bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Il dosaggio del FGF23 con metodica automatizzata: un’esperienza monocentrica nella malattia renale cronica
Authors: Pelosini Caterina , Lucchese Teresa , Mannucci Claudia , D’Alessandro Claudia , Centoni Roberta , Sessa Maria Rita
Published: July 2021

Abstract non disponibile
Iperkalemia cronica nei pazienti cardio – renali: q & a per il cardionefrologo pratico
Authors: Di Lullo Luca , Ronco Claudio , Floccari Fulvio , De Pascalis Antonio , Barbera Vincenzo , Rivera Rodolfo , Bellasi Antonio
Published: July 2021

Abstract non disponibile (Cardionephrology)
L’impegno di AIAF Onlus per le persone con malattia di Anderson-Fabry
Authors: Tobaldini Stefania
Published: July 2021

Abstract non disponibile
Persone come noi. La testimonianza di Alex: quando la terapia a domicilio fa la differenza
Authors: Tobaldini Stefania
Published: July 2021

Abstract non disponibile
Disuguaglianze e malattia renale cronica: risultati dall’atlante italiano delle disuguaglianze di mortalità per livello di istruzione
Authors: Di Napoli Anteo , Franco Francesco , Rossi Alessandra , Ventura Martina , Petrelli Alessio
Published: July 2021

Abstract non disponibile (Epidemiology_statistics)
La Giornata Mondiale del Rene 2019 presso l’Istituto Nazionale Salute Migrazioni e Povertà (INMP)
Authors: Lombardi Marco , Di Napoli Anteo
Published: July 2021

Abstract non disponibile.
Pazienti e medici a confronto nel Lazio in occasione dell’Incontro Regionale promosso da Aiaf a Roma lo scorso 22 giugno 2019
Authors: Tobaldini Stefania
Published: July 2021

Abstract non richiesto.
Histopathological Review on Discoid Lupus Erythematous Mimicking Granuloma Faciale
Authors: Dewi Putti Fatiharani , Rosita Fiska , Oktavriana Triasari , Mudigdo Ambar
Published: July 2021

Discoid lupus erythematosus is the most common forms of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. It is characterized by clinical manifestations of erythematous macules, papules, or plaques with a coin-like shape and the face is the most common predilection site. Clinical features often resemble granuloma faciale. This case report aimed to distinguish discoid lesions on the face based on the histopathological examination. A 71-year-old male with a few reddish lumps appeared on his face since three months ago. Physical examination showed multiple discrete erythematous plaques with overlying squamous. Hematoxylin and eosin staining on the epidermis demonstrated basket weave type orthokeratosis, basal vacuolar cell degeneration, epidermal atrophy with flat rete ridges, and follicular plugging while in the dermis obtained inflammatory cell infiltrates, especially in periadnexal areas. Histopathological features of DLE are hyperkeratosis, pilosebasea gland atrophy, follicular plugging, basal membrane thickening, and cellular infiltrate in periadnexa or perivascular areas more visible than in other types of CLE. In DLE, no subepidermal gren zone and eosinophil infiltrate were found, like histological features of granuloma faciale. Histopathological examination can be used to establish a diagnosis for discoid lesions on the face, although serology examination remains as the gold standart. Keywords:  Discoid lupus erythematosus; Granuloma faciale; Histopathology
Evaluating prevalence of external injuries on nesting loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta in southeastern Florida, USA
Authors: Ataman A , Gainsbury AM , Manire CA , Hoffmann SL , Page-Karjian A , Hirsch SE , Polyak MMR , Cassill DL , Aoki DM , Fraser KM , Klingshirn S , Stoll JA , Perrault JR
Published: July 2021

Sea turtles face both anthropogenic and natural threats including boat strikes, fisheries, pollution, and predator attacks. Injuries from anthropogenic sources are more common than naturally caused injuries. The goal of this study was to determine prevalence and cause (e.g. boat strike, entanglement, hook, shark bite) of injuries on nesting loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta on Juno and Jupiter beaches, Florida, USA. During the 2019 and 2020 nesting seasons, 450 loggerhead females were examined for external injuries. Injuries were categorized by anatomic location, condition, and cause. We found that 24% of loggerheads had at least 1 injury. Of the 111 injuries found on 107 nesting females, 88% were healed, 9% were partially healed with some scarred tissue, and 3% were fresh injuries. Most injuries (55%) were lateral injuries on the carapace or appendages. We were able to attribute 60 injuries to a specific cause. Boat strikes accounted for 75% of the 60 injuries, shark bites accounted for 15%, fishing hooks accounted for 7%, and entanglements accounted for the remaining 3%. This study provides new insight into the prevalence of anthropogenic injuries relative to natural injuries in loggerhead sea turtles nesting in the most densely nested beach in the Western Hemisphere and can be used to improve conservation management plans through implementation of fishing and/or boating restrictions in the nesting and foraging areas most commonly frequented by sea turtles.
Rehabilitación estructural del antiguo Pabellón de Convenciones de Madrid
Authors: Izquierdo Lopez David , Domínguez Aurelio , Oslé Aizpuru Maria , Moltalvillo Fraile José Antonio , Aznar Luis
Published: July 2021

