bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of pentoxifylline against chlorine-induced acute lung injury in rats
Authors: Liu Meng-meng , Liu Jiang-zheng , Zhao Chen-qian , Guo Peng , Wang Zhao , Wu Hao , Yu Wei-hua , Liu Rui , Hai Chun-xu , Zhang Xiao-di 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Objective
Chlorine is a chemical threat agent that can be harmful to humans. Inhalation of high levels of chlorine can lead to acute lung injury (ALI). Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment, therefore, effective antidote is urgently needed. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a methylxanthine derivative and nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, is widely used for the treatment of vascular disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of PTX on chlorine-induced ALI in rats.
Methods
Rats were exposed to chlorine. The histopathological examination were carried out. The effect of administration of PTX was evaluated. The expression of oxidative stress, hypoxia, and autophagy markers were examined by western blotting assay.
Results
The histopathological examination demonstrated that chlorine could destroy the lung structure with hemorrhage, alveolar collapse, and inflammatory infiltration. ROS accumulation was significantly higher in the lung of rats suffering from inhaling chlorine. The results also showed that PTX markedly alleviated the expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), oxidative stress, and hypoxia. Additionally, PTX up-regulated the level of autophagy.
Conclusion
PTX could ameliorate chlorine-induced lung injury, thus suggesting that PTX could serve as a potential therapeutic approach for ALI.
The Impact of Firm-Level Innovation on Labor Productivity and Employment in Selected African Countries
Authors: Eshete Zerayehu Sime , Gebreyohanes Getaw Tadesse 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The overriding objective of this study is to examine the impact of different types of innovations (overall, process, and R&amp;D) on different segments of labour (productivity and employment) in selected African countries, namely, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, and Cote d'Ivoire. The study employs data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey and converts it into pseudo panel data based on legal status, firm size, and industry type as all these three exogenous variables are common in all countries. The study uses the Propensity Score Matching method and the Dose-Response Model to capture the impact of innovation and the dosage of innovation on labour productivity and employment. The descriptive analysis indicates that 2,673 firms are engaged in at least one of the innovation activities, and 250 firms do not have any innovation activities. The Propensity Score Matching finds that process and R&amp;D innovations have statistically significant impacts on employment. But the process of innovation has a negative effect on the productivity of non-production and skilled employees. R&amp;D innovation has a negative and statistically significant impact on the productivity of permanent, non-production, skilled, and unskilled workers. In addition to these, the Dose-Response-Model exhibits the positive relationship between innovation and employment of full-time permanent employees, full-time production, and full-time nonproduction workers, and the impact becomes greater when the dose increases. However, there is a negative relationship between innovation and employment of unskilled production workers, after which their relationship becomes positive.

Classification code JEL: O31, O32
A systematic review on trade-off analysis in agriculture
Authors: Breure Timo , Estrada-Carmona Natalia , Petsakos Athanasios , Gotor E. , Jansen B. , Groot Jeroen 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Achieving multiple sustainable development goals simultaneously demands managing agricultural resources for different objectives and actively considering how these objectives compete (trade-offs) or complement (synergies). Trade-off analyses (TOA) are therefore central for policy and decision-making to achieve sustainable agricultural landscapes. Yet, evidence on TOA assessments in agriculture remains scattered due to the wide scope of research disciplines and objectives for which TOA is applied. We conducted a systematic review on 119 peer-reviewed articles to identify how TOAs are implemented within the agricultural context and what associated knowledge gaps exist. Our results highlight limited use of objectives that capture environmental and socioeconomic services from agriculture. Likewise, TOAs that consider effects or impacts across multiple spatial scales are an exception. Overall, our assessment identified that current TOA frameworks rarely include stakeholders in the co-development of the study, disregard TOA recommendations’ uncertainty due to outcome variability and overlook risks associated with the TOA outcomes. Increased attention to these aspects is critical for conducting TOAs that guide agricultural landscapes towards sustainability.
