bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular and immunochemical characterization of Pop n 2: A new allergen of Populus nigra pollen
Authors: Shams Mohammad‐Hossein , Assarehzadegan Mohammad‐Ali , Eskandari Nahid , Masjedi Mohsen , Kheirandish Farnaz , Ghasemi Ramin , Ganjalikhani hakemi Mazdak , Varzi Ali‐Mohammad , Safari Mojgan , Sohrabi Seyyed‐Mohsen , Abdoli Sereshki Haleh 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundPollen is one of the most common allergens that cause respiratory allergies worldwide. Pollen grains from poplars have been reported as important sources of pollinosis in many countries.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to determine the molecular and immunochemical characterization of Pop n 2, a novel allergen of Populus nigra (P nigra) pollen extract.MethodsIn this study, the pollen extract of P nigra was analysed by SDS‐PAGE, and the allergenic profile was determined by IgE immunoblotting and specific ELISA using the sera of twenty allergic patients. The coding sequence of Pop n 2 was cloned and expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using plasmid the pET‐21b (+). Finally, the expressed recombinant Pop n 2 was purified by affinity chromatography.ResultsPop n 2 belongs to the profilin family with a molecular weight of approximately 14 kDa. Pop n 2 is the most IgE‐reactive protein (about 65%) in the P nigra pollen extract. The cDNA sequencing results indicated an open reading frame 396 bp that encodes 131 amino acid residues. The results of ELISA and Immunoblotting assays showed that recombinant Pop n 2 could react with the IgE antibody in patients' sera, like its natural counterpart.ConclusionOur data revealed that Pop n 2 is a significant allergen in the P nigra pollen extract. Moreover, we observed that the recombinant Pop n 2 produced by the pET‐21b (+) vector in the E colisystem acts as its natural counterpart.
The use of dynamic MR imaging in patients with clinical pelvic floor disorders
Authors: Langenbach Marcel C. , Park Clara , Vogl Thomas J. , Beeres Martin , Scholtz Jan‐Erik , Gruber‐Rouh Tatjana 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the differences and challenging aspects of dynamic magnetic resonance defecography (MRD) compared to conventional defecography (CD) in diagnostic of clinical symptomatic pelvic floor dysfunction.MethodsFifty patients (44 females, 6 males; mean age: 57 years) with symptomatic pelvic floor dysfunction underwent both examinations, CD and MRD. Results were retrospectively intra‐individual and interindividual evaluated in this multicentre study. Visibility and accuracy in diagnosis and classification of rectal prolapse, rectocele, enterocele, sigma diverticula and Cul‐de‐sac phenomenon/syndrome were observed. Differences were analysed using Mann–Whitney U test. P‐values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.ResultsCD was significantly superior to MRD in diagnosis and grading of rectal prolapse (p < .001), diagnosis and metric measurements of rectoceles (p = .016), diagnosis of elongated sigmoid colon (p = .008) and Cul‐de‐sac phenomenon and syndrome, respectively (p = .015; p = .008). MRD revealed equal results to CD in detection, localization, tendency to retention and enlargement of rectoceles (p = .337) and findings of enteroceles (p = .604) as well as sigma diverticula (p = .149).ConclusionsThe complementary use of both examination methods, CD and MRD, is important to achieve a comprehensive look on every aspect of pelvic floor disorders and gain optimal results in detection and evaluation of all major disorders of the pelvic floor.
