bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety of transradial and transfemoral left ventricular compared with transfemoral right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy
Authors: Göbel Sebastian , Schwuchow‐Thonke Sören , Jansen Thomas , Karbach Susanne , Emrich Tilman , Gori Tommaso , Knies Finja , Schulz Eberhard , Münzel Thomas , Keller Karsten , Wenzel Philip 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimsWith the present study, we sought to determine the safety of three different endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) access routes in 514 patients admitted for diagnostic workup of heart failure of unknown aetiology.Methods and resultsIn this retrospective monocentric cohort study, we analysed 514 consecutive patients with heart failure without evidence of significant coronary artery disease or valvular disease undergoing EMB between November 2013 and December 2018, stratified in three access route groups: transradial arterial left ventricular (LV‐)EMB (323 patients), transfemoral LV‐EMB (138 patients), and transfemoral right ventricular (RV‐)EMB (53 patients). Patients undergoing selective transradial LV‐EMB were older compared with patients undergoing selective transfemoral LV‐EMB or RV‐EMB [transradial LV‐EMB: 56.0 (45.0/64.0) vs. transfemoral LV‐EMB: 53 (42.5/64.5), P = 0.455; transradial LV‐EMB: 56 (45.0/64.0) vs. RV‐EMB: 53 (42.5/64), P = 0.695] and presented more often in New York Heart Association‐functional class III and IV. A total of eight major complications including permanent atrioventricular block requiring pacemaker implantation, pericardial tamponade necessitating pericardiocentesis, stroke and transient cerebral ischaemic attack as well as severe valvular damage, vascular access site complications, and ventricular fibrillation were documented with no significant differences between the groups (8/514, 1.5%). Minor complications such as transient chest pain, non‐sustained electrocardiogram abnormalities, and transient atrioventricular block were rare and equally distributed between groups.ConclusionsTransradial LV‐EMB is a safe procedure for experienced radial operators and non‐inferior compared with transfemoral LV‐EMB and RV‐EMB. An accurate peri‐procedural and post‐procedural monitoring and follow‐up care should be recommended for all patients undergoing this procedure in order to identify potential complications.
Attenuated immune control of Epstein–Barr virus in humanized mice is associated with the multiple sclerosis risk factor HLA‐DR15
Authors: Zdimerova Hana , Murer Anita , Engelmann Christine , Raykova Ana , Deng Yun , Gujer Cornelia , Rühl Julia , McHugh Donal , Caduff Nicole , Naghavian Reza , Pezzino Gaetana , Capaul Riccarda , Zbinden Andrea , Ferlazzo Guido , Lünemann Jan D. , Martin Roland , Chatterjee Bithi , Münz Christian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractImmune responses to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection synergize with the main genetic risk factor HLA‐DRB1*15:01 (HLA‐DR15) to increase the likelihood to develop the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) at least sevenfold. In order to gain insights into this synergy, we investigated HLA‐DR15 positive human immune compartments after reconstitution in immune‐compromised mice (humanized mice) with and without EBV infection. We detected elevated activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in HLA‐DR15 donor‐reconstituted humanized mice at steady state, even when compared to immune compartments carrying HLA‐DRB1*04:01 (HLA‐DR4), which is associated with other autoimmune diseases. Increased CD8+ T cell expansion and activation was also observed in HLA‐DR15 donor‐reconstituted humanized mice after EBV infection. Despite this higher immune activation, EBV viral loads were less well controlled in the context of HLA‐DR15. Indeed, HLA‐DR15‐restricted CD4+ T cell clones recognized EBV‐transformed B cell lines less efficiently and demonstrated cross‐reactivity toward allogeneic target cells and one MS autoantigen. These findings suggest that EBV as one of the main environmental risk factors and HLA‐DR15 as the main genetic risk factor for MS synergize by priming hyperreactive T‐cell compartments, which then control the viral infection less efficiently and contain cross‐reactive CD4+ T cell clones.
