bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of embryonic stem cell-conditioned medium on the preimplantation development of mouse embryos
Authors: Miraki Saber , Rashidi Asrin , Banafshi Omid , Alasvand Masoud , Fathi Fardin , Golmohammadi Mohammad Ghasem 
Published: February 2022

SummaryThe production of high-quality embryos in the laboratory and a successful pregnancy are closely related to the condition and contents of oocyte and embryo culture media. In this study, we investigated the effects of embryonic stem cell-conditioned medium (ESCCM) and embryonic stem cells growth medium (ESCGM) compared with potassium-enriched simplex optimized medium (KSOM) on preimplantation embryo development stages during natural or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Birth rate of pups was measured. To obtain mature oocytes, and 2-cell and 8-cell embryos, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was injected 48 h after i.p. injection of 5 units of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. Mature oocytes were obtained from non-mated female mice 14 h after HCG injection. To obtain 2-cell and 8-cell embryos, mated female mice, 1 day and 3 days, respectively, after HCG injection, were used. Mature oocytes were fertilized in HTF medium. Embryos obtained from natural or in vitro fertilization were cultured in experimental media, ESCCM and ESCGM, or KSOM as the control culture medium. Embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage were transferred to the uteri of pseudopregnant mice and effects of the experimental media on embryo viability were determined. ESCCM and ESCGM could not pass the embryo after the 2-cell stage, but they were suitable for the development of the embryo from the 8-cell stage to the blastocyst. It can be concluded that the embryo has various requirements at different stages of development.
The Eastern Mediterranean Charcoal Industry: Air Pollution Prevention by the Implementation of a New Ecological Retort System
Authors: Ankona Etty , Nisnevitch Marina , Knop Yaniv , Billig Miriam , Badwan Adam , Anker Yaakov 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEarth kilns are still used for charcoal production in the Eastern Mediterranean and worldwide. Until 2016, around 1,600 tons of charcoal were produced in Israel and the Palestinian territories in about 400 traditional earth kilns that were operated in about the same manner for the last 400 years. The intense air pollution caused by this indigenous practice resulted in higher mortality rates among the workers and the population living close to the charcoal production sites. The air pollution was found to migrate beyond 50 km, causing cross‐boundary pollution in Jordan. Since the charcoal production industry processes surplus wood into solid fuel, which is used for heating and cooking, it was imperative to shift this industry to a new type of non‐polluting charcoal production system. Upgrading this industry to 21st century standards became possible through a combined effort by Israeli researchers and Palestinian manufacturers in the development and implementation of a new ecological retort system (ERS). Comparing the ERS to the old earth kilns suggests that the ERS produces charcoal without emitting air pollution, the wood‐to‐charcoal transformation efficiency is about 10% higher in the ERS and the process duration is half a day versus about 3 weeks in a traditional kiln. Generally, ERS is about two orders of magnitude more productive than the traditional earth kilns. The ERS combines a simple operational scheme and higher charcoal yield than a traditional kiln, leading to an increase in the revenue to the charcoal makers as well as through byproducts with economic value such as electric energy and wood vinegar. These advantages with the transition to the ERS system can ensure a more efficient and cleaner operation of this indigenous local industry.
Microbiome and metabolome features of the cardiometabolic disease spectrum
