bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma growth differentiation factor 15: a novel tool to detect early changes of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis
Authors: Okada Masamitsu , Misumi Yohei , Masuda Teruaki , Takashio Seiji , Tasaki Masayoshi , Matsushita Hiroaki , Ueda Akihiko , Inoue Yasuteru , Nomura Toshiya , Nakajima Makoto , Yamashita Taro , Shinriki Satoru , Matsui Hirotaka , Tsujita Kenichi , Ando Yukio , Ueda Mitsuharu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimsHereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is the most frequent and representative form of autosomal dominant hereditary systemic amyloidosis. Disease‐modifying treatments of the disease are more effective during the early stages, and we require biomarkers to detect early pathological changes for prompt diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate whether plasma growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15) levels could aid detection of early pathological changes in ATTRv amyloidosis.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively studied 32 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis, eight asymptomatic TTR mutation carriers, and eight healthy volunteers. We evaluated plasma GDF‐15 levels in these subjects as related to levels of brain natriuretic peptide and high‐sensitivity troponin T, echocardiographic features, 99mTc‐pyrophosphate (PYP) scans, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings. Plasma GDF‐15 levels significantly increased even in asymptomatic TTR mutation carriers compared with healthy volunteers (P < 0.01). Plasma GDF‐15 levels were significantly correlated with plasma brain natriuretic peptide values (P < 0.01), serum high‐sensitivity troponin T values (P < 0.05), and interventricular septal thickness at end‐diastole (P < 0.01) in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis. Plasma GDF‐15 levels in patients with PYP‐positive ATTRv amyloidosis were significantly higher than those in patients with PYP‐negative ATTRv amyloidosis (P < 0.01). Plasma GDF‐15 levels in patients with late gadolinium enhancement‐positive ATTRv amyloidosis were significantly higher than those in patients with late gadolinium enhancement‐negative ATTRv amyloidosis (P < 0.01). Groups of patients with different TTR genotypes manifested different plasma GDF‐15 levels.ConclusionsGrowth differentiation factor 15 may reflect early pathological changes of ATTRv amyloidosis.
Gadolinium‐Triradical Complex with Ground S = 10 State: Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Magnetic Studies
Authors: Kanetomo Takuya , Naoi Yuya , Enomoto Masaya 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTwo novel dinuclear lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared with a triradical 2,4,6‐tris{p‐(N‐oxy‐N‐t‐butylamino)phenyl}‐1,3,5‐triazine (L), yielding [{LnIII(hfac)3(ethanol)(L)}2] (Ln2L2, Ln = Gd and La; hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoropentane‐2,4‐dionate). Compound Ln2L2 has a cyclic structure in which two Ln ions are bridged by two triradical ligands. The cyclic dimers form quasi‐two‐dimensional (2D) structures via intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π‐π interactions. The La derivative, in which only L shows magnetic behavior, exhibits intraligand ferromagnetic and interligand antiferromagnetic 2 p–2 p couplings. Compound Gd2L2 shows ferromagnetic 4 f–2 p and intraligand 2 p–2 p couplings with a high‐spin state of S = 10.
An 18 Multi‐InDels panel for analysis of highly degraded forensic biological samples
Authors: Li Jienan , Lin Lin , Jiang Bowei , Wang Chudong , Zeye Moutanou Modeste Judes , Wen Dan , He Wei , Qu Weifeng , Liu Ying , Zha Lagabaiyila 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDNA genotyping from trace and highly degraded biological samples is one of the most significant challenges of forensic DNA identification. There is a lack of simple and effective methods for genotyping highly degraded samples. In this study, a multiple loci insertion/deletion polymorphisms (Multi‐InDels) panel was designed for detecting 18 autosomal Multi‐InDels through capillary electrophoresis (CE) with amplicon sizes no longer than 125 bp. Studies of sensitivity, degradation, and species specificity were performed and a population study was carried out using 192 samples from Han populations in Hunan province in the south of China. The combined random match probability (CMP) of these 18 Multi‐InDels was 3.23 × 10–12 and the cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) was 0.9989, suggesting this panel could be used independently for human identification and could provide efficient supporting information for parentage testing. Complete profiles were obtained from as low as 62.5 pg of total input DNA after increasing the number of PCR cycles. Moreover, all alleles were detected from artificially highly degraded DNA after 80 min of boiling water bath treatment. This 18 Multi‐InDels panel is simple, fast, and effective for the forensic analysis of highly degraded DNA.
