bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 with IgG from COVID-19-convalescent plasma
Authors: Maeda Kenji , Higashi-Kuwata Nobuyo , Kinoshita Noriko , Kutsuna Satoshi , Tsuchiya Kiyoto , Hattori Shin-ichiro , Matsuda Kouki , Takamatsu Yuki , Gatanaga Hiroyuki , Oka Shinichi , Sugiyama Haruhito , Ohmagari Norio , Mitsuya Hiroaki
Published: March 2021

While there are various attempts to administer COVID-19-convalescent plasmas to SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, neither appropriate approach nor clinical utility has been established. We examined the presence and temporal changes of the neutralizing activity of IgG fractions from 43 COVID-19-convalescent plasmas using cell-based assays with multiple endpoints. IgG fractions from 27 cases (62.8%) had significant neutralizing activity and moderately to potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell-based assays; however, no detectable neutralizing activity was found in 16 cases (37.2%). Approximately half of the patients (~ 41%), who had significant neutralizing activity, lost the neutralization activity within ~ 1 month. Despite the rapid decline of neutralizing activity in plasmas, good amounts of SARS-CoV-2-S1-binding antibodies were persistently seen. The longer exposure of COVID-19 patients to greater amounts of SARS-CoV-2 elicits potent immune response to SARS-CoV-2, producing greater neutralization activity and SARS-CoV-2-S1-binding antibody amounts. The dilution of highly-neutralizing plasmas with poorly-neutralizing plasmas relatively readily reduced neutralizing activity. The presence of good amounts of SARS-CoV-2-S1-binding antibodies does not serve as a surrogate ensuring the presence of good neutralizing activity. In selecting good COVID-19-convalescent plasmas, quantification of neutralizing activity in each plasma sample before collection and use is required.
Quantitative dual contrast photon-counting computed tomography for assessment of articular cartilage health
Authors: Paakkari Petri , Inkinen Satu I. , Honkanen Miitu K. M. , Prakash Mithilesh , Shaikh Rubina , Nieminen Miika T. , Grinstaff Mark W. , Mäkelä Janne T. A. , Töyräs Juha , Honkanen Juuso T. J.
Published: March 2021

Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) is a modern spectral imaging technique utilizing photon-counting detectors (PCDs). PCDs detect individual photons and classify them into fixed energy bins, thus enabling energy selective imaging, contrary to energy integrating detectors that detects and sums the total energy from all photons during acquisition. The structure and composition of the articular cartilage cannot be detected with native CT imaging but can be assessed using contrast-enhancement. Spectral imaging allows simultaneous decomposition of multiple contrast agents, which can be used to target and highlight discrete cartilage properties. Here we report, for the first time, the use of PCD-CT to quantify a cationic iodinated CA4+ (targeting proteoglycans) and a non-ionic gadolinium-based gadoteridol (reflecting water content) contrast agents inside human osteochondral tissue (n = 53). We performed PCD-CT scanning at diffusion equilibrium and compared the results against reference data of biomechanical and optical density measurements, and Mankin scoring. PCD-CT enables simultaneous quantification of the two contrast agent concentrations inside cartilage and the results correlate with the structural and functional reference parameters. With improved soft tissue contrast and assessment of proteoglycan and water contents, PCD-CT with the dual contrast agent method is of potential use for the detection and monitoring of osteoarthritis.
The effects of exercise training on lipid profile in patients with sarcoidosis
Authors: Jastrzebski Dariusz , Toczylowska Beata , Zieminska Elzbieta , Zebrowska Aleksandra , Kostorz-Nosal Sabina , Swietochowska Elzbieta , Di Giulio Camillo , Ziora Dariusz
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to determine the use of lipid profiling to assess the effects of moderate intensity exercise training (ET) on patients with sarcoidosis. Fourteen patients with sarcoidosis (mean age, 46.0 ± 9.6 years) were examined before and after 3-week of ET programme in hospital settings. Symptoms (fatigue: FAS, dyspnoea: MRC), lung function tests and physical function tests (6 MWT, muscle force) were measured before and after ET. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combined with orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to determine lipid profile before and after ET. Twenty-five NMR signals from lipid compounds were selected for further analysis as well as serum lipid and inflammatory markers. Three weeks of ET results in improvement of symptoms (FAS: 27.5 vs. 21.0; p < 0.001, MRC: 0.86 vs. 0.14; p = 0.002) and physical function (6MWT: 508.43 vs. 547.29; p = 0.039). OPLS-DA analysis of the lipid profiles of patients with sarcoidosis revealed differences among the samples before and after ET, including decreases in fatty acids (p < 0.017), triglycerides (p < 0.022) and total cholesterol (p < 0.020). Other changes included shifts in fatty acids oxidation products and triacylglycerol esters. A short-time, in-hospital exercise training benefits patients with sarcoidosis by enhancing their physical function. Additionally, positive effect on lipid profile was observed also in this study. It is suggested that lipid profiling could become a new prognostic method to assess effects of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with sarcoidosis.
Cost-effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention versus medical therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction: real-world and lifetime-horizon data from Taiwan
Authors: Liao Chia-Te , Hsieh Tung-Han , Shih Chia-Yin , Liu Ping-Yen , Wang Jung-Der
Published: March 2021