Recent advances in microchip enantioseparation and analysis
Authors: Lu Nan , Kutter Jörg P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis review summarizes recent developments (over the past decade) in the field of microfluidics‐based solutions for enantiomeric separation and detection. The progress in various formats of microchip electrodriven separations, such as MCE, microchip electrochromatography, and multidimensional separation techniques, is discussed. Innovations covering chiral stationary phases, surface coatings, and modification strategies to improve resolution, as well as integration with detection systems, are reported. Finally, combinations with other microfluidic functional units are also presented and highlighted.
Multiple‐input‐multiple‐output antenna with pattern reconfiguration and correlation reduction for WLAN applications
Authors: Gaya Sagiru , Sokunbi Oludayo , Hamza Abubakar , Sheikh Sharif I. M. , Attia Hussein 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA Yagi‐Uda inspired novel pattern reconfigurable multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna array is proposed in this article. The antenna consists of two co‐axially excited microstrip patch radiators with modified ground plane. A conducting strip with an integrated PIN diode is optimally placed midway between two MIMO patch radiators placed at a distance of 0.22 ( is the free space wavelength at 2.4 GHz) apart. By switching the diode OFF or ON, the conducting strip directs or reflects the main beam of the two MIMO elements at an angle of ±30° or ±60°, respectively, thereby, enabling 30° wide band scanning and four switchable beams radiated by the two antennas. The novel MIMO antenna exhibits 17 dB isolation improvement between the two radiators when the diode is switched ON as a result of the beam deflection. For all switching modes, the MIMO antenna demonstrates an average gain and efficiency of 5 dB and 92%, respectively, at the resonance frequency of 2.4 GHz. The novel antenna is fabricated and measured to verify the simulation results. This simple, low‐cost, efficient, and mutually isolated antenna array can be very useful in MIMO WLAN applications.
Muscular fatigue measurements for push‐down tasks in ground demolitions
Authors: Li Kai Way , Li Wenbao , Yi Cannan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDemolition hammering tasks are physically demanding tasks that could cause muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. Electromyography (EMG) data have been adopted to assess levels of muscular activity and onset of muscular fatigue for both industrial tasks and physical activities. An experiment simulating a manual demolition task on the ground was performed on 23 healthy male participants. The objectives were to test the hypotheses that the handle height and the force applied to affect the EMG amplitude, the increase of the EMG amplitude, and the decline of the mean power frequency (MPF) of the EMG for performing the tasks. This study also aimed at finding the most fatigued muscles which dominate the end of the sustained push‐down tasks in ground demolitions. The results showed that the EMG amplitude required to perform the tasks was significantly affected by the handle height and force applied. Significant increases in EMG amplitude and decreases in MPF were found. Bicep brachii, tricep brachii, and pectoralis major muscles were the most fatigued muscles that dominated the termination of the tasks. Pushing with body leaning forward to utilize partial body weight was less fatiguing than the other two postures. Elbow flexion is undesirable and should be avoided when performing such tasks.
Small but strong: Mutational and functional landscapes of micronuclei in cancer genomes
Authors: Guo Xihan , Dai Xueqin , Wu Xue , Cao Neng , Wang Xu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMicronuclei, small spatially‐separated, nucleus‐like structures, are a common feature of human cancer cells. There are considerable heterogeneities in the sources, structures and genetic activities of micronuclei. Accumulating evidence suggests that micronuclei and main nuclei represent separate entities with respect to DNA replication, DNA damage sensing and repairing capacity because micronuclei are not monitored by the same checkpoints nor covered by the same nuclear envelope as the main nuclei. Thus, micronuclei are spatially restricted “mutation factories.” Several large‐scale DNA sequencing and bioinformatics studies over the last few years have revealed that most micronuclei display a mutational signature of chromothripsis immediately after their generation and the underlying molecular mechanisms have been dissected extensively. Clonal expansion of the micronucleated cells is context‐dependent and is associated with chromothripsis and several other mutational signatures including extrachromosomal circular DNA, kataegis and chromoanasynthesis. These results suggest what was once thought to be merely a passive indicator of chromosomal instability is now being recognized as a strong mutator phenotype that may drive intratumoral genetic heterogeneity. Herein, we revisit the actionable determinants that contribute to the bursts of mutagenesis in micronuclei and present the growing number of evidence which suggests that micronuclei have distinct short‐ and long‐term mutational and functional effects to cancer genomes. We also pose challenges for studying the long‐term effects of micronucleation in the upcoming years.