Este trabajo aborda los trabajos desarrollados durante la rehabilitación estructural del antiguo pabellón de convenciones de la Casa de Campo de Madrid. En él se aborda el estudio de dos elementos estructurales como son una cubierta laminar de 30 m de luz y una marquesina atirantada con la misma luz. El empleo durante la construcci´ón de cemento aluminoso ha causado un descenso dramático de la resistencia a compresión del hormigón en los diafragmas de apoyo de la cubierta laminar, obligando a su reconstrucción y la de los cables de refuerzo existentes en la misma. Se aborda el análisis completo de la cubierta, así como la estimación de un valor realista de la resistencia real del hormigón en la estrctura. El segundo elemento estudado es la marquesina principal, que ya sufrió algún problema en su puesta en servicio original y que preseta numerosos refuerzos metálicos que hacen confuso su funcionamiento estructural. La presencia de cemento aluminoso en la misma, obligó a la propiedad a cimbrar la estructura hace años, procediendo recientemente a la rehabilitaci´´on y reconstrucción de la misma.
Refuerzos activos de vigas y forjados mediante perfiles metálicos
Authors: Rodríguez Escribano Raúl Rubén , González Valle Enrique , Ley Urzaiz Jorge
Published: July 2021

Una técnica de refuerzo de vigas y forjados consiste en la disposición de perfiles metálicos bajo los elementos a reforzar y retacados a ellos. En general, este refuerzo se concibe como pasivo: los perfiles no entran en carga en tanto no se incrementan las acciones sobre el elemento reforzado.

 La alternativa que se plantea en este trabajo es un planteamiento activo: introducir fuerzas (por ejemplo, mediante gatos, barras roscadas, etc.) entre el perfil y el elemento a reforzar, y retacando posteriormente el perfil a la pieza en los puntos de introducción de las fuerzas, manteniendo la predeformación obtenida en el perfil mediante mortero, calzos metálicos, etc.

 El presente expone los aspectos técnicos básicos a considerar en este tipo de refuerzos, tanto en el diseño como en su posterior ejecución y control. En relación con este último, la fiabilidad del cálculo de flechas en perfiles metálicos permite un control exhaustivo de las fuerzas introducidas, tanto al reforzar como a lo largo de la vida de la estructura, mediante la auscultación de las flechas en el perfil durante el proceso y la posterior etapa de servicio.

 Se muestran en este trabajo algunos ejemplos de refuerzo desarrollados recientemente con esta técnica.
Normas para la evaluación de las estructuras existentes: ¿necesidad real o capricho de la furia reguladora?
Authors: Tanner Peter
Published: July 2021

La evaluación de las estructuras existentes es un tema prioritario, de gran importancia económica, en un número creciente de países de todo el mundo ya que en muchos lugares una parte cada vez mayor del mercado de la construcción se centra en las actuaciones relacionadas con edificios, puentes y otras obras de ingeniería civil que ya existen. Actualmente, los Eurocódigos, que se utilizarán en todos los estados miembro del Comité Europeo de Normalización, CEN, y posiblemente en más y más países fuera de este espacio, están principalmente enfocados al proyecto de nuevas estructuras. El empleo de métodos orientados al dimensionado para evaluar las estructuras existentes a menudo conduce a un alto grado de conservadurismo. Las consecuencias económicas, ecológicas y sociopolíticas podrían ser significativas si se condenaran como inseguras unas estructuras cuyas prestaciones son satisfactorias, llevando a una inversión innecesaria de recursos en su rehabilitación o desmantelamiento y sustitución. Por esta razón, la evaluación de las estructuras existentes a menudo requiere el uso de métodos refinados que van más allá del alcance de las reglas normalizadas para el proyecto de nuevas estructuras. Consecuentemente, en los últimos 20 años, se han desarrollado métodos para la evaluación de las estructuras existentes en muchos países a nivel nacional. Sin embargo, estos métodos aún no se han coordinado entre sí y su implementación en la práctica diaria suele ser escasa. Existe por ello una necesidad urgente de fusionar los diversos enfoques nacionales en un conjunto de reglas generalmente aceptadas, coherentes y armonizadas para las estructuras existentes que complementen las reglas para el proyecto de nuevas estructuras. CEN tomó la iniciativa de iniciar un proyecto para desarrollar nuevas normas técnicas europeas para la evaluación y la rehabilitación de las estructuras existentes. Está previsto que el desarrollo de la parte correspondiente del Eurocódigo se logre en tres pasos. Ya se han completado dos de estos pasos, a saber, la preparación de un Informe Científico y de Política y, una vez adoptado por los Organismos Nacionales de Normalización de los estados miembro, la conversión de este documento en una Especificación Técnica de CEN. El tercer paso, la evolución de la Especificación Técnica en una Parte del Eurocódigo, EN, está actualmente en progreso. Sobre este trasfondo, en el presente artículo se analizan las diferencias más relevantes entre la evaluación y el proyecto desde el punto de vista de la fiabilidad estructural y se identifican algunos aspectos que deberían dar lugar a unas reglas adicionales en futuras normas dedicadas a las estructuras existentes.
Análisis de los factores que contribuyen a la fatiga de los cables de los puentes atirantados
Authors: Astiz Suárez Miguel Ángel
Published: July 2021

