bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐related functional brain connectivity during audio–visual hand‐held tool recognition
Authors: Ren Yanna , Guo Ao , Xu Zhihan , Wang Tao , Wu Rui , Yang Weiping 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionPrevious studies have confirmed increased functional connectivity in elderly adults during processing of simple audio–visual stimuli; however, it is unclear whether elderly adults maximize their performance by strengthening their functional brain connectivity when processing dynamic audio–visual hand‐held tool stimuli. The present study aimed to explore this question using global functional connectivity.MethodsTwenty‐one healthy elderly adults and 21 healthy younger adults were recruited to conduct a dynamic hand‐held tool recognition task with high/low‐intensity stimuli.ResultsElderly adults exhibited higher areas under the curve for both the high‐intensity (3.5 versus. 2.7) and low‐intensity (3.0 versus. 1.2) stimuli, indicating a higher audio–visual integration ability, but a delayed and widened audio–visual integration window for elderly adults for both the high‐intensity (390 – 690 ms versus. 360 – 560 ms) and low‐intensity (460 – 690 ms versus. 430 – 500 ms) stimuli. Additionally, elderly adults exhibited higher theta‐band (all p < .01) but lower alpha‐, beta‐, and gamma‐band functional connectivity (all p < .05) than younger adults under both the high‐ and low‐intensity‐stimulus conditions when processing audio–visual stimuli, except for gamma‐band functional connectivity under the high‐intensity‐stimulus condition. Furthermore, higher theta‐ and alpha‐band functional connectivity were observed for the audio–visual stimuli than for the auditory and visual stimuli and under the high‐intensity‐stimulus condition than under the low‐intensity‐stimulus condition.ConclusionThe higher theta‐band functional connectivity in elderly adults was mainly due to higher attention allocation. The results further suggested that in the case of sensory processing, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma activity might participate in different stages of perception.
The effect of size, charge, and peptide ligand length on kidney targeting by small, organic nanoparticles
Authors: Huang Yi , Jiang Kairui , Zhang Xuting , Chung Eun Ji 
Published: July 2020

AbstractChronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 15% of the US adult population. However, most clinically available drugs for CKD show low bioavailability to the kidneys and non‐specific uptake by other organs which results in adverse side effects. Hence, a targeted, drug delivery strategy to enhance kidney drug delivery is highly desired. Recently, our group developed small, organic nanoparticles called peptide amphiphile micelles (PAM) functionalized with the zwitterionic peptide ligand, (KKEEE)3K, that passage through the glomerular filtration barrier for kidney accumulation. Despite high bioavailability to the kidneys, these micelles also accumulated in the liver to a similar extent. To further optimize the physicochemical properties and develop design rules for kidney‐targeting micelles, we synthesized a library of PAMs of varying size, charge, and peptide repeats. Specifically, variations of the original (KKEEE)3K peptide including (KKEEE)2K, (KKEEE)K, (EEKKK)3E, (EEKKK)2E, (EEKKK)E, KKKKK, and EEEEE were functionalized onto nanoparticles, and peptide surface density and PEG linker molecular weight were altered. After characterization with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticles were intravenously administered into wildtype mice, and biodistribution was assessed through ex vivo imaging. All micelles localized to the kidneys, but nanoparticles that are positively‐charged, close to the renal filtration size cut‐off, and consisted of additional zwitterionic peptide sequences generally showed higher renal accumulation. Upon immunohistochemistry, micelles were confirmed to bind to the multiligand receptor, megalin, and histological analyses showed no tissue damage. Our study provides insight into the design of micelle carriers for kidney targeting and their potential for future therapeutic application.
Microsurgical anatomy of the facial nerve
Authors: Yang Seung H. , Park HaeKwan , Yoo Do Sung , Joo Wonil , Rhoton Albert 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe facial nerve connections and pathways from the cortex to the brainstem are intricate and complicated. The extra‐axial part of the facial nerve leaves the lateral part of the pontomedullary sulcus and enters the temporal bone through the internal acoustic meatus. In the temporal bone, the facial nerve branches into fibers innervating the glands and tongue. After it emerges from the temporal bone it supplies various facial muscles. It contains a motor, general sensory, special sensory, and autonomic components. The physician needs comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy and courses of the facial nerve to diagnose and treat lesions and diseases of it so that surgical complications due to facial nerve injury can be avoided. This review describes the microsurgical anatomy of the facial nerve and illustrates its anatomy in relation to the surrounding bone, connective, and neurovascular structures.
