bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIFα independent mechanisms in renal carcinoma cells modulate divergent outcomes in fibronectin assembly mediated by hypoxia and CoCl2
Authors: Magdaleno Carina , Dixon Leah , Rajasekaran Narendiran , Varadaraj Archana 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFibronectin (FN) is a core matrix protein that assembles to form a dynamic cellular scaffold, frequently perturbed during oncogenic transformation. Tumor hypoxia, characterized by low oxygen concentrations in the microenvironment of most solid tumors has been shown to accelerate FN assembly in fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts, cell types that produce abundant amounts of FN protein. Nevertheless, FN matrix regulation in epithelial cancer cells during hypoxia remains less well defined. In this study we investigate the assembly of the FN matrix during hypoxia in renal cancer epithelial cells, the cells of origin of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We show that hypoxia (1% O2) specifically increases matrix disassembly and increases migratory propensity in renal cancer cells. However, HIFα stabilization using hypoxia mimetics, does not recapitulate the effect of hypoxia on FN matrix reorganization or cell migration. Using a combination of knockdown and inhibitor-based approaches, our work characterizes the signaling events that mediate these two disparate changes on the matrix and explores its functional significance on chemotactic cell migration. Our study systematically reexamines the role of hypoxia mimetics as experimental substitutes for hypoxia and provides new findings on HIFα stabilization and the FN matrix in the context of renal cancer.
Detection of fossil-fuel CO2 plummet in China due to COVID-19 by observation at Hateruma
Authors: Tohjima Yasunori , Patra Prabir K. , Niwa Yosuke , Mukai Hitoshi , Sasakawa Motoki , Machida Toshinobu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but due to its large atmospheric reservoir and long lifetime, no detectable signal has been observed in the atmospheric CO2 growth rate. Using the variabilities in CO2 (ΔCO2) and methane (ΔCH4) observed at Hateruma Island, Japan during 1997–2020, we show a traceable CO2 emission reduction in China during February–March 2020. The monitoring station at Hateruma Island observes the outflow of Chinese emissions during winter and spring. A systematic increase in the ΔCO2/ΔCH4 ratio, governed by synoptic wind variability, well corroborated the increase in China’s fossil-fuel CO2 (FFCO2) emissions during 1997–2019. However, the ΔCO2/ΔCH4 ratios showed significant decreases of 29 ± 11 and 16 ± 11 mol mol−1 in February and March 2020, respectively, relative to the 2011–2019 average of 131 ± 11 mol mol−1. By projecting these observed ΔCO2/ΔCH4 ratios on transport model simulations, we estimated reductions of 32 ± 12% and 19 ± 15% in the FFCO2 emissions in China for February and March 2020, respectively, compared to the expected emissions. Our data are consistent with the abrupt decrease in the economic activity in February, a slight recovery in March, and return to normal in April, which was calculated based on the COVID-19 lockdowns and mobility restriction datasets.
The association between birth by cesarean section and adolescent cardiorespiratory fitness in a cohort of 339,451 Swedish males
Authors: Ekstrom Lucas D. , Ahlqvist Viktor H. , Persson Margareta , Magnusson Cecilia , Berglind Daniel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBirth by cesarean section is increasing worldwide and associates with offspring morbidities capable of adversely impacting cardiorespiratory fitness later in life. Whether birth by cesarean section associates with lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness later in life is unknown and is of interest to public health. Four Swedish national registers were linked to follow 339,451 singleton males, born between 1973–1987 until December 31 2005, for Watt-maximum achieved on a cycle ergometer test at conscription into the Swedish military. Main exposure was birth by cesarean section which was compared to vaginal birth. A sub-population of 45,999 males born between 1982–1987 was identified to explore differentiated associations between elective and non-elective cesarean section with Watt-maximum. Within-family analyses of 34,252 families with 70,632 biological male siblings, who conscripted during the study period, were performed to explore the role of familial confounding on Watt-maximum. Swedish males born by cesarean section achieved lower mean Watt-maximum (− 2.32 W, 95%C.I. − 2.90 to − 1.75) and displayed excess odds of low cardiorespiratory fitness (aOR = 1.08, 95%C.I. 1.05 to 1.11) at conscription in the eighteenth life-year compared to males born vaginally after adjusting for birth characteristics, maternal morbidities and parental socioeconomic position. In the sub-population, males born 1982–1987, there was a greater negative association of elective cesarean section with cardiorespiratory fitness (− 4.42 W, 95%C.I. − 6.27 to − 2.57, p < 0.001) than non-elective cesarean sections (− 1.96 W, 95%C.I. − 3.77 to − 0.16, p = 0.033) as compared to vaginal births. No associations between modes of cesarean delivery and cardiorespiratory fitness levels persisted in the within-family analyses where biological male siblings were compared whilst controlling for factors shared within families. Males born by cesarean section had lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness eighteen years later compared to males born vaginally. These findings appear to be largely explained by factors of familial confounding.
