bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Androgen Receptor for Reconsidering the “True” Polycystic Ovarian Morphology in PCOS
Authors: Gao Xue-ying , Liu Yue , Lv Yue , Huang Tao , Lu Gang , Liu Hong-bin , Zhao Shi-gang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPurpose: Polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) is one of the key features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The diagnosis of PCOM according to the Rotterdam criteria (≥12 antral follicles per ovary) is debated because of the high prevalence of PCOM in the general population. Androgen receptor (AR) is associated with the PCOS phenotype and might as well play a role during folliculogenesis. This study is aimed to investigate the expression of the AR in PCOS granulosa cells (GCs) and its relationship with the PCOM phenotype. Methods: 106 PCOS cases and 63 controls were included from the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University. The diagnosis of PCOS was following the Rotterdam criteria (2003). Total RNA was extracted from GCs retrieved from ovarian stimulation. The expression of AR was amplified by means of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The AR expression was significantly decreased in PCOS cases, especially in the tPCOM subgroup (≥20 antral follicles per ovary). Correlation analyses showed that AR expression was significantly correlated with serum FSH levels in controls and non-tPCOM. In the tPCOM subgroup, the AR expression was significantly correlated with serum LH levels. Interestingly, the significance of these correlations gradually disappeared as the threshold of antral follicles increased above 24 for PCOM. Conclusions:AR was differently expressed in PCOS and especially in the tPCOM subtype. The correlation of AR expression with serum FSH and LH might be associated with the number of follicles in PCOM.
Comparative assessment of faecal microbial composition and metabonome of swine, farmers and human control
Authors: Tan Shiang Chiet , Chong Chun Wie , Yap Ivan Kok Seng , Thong Kwai Lin , Teh Cindy Shuan Ju 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe gastrointestinal tract of humans and swine consist of a wide range of bacteria which interact with hosts metabolism. Due to the differences in co-evolution and co-adaptation, a large fraction of the gut microbiome is host-specific. In this study, we evaluated the effect of close human-animal interaction to the faecal metagenome and metabonome of swine, farmer and human control. Three distinct clusters were observed based on T-RFLP-derived faecal microbial composition. However, 16S-inferred faecal microbiota and metabolic profiles showed that only human control was significantly different from the swine (P < 0.05). The metabonome of farmers and human controls were highly similar. Notably, higher trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and butyrate were detected in human control and swine, respectively. The relative abundance of TMAO was positively correlated with Prevotella copri. Overall, we compared and established the relationship between the metabolites and microbiota composition of swine, farmers and human control. Based on the data obtained, we deduced that long term occupational exposure to swine and farm environment had affected the gut bacterial composition of farmers. Nonetheless, the effect was less prominent in the metabolite profiles, suggesting the gut bacteria expressed high functional plasticity and are therefore resilience to the level of community shift detected.
UPLC-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Quantification of Busulfan in Human Plasma: Application to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Matar Kamal M. , Alshemmari Salem H. , Refaat Samar , Anwar Alia 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBusulfan (Bu) is an alkylating agent commonly used in preparative regimens for hematologic malignant and non-malignant patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The objective of the present study was to develop an UPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of Bu in human plasma. A total of 55 patients with hematologic malignancies (n = 34) and non- malignancies (n = 21) received myeloablative Bu therapy prior to HSCT. A tandem mass spectrometric method was developed and validated to quantify Bu levels in these patients. The method was fully validated over the concentration range of 25–2000 ng/mL (r > 0.99). The assay method demonstrated good precision and accuracy. Stability studies indicated that the drug was stable in various conditions. Incurred sample reanalysis findings were within acceptable ranges (<15% of the nominal concentration). Based on the 1stdose AUC results, one third of hematologic malignant patients and half of non-malignant patients needed dose adjustment. However, in subsequent doses (5th, 9th, and 13th), 77%, 82% and 82%, respectively, of hematologic malignant patients and 71%, 67% and 86%, respectively, of non-malignant patients achieved the target range of Bu AUC. The suitability of the developed method for routine TDM of Bu in HSCT patients was demonstrated. The study suggests that the pharmacokinetic profile of Bu varies in both groups.