La seguridad de los puentes atirantados está basada principalmente en la resistencia de los cables y la posible fatiga de estos cables ha sido fuente de preocupaciones para los proyectistas e investigadores durante mucho tiempo. El principal objetivo de este artículo es el análisis de la importancia relativa de todos los factores que pueden producir fatiga en los cables: efectos estáticos y dinámicos de las sobrecargas de uso, irregularidades del pavimento, excitación paramétrica, presión aerodinámica del tráfico, desprendimiento de torbellinos y ráfagas de viento. Estos efectos han sido evaluados para un abanico amplio de puentes atirantados y extradosados que cubren la mayor parte de las aplicaciones actuales de esta tecnología.

Este estudio demuestra que la tecnología actual de cables y las reglas de proyecto que se aplican ahora previenen la fatiga en los cables. Hay todavía un campo de mejora lo que permitiría reducir los costes de los cables pero esta reducción debería considerar la conjunción de algunos de los factores que se han considerado en este estudio, especialmente los efectos dinámicos de las cargas de servicio y el desprendimiento de torbellinos.
Respiratory Viral and Bacterial Factors That Influence Early Childhood Asthma
Authors: Mthembu Nontobeko , Ikwegbue Paul , Brombacher Frank , Hadebe Sabelo
Published: July 2021

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by episodes of shortness of breath due to reduced airway flow. The disease is triggered by a hyperreactive immune response to innocuous allergens, leading to hyper inflammation, mucus production, changes in structural cells lining the airways, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Asthma, although present in adults, is considered as a childhood condition, with a total of about 6.2 million children aged 18 and below affected globally. There has been progress in understanding asthma heterogeneity in adults, which has led to better patient stratification and characterisation of multiple asthma endotypes with distinct, but overlapping inflammatory features. The asthma inflammatory profile in children is not well-defined and heterogeneity of the disease is less described. Although many factors such as genetics, food allergies, antibiotic usage, type of birth, and cigarette smoke exposure can influence asthma development particularly in children, respiratory infections are thought to be the major contributing factor in poor lung function and onset of the disease. In this review, we focus on viral and bacterial respiratory infections in the first 10 years of life that could influence development of asthma in children. We also review literature on inflammatory immune heterogeneity in asthmatic children and how this overlaps with early lung development, poor lung function and respiratory infections. Finally, we review animal studies that model early development of asthma and how these studies could inform future therapies and better understanding of this complex disease.
Using Stock-Flow Diagrams to Visualize Theranostic Approaches to Solid Tumors in Personalized Nanomedicine
Authors: Cazzagon Virginia , Romano Alessandra , Gonella Francesco
Published: July 2021

Personalized nanomedicine has rapidly evolved over the past decade to tailor the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases to the individual characteristics of each patient. In oncology, iron oxide nano-biomaterials (NBMs) have become a promising biomedical product in targeted drug delivery as well as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a contrast agent and magnetic hyperthermia. The combination of diagnosis and therapy in a single nano-enabled product (so-called theranostic agent) in the personalized nanomedicine has been investigated so far mostly in terms of local events, causes-effects, and mutual relationships. However, this approach could fail in capturing the overall complexity of a system, whereas systemic approaches can be used to study the organization of phenomena in terms of dynamic configurations, independent of the nature, type, or spatial and temporal scale of the elements of the system. In medicine, complex descriptions of diseases and their evolution are daily assessed in clinical settings, which can be thus considered as complex systems exhibiting self-organizing and non-linear features, to be investigated through the identification of dynamic feedback-driven behaviors. In this study, a Systems Thinking (ST) approach is proposed to represent the complexity of the theranostic modalities in the context of the personalized nanomedicine through the setting up of a stock-flow diagram. Specifically, the interconnections between the administration of magnetite NBMs for diagnosis and therapy of tumors are fully identified, emphasizing the role of the feedback loops. The presented approach has revealed its suitability for further application in the medical field. In particular, the obtained stock-flow diagram can be adapted for improving the future knowledge of complex systems in personalized nanomedicine as well as in other nanosafety areas.
Genetic Diversity, Chemical Components, and Property of Biomass Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis
Authors: Zhou Nong , Xu Lingfeng , Park Sun-Min , Ma Ming-Guo , Choi Sun-Eun , Si Chuanling
Published: July 2021

Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis is a kind of biomass resource, which has important medicinal and economical values with a huge market. This review article aims to summarize the recent development of biomass P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. The genetic diversity and chemical components of biomass P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were reviewed based on the literature. Both the genetic diversity and genetic structure of biomass P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were compared by using molecular marker technologies. All the extraction processes, harvest time, and drying methods on the chemical components were summarized in detail. The differences of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the infection rate, diosgenin content, microorganisms, enzyme activities, rhizospheric environment, and endogenous hormones were discussed. This review article is beneficial for the applications of biomass P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis as a biomass resource in the biomedical field.
Glycolysis Define Two Prognostic Subgroups of Lung Adenocarcinoma With Different Mutation Characteristics and Immune Infiltration Signatures
Authors: Huo Chen , Zhang Meng-Yu , Li Rui , Liu Ting-Ting , Li Jian-Ping , Qu Yi-Qing
Published: July 2021