MASTL: A novel therapeutic target for Cancer Malignancy
Authors: Fatima Iram , Singh Amar B. , Dhawan Punita 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTargeting mitotic kinases is an emerging anticancer approach with promising preclinical outcomes. Microtubule‐associated serine/threonine kinase like (MASTL), also known as Greatwall (Gwl), is an important mitotic kinase that regulates mitotic progression of normal or transformed cells by blocking the activity of tumor suppressor protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). MASTL upregulation has now been detected in multiple cancer types and associated with aggressive clinicopathological features. Apart, an aberrant MASTL activity has been implicated in oncogenic transformation through the development of chromosomal instability and alteration of key oncogenic signaling pathways. In this regard, recent publications have revealed potential role of MASTL in the regulation of AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathways, which may be independent of its regulation of PP2A‐B55 (PP2A holoenzyme containing a B55‐family regulatory subunit). Taken together, MASTL kinase has emerged as a novel target for cancer therapeutics, and hence development of small molecule inhibitors of MASTL may significantly improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients. In this article, we review the role of MASTL in cancer progression and the current gaps in this knowledge. We also discuss potential efficacy of MASTL expression for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Predictive value of pretreatment albumin‐to‐alkaline phosphatase ratio for overall survival for patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Shaozhang , Jiang Wei , Wang Huilin , Wei Ni , Yu Qitao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the relation between AAPR and OS in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted with 808 patients with advanced NSCLC who were treated in Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital in China from 5 March 2009 to 31 August 2018. The target‐independent and dependent variables were AAPR measured in patients before anticancer treatment and overall survival (OS), respectively. Covariates involved in this study included age, gender, ECOG status, smoking history, clinical stages, pathological type, driver mutation (EGFR or ALK), metastasis or not (bone, lung, liver, brain, malignant plural effusion, and other organs), number of organ metastasis(≤3, >3), first‐line regiment and number of treatment lines (≤3, >3).ResultsThe mean age of the selected patients was 58.3 ± 10.9 years and 68.6% were male. We divided patients according to their AAPR into low (AAPR < 0.34, n = 266), medium (AAPR = 0.34‐0.47, n = 259), and high (AAPR > 0.47, n = 283) tertile groups. Medium and high AAPR were associated with a decreased risk of death after fully adjusted Cox proportional hazard model(s) with hazards ratio (HR) 0.77 (95%CI = 0.58‐1.03) and HR 0.59 (95%CI = 0.45‐0.78), respectively (P for trend <.05). The median OS of low, medium, and high AAPR was 9.3, 11.8, and 16.9 months, respectively (P value <.0001). No optimal cutoff value of AAPR for prognosing OS was identified by smooth curve fitting. The HR and the 95% confidence intervals of the left and right sides of the inflection point 0.6 as cutoff value were 0.28 (95%CI = 0.14‐0.57) and 0.77 (95%CI = 0.34‐1.73), respectively (P value = .127). By subgroup analysis, similar results were consistently observed across nearly all the subgroups.ConclusionOur study implied that pretreatment AAPR can be used as an independent prognostic factor in patients with advanced NSCLC. This ratio should be applied for risk stratification and clinical decision‐making in those patients.
Religiosity and consumer belonging: Influences on product evaluations
Authors: Minton Elizabeth A. , Liu Richie L. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractConsumers have a fundamental need to belong. Prior research has examined the compensatory mechanisms that consumers use to restore belongingness when they have a low sense of belonging. However, research has yet to adequately understand the influence that having a high sense of belonging has on consumption behavior. Thus, three studies are conducted to address this gap in the literature, specifically examining religiosity as a source of consumers' high sense of belonging. Study 1A identifies that religiosity positively influences consumers' sense of belonging and corresponding product evaluations because belongingness creates a positive affect state. This affect then incidentally transfers a positive halo effect to product evaluations. Study 1B replicates the sequential mediation from Study 1A but only for those products that are value expressive. Studies 2 and 3 then better isolate these effects by priming religion (Study 2) as well as general social acceptance and rejection (Study 3). Findings reveal that only religion and acceptance primes influence consumers' sense of belonging and product evaluations. Discussion builds on need‐to‐belong theory and implications for marketing practice are discussed.
