bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shear wave cardiovascular MR elastography using intrinsic cardiac motion for transducer-free non-invasive evaluation of myocardial shear wave velocity
Authors: Troelstra Marian Amber , Runge Jurgen Henk , Burnhope Emma , Polcaro Alessandro , Guenthner Christian , Schneider Torben , Razavi Reza , Ismail Tevfik F. , Martorell Jordi , Sinkus Ralph
Published: January 2021

Changes in myocardial stiffness may represent a valuable biomarker for early tissue injury or adverse remodeling. In this study, we developed and validated a novel transducer-free magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) approach for quantifying myocardial biomechanics using aortic valve closure-induced shear waves. Using motion-sensitized two-dimensional pencil beams, septal shear waves were imaged at high temporal resolution. Shear wave speed was measured using time-of-flight of waves travelling between two pencil beams and corrected for geometrical biases. After validation in phantoms, results from twelve healthy volunteers and five cardiac patients (two left ventricular hypertrophy, two myocardial infarcts, and one without confirmed pathology) were obtained. Torsional shear wave speed in the phantom was 3.0 ± 0.1 m/s, corresponding with reference speeds of 2.8 ± 0.1 m/s. Geometrically-biased flexural shear wave speed was 1.9 ± 0.1 m/s, corresponding with simulation values of 2.0 m/s. Corrected septal shear wave speeds were significantly higher in patients than healthy volunteers [14.1 (11.0–15.8) m/s versus 3.6 (2.7–4.3) m/s, p = 0.001]. The interobserver 95%-limits-of-agreement in healthy volunteers were ± 1.3 m/s and interstudy 95%-limits-of-agreement − 0.7 to 1.2 m/s. In conclusion, myocardial shear wave speed can be measured using aortic valve closure-induced shear waves, with cardiac patients showing significantly higher shear wave speeds than healthy volunteers. This non-invasive measure may provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of heart failure.
Adults with current asthma but not former asthma have higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a population-based prospective cohort study
Authors: He Xumei , Cheng GeSheng , He Lu , Liao Bing , Du YaJuan , Xie Xuegang , Zhang Songlin , Li Gang , Wang Yafeng , Zhang YuShun
Published: January 2021

Higher mortality in asthmatics has been shown previously. However, evidence on different asthma phenotypes on long-term mortality risk is limited. The aim was to evaluate the impact of asthma phenotypes on mortality in general population. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001–2002 to 2013–2014 linked mortality files through December 31, 2015, were used (N = 37,015). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, body mass index, and chronic conditions. During the mean follow-up time of 7.5 years, 4326 participants died from a variety of causes. Current asthma, but not former asthma was associated with increased all-cause mortality (current asthma: HR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.20–1.58; Former asthma: HR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.73–1.18); as well as mortality from cardiovascular disease (HRCurrent = 1.41; 95% CI 1.08–1.85) and chronic lower respiratory diseases (HRCurrent = 3.17; 95% CI 1.96–5.14). In addition, we found that the HR for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was slightly greater in people with childhood-onset asthma than those with adult-onset asthma. The HR for chronic lower respiratory diseases (CLRD) mortality was greater in people with adult-onset asthma than those with childhood-onset asthma. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Our study suggested that current asthma but not former asthma was associated with increased all-cause, CLRD and CVD mortality. Future well-designed studies with larger sample are required to demonstrate the association and clarify the potential mechanisms involved.
Mortality prediction using a novel combination of biomarkers in the first day of sepsis in intensive care units
Authors: Liu Junkun , Bai Chengwen , Li Binbin , Shan Aijun , Shi Fei , Yao Can , Zhang Yu , Wang Jin , Chen Weibu , Xie Manying , Deng Dehui
Published: January 2021

Early identification of infection severity and organ dysfunction is crucial in improving outcomes of patients with sepsis. We aimed to develop a new combination of blood-based biomarkers that can early predict 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis or septic shock. We enrolled 66 patients with sepsis or septic shock and compared 14 blood-based biomarkers in the first 24 h after ICU admission. The serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (median 217.6 vs. 4809.0 pg/ml, P = 0.001), lactate (median 2.4 vs. 6.3 mmol/L, P = 0.014), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (median 1596.5 vs. 32,905.3 ng/ml, P < 0.001), prothrombin time (PT) (median 15.6 vs. 20.1 s, P = 0.030), activated partial thrombin time (APTT) (median 45.1 vs. 59.0 s, P = 0.026), and international normalized ratio (INR) (median 1.3 vs. 1.8, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the survivor group. IL-6, NT-proBNP, and INR provided the best individual performance in predicting 28-day mortality of patients with sepsis or septic shock. Furthermore, the combination of these three biomarkers achieved better predictive performance (AUC 0.890, P < 0.001) than conventional scoring systems. In summary, the combination of IL-6, NT-proBNP, and INR may serve as a potential predictor of 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis or septic shock.
Formulation and in vitro evaluation of self-nanoemulsifying liquisolid tablets of furosemide
Authors: Dalal Lena , Allaf Abdul Wahab , El-Zein Hind
Published: January 2021