Although some studies have assessed the cost-effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), there has been a lack of nationwide real-world studies estimating life expectancy (LE), loss-of-LE, life-years saved, and lifetime medical costs. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of PCI versus non-PCI therapy by integrating a survival function and mean-cost function over a lifelong horizon to obtain the estimations for AMI patients without major comorbidities. We constructed a longitudinal AMI cohort based on the claim database of Taiwan's National Health Insurance during 1999–2015. Taiwan's National Mortality Registry Database was linked to derive a survival function to estimate LE, loss-of-LE, life-years saved, and lifetime medical costs in both therapies. This study enrolled a total of 38,441 AMI patients; AMI patients receiving PCI showed a fewer loss-of-LE (3.6 versus 5.2 years), and more lifetime medical costs (US$ 49,112 versus US$ 43,532). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was US$ 3488 per life-year saved. After stratification by age, the AMI patients aged 50–59 years receiving PCI was shown to be cost-saving. From the perspective of Taiwan's National Health Insurance, PCI is cost-effective in AMI patients without major comorbidities. Notably, for patients aged 50–59 years, PCI is cost-saving.
The Y chromosome of autochthonous Basque populations and the Bronze Age replacement
Authors: Luis Javier Rodriguez , Palencia-Madrid Leire , Mendoza Vivian C. , Garcia-Bertrand Ralph , de Pancorbo Marian M. , Herrera Rene J.
Published: March 2021

Here we report on the Y haplogroup and Y-STR diversity of the three autochthonous Basque populations of Alava (n = 54), Guipuzcoa (n = 30) and Vizcaya (n = 61). The same samples genotyped for Y-chromosome SNPs were typed for 17 Y-STR loci (DYS19, DYS385a/b, DYS398I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, Y-GATA H4) using the AmpFlSTR Yfiler system. Six major haplogroups (R, I, E, J, G, and DE) were detected, being R-S116 (P312) haplogroup the most abundant at 75.0% in Alava, 86.7% in Guipuzcoa and 87.3% in Vizcaya. Age estimates for the R-S116 mutation in the Basque Country are 3975 ± 303, 3680 ± 345 and 4553 ± 285 years for Alava, Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya, respectively. Pairwise Rst genetic distances demonstrated close Y-chromosome affinities among the three autochthonous Basque populations and between them and the male population of Ireland and Gascony. In a MDS plot, the population of Ireland segregates within the Basque cluster and closest to the population of Guipuzcoa, which plots closer to Ireland than to any of the other Basque populations. Overall, the results support the notion that during the Bronze Age a dispersal of individuals carrying the R-S116 mutation reached the Basque Country replacing the Paleolithic/Neolithic Y chromosome of the region.
Mutation spectrum of NOD2 reveals recessive inheritance as a main driver of Early Onset Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Horowitz Julie E. , Warner Neil , Staples Jeffrey , Crowley Eileen , Gosalia Nehal , Murchie Ryan , Van Hout Cristopher , Fiedler Karoline , Welch Gabriel , King Alejandra Klauer , Reid Jeffrey G. , Overton John D. , Baras Aris , Shuldiner Alan R. , Griffiths Anne , Gottesman Omri , Muise Aleixo M. , Gonzaga-Jauregui Claudia
Published: March 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), clinically defined as Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), or IBD-unclassified, results in chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in genetically susceptible hosts. Pediatric onset IBD represents ≥ 25% of all IBD diagnoses and often presents with intestinal stricturing, perianal disease, and failed response to conventional treatments. NOD2 was the first and is the most replicated locus associated with adult IBD, to date. However, its role in pediatric onset IBD is not well understood. We performed whole-exome sequencing on a cohort of 1,183 patients with pediatric onset IBD (ages 0–18.5 years). We identified 92 probands with biallelic rare and low frequency NOD2 variants accounting for approximately 8% of our cohort, suggesting a Mendelian inheritance pattern of disease. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of recessive inheritance of NOD2 alleles in adult IBD patients from a large clinical population cohort. We found that recessive inheritance of NOD2 variants explains ~ 7% of cases in this adult IBD cohort, including ~ 10% of CD cases, confirming the observations from our pediatric IBD cohort. Exploration of EHR data showed that several of these adult IBD patients obtained their initial IBD diagnosis before 18 years of age, consistent with early onset disease. While it has been previously reported that carriers of more than one NOD2 risk alleles have increased susceptibility to Crohn’s Disease (CD), our data formally demonstrate that recessive inheritance of NOD2 alleles is a mechanistic driver of early onset IBD, specifically CD, likely due to loss of NOD2 protein function. Collectively, our findings show that recessive inheritance of rare and low frequency deleterious NOD2 variants account for 7–10% of CD cases and implicate NOD2 as a Mendelian disease gene for early onset Crohn’s Disease.
Loss of retinoid X receptor gamma subunit impairs group 1 mGluR mediated electrophysiological responses and group 1 mGluR dependent behaviors
Authors: Upreti Chirag , Woodruff Caitlin M. , Zhang Xiao-Lei , Yim Michael J. , Zhou Zhen-yu , Pagano Andrew M. , Rehanian Dina S. , Yin Deqi , Kandel Eric R. , Stanton Patric K. , Nicholls Russell E.
Published: March 2021