Cerebrospinal fluid lipoproteins inhibit α-synuclein aggregation by interacting with oligomeric species in seed amplification assays
Authors: Bellomo Giovanni , Paciotti Silvia , Concha-Marambio Luis , Rizzo Domenico , Gatticchi Leonardo , Cerofolini Linda , GIuntini Stefano , De Luca Chiara Maria Giulia , Ma Yihua , Farris Carly M. , Pieraccini Giuseppe , Bologna Sara , Filidei Marta , Ravera Enrico , Lelli Moreno , Moda Fabio , Fragai Marco , Parnetti Lucilla , Luchinat Claudio 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is a prominent feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. In these diseases, the extracellular spreading of misfolded α-syn significantly contributes to the cell-to-cell propagation of the α-syn misfolding pathology in a prion-like fashion. Therefore, extracellular α-syn aggregates are considered primary targets both for diagnostics and for novel disease modifying therapies. Currently, α-syn seed amplification assays (SAAs) using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represent the most promising diagnostic tools for synucleinopathies. However, CSF itself contains several compounds that can modulate the aggregation of α-syn in a patient-dependent manner, potentially sabotaging unoptimized α-syn SAAs and preventing seed quantification.
Methods: In this study, we characterized the inhibitory effect of CSF on in vitro α-syn aggregation by means of CSF fractionation, mass spectrometry, dot-blot, Western blot, transmission electron microscopy, solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a highly accurate and standardized diagnostic SAA, and different in vitro aggregation conditions to evaluate spontaneous aggregation of α-syn.
Results: We found the high-molecular weight fraction of CSF (>100,000 Da) to be highly inhibitory and identified lipoproteins to be the main drivers of this effect. We evaluated direct interaction between lipoprotein and α-syn and observed lipoprotein-α-syn complexes by transmission electron microscopy. Direct interaction between lipoproteins and monomeric α-syn was not detected by solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, suggesting interaction between lipoproteins and oligomeric/proto-fibrillary α-syn intermediates instead. Lastly, we observed significantly slower amplification of α-syn seeds in PD CSF when lipoproteins were added to the reaction mix of a highly accurate diagnostic SAA.
Conclusions: Our results describe a novel interaction between lipoproteins and α-syn aggregates that inhibits the formation of α-syn fibrils and could have relevant biological and translational implications. Indeed, the donor-specific inhibition of CSF on α-syn aggregation explains the lack of quantitative results so far obtained by the analysis of SAA-derived kinetic parameters. Furthermore, our data show that apolipoproteins are the main inhibitory components of CSF, suggesting that lipoprotein concentration measurements could be incorporated into data analysis models to eliminate the confounding effects of CSF milieu on α-syn quantification efforts.
Assessments of physico-chemical parameters, nutrient load and trace metal levels in spring and river water using multivariate statistical methods, South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Kassaw Marye Mulugeta , Meke Maru , Tibebe Dessie , Kokeb Addis , Moges Zerubabel , Yenealem Dereje , Legesse Mulugeta , Gashaw Tamiru 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Physico-chemical and selected heavy metals were investigated. Seven water samples were collected. The results of water quality parameters ranged pH, EC, TSS, turbidity, TDS, total alkalinity, DO, temperature, Salinity, Chlorides, NH3, PO4 − 3, SO4 − 2, NO3 − 2, NO2− 0.015 to 0.139 mg/L, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb and Cd. Most of the results are comparable with WHO standards, in contrast some of are above permissible limits. Evaluated data through multivariate statistical techniques Principal correlation analysis (PCA), Cluster analysis and correlation matrix were performed. The sampling points extracted three clusters for nutrient water quality which suggested similar pollution sources. The water sample was polluted due to the anthropogenic effects of Mekan Eyesus Town while in the spring water high concentrations of Cl−, NH3 and PO4 − 3 were recorded. These might be natural sources of pollution. Most of the physicochemical parameters and the nutrients showed significant relationships except for TSS with all other parameters.
