bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Pore Structure Characteristics and Reservoir Capacities of Lower Jurassic Continental Shale Reservoirs in the Northeastern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Jiang Tao , Jin Zhijun , Liu Guangxiang , Hu Zongquan , Chen Xuanhua , Liu Zhongbao , Wang Guanping 
Published: April 2022

The Lower Jurassic shale in the northeastern Sichuan Basin is one of the main research intervals of continental shale gas. The shale pore structure is an important indicator for evaluating the reservoir capacities of shale reservoirs. We concentrate on the pore structure to indicate reservoir capacity using several testing methods, for example, N2 adsorption-high-pressure mercury pore size combined experiments, X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments, and the total organic carbon (TOC) method. The results show that the clay mineral content of the continental shale is high. The pore type is mainly a mineral matrix pore, followed by an organic matter pore, and the microcracks are locally developed; the distribution interval of the main pore size is mesoporous, between 10 and 50 nm; the pore volumes and specific surface areas of the continental shale reservoirs are negatively correlated or unrelated to the TOC, mainly due to the failure of pore development in the organic vitrinite and fusinite and the occupation of pore volume and adsorption sites by the soluble organic matter. The larger pores are mainly formed by clay minerals; the reservoir capacities of the continental shale reservoirs were evaluated using a two-factor evaluation method of the pore volume and specific surface area. It was found that the continental shale mainly comprises free reservoirs and has a storage gas capability level of II–IV. The research results elucidate the pore structure characteristics and reservoir capacities of the continental shale reservoirs in the northeastern Sichuan Basin, having important theoretical and guiding significance for the gas-bearing evaluation and dessert target optimization of the continental shale in the study area.
Spatial Variability of Selected Soil Properties in Long-Term Drained and Restored Peatlands
Authors: Negassa Wakene , Baum Christel , Beyer Florian , Leinweber Peter 
Published: April 2022

Drained peatlands have been rewetted for restoration in Europe and North America for about 25 years. However, information on spatial variability of soil chemical and biochemical properties in long-term drained and restored peatlands is insufficient to design appropriate research methods and soil sampling protocols for monitoring biogeochemical processes. The study aimed to examine the influence of long-term drainage and rewetting of peatlands on smallscale spatial variability of the soil chemical properties and enzyme activities. We collected 400 soil samples from the 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm soil depths of a drained and a corresponding rewetted peatland. The number of grid cells was 100 for each of the drained and the rewetted peatland, and the size of each grid cell was 3 m × 3 m. We analyzed 17 soil parameters from the surfaces and 14 from the subsurface of both sites. The variability (range, SD, and CV) of all the soil properties was higher in the drained peatland than in the restored peatlands except for the soil pH. The geostatistical analysis revealed only the soil pH, acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, and arylsulfatase activities disclosed the strong spatial dependency at the ≤5 m semivariance range in the drained peatland. However, more than 80% of the soil properties showed a strong spatial dependence within the 4–20 m semivariance ranges in the restored peatland. The strong spatial dependencies of all the soil properties in the long-term restored peatland conclusively call for the spatial soil sampling and geostatistical data analysis methods to capture substantial spatial variability that has important implications in degraded peatland restoration.