Authors: Fromentin Sebastien , Forslund Sofia K. , Chechi Kanta , Aron-Wisnewsky Judith , Chakaroun Rima , Nielsen Trine , Tremaroli Valentina , Ji Boyang , Prifti Edi , Myridakis Antonis , Chilloux Julien , Andrikopoulos Petros , Fan Yong , Olanipekun Michael T. , Alves Renato , Adiouch Solia , Bar Noam , Talmor-Barkan Yeela , Belda Eugeni , Caesar Robert , Coelho Luis Pedro , Falony Gwen , Fellahi Soraya , Galan Pilar , Galleron Nathalie , Helft Gerard , Hoyles Lesley , Isnard Richard , Le Chatelier Emmanuelle , Julienne Hanna , Olsson Lisa , Pedersen Helle Krogh , Pons Nicolas , Quinquis Benoit , Rouault Christine , Roume Hugo , Salem Joe-Elie , Schmidt Thomas S. B. , Vieira-Silva Sara , Li Peishun , Zimmermann-Kogadeeva Maria , Lewinter Christian , Søndertoft Nadja B. , Hansen Tue H. , Gauguier Dominique , Gøtze Jens Peter , Køber Lars , Kornowski Ran , Vestergaard Henrik , Hansen Torben , Zucker Jean-Daniel , Hercberg Serge , Letunic Ivica , Bäckhed Fredrik , Oppert Jean-Michel , Nielsen Jens , Raes Jeroen , Bork Peer , Stumvoll Michael , Segal Eran , Clément Karine , Dumas Marc-Emmanuel , Ehrlich S. Dusko , Pedersen Oluf 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPrevious microbiome and metabolome analyses exploring non-communicable diseases have paid scant attention to major confounders of study outcomes, such as common, pre-morbid and co-morbid conditions, or polypharmacy. Here, in the context of ischemic heart disease (IHD), we used a study design that recapitulates disease initiation, escalation and response to treatment over time, mirroring a longitudinal study that would otherwise be difficult to perform given the protracted nature of IHD pathogenesis. We recruited 1,241 middle-aged Europeans, including healthy individuals, individuals with dysmetabolic morbidities (obesity and type 2 diabetes) but lacking overt IHD diagnosis and individuals with IHD at three distinct clinical stages—acute coronary syndrome, chronic IHD and IHD with heart failure—and characterized their phenome, gut metagenome and serum and urine metabolome. We found that about 75% of microbiome and metabolome features that distinguish individuals with IHD from healthy individuals after adjustment for effects of medication and lifestyle are present in individuals exhibiting dysmetabolism, suggesting that major alterations of the gut microbiome and metabolome might begin long before clinical onset of IHD. We further categorized microbiome and metabolome signatures related to prodromal dysmetabolism, specific to IHD in general or to each of its three subtypes or related to escalation or de-escalation of IHD. Discriminant analysis based on specific IHD microbiome and metabolome features could better differentiate individuals with IHD from healthy individuals or metabolically matched individuals as compared to the conventional risk markers, pointing to a pathophysiological relevance of these features.
Patent data access control and protection using blockchain technology
Authors: Li Hui , Li Ming 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe purposes are to develop the patent data profoundly, control the data access process effectively, and protect the patent information and content. The traditional patent review systems are analyzed. For the present patent data security and privacy protection technologies and algorithms, the patent information data are stored on different block nodes after data fragmentation using blockchain technology. Then the data are shared using the data encryption algorism. In this way, data access control can be restricted to particular users. Finally, a patent data protection scheme based on privacy protection is proposed. The security of the scheme and the model performance are verified through simulation experiments. The time required to encrypt 10 MB files with 64-bit and 128-bit data is 35 ms and 105 ms, respectively. The proposed re-encryption algorithm only needs 1 s to decrypt 64 KB data, and only 1% of the data needs asymmetric encryption. This greatly reduces the computational overhead of encryption. Results demonstrate that the system can effectively control the access methods of users, efficiently protect the personal privacy and patent content of patent applicants, and reduce the patent office cloud computing overhead using the local resources of branches. The distributed storage methods can reduce the cloud system interaction of the patent office, thereby greatly improving the speed of encryption and ensuring data security. Compared with the state of the art methods, the proposed patent data access and protection system based on blockchain technology have greater advantages in data security and model performance. The research results can provide a research foundation and practical value for the protection and review systems of patent data.
Evaluation of the ideal length of the Seldinger needle for internal jugular vein catheter placement