Sedimentary structures of microbial carbonates in the fourth member of the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation, western Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Wang Yuanchong , Shi Kaibo , Liu Bo 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In recent years, abundant natural gas have been found in microbial carbonates in the fourth member of the Leikoupo Formation in western Sichuan Basin. In this study, from the observation of 626 microbial thin sections, four types of microbial carbonates are classified based on the differences of meso-structures. Among them, thrombolites and stromatolites are subdivided into eight types based on the differences of micro-structures. Six types of microbial micro-structure association (MSA) are identified, and are mainly developed in microbial mounds. The energy of sedimentary environment and hydrodynamic conditions of them from low to high is MSA-5, MSA-1, MSA-6, MSA-3, MSA-4 and MSA-2. Because of the arid climate in the Annie Period, a restricted platform are developed in T2l43 in western Sichuan Basin, and the sedimentary faces are lagoon (gypsiferous lagoon or salt lake in evaporate conditions), microbial mounds, shoals, inner platform shoals and open sea from the east to the west. Microbial micro-structure not only affects the pore evolution of microbial carbonate reservoirs, but also affects the diagenesis of microbial carbonate reservoirs of the Lei-4.
Determination of Electromagnetic properties of Concrete Using Microwave Non-Destructive testing techniques and Artificial neural networks
Authors: Guntamukkala Madhuri , Gonthina Madhuri , Lute Venkat , Mathur Parul , Kurup Dhanesh G 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Every year, a massive amount of literature is published on many aspects of microwave applications. Over the past few years, the need for progressive methods for assessing different properties of concrete, as well as for maintenance and monitoring of structures, has led to the development of microwave non-destructive testing (MNDT) techniques for preserving the civil infrastructure. As the number of studies being published in this field is growing fast, it is important to categorize the studies at deeper levels. In this paper, a concrete cube of M20 grade has been created in ANSYS HFSS for simulation purposes. An artificial rectangular crack was developed in the concrete cube and the simulation was run at dielectric constants from 1–10 with 0.5 intervals, loss tangents from 0.001,0.1 &0.2, and the gap between sample and circular waveguide from 0-7cm with 1cm interval. The artificial neural network was developed in python for Mean square Error(MSE) analysis and prediction of Electromagnetic properties(Dielectric constant and Loss tangent) with inputs as the S-parameter(real and imaginary) data of the Homogenous sample and sample with Rectangular crack. The result analysis shows the variation in Mean squared error for crack and No-crack concrete samples.
Anlotinib Dramatically Improved Pulmonary Hypertension and Hypoxia Caused by Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy (PTTM) Associated with Gastric Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Wang Yang , Ning Wei-wei , Jin Yi-fan , Zhu Qing-qing , Wang Zai-liang , Su Nan , Chen Yan-bin , Huang Jian-an , Chen Cheng 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare malignancy-related respiratory complication, demonstrating rapid progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and respiratory failure. Although a number of treatments have been attempted for patients diagnosed with or suspected of having PTTM, successful-treated cases of PTTM were mainly from imatinib therapy, which was a PDGF receptor inhibitor. Anlotinib was a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets VEGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, and c-kit.
Case presentation: We reported a case of PTTM associated with gastric carcinoma, whom were treated with anlotinib, thereby exhibiting significant improvement of PH and respiratory dysfunction.
Conclusion: Our case provides a new understanding of therapy to PTTM, with implications for defining anlotinib as candidate drug for PTTM. Clinical diagnosis and prompt initiation of anlotinib might be one of the strategies in patients with unstable PTTM.
Dietary supplementation of termitarium soil ameliorated the gut microbiota in captive Chinese pangolins
Authors: Zhang Zhidong , Wang Kai , An Fuyu , Xu Xuelin , Yan Hongmei , Kuang Yingjie , Zou Chuanshan , Hua Yan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), one of the most endangered species in the world, has suffered a sharp decline due to heavy hunting and illegal trade. The artificial diet has difficulty satisfying the nutritional needs of captive pangolins, and it has become one of the main factors limiting the development of ex-situ conservation of pangolins. Gastrointestinal diseases are one of the most common diseases affecting the survival of captive Chinese pangolins and arecaused by an imbalance in gut microbiota. In the wild, the pangolin is a highly specialized species with a diet dominated by ants and termites and an intake ofsome termitarium soil. However, the effects of supplementation with termitarium soil on the gut microbiota of captive Chinese pangolins are poorly understood.