Hedge and Alder-Based Agroforestry Systems: Potential Interventions to Carbon Sequestration and Better Crop Productivity in Indian Sub-Himalayas
Authors: Parmar Brajendra , Vishwakarma Anand , Padbhushan Rajeev , Kumar Amarendra , Kumar Rajkishore , Kumari Ragini , Kumar Yadav Brahmdeo , Giri S. P. , Kaviraj Megha , Kumar Upendra 
Published: April 2022

Agroforestry systems (AFSs) have potential to combat climate change and to ensure food security. AFSs can sequester carbon and amend the organic matter, thereby enhancing the crop productivity. Carbon sequestration depends on the type of AFSs, climate, cropping pattern, and management practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate different AFSs for their potential to sequester carbon and impact on soil organic matter (SOM) in the eastern sub-Himalayas, India. Hedge-, alder-, and guava-based AFSs were established along with control (without any tree), and the maize–mustard–potato cropping pattern was followed in each AFS. Soil samples were collected after the fifth crop cycle and further analyzed. The results showed that crop productivity was significantly higher in all the AFSs than control. On average, soil organic carbon (SOC) was found to be significantly higher by 62 and 64% in hedge-based AFSs as compared to guava-based AFSs and control, respectively, andat parwith alder-based AFSs. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was higher in all the three AFSs than in the control. For microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents, the trend of AFSs was expressed as alder-based AFS &gt; hedge-based AFS &gt; guava-based AFS &gt; control. Hedge- and alder-based AFSs had higher SOC stocks than guava-based AFSs and control. Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq.) emissions were greater in control than hedge-based AFSs (35.2 Mg ha−1), followed by alder-based AFSs (28.6 Mg ha−1), and the lowest was observed in guava-based AFSs. On an average, hedge species accumulated more nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which were 60, 12, and 28 kg ha−1yr−1, respectively. This conclusively proved that AFSs were significantly affecting SOM pools and crop productivity and had a significant role in carbon retention in the soil. Overall, hedge- and alder-based AFSs retained higher soil carbon, and hence, hedge- and alder-based AFSs may be promoted to achieve climate-smart agriculture practices in the acid soils of the Indian sub-Himalayan region.
Broadband and Dual-Polarized Terahertz Wave Anomalous Refraction Based on a Huygens’ Metasurface
Authors: Ran Jia , Xie Mingli , Wen Dandan , Zhang Xiaolei , Xue Chunhua 
Published: April 2022

Terahertz wavefront manipulation is one of the key terahertz technologies. While few of the research works on terahertz wavefront manipulation has broadband and dual-polarized responses. Here a broadband dual-polarized Huygens’ metasurface is proposed to realize high efficient terahertz wave anomalous refraction. By constructing simultaneous electric and magnetic responses in a bi-layer metasurface to produce Huygens’ resonance, broadband and large phase changes for dual-polarized terahertz wave are achieved. A phase change over 300° with transmission magnitude beyond 0.75 is realized between 0.4 THz and 1 THz. An array made of the metasurface with phase gradient is designed to achieve a 14.0° anomalous refraction for two orthogonal linear polarized waves at 0.93 THz. The structure consists of only two metal layers, providing a simple and high-efficiency design scheme for achieving efficient dual-polarized terahertz wavefront manipulation.
New Insights Into an Overlooked Entity: Long-Term Outcomes of Membranous Lupus Nephritis From a Single Institution Inception Cohort
Authors: Kapsia Eleni , Marinaki Smaragdi , Michelakis Ioannis , Liapis George , Sfikakis Petros P. , Tektonidou Maria G. , Boletis John 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionPure membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) accounts for 10–20% of total cases of lupus nephritis and is generally associated with a better patient and renal survival compared to proliferative classes. Studies of MLN are limited by small sample size and heterogeneity of included populations since patients with pure MLN and those with mixed classes are usually examined together.Aim of the StudyTo describe clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with pure MLN, therapeutic regimens, response to treatment, renal relapses, and their long-term renal survival and to define prognostic factors of remission and relapse.MethodsWe retrospectively studied an inception cohort of 27 patients with histologically proven pure MLN. Clinical, laboratory and therapeutical parameters were recorded at diagnosis, at different time points (3–6–9–12–18–24–36–72 months) during the course of the disease, at time of renal flare, and at last follow up visit.Results48.1% (13/27) of patients were treated with mycophenolic acid (MPA), 29.6% (8/27) with cyclophosphamide (CYC), and 3.7% (1/27) with cyclosporine (all in combination with corticosteroids). Five patients (18.5%) did not receive any immunosuppressive treatment. Mean duration of treatment was 4.7 ± 2.3 years. Median time to complete remission was 9 months (IQR = 7) and median time to partial remission was 4 months (IQR = 4). No clinical or laboratory parameter was found to be significantly associated with time to remission. Time to remission was not significantly affected by either of the two treatment regimens (CYC and MPA) (p = 0.43). Renal flare was observed in 6 (22%) of the 27 patients in a median time of 51 months (IQR = 63). Proteinuria &gt;1 g/24 h at 1 year significantly correlated with risk of flare (OR 20, p = 0.02). After a median follow up period of 77 months, all patients had an eGFR &gt; 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (mean eGFR 100 ± 32 ml/min/1.73 m2).ConclusionsIn a small cohort of patients with pure MLN, long-term renal survival was very good. With the limitation of the small sample size, we could not find any baseline clinical, biochemical or therapeutic factor that could predict time to remission. Proteinuria &gt; 1 g/24 h at 1 year should be further examined in larger cohorts as a possible predictor of flare.
