bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strong positive relationships between eDNA concentrations and biomass in juvenile and adult pike (Esox lucius) under controlled conditions: Implications for monitoring
Authors: Karlsson Erik , Ogonowski Martin , Sundblad Göran , Sundin Josefin , Svensson Ofir , Nousiainen Ilkka , Vasemägi Anti 
Published: March 2022

AbstractReliable abundance information is the foundation for managing aquatic resources. Species with low catchability are, however, often overlooked in monitoring programmes. Thus, governing bodies lack the data necessary to make well‐informed management decisions. Environmental DNA (eDNA) can produce quantitative estimates of fish abundances, but the precision varies greatly depending on the species and system. It is, therefore, necessary to evaluate its performance and investigate how fish biomass and density affects eDNA dynamics on a case‐by‐case basis before eDNA‐based monitoring can be a viable option. Here, we evaluate how biomass and density of an ecologically and socioeconomically important top predator, the Northern pike (Esox lucius), relate to eDNA concentrations in controlled aquarium and mesocosm experiments. We carried out experiments using both juvenile and adult individuals and evaluated eDNA, biomass and density relationships at three different time points using a previously developed TaqMan assay, targeting the cytochrome oxidase I gene. We also evaluated the performance of multiple extraction methods (DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit, DNeasy PowerWater kit, and Chelex 100), and filtering systems (single‐ vs. double‐membrane filters). The results from both pike experiments showed a strong positive linear relationship between eDNA concentration and pike biomass (R2 = 0.74 – 0.87). Levels of eDNA dropped drastically within the initial 24 h of juvenile pike being removed from the aquaria, and low levels were detectable for up to 308 h. Of the extraction methods, Chelex 100 yielded the highest DNA concentration, offering a quick and cost‐effective alternative compared with existing widely used extraction methods. Using double membrane filters of different material showed no increase in DNA yield regardless of the extraction method but it allowed more water to be processed. Although several challenges remain, our results show that eDNA holds promise to become a useful tool for monitoring fish biomass in natural environments.
The Chemistry of Cyclopropanes and New Insights into Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Cyclopropanation
Authors: Sansinenea Estibaliz , Ortiz Aurelio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCyclopropane structure has been the object of interest in multiple investigations due to its prevalence in different natural products. In addition, this structure has a particular reactivity, specifically the 1,1‐cyclopropanedicarboxylate compounds, which act as acceptor‐donor cyclopropanes. Its reactivity could be compared with that of an α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl, which undergoes conjugate addition reaction and depending on the nature of the nucleophile this can lead to a cycloaddition reaction. Therefore, cyclopropane can be transformed into several useful structures in organic synthesis. Different methods have been described to achieve cyclopropanes such as, Simmons‐Smith reaction, decomposition of diazoalkanes and Michael‐Initiated ring closure (MIRC). Due to the absence of metals, this last method has been applied to the asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of cyclopropanes, where the substrates activation is through the imine‐enamine intermediates formation or by hydrogen bonds. The asymmetric reaction consists of a domino reaction composed of a conjugate addition reaction and a cyclization reaction via intramolecular nucleophilic substitution. In this review, different asymmetric organocatalytic syntheses of the last two decades until 2021 are presented. With the intention to facilitate the reading of the review, an example of each paper was selected with the optimal reaction conditions and with the best organocatalyst producing the best yield and high stereoselectivity.
New Mechanistic Insights into the Ru‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Ketoesters
Authors: Püntener Kurt , Bigler Raphael , Stier Kenta , Checinski Marek P. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe describe the results of our quantum mechanical investigation of the asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐ketoesters catalyzed by [RuCl2(MeOH)2((R)‐MeOBIPHEP)] (7 a), which is generated in situ from [Ru(OAc)2((R)‐MeOBIPHEP)] (4 a) and HCl in methanol. Interestingly, HCl not only acts as an activator for 4 a as it has a dramatic effect on the reaction itself: While HCl/4 a=2 leads to rather poor results (36 % ee and 13 % conv. after 4 h at at a substrate‐to‐catalyst ratio (S/C)=50’000), HCl/4 a=20 results in high efficiency (>99.9 % conv.) and enantioselectivity (99 % ee favoring the opposite enantiomer) under otherwise identical conditions. The origin for this sweeping change in performance has remained a mystery for two decades. Here, we show for the first time that a highly selective HCl pathway becomes operational under acidic conditions, which outcompetes moderately selective pathways dominating under neutral conditions. Furthermore, we explain the effects of common phosphorus substituents on the activity of the catalyst.
