treatment outcomes of T and natural‐killer/T‐cell lymphoma with ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide chemotherapy
Authors: Tay Tricia , Somasundaram Nagavalli , Lim Cindy , Khoo Lay Poh , Goh Allan Zhi Kai , Lee Yuh Shan , Liu Xin , Tao Miriam , Quek Richard , Farid Mohamad , Poon Eileen , Chan Jason Y. S. , Chang Esther W. Y. , Yang Valerie S. W. , Goh Yeow Tee , Tan Daryl , Diong Colin , Grigoropoulos Nicholas F. , Nagarajan Chandramouli , Poon Michelle , de Mel Sanjay , Jeyasekharan Anand , Chan Esther H. L. , Lee Joanne , Chee Yen Lin , Lim Soon Thye , Tang Tiffany 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundContemporary data of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) and natural‐killer/T‐cell lymphoma (NKTL) patients treated with ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) are limited.AimsWe performed a retrospective analysis to estimate outcomes of ICE‐treated PTCL and NKTL patients at three tertiary cancer centres in Singapore.Methods and ResultsPatients were identified through lymphoma databases from National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), National University Hospital, Singapore (NUHS), and Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Responses and survival outcomes were determined from electronic medical records. A total of 75 patients with a median age of 50 were included. ICE was used as first‐line treatment in 14 patients (19%) and as subsequent lines of treatment in 61 patients (81%). The overall response rates (ORR) for all patients was 63% (40% complete response [CR]). The ORR and CR in the first line were 86% and 64% respectively. At a median follow‐up duration of 71.0 months, the median progression‐free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 4.4 months (95%CI, 2.7–6.0) and 16 months (95%CI, 8.3–45.4) respectively.ConclusionIn summary, ICE showed high ORR but poor PFS in relapsed/refractory PTCL and NKTL. ORR of ICE in the first line setting appears better than real‐world CHOP data and warrants further study.
Determinants of insurance companies' environmental, social, and governance awareness
Authors: Brogi Marina , Cappiello Antonella , Lagasio Valentina , Santoboni Fabrizio 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are increasingly important in all fields of economics. However, despite increasing interest from policy makers and financial regulators, literature relating to the insurance industry is still scarce. This paper aims to fill this gap by exploring the interaction between a set of financial ratios and environmental social governance scores of 107 large, listed US insurance companies for the period 2010–2018 for the purpose of identifying the determinants of ESG awareness. Larger, more profitable, and more solvent insurance companies show the highest level of ESG awareness. Our model contributes to shed light on the unfolding of ESG practices in the insurance industry.
HIV‐associated dysbiosis and immune recovery during antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Johnson Samuel D. , Byrareddy Siddappa N. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe microbiomes of people living with HIV (PLWH) are significantly dysregulated with a loss of bacteria diversity and shifts in composition, including increases in pathogenic and decreases in beneficial species. Because of the microbiome's role in modulating health, the effect of this dysbiosis on immune response in PLWH has been a significant concern, mainly because these shifts can persist even after viral suppression during combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, due to limitations on sample availability, few studies have been able to provide insights into these microbiome‐immune interactions. Recently, Olivas‐Martínez et al. characterized ileum and caecum mucosa‐associated microbiomes of PLWH based on their level of peripheral CD4+ T‐cell reconstitution following long‐term cART. Their analysis revealed distinct microbiome signatures predictive of recovery. Additionally, differences in markers of gut inflammation and damage between response groups were described, further implicating mucosal disruptions with immune reconstitution. These new data demonstrate an interdependence of microbiome and therapy response, and additional studies are urgently required to fully elucidate this crosstalk and microbiome dynamics from before/after infection and finally, long‐term viral suppression with cART.