Retinoid X receptors are members of the nuclear receptor family that regulate gene expression in response to retinoic acid and related ligands. Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors are G-protein coupled transmembrane receptors that activate intracellular signaling cascades in response to the neurotransmitter, glutamate. These two classes of molecules have been studied independently and found to play important roles in regulating neuronal physiology with potential clinical implications for disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Here we show that mice lacking the retinoid X receptor subunit, RXRγ, exhibit impairments in group 1 mGluR-mediated electrophysiological responses at hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses, including impaired group 1 mGluR-dependent long-term synaptic depression (LTD), reduced group 1 mGluR-induced calcium release, and loss of group 1 mGluR-activated voltage-sensitive currents. These animals also exhibit impairments in a subset of group 1 mGluR-dependent behaviors, including motor performance, spatial object recognition, and prepulse inhibition. Together, these observations demonstrate convergence between the RXRγ and group 1 mGluR signaling pathways that may function to coordinate their regulation of neuronal activity. They also identify RXRγ as a potential target for the treatment of disorders in which group 1 mGluR signaling has been implicated.
Mapping of the benzoate metabolism by human gut microbiome indicates food-derived metagenome evolution
Authors: Yadav Monika , Lomash Avinash , Kapoor Seema , Pandey Rajesh , Chauhan Nar Singh
Published: March 2021

Sodium benzoate is one of the widely used food preservatives and its metabolism in the human body has been studied only with the host perspective. Despite the human gut microbiome being considered as a virtual human organ, its role in benzoate metabolism is yet to be elucidated. The current study uses a multi-omic approach to rationalize the role of human gut microbes in benzoate metabolism. Microbial diversity analysis with multiple features synchronously indicates the dominance of Bacteroidetes followed by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Metagenomic exploration highlights the presence of benzoate catabolic protein features. These features were mapped on to the aerobic and anaerobic pathways of benzoate catabolism. Benzoate catabolism assays identified statistically significant metabolites (P < 0.05) associated with the protocatechuate branch of the beta-ketoadipate pathway of the benzoate metabolism. Analysis of the 201 human gut metagenomic datasets across diverse populations indicates the omnipresence of these features. Enrichment of the benzoate catabolic protein features in human gut microbes rationalizes their role in benzoate catabolism, as well as indicates food-derived microbiome evolution.
Mutation analysis using cell-free DNA for endocrine therapy in patients with HR+ metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Sim Sung Hoon , Yang Han Na , Jeon Su Yeon , Lee Keun Seok , Park In Hae
Published: March 2021

We prospectively evaluated the utility of ESR1 and PIK3CA mutation analysis with cell-free DNA (cfDNA) using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for the efficacy of endocrine therapy (ET) in hormone receptive positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. CfDNA was analyzed just before the start of ET for MBC. E380Q, Y537N, Y537S, and D538G were assessed for ESR1 mutations and H1047R, E545K, and E542K were assessed for PIK3CA mutations. A total of 75 patients were enrolled. Of those, 31 (41.3%) received letrozole with palbociclib, and 28 (37.3%) received exemestane and everolimus (EverX). ESR1 mutations were found in 36 (48.0%) patients, of which 16 (21.3%) had more than one variant. Seventeen (23.6%) patients had one PIK3CA mutation and 8 (11.1%) had two. In the total population, time to progression of the first ET after enrollment (TTP1) decreased significantly as the number of ESR1 mutations increased (p < 0.001). PIK3CA mutations were also significantly associated with shorter TTP1 (median TTP1: 16.2 months vs. 10.9 months, p = 0.03). In contrast, PIK3CA mutations were significantly associated with longer TTP in patients receiving EverX treatment (median TTP of EverX: 15.9 months vs. 5.2 months, p = 0.01) and remained a significant factor in multivariable analysis for TTP of EverX in this subgroup (hazard ratio = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1– 0.8, p = 0.03). ESR1 and PIK3CA mutations in cfDNA were associated with clinical efficacies of ET in HR+ MBC patients.
Habenula GPR139 is associated with fear learning in the zebrafish
Authors: Roy Nisa , Ogawa Satoshi , Maniam Roshan , Parhar Ishwar
Published: March 2021

G-protein coupled receptor 139 (GPR139) is an evolutionarily conserved orphan receptor, predominantly expressing in the habenula of vertebrate species. The habenula has recently been implicated in aversive response and its associated learning. Here, we tested the hypothesis that GPR139 signalling in the habenula may play a role in fear learning in the zebrafish. We examined the effect of intraperitoneal injections of a human GPR139-selective agonist (JNJ-63533054) on alarm substance-induced fear learning using conditioned place avoidance paradigm, where an aversive stimulus is paired with one compartment, while its absence is associated with the other compartment of the apparatus. The results indicate that fish treated with 1 µg/g body weight of GPR139 agonist displayed no difference in locomotor activity and alarm substance-induced fear response. However, avoidance to fear-conditioned compartment was diminished, which suggests that the agonist blocks the consolidation of contextual fear memory. On the other hand, fish treated with 0.1 µg/g body weight of GPR139 agonist spent a significantly longer time in the unconditioned neutral compartment as compared to the conditioned (punished and unpunished) compartments. These results suggest that activation of GPR139 signalling in the habenula may be involved in fear learning and the decision-making process in the zebrafish.
Age-dependent and region-specific alteration of parvalbumin neurons, perineuronal nets and microglia in the mouse prefrontal cortex and hippocampus following obesogenic diet consumption
Authors: Reichelt Amy C. , Lemieux Claire A. , Princz-Lebel Oren , Singh Ashmita , Bussey Timothy J. , Saksida Lisa M.
Published: March 2021

