bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-37 Regulates Innate Immune Signaling in Human and Mouse Colonic Organoids
Authors: Allaire Joannie , Poon Anita , Crowley Shauna , Han Xiao , Moore Navjit , Stahl Martin , Bressler Brian , Jacobson Kevan , Li Xiaoxia , Vallance Bruce 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) reside in close proximity to the gut microbiota and are hypo-responsive to bacterial products, likely to prevent maladaptive inflammatory responses. This is in part due to their strong expression of Single Ig IL-1 related receptor (SIGIRR), a negative regulator of interleukin (IL)-1 and toll-like receptor signaling. IL-37, an anti-inflammatory cytokine that inhibits innate signaling in diverse cells by signaling through SIGIRR. Despite the strong expression of SIGIRR by IEC, few studies have examined whether IL-37 can suppress their innate immune signaling. We characterized innate immune responses of human and murine colonoids to bacteria (FliC, LPS) and host (IL-1β) products and the role of IL-37/SIGIRR in regulating these responses. We demonstrated that human colonoids responded only to FliC, but not to LPS or IL-1β. While colonoids derived from different donors displayed significant inter-individual variability in the magnitude of their innate responses to FliC stimulation, all colonoids released a variety of chemokines. Interestingly, IL-37 attenuated these responses through inhibition of p38 and NFκB signaling pathways. We determined that this suppression by IL-37 was SIGIRR dependent, in murine organoids. Along with species-specific differences in IEC innate responses, we show that IL-37 can promote IEC hypo-responsiveness by supressing inflammatory signaling.
Evaluation of Lung Involvement in COVID-19 Pneumonia Based on Ultrasound Images
Authors: Hu Zhaoyu , Liu Zhenhua , Dong Yijie , Liu Jianjian , Huang Bin , Liu Aihua , Huang Jingjing , Pu Xujuan , Shi Xia , Yu Jinhua , Xiao Yang , Zhang Hui , Zhou Jianqiao 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) can be an important imaging tool for the diagnosis and assessment of lung involvement. Ultrasound sonograms have been confirmed to illustrate damage to a person’s lungs, which means that the correct classification and scoring of a patient’s sonogram can be used to assess lung involvement.Methods: The purpose of this study was to establish a lung involvement assessment model based on deep learning. A novel multimodal channel and receptive field attention network combined with ResNeXt (MCRFNet) was proposed to classify sonograms, and the network can automatically fuse shallow features and determine the importance of different channels and respective fields. Finally, sonogram classes were transformed into scores to evaluate lung involvement from the initial diagnosis to rehabilitation.Results and conclusion: Using multicenter and multimodal ultrasound data from 104 patients, the diagnostic model achieved 94.39% accuracy, 82.28% precision, 76.27% sensitivity, and 96.44% specificity. The lung involvement severity and the trend of COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated quantitatively.
Positive Correlation Between the Hip Adduction Moment Impulse During the Stance Phase and the Hip Joint Contact Force Impulse
Authors: Inai Takuma , Takabayashi Tomoya , Edama Mutsuaki , Kubo Masayoshi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Excessive mechanical loading, in the form of the joint contact force, has been reported to promote osteoarthritis in vitro and vivo in mice. However, it has also been reported that an excessive hip adduction moment impulse during the stance phase likely contributes to the progression of hip osteoarthritis. The relationship between the hip adduction moment impulse and hip joint contact force (impulse, and first and second peaks) during the stance phase is unclear. The objective of the present study was to clarify this relationship. Methods: A public dataset pertaining to the overground walking of 84 healthy adults, in which the participants walked at a self-selected speed, was considered. The data of three trials for each participant were analyzed. The relationship between the hip adduction moment and hip joint contact force, in terms of the impulse and first and second peaks, during the stance phase was evaluated using correlation coefficients.Results: The hip adduction moment impulse during the stance phase was positively correlated with the hip joint contact force impulse and not correlated with the first and second peak hip joint contact forces. Furthermore, the first and second peak hip adduction moments during the stance phase were positively correlated with the first and second peak hip joint contact forces, respectively. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the hip joint contact force impulse during the stance phase can be used as an index to determine the risk factors for the progression of hip osteoarthritis.