Urine thebaine determination by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry after poppy seed consumption
Authors: Bollini Stephanie Marina , Banks J. Fred , Hobbs Gregory A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLaboratories are challenged to distinguish whether a positive urine morphine result is due to heroin use or possible poppy seed consumption. Thebaine is an opium alkaloid that has been shown to be present in the urine of individuals who have consumed poppy seeds, as well as those who have used opium. It is not present in heroin. We present a sensitive, specific liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assay for thebaine. We show that thebaine is detectable after consumption of two different poppy seed‐containing products for up to 72 h in urine. We discuss limitations of the assay and suggest how the test might best be used.
Use of liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for determination of higenamine in urine following oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Guo Chengjun , Zhang Ning , Zhang Xiaoli , Chi Mingfeng , Liu Dongren , Zhang Jing 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSince higenamine (HG) was first included in the World Anti‐doping Agency (WADA) 2017 Prohibited List, an increasing number of plants have been found to contain this ingredient. As a result, doctors are hesitant to prescribe traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to athletes. Thus, it is very important to assess the risks of doping violations due to HG following the oral administration of TCM. We determined the drug concentration‐time curves for HG in urine by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) after single or multiple administrations of lotus seed powder on volunteers, the single dose was equivalent to 750 μg of HG, and the multiple doses were equivalent to 90 μg of HG each, 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days. For the single‐dose group, the HG could be detected in urine 0.5 h after administration and reached a maximum concentration of 16.5 ng/mL 1 h after administration. For the multiple‐dose group, the HG concentrations in urine showed two peaks at 29 and 77 h post‐administration with 22.6 and 23.1 ng/mL, respectively. At the dosage used in this study, the maximum concentration of HG in some urine samples exceeded the WADA limit of 10.0 ng/mL; the risk was still very high, so athletes must avoid this amount of HG when using TCM. In addition, our study provided further data supporting the presence of sulfonated metabolites of HG in urine samples.
The ecology of the banded civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) in Southeast Asia with implications for mesopredator release, zoonotic diseases, and conservation
Authors: Dunn Ashlea , Amir Zachary , Decoeur Henri , Dehaudt Bastien , Nursamsi Ilyas , Mendes Calebe , Moore Jonathan H. , Negret Pablo Jose , Sovie Adia , Luskin Matthew Scott 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHabitat loss and degradation threaten forest specialist wildlife species, but some generalist mesopredators exploit disturbed areas and human‐derived food, which brings them into closer contact with humans. Mesopredator release is also important for human health for known zoonotic disease reservoirs, such as Asian civets (Viverridae family), since this group includes the intermediator species for the SARS‐CoV‐1 outbreak. Here we use camera trapping to evaluate the habitat associations of the widespread banded civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) across its range in Southeast Asia. At the regional scale, banded civet detections among published studies were positively associated with forest cover and negatively associated with human population. At the local scale (within a landscape), hierarchical modeling of new camera trapping showed that abundance was negatively associated with forest loss and positively associated with distance to rivers. These results do not support mesopredator release and suggest a low likelihood overlap with humans in degraded habitats and, therefore, a low risk of zoonotic disease transmission from this species in the wild. We also estimate that banded civet distribution has contracted to under 21% of its currently recognized IUCN Red List range, only 12% of which falls within protected areas, and a precipitous recent decline in population size. Accordingly, we suggest the banded civet's Red List status should be re‐evaluated in light of our findings.
