bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal Inhalation of Humidifier Disinfectant Biocide Aerosol Particles, Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Phosphate, Induces Adverse Postnatal Development in Rat Offspring
Authors: Lee Jinsoo , Choi Seong-Jin , Jeong Ji-Seong , Kim Sang Yun , Lee Seung-Jin , Baek Sang-Ki , Lee Sang-Hyub , Kim Woojin , Cho Jae-Woo , Koh Eun Mi , Lee Kyuhong , Jeong Eun Ju , Nam Sang-Yoon , Yu Wook-Joon 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Inhalation exposure to polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-P), one of the primary biocides used in humidifier disinfectants, caused a fatal pulmonary disease in Korea. Pregnant women were also exposed to PHMG-P, and subsequent studies showed that PHMG-P inhalation adversely affects their health and prenatal development. However, the postnatal developmental effects on prenatally PHMG-P-exposed offspring have not yet been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we examined the postnatal developmental effects of offspring with prenatally PHMG-P exposure. PHMG-P aerosol particles were exposed to pregnant rats via inhalation during pregnancy at concentrations of 0, 0.14, 1.60, and 3.20 mg/m3, and general and reproductive functions of pregnant rats were also investigated. After parturition, comprehensive postnatal development of offspring was investigated, including general systemic health, reproduction, and development. Results: At 3.20 mg/m3, increased perinatal death and decreased viability index (postnatal survival of offspring between birth and postnatal day 4) were observed. In addition, offspring had lower body weight at birth that persisted throughout the study. PHMG-P-exposed pregnant rats had severe systemic toxicities and increased gestation length. At 1.60 mg/m3, a decreased viability index was also observed with systemic toxicities of PHMG-P-exposed pregnant rats. Conclusion: As a result, maternal inhalation exposure of PHMG-P aerosol particles during pregnancy induced adverse postnatal development in rat offspring and they were observed with systemic toxicities of their maternal animals. The results of this study could be used for risk assessment of postnatal development of prenatally PHMG-P-exposed offspring as well as reproductive and developmental effects on females with PHMG-P inhalation exposure during pregnancy.
Stereotactic Lung Reirradiation for Local Relapse: A Case Series
Authors: Kinj Rémy , Casutt Alessio , Bennassi Alexander , Bouchaab Hasna , Vallet Véronique , Lovis Alban , Ozsahin Mahmut 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Local recurrence after lung SBRT for early stage NSCLC is rare but its treatment remains a challenge due to limited surgical options. We report a case series of 5 patients treated by stereotactic lung salvage reirradiation for local relapse after a previous lung SBRT.Material and methods: Included patients presented an isolated primary lung relapse within at least the 25% isodose of the previous SBRT treatment. Typical reirradiation schedule was 60 Gy in 8 fractions at isodose 80% and was delivered by Cyberknife® using Synchrony® fiducial tracking system. Dose summations were performed to evaluate the safety of the reirradiation. Results: We identified 5 patients presenting peripheral lesions. All reirradiated lesions were locally controlled after a median follow-up of 8.0 months (3,4-10,2). while PFS at 6 months was 60% (n = 3). We did not notice any Grade 3 or more acute or late adverse event.Conclusion: We observed encouraging short-term outcome of lung SBRT reirradiation in patients presenting isolated local relapse of an early-stage NSCLC. Further studies are necessary to confirm the safety and efficiency of this salvage treatment approach.
Functional and Patient-reported Changes in Swallowing and Voice After Combined Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Frowen Jacqui , Gough Karla , Hughes Rhys , Drosdowsky Allison , Duffy Mary , Kiss Nicole , Phipps-Nelson Jo , Siva Shankar , Solomon Benjamin , Ball David 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose: To describe the nature and impact of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and dysphonia (impaired voice) in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) before and after chemoradiation.Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on patients receiving chemoradiotherapy for limited-stage SCLC. Patients received either 40Gy in 15 fractions, 45Gy in 30 fractions (delivered BD) or 50Gy in 25 fractions, commencing the second cycle of carboplatin/etoposide or cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy. Outcomes included: videofluoroscopy swallowing studies (VFSS) to investigate aspiration, swallowing function, and oesophageal motility disorders; limitations to oral intake; patient-reported swallowing problems; and patient-reported voice problems. Data were collected before treatment and at one, three and six months post-treatment.Results: Twelve patients were enrolled. The oropharyngeal swallow was safe and functional at all time points. Three patients exhibited oesophageal motility disorders before treatment, while a further three exhibited disorders post-treatment. Oral intake was most compromised one month post-treatment with five patients being either tube dependent or eating only very limited diets. At all other times patients were eating a normal or near-normal diet. Despite normal oropharyngeal swallowing on VFSS, three patients reported moderate or severe swallowing difficulties one month post-treatment. Three additional patients reported moderate or severe difficulties three and six months post-treatment. Patients who reported swallowing difficulties one month post-treatment had all received a mean and maximum radiation dose to the oesophagus of ≥15.7Gy and ≥42Gy respectively. Dose-response relationships were no longer apparent three and six-months post treatment. Voice problems were variable, with the worst scores reported one month post-treatment.Conclusions: Although patient numbers are small, this study identified discordance between observed swallowing function and patient-reported problems, which has clinical implications for the management of patients with SCLC, as well as identifying areas for future research. Ongoing efforts to reduce mucosal toxicity in lung cancer patients are essential.
Effects of Robot-Aided Rehabilitation on Improving Ankle and Balance Performance of Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhai Xiaoxue , Wu Qiong , Li Xin , Xu Quan , Zhang Yanlin , Fan Senchao , Zhang Li-Qun , Pan Yu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Stroke survivors with impaired ankle control due to stiff plantar flexors often experience abnormal posture control, which affects balance and locomotion. Forceful and safe stretching under intelligent control may decrease ankle stiffness and improve balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of robot-aided ankle rehabilitation on stroke survivors with ankle spasticity and the correlations between biomechanical properties and balance in these participants. Methods: Twenty patients poststroke with ankle spasticity received 20 minutes of stretching treatment daily over 2 weeks. The study group used a robot-aided ankle rehabilitation and the control group received manual stretching. Outcome measures included biomechanical, clinical evaluations, and the Pro-Kin balance test.Results: The study group significantly improved in joint stiffness and range of motion of dorsiflexion, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), trajectory lengths, elliptical trajectory, standard deviation medial/lateral, average speed forward/backward with eyes closed, and standard deviation forward/backward with eyes open in the Pro-Kin test (P<.05), but no significant changes were found in the control group in above indexes; significant decreases were found in the control group in trajectory length with eyes open (P<.05); dorsiflexion stiffness was positively correlated with the Pro-Kin test outcomes with eyes open and the MAS; no between-group significant changes were found except the activities of daily living after training (P<.05).Conclusions: Ankle stiffness may affect balance poststroke significantly. The robot-aided ankle rehabilitation improved biomechanical properties of the spastic ankle including stiffness, and it may help improve balance post-stroke.Trial registration: www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2000030108. Registered 23 February 2020. Retrospectively registered.
Single cell proteomics profiling reveals that embryo-secreted TNF-α plays a critical role during embryo implantation to the endometrium
Authors: Jiao Lv , Shan Xudong , Yang Haoxuan , Wen Yuting , Zhang Xueguang , Chen Hanxiao , Li Hengli , Tian Dongmei , Wang Chi Chiu , Zhang Ruizhe , Li Tin Chiu , Zhang Xiaohu , Zhao Xiaomiao , Lu Yao , Qin Lang , Zhu Minghui , Xu Wenming 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background