Authors: Wenzel Clara M. , Meyer Torsten M. , Stoevesandt Dietrich , Kielstein Heike , Kielstein Jan T. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPlacement of central venous catheters (CVC) into the internal jugular vein represents a routine clinical intervention. The periprocedural complication rate ranges from 5 to 20% and can be reduced by ultrasound guidance, training of residents and other measures. We aimed to proof that the average Seldinger needle is too long, increasing the risk of periprocedural injury, best epitomized in the stellate ganglion injury/irritation. The first part of the study was an online market analysis to investigate the standard needle length currently offered as part of the CVC placement sets. The second part of the study involved 35 hospitalized patients (14 female; median age 74.5 years). In those the distance between the skin and the internal jugular vein as well as the diameter of the internal jugular vein was measured by ultrasound in both, supine position as well as 45° semi-sitting position. In the third part of the study 80 body donors (45 female; median age 83.0 years) preserved by the ethanol/formaldehyde method were studied. In those the distance and angle between the typical landmark for insertion of the Seldinger needle for internal jugular vein catheter placement to the stellate ganglion was measured. The median [interquartile range] Seldinger needle length was 7 [4.0–10.0] cm. In the examined patients the maximum distance between the skin and the internal jugular vein was 1.87 cm. The minimum distance was 0.46 cm and the median distance averaging supine and 45° position was 1.14 [0.94–1.31] cm. Regarding the body donors the median distance from the insertion point of the internal jugular vein to the stellate ganglion was longer in men 5.5 [4.95–6.35] cm than in women 5.2 [4.7–5.9] (p = 0.031 unpaired t-test). With 7 cm average length the Seldinger needle currently sold as part of CVC sets is long enough to physically reach the stellate ganglion, not to mention more proximal structures. A shorter needle length would be sufficient to reach the internal jugular vein even in obese patients and with a small insertion angle while minimizing the possibility to cause severe injury as structures like the pleura and the stellate ganglion could not be reached by shorter needles.
The spectrum of comorbidities at the initial diagnosis of heart failure a case control study
Authors: Loosen Sven H. , Roderburg Christoph , Curth Ole , Gaensbacher Julia , Joerdens Markus , Luedde Tom , Konrad Marcel , Kostev Karel , Luedde Mark 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients is determined to a decisive extent by comorbidities. The present study investigates the association between a broad spectrum of diseases and the occurrence of HF in a large collective of outpatients. This retrospective case control study assessed the prevalence of 37 cardiac and extracardiac diseases in patients with an initial diagnosis of heart failure (ICD-10: I50) in 1,274 general practices in Germany between January 2005 and December 2019. The study is based on the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA), which contains drug prescriptions, diagnoses, and basic medical and demographic data. Patients with and without heart failure were matched by sex, age, and index year. Hazard regression models were conducted to evaluate the association between different disease entities and heart failure. The present study included 162,246 patients with heart failure and 162,246 patients without heart failure. Mean age [SD] was 73.7 [12.1] years; 52.6% were women. Out of 37 predefined diagnoses, 36 were more prevalent in HF patients. The highest prevalence was primary hypertension (63.4% in HF patients vs. 53.3% in controls, p < 0.001) followed by lipid metabolism disorders (34.6% in HF patients vs. 29.1% in HF patients p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus type II (32.2% in HF patients vs. 25.2% in controls, p < 0.001). In the regression analysis, 19 diseases were significantly associated with heart failure. Non-cardiovascular diagnoses strongly associated with HF were obesity (HR = 1.46), chronic bronchitis and COPD (HR = 1.41), gout (HR: 1.41), and chronic kidney disease (HR = 1.27). In the present study, we identified a variety of cardiac and extracardiac diseases associated with heart failure. Our data underscore the immense importance of comorbidities, even as early as at the stage of initial diagnosis of heart failure.
Circulating acyl and des-acyl ghrelin levels in obese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yanmei , Wu Qianxian , Zhou Qian , Chen Yuyu , Lei Xingxing , Chen Yiding , Chen Qiu 
Published: February 2022