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) were used to enhance the dissolution rate of furosemide as a model for class IV drugs and the system was solidified into liquisolid tablets. SNEDDS of furosemide contained 10% Castor oil, 60% Cremophor EL, and 30% PEG 400. The mean droplets size was 17.9 ± 4.5 nm. The theoretical model was used to calculate the amounts of the carrier (Avicel PH101) and coating materials (Aerosil 200) to prepare liquisolid powder. Carrier/coating materials ratio of 5/1 was used and Ludipress was added to the solid system, thus tablets with hardness of 45 ± 2 N were obtained. Liquisolid tablets showed 2-folds increase in drug release as compared to the generic tablets after 60 min in HCl 0.1 N using USP apparatus-II. Furosemide loaded SNEDDS tablets have great prospects for further in vivo studies, and the theoretical model is useful for calculating the adequate amounts of adsorbents required to solidify these systems.
A pre-ablative thyroid-stimulating hormone with 30–70 mIU/L achieves better response to initial radioiodine remnant ablation in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients
Authors: Xiao Juan , Yun Canhua , Cao Jingjia , Ding Shouluan , Shao Chunchun , Wang Lina , Huang Fengyan , Jia Hongying
Published: January 2021

Our aim was to clarify the optimum pre-ablative thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level for initial radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). From December 2015 to May 2019, 689 patients undergone RRA at Nuclear Medicine Department, Second Hospital of Shandong University were included in the study. Patients were categorized by their pre-ablative TSH level grouping of < 30, 30–70 and ≥ 70 mIU/L. Response to RRA were evaluated as complete response (including excellent and indeterminate response) and incomplete response (including biochemical and structural incomplete response) after a follow-up of 6–8 months. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to explore the optimum pre-ablative TSH level range and independent factors associated with response to RRA. Rates of complete response to RRA were 63.04%, 74.59% and 66.41% in TSH level groups of < 30, 30–70 and ≥ 70 mIU/L, separately. With multivariate analysis, the study found that pre-ablative TSH levels, gender and lymph node dissection were independent predictors of response to RRA. TSH between 30 and 70 mIU/L had a higher rate of complete response compared with TSH < 30 mIU/L, OR 0.451 (95% CI 0.215–0.958, P = 0.036). A pre-ablative TSH level of 30–70 mIU/L was appropriate for patients with DTC to achieve a better response to RRA.
A functional spiking neuronal network for tactile sensing pathway to process edge orientation
Authors: Parvizi-Fard Adel , Amiri Mahmood , Kumar Deepesh , Iskarous Mark M. , Thakor Nitish V.
Published: January 2021

To obtain deeper insights into the tactile processing pathway from a population-level point of view, we have modeled three stages of the tactile pathway from the periphery to the cortex in response to indentation and scanned edge stimuli at different orientations. Three stages in the tactile pathway are, (1) the first-order neurons which innervate the cutaneous mechanoreceptors, (2) the cuneate nucleus in the midbrain and (3) the cortical neurons of the somatosensory area. In the proposed network, the first layer mimics the spiking patterns generated by the primary afferents. These afferents have complex skin receptive fields. In the second layer, the role of lateral inhibition on projection neurons in the cuneate nucleus is investigated. The third layer acts as a biomimetic decoder consisting of pyramidal and cortical interneurons that correspond to heterogeneous receptive fields with excitatory and inhibitory sub-regions on the skin. In this way, the activity of pyramidal neurons is tuned to the specific edge orientations. By modifying afferent receptive field size, it is observed that the larger receptive fields convey more information about edge orientation in the first spikes of cortical neurons when edge orientation stimuli move across the patch of skin. In addition, the proposed spiking neural model can detect edge orientation at any location on the simulated mechanoreceptor grid with high accuracy. The results of this research advance our knowledge about tactile information processing and can be employed in prosthetic and bio-robotic applications.
Quantifying computational advantage of Grover’s algorithm with the trace speed
Authors: Gebhart Valentin , Pezzè Luca , Smerzi Augusto
Published: January 2021

Despite intensive research, the physical origin of the speed-up offered by quantum algorithms remains mysterious. No general physical quantity, like, for instance, entanglement, can be singled out as the essential useful resource. Here we report a close connection between the trace speed and the quantum speed-up in Grover’s search algorithm implemented with pure and pseudo-pure states. For a noiseless algorithm, we find a one-to-one correspondence between the quantum speed-up and the polarization of the pseudo-pure state, which can be connected to a wide class of quantum statistical speeds. For time-dependent partial depolarization and for interrupted Grover searches, the speed-up is specifically bounded by the maximal trace speed that occurs during the algorithm operations. Our results quantify the quantum speed-up with a physical resource that is experimentally measurable and related to multipartite entanglement and quantum coherence.
Tunable broadband polarization converters based on coded graphene metasurfaces
Authors: Khajeh Ali , Hamzavi-Zarghani Zahra , Yahaghi Alireza , Farmani Ali
Published: January 2021