The Role of Lipids in Allergic Sensitization: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hopkins Georgina V. , Cochrane Stella , Onion David , Fairclough Lucy C. 
Published: April 2022

Background:Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergies are increasing in prevalence, with IgE-mediated food allergies currently affecting up to 10% of children and 6% of adults worldwide. The mechanisms underpinning the first phase of IgE-mediated allergy, allergic sensitization, are still not clear. Recently, the potential involvement of lipids in allergic sensitization has been proposed, with reports that they can bind allergenic proteins and act on immune cells to skew to a T helper type 2 (Th2) response.Objectives:The objective of this systematic review is to determine if there is strong evidence for the role of lipids in allergic sensitization.Methods:Nineteen studies were reviewed, ten of which were relevant to lipids in allergic sensitization to food allergens, nine relevant to lipids in aeroallergen sensitization.Results:The results provide strong evidence for the role of lipids in allergies. Intrinsic lipids from allergen sources can interact with allergenic proteins to predominantly enhance but also inhibit allergic sensitization through various mechanisms. Proposed mechanisms included reducing the gastrointestinal degradation of allergenic proteins by altering protein structure, reducing dendritic cell (DC) uptake of allergenic proteins to reduce immune tolerance, regulating Th2 cytokines, activating invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells through CD1d presentation, and directly acting upon toll-like receptors (TLRs), epithelial cells, keratinocytes, and DCs.Conclusion:The current literature suggests intrinsic lipids are key influencers of allergic sensitization. Further research utilising human relevantin vitromodels and clinical studies are needed to give a reliable account of the role of lipids in allergic sensitization.
Relatively Early and Late-Onset Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Central China: Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Features
Authors: Yu Jinbei , Yan Shuai , Niu Pengpeng , Teng Junfang 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundWe aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic features of Chinese patients with relatively late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (RLO-NMOSD&gt;40 years of age at disease onset), compared with patients with relatively early onset NMOSD (REO-NMOSD, ≤ 40 years of age at disease onset).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with NMOSD in central China (with disease courses longer than 3 years) between January 2012 and January 2021. We further analyzed the clinical and prognostic differences between patients with REO-NMOSD and RLO-NMOSD.ResultsA total of 71 patients were included in this study. The results showed that 39 (54.9%) of the patients had RLO-NMOSD. The patients with RLO-NMOSD had higher expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores than patients with REO-NMOSD at the initial (5.0 vs. 3.0, p = 0.01), 3-month (4.0 vs. 2.5, p = 0.001), 1-year (4.0 vs. 2.5, p = 0.003), 3rd-year (3.5 vs. 3.0, p = 0.0017), and final follow-up (4.0 vs. 2.5, P = 0.002) time points. The EDSS scores of visual function were 2.0 (1.0–3.0) in REO-NMOSD and 3.0 (2.0–3.0) in RLO-NMOSD (p = 0.038) at the final follow-up time point. The locations of spinal cord lesions at transverse myelitis (TM) onset were prone to cervical cord in patients with REO-NMOSD. There were no between-group treatment differences. The risk of requiring a cane to walk (EDSS score of 6.0) increased as the age of disease onset increased: for every 10-year increase in the age of disease onset, the risk of needing a cane to walk increased by 65% [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.65, 95% CI 1.15–2.38, p = 0.007]. Another significant predictor identified in the multivariate analysis was annualized relapse rate (ARR) (HR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.09–3.71, p = 0.025). In addition, we observed a positive correlation between age at onset and EDSS scores at the final follow-up (Spearman's r = 0.426, p &lt; 0.0001) time point. EDSS scores at different periods were significantly different between patients with RLO-NMOSD and REO-NMOSD with anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) IgG positive.ConclusionThe patients with RLO-NMOSD developed more severe disabilities than patients with REO-NMOSD at a variety of time periods. All of the patients may experience recurrent aggravated symptoms after their first year, with only patients with REO-NMOSD partly recovering from the 3rd year. The age at onset and ARR were the main predictors of outcomes.