Electroosmotic flow: From microfluidics to nanofluidics
Authors: Alizadeh Amer , Hsu Wei‐Lun , Wang Moran , Daiguji Hirofumi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractElectroosmotic flow (EOF), a consequence of an imposed electric field onto an electrolyte solution in the tangential direction of a charged surface, has emerged as an important phenomenon in electrokinetic transport at the micro/nanoscale. Because of their ability to efficiently pump liquids in miniaturized systems without incorporating any mechanical parts, electroosmotic methods for fluid pumping have been adopted in versatile applications—from biotechnology to environmental science. To understand the electrokinetic pumping mechanism, it is crucial to identify the role of an ionically polarized layer, the so‐called electrical double layer (EDL), which forms in the vicinity of a charged solid–liquid interface, as well as the characteristic length scale of the conducting media. Therefore, in this tutorial review, we summarize the development of electrical double layer models from a historical point of view to elucidate the interplay and configuration of water molecules and ions in the vicinity of a solid–liquid interface. Moreover, we discuss the physicochemical phenomena owing to the interaction of electrical double layer when the characteristic length of the conducting media is decreased from the microscale to the nanoscale. Finally, we highlight the pioneering studies and the most recent works on electro osmotic flow devoted to both theoretical and experimental aspects.
Small Steatotic HCC: A Radiological Variant Associated With Improved Outcome After Ablation
Authors: Hermida Margaux , Preel Ancelin , Assenat Eric , Piron Lauranne , Cassinotto Christophe , Ursic‐Bedoya José , Guillot Chloé , Herrero Astrid , Panaro Fabrizio , Pageaux Georges‐Philippe , Guiu Boris 
Published: December 2020

Percutaneous thermal ablation is a validated treatment option for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Steatotic HCC can be reliably detected by magnetic resonance imaging. To determine the clinical relevance of this radiological variant, we included 235 patients (cirrhosis in 92.3%, classified Child‐Pugh A in 97%) from a prospective database on percutaneous thermal ablation for <3 cm HCC. Among these patients, 52 (22.1%) had at least one steatotic HCC nodule. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was more frequent in patients with than without steatotic HCC (P = 0.057), whereas body mass index, diabetes mellitus, liver steatosis, and liver fat content did not differ between groups. Liver disease was less advanced in patients with than without steatotic HCC: lower total bilirubin (

2.1 µmol/L; P = 0.035), higher albumin (+0.8 g/L; P = 0.035), and lower Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score (‐0.8; P = 0.014). Tumor phenotype was less aggressive in patients with steatotic HCC: lower alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) concentration (P = 0.019), less frequent AFP > 100 ng/mL (P = 0.045), and multifocality (P = 0.015). During the follow‐up (median: 28.3 months), overall mortality (3.8% vs. 23.5%; P = 0.001) and HCC‐specific mortality (0.0% vs. 14.2%; P = 0.002) rates were lower in patients with steatotic HCC. Early (<2 years) recurrence was also less frequent (32.7% vs. 49.2%; P = 0.041). The mean time to intrahepatic distant recurrence (16.4 vs. 9 months, P = 0.006) and the median time to recurrence and recurrence‐free survival (32.4 vs. 18.6 months, P = 0.024 and 30.4 vs. 16.4 months, P = 0.018) were longer in patients with steatotic versus nonsteatotic HCC. The 3‐year overall survival was 94.4% and 70.9% in steatotic and nonsteatotic HCC (P = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, steatotic HCC (hazard ratio = 0.12; P = 0.039) and AFP (HR=1.002; P < 0.001) independently predicted overall survival. Conclusion: Small steatotic HCC detected by magnetic resonance imaging is associated with a less aggressive tumor phenotype. In patients with such radiological variant, percutaneous thermal ablation results in improved outcome.