AbstractGhrelin is the only known orexigenic gut hormone, and its synthesis, secretion and degradation are affected by different metabolic statuses. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the potential differences in plasma acyl ghrelin (AG) and des-acyl ghrelin (DAG) concentrations between normal weight and obese adults. Systematic literature searches of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science through October 2021 were conducted for articles reporting AG or DAG levels in obesity and normal weight, and 34 studies with 1863 participants who met the eligibility criteria were identified. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate group differences in circulating AG and DAG levels. Pooled effect size showed significantly lower levels of baseline AG (SMD: − 0.85; 95% CI: − 1.13 to − 0.57; PSMD < 0.001) and DAG (SMD: − 1.06; 95% CI: − 1.43 to − 0.69; PSMD < 0.001) in obese groups compared with healthy controls, and similar results were observed when subgroup analyses were stratified by the assay technique or storage procedure. Postprandial AG levels in obese subjects were significantly lower than those in controls when stratified by different time points (SMD 30 min: − 0.85, 95% CI: − 1.18 to − 0.53, PSMD < 0.001; SMD 60 min: − 1.00, 95% CI: − 1.37 to − 0.63, PSMD < 0.001; SMD 120 min: − 1.21, 95% CI: − 1.59 to − 0.83, PSMD < 0.001). In healthy subjects, a postprandial decline in AG was observed at 120 min (SMD: − 0.42; 95% CI: − 0.77 to − 0.06; PSMD = 0.021) but not in obese subjects (SMD: − 0.28; 95% CI: − 0.60 to 0.03; PSMD = 0.074). The mean change in AG concentration was similar in both the obese and lean health groups at each time point (ΔSMD30min: 0.31, 95% CI: − 0.35 to 0.97, PSMD = 0.359; ΔSMD60min: 0.17, 95% CI: − 0.12 to 0.46, PSMD = 0.246; ΔSMD120min: 0.21, 95% CI: − 0.13 to 0.54, PSMD = 0.224). This meta-analysis strengthens the clinical evidence supporting the following: lower baseline levels of circulating AG and DAG in obese individuals; declines in postprandial circulating AG levels, both for the healthy and obese individuals; a shorter duration of AG suppression in obese subjects after meal intake. These conclusions have significance for follow-up studies to elucidate the role of various ghrelin forms in energy homeostasis.
Inequalities in women’s utilization of postnatal care services in Bangladesh from 2004 to 2017
Authors: Aziz Samia , Basit Abdul , Sultana Saima , Homer Caroline S. E. , Vogel Joshua P. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPostnatal care (PNC) is an essential component of maternity care. Appropriate and timely care immediately after childbirth can save lives and help to prevent or treat comorbidities resulting from pregnancy and childbirth. Despite its importance, PNC coverage is still low in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to analyse the trends, inequalities, and factors associated with PNC for mothers in Bangladesh. Data from the last five Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS) were used. Descriptive statistics were used to report PNC outcome rates and trends across six inequality indicators. Modified Poisson regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with PNC use in the most recent BDHS. A total of 21,240 women were included for the analysis. The rate of PNC by ‘medically trained provider’ within 2 days of birth increased between 2004 and 2017, from 16 to 52%. There were wide inequalities across socio-demographic factors. The regression analyses found women giving birth at home, women from the poorest wealth quintile and women receiving no antenatal care (ANC) were least likely to receive PNC. The findings emphasize the need to improve public health programs supporting women who have the least access to PNC. The identified inequalities can inform policy formulation to ensure more equitable provision of PNC to women in Bangladesh.
Eucalyptus obliqua tall forest in cool, temperate Tasmania becomes a carbon source during a protracted warm spell in November 2017
Authors: Wardlaw Timothy J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTasmania experienced a protracted warm spell in November 2017. Temperatures were lower than those usually characterising heatwaves. Nonetheless the warm spell represented an extreme anomaly based on the historical local climate. Eddy covariance measurements of fluxes in a Eucalyptus obliqua tall forest at Warra, southern Tasmania during the warm spell were compared with measurements in the same period of the previous year when temperatures were closer to average. Compared with previous year, the warm spell resulted in 31% lower gross primary productivity (GPP), 58% higher ecosystem respiration (ER) and the forest switching from a carbon sink to a source. Significantly higher net radiation received during the warm spell was dissipated by increased latent heat flux, while canopy conductance was comparable with the previous year. Stomatal regulation to limit water loss was therefore unlikely as the reason for the lower GPP during the warm spell. Temperatures during the warm spell were supra-optimal for GPP for 75% of the daylight hours. The decline in GPP at Warra during the warm spell was therefore most likely due to temperatures exceeding the optimum for GPP. All else being equal, these forests will be weaker carbon sinks if, as predicted, warming events become more common.
A numerical study of a lifted $$\hbox {H}_2/\hbox {N}_2$$ flame excited by an axial and flapping forcing
Authors: Tyliszczak Artur , Wawrzak Agnieszka 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe large eddy simulation method combined with the Eulerian stochastic field approach has been used to study excited lifted hydrogen flames in a stream of hot co-flow in a configuration closely corresponding to the so-called Cabra flame. The excitation is obtained by adding to an inlet velocity profile three types of forcing [(1) axial; (2) flapping; (3) combination of both] with the amplitude of 15% of the fuel jet velocity and the frequency corresponding to the Strouhal numbers $$St=0.30,\, 0.45,\, 0.60\, \,\text {and}\, \,0.75$$