Mechanoadaptive organization of stress fiber subtypes in epithelial cells under cyclic stretches and stretch release
Authors: Roshanzadeh Amir , Nguyen Tham Thi , Nguyen Khoa Dang , Kim Dong-Su , Lee Bong-Kee , Lee Dong-Weon , Kim Eung-Sam 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCyclic stretch applied to cells induces the reorganization of stress fibers. However, the correlation between the reorganization of stress fiber subtypes and strain-dependent responses of the cytoplasm and nucleus has remained unclear. Here, we investigated the dynamic involvement of stress fiber subtypes in the orientation and elongation of cyclically stretched epithelial cells. We applied uniaxial cyclic stretches at 5%, 10%, and 15% strains to cells followed by the release of the mechanical stretch. Dorsal, transverse arcs, and peripheral stress fibers were mainly involved in the cytoplasm responses whereas perinuclear cap fibers were associated with the reorientation and elongation of the nucleus. Dorsal stress fibers and transverse arcs rapidly responded within 15 min regardless of the strain magnitude to facilitate the subsequent changes in the orientation and elongation of the cytoplasm. The cyclic stretches induced the additional formation of perinuclear cap fibers and their increased number was almost maintained with a slight decline after 2-h-long stretch release. The slow formation and high stability of perinuclear cap fibers were linked to the slow reorientation kinetics and partial morphology recovery of nucleus in the presence or absence of cyclic stretches. The reorganization of stress fiber subtypes occurred in accordance with the reversible distribution of myosin II. These findings allowed us to propose a model for stretch-induced responses of the cytoplasm and nucleus in epithelial cells based on different mechanoadaptive properties of stress fiber subtypes.
Recurrent microbial keratitis and endogenous site Staphylococcus aureus colonisation
Authors: Somerville Tobi F. , Shankar Jayendra , Aldwinckle Sarah , Sueke Henri , Neal Timothy , Horsburgh Malcolm J. , Kaye Stephen B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study investigated Staphylococcus aureus carriage in patients with microbial keratitis (MK). 215 patients with MK, 60 healthy controls and 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included. Corneal scrapes were collected from patients with MK. Conjunctival, nasal and throat swabs were collected from the non-MK groups on a single occasion and from the MK group at presentation and then at 6 and 12 weeks. Samples were processed using conventional diagnostic culture. 68 (31.6%) episodes of clinically suspected MK were classed as recurrent. Patients with recurrent MK had a higher isolation rate of S. aureus from their cornea than those with a single episode (p < 0.01) and a higher isolation rate of S. aureus from their conjunctiva compared to control participants, 20.6% (14/68) versus 3% (5/60) respectively (p = 0.01). Significantly more patients with recurrent MK (12/68, 17.6%) were found to have S. aureus isolated from both their conjunctiva and nose than those with a single episode of MK (7/147, 4.8% p = 0.002) and compared to patients in the control group (3/60, 5.0% p = 0.03). The results indicate that patients with recurrent MK have higher rates of carriage of S. aureus suggesting endogenous site colonisation as a possible source of recurrent infection.