In this paper, two optimization algorithms (randomly initialized hill climbing and genetic algorithms) are considered to design broadband polarization converters based on coded metasurfaces. A pixeled graphene patch with an elliptic structure is proposed for the initial solution. Each pixel can be 1 and 0 which represents the presence and absence of the graphene. The initial guess tends to the optimum configuration after several optimization processes. Four broadband polarization converters are designed utilizing the optimization algorithms. By changing the chemical potential of graphene, the operation frequency of the polarization converters can be adjusted. Furthermore, the effects of relaxation time of graphene and incident angle on the polarization conversion bandwidth of the four designed structures are investigated.
Introduction of Varroa destructor has not altered honey bee queen mating success in the Hawaiian archipelago
Authors: Rusert Lauren M. , Pettis Jeffrey S. , Tarpy David R.
Published: January 2021

Beekeepers struggle to minimize the mortality of their colonies as a consequence of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in order to maintain a sustainable managed pollinator population. However, little is known about how varroa mites might diminish local populations of honey bee males (drones) that might affect the mating success of queens. As one of the world’s last localities invaded by varroa mites, the Hawaiian Islands offer a unique opportunity to examine this question by comparing queens mated on mite-infested and mite-free islands. We raised queen bees on four Hawaiian Islands (Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i) and subsequently collected their offspring to determine queen mating frequency and insemination success. No significant difference for mating success was found between the islands with and without varroa mites, and relatively high levels of polyandry was detected overall. We also found a significant association between the number of sperm stored in the queens’ spermathecae and the number of managed colonies within the localities of the queens mated. Our findings suggest that varroa mites, as they currently occur in Hawai‘i, may not significantly reduce mating success of honey bee queens, which provides insight for both the reproductive biology of honey bees as well as the apiculture industry in Hawai‘i.
Evidence for diagnosis of early chronic pancreatitis after three episodes of acute pancreatitis: a cross-sectional multicentre international study with experimental animal model
Authors: Hegyi Péter J. , Soós Alexandra , Tóth Emese , Ébert Attila , Venglovecz Viktória , Márta Katalin , Mátrai Péter , Mikó Alexandra , Bajor Judit , Sarlós Patrícia , Vincze Áron , Halász Adrienn , Izbéki Ferenc , Szepes Zoltán , Czakó László , Kovács György , Papp Mária , Dubravcsik Zsolt , Varga Márta , Hamvas József , Németh Balázs C. , Macarie Melania , Ince Ali Tüzün , Bordin Dmitry S. , Dubtsova Elena A. , Kiryukova Mariya A. , Khatkov Igor E. , Bideeva Tanya , Mickevicius Artautas , Ramírez-Maldonado Elena , Sallinen Ville , Erőss Bálint , Pécsi Dániel , Szentesi Andrea , Párniczky Andrea , Tiszlavicz László , Hegyi Péter
Published: January 2021

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an end-stage disease with no specific therapy; therefore, an early diagnosis is of crucial importance. In this study, data from 1315 and 318 patients were analysed from acute pancreatitis (AP) and CP registries, respectively. The population from the AP registry was divided into AP (n = 983), recurrent AP (RAP, n = 270) and CP (n = 62) groups. The prevalence of CP in combination with AP, RAP2, RAP3, RAP4 and RAP5 + was 0%, 1%, 16%, 50% and 47%, respectively, suggesting that three or more episodes of AP is a strong risk factor for CP. Laboratory, imaging and clinical biomarkers highlighted that patients with RAP3 + do not show a significant difference between RAPs and CP. Data from CP registries showed 98% of patients had at least one AP and the average number of episodes was four. We mimicked the human RAPs in a mouse model and found that three or more episodes of AP cause early chronic-like morphological changes in the pancreas. We concluded that three or more attacks of AP with no morphological changes to the pancreas could be considered as early CP (ECP).The new diagnostic criteria for ECP allow the majority of CP patients to be diagnosed earlier. They can be used in hospitals with no additional costs in healthcare.
Variations in the origin, course and branching pattern of dorsalis pedis artery with clinical significance
Authors: Hemamalini  , Manjunatha H. N.
Published: January 2021

Pulsations of the dorsalis pedis artery are commonly used to evaluate the peripheral arterial diseases like thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) or Buerger’s disease, in lower limbs. Dorsalis pedis artery is a direct extension from the anterior tibial artery and major vascular supply for the dorsum of the foot. But arterial variations in lower limbs are common due to rich distal anastomoses around the ankle joint. Absence of dorsalis pedis arterial pulse does not indicate peripheral arterial disease always as it is sometimes replaced by the enlarged perforating branch of peroneal artery, it may be absent or very thin, deviate laterally on the dorsum of foot. Aim of the present study is to observe the variations in origin, course and branching pattern of dorsalis pedis artery because of its clinical significance. During routine dissection of lower limbs for undergraduates we came across rare variations in the dorsalis pedis artery in its origin, course and branching pattern. Normal anatomic description was found in 27 limbs. In 13 specimens we noted variations, includes bilateral anomalous origin of dorsalis pedis artery, bilateral lateral deviation of dorsalis pedis artery, double dorsalis pedis artery, trifurcation of dorsalis pedis artery and absence of arcuate artery. Knowledge about the arterial variations around the ankle is important to orthopaedic, vascular surgeons and radiologists to prevent complications during surgical interventions.
Stimulation of hepatocarcinogenesis by activated cholangiocytes via Il17a/f1 pathway in kras transgenic zebrafish model
Authors: Helal Mohamed , Yan Chuan , Gong Zhiyuan
Published: January 2021