PNPLA3 rs738409 and risk of fibrosis in NAFLD: Exploring mediation pathways through intermediate histological features
Authors: Vilar‐Gomez Eduardo , Pirola Carlos J. , Sookoian Silvia , Wilson Laura A. , Liang Tiebing , Chalasani Naga 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
It is unclear whether rs738409 (p.I148M) missense variant in patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing 3 rs738409 promotes fibrosis development by triggering specific fibrogenic pathways or by creating an unfavorable microenvironment by promoting steatosis, inflammation, and ultimately fibrosis. We tested the hypothesis that intermediate histologic traits, including steatosis, lobular and portal inflammation, and ballooning may determine the effect of rs738409 on liver fibrosis among individuals with biopsy‐proven NAFLD.

Approach and Results
Causal mediation models including multiple mediators in parallel or sequentially were performed to examine the effect of rs738409, by decomposing its total effect on fibrosis severity into direct and indirect effects, mediated by histology traits in 1153 non‐Hispanic White patients. Total effect of rs738409 on fibrosis was β = 0.19 (95% CI: 0.09–0.29). The direct effect of rs738409 on fibrosis after removing mediators’ effects was β = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.01–0.17) and the indirect effect of rs738409 on fibrosis through all mediators' effects were β = 0.010 (95% CI: 0.04–0.15). Among all mediators, the greatest estimated effect size was displayed by portal inflammation (β = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.05–0.12). Among different sequential combinations of histology traits, the path including lobular inflammation followed by ballooning degeneration displayed the most significant indirect effect (β = 0.023, 95% CI: 0.011–0.037). Mediation analysis in a separate group of 404 individuals with biopsy‐proven NAFLD from other races and ethnicity showed similar results.

Conclusions
In NAFLD, nearly half of the total effect of the rs738409 G allele on fibrosis severity could be explained by a direct pathway, suggesting that rs738409 may promote fibrosis development by activating specific fibrogenic pathways. A large proportion of the indirect effect of rs738409 on fibrosis severity is mediated through portal inflammation.
Store leader gender and store sales performance: When and why do women and men underperform?
Authors: Richard Orlando , Triana María del Carmen , Stewart Marcus 
Published: March 2022

AbstractFinding ways of breaking the gender‐based glass ceiling is an important human resource issue in companies today. Employing a sample of over 200 retail stores, we explore multiple moderating and mediating factors to explain when and why women store leaders perform better, equal to, or worse than men. Results reveal that (a) women are assigned to lead stores that are positioned closer to competitive rivals than men and (b) women receive unfair distributive pay outcomes in that they are generally paid less than their male counterparts. When accounting for these factors, performance (i.e., productivity) differences between stores with men and women leaders diminished. Further, organizational tenure and store‐unit size (i.e., number of employees) were positively associated with sales performance among stores with women leaders. The findings unveil why some store‐units led by women underperform but also offer contingency factors that delineate when women‐led and men‐led stores excel in sales productivity. Implications for recruiting and retaining both women and men in leadership are considered.
Turning point: A new global COVID‐19 wave or a signal of the beginning of the end of the global COVID‐19 pandemic?
Authors: Ding Kaixi , Jiang Wei , Xiong Chunping , Lei Ming 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA new variant named Omicron (B.1.1.529), first identified in South Africa, has become of considerable interest to the World Health Organization. This variant differs from the other known major variants, as it carries a large number of unusual mutations, particularly in the spinous process protein and receptor binding domains. Some specific mutation sites make it vaccine resistant, highly infectious, and highly pathogenic. The world fears that the Omicron variant could be even more harmful than the previous major variant, given that it has emerged amid fierce competition to trigger a new global pandemic peak as infections in South Africa rise. However, some epidemiological evidence has emerged that the Omicron variant may produce milder patient symptoms. We speculate if the virulence of the Omicron variant will diminish as transmissibility increases, thereby signaling the beginning of the end for the global COVID‐19 pandemic. Based on this view, we make recommendations for COVID‐19 mitigation in the present and future. However, it will take a few weeks to determine the true threat posed by the Omicron variant and we need to be fully prepared for future outbreaks, regardless of their severity.
Life‐threatening anaphylaxis in children with cow's milk allergy during oral immunotherapy and after treatment failure
Authors: Badina Laura , Burlo Francesca , Belluzzi Beatrice , Babich Sara , Berti Irene , Barbi Egidio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundOral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising therapeutic approach for children with persistent IgE‐mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA) but data are still limited.ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence of life‐threatening anaphylaxis in children with persistent CMA undergoing OIT and to evaluate potential risk factors.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study among children with persistent CMA undergoing OIT over a 20‐year period, following a specific Oral Tolerance Induction protocol. Adverse reactions during the whole period and data on long‐term outcome were registered. Descriptive and nondescriptive statistics were used to describe data.ResultsThree hundred forty‐two children were evaluated. During OIT, 12 children (3.5%) presented severe anaphylactic reactions that needed an adrenaline injection. None required intubation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or showed a fatal outcome. Five of them abandoned OIT, five reached unrestricted diet and the others are still undergoing OIT. As far as outcome is concerned, 51.2% reached an unrestricted diet; 13.5% are at the build‐up stage; and 28.0% (97 patients) stopped the OIT. Among these 96 children, 6.3% experienced a severe reaction induced by accidental ingestion of milk with two fatal outcomes.ConclusionsThe risk of life‐threatening reactions was nearly two times lower (3.5% vs. 6.3%) among patients assuming milk during OIT than in those who stopped the protocol. A trend in favor of more severe reactions, requiring ICU admission, or fatal, was shown in patients who stopped OIT.