Different Phenotypes and Chondrogenic Responses of Human Menstrual Blood and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to activin A and TGF-β3
Authors: Uzieliene Ilona , Bagdonas Edvardas , Hoshi Kazuto , Sakamoto Tomoaki , Hikita Atsuhiko , Tachtamisevaite Zivile , Rakauskiene Greta , Kvederas Giedrius , Mobasheri Ali , Bernotiene Eiva 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Due to its low capacity for self-repair, articular cartilage is highly susceptible to damage and deterioration, which leads to the development of degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) are much less characterized compared to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). However, MenSCs seem an attractive alternative to classical BMMSCs due to ease of access and broader differentiation capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate chondrogenic differentiation potential of MenSCs and BMMSCs stimulated with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β3) and activin A, member of the TGF-β superfamily of proteins.Methods: MenSCs (n=6) and BMMSCs (n=5) were isolated from different healthy donors. Expression of cell surface markers CD90, CD73, CD105, CD44, CD45, CD14, CD36, CD55, CD54, CD63, CD106, CD34, CD10, Notch1 was analysed by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation capacity was determined using CCK-8 proliferation kit. Adipogenic differentiation capacity was evaluated according to Oil-Red staining, osteogenic differentiation - Alizarin Red staining. Chondrogenic differentiation (Activin A and TGF-β3 stimulation) was induced in vitro and in vivo (subcutaneous scaffolds in nude BALB/c mice) and investigated by histologically and by expression of chondrogenic genes (collagen type II, aggrecan). Activin A protein production was evaluated by ELISA.Results: MenSCs exhibited a higher proliferation rate, as compared to BMMSCs, and a different expression profile of several cell surface markers. Activin A stimulated collagen type II gene expression and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in TGF-β3 treated MenSCs but not in BMMSCs, both in vitro and in vivo, although the effects of TGF-β3 alone were more pronounced in BMMSCs in vitro. Conclusion: These data suggest that activin A exerts differential effects on the induction of chondrogenic differentiation in MenSCs vs. BMMSCs, which implies that different mechanisms of chondrogenic regulation are activated in these cells. Following further optimisation of differentiation protocols and the choice of growth factors, potentially including activin A, MenSCs may turn out to be a promising population of stem cells for the development of cell-based therapies with the capacity to stimulate cartilage repair and regeneration.Trial registration: Not applicable.
Experimental Investigate on Pre-combustion Characteristic and Flame Shape of an Adjustable Axial Swirl Burner for Pulverized Coal Combustion
Authors: Liu Pengzhong , Niu Fang , Wang Pengtao , Jia Nan , Zhou Jianming , Luo Wei , Wang Naiji 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The 14 MW pilot–scale pulverized coal experiment system was built, pre-combustion characteristic and flame shape of adjustable axial swirl burner was investigation, and influence of swirl number also was discussed. The temperature and species concentration distribution in pre-combustion chamber showed that a high temperature oxygen-free and high CO concentration zone appeared around central pulverized coal, which enhanced burnout and inhibiting or reduction NOx. The pre-combustion characteristic belonged to high temperature preheating combustion technology. The captured flame image showed that flame shape beyond pre-combustion chamber outlet belonged to turbulent diffusion flame. Then flame shape scales were obtained. For different swirl numbers, ignition, wall temperature, mean maximum temperature, oxygen-free boundary and CO concentration was discussed, the results indicated that S=1.67 had advantaged for burnout and reduction NOx emission on the basis of stable ignition and avoiding high temperature corrosion. Mean flame length and diameter and divergence angle also were analyzed, the results showed that S=1.67 case had moderate flame length and best diameter and divergence. It was favorable for flame stability and high temperature region in furnace part, and increasing burnout and deceasing NOx emission. Therefor the optimal selection was S=1.67 case under experimental condition.
