bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-performance freestanding thermoelectric membrane by intact exfoliation of van der Waals epitaxial bismuth antimony telluride film
Authors: Fu Liangwei , Park Kwansu , Lee Kyu Hyoung , Kim Bongju , Choi Wooseon , Kim Young-Min , Kim Sang-il , Hwang Jae-Yeol , Kim Sung Wng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Separation of epitaxial thin films on growth substrate and transferring onto other materials for functional heterostructures have boosted the transformative impact on science and technology. However, this scheme has proved challenging in thin film thermoelectrics, but promised a vast range of applications beyond the limited device configurations of bulk thermoelectrics. Here, we demonstrate that the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 (BST) epitaxial thin film on sapphire substrate grown by spontaneous van der Waals epitaxy (vdWE) is exfoliated and transferred onto versatile materials, creating the high-quality freestanding thermoelectric membranes. Unprecedented millimeter-size vdWE BST membranes are produced by etching pseudomorphic Te monolayer on the surface of sapphire substrate in dilute HF solution. The intact exfoliation and direct transfer for vdWE BST membranes ensures a high thermoelectric performance, maintaining the high-quality crystallinity and subsequently showing the remarkable zT value (~0.9 at 300 K) in thin film thermoelectrics. These results represent the realization of long pursued but yet to be demonstrated high-performance thin film thermoelectrics, paving the way for design and fabrication of arbitrary shaped thermoelectric devices.
Variation of Heart and Lung Radiation Doses According to Setup Uncertainty in Left Breast Cancer
Authors: Park Sunmin , Rim Chai Hong , Yoon Won Sup 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
PurposeBreast radiotherapy set-up is often uncertain. Actual dose distribution to normal tissues could be different from planned dose distribution. The objective of this study was to investigate such difference in dose distribution according to the extent of set-up error in breast radiotherapy.Materials and methodsA total of 50 Gy with fraction size of 2 Gy was given to 30 left breasts with different set-ups applying a deep inspiration breath holding (DIBH) or a free breathing (FB) technique. Under the assumption that errors might come from translational axes of deep or caudal directions, the isocenter was shifted from the original tangential alignment every 2.5 mm to simulate uncertainty of deep and caudal tangential set-up in DIBH and FB. Changes were evaluated for dosimetric parameters for the heart, the left ventricle (LV), the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and the ipsilateral lung.ResultsOn the original plan, mean doses of heart and ipsilateral lung were 2.0 ± 1.1 Gy and 3.7 ± 1.4 Gy in DIBH and 8.4±1.3 Gy and 7.8±1.5 Gy in FB, respectively. The change of dose distribution for the heart in DIBH was milder than that in FB. The deeper the tangential set-up, the worse the heart, LV, LAD, and ipsilateral lung doses, showing as much as 49.4%, 56.4%, 90.3%, and 26.1% shifts, respectively, in 5 mm DIBH setup. The caudal set-up did not show significant dose difference. In multiple comparison of DIBH, differences of mean dose occurred in all 7.5 mm deep set-ups for the heart (p = 0.025), the LV (p = 0.049), and LAD (p = 0.025) in DIBH.ConclusionsTo correct set-up error over indicated limitation for deep tangential set-up in DIBH at 5 mm action level, mean heart and ipsilateral lung doses are expected to increase approximately 50% and 25%, respectively.
Validating and modeling the impact of high-frequency rapid antigen screening on COVID-19 spread and outcomes
Authors: Nash Beatrice , Badea Anthony , Reddy Ankita , Bosch Miguel , Salcedo Nol , Gomez Adam , Versiani Alice , Dutra Gislaine , Santos Thayza dos , Milhim Bruno , Moraes Marilia , Campos Guilherme , Quieroz Flávia , Reis Andreia Francesli Negri , Nogueira Mauricio , Naumova Elena , Bosch Irene , Herrera Bobby Brooke 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
High frequency screening of populations has been proposed as a strategy in facilitating control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We use computational modeling, coupled with clinical data from rapid antigen tests, to predict the impact of frequent viral antigen rapid testing on COVID-19 spread and outcomes. Using patient nasal or nasopharyngeal swab specimens, we demonstrate that the sensitivity/specificity of two rapid antigen tests compared to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) are 80.0%/91.1% and 84.7%/85.7%, respectively; moreover, sensitivity correlates directly with viral load. Based on COVID-19 data from three regions in the United States and São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, we show that high frequency, strategic population-wide rapid testing, even at varied accuracy levels, diminishes COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths at a fraction of the cost of nucleic acid detection via qRT-PCR. We propose large-scale antigen-based surveillance as a viable strategy to control SARS-CoV-2 spread and to enable societal re-opening.