Financial market integration in sub‐Saharan Africa: How important is contagion?1
Authors: Akunga Robert , Ahmad Ahmad Hassan , Coleman Simeon 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis paper investigates effects of contagion in sub‐Saharan African stock markets by examining both crisis and non‐crisis contingent theories. Specifically, the paper examines cross‐market linkages through heteroskedasticity bias‐adjusted correlation in asset returns and assesses the impact of regional macroeconomic fundamentals on stock market volatility using GARCH‐MIDAS technique. The crisis contingent results reveal that there is no evidence of contagion in sub‐Saharan African markets from crises in global developed markets (the UK and the US). However, there is evidence of contagion from emerging market crises (China, South Africa, and Kenya). The non‐crisis contingent analysis underscores the significance of regional economic fundamentals, especially inflation and the GDP, on stock market volatility in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Prussian‐blue materials: Revealing new opportunities for rechargeable batteries
Authors: Wang Qianchen , Li Jingbo , Jin Haibo , Xin Sen , Gao Hongcai 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe demand to increase energy density of rechargeable batteries for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles and to reduce the cost for grid‐scale energy storage necessitates the exploration of new chemistries of electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. The open framework‐structure of Prussian‐blue materials has recently been demonstrated as a promising cathode host for a variety of monovalent and multivalent cations with the tunable working voltage and discharge capacities. Recent progress toward the application of Prussian‐blue cathode materials for rechargeable batteries is reviewed, with special emphasis on charge‐storage mechanisms of different insertion species, factors influencing electrochemical performances, and possible approaches to overcome their intrinsic limitations.image
Neferine attenuates doxorubicin‐induced fibrosis and hypertrophy in H9c2 cells
Authors: Lohanathan Bharathi Priya , Rathinasamy Baskaran , Huang Chih‐Yang , Viswanadha Vijaya Padma 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDoxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline antineoplastic candidate is used to treat various malignancies. Around 41% of patients undergoing DOX treatment develop acute cardiotoxicity. Preventing DOX‐induced cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy helps in evading cardiac remodeling leading to cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Neferine, an alkaloid from the lotus has numerous pharmacological activities. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of neferine on DOX‐mediated fibrosis and hypertrophy. DOX‐induced fibrosis involves activation of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2), and MMP‐9 with concomitant downregulation of tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP)‐1 and TIMP‐2 expressions in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Furthermore, DOX treatment also resulted in hypertrophy with the increased cell volume and overexpression of hypertrophy markers calcineurin, brain natriuretic peptide, and atrial natriuretic peptide. Finally, DOX treatment resulted in apoptosis through activation of p53. Pretreatment with neferine markedly activated SIRT1 expression and modulated the expression levels of TGF‐β1 and p53, thereby significantly reducing DOX‐induced fibrosis, hypertrophy, and apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts.
Novel heterozygous F7 gene mutation (c. C1286T) associated with congenital factor VII deficiency: A case report and literature review
Authors: Tang Hua , Luan Xingzhao , Li Jiaqi , Jiang Gen , Zhen Haowen , Li Hao , Xiang Wei , Zhou Jie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundCongenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare inherited autosomal recessive disorder characterized by prolongation of prothrombin time and low FVII coagulation activity, which may increase the risk of bleeding.Case presentationA 66‐year‐old man with acute postoperative intracranial hemorrhage was transferred to our hospital owing to coagulation dysfunction. In coagulation tests, the FVII coagulation activity was less than 2%. Genetic analysis of the gene encoding FVII identified compound heterozygous mutations: c. 681+1 G>T and c. C1286T (p. Ala429Val).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first report describing the c. C1286T (p. Ala429Val) mutation in the FVII‐encoding gene. We suggest that these mutations resulted in the reduced FVII activity and abnormal clotting in our patient after brain surgery.
The role of climate finance beyond renewables: Behavioural insights
Authors: Greenwood Noelle , Warren Peter 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe paper contributes towards filling a ‘blind spot’ in the field of climate finance by investigating the role of climate finance for behavioural insights in developing countries. The evidence review synthesises 71 high‐quality studies and focuses on clean fuel adoption and household energy‐saving behaviour in developing countries. The synthesis finds that there is a need for climate finance from developed countries that is more targeted towards interventions and measures that support household decision‐making in developing countries by engaging with stakeholders that understand local attitudes, constraints and knowledge levels governing the perception of health and environmental risks associated with energy‐consuming technologies.