Alcohol‐attributed disease burden in four Nordic countries between 2000 and 2017: Are the gender gaps narrowing? A comparison using the Global Burden of Disease, Injury and Risk Factor 2017 study
Authors: Agardh Emilie E. , Allebeck Peter , Flodin Pär , Wennberg Peter , Ramstedt Mats , Knudsen Ann Kristin , Øverland Simon , Kinge Jonas Minet , Tollånes Mette C. , Eikemo Terje A. , Skogen Jens Christoffer , Mäkelä Pia , Gissler Mika , Juel Knud , Moesgaard Iburg Kim , McGrath John J. , Naghavi Mohsen , Vollset Stein Emil , Gakidou Emmanuela , Danielsson Anna‐Karin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroduction and AimsThe gender difference in alcohol use seems to have narrowed in the Nordic countries, but it is not clear to what extent this may have affected differences in levels of harm. We compared gender differences in all‐cause and cause‐specific alcohol‐attributed disease burden, as measured by disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALY), in four Nordic countries in 2000–2017, to find out if gender gaps in DALYs had narrowed.Design and MethodsAlcohol‐attributed disease burden by DALYs per 100 000 population with 95% uncertainty intervals were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease database.ResultsIn 2017, all‐cause DALYs in males varied between 2531 in Finland and 976 in Norway, and in females between 620 in Denmark and 270 in Norway. Finland had the largest gender differences and Norway the smallest, closely followed by Sweden. During 2000–2017, absolute gender differences in all‐cause DALYs declined by 31% in Denmark, 26% in Finland, 19% in Sweden and 18% in Norway. In Finland, this was driven by a larger relative decline in males than females; in Norway, it was due to increased burden in females. In Denmark, the burden in females declined slightly more than in males, in relative terms, while in Sweden the relative decline was similar in males and females.Discussion and ConclusionsThe gender gaps in harm narrowed to a different extent in the Nordic countries, with the differences driven by different conditions. Findings are informative about how inequality, policy and sociocultural differences affect levels of harm by gender.
Erythrocyte membrane fluidity as a marker of diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Bianchetti Giada , Viti Luca , Scupola Andrea , Di Leo Mauro , Tartaglione Linda , Flex Andrea , De Spirito Marco , Pitocco Dario , Maulucci Giuseppe 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundA high level of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), which is a nonenzymatic glycosylation product, is correlated with an increased risk of developing microangiopathic complications in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Erythrocyte membrane fluidity could provide a complementary index to monitor the development of complications since it is influenced by several hyperglycaemia‐induced pathways and other independent risk factors.Materials and methods15 healthy controls and 33 patients with long‐duration (≥20 years) type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) were recruited. Diabetic subjects were classified into two groups: T1DM, constituted by 14 nonretinopathic patients, and T1DM + RD, constituted by 19 patients in any stage of diabetic retinopathy. Red blood cells (RBC) were incubated with the fluorescent Laurdan probe and median values of Generalized Polarization (GP), representative of membrane fluidity, were compared between the two groups. Baseline characteristics among groups have been compared with Student's t test or ANOVA. Values of P < .05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsAll the participants were comparable for age, Body Mass Index (BMI), creatinine and lipid profile. The duration of diabetes was similar for T1DM (34.4 ± 7.8 years) and T1DM + RD (32.8 ± 7.5 years) subjects as well as values of HbA1c: (55.6 ± 8.1) mmol/mol for T1DM and (61.2 ± 11.0) mmol/mol for T1DM + RD, respectively. Erythrocyte plasmatic membranes of RD patients were found to be more fluid (GP: 0.40 ± 0.04) than non‐RD patients (GP: 0.43 ± 0.03) with a statistically significant difference (P = .035).ConclusionsAltered erythrocyte membrane fluidity may therefore represent a marker of retinopathy in T1DM patients as a result of post‐translational modifications of multifactorial aetiology (nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins, generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation).
Treatable lysosomal storage diseases in the advent of disease‐specific therapy
Authors: Peters Heidi , Ellaway Carolyn , Nicholls Kathleen , Reardon Katrina , Szer Jeff 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLysosomal storage diseases (LSD) comprise a rare and heterogeneous group of nearly 50 heritable metabolic disorders caused by mutations in proteins critical for cellular lysosomal function. Defects in the activity of these proteins in multiple organs leads to progressive intra‐lysosomal accumulation of specific substrates, resulting in disruption of cellular functions, extracellular inflammatory responses, tissue damage and organ dysfunction. The classification and clinical presentation of different LSD are dependent on the type of accumulated substrate. Some clinical signs and symptoms are common across multiple LSD, while others are more specific to a particular syndrome. Due to the rarity and wide clinical diversity of LSD, identification and diagnosis can be challenging, and in many cases diagnosis is delayed for months or years. Treatments, such as enzyme replacement therapy, haemopoietic stem cell transplantation and substrate reduction therapy, are now available for some of the LSD. For maximum effect, therapy must be initiated prior to the occurrence of irreversible tissue damage, highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis. Herein, we discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of four of the treatable LSD: Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, and two of the mucopolysaccharidoses (I and II). For each disease, we present illustrative case studies to help increase awareness of their clinical presentation and possible treatment outcomes.