Pneumomediastinum complicating COVID-19: a case series
Authors: Damous Sergio Henrique Bastos , Santos Jones Pessoa , Pezzano Alvaro Vicente Alvarez , Chams Mohamad Abdul Majid , Haritov Nathaly , Waksman Ricardo , Lima Helber Vidal Gadelha , Miranda Jocielle Santos , Rasslan Roberto , Utiyama Edivaldo Massazo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, which may or may not be associated with invasive ventilatory support. Therefore, the report and findings associated with its evolution can be of great contribution in the management of this unknown disease. Case Presentation: Here we present a series of four patients with severe pneumomediastinum requiring intensive care unit. These patients developed pneumomediastinum before or during orotracheal intubation (OTI) or without OTI. The four patients were three men and one woman with a mean age of 60.5 years (48-74 y). No patients had a known history of lung disease or traumatic events, except for one patient who had a history of smoking but who was without parenchymal disease. All intubations were performed without complications. No cases of pneumomediastinum occurred after tracheostomy, and none of the patients had tomographic or bronchoscopic evidence of tracheal injury. Although the pneumomediastinum observed in our cases was apparently not related to a violation of the aerodigestive track, this complication was associated with a worse prognosis. Conclusion: Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, and the most likely etiopathogenesis is severe pulmonary involvement, which may or may not be associated with invasive ventilatory support. Future studies with a greater number of cases should elucidate the relationship of pneumomediastinum to a probable prognostic factor.
Olfactory disturbances as presenting manifestation among Egyptian patients with COVID-19: Possible role of zinc
Authors: Hassan Mohammed H. , Abdelmaksoud Aida A. , Ghweil Ali A. , Rashad Alaa , Aref Zaki F. , Khodeary Ashraf , Elsamman Mahmoud Kammal , Sayed Mennatallah Ali Abdelrhman , Bazeed Shamardan ES 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Deficiency of zinc has been supposed to contribute to loss of smell, and taste in COVID-19 patients. Our study aimed to assess the serum zinc levels among patients with COVID-19 of various severities, with and without olfaction dysfunction. Also, to evaluate the effect of zinc therapy in recovery of smell dysfunction among such patients.Methods: This study included 134 patients; real-time reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) proved SARS-CoV-2. Serum zinc levels were measured for all infected patients. One hundred and five patients were detected to have anosmia and/ or hyposmia and who were categorized randomly into 2 groups, the first group included 49 patients received zinc therapy and a second group included 56 patients who did not receive zinc. Follow up of all patients for recovery duration of olfactory and gustatory symptoms and duration of complete recovery of COVID-19. Results: Olfactory dysfunction was reported in 105 patients (78.4%). Serum zinc levels weren't significantly differs between the patients' subgroups regarding disease severity or the presence or absence of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction (p˃0.05). The median duration of recovery of gustatory and/or olfactory function was significantly shorter among patients received zinc therapy than those who did not received zinc (p< 0.001), while the median duration of complete recovery from COVID-19 wasn't significantly differ among the two groups (p˃0.05).Conclusion: Although zinc status of COVID19 patients didn't exhibited a significant role in development of anosmia and/or hyposmia or disease severity, but zinc therapy may have a significant role in shortening the duration of smell recovery in those patients without affecting the total recovery duration from COVID-19.