Systemic immune responses in patients with early localized or early disseminated Borrelia afzelii lyme borreliosis
Authors: Cerar Kišek Tjaša , Blagus Rok , Ružić‐Sabljić Eva , Collinet‐Adler Stefan , Bajrović Fajko F. , Stupica Daša 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe role of host immune responses in the pathogenesis of borrelial dissemination in early Lyme borreliosis (LB) in the form of multiple erythema migrans (MEM) or LB‐associated symptoms is incompletely understood.MethodsIn this study, fifteen cytokine or chemokine levels, representative of innate, Th1, and Th17 immune responses, were assessed using a bead‐based Luminex multiplex assay in acute sera from 76 adult patients with skin culture‐positive Borrelia afzelii solitary erythema migrans (SEM) and 58 patients with MEM at a single‐center university hospital. Differences between the groups were tested by modeling each cytokine or chemokine concentration by means of left‐censored regression using the classic Tobit model.ResultsMean serum cytokine or chemokine levels were low. When taking into account the proportion of patients with cytokine or chemokine concentrations below the lowest detectable limit, only levels of CXCL10 (p = .03) and CCL19 (p = .02), representatives of the Th1 immune response, differed between patients with SEM and those with MEM; however, the differences did not reach statistical significance when adjusted for multiple comparisons. In addition, we did not find differences in systemic inflammatory responses when comparing patients with and those without LB‐associated constitutional symptoms.ConclusionNo significant differences in systemic immune responses represented by selected cytokines or chemokines in serum samples of patients with EM infected with B. afzelii suggest that systemic mediators are not pivotal in the pathogenesis of dissemination of early infection in the form of MEM or LB‐associated symptoms. Localized immune responses in the skin or other pathogenetic mechanisms may be more important in this regard.
Development of fibronectin‐loaded nanofiber scaffolds for guided pulp tissue regeneration
Authors: Leite Maria Luísa , Soares Diana Gabriela , Anovazzi Giovana , Mendes Soares Igor Paulino , Hebling Josimeri , de Souza Costa Carlos Alberto 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFibronectin (FN)‐loaded nanofiber scaffolds were developed and assessed concerning their bioactive potential on human apical papilla cells (hAPCs). First, random (NR) and aligned (NA) nanofiber scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) were obtained by electrospinning technique and their biological properties were evaluated. The best formulations of NR and NA were loaded with 0, 5, or 10 μg/ml of FN and their bioactivity was assessed. Finally, FN‐loaded NR and NA tubular scaffolds were prepared and their chemotactic potential was analyzed using an in vitro model to mimic the pulp regeneration of teeth with incomplete root formation. All scaffolds tested were cytocompatible. However, NR and NA based on 10% PCL promoted the highest hAPCs proliferation, adhesion and spreading. Polygonal and elongated cells were observed on NR and NA, respectively. The higher the concentration of FN added to the scaffolds, greater cell migration, viability, proliferation, adhesion and spreading, as well as collagen synthesis and gene expression (ITGA5, ITGAV, COL1A1, COL3A1). In addition, tubular scaffolds with NA loaded with FN (10 μg/ml) showed the highest chemotactic potential on hAPCs. It was concluded that FN‐loaded NA scaffolds may be an interesting biomaterial to promote hAPCs‐mediated pulp regeneration of endodontically compromised teeth with incomplete root formation.