Soil microbial communities are not altered by garlic mustard in recently invaded central Illinois forests
Authors: Edwards Joseph D. , Yang Wendy H. , Yannarell Anthony C. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe invasive forest plant garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has been shown to alter soil microbial communities in the northeastern part of its invaded range in the United States, and this disruption of soil communities may contribute to its invasion success. However, garlic mustard allelochemistry can vary with invasion age, and it is not clear whether garlic mustard's impacts on soil microbes are consistent over its invaded range. Here, we compare the composition and diversity of soil fungal, bacterial, and archaeal communities among garlic mustard present, absent, and removed treatments in replicated blocks across five forests in the midwestern United States with relatively young garlic mustard invasions (approximately 17–26 years old, with consistent management). We collected samples in May and August, corresponding to garlic mustard active and senescent life history stages. While soil fungal and bacterial/archaeal communities (based on ITS2 region and 16S rRNA gene DNA sequencing, respectively) differed significantly between different blocks/forests and over time, we found no significant effect of garlic mustard treatment on soil microbial community composition or the relative abundance of mycorrhizal, saprotrophic, or pathogenic fungal guilds. The lack of garlic mustard impacts on the soil microbial community in recently invaded central Illinois forests suggests that these well‐documented impacts in the northeastern United States and in older invasions cannot necessarily be generalized across all environmental contexts.
Nuanced qualitative trait approaches reveal environmental filtering and phylogenetic constraints on lichen communities
Authors: Koch Natália M. , Stanton Daniel , Müller Sandra C. , Duarte Leandro , Spielmann Adriano A. , Lücking Robert 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe propose that a qualitative trait approach based on more detailed nuanced traits may reveal previously overlooked patterns, especially when combined with phylogenetic perspectives. By sampling epiphytic lichens and using a functional approach based on nuanced qualitative traits, such as a much greater resolution over photobiont identity, type of cortex, and chemical compounds, we evaluated the effects of environmental filtering and phylogenetic constraints on community assembly along a natural succession of Atlantic rainforest. We found changes in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic composition, structure, and diversity. Functional traits such as photobiont genera, type of cortex, reproductive structures, propagule size, and protection strategies showed strong responses to succession. Mature forests with a closed canopy impose strong environment filtering that is reflected in lichen species turnover, limiting diversity, but also holding different functional and phylogenetic composition. The use of a nuanced qualitative trait approach may overcome some of the limitations of using this type of traits and shows the importance of often‐overlooked key lichen functional traits, including the presence of carbon‐concentrating mechanisms in photobionts and cortex properties. Furthermore, this is the first study showing how patterns of phylogenetic assembly along forest succession structure lichen communities.
Extreme drought induces rapid declines in co‐occurring native Bouteloua eriopoda and invasive Eragrostis lehmanniana
Authors: Buerdsell Sherri L. , Milligan Brook G. , Lehnhoff Erik A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractGlobal climate change is expected to result in increased temperatures and variation in precipitation. In the Desert Southwest region of the United States, climate change may result in drier conditions. Eragrostis lehmanniana (Lehmann lovegrass) is an invasive species that has extensively colonized the southwestern United States, including Bouteloua eriopoda (black grama) grasslands. While both E. lehmanniana and B. eriopoda evolved in arid conditions, drier conditions may influence this invader–native system in unforeseen ways. Using a combination of precipitation pivot point (PPP) and drought sensitivity (DS) analysis, we compared responses of B. eriopoda and E. lehmanniana to altered precipitation regimes including long‐term drought treatments in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, New Mexico. We defined PPP as the critical point in precipitation amount below which plant percent cover decreased and above which it increased. We used DS, defined as the square millimeters of cover lost when precipitation decreased by 1 mm, to elucidate the direct response of biomass to drought on either side of the PPP. We estimated mean monsoon PPPs of 62.5 and 63.7 mm for B. eriopoda and E. lehmanniana, respectively. We estimated mean annual (1 October–30 September) PPPs of 108.6 and 108.5 mm for B. eriopoda and E. lehmanniana, respectively. Bouteloua eriopoda mean DS was 4.71 mm2/mm. Eragrostis lehmanniana mean DS was 1.56 mm2/mm. Results suggest that it is unlikely that extended drought will benefit E. lehmanniana over B. eriopoda and both species may decline under extreme drought.