Further secondary metabolites produced by the fungus Pyricularia grisea isolated from buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris)
Authors: Masi Marco , Santoro Ernesto , Clement Suzette , Meyer Susan , Scafato Patrizia , Superchi Stefano , Evidente Antonio 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe fungal pathogen Pyricularia grisea has been studied to evaluate its production of phytotoxins for the biocontrol of the buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) weed. A first investigation allowed to isolate several new and known phytotoxic metabolites. However, the further investigation on the organic extract obtained from the fungus liquid culture showed the presence of other metabolites possibly contributing to its phytotoxicity. Thus, four known metabolites were isolated and identified by spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR] and high‐resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry [HRESIMS]) methods as dihydropyriculol (1), epi‐dihydropyriculol (2), 3‐methoxy‐6,8‐dihydroxy‐3‐methyl‐3,4‐dihydroisocoumarin (3), and (R)‐mevalonolactone (4). The absolute configuration of 1–3 was determined for the first time by a computational analysis of their electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. When the isolated compounds were bioassayed at a concentration of 5 × 10–3 M in a buffelgrass coleoptile and radicle elongation test no toxicity was detected. On the contrary, compounds 1 and 3 showed a significant stimulating effect of radical elongation. Furthermore, the difference in growth stimulation between 1 and its epimer 2 highlights the tight relationship between absolute configuration and biological activity of these fungal metabolites.
Study on the influence of surrounding urban SO2, NO2, and CO on haze formation in Beijing based on MF‐DCCA and boosting algorithms
Authors: Zhang Xin‐xin , Gu Lei‐lei , Chen Hong , Jia Guo‐zhu 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThe formation of haze depends on the complex evolution behavior of SO2, NO2, and CO. We explore the influence of surrounding urban oxides on haze formation in Beijing. From the perspective of time evolution, multifractal detrended cross‐correlation analysis (MF‐DCCA) method quantitatively shows that all oxides reveal persistent cross‐correlations (hxy: 0.640 sim; 0.995) in the short term and long term. The correlation characteristics of the same oxide in different regions are compared. In the short term, Zhangjiakou (SO2/NO2) and Tianjin (CO) have the strongest multifractal features, while Zhangjiakou (SO2/NO2/CO) is more prominent in the long term. Their sources are mainly Fat‐tailed. Ignoring the characteristics of timing, the fitting degree (R2) of LightGBM model to PM2.5 concentration regression is 0.862 after the addition of neighboring oxides, an increase of 2.0%. CatBoost's R2 improves by 6.4%. The feature importance score indicates that Langfang's SO2 and Chengde's CO contribute the most to the formation of PM2.5. This study has certain reference value for the formulation of oxide emission strategy in the surrounding area of Beijing.
Optimizing data center network throughput by solving TCP Incast problem using k‐means algorithm
Authors: Thiruvenkatam Banudoss , Mukeshkrishnan Munusamy Babu 
Published: July 2020

SummaryTCP in casting referred to as one of the complex problems in the data center, which receives a huge amount of traffic volume from n number of senders. There are many methods proposed to solve the TCP Incast problem. In this paper, there are two steps proposed: (i) grouping sender nodes using the k‐means algorithm and (ii) handling incoming packets from the senders after grouping. Grouping senders make it easy to handle the incoming packets effectively as the complexity reduces reasonably. This is achieved through the k‐means algorithm that groups the senders and makes a priority queue for each group. The second step can be achieved through Pro‐Ack (Pro‐Acknowledgement) control in one of the methods for handling a huge volume of data at the receiver side. We demonstrated how the incoming packets can be processed and handled effectively through Pro‐Ack control with the help of the k‐means algorithm. Along with the above concepts, the robust algorithm is proposed to make priority queues. The input throughput also out performs with the existing algorithms.