Unilateral step training can drive faster learning of novel gait patterns
Authors: Song Christine N. , Stenum Jan , Leech Kristan A. , Keller Chloe K. , Roemmich Ryan T. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHumans are capable of learning many new walking patterns. People have learned to snowshoe up mountains, racewalk marathons, and march in precise synchrony. But what is required to learn a new walking pattern? Here, we demonstrate that people can learn new walking patterns without actually walking. Through a series of experiments, we observe that stepping with only one leg can facilitate learning of an entirely new walking pattern (i.e., split-belt treadmill walking). We find that the nervous system learns from the relative speed difference between the legs—whether or not both legs are moving—and can transfer this learning to novel gaits. We also show that locomotor learning requires active movement: observing another person adapt their gait did not result in significantly faster learning. These findings reveal that people can learn new walking patterns without bilateral gait training, as stepping with one leg can facilitate adaptive learning that transfers to novel gait patterns.
A randomized controlled trial of resistance and balance exercise for sarcopenic patients aged 80–99 years
Authors: Liang Yuxiang , Wang Renjie , Jiang Jiaojiao , Tan Lingling , Yang Ming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe compared a mixed exercise program (i.e., balance exercise plus resistance exercise) with resistance exercise in a single-blind, randomized controlled trial in a post-acute care unit. In total, 60 sarcopenic patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (12-week mixed exercise) and a control group (12-week resistance exercise). The primary outcomes were the change of the Barthel Index and the number of fallers. The intervention group showed a mean increase of 9.5 points on the Barthel Index (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9–15.1), while the control group showed a mean increase of 6.3 points (95% CI 2.3–10.4). The mixed exercise program provided a significant benefit over resistance exercise (adjusted mean difference of the change of Barthel Index: 6.8 points; 95% CI 1.4–12.1). The number of fallers was 13.3% and 23.3% in the intervention and control groups, respectively, but the difference was not significant (risk ratio (RR) 0.89, 95% CI 0.69–1.13, p = 0.506). In conclusion, compared with resistance exercise, the mixed exercise program appears to further improve the activities of daily living and physical performance in our study population. Under the monitoring of experienced physiotherapists, both exercise programs are feasible and safe for this population.
Effect of degradation products of iron-bioresorbable implants on the physiological behavior of macrophages in vitro
Authors: Fagali Natalia S , Madrid Marcos A , Pérez Maceda Blanca T , López Fernández María E , Lozano Puerto Rosa M , Fernández Lorenzo de Mele Mónica 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The degradation of bioresorbable metals in vivo changes the physicochemical properties in the environment of an implant, such as a stent in the artery wall, and may induce the alteration of the functions of the surrounding cells. The Fe-degradation, from bioresorbable stents, is a particularly intricate process because it leads to the release of soluble (SDP) and insoluble degradation products (IDP) of varied composition. Macrophages are involved in the resorption of the exogenous agents coming from degradation of these materials. In the present work an Fe0 ring, made with a pure Fe wire, in contact with macrophage cell cultures was used to simulate the behaviour of a biodegradable Fe-based implant in a biological environment. Non-invasive time-lapse optical microscopy was applied to obtain images of macrophages exposed to Fe-degradation products, without using staining to avoid distortions and artefacts. It was noticed that as metal degraded, the IDP formed in situ accumulated close to the Fe0 ring. In this zone, the macrophages showed a dynamic process of uptake of dark Fe-containing products, confirmed by SEM-EDX. These macrophages showed alterations in the morphology and decrease in the motility and viability. The inability of the macrophages to move and to degrade the engulfed products caused a long persistence of IDP in the zone closest to the metal. The deleterious effects of IDP accumulated close to the ring, were significantly worse than those observed in the experiments made with (1) concentrated salt solutions (Fe3+ salt 3 mM), with the same amount of precipitates but uniformly distributed in the well, and (2) diluted salt solutions (Fe3+ salt 1 mM) with mainly soluble species. The results were confirmed by standard staining protocols that revealed dead cells close to the Fe0 ring and oxidative stress in cells exposed to both soluble and insoluble species.
Improving Outcomes for Hospitalized Patients Pre- and Post-COVID-19
Authors: Hurtig Richard R. , Alper Rebecca , Altschuler Tami , Gendreau Sarah , Gormley Jessica , Marshall Sarah , Santiago Rachel , Scibilia Stephanie 
Published: October 2020

Purpose
Barriers to effective patient–provider communication increase the risk that a patient will experience a hospital-acquired condition (HAC) that will negatively impact the patient's health outcomes. Providing patients with communication tools can significantly reduce the risks of experiencing HACs. This article describes how barriers to effective patient–provider communication can impact patient outcomes and reports on the incidence of HACs in patients who received assistive technology to address barriers to patient–provider communication. This topic is of critical relevance, as the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the number of patients who face communication barriers and the accompanying challenges encountered by their health care providers.