It has been well known that tumor progression is dependent on secreted factors not only from tumor cells but also from other surrounding non-tumor cells. In the current study, we investigated the role of cholangiocytes during hepatocarcinogenesis following induction of oncogenic krasV12 expression in hepatocytes using an inducible transgenic zebrafish model. Upon induction of carcinogenesis in hepatocytes, a progressive cell proliferation in cholangiocytes was observed. The proliferative response in cholangiocytes was induced by enhanced lipogenesis and bile acids secretion from hepatocytes through activation of Sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor 2 (S1pr2), a known cholangiocyte receptor involving in cholangiocyte proliferation. Enhancement and inhibition of S1pr2 could accelerate or inhibit cholangiocyte proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis respectively. Gene expression analysis of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes showed that cholangiocytes stimulated carcinogenesis in hepatocytes via an inflammatory cytokine, Il17a/f1, which activated its receptor (Il17ra1a) on hepatocytes and enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis via an ERK dependent pathway. Thus, the enhancing effect of cholangiocytes on hepatocarcinogenesis is likely via an inflammatory loop.
Response of Lactobacillus plantarum VAL6 to challenges of pH and sodium chloride stresses
Authors: Nguyen Phu-Tho , Nguyen Thi-Tho , Vo Thi-Ngoc-Tuyen , Nguyen Thi-Thanh-Xuan , Hoang Quoc-Khanh , Nguyen Huu-Thanh
Published: January 2021

To investigate the effect of environmental stresses on the exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, after 24 h of culture at 37 °C with pH 6.8 and without sodium chloride, Lactobacillus plantarum VAL6 was exposed to different stress conditions, including pH (pHs of 3 and 8) and high sodium chloride concentration treatments. The results found that Lactobacillus plantarum VAL6 exposed to stress at pH 3 for 3 h gives the highest exopolysaccharide yield (50.44 g/L) which is 6.4 fold higher than non-stress. Under pH and sodium chloride stresses, the mannose content in exopolysaccharides decreased while the glucose increased in comparison with non-stress condition. The galactose content was highest under stress condition of pH 8 meantime rhamnose content increased sharply when Lactobacillus plantarum VAL6 was stressed at pH 3. The arabinose content in exopolysaccharides was not detected under non-stress condition but it was recorded in great amounts after 3 h of stress at pH 3. In addition, stress of pH 8 triggered the mRNA expression of epsF gene resulting in galactose-rich EPS synthesis. According to our results, the stresses of pH and sodium chloride enhance the production and change the mRNA expression of epsF gene, leading to differences in the monosaccharide composition of exopolysaccharides.
Highly sensitive determination of heavy metals in water prior to and after remediation using Citrofortunella Microcarpa
Authors: Palisoc Shirley T. , Vitto Remuel Isaac M. , Noel Marissa G. , Palisoc Katja T. , Natividad Michelle T.
Published: January 2021

A highly sensitive bismuth/silver nanoparticles/Nafion-modified screen-printed graphene electrode was fabricated and was utilized for the detection of trace lead (Pb) concentrations in river water samples prior to and after remediation using calamansi (Citrofortunella Microcarpa) rinds in different forms viz., ground sun-dried, dry-ashed, food-grade pectin, fractionated pectin, and alcohol insoluble solids—extracted pectin. All these forms of pectin remediated Pb in the water samples. Hence, this novel method of using calamansi rinds in different forms is an effective method for the removal of lead in water. The electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry which confirmed the presence of the modifiers on the electrode surface. The limit of detection of 267.6 ppt and the strong linear relationship between the Pb concentration and the anodic current response (R2 = 0.999) were obtained under optimized experimental conditions and parameters.
A convolutional recurrent neural network with attention framework for speech separation in monaural recordings
Authors: Sun Chao , Zhang Min , Wu Ruijuan , Lu Junhong , Xian Guo , Yu Qin , Gong Xiaofeng , Luo Ruisen
Published: January 2021

Most speech separation studies in monaural channel use only a single type of network, and the separation effect is typically not satisfactory, posing difficulties for high quality speech separation. In this study, we propose a convolutional recurrent neural network with an attention (CRNN-A) framework for speech separation, fusing advantages of two networks together. The proposed separation framework uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) as the front-end of a recurrent neural network (RNN), alleviating the problem that a sole RNN cannot effectively learn the necessary features. This framework makes use of the translation invariance provided by CNN to extract information without modifying the original signals. Within the supplemented CNN, two different convolution kernels are designed to capture information in both the time and frequency domains of the input spectrogram. After concatenating the time-domain and the frequency-domain feature maps, the feature information of speech is exploited through consecutive convolutional layers. Finally, the feature map learned from the front-end CNN is combined with the original spectrogram and is sent to the back-end RNN. Further, the attention mechanism is further incorporated, focusing on the relationship among different feature maps. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated on the standard dataset MIR-1K and the results prove that the proposed method outperforms the baseline RNN and other popular speech separation methods, in terms of GNSDR (gloabl normalised source-to-distortion ratio), GSIR (global source-to-interferences ratio), and GSAR (gloabl source-to-artifacts ratio). In summary, the proposed CRNN-A framework can effectively combine the advantages of CNN and RNN, and further optimise the separation performance via the attention mechanism. The proposed framework can shed a new light on speech separation, speech enhancement, and other related fields.
Generation and functional characterization of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of the anti-FGF2 3F12E7 monoclonal antibody
Authors: de Aguiar Rodrigo Barbosa , da Silva Tábata de Almeida , Costa Bruno Andrade , Machado Marcelo Ferreira Marcondes , Yamada Renata Yoshiko , Braggion Camila , Perez Kátia Regina , Mori Marcelo Alves Silva , Oliveira Vitor , de Moraes Jane Zveiter
Published: January 2021

Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) are small-sized artificial constructs composed of the immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions connected by a peptide linker. We have previously described an anti-fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) monoclonal antibody (mAb), named 3F12E7, with notable antitumor potential revealed by preclinical assays. FGF2 is a known angiogenesis-associated molecule implicated in tumor progression. In this report, we describe a recombinant scFv format for the 3F12E7 mAb. The results demonstrate that the generated 3F12E7 scFv, although prone to aggregation, comprises an active anti-FGF2 product that contains monomers and small oligomers. Functionally, the 3F12E7 scFv preparations specifically recognize FGF2 and inhibit tumor growth similar to the corresponding full-length IgG counterpart in an experimental model. In silico molecular analysis provided insights into the aggregation propensity and the antigen-recognition by scFv units. Antigen-binding determinants were predicted outside the most aggregation-prone hotspots. Overall, our experimental and prediction dataset describes an scFv scaffold for the 3F12E7 mAb and also provides insights to further engineer non-aggregated anti-FGF2 scFv-based tools for therapeutic and research purposes.
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Saito Hirotaka , Tanaka Kenichi , Iwasaki Tsuyoshi , Oda Akira , Watanabe Shuhei , Kanno Makoto , Kimura Hiroshi , Shimabukuro Michio , Asahi Koichi , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Kazama Junichiro James
Published: January 2021

As previous studies have reported finding an association between hyperuricemia and the development of cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease, hyperuricemia is thought to be an independent risk factor for hypertension and diabetic mellitus. However, we have not been able to determine whether the use of xanthine oxidase inhibitors can reduce cardiovascular disease. The present study used the longitudinal data of the Fukushima Cohort Study to investigate the relationship between the use of xanthine oxidase inhibitors and cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular risks. During the 3-year period between 2012 and 2014, a total of 2724 subjects were enrolled in the study and followed. A total of 2501 subjects had hypertension, diabetic mellitus, dyslipidemia, or chronic kidney disease, and were identified as having cardiovascular risks. The effects of xanthine oxidase inhibitor use on the development of cardiovascular events was evaluated in these patients using a time to event analysis. During the observational periods (median 2.7 years), the incidence of cardiovascular events was 20.7 in subjects with xanthine oxidase inhibitor and 11.2 (/1000 person-years, respectively) in those without. Although a univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of cardiovascular events was significantly higher in subjects administered xanthine oxidase inhibitors (HR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.19–2.94, p = 0.007), the risk was significantly lower in subjects administered a xanthine oxidase inhibitor after adjustment for covariates (HR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.26–0.91; p = 0.024) compared to those without. Xanthine oxidase inhibitor use was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
Hyoid kinematic features for poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia
Authors: Lee Woo Hyung , Lim Min Hyuk , Seo Han Gil , Oh Byung-Mo , Kim Sungwan
Published: January 2021

Identification of prognostic factors for swallowing recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia is crucial for determining therapeutic strategies. We aimed at exploring hyoid kinematic features of poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Of 122 patients who experienced dysphagia following ischemic stroke, 18 with poor prognosis, and 18 age- and sex-matched patients with good prognosis were selected and retrospectively reviewed. Positional data of the hyoid bone during swallowing were obtained from the initial videofluoroscopic swallowing study after stroke onset. Normalized hyoid profiles of displacement/velocity and direction angle were analyzed using functional regression analysis, and maximal or mean values were compared between the good and poor prognosis patient groups. Kinematic analysis showed that maximal horizontal displacement (P = 0.031) and velocity (P = 0.034) in forward hyoid motions were significantly reduced in patients with poor prognosis compared to those with good prognosis. Mean direction angle for the initial swallowing phase was significantly lower in patients with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis (P = 0.0498). Our study revealed that reduced horizontal forward and altered initial backward motions of the hyoid bone during swallowing can be novel kinematic features indicating poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
Nationwide incidence and treatment pattern of retinopathy of prematurity in South Korea using the 2007–2018 national health insurance claims data
Authors: Hong Eun Hee , Shin Yong Un , Bae Gi Hwan , Choi Young Jin , Ahn Seong Joon , Sobrin Lucia , Hong Rimkyung , Kim Inah , Cho Heeyoon
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate the nationwide incidence and treatment pattern of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in South Korea. Using the population-based National Health Insurance database (2007–2018), the nationwide incidence of ROP among premature infants with a gestational age (GA) < 37 weeks (GA < 28 weeks, GA28; 28 weeks ≤ GA < 37 weeks; GA28-37) and the percentage of ROP infants who underwent treatment [surgery (vitrectomy, encircling/buckling); retinal ablation (laser photocoagulation, cryotherapy)] were evaluated. We identified 141,964 premature infants, 42,300 of whom had ROP, with a nationwide incidence of 29.8%. The incidence of ROP in GA28 group was 4.3 times higher than in GA28-37 group (63.6% [2240/3522] vs 28.9% [40,060/138,442], p < 0.001). As for the 12-year trends, the incidence of ROP decreased from 39.5% (3308/8366) in 2007 to 23.5% (2943/12,539) in 2018. 3.0% of ROP infants underwent treatment (25.0% in GA28; 1.7% in GA28-37); 0.2% (84/42,300) and 2.9% (1214/42,300) underwent surgery and retinal ablation, respectively. The overall percentage of ROP infants who underwent treatment has decreased from 4.7% in 2007 to 1.8% in 2018. This first Korean nationwide epidemiological study of ROP revealed a decreased incidence of ROP and a decreased percentage of ROP infants undergoing conventional treatment during a 12-year period.
Improving prognostic performance in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using radiomics and deep learning features fusion in CT images
Authors: Zhang Yucheng , Lobo-Mueller Edrise M. , Karanicolas Paul , Gallinger Steven , Haider Masoom A. , Khalvati Farzad
Published: January 2021