Increasing studies have proved that malignant tumors are associated with energy metabolism. This study was aimed to explore biological variables that impact the prognosis of patients in the glycolysis-related subgroups of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The mRNA expression profiling and mutation data in large LUAD samples were collected from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then, we identified the expression level and prognostic value of glycolysis-related genes, as well as the fractions of 22 immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The differences between glycolysis activity, mutation, and immune infiltrates were discussed in these groups, respectively. Two hundred fifty-five glycolysis-related genes were identified from gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), of which 43 genes had prognostic values (p < 0.05). Next, we constructed a glycolysis-related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network which related to the survival of LUAD. Then, two subgroups of LUAD (clusters 1 and 2) were identified by applying unsupervised consensus clustering to 43 glycolysis-related genes. The survival analysis showed that the cluster 1 patients had a worse prognosis (p < 0.001), and upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are interestingly enriched in malignancy-related biological processes. The differences between the two subgroups are SPTA1, KEAP1, USH2A, and KRAS among top 10 mutated signatures, which may be the underlying mechanism of grouping. Combined high tumor mutational burden (TMB) with tumor subgroups preferably predicts the prognosis of LUAD patients. The CIBERSORT algorithm results revealed that low TMB samples were concerned with increased infiltration level of memory resting CD4+ T cell (p = 0.03), resting mast cells (p = 0.044), and neutrophils (p = 0.002) in cluster 1 and high TMB samples were concerned with increased infiltration level of memory B cells, plasma cells, CD4 memory-activated T cells, macrophages M1, and activated mast cells in cluster 2, while reduced infiltration of monocytes, resting dendritic cells, and resting mast cells was captured in cluster 2. In conclusion, significant different gene expression characteristics were pooled according to the two subgroups of LUAD. The combination of subgroups, TMB and tumor-infiltrating immune cell signature, might be a novel prognostic biomarker in LUAD.
ARF GTPases and Their Ubiquitous Role in Intracellular Trafficking Beyond the Golgi
Authors: Adarska Petia , Wong-Dilworth Luis , Bottanelli Francesca
Published: July 2021

Molecular switches of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPase family coordinate intracellular trafficking at all sorting stations along the secretory pathway, from the ER-Golgi-intermediate compartment (ERGIC) to the plasma membrane (PM). Their GDP-GTP switch is essential to trigger numerous processes, including membrane deformation, cargo sorting and recruitment of downstream coat proteins and effectors, such as lipid modifying enzymes. While ARFs (in particular ARF1) had mainly been studied in the context of coat protein recruitment at the Golgi, COPI/clathrin-independent roles have emerged in the last decade. Here we review the roles of human ARF1-5 GTPases in cellular trafficking with a particular emphasis on their roles in post-Golgi secretory trafficking and in sorting in the endo-lysosomal system.
Zebrafish as a Model for Germ Cell Regeneration
Authors: Cao Zigang , Yang Qifen , Luo Lingfei
Published: July 2021

Germ cell acts as a link between transfer of genetic information and process of species evolution. Defects or malformations of germ cells can lead to infertility or tumors. Germ cell regeneration is one of the effective ways to treat the infertility. Therefore, it is of great scientific and clinical interests to dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying germ cell regeneration. Progress have already been achieved in germ cell regeneration using model organisms for decades. However, key open issues regarding the underpinning mechanisms still remain poorly understood. Zebrafish is well known for its powerful regenerative capacity to regenerate various tissues and organs. Recently, advances in genomics, genetics, microscopy, and single cell technologies have made zebrafish an attractive model to study germ cell development and regeneration. Here we review recent technologies for the study of germ cell regeneration in zebrafish, highlight the potential of germline stem cells (GSCs) in the contribution to reproductive system regeneration, and discuss the nanos. Wnt signaling and germ cell-specific factors involved in the regulation of germ cell regeneration.
Multi-Omics Integrative Bioinformatics Analyses Reveal Long Non-coding RNA Modulates Genomic Integrity via Competing Endogenous RNA Mechanism and Serves as Novel Biomarkers for Overall Survival in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhonglin , Ren Ziyuan , Li Rui , Ge Junpeng , Zhang Guoming , Xin Yaodong , Qu Yiqing
Published: July 2021