Morphotype differentiation in the Great Barrier Reef Halimeda bioherm carbonate factory: Internal architecture and surface geomorphometrics
Authors: McNeil Mardi A. , Nothdurft Luke D. , Dyriw Nicholas J. , Webster Jody M. , Beaman Robin J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe calcareous Halimeda bioherms of the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia are the largest actively accumulating Halimeda deposits worldwide. They contribute a substantial component of the Great Barrier Reef neritic carbonate factory, as well as the geomorphological development of Australia's northeast continental shelf. Halimeda bioherm geomorphology is complex, expressing three distinct variations in morphotype patterns: annulate, reticulate and undulate. Similar regular and irregular geomorphological patterning often results from scale‐dependent biophysical feedback mechanisms. Therefore, a better understanding of morphotype differentiation can inform the biotic and abiotic drivers of spatial heterogeneity in the bioherm ecosystem. Here, 3D LiDAR bathymetry is integrated with 2D sub‐bottom profile datasets to investigate surface topography and internal sedimentary architecture of Halimeda bioherms through space and time. Using the ESRI ArcGIS 3D Analyst and Benthic Terrain Modeller extensions, the bioherm surface and subsurface geomorphometric characteristics were quantified for the annulate, reticulate and undulate morphotypes. Significant variation was found between the three bioherm morphotypes in their surface topography, internal structure, volume, slope gradients and terrain complexity. Therefore, their geomorphology is probably influenced by differing processes and biophysical feedback mechanisms. The complex surface topography does not appear to be inherited from the antecedent substrate, and preferred aspect orientations resulting from hydrodynamic forcing appear to be limited. It is suggested here that autogenic dynamics or biotic self‐organization similar to patterns and processes in other marine organo‐sedimentary systems modulates Halimeda bioherm geomorphology, and some hypotheses are offered towards future studies. Morphotype differentiation has implications for the development of the Halimeda bioherm carbonate factory, rates of sediment aggradation and progradation, and variable capacity to fill accommodation space. Self‐organization dynamics and morphology differentiation in Modern bioherm systems could potentially inform palaeo‐environmental interpretations of fossil bioherms and phylloid algal mounds on geological timescales.
Characteristics and outcomes ofCOVID‐19 in hospitalized patients with and without diabetes
Authors: Al‐Salameh Abdallah , Lanoix Jean‐Philippe , Bennis Youssef , Andrejak Claire , Brochot Etienne , Deschasse Guillaume , Dupont Hervé , Goeb Vincent , Jaureguy Maité , Lion Sylvie , Maizel Julien , Moyet Julien , Vaysse Benoit , Desailloud Rachel , Ganry Olivier , Schmit Jean‐Luc , Lalau Jean‐Daniel 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a rapidly progressing pandemic, with four million confirmed cases and 280 000 deaths at the time of writing. Some studies have suggested that diabetes is associated with a greater risk of developing severe forms of COVID‐19. The primary objective of the present study was to compare the clinical features and outcomes in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with vs without diabetes.MethodsAll consecutive adult patients admitted to Amiens University Hospital (Amiens, France) with confirmed COVID‐19 up until April 21st, 2020, were included. The composite primary endpoint comprised admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and death. Both components were also analysed separately in a logistic regression analysis and a Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsA total of 433 patients (median age: 72; 238 (55%) men; diabetes: 115 (26.6%)) were included. Most of the deaths occurred in non‐ICU units and among older adults. Multivariate analyses showed that diabetes was associated neither with the primary endpoint (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66‐1.90) nor with mortality (hazard ratio: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.40‐1.34) but was associated with ICU admission (OR: 2.06; 95%CI 1.09‐3.92,P= .027) and a longer length of hospital stay. Age was negatively associated with ICU admission and positively associated with death.ConclusionsDiabetes was prevalent in a quarter of the patients hospitalized with COVID‐19; it was associated with a greater risk of ICU admission but not with a significant elevation in mortality. Further investigation of the relationship between COVID‐19 severity and diabetes is warranted.