Apamin inhibits renal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis via suppressing TGF-β1 and STAT3 signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Gwon Mi-Gyoeng , An Hyun-Jin , Gu Hyemin , Kim Young-Ah , Han Sang Mi , Park Kwan-Kyu 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Renal fibrosis is a progressive and chronic process that influences kidneys with chronic kidney disease (CKD), irrespective of cause, leading to irreversible failure of renal function and end-stage kidney disease. Among the signaling related to renal fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling is a major pathway that induces the activation of myofibroblasts and the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Apamin, a component of bee venom (BV), has been studied in relation to various diseases. However, the effect of apamin on renal interstitial fibrosis has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to estimate the beneficial effect of apamin in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis and TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblast activation.Results This study revealed that obstructive kidney injury induced an inflammatory response, tubular atrophy, and ECM accumulation. However, apamin treatment suppressed the increased expression of fibrotic-related genes, including α-SMA, vimentin, and fibronectin. Administration of apamin also attenuated the renal tubular cells injury and tubular atrophy. In addition, apamin attenuated fibroblast activation, ECM synthesis, and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 by suppressing the TGF-β1-canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways.Conclusions This study shown that apamin inhibites UUO-induced renal fibrosis in vivo and TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblasts activation in vitro. Apamin inhibited the inflammatory response, tubular atrophy, ECM accumulation, fibroblast activation, and renal interstitial fibrosis through suppression of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and STAT3 signaling pathways. These results suggest that apamin might be a potential therapeutic agent for renal fibrosis.
Nutritional screening based on objective indices at admission predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Song Feier , Ma Huan , Wang Shouhong , Qin Tiehe , Xu Qing , Yuan Huiqing , Li Fei , Wang Zhonghua , Liao Youwan , Tan Xiaoping , Song Xiuchan , Zhang Qing , Huang Daozheng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Could nutritional status serve as prognostic factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? The present study evaluated the clinical and nutritional characteristics of COVID-19 patients and explored the relationship between nutritional risk at admission and in-hospital mortality.Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Hubei, China. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 were typed as mild/moderate, severe, or critically ill. Clinical data and in-hospital death were collected. Nutritional risk was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) via objective parameters at admission.Results: 295 patients were enrolled, including 66 severe patients and 41 critically ill patients. 25 deaths were observed, making 8.47% in the whole population and 37.88% in the critically ill subgroup. Patients had significant differences in nutrition-related parameters and inflammatory biomarkers among three types of disease severity. Patients with lower GNRI and PNI score, as well as higher CONUT, had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated the good prognostic implication of GNRI and CONUT score. The multivariate logistic regression showed that baseline nutritional status, assessed by GNRI, PNI, or CONUT score, was a prognostic indicator for in-hospital mortality.Conclusions: Despite variant assessment tools, poor nutritional status was associated with in-hospital death in patients infected with COVID-19. This study highlighted the importance of nutritional screening at admission and the new insight of nutritional monitoring or therapy.
Regulation of ARHGAP19 in the endometrial epithelium: a possible role in the establishment of uterine receptivity
Authors: Liang Jingjie , Li Kui , Chen Kaiyu , Liang Junyong , Qin Ti , He Jiayi , Shi Shuang , Tan Qiang , Wang Zhengguang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The establishment of uterine receptivity is essential for embryo implantation initiation and involves a significant morphological transformation in the endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). The remodeling of junctional complexes and membrane-associated cytoskeleton is crucial for epithelial transformation. However, little is known about how this process is regulated in EECs during the receptive phase. ARHGAP19 is a Rho GTPase-activating protein that participates in various cytoskeletal-related events, including epithelial morphogenesis. Here, we investigated the role of ARHGAP19 in endometrial epithelial transformation during the establishment of uterine receptivity. The upstream regulator of ARHGAP19 was also investigated. Methods: ARHGAP19 expression was examined in mouse uteri during early pregnancy and in human EEC lines. The role of ARHGAP19 was investigated by manipulating its expression in EECs. The effect of ARHGAP19 on junctional proteins in EECs was examined by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The effect of ARHGAP19 on microvilli was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The upstream microRNA (miRNA) was predicted using online databases and validated by the dual-luciferase assay. The in vivo and in vitro effect of miRNA on endogenous ARHGAP19 was examined by uterine injection of miRNA agomirs and transfection of miRNA mimics or inhibitors. Results: ARHGAP19 was upregulated in the receptive mouse uteri and human EECs. Overexpression of ARHGAP19 in non-receptive EECs downregulated the expression of junctional proteins and resulted in their redistribution. Meanwhile, upregulating ARHGAP19 reorganized the cytoskeletal structure of EECs, leading to a decline of microvilli and changes in cell configuration. These changes weakened epithelial cell polarity and promoted the transition of non-receptive EECs to a receptive phenotype. Besides, miR-192-5p, a miRNA that plays a key role in maintaining epithelial properties, was validated as an upstream regulator of ARHGAP19.Conclusion: These results suggested that ARHGAP19 may contribute to the transition of EECs from a non-receptive to a receptive state by regulating the remodeling of junctional proteins and membrane-associated cytoskeleton.