Robotic question support system to reduce hesitation for face‐to‐face questions in lectures
Authors: Shimaya Jiro , Yoshikawa Yuichiro , Ogawa Kohei , Ishiguro Hiroshi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractEncouraging students to actively ask questions during lectures is a formidable challenge that can be addressed through innovative use of information technology. We developed a robotic system that allows students in a lecture to collaboratively decide questions to be asked by a humanoid robot. To verify whether the system reduces hesitation to ask questions during lectures, 62 university students were divided into two groups, and each attended two different mock lectures on the Nobel Prize in Physics. Two lectures were conducted with and without the proposed system in counterbalanced order. Results suggested that students who were usually hesitant to ask questions during lectures became less hesitant to ask questions face‐to‐face when they could use the proposed system. Moreover, the perceived activeness in the lectures increased when using the system. Multiple regression analyses revealed that certain student actions, particularly tweeting and showing agreement with the questions posted by others, were correlated with an increase in perceived activeness.
MiR‐326 regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of endometrial cancer by targeting Bcl‐2
Authors: Cai Lily , Chen Juan‐Juan , Deng Fu‐Mou , Wang Lei , Chen Yu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimMiR‐326 has been investigated to be correlated with multiple types of malignancies; however, the role of miR‐326 in endometrial cancer (EC) remains rarely reported. The aim of our research is to investigate the functions of miR‐326 in EC and the potential molecular mechanism.MethodsRT‐qPCR was performed to compare the expression of miR‐326 and Bcl‐2 in normal endometrial epithelial cell line (End1/e6e7) and EC cells lines (HEC‐1A, Ishikawa), respectively. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assay verified the relationship between miR‐326 and the 3’‐UTR of Bcl‐2. 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, soft agar colony formation assay and the flow cytometry were performed to investigate the functions of miR‐326 and Bcl‐2 on proliferation and apoptosis in EC. Western blotting was employed to explore the expression of Bcl‐2, Bcl2‐associated X (Bax) and caspase‐3.ResultsThe expression of miR‐326 decreased in EC cell lines compared to normal endometrial epithelial cell line, while Bcl‐2 expression was increased in EC cells. Results of MTT and soft agar colony formation assays showed that miR‐326 suppressed proliferation in EC cells. In addition, flow cytometry revealed that miR‐326 promoted apoptosis in EC cells. Western blotting showed that silencing miR‐326 promoted the expression of Bcl‐2. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay verified the 3’‐UTR of Bcl‐2 was a target of miR‐326. Furthermore, MTT assay, soft agar colony formation assay and the flow cytometry proved that miR‐326 acts as tumor suppressor via inhibiting the expression of Bcl‐2.ConclusionMiR‐326 acts as a cancer suppressor to inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis via targeting Bcl‐2 axis in EC.