Significant improvement of spray pyrolyzed ZnO thin film by precursor optimization for high mobility thin film transistors
Authors: Saha Jewel Kumer , Bukke Ravindra Naik , Mude Narendra Naik , Jang Jin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMetal-oxide thin-film transistors (TFT) fabricated by spray pyrolysis are of increasing interest because of its simple process and scalability. A bottleneck issue is to get a bubble-free and dense material. We studied the effect of ammonium acetate (AA) addition in the oxide precursor solution on the performance of spray-coated ZnO TFTs. AA acts as a stabilizer, which increases the solubility of the solution and enhances the film quality by reducing the defects. With AA addition in ZnO precursor, the films are coffee ring free with high mass density and better grain orientation. The ZnO TFT with AA exhibit a remarkable improvement of its device performance such as saturation mobility increasing from 5.12 to 41.53 cm2V−1s−1, the subthreshold swing decreasing from 340 to 162 mV/dec and on/off current ratio increasing from ~105 to 108. Additionally, the TFTs show excellent stability with a low threshold voltage shift of 0.1 V under gate bias stress. Therefore, the addition of AA is a promising approach to achieve high-performance ZnO TFTs for low-cost manufacturing of displays.
Quantifying defence cascade responses as indicators of pig affect and welfare using computer vision methods
Authors: Statham Poppy , Hannuna Sion , Jones Samantha , Campbell Neill , Robert Colborne G. , Browne William J. , Paul Elizabeth S. , Mendl Michael 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAffective states are key determinants of animal welfare. Assessing such states under field conditions is thus an important goal in animal welfare science. The rapid Defence Cascade (DC) response (startle, freeze) to sudden unexpected stimuli is a potential indicator of animal affect; humans and rodents in negative affective states often show potentiated startle magnitude and freeze duration. To be a practical field welfare indicator, quick and easy measurement is necessary. Here we evaluate whether DC responses can be quantified in pigs using computer vision. 280 video clips of induced DC responses made by 12 pigs were analysed by eye to provide ‘ground truth’ measures of startle magnitude and freeze duration which were also estimated by (i) sparse feature tracking computer vision image analysis of 200 Hz video, (ii) load platform, (iii) Kinect depth camera, and (iv) Kinematic data. Image analysis data strongly predicted ground truth measures and were strongly positively correlated with these and all other estimates of DC responses. Characteristics of the DC-inducing stimulus, pig orientation relative to it, and ‘relaxed-tense’ pig behaviour prior to it moderated DC responses. Computer vision image analysis thus offers a practical approach to measuring pig DC responses, and potentially pig affect and welfare, under field conditions.
Propagation of THz irradiation energy through aqueous layers: Demolition of actin filaments in living cells
Authors: Yamazaki Shota , Harata Masahiko , Ueno Yuya , Tsubouchi Masaaki , Konagaya Keiji , Ogawa Yuichi , Isoyama Goro , Otani Chiko , Hoshina Hiromichi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe effect of terahertz (THz) radiation on deep tissues of human body has been considered negligible due to strong absorption by water molecules. However, we observed that the energy of THz pulses transmits a millimeter thick in the aqueous solution, possibly as a shockwave, and demolishes actin filaments. Collapse of actin filament induced by THz irradiation was also observed in the living cells under an aqueous medium. We also confirmed that the viability of the cell was not affected under the exposure of THz pulses. The potential of THz waves as an invasive method to alter protein structure in the living cells is demonstrated.