NEK1 Variants in a Cohort of Italian Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Riva Nilo , Pozzi Laura , Russo Tommaso , Pipitone Giovanni Battista , Schito Paride , Domi Teuta , Agosta Federica , Quattrini Angelo , Carrera Paola , Filippi Massimo 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionIn the last few years, different studies highlighted a significant enrichment of NEK1 loss of function (LoF) variants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and an additional role for the p.Arg261His missense variant in the disease susceptibility. Several other missense variants have been described so far, whose pathogenic relevance remains however unclear since many of them have been reported in both patients and controls. This study aimed to investigate the presence of NEK1 variants and their correlation with phenotype in a cohort of Italian patients with ALS.MethodsWe sequenced a cohort of 350 unrelated Italian patients with ALS by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and then we analyzed the clinical features of NEK1 carriers.ResultsWe detected 20 different NEK1 rare variants (four LoF and 16 missense) in 33 unrelated patients with sporadic ALS (sALS). The four LoF variants (two frameshift and two splice-site variants) were all novel. The p.Arg261His missense variant was enriched in the patients’ cohort (p &lt; 0.001). Excluding this variant from counting, the difference in the frequency of NEK1 rare missense variants between patients and controls was not statistically significant. NEK1 carriers had a higher frequency of flail arm (FA) phenotype compared with the other patients of the cohort (29.2% vs. 6.4%). Nine NEK1 carriers (37.5%) also harbored variants in other ALS-related genes.ConclusionThis study confirms that NEK1 LoF and p.Arg261. His missense variants are associated with ALS in an Italian ALS cohort and suggests a correlation between the presence of NEK1 variants and FA phenotype.
Functional Connectivity Underlying Symptoms in Preschool Boys With Autism: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Lan Zhihong , Xu Shoujun , Yu Xiangrong , Yu Zhenjie , Li Meng , Chen Feng , Liu Yu , Wang Tianyue , Wu Yunfan , Gan Yungen , Jiang Guihua 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundSingle-sex children have been regarded as one of the best subjects to understand the abnormal development patterns of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the functional connectivity (FC) behind their symptoms is still unknown.MethodsBased on FC analysis, the acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data sets, including 86 boys with ASD and 54 normal controls (NC), were used to detect the neural synchronous activity between brain regions. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the abnormal FC value and clinical features.ResultsIndividuals with ASD showed enhanced FC between the right calcarine and the right lingual gyrus (LG). The right medial orbital frontal cortex also showed increased FC with bilateral inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) [two-tailed, voxel-level p &lt; 0.001, gaussian random field (GRF) correction, cluster-level p &lt; 0.05]. We did not find a correlation between the abnormal FC value and clinical scales.ConclusionOur study reveals a possible relationship between atypical visual attention and poor learning ability in subjects with ASD, and delayed social language development may be a secondary symptom to ASD.
Hypocholesterolemia and Inflammatory Biomarkers Act as Predictors of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Crohn’s Disease: A Clinical Analysis of 862 Patients in China
Authors: Lu Jie , Yu Fei , Huang Jun , Yu Haitao , Li Fengying , Le Zhi’an , Cheng Yulan , Zhang Qi , Li Guiling , Xie Xinyou , Tang Huifang , Zhang Jun 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundIn this study, we enrolled 862 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in China to investigate the correlation between serum vitamin D (SVD) and serum lipids, inflammatory biomarkers, and important clinical parameters.Materials and Methods25(OH)D was measured by LS/MS/MS. Correlation analysis, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the correlations between vitamin D and potential risk factors when vitamin D levels were lower than 10 ng/mL or 20 ng/mL.ResultsThe incidence of severe vitamin D deficiency (SVD &lt; 10 ng/mL) in patients with CD was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (28.9 vs. 9.5%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that penetrating disease [odds ratio (OR) = 2.18], low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (OR = 1.91), high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR = 1.73), and platelet count (PLT) (OR = 2.71) were regarded as predictors of severe vitamin D deficiency, while only PLT (OR = 1.90) and HDL (OR = 1.76) were considered as predictors of mild vitamin D deficiency (SVD 10–20 ng/mL).ConclusionOur results confirm a higher incidence of severe vitamin D deficiency in patients with CD in China and show that vitamin D deficiency could result from the combined effects of penetrating disease, inflammation, and low levels of HDL.