Preliminary Findings From a Nationwide, Multicenter Mental Health Service for Adults and Older Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and ID
Authors: Helverschou Sissel Berge , Bakken Trine Lise , Berge Heidi , Bjørgen Tale Gjertine , Botheim Henrik , Hellerud Jane Askeland , Helseth Ingunn , Hove Oddbjørn , Johansen Per Anders , Kildahl Arvid Nikolai , Ludvigsen Linn Beate , Nygaard Sissel , Rysstad Anne , Wigaard Elisabeth , Howlin Patricia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe identification and treatment of psychiatric disorders in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and ID presents many challenges. We describe the development of a professional network, together with a standardized protocol for clinical assessment, designed to promote clinical competence and professional development in eight clinical centers responsible for providing mental health services to autistic individuals with ID across all four health regions of Norway. Specific aims to describe: (1) patterns of psychiatric and behavior problems in patients treated by the network, (2) patterns of change over time, and (3) the relationship between psychiatric disorders and behavior problems.MethodA standardized protocol was used to assess individual progress in 132 patients (inpatients and outpatients) with autism and ID over 2 years (at referral (T1), after 1 year (T2), and after 2 years (T3)). Changes in psychiatric symptoms and behavior problems were assessed with the Psychopathology in Autism Checklist (PAC) and Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC).ResultsPatients showed significant (p < .001) improvements from T1 to T2 on the psychosis, depression and anxiety subscales of the PAC, but no significant improvement on the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) subscale. Improvements were maintained from T2 to T3. Patients showed significant (p < .01) improvements on the ABC total score and on all ABC subscales except inappropriate speech from T1 to T2; these improvements were maintained from T2 to T3.DiscussionThe combination of a professional network and a standardized protocol for clinical assessment has promise as a strategy for improving professional competence and facilitating specialized mental health services for autistic individuals with ID and psychiatric disorders across an extensive geographical area.
Transvenous shock‐only implantable cardioverter defibrillator after an atrio‐pulmonary Fontan surgery
Authors: Toyohara Keiko , Yagishita Daigo , Kudo Yoshimichi , Nishimura Tomomi , Takeuchi Daiji , Tomizawa Yasuko , Shoda Morio 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA 42‐year‐old woman with tricuspid atresia who underwent a Fontan surgery (atrio‐pulmonary connection) was admitted to our hospital due to symptomatic ventricular tachycardia (VT). A defibrillation lead was implanted in a distal site of a coronary vein since there was no usual entry to the ventricle. Ventricular pacing was impossible due to the high threshold, however, good sensing was obtained. Three years later, she felt palpitations and a subsequent shock therapy while climbing stairs. The cardioverter data showed that an appropriate cardioversion therapy successfully converted VT to normal rhythm.
Papillomatosis cutis lymphostatica and ‘Ski‐Jump’ nails
Authors: Mintoff Dillon , Betts Alexandra , Aquilina Susan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPapillomatosis cutis lymphostatica is an uncommon condition usually associated with lymphedema. "Ski‐jump" nails are upward sloping concave nails that can be an important diagnostic sign which may be overlooked in the setting of lymphedema. A diagnosis of papillomatosis cutis lymphostatica should be suspected in patients presenting with persistent, bland papilliform plaques, supported by the additional presence of "ski‐jump" nails.
Transfusion in critical care: Past, present and future
Authors: Shah Akshay , Oczkowski Simon , Aubron Cecile , Vlaar Alexander P. , Dionne Joanna C. ,   ESICM Transfusion Task Force
Published: November 2020

AbstractAnaemia and coagulopathy are common in critically ill patients and are associated with poor outcomes, including increased risk of mortality, myocardial infarction, failure to be liberated from mechanical ventilation and poor physical recovery. Transfusion of blood and blood products remains the corner stone of anaemia and coagulopathy treatment in critical care. However, determining when the benefits of transfusion outweigh the risks of anaemia may be challenging in some critically ill patients. Therefore, the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine prioritised the development of a clinical practice guideline to address anaemia and coagulopathy in non‐bleeding critically ill patients. The aims of this article are to: (1) review the evolution of transfusion practice in critical care and the direction for future developments in this important area of transfusion medicine and (2) to provide a brief synopsis of the guideline development process and recommendations in a format designed for busy clinicians and blood bank staff. These clinical practice guidelines provide recommendations to clinicians on how best to manage non‐bleeding critically ill patients at the bedside. More research is needed on alternative transfusion targets, use of transfusions in special populations (e.g., acute neurological injury, acute coronary syndromes), use of anaemia prevention strategies and point‐of‐care interventions to guide transfusion strategies.