Weight loss, malnutrition, and cachexia in COVID‐19: facts and numbers
Authors: Anker Markus S. , Landmesser Ulf , von Haehling Stephan , Butler Javed , Coats Andrew J.S. , Anker Stefan D. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPatients with COVID‐19 disease are prone to develop significant weight loss and clinical cachexia. Three reports with altogether 589 patients that reported on weight loss and cachexia in COVID‐19 were identified. Disease severity of patients and the timing of the assessment during the disease course in these patients were variable—65 patients (11%) were intensive care treated at the time of assessment, and 183 (31%) were cared for in sub‐intensive or intermediate care structures. The frequency of weight loss ≥5% (that defines cachexia) was 37% (range 29–52%). Correlates of weight loss occurrence were reported to be raised C‐reactive protein levels, impaired renal function status, and longer duration of COVID‐19 disease. Underweight status by WHO criteria (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) was only observed in 4% of patients analysing data from seven studies with 6661 patients. Cachexia assessment in COVID‐19 needs assessment of weight loss. COVID‐19 associated cachexia is understood to affect muscle and fat tissue as is also seen in many other chronic illness‐associated forms of cachexia. There are many factors that can contribute to body wasting in COVID‐19, and they include loss of appetite and taste, fever and inflammation, immobilization, as well as general malnutrition, catabolic–anabolic imbalance, endocrine dysfunction, and organ‐specific complications of COVID‐19 disease such as cardiac and renal dysfunction. Treatment of COVID‐19 patients should include a focus on nutritional support and rehabilitative exercise whenever possible. Specific anti‐cachectic therapies for COVID‐19 do not exist, but constitute a high medical need to prevent long‐term disability due to acute COVID‐19 disease.
Progressive loss of implant fixation in a preclinical rat model of cemented knee arthroplasty
Authors: Mann Kenneth A. , Miller Mark A. , Rossow Jeffrey K. , Tatusko Megan E. , Horton Jason A. , Damron Timothy A. , Oest Megan E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAseptic loosening of total knee arthroplasty continues to be a challenging clinical problem. The progression of the loosening process, from the initial well‐fixed component, is not fully understood. In this study, loss of fixation of cemented hemiarthroplasty was explored using 9‐month‐old Sprague–Dawley rats with 0, 2, 6, 12, 26 week end points. Morphological and cellular changes of cement–bone fixation were determined for regions directly below the tibial tray (epiphysis) and distal to the tray (metaphysis). Loss of fixation, with a progressive increase in cement–bone gap volume was found in the epiphysis (0.162  mm3/week), but did not progress appreciably in the metaphysis (0.007 mm3/week). In the epiphysis, there was an early and sustained elevation of osteoclasts adjacent to the cement border and development of a fibrous tissue layer between the cement and bone. There was early formation of bone around the cement in the metaphysis, resulting in a condensed bone layer without osteoclastic bone resorption or development of a fibrous tissue layer. Implant positioning was also an important factor in the cement–bone gap formation, with greater gap formation for implants that were placed medially on the tibial articular surface. Loss of fixation in the rat model mimicked patterns found in human arthroplasty where cement–bone gaps initiate under the tibial tray, at the periphery of the implant. This preclinical model could be used to study early biological response to cemented fixation and associated contributions of mechanical instability, component alignment, and periprosthetic inflammation.
Masquelet's induced membrane technique: Review of current concepts and future directions
Authors: Alford Andrea I. , Nicolaou Daemeon , Hake Mark , McBride‐Gagyi Sarah 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMasquelet's induced membrane technique (MIMT) is a relatively new, two‐stage surgical procedure to reconstruct segmental bone defects. First performed by Dr. Masquelet in the mid‐1980s, MIMT has shown great promise to revolutionize critical‐sized bone defect repair and has several advantages over its alternative, distraction osteogenesis (DO). Also, its success in extremely challenging cases (defects > 15 cm) suggests that its study could lead to discovery of novel biological mechanisms that might be at play during segmental defect healing and fracture non‐union. MIMT's advantages over DO have led to a world‐wide increase in MIMT procedures over the past decades. However, MIMT often needs to be repeated and so the average initial success rate in adults lags significantly behind that of DO (86% vs 95%, respectively). The autologous foreign‐body membrane created during the first stage by the immune system's response to a polymethyl methacrylate bone cement spacer is critical to supporting the morselized bone graft implanted in the second stage. However, the biological and/or physical mechanisms by which the membrane supports graft to bone union are unclear. This lack of knowledge makes refining MIMT and improving the success rates through technique improvements and patient selection a significant challenge and hinders wider adoption. In this review, current knowledge from basic, translational, and clinical studies is summarized. The dynamics of both stages under normal conditions as well as with drug or material perturbations is discussed along with perspectives on high‐priority future research directions.