Retrospective Analysis of the Accuracy of High-Frequency Ultrasound for Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction in Pediatrics at a Single Center
Authors: Xu Qiuchen , Liu Min , Wu Qiumei , Ling Wen , Guo Shan 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveTo determine the clinical value of high-frequency ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation and diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) among children.MethodsThe clinical subjects consisted of 31 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with PBM from January 2015 to May 2021 in Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital. The primary outcomes included diagnosis accuracy, imaging characteristics of each type of PBM based on JSPBM, time length of operation, and cost of service. Secondary outcomes were the serum amylase and bilirubin levels.ResultsThe diagnostic accuracy of US was 90.3% and comparable to the other imaging methods—MRCP (82.6%), IOC (79.2%), and ERCP (100%), respectively. The time length of operation and direct cost were significantly lower than other imaging pathways. Stenotic type (A) is associated with a high internal diameter of CBD, and dilated channel type (C) presents increased internal diameter and length of CC as well as internal diameter of PD. There were higher levels of the serum bilirubin seen in type A and of serum amylase in type C compared with others.ConclusionHigh-frequency US is a safe, cost-effective, and non-invasive imaging tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of PBM in pediatrics.
Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Zoliflodacin Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains With Amino Acid Substitutions in the Zoliflodacin Target GyrB Using a Dynamic Hollow Fiber Infection Model
Authors: Jacobsson Susanne , Golparian Daniel , Oxelbark Joakim , Franceschi Francois , Brown David , Louie Arnold , Drusano George , Unemo Magnus 
Published: April 2022

Novel antimicrobials for effective treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea are essential, and the first-in-class, oral spiropyrimidinetrione DNA gyrase B inhibitor zoliflodacin appears promising. Using our newly developed Hollow Fiber Infection Model (HFIM), the pharmacodynamics of zoliflodacin was examined. A clinical zoliflodacin-susceptible N. gonorrhoeae strain, SE600/18 (harbouring a GyrB S467N amino acid substitution; MIC = 0.25 mg/L), and SE600/18-D429N (zoliflodacin-resistant mutant with a second GyrB substitution, D429N, selected in the HFIM experiments; zoliflodacin MIC = 2 mg/L), were examined. Dose-range experiments, simulating zoliflodacin single oral dose regimens of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 g, were performed for SE600/18. For SE600/18-D429N, dose-range experiments, simulating zoliflodacin single oral 2, 3, 4, and 6 g doses, and zoliflodacin oral dose-fractionation experiments with 4, 6, and 8 g administered as q12 h were performed. Both strains grew well in the untreated HFIM growth control arms and mostly maintained growth at 1010–1011 CFU/ml for 7 days. Zoliflodacin 3 and 4 g single dose oral regimens successfully eradicated SE600/18 and no growth was recovered during the 7-days experiments. However, the single oral 0.5, 1, and 2 g doses failed to eradicate SE600/18, and zoliflodacin-resistant populations with a GyrB D429N substitution were selected with all these doses. The zoliflodacin-resistant SE600/18-D429N mutant was not eradicated with any examined treatment regimen. However, this in vitro-selected zoliflodacin-resistant mutant was substantially less fit compared to the zoliflodacin-susceptible SE600/18 parent strain. In conclusion, the rare clinical gonococcal strains with GyrB S467N substitution are predisposed to develop zoliflodacin resistance and may require treatment with zoliflodacin ≥3 g. Future development may need to consider the inclusion of diagnostics directed at identifying strains resistant or predisposed to resistance development at a population level and to strengthen surveillance (phenotypically and genetically), and possibly also at the patient level to guide treatment.