Emergent evidence demonstrates that excessive consumption of high fat and high sugar (HFHS) diets has negative consequences on hippocampal and prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. Moreover, the delayed maturation of the PFC including the late development of parvalbumin-expressing (PV) interneurons and perineuronal nets (PNNs) may promote vulnerability to HFHS diet-induced nutritional stress. However, the young brain may have some resistance to diet-induced neuroinflammation. Thus, we examined the impact of a HFHS diet commencing either in adolescence or adulthood in male mice. PV interneurons, PNNs and microglia were assessed using immunohistochemistry. We observed greater numbers of PV neurons and PNNs in the hippocampus and the prelimbic and infralimbic PFC in adult mice in comparison to our younger cohort. Mice that consumed HFHS diet as adults had reduced numbers of hippocampal PV neurons and PNNs, which correlated with adiposity. However, we saw no effects of diet on PV and PNNs in the PFC. HFHS diet increased microgliosis in the adult cohort, and morphological changes to microglia were observed in the PFC and hippocampus of the adolescent cohort, with a shift to activated microglia phenotypes. Taken together, these findings demonstrate different regional and age-specific effects of obesogenic diets on PV neurons, PNNs and microglia.
Post translational modifications of milk proteins in geographically diverse goat breeds
Authors: Rout P. K. , Verma M.
Published: March 2021

Goat milk is a source of nutrition in difficult areas and has lesser allerginicity than cow milk. It is leading in the area for nutraceutical formulation and drug development using goat mammary gland as a bioreactor. Post translational modifications of a protein regulate protein function, biological activity, stabilization and interactions. The protein variants of goat milk from 10 breeds were studied for the post translational modifications by combining highly sensitive 2DE and Q-Exactive LC-MS/MS. Here we observed high levels of post translational modifications in 201 peptides of 120 goat milk proteins. The phosphosites observed for CSN2, CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN3 were 11P, 13P, 17P and 6P, respectively in 105 casein phosphopeptides. Whey proteins BLG and LALBA showed 19 and 4 phosphosites respectively. Post translational modification was observed in 45 low abundant non-casein milk proteins mainly associated with signal transduction, immune system, developmental biology and metabolism pathways. Pasp is reported for the first time in 47 sites. The rare conserved peptide sequence of (SSSEE) was observed in αS1 and αS2 casein. The functional roles of identified phosphopeptides included anti-microbial, DPP-IV inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and ACE inhibitory. This is first report from tropics, investigating post translational modifications in casein and non-casein goat milk proteins and studies their interactions.
Potential of circulating tumor DNA as a predictor of therapeutic responses to immune checkpoint blockades in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Kim Yeon Jeong , Kang Yumi , Kim Jun Seop , Sung Hyun Hwan , Jeon Hwang Gyun , Jeong Byong Chang , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Seong Soo , Lee Hyun Moo , Park Donghyun , Park Woong-Yang , Kang Minyong
Published: March 2021

We evaluated the predictive role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection by targeted deep sequencing in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with immune checkpoint blockades (ICB). To determine the feasibility of ctDNA detection in our panel encompassing 40 genes, we collected 10 ml of blood from 20 patients at the time of radical nephrectomy. We analyzed somatic mutations in primary tumors and ctDNA samples from these patients. We finally collected 10 ml of blood before and after 1 month of treatment, respectively, from four patients with mRCC who received first-line ICB treatment. Variants were detected in primary tumors of 15 patients (75%) and ctDNA was detected in the plasma of 9 patients (45%). We examined the predictive role of ctDNA in four patients who received first-line ICB therapy. In two patients showing partial response, ctDNA levels decreased after 1 month of ICB treatment. However, in one patient who showed disease progression, ctDNA levels increased after 1 month of ICB treatment. Taken together, ctDNA detection in plasma by targeted deep sequencing was feasible in patients with RCC. Moreover, the levels of ctDNA could be an early predictor of treatment response in patients with mRCC who receive ICB therapy.
Validation of perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder questionnaire for Spanish women during the postpartum period
Authors: Hernández-Martínez Antonio , Martínez-Vázquez Sergio , Rodríguez-Almagro Julian , Khan Khalid Saeed , Delgado-Rodríguez Miguel , Martínez-Galiano Juan Miguel
Published: March 2021

To determine the psychometric properties of the Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Questionnaire (PPQ) in Spanish. A cross-sectional study of 432 Spanish puerperal women was conducted, following ethical approval. The PPQ was administered online through midwives' associations across Spain. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to diagnose postnatal depression for examining criterion validity. Data were collected on sociodemographic, obstetric, and neonatal variables. An exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) was performed with convergence and criterion validation. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's α. The EFA identified three components that explained 63.3% of variance. The PPQ's convergence validation associated the risk of PTSD with variables including birth plan, type of birth, hospital length of stay, hospital readmission, admission of the newborn to care unit, skin-to-skin contact, maternal feeding at discharge, maternal perception of partner support, and respect shown by healthcare professionals during childbirth and puerperium. The area under the ROC curve for the risk of postnatal depression (criterion validity) was 0.86 (95% CI 0.82–0.91). Internal consistency with Cronbach's α value was 0.896. The PPQ used when screening for PTSD in postpartum Spanish women showed adequate psychometric properties.
Validating machine learning approaches for prediction of donor related complication in microsurgical breast reconstruction: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Myung Yujin , Jeon Sungmi , Heo Chanyeong , Kim Eun-Kyu , Kang Eunyoung , Shin Hee-Chul , Yang Eun-Joo , Jeong Jae Hoon
Published: March 2021