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a crucial role in modulating genome instability, immune characteristics, and cancer progression, within which genome instability was identified as a critical regulator in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, the existing accounts fail to detail the regulatory role of genome instability in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We explored the clinical value of genome instability-related lncRNA in LUAD with multi-omics bioinformatics analysis. We extracted the key genome instability-related and LUAD-related gene modules using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and established a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network using four lncRNAs (LINC01224, LINC00346, TRPM2-AS, and CASC9) and seven target mRNAs (CCNF, PKMYT1, GCH1, TK1, PSAT1, ADAM33, and DDX11). We found that LINC01224 is primarily located in the cytoplasm and that LINC00346 and TRPM2-AS are primarily located in the nucleus (CASC9 unknown). We found that all 11 genes were positively related to tumor mutational burden and involve drug resistance, cancer stemness, and tumor microenvironment infiltration. Additionally, an eight-lncRNA genome instability-related lncRNA signature was established and validated, predicting the overall survival and immunotherapy outcomes in LUAD. To conclude, we discovered that sponging microRNA, genome instability-related lncRNA functions as ceRNA, modulating genomic integrity. This research provides clinical references for LUAD immunotherapy and prognosis and interprets a potential genome instability-related ceRNA regulatory network in which LINC01224-miR-485-5p/miR-29c-3p-CCNF-RRM2 and LINC01224-miR485-5p-PKMYT1-CDK1 axes were the most promising pathways. However, the potential mechanisms underlying our findings still need biological validation through in vitro and in vivo experiments.
The Hematopoietic Bone Marrow Niche Ecosystem
Authors: Fröbel Julia , Landspersky Theresa , Percin Gülce , Schreck Christina , Rahmig Susann , Ori Alessandro , Nowak Daniel , Essers Marieke , Waskow Claudia , Oostendorp Robert A. J.
Published: July 2021

The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, also called the BM niche, is essential for the maintenance of fully functional blood cell formation (hematopoiesis) throughout life. Under physiologic conditions the niche protects hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from sustained or overstimulation. Acute or chronic stress deregulates hematopoiesis and some of these alterations occur indirectly via the niche. Effects on niche cells include skewing of its cellular composition, specific localization and molecular signals that differentially regulate the function of HSCs and their progeny. Importantly, while acute insults display only transient effects, repeated or chronic insults lead to sustained alterations of the niche, resulting in HSC deregulation. We here describe how changes in BM niche composition (ecosystem) and structure (remodeling) modulate activation of HSCs in situ. Current knowledge has revealed that upon chronic stimulation, BM remodeling is more extensive and otherwise quiescent HSCs may be lost due to diminished cellular maintenance processes, such as autophagy, ER stress response, and DNA repair. Features of aging in the BM ecology may be the consequence of intermittent stress responses, ultimately resulting in the degeneration of the supportive stem cell microenvironment. Both chronic stress and aging impair the functionality of HSCs and increase the overall susceptibility to development of diseases, including malignant transformation. To understand functional degeneration, an important prerequisite is to define distinguishing features of unperturbed niche homeostasis in different settings. A unique setting in this respect is xenotransplantation, in which human cells depend on niche factors produced by other species, some of which we will review. These insights should help to assess deviations from the steady state to actively protect and improve recovery of the niche ecosystem in situ to optimally sustain healthy hematopoiesis in experimental and clinical settings.
Long Non-coding RNA Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Homeostasis and Differentiation: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Yang Yanlei , Liu Suying , He Chengmei , Chen Zhilei , Lyu Taibiao , Zeng Liuting , Wang Li , Zhang Fengchun , Chen Hua , Zhao Robert Chunhua
Published: July 2021

Given the self-renewal, multi-differentiation, immunoregulatory, and tissue maintenance properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for stem cell-based therapies. Breakthroughs have been made in uncovering MSCs as key contributors to homeostasis and the regenerative repair of tissues and organs derived from three germ layers. MSC differentiation into specialized cell types is sophisticatedly regulated, and accumulating evidence suggests long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as the master regulators of various biological processes including the maintenance of homeostasis and multi-differentiation functions through epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms. LncRNAs are ubiquitous and generally referred to as non-coding transcripts longer than 200 bp. Most lncRNAs are evolutionary conserved and species-specific; however, the weak conservation of their sequences across species does not affect their diverse biological functions. Although numerous lncRNAs have been annotated and studied, they are nevertheless only the tip of the iceberg; the rest remain to be discovered. In this review, we characterize MSC functions in homeostasis and highlight recent advances on the functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in regulating MSC homeostasis and differentiation. We also discuss the current challenges and perspectives for understanding the roles of lncRNAs in MSC functions in homeostasis, which could help develop promising targets for MSC-based therapies.
From Donor to the Lab: A Fascinating Journey of Primary Cell Lines
Authors: Richter Magdalena , Piwocka Oliwia , Musielak Marika , Piotrowski Igor , Suchorska Wiktoria M. , Trzeciak Tomasz
Published: July 2021

Primary cancer cell lines are ex vivo cell cultures originating from resected tissues during biopsies and surgeries. Primary cell cultures are objects of intense research due to their high impact on molecular biology and oncology advancement. Initially, the patient-derived specimen must be subjected to dissociation and isolation. Techniques for tumour dissociation are usually reliant on the organisation of connecting tissue. The most common methods include enzymatic digestion (with collagenase, dispase, and DNase), chemical treatment (with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid), or mechanical disaggregation to obtain a uniform cell population. Cells isolated from the tissue specimen are cultured as a monolayer or three-dimensional culture, in the form of multicellular spheroids, scaffold-based cultures (i.e., organoids), or matrix-embedded cultures. Every primary cell line must be characterised to identify its origin, purity, and significant features. The process of characterisation should include different assays utilising specific (extra- and intracellular) markers. The most frequently used approaches comprise immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, western blot, flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, karyotyping, confocal microscopy, and next-generation sequencing. The growing body of evidence indicates the validity of the usage of primary cancer cell lines in the formulation of novel anti-cancer treatments and their contribution to drug development.
A Comparative Overview of Epigenomic Profiling Methods
Authors: Mehrmohamadi Mahya , Sepehri Mohammad Hossein , Nazer Naghme , Norouzi Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2021