Low mechano‐energetic efficiency is associated with future left ventricular systolic dysfunction in hypertensives
Authors: Manzi Maria V. , Mancusi Costantino , Lembo Maria , Esposito Giovanni , Rao Maria A.E. , de Simone Giovanni , Morisco Carmine , Trimarco Valentina , Izzo Raffaele , Trimarco Bruno 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimsIn a hypertensive population with optimal blood pressure control with a long‐term follow‐up, we aimed at analysing possible predictors of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction, including indexed mechano‐energetic efficiency (MEEi), a well‐recognized echo‐derived parameter of LV performance.Methods and resultsThe study population included 5673 hypertensive patients from the Campania Salute Network with a long‐term follow‐up, normal baseline LVEF (≥50%), and no prevalent cardiovascular (CV) disease. Patients developing LVEF impairment (LVEF < 50% or a reduction of at least 10 percentage points compared with baseline) were compared with patients with persistently normal LVEF. Optimal blood pressure control was achieved in about 80% of patients. Patients who experienced LVEF reduction were 2.41% during a long‐term follow‐up (mean duration 5.6 ± 3.9 years). At baseline, they were older (59.46 ± 11.58 vs. 53.40 ± 11.41, P < 0.0001) and showed higher LV mass index (53.3 ± 12.83 vs. 47.56 ± 9.58, P < 0.0001), left atrial (LA) volume index (14.4 ± 4.2 vs. 13.1 ± 2.8, P < 0.0001) and carotid intima–media thickness (1.99 ± 0.86 vs. 1.61 ± 0.73, P < 0.0001), lower MEEi (0.32 ± 0.08 vs. 0.34 ± 0.07, P = 0.037), and higher prevalence of CV events during follow‐up (13.9% vs. 3%, P < 0.0001) compared with patients with persistently normal LVEF. A logistic regression analysis, performed after running univariate analyses and selecting parameters significantly associated with LVEF reduction, showed that having a CV event [odds ratio (OR) 7.57, P < 0.0001], being in the lowest MEEi quartile (OR 2.43, P = 0.003), and having a larger LA volume index (OR 1.08, P = 0.028) were all parameters independently associated with the development of LV systolic dysfunction. A further logistic regression model, performed by excluding patients experiencing CV events, demonstrated that the lowest MEEi quartile was independently associated with the evolution towards LVEF reduction (OR 2.35, P = 0.004), despite significant impact of LA volume index (OR 1.08, P = 0.023) and antiplatelet therapy (OR 1.89, P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the model including MEEi had higher accuracy than the model without MEEi in predicting LVEF reduction (areas under the curve 0.68 vs. 0.63, P = 0.046).ConclusionsLower values of MEEi at baseline identify hypertensive patients more liable to develop LVEF reduction. In hypertensive setting, MEEi evaluation improves risk stratification for development of LV systolic dysfunction during long‐term follow‐up.
A New Nitronyl‐Nitroxide Ligand for Designing Binuclear LnIII Complexes: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, Magnetic and EPR Studies
Authors: Răducă Mihai , Martins Daniel O. T. A. , Spinu Cristian A. , Hillebrand Mihaela , Tuna Floriana , Ionita Gabriela , Mădălan Augustin M. , Lecourt Constance , Sutter Jean‐Pascal , Andruh Marius 
Published: April 2022

AbstractA new nitronyl‐nitroxide ligand (H2L) featuring alcoholic and phenolic groups has been synthesised starting from 2‐hydroxy‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5‐methylbenzaldehyde (A). Using this ligand, three 2p–4 f binuclear complexes have been obtained and crystallographically characterized: [Ln2(HL)2(hfac)4], (Ln=Gd 1, Tb 2, Dy 3). Apart from the desired compounds, two by‐products have been isolated as a molecular alloy containing an intermediate bearing hydroxylamino and N‐oxide groups, i. e. (1‐hydroxy‐2‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5‐methylphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazole 3‐oxide, B, and the imino‐nitroxide derivative, C. This system was characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, UV‐VIS and EPR spectroscopy. During the synthesis of compounds 1–3, two other complexes have been obtained and characterized: [Ln(C)(hfac)3] (4, Ln=Tb) and [Ln2(A−H)2(hfac)4] (5, Ln=Tb), where (A−H) results from the deprotonation of the phenolic group in A. The synthetic procedure was optimized in order to obtain pure 1–3 complexes. The cryomagnetic properties of compounds 1–3 have been investigated. Continuous‐wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements were carried out at X‐ and Q‐band for compound 1. Time‐dependent experiments were performed at three magnetic fields. Phase memory times, Tm, were found to be about 1000 ns at 6 K.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Desulfitative Arylation of Acetylinic Oximes with Sodium Arylsulfinates