Autologous reconstruction using abdominal flaps remains the most popular method for breast reconstruction worldwide. We aimed to evaluate a prediction model using machine-learning methods and to determine which factors increase abdominal flap donor site complications with logistic regression. We evaluated the predictive ability of different machine learning packages, reviewing a cohort of breast reconstruction patients who underwent abdominal flaps. We analyzed 13 treatment variables for effects on the abdominal donor site complication rates. To overcome data imbalances, random over sampling example (ROSE) method was used. Data were divided into training and testing sets. Prediction accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive power (AUC) were measured by applying neuralnet, nnet, and RSNNS machine learning packages. A total of 568 patients were analyzed. The supervised learning package that performed the most effective prediction was neuralnet. Factors that significantly affected donor-related complication was size of the fascial defect, history of diabetes, muscle sparing type, and presence or absence of adjuvant chemotherapy. The risk cutoff value for fascial defect was 37.5 cm2. High-risk group complication rates analyzed by statistical method were significant compared to the low-risk group (26% vs 1.7%). These results may help surgeons to achieve better surgical outcomes and reduce postoperative burden.
The reasons for ceramic-on-ceramic revisions between the third- and fourth-generation bearings in total hip arthroplasty from multicentric registry data
Authors: Kim Sang-Min , Rhyu Kee Hyung , Yoo Jeong Joon , Lim Seung-Jae , Yoo Je Hyun , Kweon Suc Hyun , Lee Kyung-Jae , Han Seung-Beom
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to evaluate (1) the overall reasons for first revision in CoC THAs; (2) whether the reasons for revision differ between third-generation and fourth-generation CoC THAs; and (3) the specific factors associated with bearing-related problems as the reason for revision. We retrospectively reviewed 2045 patients (2194 hips) who underwent first revision THA between 2004 and 2013, among which 146 hips with CoC bearings underwent revision. There were 92 hips with third-generation ceramic bearings and 54 hips with fourth-generation ceramic bearings. The major reasons for CoC THA revisions were ceramic fracture and loosening of the cup or stem. When ceramic fracture, squeaking, incorrect ceramic insertion, and unexplained pain were defined as directly related or potentially related to ceramic use, 28.8% (42/146) of CoC revisions were associated with bearing-related problems. Among the third-generation ceramic bearings, revision was performed in 41.3% (38/92) of cases owing to bearing-related problems whereas revisions were performed for only 7.4% (4/54) of cases with fourth-generation ceramic bearings owing to bearing-related problems (p < 0.001). Younger age, lower American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, and preoperative diagnosis of osteonecrosis were factors related to CoC THA revisions due to bearing-related problems.
Author Correction: The driving mechanisms of the carbon cycle perturbations in the late Pliensbachian (Early Jurassic)
Authors: De Lena Luis F. , Taylor David , Guex Jean , Bartolini Annachiara , Adatte Thierry , van Acken David , Spangenberg Jorge E. , Samankassou Elias , Vennemann Torsten , Schaltegger Urs
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Low serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone in Albanian female patients with allergic disease
Authors: Lokaj-Berisha Violeta , Gacaferri Lumezi Besa , Berisha Naser
Published: March 2021

Evidence from several unrelated animal models and some studies conducted in humans, points to the immunomodulatory effects of androgens on various components of the immune system, especially on allergic disorders. This study evaluated the serum concentrations of sex hormones in women with allergy. For this purpose, blood samples were obtained from 78 participants in order to detect serum IgE concentrations, total testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA-S. The majority of the subjects (54) in the study were consecutive patients with doctor-diagnosed allergic pathologies: 32 with allergic rhinitis, 10 with asthma and rhinitis, and 12 with skin allergies. In addition, 24 healthy volunteers were included in the research as the control group. The average age of the subjects was 32.54 years (SD ± 11.08 years, range between 4–59 years). All participants stated that they had not used any medical treatment to alleviate any of their symptoms prior to taking part in the research. They all underwent skin-prick tests for common aero-allergens, which was used as criterion for subject selection. Hence, the subjects were selected if they reacted positively to at least one aero-allergen. Their height and weight were measured in order to calculate the BMI. As a result, statistically significant differences between controls and allergic women in serum concentrations of androgens (testosterone, p = 0.0017; DHEA-S, p = 0.04) were found, which lead to the conclusion that the concentration of total serum testosterone and DHEA-S was lower in female patients with allergic diseases compared to controls.
Predictive model for the 5-year survival status of osteosarcoma patients based on the SEER database and XGBoost algorithm
Authors: Jiang Jiuzhou , Pan Hao , Li Mobai , Qian Bao , Lin Xianfeng , Fan Shunwu
Published: March 2021

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone malignancy, with the highest incidence in children and adolescents. Survival rate prediction is important for improving prognosis and planning therapy. However, there is still no prediction model with a high accuracy rate for osteosarcoma. Therefore, we aimed to construct an artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting the 5-year survival of osteosarcoma patients by using extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), a large-scale machine-learning algorithm. We identified cases of osteosarcoma in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Research Database and excluded substandard samples. The study population was 835 and was divided into the training set (n = 668) and validation set (n = 167). Characteristics selected via survival analyses were used to construct the model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analyses were performed to evaluate the prediction. The accuracy of the prediction model was excellent both in the training set (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.977) and the validation set (AUC = 0.911). Decision curve analyses proved the model could be used to support clinical decisions. XGBoost is an effective algorithm for predicting 5-year survival of osteosarcoma patients. Our prediction model had excellent accuracy and is therefore useful in clinical settings.
Pyrazinacenes exhibit on-surface oxidation-state-dependent conformational and self-assembly behaviours
Authors: Miklík David , Fatemeh Mousavi S. , Burešová Zuzana , Middleton Anna , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Labuta Jan , Ahsan Aisha , Buimaga-Iarinca Luiza , Karr Paul A. , Bureš Filip , Richards Gary J. , Švec Pavel , Mori Toshiyuki , Ariga Katsuhiko , Wakayama Yutaka , Morari Cristian , D’Souza Francis , Jung Thomas A. , Hill Jonathan P.
Published: March 2021