The oral Ca/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II inhibitor RA608 improves contractile function and prevents arrhythmias in heart failure
Authors: Mustroph Julian , Drzymalski Marzena , Baier Maria , Pabel Steffen , Biedermann Alexander , Memmel Bernadette , Durczok Melanie , Neef Stefan , Sag Can Martin , Floerchinger Bernhard , Rupprecht Leopold , Schmid Christof , Zausig York , Bégis Guillaume , Briand Veronique , Ozoux Marie‐Laure , Tamarelle Dorothee , Ballet Veronique , Janiak Philip , Beauverger Philippe , Maier Lars S. , Wagner Stefan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsExcessive activation of Ca/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is of critical importance in heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation. Unfortunately, lack of selectivity, specificity, and bioavailability have slowed down development of inhibitors for clinical use. We investigated a novel CaMKIIδ/CaMKIIɣ‐selective, ATP‐competitive, orally available CaMKII inhibitor (RA608) on right atrial biopsies of 119 patients undergoing heart surgery. Furthermore, we evaluated its oral efficacy to prevent deterioration of HF in mice after transverse aortic constriction (TAC).Methods and resultsIn human atrial cardiomyocytes and trabeculae, respectively, RA608 significantly reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca leak, reduced diastolic tension, and increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca content. Patch‐clamp recordings confirmed the safety of RA608 in human cardiomyocytes. C57BL6/J mice were subjected to TAC, and left ventricular function was monitored by echocardiography. Two weeks after TAC, RA608 was administered by oral gavage for 7 days. Oral RA608 treatment prevented deterioration of ejection fraction. At 3 weeks after TAC, ejection fraction was 46.1 ± 3.7% (RA608) vs. 34.9 ± 2.6% (vehicle), n = 9 vs. n = 12, P < 0.05, ANOVA, which correlated with significantly less CaMKII autophosphorylation at threonine 287. Moreover, a single oral dose significantly reduced inducibility of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in CaMKIIδ transgenic mice 4 h after administration. Atrial fibrillation was induced in 6/6 mice for vehicle vs. 1/7 for RA608, P < 0.05, 'n − 1' χ2 test. Ventricular tachycardia was induced in 6/7 for vehicle vs. 2/7 for RA608, P < 0.05, 'n − 1' χ2 test.ConclusionsRA608 is the first orally administrable CaMKII inhibitor with potent efficacy in human myocytes. Moreover, oral administration potently inhibits arrhythmogenesis and attenuates HF development in mice in vivo.
Acceleration of kidney function decline after incident hospitalization with cardiovascular disease: the Stockholm CREAtinine Measurements (SCREAM) project
Authors: Ishigami Junichi , Trevisan Marco , Lund Lars H. , Jernberg Tomas , Coresh Josef , Matsushita Kunihiro , Carrero Juan‐Jesus 
Published: July 2020

AimsThe cardiorenal syndrome refers to a bidirectional relationship between the kidney and the heart. However, epidemiological evidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is actually scarce.Methods and resultsWe examined the slopes of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in the 2 years before vs. after an incident hospitalization with heart failure (HF) (n = 20 420), coronary heart disease (CHD) (n = 18 152), or stroke (n = 1808) using data from a complete laboratory data collection in Stockholm, Sweden between 2006 and 2011. eGFR slopes were estimated using mixed‐effect models with unstructured residual correlation. Overall, incident hospitalization with HF and CHD, but not stroke, was significantly associated with a subsequent accelerated decline in eGFR, with a faster eGFR decline and greater slope change after HF than CHD. The pre‐event vs. post‐event eGFR slopes (mL/min/1.73 m2 per year) were −1.67 (−1.77 to −1.57) vs. −2.76 (−2.82 to −2.71), with a Δslope of −1.09 (−1.16 to −1.02) for HF; −1.09 (−1.20 to −0.98) vs. −1.87 (−1.92 to −1.81), with a Δslope of −0.78 (−0.85 to −0.70) for CHD; and −1.00 (−1.37 to −0.63) vs. −0.99 (−1.19 to −0.78), with a Δslope of 0.02 (−0.24 to 0.27) for stroke. The accelerated declines in eGFR after HF and CHD were consistent across the spectrum of eGFR, although pre‐event eGFR slopes were steeper in lower eGFR (e.g. pre‐event eGFR slope for HF −0.64 (−0.76 to −0.53) for eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, −1.43 (−1.57 to −1.30) for eGFR 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2, and −2.42 (−2.71 to −2.12) for eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2).ConclusionsIncident hospitalization with cardiac diseases (i.e. HF and CHD) was significantly associated with a subsequent acceleration of eGFR decline.