Insights From Principal Component Analysis Applied to Py-GCMS&nbsp;Study of Indian Coals and Their Solvent Extracted Clean Coal Products
Authors: Roy Abyansh , Dhawan Heena , Upadhyayula Sreedevi , Kondamana Hariprasad 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The present work aims at studying five Indian coals and their solvent extracted clean coal products using Py-GCMS analysis and correlating these characterizations with results from theoretical a principal component analysis. The pyrolysis products of the original coals and the super clean coals were classified as mono-, di and tri- aromatics while other prominent products that were obtained included cycloalkanes, n-alkanes and alkenes ranging from C10-C29. The Py-GCMS results for the samples were studied using Principal Component Analysis. Inferences on relative composition of constituent compounds and functional groups and structural insights based on scores and loading plots of the PCA analysis were consistent with the experimental observations. ATR-FTIR studies confirmed the reduced concentration of ash in the super clean coals and the presence of aromatics. The Py-GCMS data and the ATR-FTIR spectra led to the conclusion that the super clean coals behaved similarly for both coking and non-coking coals with high aromatic concentrations as compared to the raw coal. Neyveli lignite super clean coal was found to show some structural similarity with the original coals, whereas, the other super clean coal showed structural similarity among them but not with their original coals indicative of the selective action of the e,N solvent system on the polycondensed aromatic structures in coal.
Evaluation of the Possibility of the Hard Coal Sludge Enrichment by Flotation
Authors: Moszko Joanna Całus , Wierzchowski Krzysztof , Klupa Agnieszka 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Coal sludges are the smallest fraction of post-mining waste. Their grain size is less than 1 mm, and most grains have size below 60 μm. These wastes are mainly separated from the water-sludge circulations of the mines. Coal sludges are generally characterized by worse quality parameters in relation to the coal grades produced by mines. The fight against smog and the more stringent provisions in this area make it possible to monitor and control the quality of solid fuels, with particular emphasis on fuels directed for use in households and combustion plants with a rated thermal output of less than 1 MW which eliminated from the municipal and living market the coal sludges and post-flotation wastes containing less than 85% of hard coal, which are nuisance materials in the development process and their separation from the water-sludge circulation and dewatering requires many technological operations. The publication presents results of laboratory tests on the determination of conditions and possibilities of coal recovery from thermal coal sludges with an ash content of about 64%, using the froth flotation method. The experiments were conducted using a single operation method (fractional flotation) and a multiple operation method (main flotation, cleaning flotation). The tests were carried out using three types of the flotation reagents: standard (reference): ON MBIC (mixture consisting of diesel oil ON and 2-ethylhexanol OKT), specialized: Centroflot and proprietary: Klim III (non-ionic surfactants, auxiliary agents in a form of block copolymer of propylene and ethylene oxide and wetting additives, 2-ethylhexanol and a mixture of dioxane alcohols) to obtain the optimal concentrate.
Reduction of Inflammatory C3 and C4 Complement Proteins in Severe COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Ghazavi Ali , Mosayebi Ghasem , Keshavarzian Nafiesh , Rabiemajd Somayeh , Ganji Ali 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The complement system, consisting of more than 20 soluble proteins, has a key role in innate immunity and inflammation that eliminates pathogens and viral infections. Therefore, we investigated the titer of C3, C4, and total IgG in the serum of the non-severe and severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: For this purpose, peripheral blood samples were collected from 30 non-sever, 30 severe COVID-19 patients, and 30 healthy individuals with similar age and sex as the control group. The amount of total IgG, C3, and C4 were analyzed in the serum samples. Also, white blood cells, platelets (PLTs), and lymphocytes were counted by the auto-analyzer. Results: White blood cells had no difference between patients and control groups. The results showed a significant decrease in lymphocyte and PLTs in COVID-19 patients compare to control. Complement proteins including C3 and C4 were increased in non-severe COVID-19 patients than the other groups. Total IgG showed a notable decrease in severe patients. In conclusion, the level of C3 and C4 complement proteins were increased in non-severe-COVID-19 patients; however, in the severe COVID-19 patients their concentrations were decreased. Conclusion: However, inflammatory C3 and C4 complement factors increase in non-severe COVID-19, it decreased in the severe patients that may be because of more consumption by the formation of the immune complex. These results can shed light on the inflammatory role of C3 and C4 proteins in various phases of the disease and could provide a basis for further exploration of the pathophysiological significance and can suggest them for specific interventions.