Results: Using 16S rRNA sequencing technology, the gut microbiota of the control group (CZ), the sterilized termitarium soil group (MZ), and the unsterilized termitarium soil group (BZ) were compared. These results showed that there was no significant difference in alpha diversity, while the results of unweighted UniFrac PCoA showed obvious separation among the three groups. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the main bacterial phyla. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was decreased in the BZ group compared to the CZ group. Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Streptococcus, Cellulosilyticum, and Escherichia_Shigella were the main bacterial genera at the genus level. Unsterilized termitarium soilincreased the relative abundances of Cellulosilyticum, Bacillus, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_13 and decreased the relative abundances of Bacteroides, Clostridiales_unclassified, Ruminococcus]_gnavus_group, and Veillonella. The Lefse results showed that Cellulosilyticum, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_13, and Bacillus were enriched in the BZ group. The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid were decreased in the BZ and MZ groups.
Conclusions: These results indicated that dietary supplementation with termitarium soil did not alterthe richness of the gut microbiota, but reduced proinflammatory-related bacteria and increased intestinal absorption-related bacteria, which improves the efficiency of SCFA absorption. Collectively, this study provides a potential method for ameliorating the intestinal homeostasis of captive Chinese pangolins.
Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR-spectroscopy studies of K-deficient fluorapophyllite
Authors: Seryotkin Yurii V. , Kupriyanov Igor N. , Ignatov Mark A. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Three samples of fluorapophyllite with different cation composition were studied by the X-ray diffraction and IR-spectroscopy methods. The samples (K0.72(NH4)0.20)Σ0.82Na0.08 Ca4[Al0.04Si7.96O20]F·8H2O from Nidym and K0.87Na0.06 Ca4[Si8O20]F·8H2O from Akhaltsykhe localities are characterized by the deficiency of large cations K+ and (NH4)+ in the M site; the chemical composition of Talnakh sample (K0.94(NH4)0.06)Σ1.00 Ca4[Si8O20]F·8H2O is close to the stoichiometric one. The large cations deficiency in the structure of Nidym and Akhaltsykhe samples is compensated by the presence of medium-sized Na+ cations, located 1.12–1.31 Å away from the M position. The planar coordination of Na is formed by four H2O molecules. The occurrence of ammonium ions is found for the Nidym and Talnakh fluorapophyllites and their concentrations are estimated from the IR spectra and structure refinement. Polarized infrared measurements performed for apophyllite samples oriented along the c-axis reveal pleochroic behavior of the OH absorption bands. The observed pleochroism is explained in terms of absorption from two OH vectors of the H2O molecules in the apophyllite crystal structure.
Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Gestational Diabetes in Castilla La Mancha (Spain)
Authors: Calderón Dulce María , Marco Amparo , Gómez Inés , Quílez Rosa , Quiroga Iván , Delgado Manuel , Gargallo Javier , Olmos María , Miralles Raquel , Gonzalvo César , González Javier 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Methods: In this observational, multicentre, retrospective study conducted in Castilla La Mancha, Spain, we compared 663 women with GDM exposed to pandemic (pandemic group) with 622 women with GDM who were attended 1 year before (prepandemic group). The primary outcome was large for gestational age (LGA) newborns as an indicator of GDM poor control. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal morbidity.
Results: During the pandemic the gestational week at diagnosis (24.2 ± 7.4 vs 22.9 ± 7.7, p = 0.0016) and at the first visit to Endocrinology (26.6 ± 7.2 vs 25.3 ± 7.6, p = 0.0014) were earlier. Face-to-face visits were maintained to a large extent (80.3%). The new diagnostic criteria of GDM was only used in the 3% of cases. However, in the pandemic group the final HbA1c was higher (+ 0.09%, p = 0.047) and there were more LGA newborns (8.5% vs 12.8%, p = 0.015). There were no differences in perinatal complications.
Conclusion: Medical care for GDM in our Public Health System did not suffer a significant deterioration during the pandemic. However, this did not prevent a greater number of LGA newborns. The use of temporary alternatives for the diagnosis of GDM during the Covid-19 pandemic was associated with having a LGA newborn. These diagnostic criteria should be reconsidered or maybe in future pandemics we should maintain the usual diagnostic protocol.