Facile large-area uniform photolithography of membrane diffractive lens based on vacuum assisted self contact method
Authors: Gao Guohan , Wang Lihua , Shi Heng , Liu Dun , Fan Bin , Guan Chunlin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOptical polyimide (PI) membrane is a promising substrate material for diffractive lens applied in future large-aperture space based imaging system because of its light weight, environmental adaptability and deployable feature. In this letter, we put forward a facile large-area uniform photolithography technique using vacuum assisted self contact method to fabricate large-aperture membrane diffractive lens. We fabricated a φ 400 mm aperture membrane off-axis 2-levels Fresnel Zone Lens (FZL) based on the method and achieved uniformly distributed photoresist morphology as well as over 36.6% average diffraction efficiency in full aperture. The results demonstrated that vacuum assisted self contact method effectively eliminates considerable air gaps caused by unevenness of large area photomask and substrate, thus facilitates uniform light field distribution in photoresist. This work provides reference to fabrication techniques of large aperture membrane diffractive lens, and offers feasible methods for future large area flexible electronics manufacturing.
Transcriptional changes in muscle of hibernating arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii): implications for attenuation of disuse muscle atrophy
Authors: Goropashnaya Anna V. , Barnes Brian M. , Fedorov Vadim B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPhysical inactivity generates muscle atrophy in most mammalian species. In contrast, hibernating mammals demonstrate limited muscle loss over the prolonged intervals of immobility during winter, which suggests that they have adaptive mechanisms to reduce disuse muscle atrophy. To identify transcriptional programs that underlie molecular mechanisms attenuating muscle loss, we conducted a large-scale gene expression profiling in quadriceps muscle of arctic ground squirrels, comparing hibernating (late in a torpor and during torpor re-entry after arousal) and summer active animals using next generation sequencing of the transcriptome. Gene set enrichment analysis showed a coordinated up-regulation of genes involved in all stages of protein biosynthesis and ribosome biogenesis during both stages of hibernation that suggests induction of translation during interbout arousals. Elevated proportion of down-regulated genes involved in apoptosis, NFKB signaling as well as significant under expression of atrogenes, upstream regulators (FOXO1, FOXO3, NFKB1A), key components of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway (FBXO32, TRIM63, CBLB), and overexpression of PPARGC1B inhibiting proteolysis imply suppression of protein degradation in muscle during arousals. The induction of protein biosynthesis and decrease in protein catabolism likely contribute to the attenuation of disuse muscle atrophy through prolonged periods of immobility of hibernation.
A disulfide constrains the ToxR periplasmic domain structure, altering its interactions with ToxS and bile-salts
Authors: Midgett Charles R. , Swindell Rachel A. , Pellegrini Maria , Jon Kull F. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractToxR is a transmembrane transcription factor that, together with its integral membrane periplasmic binding partner ToxS, is conserved across the Vibrionaceae family. In some pathogenic Vibrios, including V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae, ToxR is required for bile resistance and virulence, and ToxR is fully activated and protected from degradation by ToxS. ToxS achieves this in part by ensuring formation of an intra-chain disulfide bond in the C-terminal periplasmic domain of ToxR (dbToxRp). In this study, biochemical analysis showed dbToxRp to have a higher affinity for the ToxS periplasmic domain than the non-disulfide bonded conformation. Analysis of our dbToxRp crystal structure showed this is due to disulfide bond stabilization. Furthermore, dbToxRp is structurally homologous to the V. parahaemolyticus VtrA periplasmic domain. These results highlight the critical structural role of disulfide bond in ToxR and along with VtrA define a domain fold involved in environmental sensing conserved across the Vibrionaceae family.
Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction-based quantification of circulating microRNAs using small RNA concentration normalization
Authors: Das Gupta Shalini , Ndode-Ekane Xavier Ekolle , Puhakka Noora , Pitkänen Asla 
Published: June 2020

AbstractQuantification of plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) as non-invasive disease biomarkers is subject to multiple technical variabilities. This study aimed to develop an optimized protocol for miRNA quantification from rodent plasma. We hypothesized that a fixed small RNA concentration input for reverse transcription (RT) reaction will provide better miRNA quantification than a fixed RNA volume input. For this, tail-vein plasma was collected from 30 naïve, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma hemolysis was measured with NanoDrop-1000 and Denovix DS-11 spectrophotometers. Plasma was then pooled, and RNA was extracted from 50-μl, 100-μl or 200-μl pool aliquots. Small RNA concentration was measured with Qubit miRNA assay. A fixed RNA volume (un-normalized) or a fixed small RNA concentration was used for RT (concentration-normalized). The method was setup with miR-23a-3p and validated with miR-103a-3p and miR-451a. Hemolysis measurements from Denovix and NanoDrop strongly correlated. Qubit revealed increased small RNA concentrations with increasing starting plasma volumes. With concentration-normalization, miRNA levels from 100-µl and 200-µl plasma volume groups mostly normalized to the level of the 50-µl in ddPCR. Our results indicate that miRNA quantification with ddPCR should be performed with small RNA concentration-normalization to minimize variations in eluted RNA concentrations occuring during RNA extraction.
Design and implementation of a wideband channel emulation platform for 5G mmWave vehicular communication
Authors: Cao Jue , Tila Fai , Nix Andrew 
Published: June 2020

In this study, the authors design and implement a real‐time hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) wideband high‐velocity channel emulation platform for the performance evaluation and verification of 5G mmWave systems. A novel spectral splitting & stitching method and channel partitioning algorithm are developed to synchronously combine up to eight 160 MHz sub‐channels. The HIL platform was calibrated in the time and frequency domains and then validated using back‐to‐back results from a pair of experimental 60 GHz mmWave modems. The emulated path loss was generated for an additive white Gaussian noise channel to characterise the data throughput versus signal‐to‐noise ratio for a fixed point‐to‐point deployment. The wideband emulator was then used to introduce the Doppler shifts and spreads observed in a high velocity (up to 600 km/h) mmWave channel. For a Ricean channel (K‐factor greater than or equal to 10 dB), negligible data throughput losses were observed for velocities up to 293.9 km/h. Using the emulator, they show that the 5G modems can achieve continuous connectivity (albeit with some throughput loss) at velocities up to 587.8 km/h. Tests were also conducted in Rayleigh channels with uniformly distributed spatial multipath. In the Rayleigh case, the maximum vehicular velocity dropped to 51.4 km/h.
Das Gorham-Stout-Syndrom – eine diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderung
Authors: Schneider Kristian Nikolaus , Theil Christoph , Gosheger Georg , Klingebiel Sebastian , Ackmann Thomas , Lampe Lukas Peter , Rickert Carolin , Schorn Dominik , Andreou Dimosthenis 
Published: June 2020

ZusammenfassungDas Gorham-Stout-Syndrom (GSS) beschreibt ein pathophysiologisch idiopathisches Krankheitsbild, welches mit Osteolysen und Proliferationen von Blut- und Lymphgefäßen assoziiert wird. In der Literatur sind nur rund 300 Fälle dieses seltenen mono- oder polyostostischen Krankheitsbildes beschrieben. In diesem Beitrag präsentieren wir zwei Patienten, die am GSS erkrankt sind. Ihre jeweilige Krankheitsgeschichte mit einer deutlich verzögerten Diagnosestellung, limitierten Behandlungsoptionen sowie unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen im Rahmen der medikamentösen Therapie verdeutlicht die Komplexität von Diagnostik und Behandlung des GSS.
Prevalence of Risk of Eating Disorders and its Association with Obesity and Fitness
Authors: Parreño-Madrigal Isabel María , Díez-Fernández Ana , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente , Visier-Alfonso María Eugenia , Garrido-Miguel Miriam , Sánchez-López Mairena 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe university stage is a critical developmental period for young adults, where lifestyles can determine future health. A cross-sectional study including 481 college students was conducted, with the following objectives: 1) to examine the prevalence of risk of developing eating disorders in college students, 2) to assess differences in obesity and physical fitness in those with and without risk of eating disorders, and 3) to determine whether cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness or fat mass were associated with the risk of eating disorders. We measured fat mass percentage (by densitometry), risk of feeding or eating disorders (by SCOFF questionnaire), cardiorespiratory fitness levels and a muscular fitness index. The prevalence of risk of eating disorders in women (32.4%) was higher than in men (17.4%) (p<0.001). In both sexes, higher obesity indicator mean values were observed among those who were at risk of eating disorders. Men participants without risk had higher cardiorespiratory fitness means than their at-risk peers [39.4 (8.3) vs. 32.4 (5.5), p<0.001)], and women showed differences only in the dynamometry/weight variable. In college students, it is necessary to promote healthy habits, including good levels of physical fitness, and to prevent excess body fat to effectively prevent eating disorders.