Automatic skin cancer detection in dermoscopy images by combining convolutional neural networks and texture features
Authors: Alizadeh Seyed Mohammad , Mahloojifar Ali 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMelanoma is one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer that its early detection can save patients' lives. Computer‐aided methods can be used for this early detection with acceptable performance. In this study, a system is proposed to detect melanoma automatically using an ensemble approach, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and image texture feature extraction. Two CNN models, a proposed network and the VGG‐19, were employed to classify images in the CNN phase. Furthermore, texture features were extracted, and their dimension was reduced using kernel principal component analysis (kPCA) to improve the classification performance in the feature extraction‐based phase. The results of each step were then combined to obtain the final diagnosis. The proposed method was evaluated on three databases, that is, ISIC 2016, ISIC 2019, and PH2. The accuracy, average precision, sensitivity, and specificity of the proposed method on the ISIC 2016 dataset were 85.2%, 66%, 52%, and 93.4%, respectively. These evaluation metrics for the ISIC 2019 database were obtained equal to 96.7%, 95.1%, 96.3%, and 97.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the proposed method on the PH2 dataset were 97.5%, 100%, and 96.88%, respectively. According to the experimental results, the ensemble method improves the evaluation metrics compared to each phase separately. Besides, the proposed approach can increase the performance of melanoma detection, compared to previous studies.
Quantitative proteomics reveals a broad‐spectrum antiviral property of ivermectin, benefiting for COVID‐19 treatment
Authors: Li Na , Zhao Lingfeng , Zhan Xianquan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractViruses such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS‐CoV‐2]) represent a great burden to human health worldwide. FDA‐approved anti‐parasite drug ivermectin is also an antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer agent, which offers more potentiality to improve global public health, and it can effectively inhibit the replication of SARS‐CoV‐2 in vitro. This study sought to identify ivermectin‐related virus infection pathway alterations in human ovarian cancer cells. Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) quantitative proteomics was used to analyze human ovarian cancer cells TOV‐21G treated with and without ivermectin (20 μmol/L) for 24 h, which identified 4447 ivermectin‐related proteins in ovarian cancer cells. Pathway network analysis revealed four statistically significant antiviral pathways, including HCMV, HPV, EBV, and HIV1 infection pathways. Interestingly, compared with the reported 284 SARS‐CoV‐2/COVID‐19‐related genes from GencLip3, we identified 52 SARS‐CoV‐2/COVID‐19‐related protein alterations when treated with and without ivermectin. Protein–protein network (PPI) was constructed based on the interactions between 284 SARS‐CoV‐2/COVID‐19‐related genes and between 52 SARS‐CoV‐2/COVID‐19‐related proteins regulated by ivermectin. Molecular complex detection analysis of PPI network identified three hub modules, including cytokines and growth factor family, MAP kinase and G‐protein family, and HLA class proteins. Gene Ontology analysis revealed 10 statistically significant cellular components, 13 molecular functions, and 11 biological processes. These findings demonstrate the broad‐spectrum antiviral property of ivermectin benefiting for COVID‐19 treatment in the context of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine in virus‐related diseases.