As an analytic pipeline for quantitative imaging feature extraction and analysis, radiomics has grown rapidly in the past decade. On the other hand, recent advances in deep learning and transfer learning have shown significant potential in the quantitative medical imaging field, raising the research question of whether deep transfer learning features have predictive information in addition to radiomics features. In this study, using CT images from Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients recruited in two independent hospitals, we discovered most transfer learning features have weak linear relationships with radiomics features, suggesting a potential complementary relationship between these two feature sets. We also tested the prognostic performance for overall survival using four feature fusion and reduction methods for combining radiomics and transfer learning features and compared the results with our proposed risk score-based feature fusion method. It was shown that the risk score-based feature fusion method significantly improves the prognosis performance for predicting overall survival in PDAC patients compared to other traditional feature reduction methods used in previous radiomics studies (40% increase in area under ROC curve (AUC) yielding AUC of 0.84).
Cannabis compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in vitro in COVID-19-related inflammation in lung epithelial cells and pro-inflammatory activity in macrophages
Authors: Anil Seegehalli M. , Shalev Nurit , Vinayaka Ajjampura C. , Nadarajan Stalin , Namdar Dvora , Belausov Eduard , Shoval Irit , Mani Karthik Ananth , Mechrez Guy , Koltai Hinanit
Published: January 2021

Cannabis sativa is widely used for medical purposes and has anti-inflammatory activity. This study intended to examine the anti-inflammatory activity of cannabis on immune response markers associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inflammation. An extract fraction from C. sativa Arbel strain (FCBD) substantially reduced (dose dependently) interleukin (IL)-6 and -8 levels in an alveolar epithelial (A549) cell line. FCBD contained cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and multiple terpenes. Treatments with FCBD and a FCBD formulation using phytocannabinoid standards (FCBD:std) reduced IL-6, IL-8, C–C Motif Chemokine Ligands (CCLs) 2 and 7, and angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in the A549 cell line. Treatment with FCBD induced macrophage (differentiated KG1 cell line) polarization and phagocytosis in vitro, and increased CD36 and type II receptor for the Fc region of IgG (FcγRII) expression. FCBD treatment also substantially increased IL-6 and IL-8 expression in macrophages. FCBD:std, while maintaining anti-inflammatory activity in alveolar epithelial cells, led to reduced phagocytosis and pro-inflammatory IL secretion in macrophages in comparison to FCBD. The phytocannabinoid formulation may show superior activity versus the cannabis-derived fraction for reduction of lung inflammation, yet there is a need of caution proposing cannabis as treatment for COVID-19.
Synthetic and natural MOR zeolites as high-capacity adsorbents for the removal of nitrous oxide
Authors: Yamashita Keita , Liu Zhendong , Iyoki Kenta , Chen Ching-Tien , Miyagi Shoko , Yanaba Yutaka , Yamauchi Yusuke , Okubo Tatsuya , Wakihara Toru
Published: January 2021

Ion-exchanged MOR zeolite gives an adsorption capacity as high as 0.34 mmol-N2O/g-zeolite (1 atm, 25 °C), representing the best performing material among all zeolite-based N2O adsorbents reported so far.
Ten polytorsional-amide-induced helical-based coordination polymers with difunctional electrochemical activities
Authors: Liu Guocheng , Zhao Jing , Liang Shuang , Li Yan , Chang Zhihan , Wang Xiuli , Chen Baokuan
Published: January 2021

Ten polytorsional-naphthalene-amide-based CPs constructed from different carboxylates and metal ions were obtained and exhibited difunctional electrochemical activities.
Kinetics of competing exchange of oxygen and water at the surface of functional oxides
Authors: Thoréton Vincent , Niania Mathew , Kilner John
Published: January 2021

Kinetics of concomitant exchange reactions of oxygen from molecular oxygen and from water are determined from IEDP SIMS experiments.
A cancer cell-specific benzoxadiazole-based fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide detection in mitochondria
Authors: Fortibui Maxine Mambo , Yoon Dae Wui , Lim Ja-Yun , Lee Sohyun , Choi Minsun , Heo June Seok , Kim Jinkwan , Kim Jinheung
Published: January 2021