Vaccine of RANKL mutant conjugated with KLH effectively stabilizing bone metabolism and preventing trabecular microstructural degeneration in osteoporotic rats
Authors: Zhang Shudong , Wang Menglin , Li Jiantao , Li Yiyin , Zhou Jian , Tian Zhuang , Liu Changzhen , Yao Qi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractReceptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL) is one of the key factors regulating the maturation of osteoclasts and an important target for osteoporosis treatment. A monoclonal antibody against RANKL showed effective therapeutic activity against osteoporosis by inhibiting bone resorption by osteoclasts. However, being an exogenous protein, its efficacy decreases after long‐term use, and its discontinuation increases the risk of vertebral fractures. Here, we aimed to design an active immunotherapeutic agent to induce a T‐cell dependent primary response. The agent, a mutant RANKL vaccine (mRv), was produced by cross‐linking mutant RANKL, lacking the ability to stimulate osteoclast maturation, with the carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a neo‐antigen with a large molecular mass. Subcutaneous injection of mRv stimulated rats with ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis to produce high titers of anti‐RANKL antibodies. The mutant RANKL vaccine decreased serum CTX‐1 and BALP levels and inhibited the microstructural degeneration of trabecular bone in osteoporotic rats. mRv overcame immune system tolerance, stimulated rats to produce therapeutic antibodies, stabilized bone metabolism, and inhibited trabecular microstructural degeneration. These findings confirm the potential of the mutant RANKL vaccine to be developed into an effective preventive and therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.
Methods to mitigate infection spread from aerosol‐generating dental procedures
Authors: Kumar Purnima S. , Geisinger Maria L. , Avila‐Ortiz Gustavo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractInfection control measures play a critical role in preventing the spread of disease in healthcare settings. Concerns that SARS‐CoV‐2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019, may be transmitted through droplets and aerosols from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals has turned the spotlight on healthcare interventions that involve aerosol generation in the oral cavity, such as many dental and periodontal procedures. This commentary seeks to familiarize the dental practitioner with various infection control methods that may be implemented to mitigate spread of infection in dental settings through aerosol‐generating dental procedures
Thresholds in catchment nitrogen load for shifts from seagrass to nuisance macroalgae in shallow intertidal estuaries
Authors: Robertson Ben P , Savage Candida 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEutrophication of shallow coastal ecosystems often manifests as dense mats of opportunistic macroalgae, degraded underlying sediments and displacement of ecologically important primary producers including seagrass beds. Ecological thresholds of drivers that cause these shifts in ecosystem state are needed to manage eutrophication symptoms before tipping points are crossed. This study quantifies total nitrogen (TN) load thresholds for abrupt changes in ecologically important seagrass habitat and the appearance of nuisance macroalgae as a function of estimated catchment TN load to shallow, intertidal estuaries in New Zealand. Results indicate that the extents of both macrophyte types are strongly governed by increasing TN load to the estuaries, while total suspended sediment load was not significant alone or as an interaction term. Seagrass extent was unpredictable below a critical TN load envelope (< 50 mg N m−2 d−1), likely because there are additional factors than TN that influence seagrass cover, but once surpassed, seagrass became restricted to less than 10% of intertidal area or absent. Conversely, nuisance macroalgae was predominantly absent unless TN load exceeded 41.15 ± 21.1 mg N m−2 d−1, expanding in extent by 2.7% of intertidal area for every 50 mg N m−2 d−1 increase above threshold levels. This research underscores the importance of managing diffuse nitrogen inputs to safeguard the structure and function of shallow estuarine ecosystems before tipping points in dominant macrophyte type are crossed.
On the Possibility of Different Reactivity of Growing Radicals in Controlled and Free Radical Polymerizations. The Concept of the Reaction Cage in Controlled Radical Polymerization
Authors: Szymanski Ryszard 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn some reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) processes retention of chain‐end functionality appears to be higher than expected based on the estimated rate constants of propagation and termination. In the recent paper, Ballard and Asua explained this observation using their concept of the probability density functions of the termination reactions, dependent on the initial diffusion stage of radicals being the nearest neighbors. Here, a new explanation of the observed phenomenon is proposed, alternative to their proposition. The presented hypothesis assumes interaction of growing radical with the RDRP deactivator, resulting in two types of radicals.