CRISPR/Cas gene therapy
Authors: Zhang Baohong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated enzyme (Cas) is a naturally occurring genome editing tool adopted from the prokaryotic adaptive immune defense system. Currently, CRISPR/Cas9‐based genome editing has been becoming one of the most promising tools for treating human genetic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neuro‐disorders, and cancers. As the quick modification of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, including delivery system, CRISPR/Cas9‐based gene therapy has been extensively studied in preclinic and clinic treatments. CRISPR/Cas genome editing is also a robust tool to create animal genetic models for studying and treating human genetic disorders, particularly diseases associated with point mutations. However, significant challenges also remain before CRISPR/Cas technology can be routinely employed in the clinic for treating different genetic diseases, which include toxicity and immune response of treated cells to CRISPR/Cas component, highly throughput delivery method, and potential off‐target impact. The off‐target effect is one of the major concerns for CRISPR/Cas9 gene therapy, more research should be focused on limiting this impact by designing high specific gRNAs and using high specificity of Cas enzymes. Modifying the CRISPR/Cas9 delivery method not only targets a specific tissue/cell but also potentially limits the off‐target impact.
Mapping the performance of photobioreactors for microalgae cultivation. Part II: equatorial and tropical climate zone
Authors: Dias Rosangela R , Lasta Paola , Vendruscolo Raquel G , Wagner Roger , Zepka Leila Q , Jacob‐Lopes Eduardo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDConsidering that the greatest proportion of microalgae commercial production is realized outdoors, it is critically important to highlight the role of the local climate in the performance of the processes. Currently, there is a tendency to identify locations with suitable climates for the large‐scale implementation of microalgae‐based processes. Therefore, this study proposed to map the performance of photobioreactors for microalgae culture. Fourteen types of climates distributed in 33 geographical locations representative of the equatorial and tropical zones of the world were evaluated. The simulated climatic elements were solar irradiation, temperature and photoperiod.RESULTSThe results showed that the tropical with dry winter (Aw), tropical with dry summer (As), tropical monsoon (Am), tropical fully humid (Af), hot steppe (BSh) and hot desert (BWh) climates favored the system productivities. The highest biomass productivity (0.347 g L–1 d–1) and lipid (0.048 g L–1 d–1) were registered in the Aw simulation.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study provide a useful database of the effects of climate for the microalgae photoautotrophic production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound‐guided interventions during pregnancy for lumbosacral pain unresponsive to conservative treatment: A retrospective review
Authors: Comlek Savas 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeCurrent conventional therapeutic strategies for lumbosacral pain during pregnancy are usually inadequate and data regarding interventional analgesic procedures feasible in pregnant women is scarce. We decided to retrospectively review our experience of ultrasound‐guided pain management procedures in pregnant women with lumbosacral pain unresponsive to conservative treatment.MethodsTwenty women in the second trimester of pregnancy with lumbosacral pain developed during pregnancy unresponsive to conservative treatments who underwent the following ultrasound‐guided pain interventions were included: sacroiliac joint, caudal epidural, interlaminar epidural, and trigger point injections. All patients were followed up until early postnatal period using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores.ResultsAll but one patient achieved satisfactory pain control throughout the pregnancy with a single injection. Significant declines in ODI and VAS scores was attained within the first 2 weeks and first week of intervention, respectively, which was maintained thereafter until early postnatal period.ConclusionsInjections used for effective interventional pain management in nonpregnant populations seem to represent an effective and safe method also for pregnant women when performed under ultrasound guidance, with rapid onset and enduring duration of action until the time of delivery.