Method/Approach
The researchers compared the number of expected HACs based on previously obtained data to the number of HACs reported among patients who received an assistive technology intervention. Additionally, the impact of COVID-19 on patient–provider communication was discussed through the provision of case descriptions from frontline speech-language pathologists who have worked in COVID-19 intensive care units.

Results
The patients who received the assistive technology intervention had a significantly lower incidence of HACs than what would be expected in hospital settings. Clinicians working directly with patients with COVID-19 identified suggestions on how both patients and providers can address the barriers to effective patient–provider communication.

Conclusion
A key to better patient outcomes and lower health care costs will require making the provision of communication tools part of the standard of care for all patients facing barriers to communication.
Ferrite‐based room temperature negative temperature coefficient printed thermistors
Authors: McGhee J.R. , Sagu J.S. , Southee D.J. , Evans P.S.A. , Wijayantha K.G.U. 
Published: October 2020

Two screen printing inks were developed for the low‐temperature fabrication of printed and flexible thick film negative temperature coefficient thermistors able to operate at room temperature. The first of the two screen printing inks developed utilised cobalt ferrite (CoFe2 O4 ) as the temperature sensing material with the second ink incorporating manganese ferrite (MnFe2 O4 ). These were then screen printed onto lithographically printed silver interdigitated electrodes with a 200 µm track and gap using a synthetic paper (Teslin) as the substrate. The inks required a 10 min curing step at 80°C. Pre‐annealing of the ferrite powders before ink formulation enabled the avoidance of high‐temperature processing post‐fabrication typically required in industrial thermistor production. The printed thermistors were tested at a controlled constant humidity between 15 and 50°C. Both materials demonstrated typical natural logarithmic responses with high linearity and sensitivity.
Analytical transmission line model for complex dielectric constant measurement of thin substrates using T‐resonator method
Authors: Zahedi Amir , Boroumand Farhad A. , Aliakbrian Hadi 
Published: October 2020

This work presents a new analytical transmission line model for microstrip T‐resonator dielectric constant measurement method in order to simplify the extraction of the complex dielectric permittivity of the substrate and increase its accuracy. The proposed new formula, which is based on the T‐matrix equivalent circuit of the structure, is only dependent on the propagation and attenuation constants of the stub line. Two new formulas to determine the end effect of open‐ended stub and the propagation constant parameters are also presented. As an example, a T‐resonator is implemented on a 31 mil RO4003C substrate, and it is simulated and measured S‐parameter results in the range of 1 MHz–8 GHz are used to calculate a complex dielectric constant of the substrate at each resonance frequency. A full‐wave simulation is also used to confirm the accuracy of the proposed model. The comparison between the simulated and the measured S‐parameters demonstrates a relative error of <1% over the frequency range.
DTI in der Diagnostik der zervikalen Myelopathie
Authors: Schöller Karsten , Siller Sebastian 
Published: October 2020

ZusammenfassungDie degenerative zervikale Myelopathie (DCM) ist die häufigste Form der Rückenmarksaffektion im Erwachsenenalter. Die zugrundeliegenden pathophysiologischen Veränderungen sind komplex und eine operative Therapie ist in aller Regel spätestens dann notwendig, wenn relevante klinische Symptome einer stenosebedingten Rückenmarkskompression vorliegen. Für die Planung der Operation ist eine akkurate bildgebende Diagnostik essenziell. Diese soll dabei helfen, die zur klinischen Symptomatik beitragenden Wirbelsäulensegmente zu identifizieren.Die konventionelle Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) ist das heutzutage am häufigsten angewendete bildgebende Verfahren bei DCM, da sich v. a. T2-gewichtete MRT-Sequenzen hervorragend für die morphologische Beurteilung der Rückenmarkskompression und die Identifikation einer Myelomalazie („Myelopathiezeichen“) eignen. Insbesondere bei multisegmentalen degenerativen Veränderungen kann die Grenze der diagnostischen Aussagekraft des MRTs jedoch schnell erreicht werden.Die Diffusion Tensor Bildgebung (diffusion tensor imaging, DTI) ist eine auf der MRT basierende, neuartige Untersuchungsmodalität, die auf der Messung der Diffusionseffekte von Wassermolekülen auf zellulärer Ebene basiert und eine Beurteilung der Integrität der weißen Rückenmarkssubstanz ermöglicht. Die beiden wichtigsten DTI-Größen, FA (fraktionelle Anisotropie) und ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient), stellen Surrogatparameter für das Ausmaß der strukturellen Myelonschädigung dar und zeigen Unterschiede zwischen DCM-Patienten und gesunden Probanden. Ein Vorteil dieser Technik könnte in einer sensitiven und frühen Detektion einer Rückenmarksschädigung liegen, zudem ist die Nutzung als prognostischer Marker oder bei der Operationsplanung denkbar.Unser Artikel beschäftigt sich mit den Einsatzmöglichkeiten des DTI bei der zervikalen Myelopathie und gibt einen Ausblick auf mögliche zukünftige Entwicklungen.