Beneficial effects of voluntary exercise therapy on an Alzheimer’s mouse model are dependent on aquaporin 4-mediated glymphatic transport
Authors: Liu Yun , Feng Weixi , Hu Panpan , Zhai Shuang , Zhang Rui , Li Qian , Marsahall Charles , Xiao Ming , Wu Ting 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggest there is an effective time window for the ability of exercise to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Astrocyte aquaporin-4 (AQP4) dependent glymphatic transport is necessary for clearance of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) from the brain. The purpose of this study is to explore whether this Aβ clearance mechanism is involved in the time-dependent benefit of exercise on Aβ related pathology. Method: 3- and 7-month-old male wild type (WT) mice, APP695swe/PS1-dE9 (APP/PS1) mice and AQP4 knockout (AQP4−/−)/APP/PS1 mice received voluntary wheel exercise intervention for 2 months, followed by behavioral and pathological analyses.Results: 9-month-old APP/PS1 mice showed enhanced reactive astrogliosis, accompanied with widespread loss of perivascular AQP4 polarization, when compared to 5-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Voluntary exercise improved AQP4 polarity and glymphatic transport, reduced glial inflammation and brain Aβ plaque load, plus alleviated synapse protein loss and cognitive deficits in 5-month-old, but not 9-month-old, APP/PS1 mice. Exercise intervention did not mitigate glymphatic transport dysfunction, Aβ accumulation and cognitive impairment in AQP4−/−/APP/PS1 mice at 5 or 9 months of age. Conclusion: These results have revealed that AQP4-dependent glymphatic transport is an influential factor in the timeliness of voluntary exercise ability to alleviate Aβ pathology, potentially offering a new target for the early prevention of the disease.
Body Mass Index Changes: An Assessment Of The Effects Of Age And Gender Using The E-Norms Method
Authors: Jabre Joe F , Bland Jeremy D.P. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: To validate e-norms methodology in establishing a reference range for body mass index measures. A new method, the extrapolated norms (e-norms) method of determining normal ranges for biological variables is easy to use and recently was validated for several biological measurements. We aimed to determine whether this new method provides BMI results in agreement with established traditionally collected BMI values. Methods: We applied the e-norms method to BMI data from 34,384 individuals and compared the ranges derived from this method with those from a large actuarially based study and explored differences in the normal range by gender, and age.Results: The e-norms derived range of healthy BMI in adults is from 22.7-30.6, and showed that BMI is consistently higher in men than in women and increases with age, except in subjects aged 80-98 years in whom healthy BMI appears to be lower. Conclusions: Our e-norms derived healthy BMI ranges agree with traditionally obtained actuarially based methods, supporting the validity and ease of use of our method.