S
t
=
0.30
,

0.45
,

0.60

and

0.75

. It is shown that such a type of forcing significantly changes the lift-off height ($$L_h$$

L
h

) of the flame and its global shape, resulting in the flame occupying a large volume or the flame, which transforms from the circular one into a quasi-planar one. Both the $$L_h$$

L
h

and size of the flames were found to be a function of the type of forcing and its frequency. The minimum value of $$L_h$$

L
h

has been found for the case when the axial and flapping forcing were combined and acted at the forcing frequency close to the preferred one in the non-excited configuration. The impact of the flapping forcing manifested through a widening of the flame in the flapping direction. It was shown that the excitation increases the level of temperature fluctuations caused by an intensified mixing process. The computational results are validated based on the solutions obtained for the non-excited flame for which experimental data are available.
Self-healing behavior of recycled asphalt prepared by residue oil of straw liquefaction based on molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Zheng Xuewen , Xu Wenyuan , Cao Kai , Li Keke 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn order to accurately describe the self-healing behavior of recycled asphalt prepared by residue oil of straw liquefaction (ROSL), five ROSL contents of 2%, 4%, 6%, 10%, and 15% were added to the aged asphalt to represent the recycled asphalt and are denoted as ROSL-2, ROSL-4, ROSL-6, ROSL-10, and ROSL-15, respectively. Molecular simulation was used to simulate the healing behavior of nano cracks. A three-layer system was established in which the two sides are asphalt molecules and the middle is a 30 Å vacuum layer. The vacuum layer represented the internal nano cracks in the asphalt. The results show that the disappearance of cracks during the self-healing process was the result of the combined effect of model volume compression and asphalt molecule stretching. Self-healing is mainly affected by the van der Waals forces between the molecules. The self-healing rate of recycled asphalt is closely related to the content of ROSL, the higher the ROSL content, the greater the diffusion coefficient, which is more conducive to asphalt self-healing. However, as the time for ROSL-10 and ROSL-15 to reach the equilibrium distribution of relative concentration and density stability is basically the same, and the diffusion coefficient of ROSL-10 is basically the same as that of virgin asphalt, the optimal content of the ROSL is recommended to be 10%.
Chlamydia pneumoniae can infect the central nervous system via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves and contributes to Alzheimer’s disease risk
Authors: Chacko Anu , Delbaz Ali , Walkden Heidi , Basu Souptik , Armitage Charles W. , Eindorf Tanja , Trim Logan K. , Miller Edith , West Nicholas P. , St John James A. , Beagley Kenneth W. , Ekberg Jenny A. K. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractChlamydia pneumoniae is a respiratory tract pathogen but can also infect the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, the link between C. pneumoniae CNS infection and late-onset dementia has become increasingly evident. In mice, CNS infection has been shown to occur weeks to months after intranasal inoculation. By isolating live C. pneumoniae from tissues and using immunohistochemistry, we show that C. pneumoniae can infect the olfactory and trigeminal nerves, olfactory bulb and brain within 72 h in mice. C. pneumoniae infection also resulted in dysregulation of key pathways involved in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis at 7 and 28 days after inoculation. Interestingly, amyloid beta accumulations were also detected adjacent to the C. pneumoniae inclusions in the olfactory system. Furthermore, injury to the nasal epithelium resulted in increased peripheral nerve and olfactory bulb infection, but did not alter general CNS infection. In vitro, C. pneumoniae was able to infect peripheral nerve and CNS glia. In summary, the nerves extending between the nasal cavity and the brain constitute invasion paths by which C. pneumoniae can rapidly invade the CNS likely by surviving in glia and leading to Aβ deposition.