In the past decade, assays that profile different aspects of the epigenome have grown exponentially in number and variation. However, standard guidelines for researchers to choose between available tools depending on their needs are lacking. Here, we introduce a comprehensive collection of the most commonly used bulk and single-cell epigenomic assays and compare and contrast their strengths and weaknesses. We summarize some of the most important technical and experimental parameters that should be considered for making an appropriate decision when designing epigenomic experiments.
A Near-Infrared Light Triggered Composite Nanoplatform for Synergetic Therapy and Multimodal Tumor Imaging
Authors: Wu Mingzhou , He Shuqing , Hu Xin , Chen Jingqin , Ha Enna , Ai Fujin , Ji Tao , Hu Junqing , Ruan Shuangchen
Published: July 2021

Transition-metal chalcogenide compounds with facile preparation and multifunctional elements act as ideal photothermal agents for cancer theranostics. This work synthesizes Cu7.2S4/5MoS2 composite nanoflowers and investigates the crystal growth mechanism to optimize the synthesis strategy and obtain excellent photothermal therapy agents. Cu7.2S4/5MoS2 exhibits a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 58.7% and acts as a theranostic nanoplatform and demonstrated an effective photothermal–chemodynamic–photodynamic synergetic therapeutic effect in both in vitro and in vivo tests. Moreover, Cu7.2S4/5MoS2 shows strong photoacoustic signal amplitudes and computed tomographic contrast enhancement in vivo. These results suggest a potential application of Cu7.2S4/5MoS2 composite nanoflowers as photo/H2O2-responsive therapeutic agents against tumors.
Robust Hydrogen Production via Pickering Interfacial Catalytic Photoreforming of n-Octanol-Water Biphasic System
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhong Weilin , Peng Suqing , Zhang Jingtao , Shu Riyang , Tian Zhipeng , Song Qingbin , Chen Ying
Published: July 2021

Pickering emulsion offers a promising platform for conducting interfacial reactions between immiscible reagents; it is particularly suitable for hydrogen production by photoreforming of non-water soluble biomass liquid and water. Herein, Pt-promoted (001)-facet-dominated anatase TiO2 nanosheets were synthesized by a hydrothermal route associated with microfluidic technology for high activity and metal dispersion, and selective surface modification was carried out for preparing Janus particles. Photoreforming hydrogen production through n-octanol and water that formed O/W microemulsion with an average diameter of 540 µm was achieved to obtain amphiphilic catalyst. The as-prepared 2D Janus-type catalysts exhibited remarkably stable emulsification performance as well as photocatalytic activity. This finding indicates that triethoxyfluorosilane had negligible impact on the catalytic performance, yet provided a remarkable benefit to large specific surface area at microemulsion interface, thereby enhancing the H2 yield up to 2003 μmol/g. The cyclic experiments indicate that the decrease in cyclic performance was more likely to be caused by the coalescence of the microemulsion rather than the decrease in catalytic activity, and the microemulsion could be easily recovered by simply hand shaking to more than 96% of the initial performance.
The Holy See and the Global Environmental Movements
Authors: Lai Theodore , Tortajada Cecilia
Published: July 2021

Laudato Si has garnered acclaim from world leaders and actors who support care for the environment. The encyclical has received praise for its ability to communicate the Church’s environmental views to the secular world. Yet the views of the Holy See in global environmental issues prior to Laudato Si have received inadequate attention. We conduct a historical review of the Holy See’s involvement in United Nations environmental efforts from the mid-20th Century to the present day. This reflects much of the work done in the late 20th Century by local dioceses all over the world. In doing so, we draw from the Holy See’s record of apostolic letters and speeches penned by Popes and various Church officials in the 20th Century, which we draw from the Vatican archives and libraries. We show that a clear critique of industrial pollution first emerged in the official addresses and letters penned by Pope Paul VI in the early 1960s. We also show that the Holy See has joined the global community on the pursuit of sustainable development that promotes human dignity, and the right to development and to a healthy environment for all, mainly the poorest populations. We argue that Laudato Si is better thought of as a culmination of the Catholic Church’s social teachings, which state that concern for the environment means respect for human life and dignity, promotion of the common good and the virtue of solidarity, and exercising responsibility to the poor and vulnerable. These are principles that align closely with the secular discourse on sustainable development.
Supporting Actionable Science for Environmental Policy: Advice for Funding Agencies From Decision Makers
Authors: Nyboer Elizabeth A. , Nguyen Vivian M. , Young Nathan , Rytwinski Trina , Taylor Jessica J. , Lane John Francis , Bennett Joseph R. , Harron Nathan , Aitken Susan M. , Auld Graeme , Browne David , Jacob Aerin I. , Prior Kent , Smith Paul Allen , Smokorowski Karen E. , Alexander Steven , Cooke Steven J.
Published: July 2021