Comprehensive analysis and identification of drought-responsive candidate NAC genes in three semi-arid tropics (SAT) legume crops
Authors: Singh Sadhana , Kudapa Himabindu , Garg Vanika , Varshney Rajeev 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut are the primary crop legumes of semi-arid tropics (SAT) and their global productivity is severely affected by drought stress. The plant-specific NAC (NAM - no apical meristem, ATAF - Arabidopsis transcription activation factor, and CUC - cup-shaped cotyledon) transcription factor family is known to be involved in majority of abiotic stresses, especially in the drought stress tolerance mechanism. – Results: In this study, genome-wide NAC proteins – 72, 96, and 166 – have been identified from the genomes of chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut, respectively. Phylogeny with well-known stress-responsive NACs in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa (rice), Medicago truncatula, and Glycine max (soybean) enabled prediction of putative stress-responsive NACs in chickpea (22), pigeonpea (31), and groundnut (33). On exploring the available transcriptome data of each of these legumes, putative stress-responsive NACs at various developmental stages revealed differential expression patterns in the different tissues studied. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the expression patterns of selected stress-responsive, Ca_NAC (Cicer arietinum - 14), Cc_NAC (Cajanus cajan - 15), and Ah_NAC (Arachis hypogaea - 14) genes using drought-stressed and well-watered root tissues from two contrasting drought-responsive genotypes of each of the three legumes. Based on expression analysis, 10/14 Ca_NACs (Ca_06899, Ca_18090, Ca_22941, Ca_04337, Ca_04069, Ca_04233, Ca_12660, Ca_16379, Ca_16946, and Ca_21186); 6/15 Cc_NACs (Cc_26125, Cc_43030, Cc_43785, Cc_43786, Cc_22429, and Cc_22430); 5/14 Ah_NACs (Ah_ann1.G1V3KR.2, Ah_ann1.MI72XM.2, Ah_ann1.V0X4SV.1, Ah_ann1.FU1JML.2, and Ah_ann1.8AKD3R.1) were identified as potential drought stress-responsive candidate genes. Conclusion: In the present study, comprehensive genome-wide identification and expression analyses of the NAC proteins have been carried out in chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut. Based on the genome sequence, we analyzed phylogenetic association, structural characteristics, promoter analysis, gene interaction networks, and expression profiles of NAC genes among these three legumes. We have identified a total of 21 potential drought-responsive NAC genes in these legumes. The identified candidate genes would serve as a useful resource for molecular breeding for developing drought-tolerant legume varieties with improved productivity.
Extensive structural variation in the Bowman-Birk inhibitor family in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Xie Yucong , Ravet Karl , Pearce Stephen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBI) are a family of serine-type protease inhibitors that modulate endogenous plant proteolytic activities during different phases of development. They also inhibit exogenous proteases as a component of plant defense mechanisms, and their overexpression can confer resistance to phytophagous herbivores and multiple fungal and bacterial pathogens. Dicot BBIs are multifunctional, with a “double-headed” structure containing two separate inhibitory loops that can bind and inhibit trypsin and chymotrypsin proteases simultaneously. By contrast, monocot BBIs have a non-functional chymotrypsin inhibitory loop, although they have undergone internal duplication events giving rise to proteins with multiple BBI domains.Results We used a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) profile-based search to identify 57 BBI genes in the common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome. The BBI genes are unevenly distributed, with large gene clusters in the telomeric regions of homeologous group 1 and 3 chromosomes that likely arose through a series of tandem gene duplication events. The genomes of wheat progenitors also contain contiguous clusters of BBI genes, suggesting this family underwent expansion before the domestication of common wheat. However, the BBI gene family varied in size among different cultivars, showing this family remains dynamic. Because of these expansions, the BBI gene family is larger in wheat than other monocots such as maize, rice and Brachypodium.We found BBI proteins in common wheat with intragenic homologous duplications of cysteine-rich functional domains, including one protein with four functional BBI domains. This diversification may expand the spectrum of target substrates. Expression profiling suggests that some wheat BBI proteins may be involved in regulating endogenous proteases during grain development, while others were induced in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, suggesting a role in plant defense.Conclusions Genome-wide characterization reveals that the BBI gene family in wheat is subject to a high rate of homologous tandem duplication and deletion events, giving rise to a diverse set of encoded proteins. This information will facilitate the functional characterization of individual wheat BBI genes to determine their role in wheat development and stress responses and their potential application in breeding.