Efficacy of selected phosphorus sorbing materials (PSMs) to enhance the orthophosphate sorption capacity of filter socks
Authors: Cooke A. L. , Simmons R. W. , Rickson R. J. , Sakrabani R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAgricultural phosphate (PO43−) is a major cause of water quality compliance failures. Filter socks (FS) are a sediment‐control method proven to be effective at removing sediment and sediment bound‐P. Within the water and wastewater treatment industries phosphorous sorbing materials (PSMs) are widely used to remove reactive PO43−. Combining PSMs with FS provides an opportunity to concomitantly remove sediment, sediment bound‐P and PO43− from agricultural runoff. A column experiment was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of selected PSMs to remove PO43− across a range of PO43− concentrations (0.08, 0.26 and 1.3 mg/L) and contrasting FS fill media (PAS 100 Compost and Woodchip). The results indicate that Ca‐enriched ferrihydrite removed up to 99% of PO43−, and was the only PSM to reduce PO43− to below the target value of <0.05 mg/L. An initial cost‐benefit analysis indicates that PSM‐enhanced FS are a viable option to remove PO43− from agricultural runoff.
Molecular Weight and Gas Separation Performance of Polyimide Membrane: Insight into Role of Imidization Route
Authors: Tan P. C. , Yiauw D. Y. , Teoh G. H. , Low S. C. , Jawad Z. A. 
Published: November 2020

Various methods have been explored to improve the gas separation performance of polyimide membrane for more viable industrial commercialization. Generally, polyimide membrane can be synthesized via two different methods: chemical imidization and thermal imidization routes. Due to the markedly different membrane synthesis conditions, the influence of imidization methods on the gas transport properties of resulting membrane is worthy of investigation. The polyimide produced from two imidization methods was characterized for its molecular weight. In overall, the molecular weight of thermally imidized polyimide was higher than that of chemically imidized one except ODPA-6FpDA:DABA as it was prone to depropagation at high temperature. It was observed that the chemically imidized ODPA-6FpDA:DABA membrane possessed better gas separation performance than the thermally imidized counterpart. In particular, it showed 12 times higher CO2 permeability (19.21 Barrer) with CO2/N2 selectivity of 5. After crosslinking, the CO2/N2 selectivity of the polyimide membrane was further improved to 11.8 at 6 bar of permeation pressure.
K3 surfaces with involution, equivariant analytic torsion, and automorphic forms on the moduli space IV: The structure of the invariant
Authors: Ma Shouhei , Yoshikawa Ken-Ichi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractYoshikawa in [Invent. Math. 156 (2004), 53–117] introduces a holomorphic torsion invariant of $K3$ surfaces with involution. In this paper we completely determine its structure as an automorphic function on the moduli space of such $K3$ surfaces. On every component of the moduli space, it is expressed as the product of an explicit Borcherds lift and a classical Siegel modular form. We also introduce its twisted version. We prove its modularity and a certain uniqueness of the modular form corresponding to the twisted holomorphic torsion invariant. This is used to study an equivariant analogue of Borcherds’ conjecture.
Direct Measurements of the Wing Kinematics of a Bat in Straight Flight
Authors: Singh Sudeep Kumar , Zhang Li-Biao , Zhao Jing-Shan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBat is the only mammal in the nature that can fly. Compared with birds and insects, bats are quite special in that their wings are formed by an elastic membrane, which renders that the airfoil deforms greatly during downstroke and upstroke. Due to the compliant skin of a bat, the movements of its wings are three-dimensionally complex during diverse flight behaviors. To understand the maneuverability and flight performance, three-dimensional reconstruction of the flight kinematics is essential. This study focuses on the reconstruction of the wing kinematics of the bat and identifies the primary relationship of parameters of aerodynamics in straight flight. With markers pasted on the wings and body of a bat, the motions of these points are recorded by a computerized optical motion capture system. The kinematic analysis shows that the motion of wings is very intricate. The digits of the wing display the sign of coupled motion. A novel approach was developed to measure the angle of attack and flapping angle of the wing. The angle of attack of leading edge differs with the overall angle of attack of the wing. The kinematics of the bat's wing is helpful to interpret the secret of the bat's flight.