Breakpoint mapping of a t(9;22;12) chronic myeloid leukaemia patient with e14a3 BCR‐ABL1 transcript using Nanopore sequencing
Authors: Zhao Hu , Chen Yuan , Shen Chanjuan , Li Lingshu , Li Qingzhao , Tan Kui , Huang Huang , Hu Guoyu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe genetic changes in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) have been well established, although challenges persist in cases with rare fusion transcripts or complex variant translocations. Here, we present a CML patient with e14a3 BCR‐ABL1 transcript and t(9;22;12) variant Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome.MethodsCytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to identify the chromosomal aberrations and gene fusions. Rare fusion transcript was verified by a reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Breakpoints were characterized and validated using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) (Oxford, UK) and Sanger sequencing, respectively.ResultsThe karyotype showed the translocation t(9;22;12)(q34;q11.2;q24) [20] and FISH indicated 40% positive BCR‐ABL1 fusion signals. The RT‐PCR suggested e14a3 type fusion transcript. The ONT sequencing analysis identified specific positions of translocation breakpoints: chr22:23633040–chr9:133729579, chr12:121567595–chr22:24701405, which were confirmed using Sanger sequencing. The patient achieved molecular remission 3 months after imatinib therapy.ConclusionsThe present study indicates Nanopore sequencing as a valid strategy, which can characterize breakpoints precisely in special clinical cases with atypical structural variations. CML patients with e14a3 transcripts may have good clinical course in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era, as reviewed here.
Research interest, experience and confidence of allied health professionals working in medical imaging: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Dennett Amy M , Cauchi Travis , Harding Katherine E , Kelly Paul , Ashby Georgina , Taylor Nicholas F 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionThere is growing interest in developing research culture and opportunities for allied health professionals working in medical imaging. However, little attention has been given to identifying the research interest and needs of this group relative to the other allied health professions. We aimed to measure self‐reported research participation, interest, experience and confidence of allied health professionals working in medical imaging and compare the findings to clinicians working in allied health therapies.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of allied health professionals from medical imaging (radiographers, sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists) was conducted. The primary outcome, the Research Spider survey, measures 10 domains of research interest/experience/confidence on a 5‐point Likert scale. Results were compared to allied health therapy data.ResultsResponses were received by 82 medical imaging allied health professionals (65% response rate). Overall, medical imaging professionals rated themselves as having ‘some interest’ and ‘little experience or confidence’ in research. There was no difference in interest, experience and confidence among different imaging professions (interest P = 0.099, experience P = 0.380, confidence P = 0.212) or allied health therapists (interest P = 0.137, experience P = 0.363, confidence P = 0.791). Participants reported greatest interest in finding and reviewing literature and lowest interest in applying for funding.ConclusionThere are strong similarities between medical imaging allied health professionals and allied health therapy professionals. Therefore, strategies used to promote research culture in allied health therapy professions could be leveraged to provide opportunities for medical imaging allied health professionals.
Clinical characteristics of 132 healthcare worker cases with COVID‐19: A retrospective study from a single center in Wuhan, China
Authors: Chen Ting , Li Guoju , Liu Hongli , Wan Wei , Zheng Hongmei , Chen Changzheng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMany healthcare workers (HCWs) have been confirmed to be infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 in China. A retrospective, single‐center study was conducted. The median age of the 132 HCWs with COVID‐19 was 32 years, with 92 (69.7%) being females. There were 47 (35.6%) doctors, 72 (54.6%) nurses, and 13 (9.9%) other HCWs. Ten of the 132 patients (7.6%) had underlying diseases. The most common symptoms of illness onset were fever (70, 53.0%), cough (66, 50.0%), and fatigue (58, 43.9%). All patients were categorized into mild or moderate COVID‐19 type on admission to hospital, and five (3.8%) progressed to the severe COVID‐19 type. Sixty‐six HCWs patients were included in both the early and later discharged group. In the logistic analysis, the later discharged patients had a longer time for illness onset to hospital admission (per 1 day; OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.18; p = .006), a higher proportion of >3 onset symptoms clustering (OR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.27–7.62; p = .01), and a higher percentage of other HCWs (OR, 6.20; 95% CI, 1.49–25.80; p = .01). HCW patients were young female nurses with fewer comorbidities, and most were mild or moderate COVID‐19 type. The later discharged patients exhibited characteristics of longer time for illness onset to hospitalization and clustering of onset symptoms.