Endoprotector: Protective box for safe endoscopy use during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Campos Sara , Carreira Cátia , Marques Pedro Pinto , Vieira Ana 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background and study aim Outbreak of COVID-19 began in Wuhan in December 2019 and has rapidly spread from China to the rest of the world. Although it is primarily transmitted by contact and droplets, aerosol-generating procedures also seem to carry the possibility of airborne viral transmission. As such, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can be considered a risky procedure, with several position statements recommending the adoption of safe practices in endoscopic procedures. This article aims to describe an additional tool to protect healthcare personnel during endoscopy.
Methods A covering box made of acrylic plastic, named Endoprotector, was designed to cover the patient’s head, while taking into consideration movements performed by patients and healthcare staff during an endoscopic procedure.
Results A cough simulation using fluorescent dye confirmed the potential benefit of the box during endoscopy, thus protecting healthcare staff from air droplets. The feasibility and practicality of the box was also tested with patients during endoscopy.
Conclusion The reusable Endoprotector is easily and affordably manufactured and may reduce air droplets and airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other microorganisms during endoscopy.
Prevalência de ausência de função dos tendões do músculo flexor superficial do quarto e quinto dedos da mão na população brasileira
Authors: Oliveira Bruno Macêdo , Fernandes Carlos Henrique , Nakachima Luis Renato , dos Santos João Baptista Gomes , Hirakawa Celso Kiyoshi , Faloppa Flavio 
Published: June 2020

ResumoObjetivos Avaliar a prevalência da ausência de função dos tendões do músculo flexor superficial do quarto e quinto dedos em uma população brasileira.Métodos Estudo prospectivo foi realizado no departamento de ortopedia e traumatologia de um hospital universitário. O estudo foi desenvolvido no período de outubro de 2017 a abril 2018. A amostra foi formada por voluntários sem histórico de trauma, cirurgia ou qualquer afecção dos membros superiores. Foram incluídos neste estudo indivíduos de ambos os gêneros com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos. A avaliação da função do tendão do múculo flexor superficial do quarto e quinto dedos foi realizada por meio de testes clínicos por três examinadores independentes. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o programa GraphPad Prism 5.0 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, EUA).Resultados Foram analisados 1.008 voluntários totalizando 2.016 mãos. A prevalência da ausência de função do tendão do músculo flexor superficial do quarto dedo foi de 0,56% na mão direita e 0,99% na mão esquerda. Em relação ao gênero, foi verificado na mão direita uma maior prevalência da ausência de função do flexor superficial do quarto dedo no gênero feminino quando comparado ao masculino (p = 0,0328). Na mão esquerda não foi observada diferença entre os gêneros (p = 0,7562). A ausência de função do músculo flexor superficial no quinto dedo foi de 34,53% na mão direita e de 30,06% na mão esquerda. Quando analisamos o quinto dedo em relação aos gêneros, foi verificado que a prevalência da ausência de função do músculo flexor superficial foi mais frequente no gênero feminino que no masculino, tanto na mão direita (p = 0.0001) como na mão esquerda (p = 0.0003).Conclusão Apesar de haver estudos realizados separadamente em diversas etnias, não havia na literatura dados referentes à prevalência da ausência de função do músculo flexor superficial do quarto e quinto dedos da mão em uma população miscigenada como a brasileira.