Successful incorporation of scientific knowledge into environmental policy and decisions is a significant challenge. Although studies on how to bridge the knowledge-action gap have proliferated over the last decade, few have investigated the roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for funding bodies to meet this challenge. In this study we present a set of criteria gleaned from interviews with experts across Canada that can be used by funding bodies to evaluate the potential for proposed research to produce actionable knowledge for environmental policy and practice. We also provide recommendations for how funding bodies can design funding calls and foster the skills required to bridge the knowledge-action gap. We interviewed 84 individuals with extensive experience as knowledge users at the science-policy interface who work for environmentally-focused federal and provincial/territorial government bodies and non-governmental organizations. Respondents were asked to describe elements of research proposals that indicate that the resulting research is likely to be useful in a policy context, and what advice they would give to funding bodies to increase the potential impact of sponsored research. Twenty-five individuals also completed a closed-ended survey that followed up on these questions. Research proposals that demonstrated (1) a team with diverse expertise and experience in co-production, (2) a flexible research plan that aligns timelines and spatial scale with policy needs, (3) a clear and demonstrable link to a policy issue, and (4) a detailed and diverse knowledge exchange plan for reaching relevant stakeholders were seen as more promising for producing actionable knowledge. Suggested changes to funding models to enhance utility of funded research included (1) using diverse expertise to adjudicate awards, (2) supporting co-production and interdisciplinary research through longer grant durations and integrated reward structures, and (3) following-up on and rewarding knowledge exchange by conducting impact evaluation. The set of recommendations presented here can guide both funding agencies and research teams who wish to change how applied environmental science is conducted and improve its connection to policy and practice.
Identifying Risk Factors for Complicated Post-operative Course in Tetralogy of Fallot Using a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Faerber Jennifer A. , Huang Jing , Zhang Xuemei , Song Lihai , DeCost Grace , Mascio Christopher E. , Ravishankar Chitra , O'Byrne Michael L. , Naim Maryam Y. , Kawut Steven M. , Goldmuntz Elizabeth , Mercer-Rosa Laura
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair is associated with excellent operative survival. However, a subset of patients experiences post-operative complications, which can significantly alter the early and late post-operative course. We utilized a machine learning approach to identify risk factors for post-operative complications after TOF repair.

Methods: We conducted a single-center prospective cohort study of children <2 years of age with TOF undergoing surgical repair. The outcome was occurrence of post-operative cardiac complications, measured between TOF repair and hospital discharge or death. Predictors included patient, operative, and echocardiographic variables, including pre-operative right ventricular strain and fractional area change as measures of right ventricular function. Gradient-boosted quantile regression models (GBM) determined predictors of post-operative complications. Cross-validated GBMs were implemented with and without a filtering stage non-parametric regression model to select a subset of clinically meaningful predictors. Sensitivity analysis with gradient-boosted Poisson regression models was used to examine if the same predictors were identified in the subset of patients with at least one complication.

Results: Of the 162 subjects enrolled between March 2012 and May 2018, 43 (26.5%) had at least one post-operative cardiac complication. The most frequent complications were arrhythmia requiring treatment (N = 22, 13.6%), cardiac catheterization (N = 17, 10.5%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (N = 11, 6.8%). Fifty-six variables were used in the machine learning analysis, of which there were 21 predictors that were already identified from the first-stage regression. Duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was the highest ranked predictor in all models. Other predictors included gestational age, pre-operative right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal strain, pulmonary valve Z-score, and immediate post-operative arterial oxygen level. Sensitivity analysis identified similar predictors, confirming the robustness of these findings across models.

Conclusions: Cardiac complications after TOF repair are prevalent in a quarter of patients. A prolonged surgery remains an important predictor of post-operative complications; however, other perioperative factors are likewise important, including pre-operative right ventricular remodeling. This study identifies potential opportunities to optimize the surgical repair for TOF to diminish post-operative complications and secure improved clinical outcomes. Efforts toward optimizing pre-operative ventricular remodeling might mitigate post-operative complications and help reduce future morbidity.
Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation: Pathophysiology, Incidence and Prognosis
Authors: Gerçek Muhammed , Rudolph Volker
Published: July 2021