Acenes and azaacenes lie at the core of molecular materials’ applications due to their important optical and electronic features. A critical aspect is provided by their heteroatom multiplicity, which can strongly affect their properties. Here we report pyrazinacenes containing the dihydro-decaazapentacene and dihydro-octaazatetracene chromophores and compare their properties/functions as a model case at an oxidizing metal substrate. We find a distinguished, oxidation-state-dependent conformational adaptation and self-assembly behaviour and discuss the analogies and differences of planar benzo-substituted decaazapentacene and octaazatetracene forms. Our broad experimental and theoretical study reveals that decaazapentacene is stable against oxidation but unstable against reduction, which is in contrast to pentacene, its C–H only analogue. Decaazapentacenes studied here combine a planar molecular backbone with conformationally flexible substituents. They provide a rich model case to understand the properties of a redox-switchable π-electronic system in solution and at interfaces. Pyrazinacenes represent an unusual class of redox-active chromophores.
Rapid and low-cost amplicon visualization for nucleic acid amplification tests using magnetic microbeads
Authors: Nakano Michihiko , Inaba Masafumi , Suehiro Junya
Published: March 2021

A rapid and low-cost visible amplicon detection method has been proposed. The amplicons are attached to magnetic microbeads, suspended in deionized water, and subjected to a magnetic field on a hydrophilic surface resulting in visible agglomeration.
Rhodaelectro-catalyzed chemo-divergent C–H activations with alkylidenecyclopropanes for selective cyclopropylations
Authors: Shen Zhigao , Maksso Isaac , Kuniyil Rositha , Rogge Torben , Ackermann Lutz
Published: March 2021

Herein, we report on selectivity control in C–H activations with alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) for the chemo-selective assembly of cyclopropanes or dienes.
Clues from cocrystals: a ternary solid, polymorphism, and rare supramolecular isomerism involving resveratrol and 5-fluorouracil
Authors: Ortiz-de León Celymar , MacGillivray Leonard R.
Published: March 2021

A ternary cocrystal that arises from structural information of a binary phase, and a polymorph of a binary cocrystal based on supramolecular isomerism is reported.
Structural, magnetic and Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of the [Fe(3-bpp)2](CF3COO)2 complex: role of crystal packing leading to an incomplete Fe(ii) high spin ⇋ low spin transition
Authors: Sugiyarto Kristian Handoyo , Onggo Djulia , Akutsu Hiroki , Reddy Varimalla Raghavendra , Sutrisno Hari , Nakazawa Yasuhiro , Bhattacharjee Ashis
Published: March 2021

Mononuclear complex [Fe(3-bpp)2](CF3COO)2 exhibits a thermal (HS + HS) ⇋ (HS + LS) transition at ∼226 K which is not associated with any crystallographic transition.
Installing the “magic methyl” – C–H methylation in synthesis
Authors: Aynetdinova Daniya , Callens Mia C. , Hicks Harry B. , Poh Charmaine Y. X. , Shennan Benjamin D. A. , Boyd Alistair M. , Lim Zhong Hui , Leitch Jamie A. , Dixon Darren J.
Published: March 2021

Following notable cases of remarkable potency increases in methylated analogues of lead compounds, this review documents the state-of-the-art in C–H methylation technology.
Recent progress in heterogeneous metal and metal oxide catalysts for direct dehydrogenation of ethane and propane
Authors: Dai Yihu , Gao Xing , Wang Qiaojuan , Wan Xiaoyue , Zhou Chunmei , Yang Yanhui
Published: March 2021

Metal and metal oxide catalysts for non-oxidative ethane/propane dehydrogenation are outlined with respect to catalyst synthesis, structure–property relationship and catalytic mechanism.
Recent advances in persistent luminescence based on molecular hybrid materials
Authors: Gao Rui , Kodaimati Mohamad S. , Yan Dongpeng
Published: March 2021

In this review, we summarize recent advances in establishing persistently luminescent materials from the view of examining experimental and theoretical approaches to room-temperature phosphorescence and thermally-activated delayed fluorescence.
Stoner enhancement from interstitial electrons in Y2C toward a spontaneous ferromagnetic electride
Authors: Nandadasa Chandani N. , Lee Kimoon , Bang Joonho , Park Jongho , Kim Sung Wng , Kim Seong-Gon
Published: March 2021

We reveal that the origin of the magnetism in Y2C electrides is attributed to the Stoner instability of interstitial electrons.
A thermoelectrically stabilized aluminium acoustic trap combined with attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy for detection of Escherichia coli in water
Authors: Freitag Stephan , Baumgartner Bettina , Radel Stefan , Schwaighofer Andreas , Varriale Antonio , Pennacchio Angela , D'Auria Sabato , Lendl Bernhard
Published: March 2021

A thermostabilized aluminium acoustic trap combined with attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy used to perform ultrasound-assisted E. coli detection.
Synthesis and characterization of cellulose derivative-based hybrid beads as chiral stationary phases for efficient chromatographic enantioseparation
Authors: Li Geng , Dai Xiao , Min Yixuan , Zhang Lili , Shen Jun , Okamoto Yoshio
Published: March 2021