A cancer cell specific fluorescent probe is reported for sensing hydrogen sulfide.
Designed sol–gel precursors for atomically dispersed Nb and Pb within TiO2 as catalysts for dihydroxyacetone transformation
Authors: Neto Antonio de Brito Santiago , Alves da Cruz Márcia Gabriely , Jeanneau Erwann , Oliveira Alcineia Conceição , Essayem Nadine , Mishra Shashank
Published: January 2021

New N-methyldiethanolamine-modified metal alkoxides were synthesized and employed as sol–gel precursors to obtain atomically dispersed catalysts with high surface area and tunable acid–base properties.
Supramolecular network of a framework material supported by the anion–π linkage of Keggin-type heteropolyoxotungstates: experimental and theoretical insights
Authors: Samaniyan Maryam , Mirzaei Masoud , Gomila Rosa M. , Eshtiagh-Hosseini Hossein , Lotfian Nahid , Mague Joel T. , Pour Ali Nakhaei , Frontera Antonio
Published: January 2021

A novel inorganic–organic hybrid has been synthesized and characterized. This hybrid contains a trinuclear Tb-organic cluster that is bound to three terminal oxygen atoms of the Keggin anion and sodium to form a discrete heterotetranuclear structure.
Heterometallic MOFs constructed from thiophene and furandicarboxylate ligands for heavy metal luminescence sensing
Authors: Sapianik Aleksandr A. , Barsukova Marina O. , Kovalenko Konstantin A. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: January 2021

A series of heterometallic porous MOFs were rationally designed from preorganized molecular complexes for heavy metal cation luminescence detection.
Solar-driven ionic power generation via a film of nanocellulose @ conductive metal–organic framework
Authors: Zhou Shengyang , Qiu Zhen , Strømme Maria , Xu Chao
Published: January 2021

The new technology of “solar-driven ionic power generation” based on ionic thermophoresis and electrokinetic effects could convert solar energy into electricity by using a film of nanocellulose @ conductive metal–organic framework.
Dual-emissive Ln3+/Mn4+ Co-doped double perovskite phosphor via site-beneficial occupation
Authors: Song Yueyue , Guo Ning , Li Jing , Xin Yanmei , Lü Wei , Miao Yuqing
Published: January 2021

Designed dual-activators in double perovskite according to site-beneficial occupation principle for optical thermometry.
Surface covalent sulfur enriching Ni active sites of Ni3S2 nanoparticles for efficient oxygen evolution
Authors: Zhang Bei , Zhang Jiahao , Zhang Haoxuan , Jiang Hao , Li Chunzhong
Published: January 2021

Surface covalent sulfur enhanced Ni3S2 nanoparticles are demonstrated to maximize the catalytically active Ni3+ density and further boost OER performance.
Self-toughened high entropy alloy with a body-centred cubic structure
Authors: Tsianikas Simon , Chen Yujie , Jeong Jiwon , Zhang Siyuan , Xie Zonghan
Published: January 2021

Multi-scale deformation structure & evolution analysis of strong-yet-ductile interstitially hardened alloy, exhibiting a two-step phase transformation and concentration wave strengthening.
Amplitude nanofriction spectroscopy
Authors: Lainé Antoine , Vanossi Andrea , Niguès Antoine , Tosatti Erio , Siria Alessandro
Published: January 2021

Model nanocontacts formed at a gold–HOPG interface exhibit a complex frictional behavior with a variety of phenomena, from thermolubricity to superlubricity and exotic sliding dynamics.
Nacre-inspired composite films with high mechanical strength constructed from MXenes and wood-inspired hydrothermal cellulose-based nanofibers for high performance flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Chang Libo , Peng Zhiyuan , Zhang Tong , Yu Chuying , Zhong Wenbin
Published: January 2021

Wood-inspired HCNF@Lig introduced into MXenes constructing a nacre-like material with high mechanical strength and excellent flexibility used as a flexible supercapacitor.
Rod-like nickel doped Co3Se4/reduced graphene oxide hybrids as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions
Authors: Ye Wenlong , Zhang Yanan , Fan Jinchen , Shi Penghui , Min Yulin , Xu Qunjie
Published: January 2021

Highly active catalyst of Ni-doped rod-like Co3Se4/reduced graphene oxide was designed for reducing the overpotential and improving the slow kinetics of the process toward electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Fluorescent polymers via post-polymerization modification of Biginelli-type polymers for cellular protection against UV damage
Authors: Mao Tengfei , He Xianzhe , Liu Guoqiang , Wei Yen , Gou Yanzi , Zhou Xingui , Tao Lei
Published: January 2021

Biocompatible fluorescent polymers with UV-protective capability have been developed by the combination of the Biginelli reaction and the postpolymerization modification method.
Electrical conductivity in a non-covalent two-dimensional porous organic material with high crystallinity
Authors: Xu Qizhi , Zhang Boyuan , Zeng Yihang , Zangiabadi Amirali , Ni Hongwei , Chen Rongsheng , Ng Fay , Steigerwald Michael L. , Nuckolls Colin
Published: January 2021