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can be divided into primary and secondary origins. Primary TR is mostly caused by infective endocarditis, leaflet perforation, entrapment after device placement and congenital abnormalities. The natural cause of secondary (functional) TR is not well-understood and underdiagnoses is likely. Because symptoms such as ascites, edema and hepatomegaly usually manifest at a late state, assessment of TR is challenging requiring a multiparametric approach. Secondary TR can be subdivided into four morphologic types according to the underlying mechanism: Left-heart related TR, precapillary pulmonary hypertension related TR, right ventricular disease related TR and isolated TR.
Roles of MicroRNAs in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in the Heart
Authors: Du Hengzhi , Zhao Yanru , Li Huaping , Wang Dao Wen , Chen Chen
Published: July 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participate in heart development and pathological processes mainly by silencing gene expression. Overwhelming evidence has suggested that miRNAs were involved in various cardiovascular pathological processes, including arrhythmias, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, dysregulation of angiogenesis, mitochondrial abnormalities, fibrosis, and maladaptive remodeling. Various miRNAs could regulate myocardial contractility, vascular proliferation, and mitochondrial function. Meanwhile, it was reported that miRNAs could manipulate nutrition metabolism, especially glucose and lipid metabolism, by regulating insulin signaling pathways, energy substrate transport/metabolism. Recently, increasing studies suggested that the abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism were closely associated with a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Therefore, maintaining glucose and lipid metabolism homeostasis in the heart might be beneficial to CVD patients. In this review, we summarized the present knowledge of the functions of miRNAs in regulating cardiac glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as highlighted the miRNA-based therapies targeting cardiac glucose and lipid metabolism.
Spatial Patterns of Organic and Inorganic Carbon in Lake Qinghai Surficial Sediments and Carbon Burial Estimation
Authors: Chen Xi , Meng Xianqiang , Song Yinxian , Zhang Bin , Wan Zhiwei , Zhou Bingqing , Zhang Enlou
Published: July 2021

Lake carbon burial is of vital significance in global carbon cycle and carbon budget, particularly in the large deepwater lakes. However, carbon burial in large deepwater lakes is hard to estimate due to the difficulty in obtaining high spatial-resolution samples. In this study, we investigated distributions of total organic carbon (TOC) and inorganic carbon (TIC), two main carbon components in lake sediments, based on dozens of surficial sedimentary samples (n= 26) covering whole Lake Qinghai, the largest saline lake in China. The results showed that the TOC content, with a range of 1.4–4.8%, was significantly higher in the lake area near the northern lakeshore where human activities are concentrated and lower in the lake areas near the Buha River mouth and the eastern lake area. In contrast, the TIC content, ranging from 1.5 to 3.8%, increased from the northwestern and southeastern lake areas toward the lake center, and mainly depended on hydro-chemical and hydraulic characteristics. The inorganic carbon burial (47.77 ± 19.73 Gg C yr−1) was approximately equal to organic carbon burial (47.50 ± 22.68 Gg C yr−1) and accounted for about 50% of the total carbon burial (95.27 ± 37.74 Gg C yr−1), suggesting that saline lakes constitute a large inorganic carbon pool in addition to an organic carbon pool. Because of saline water body type in arid and semiarid regions and alpine Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, lakes in these regions have huge inorganic carbon burial potential and important contributions to the global carbon budget.
Clinical Relevance and Management of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Inlet Zone Lymph Nodes Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Zheng Guibin , Wu Guochang , Sun Haiqing , Ma Chi , Guo Yawen , Wei Dongmin , Yu Wenbin , Zheng Haitao , Song Xicheng
Published: July 2021

Background

Recurrent nodal disease often occurs in recurrent laryngeal nerve inlet zone (RLNIZ), leading to difficult surgical management.

Methods

Medical records of 947 patients with PTC and 33 patients with recurrent PTC were retrospectively reviewed. Totally 169 sides of RLNIZ dissection in 152 patients (17 cases were bilateral and 135 cases were unilateral) with primary surgery and 4 patients with structural recurrent disease were included for the analysis.

Results

The rate of lymph node metastasis in RLNIZ was 31.3% (47/150). The incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism was 5.9% and no RLN injury and permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. RLNIZ lymph nodes metastasis (LNM) was significantly associated with age <45 years, larger tumor size, number of CNLNM, and lateral node metastasis. CNLNM and lateral node metastasis were independent risk factors for RLNIZ LNM. Recurrent nodal disease in RLNIZ was identified in four of 33 patients and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury was observed in one of four patients.

Conclusion

Lymph nodes in RLNIZ are usually involved in patients with heavy tumor burden and can be removed safely at initial surgery. Once central or lateral LNM was confirmed preoperatively or intraoperatively, RLNIZ lymph node dissection should be carefully performed to reduce the rate of structural recurrence in the central compartment.
Thermodynamic Evaluation of Equilibrium Oxygen Composition of UO2-Mo Nuclear Fuel Pellet Under High Temperature Steam
Authors: Yang Jae Ho , Song Kun Woo , Kim Dong Seok , Kim Dong-Joo , Lee Heung Soo , Yoon Ji-Hae , Koo Yang-Hyun
Published: July 2021

Micro-plate or microcell UO2–Mo is considered a promising accident tolerant fuel candidate for water-cooled power reactors. In this work, we evaluated the anticipated oxidation behavior of a UO2–Mo system under high-temperature steam to understand the impact of Mo oxidation on the fuel degradation mechanism in the event of steam ingress through cracks in the cladding. The equilibrium oxygen compositions of UO2 and Mo in various steam atmospheres relevant to reactor operating conditions were predicted using thermodynamic calculations and then compared with previous results. The oxidation behavior of UO2–Mo pellets was discussed through thermodynamic calculations and in terms of kinetic parameters such as oxygen diffusion, fuel temperature profile, and pellet microstructure. Mo oxidation was found to have an insignificant effect on pellet integrity in a cladding leakage scenario under normal reactor operating conditions.