Polysaccharide derivatives have become the most attractive polymer candidates for the preparation of chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for efficient chromatographic enantioseparation due to their regular structure and high chiral recognition ability.
A novel hydrophilic fluorescent probe for Cu2+ detection and imaging in HeLa cells
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Li Zhuo , Nie Jiaojiao , Wu Liangqiang , Chen Weihong , Qi Shaolong , Xu Hai , Du Jianshi , Shan Yaming , Yang Qingbiao
Published: March 2021

Probe BNQ was successfully used for detection of exogenous Cu2+ in cells using a rare ESDPT sensing mechanism.
Ru-containing magnetic yolk–shell structured nanocomposite: a powerful, recoverable and highly durable nanocatalyst
Authors: Mirbagheri Reza , Elhamifar Dawood , Hajati Shaaker
Published: March 2021

Preparation, characterization and catalytic application of a novel yolk–shell structured magnetic mesoporous organosilica nanocomposite are presented.
Synthesis of Gd/N co-doped ZnO for enhanced UV-vis and direct solar-light-driven photocatalytic degradation
Authors: Alanazi Hamdah S. , Ahmad Naushad , Alharthi Fahad A.
Published: March 2021

The construction of a UV-Vis and direct sunlight functioning photocatalyst is a puzzling task for organic pollutant removal.
Particle sizing for flowing colloidal suspensions using flow-differential dynamic microscopy
Authors: Richards James A. , Martinez Vincent A. , Arlt Jochen
Published: March 2021

A tracking-free technique to measure particle dynamics in flowing complex fluids using video microscopy is shown and then demonstrated for two model systems and flow geometries.
Impact of substrate elasticity on contact angle saturation in electrowetting
Authors: Markodimitrakis Ioannis E. , Sema Dionysios G. , Chamakos Nikolaos T. , Papadopoulos Periklis , Papathanasiou Athanasios G.
Published: March 2021

Soft and thin dielectrics favor contact angle saturation in electrowetting. Experiments are supported by detailed numerical computations of the electric field and stress distribution.
Biomolecular modifications during keratinocyte differentiation: Raman spectroscopy and chromatographic techniques
Authors: Bakar Joudi , Michael-Jubeli Rime , Tfaili Sana , Assi Ali , Baillet-Guffroy Arlette , Tfayli Ali
Published: March 2021

From the basal layer until the stratum corneum, lipid and protein biomarkers associated with morphological changes denote keratinocyte differentiation and characterize each epidermis layer.
A flexible microporous framework with temperature-dependent gate-opening behaviours for C2 gases
Authors: Ji Zhenyu , Fan Yerong , Wu Mingyan , Hong Maochun
Published: March 2021

A flexible framework has uncommon temperature-dependent gate-opening behaviors for C2 gases around room temperature.
Programming DNA cascade circuits on live cell membranes for accurate cancer cell recognition and gene silencing
Authors: Wang Xiangnan , Liu Lan , Wu Han , Wu Zhenkun , Tang Li-Juan , Jiang Jian-Hui
Published: March 2021

A programmable and activatable DNA cascade circuit has been developed on live cell membranes for accurate cancer cell identification and precise gene silencing via dual-aptamer based AND logic operations.
Narrow-band red emitting oxonitridosilicate phosphor La4−xSr2+xSi5N12−xOx:Pr3+ (x ≈ 1.69)
Authors: Zheng Hong-Wei , Wang Xiao-Ming , Wei Heng-Wei , Zheng Yu , Yin Cong-Ling , Yang Zu-Pei , Jiao Huan
Published: March 2021

The new oxonitridosilicate phosphor La2.31Sr3.69Si5N10.31O1.69:Pr3+could be excited with near-UV and blue light, and shows a narrow-band red emission peaking at 625 nm with a full width at half-maximum of 40 nm.
Photo-responsive Schottky diode behavior of a donor–acceptor co-crystal with violet blue light emission
Authors: Singha Soumen , Jana Rajkumar , Mondal Rituparna , Ray Partha Pratim , Bag Partha Pratim , Gupta Kajal , Pakhira Nandan , Rizzoli Corrado , Mallick Arabinda , Kumar Sanjay , Saha Rajat
Published: March 2021

A blue light emitting semiconducting p-type tetrabromoterephthalic acid (donor)–quinoxaline (acceptor) based co-crystal made a Schottky barrier diode exhibiting photo responsive behaviour.
Molecular motion of halogenated ethylammonium/[18]crown-6 supramolecular ions in nickel dithiolate magnetic crystals
Authors: Hasuo Naohiro , Takahashi Kiyonori , Hisaki Ichiro , Kokado Kenta , Nakamura Takayoshi
Published: March 2021

Supramolecular cations, consisting of ethylammonium derivatives (X–CH2CH2–NH3+) complexed with [18]crown-6, were incorporated into [Ni(dmit)2]− crystals in order to promote molecular motion.
Effect of linker functionalisation on the catalytic properties of Cu nanoclusters embedded in MOFs in direct CO and CO2 reduction by H2
Authors: Pompe Cornelia Elizabeth (Lisette) , Szilágyi Petra Ágota
Published: March 2021

We investigated the performance of Cu nanoclusters in Zr-MOF pores towards direct CO2 reduction as a function of linker. We found no evidence of electronic promotion but we showed that higher inorganic node acidity favours longer-chain products.
Benzobisthiadiazole-based high-spin donor–acceptor conjugated polymers with localized spin distribution
Authors: Sabuj Md Abdus , Huda Md Masrul , Sarap Chandra Shekar , Rai Neeraj
Published: March 2021