Implementation and feasibility of inverse-ratio Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV): Switching from Conventional Ventilation to APRV in Two French ICUs.
Authors: Koszutski Matthieu , Pequignot Benjamin , Kimmoun Antoine , Remen Thomas , Guerci Philippe , Levy Bruno 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background:To evaluate the switching of patients mechanically ventilated on Pressure Support or Volume Control to inverse-ratio Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:We performed a single-center retrospective observational analysis in two ICUs in a tertiary referral university teaching hospital in France. Were included patients with Covid-19 pneumonia requiring invasive ventilation with a PaO2:FiO2 ratio lower than 200 mmHg who performed a 6-hour trial of inverse-ratio APRV.Results:Seventeen consecutive patients who completed a 6-hour APRV trial in April 2020 were included. Three patients who were unable to be maintained on APRV due to an immediate fall in SpO2 were not included. In 12/17 patients (71%), the increase in PaO2:FiO2 ratio was greater than 20%. Mean (± standard deviation) PaO2:FiO2 ratio increased from 126 (± 28) mmHg to 178 (± 53) mmHg after 6 hours of APRV (p<0.001). Two patients presented a decrease in PaO2:FiO2 ratio after 6 hours of APRV. There was no appearance of significant hemodynamic impairment during APRV and an eventual increase in PaCO2 during the first hour of APRV was managed by increasing the respiratory rate (i.e. shortening T-high) and/or increasing tidal volume (i.e. increasing T-low).Conclusions:Switching from Conventional Ventilation (Pressure Support or Volume Assist Control) to inverse-ratio APRV for a 6-hour period in two ICUs that were not previously familiar with this ventilation technique was well tolerated, and associated with a marked improvement in oxygenation. Further studies evaluating inverse-ratio APRV in acute respiratory failure are warranted.Trial registration:NCT04386369
Determination of MIC, MPC, and MSW of Ilex paraguariensis Against Non-Typhoidal Salmonella with Identification of the Mechanisms of Resistance and Pathogenicity Factors
Authors: Khatib Khaled El , Hadeer Ribal Aby , Saad Anis , Kalaydjian Aline , Fayad Elie , Dougnon Victorien , Daoud Ziad , Abdel-Massih Roula M. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the antibacterial activity of Ilex paraguariensis extracts against 32 different strains of non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) through the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Mutant Prevention Concentration (MPC), Mutant Selection Window (MSW), and the detection of virulence genes by multiplex PCR assays. Results: The MIC values of Ilex paraguariensis against Salmonella spp. strains varied between 0.78 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml with a MIC 90 of 3.12 mg/ml. The highest MPC in this study was 48 mg/ml yielding a Mutant Selection Window of 41.75 mg/ml. The MSW values of the remaining strains varied between 1.56 and 8.87 mg/ml. Genes of pathogenicity detected in Salmonella spp. isolates were most commonly the stn, sdiA, invA, sopB, invH, and sopE genes. The antibacterial activity of Yerba Mate extracts was not affected by the antimicrobial resistance patterns or pathogenicity genes expressed. More work is needed to identify the active antibacterial compound(s) responsible for the antibacterial activity.