Ultrathin porous films held together by non-covalent van der Waals interactions was obtained by a top-down approach, which is then utilized as channel material in a two-dimensional planar field-effect transistor device through easy stamp transfer.
Absorption and emission of light in red emissive carbon nanodots
Authors: Soni Neeraj , Singh Shivendra , Sharma Shubham , Batra Gayatri , Kaushik Kush , Rao Chethana , Verma Navneet C. , Mondal Bhaskar , Yadav Aditya , Nandi Chayan K.
Published: January 2021

Herein we unveil the presence of a molecular fluorophore quinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazine-2,3-diamine (QXPDA) in a colossal amount in red emissive CNDs synthesized from o-phenylenediamine, a well-known precursor molecule used for CND synthesis.
Baseline monocyte and its classical subtype may predict efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor in cancers
Authors: Shao Yilin , Lin Shuchen , Zhang Ping , Zhang Jian , Ji Dongmei , Tao Zhonghua , Hu Xichun
Published: January 2021

Background: Programmed death 1 (PD-1)/ programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor is one of the most popular immune therapies. Biomarkers for predicting response are highly needed, but no biomarkers are widely used till now.

Patients and methods: From February 2018 to April 2019, pan-cancer patients treated with PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor as a single agent in our center were included. The benefit group included patients with partial response, complete response and stable disease, while the patients with progressive disease were classified into the nonbenefit group, according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria. Baseline peripheral blood was sampled to determine absolute monocyte count (AMC) and/or classical monocyte frequency (CMF) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Then, the association of the above-mentioned two biomarkers with response or progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated.

Results: In total, 107 patients enrolled in the present study. The nonbenefit group had significantly larger number of AMC than benefit group (P<0.001), and patients with higher AMC had decreased PFS time (P=0.001). Of 39 patients tested for CMF, the nonbenefit group had significantly higher CMF than benefit group (P=0.002), and patients with higher CMF had significantly decreased PFS time (P=0.002). The sensitivity of AMC and CMF was 87.9% and 85.7%, respectively, and the specificity was 44.9% and 61.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed high baseline CMF and AMC were both significantly associated with decreased PFS time.

Conclusion: Baseline CMF and baseline AMC can be potential pan-cancer biomarkers to predict efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, especially in the PD-L1 subgroup.
The effect of strontium ranelate on titanium particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis regulated by WNT/β-catenin signaling in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Wang Bolun , Guo Haohui , Geng Tianxiang , Sun Kening , Zhang Liang , Lu Zhidong , Jin Qunhua
Published: January 2021

Aseptic loosening following periprosthetic osteolysis is the primary complication that limits the lifetime of total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The wear particles trigger a chronic inflammation response in the periprosthetic tissue and turn over the bone balance to bone resorption. The present study aimed to investigate the possible effect and mechanism of strontium ranelate (SR), a clinically safe drug for osteoporosis, on particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis. Thirty-six female C57BL/6j mice underwent tibial Ti-nail implantation to establish an animal model of aseptic loosening. After 12 weeks, micro-CT results showed that strontium ranelate could inhibit periprosthetic bone resorption. In vitro, Ti particles were used to stimulate RAW264.7 cell line to collect conditioned medium, and co-culture MC3T3-E1 cell line with conditioned medium to establish a cell model of aseptic loosening. The results of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) detection, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry demonstrated that strontium ranelate could regulate the expression of OPG/RANKL, promote differentiation and mineralization, and inhibit apoptosis in osteoblasts. Moreover, we revealed that SR’s exerted its therapeutic effect by down-regulating sclerostin, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. Therefore, this research suggests that strontium ranelate could be a potential drug for the prevention and treatment of particle-induced aseptic loosening post-TJA.
Correlation of zinc finger protein 2, a prognostic biomarker, with immune infiltrates in liver cancer
Authors: Sun Lei , Lin Yaru , Wang Guichun , Zhang Lin , Hu Liangchang , Lu Zhong
Published: January 2021

Purpose: The expression and clinical value of zinc finger protein 2 gene (ZIC2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were analyzed by mining gene information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases.

Methods: Gene chip data sets were retrieved from GEO and TCGA and screened for differentially expressed genes in HCC. Gene expression profile interaction analysis (GEPIA) and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze the relationship between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and survival and prognosis in patients with HCC. Moreover, the Genecards database was used to extract ZIC2-related proteins and to analyze the physiological process of protein enrichment. Furthermore, the relationships between ZIC2 gene and tumor cell immune invasion and that between immune cell infiltration and the 5-year survival rate were studied using the tumor immune evaluation resource (TIMER) database.

Results: Datasets from GEO and TCGA revealed that ZIC2 was differentially expressed in HCC tissues and normal tissues (P<0.05). High ZIC2 expression was associated with overall survival (OS) and progress-free survival in HCC patients. Overall, 25 ZIC2 related proteins, including Gli3, PRKDC, and rnf180 were identified and protein enrichment analysis indicated these were associated with four types of cell components, six types of cell functions, and eight types of biological processes. ZIC2 was positively correlated with immune infiltration cells in patients with HCC, and higher expression of ZIC2 mRNA CD4+T cells is associated with a better 5-year survival.

Conclusion: ZIC2 gene may be used as an immune response marker in liver cancer to predict the prognosis of HCC.