Dietary Cysteine Intake is Associated with Blood Glutathione Levels and Isometric Strength
Authors: Margaritelis Nikos V. , Chatzinikolaou Panagiotis N. , Bousiou Flora V. , Malliou Vasiliki J. , Papadopoulou Sousana K. , Potsaki Panagiota , Theodorou Anastasios A. , Kyparos Antonios , Geladas Nikos D. , Nikolaidis Michalis G. , Paschalis Vassilis 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGlutathione is the most abundant cellular antioxidant and regulates redox homeostasis. Healthy individuals with certain antioxidant inadequacies/deficiencies exhibit impairments in physiological functions. The aim was to investigate whether low levels of dietary cysteine intake are associated with a) lower erythrocyte glutathione, b) increased plasma F2-isoprostanes, and c) impaired muscle function. Towards this aim, we recorded the dietary intake of the three amino acids that synthesize glutathione (i. e., glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine) in forty-one healthy individuals, and subsequently measured erythrocyte glutathione levels. Maximal isometric strength and fatigue index were also assessed using an electronic handgrip dynamometer. Our findings indicate that dietary cysteine intake was positively correlated with glutathione levels (r=0.765, p<0.001). In addition, glutathione levels were negatively correlated with F2-isoprostanes (r=− 0.311, p=0.048). An interesting finding was that glutathione levels and cysteine intake were positively correlated with maximal handgrip strength (r=0.416, p=0.007 and r=0.343, p=0.028, respectively). In conclusion, glutathione concentration is associated with cysteine intake, while adequate cysteine levels were important for optimal redox status and muscle function. This highlights the importance of proper nutritional intake and biochemical screening with the goal of personalized nutrition.
Tutankhamun’s Antimalarial Drug for Covid-19
Authors: Sommer Andrei P. , Försterling Horst-Dieter , Sommer Katlin E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDrug repositioning is a strategy that identifies new uses of approved drugs
to treat conditions different from their original purpose. Current efforts
to treat Covid-19 are based on this strategy. The first drugs used in
patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were antimalarial drugs. It is their
mechanism of action, i. e., rise in endosomal pH, which recommends
them against the new coronavirus. Disregarding their side effects, the study
of their antiviral activity provides valuable hints for the choice and
design of drugs against SARS-CoV-2. One prominent drug candidate is
thymoquinone, an antimalarial substance contained in Nigella sativa
– most likely one of the first antimalarial drugs in human history.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the number of articles relating
thymoquinone to Covid-19 continuously increases. Here, we use it as an
exemplary model drug, compare its antiviral mechanism with that of
conventional antimalarial drugs and establish an irreducible parametric
scheme for the identification of drugs with a potential in
Covid-19.Translation into the laboratory is simple. Starting with the
discovery of Nigella sativa seeds in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, we
establish a physicochemical model for the interaction of thymoquinone with
both coronavirus and cells. Exploiting the predictive capability of the
model, we provide a generalizable scheme for the systematic choice and
design of drugs for Covid-19. An unexpected offshoot of our research is that
Tutankhamun could not have died of malaria, a finding contrary to the
mainstream theory.