Neuroblastoma response to RAS-MAPK inhibitors and APR-246 (eprenetapopt) co-treatment is dependent on SLC7A11 phosphorylation.
Authors: Mlakar Vid , Oehme Ina , Lesne Laurence , Najafi Sara , Ansari Marc , Gumy-Pause Fabienne 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
We previously demonstrated that APR-246 could be an efficient treatment option against neuroblastoma (NB), the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor. APR-246’s mechanism of action is not completely understood and can differ between cell types. Here we investigate the involvement of well-known oncogenic pathways in NB’s response to APR-246.
Methods
A proteome profiler kinase assays and western blot analysis were used to identify the molecular pathways involved in the responses to APR-246. Bulk ATP levels were used to determine the viability of cells and the IC50 for APR-246. Cystine-FITC was used to measure the cellular uptake of cysteine. PmRNA5 was used to affect ERK1/2 and pshRNA1 was used to silence HSP27. An IMR-32 xenograft zebrafish embryo model was used to assess APR-246 and sulfasalazine efficacy in vivo.
Results
After APR-246 treatment, the most deregulated signaling protein identified was ERK1/2, an end-point kinase of the RAS-MAPK pathway. Induction of phospho-ERK1/2 resulted in increased glutathione (GSH) levels, increased cystine uptake and increased resistance of NB cells to APR-246. Using ERK1/2 inhibitors in combination with APR-246, we were able to categorize cells into synergistic and antagonistic groups. After co-treatment, these two groups differ by their levels of SLC7A11 and Hsp27 phosphorylation, cystine uptake and BIM expression. Using erastin and sulfasalazine, both inhibitors of SLC7A11 and activators of ferroptosis, we were able to reverse the antagonistic effects of ERK1/2 inhibitors and demonstrate a strong synergistic action in vitro and in vivo in zebrafish models.
Conclusions
These results demonstrated a pivotal role of the RAS-MAPK pathway in the NB cellular response to APR-246 via the modulation of intracellular concentrations of GSH and the transport of cystine, phosphorylation of Hsp27, and programed cell death. Combining APR-246 with RAS-MAPK pathway inhibitors can, in some cases, lead to antagonistic action, which can be reversed by combining APR-246 with the clinically approved drug sulfasalazine.
ENTAIL: Yet Another Amyloid Fibrils Classifier
Authors: Citarella Alessia Auriemma , Biasi Luigi Di , De Marco Fabiola , Tortora Genoveffa 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: This research aims to increase our knowledge of amyloidoses. These disorders cause incorrect protein folding, affecting protein functionality (on structure). Fibrillar deposits are the basis of some wellknown diseases, such as Alzheimer, Creutzfeldt -Jakob diseases and type II diabetes. For many of these amyloid proteins, the relative precursors are known. Discovering new protein precursors involved in forming amyloid fibril deposits would improve understanding the pathological processes of amyloidoses.
Results: A new classifier, called ENTAIL, was developed using over than 4000 molecular descriptors. ENTAIL was based on the Naive Bayes Classifier with Unbounded Support and Gaussian Kernel Type, with an accuracy on the test set of 81.80%, SN of 100%, SP of 63.63% and an MCC of 0.683 on a balanced dataset.
Conclusions: The analysis carried out has demonstrated how, despite the various configurations of the tests, performances are superior in terms of performance on a balanced dataset.
Impact of clowning with Children and Adolescents in confinement according to the KINDL-r Questionnaire revised version
Authors: Valdebenito Victoria 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic forced measurement such as confinement. This article presents results of online clown workshops developed during confinement between October 2020 and August 2021 with children and adolescents of low socioeconomic status in Chile, which main aim was to promote children and adolescents’ quality of life.
Methods
Using a quantitative approach, a quasi-experimental design of a single group and a pre-posttest design, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the KINDL-r Questionnaire revised version were used. One hundred and twenty-three caregivers responded the pretest, and 73 the posttest.
Results
Results revealed that 28% of participants improved their self-esteem, 26% significantly increased their physical and emotional well-being, 18% improved their family well-being, and 16% the well-being associated with friends.
Conclusion
These positive findings are consistent with literature about effects of clowns working in healthcare settings. However, more research is needed in other contexts.