Effects of Compound Probiotics and Aflatoxin-Degradation Enzyme on Alleviating aflatoxin-induced cytotoxicity in chicken embryo primary intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cells
Authors: Guo Hongwei , Chang Juan , Wang Ping , Yin Qingqiang , Liu Chaoqi , Xu Xiaoxiang , Dang Xiaowei , Hu Xiaofei , Wang Quanliang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most dangerous mycotoxins for humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound probiotics (CP), CP supernatant (CPS), AFB1-degradation enzyme (ADE) on chicken embryo primary intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cell viabilities, and to determine the functions of CP + ADE (CPADE) or CPS + ADE (CPSADE) for alleviating cytotoxicity induced by AFB1. The results showed that AFB1 decreased cell viabilities in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The optimal AFB1 concentrations and reactive time for establishing cell damage models were 200 µg/L AFB1 and 12 h for intestinal epithelium cells, 40 µg/L and 12 h for liver and kidney cells. Cell viabilities reached 231.58% (P < 0.05) for intestinal epithelium cells with CP addition, 105.29% and 115.84% (P < 0.05) for kidney liver cells with CPS additions. The further results showed that intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cell viabilities were significantly decreased to 87.12%, 88.7% and 84.19% (P < 0.05) when the cells were exposed to AFB1; however, they were increased to 93.49% by CPADE addition, 102.33% and 94.71% by CPSADE additions (P < 0.05). The relative mRNA abundances of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, iNOS, NF-κB, NOD1 (except liver cell) and TLR2 in three kinds of primary cells were significantly down-regulated by CPADE or CPSADE addition, compared with single AFB1 group (P < 0.05), indicating that CPADE or CPSADE addition could alleviate cell cytotoxicity and inflammation induced by AFB1 exposure through suppressing the activations of NF-κB, NOD1 and TLR2 pathways.
Cohort Study of Medical Cannabis Authorization and Motor Vehicle Crash-Related Healthcare Visits in 2014-2017 in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Lee Cerina , Voaklander Don , Minhas-Sandhu Jasjeet K. , Hanlon John G. , Hyshka Elaine , Dyck Jason R.B. , Eurich Dean 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: With increasing numbers of countries/jurisdictions legalizing cannabis, cannabis impaired driving has become a serious public health concern. Despite substantive research linking cannabis use with higher rates of motor vehicle crashes (MVC), there is an absence of conclusive evidence linking MVC risk with medical cannabis use. In fact, there is no clear understanding of the impact of medical cannabis use on short- and long-term motor vehicle-related healthcare visits. This study assesses the impact of medical cannabis authorization on motor vehicle-related health utilization visits (hospitalizations, ambulatory care, emergency room visits, etc) between 2014-2017 in Ontario, Canada. Methods: A matched cohort study was conducted on patients authorized to use medical cannabis and controls who did not receive authorization for medical cannabis – in Ontario, Canada. Overall, 29153 adult patients were identified and subsequently linked to the administrative databases of the Ontario Ministry of Health, providing up to at least 6 months of longitudinal follow-up data following the initial medical cannabis consultation. Interrupted time series analyses was conducted to evaluate the change in rates of healthcare utilization as a result of MVC 6 months before and 6 months after medical cannabis authorization. Results: Over the 6-month follow-up period, MVC-related visits in medical cannabis patients were 0.50 visits/10 000 patients (p=0.61) and -0.31 visits/10 000 patients (p=0.64) for MVC-related visits in controls. Overall, authorization for medical cannabis was associated with an immediate decrease in MVC-related visits of -2.42 visits/10 000 patients (p=0.014) followed by a statistically significant increased rate of MVC-related visits (+0.89 events/10,000 in those authorized medical cannabis) relative to controls in the period following their authorization(p=0.0019). Overall, after accounting for both the immediate and trend effects, authorization for medical cannabis was associated with an increase of 2.92 events/10,000 (95%CI 0.64 to 5.19) over the entire follow-up period. This effect was largely driven by MVC-related emergency department visits (+0.80 events/10,000, p<0.001). Conclusions: Overall, medical cannabis authorization was associated with increased healthcare utilization as a result of a MVC, at the population level, in Ontario, Canada. These findings have public health importance and patients and clinicians should be fully educated on the potential risks. Continued follow-up of medically authorized cannabis patients is warranted to fully comprehend long-term impact on motor vehicle crash risk.