This work indicates that carefully selected acceptor units can lead to a localized spin topology and a high-spin (S= 1) ground-state with a pure diradical (y0= 1) character suitable for organic magnetic materials.
Probing the coupling between the components in a graphene–mesoporous germanium nanocomposite using high-pressure Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Machon Denis , Sauze Stéphanie , Arès Richard , Boucherif Abderraouf
Published: March 2021

Probing the coupling between the components of a nanocomposite through pressure-induced Raman shifts.
Design and synthesis of a 3D flexible film electrode based on a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose–polypyrrole@reduced graphene oxide composite for supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Hanping , Li Yue , Jia Mengying , Cui Linlin , Chen Cheng , Yang Yupeng , Jin Xiaojuan
Published: March 2021

A novel, environmentally friendly and freestanding 3D flexible film electrode (CMC–PPy@RGO) was prepared by a simple vacuum filtration method.
A van der Waals heterostructure of MoS2/MoSi2N4: a first-principles study
Authors: Bafekry A. , Faraji M. , Abdollahzadeh Ziabari A. , Fadlallah M. M. , Nguyen Chuong V. , Ghergherehchi M. , Feghhi S. A. H.
Published: March 2021

Motivated by the successful preparation of MoSi2N4 monolayers in the last year [Y.-L. Hong et al., Science, 2020, 369, 670–674], the structural, electronic and optical properties of MoS2/MoSi2N4 heterostructure are investigated.
Photocyclization of coumarinoyl enamides revisited: [2+2+2] cycloreversion/cycloaddition mechanism
Authors: Chithanna Sivanna , Yang Ding-Yah
Published: March 2021

The major and minor products for the photocyclization of coumarinoyl enamides were identified.
Aliphatic amine mediated assembly of [M6(mna)6] (M = Cu/Ag) into extended two-dimensional structures: synthesis, structure and Lewis acid catalytic studies
Authors: Sarkar Anupam , Jana Ajay Kumar , Natarajan Srinivasan
Published: March 2021

New aliphatic amine directed two-dimensional cadmium coordination polymers were shown to exhibit Lewis-acid catalytic activity for the cyanation of imines.
Heterometallic coordination polymers as heterogeneous electrocatalysts
Authors: Kuwamura Naoto , Konno Takumi
Published: March 2021

Heterometallic coordination polymers have been rapidly developed as heterogeneous electrocatalysts. This review highlights the synthesis strategies of these polymers and the relationships between structures and electrocatalytic performances.
Protein tyrosine phosphatases in cell adhesion
Authors: Young Katherine A. , Biggins Laura , Sharpe Hayley J.
Published: March 2021

Adhesive structures between cells and with the surrounding matrix are essential for the development of multicellular organisms. In addition to providing mechanical integrity, they are key signalling centres providing feedback on the extracellular environment to the cell interior, and vice versa. During development, mitosis and repair, cell adhesions must undergo extensive remodelling. Post-translational modifications of proteins within these complexes serve as switches for activity. Tyrosine phosphorylation is an important modification in cell adhesion that is dynamically regulated by the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and protein tyrosine kinases. Several PTPs are implicated in the assembly and maintenance of cell adhesions, however, their signalling functions remain poorly defined. The PTPs can act by directly dephosphorylating adhesive complex components or function as scaffolds. In this review, we will focus on human PTPs and discuss their individual roles in major adhesion complexes, as well as Hippo signalling. We have collated PTP interactome and cell adhesome datasets, which reveal extensive connections between PTPs and cell adhesions that are relatively unexplored. Finally, we reflect on the dysregulation of PTPs and cell adhesions in disease.
Motor Speech Disorders and Communication Limitations in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Clark Heather M. , Utianski Rene L. , Ali Farwa , Botha Hugo , Whitwell Jennifer L. , Josephs Keith A.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study describes motor speech disorders and associated communication limitations in six variants of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Method

The presence, nature, and severity of dysarthria and apraxia of speech (AOS) were documented, along with scores on the Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale–Version 3 (ASRS-3) for 77 (40 male and 37 female) patients with PSP. Clinician-estimated and patient-estimated communication limitations were rated using the Motor Speech Disorders Severity Rating (MSDSR) Scale and the Communicative Effectiveness Survey (CES), respectively. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each of these dependent variables. One-tailed
t
tests were conducted to test mean differences in ASRS-3 and CES between participants with and without AOS and between participants with and without dysarthria. Spearman rank correlations were calculated between ASRS-3 scores and clinical judgments of AOS and dysarthria severity and between MSDSR and CES ratings.

Results

Nine participants (12%) had normal speech. Eighty-seven percent exhibited dysarthria; hypokinetic and mixed hypokinetic–spastic dysarthria were observed most frequently. AOS was observed in 19.5% of participants across all variants, but in only 10% exclusive of the PSP speech and language variant. Nearly half presented with AOS in which neither phonetic nor prosodic features clearly predominated. The mean ASRS-3 score for participants with AOS was significantly higher than for those without and correlated strongly with clinician judgment of AOS severity. Mean ASRS-3 was higher for participants with dysarthria than for those without but correlated weakly with dysarthria severity. Mean MSDSR and CES ratings were lower in participants with AOS compared to those without and moderately correlated with each other.

Conclusions

Motor speech disorders that negatively impact communicative effectiveness are common in PSP and occur in many variants. This is the first description of motor speech disorders across PSP variants, setting the stage for future research characterizing neuroanatomical correlates, progression of motor speech disorders, and benefits of targeted interventions.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14111837