Investigating the binding mechanism of topiramate with bovine serum albumin using spectroscopic and computational methods
Authors: Khan Faez Iqbal , Rehman Md. Tabish , Sameena Fathima , Hussain Tabish , AlAjmi Mohamed F , Lai Dakun , Khan Md. Khurshid Alam 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVarious spectroscopic techniques involving fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and computational approaches were used to elucidate the molecular aspects of interaction between the antiepileptic drug topiramate and the multifunctional transport protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) under physiological conditions. Topiramate quenched BSA fluorescence in a static quenching mode, according to the Stern‐Volmer quenching constant (Ksv) data derived from fluorescence spectroscopy for the topiramate‐BSA complex. The binding constant was also used to calculate the binding affinity for the topiramate‐BSA interaction. Fluorescence and circular dichroism experiments demonstrate that the protein's tertiary structure is affected by the microenvironmental alterations generated by topiramate binding to BSA. To establish the exact binding site, interacting residues, and interaction forces involved in the binding of topiramate to BSA, molecular modeling and simulation approaches were used. According to the Molecular Mechanics Poisson‐Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) calculations, the average binding energy between topiramate and BSA is −421.05 kJ/mol. Topiramate was discovered to have substantial interactions with BSA, changing the structural dynamic and Gibbs free energy landscape patterns.
Differentiation Between Lipomas and Atypical Lipomatous Tumors of the Extremities Using Radiomics
Authors: Tang Yaozhou , Cui Jingjing , Zhu Jingyi , Fan Guoguang 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe differentiation of soft tissue lipomas from atypical lipoma tumors (ALTs) of the extremities is important because of the distinction of the cytogenetic profiles and the treatment decisions.PurposeTo investigate a radiomics method to differentiate between lipomas and ALTs of the extremities.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationImaging data of 122 patients including 90 cases of lipomas and 32 cases of ALTs.Field Strength/SequenceAxial T1‐weighted imaging and fat suppressed T2‐weighted imaging at 3.0T MRI.AssessmentAnalysis of variance and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator methods were used for feature selection and the random forest method was used to build three radiomics models based on T1WI, FS T2WI, and their combination (T1&T2WI). Three independent radiologists classified the tumors based on the subjective assessments.Statistical TestsThe area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve, accuracy, F1‐score, specificity, and sensitivity were employed. The differences of the classifiers and discriminating ability of the radiologists and the radiomics model were compared by Delong test. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. Kappa test was used to determine the inter‐reader agreements between the radiologists.ResultThe AUCs were 0.952 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.785–0.998), 0.944 (95% CI: 0.774–0.997), and 0.968 (95% CI: 0.809–1) for T1WI, FS T2WI, and T1&T2WI models in testing sets respectively. Delong test showed there were no significant difference between the different radiomics models (P > 0.05). The AUCs of the radiologists were 0.893 (95% CI: 0.824–0.942), 0.831 (95% CI: 0.752–0.893), and 0.893 (95% CI: 0.824–0.94), respectively. There were significant difference between radiomics model and radiologists' model in the training and entire cohorts (P < 0.05) while there were no significant difference in the testing sets (P > 0.05).Data ConclusionRadiomics has the potential to distinguish between lipomas and ALTs of the extremities and their discrimination ability is no weaker than the senor radiologists.Level of Evidence3Technical Efficacy Stage2
Prospect of pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs in mitigating abiotic stress and climate change
Authors: Bajpai Apekcha , Mahawar Himanshu , Dubey Garima , Atoliya Nagvanti , Parmar Rakesh , Devi Mayanglambam H. , Kollah Bharati , Mohanty Santosh R. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractApparently, climate change is observed in form of increased greenhouse gases (CH4, CO2, N2O, CFC), temperature (0.5–1°C), and UV radiations (UV B and UV C). It is affecting every aspect of ecosystem functioning; however, terrestrial crops are the most vulnerable group and crop productivity largely remains a challenge. Due to climate change, seed yield and nutrient depletion are inevitable in future scenarios. To overcome this problem microbial groups that exhibit plant growth promoting attributes and provide protection against environmental stress should be studied. One such group is the pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFMs) that can induce overall fitness to plants. PPFMs are involved in phosphorous mineralization, siderophore, ACC deaminase, phytohormone production, and assimilation of greenhouse gases. Additionally, these organisms can also resist harmful UV radiations effectively as they possess polyketide synthases that could serve as source of novel bioactives that can protect plant from abiotic stress. The review article comprehensively highlights the multifunctional traits of PPFMs and their role in mitigating climate change with an aim to use this important organism as microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture under climate‐changing scenarios.