Authors: Li Jianxiao , Cen Liying , He Dan , Zhou Daohao , Huang Songxuan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHerein described a highly efficient palladium‐catalyzed cascade desulfitative arylation of acetylinic oximes and sodium arylsulfinates with oxygen as the sole oxidant to access structurally diverse 4‐aryl isoxazoles. This catalytic system exhibits mild conditions, broad substrate scope, and operational simplicity. Notably, other easily available aryl source substrates were perfectly tolerated in this catalytic system, thus providing a promising application in synthetic and pharmaceutical chemistry.
Influence of 3‐Thio Substituents on Benzylidene‐Directed Mannosylation. Isolation of a Bridged Pyridinium Ion and Effects of 3‐O‐Picolyl and 3‐S‐Picolyl Esters
Authors: McMillan Timothy F. , Crich David 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe influence on glycosyl selectivity of substituting oxygen for sulfur at the 3‐position of 4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐protected mannopyranosyl thioglycosides is reported and varies considerably according to the protecting group employed at the 3‐position. The substitution of a thioether at the 3‐position for the more usual 3‐O‐benzyl ether results in a significant loss of selectivity. The installation of a 3‐S‐picolinyl thioether results in a complex reaction mixture, from which a stable seven‐membered bridged bicyclic pyridinium ion is isolated, while the corresponding 3‐O‐picolinyl ether affords a highly α‐selective coupling reaction. A 3‐O‐picolyl ester provides excellent β‐selectivity, while the analogous 3‐S‐picolyl thioester gives a highly α‐selective reaction. The best β‐selectivity is seen with a 3‐deoxy‐3‐(2‐pyridinyldisulfanyl) system. These observations are discussed in terms of the influence of the various substituents on the central glycosyl triflate – ion pair equilibrium.
Development of expeditious methods for seismic assessment of pre‐code masonry buildings in Portugal
Authors: Bernardo Vasco , Costa Alfredo Campos , Candeias Paulo , Costa Aníbal , Catarino José 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAlthough Portugal has not been hit by high‐magnitude earthquakes in recent years, its history is marked by tragic seismic events and it remains susceptible due to its geographical location. The Portuguese building stock is constituted approximately by 45% masonry residential buildings and most were built before the enforcement of the first seismic code in 1958. For several years, structural interventions in these buildings were allowed without the need to assess their seismic vulnerability. In 2019, a new law was approved to regulate the rehabilitation interventions to provide safety and comfort of existing buildings. The seismic assessment of existing buildings became mandatory and based on the procedures and requirements included in NP EN 1998–3: 2017 (Portuguese version of Eurocode 8 – part 3), which establishes the performance requirements and compliance criteria for existing buildings subjected to a certain level of seismic action. According to this normative requirements, analytical seismic vulnerability assessment and reliability‐based analyses were carried out on a large set of masonry buildings representative of the Portuguese housing stock, leading to the development of surrogate and expeditious method for seismic assessment in compliance with the reference method defined in the European standard. The method allows the seismic assessment of masonry buildings with rigid and flexible floors, without explicit numerical analyses, using only geometric parameters and the material properties. Compliance of results assessed by the proposed method and the corresponding values obtained by the code were carried out by confidence tests.