It has been long-known that endometrium-secreted cytokines play a critical role during embryo implantation. However, whether cytokines secreted from the embryo are relevant to the process of embryo implantation remains unclear.
Methods

The concentration of cytokines in embryo culture medium was tested using a newly developed, high-sensitivity single-cell proteomic platform and evaluated in comparison to embryo quality and clinical outcome. The effect of TNF-α on embryo and endometrium Ishikawa cells was investigated using immunofluorescence staining, CCK- 8 assay, TUNEL staining, and RT-qPCR.
Results

Of the 10 cytokines measured, only TNF-α concentration was significantly higher in the group with embryo implantation failure. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of TNF-α was unevenly distributed in blastocysts, and the expression level was significantly correlated with the blastocyst inner cell mass (ICM) quality score. Gene profiling showed that addition of TNF-α led to increased expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and apoptosis-related genes and that this could be inhibited by the TNF-α receptor inhibitor entanecept (ETA). In addition, an increased expression of water and ion channels, including AQP3, CFTR, ENaCA and CRISP2 was also observed which could also be inhibited by ETA.
Conclusions

Our results show that higher embryo-secreted TNF-α levels are associated with implantation failure through activation of TNF-α receptor, and TNF-α may be an independent predictor for pre-transfer assessment of the embryo development potential in IVF patients.
Does Blastocyst Morphology Influence Live Birth Rate after Frozen-thawed Single Euploid Blastocyst Transfer?
Authors: Li Na , Guan Yichun , Ren Bingnan , Zhang Yuchao , Du Yulin , Kong Hongjiao , Lou Hua 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective

To determine whether the morphologic parameters of euploid blastocyst influence the live birth rate (LBR) following single frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles?
Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis involving autologous single FET cycles after next generation sequencing (NGS) based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) by a large in vitro fertilization (IVF) center that was performed from June 2017 to September 2019.Women were divided into three age groups (< 30, 30–34 and ≥ 35 years old). The primary outcome measure was LBR. Outcomes were compared between different blastocyst quality (Good, Average and Poor), inner cell mass (ICM) grade (A and B), and trophectoderm (TE) grade (A, B and C).
Results

A total of 232 FET cycles were included, the live birth rate was 48.28%. In the youngest group (< 30 years old, n = 86), LBR were compared between cycles with various blastocyst quality (72.22% for good quality, 54.55% for average quality and 34.78% for poor quality; P = 0.019), ICM grade (70.59% for grade A and 42.03% for grade B; P = 0.035) and TE grade (85.71% for grade A,57.58% for grade B and 34.78 for grade C; P = 0.015). Nevertheless, either in the 30–34 years group (n = 99) or in the oldest group (≥ 35years, n = 47), LBR were also comparable between these subgroups, no significant difference was showed in blastocyst morphologic parameters and LBR (P > 0.05). Furthermore, in the similarly graded euploid blastocysts, there was also no statistical significance in LBR among different age subgroups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions

In women ≥ 30 years old, euploid blastocyst quality was not associated with the LBR in FET cycles, highlights the development competence of poor-quality euploid blastocysts.
"Multimodal" Imaging Performance and Clinical Application of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Li Guohong , Zhou Qijian , Li Jintian , Zhu Lin , Chen Yan , Du Yushan , Wu Zhengguang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: To investigate the diagnostic value of three different examination methods of chest radiography (CXR), digital tomosynthesis (DTS) and Computed tomography (CT) scan on the diagnosis of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).Methods: A retrospective analysis of three examination methods of chest: CXR, DTS, and CT scan of COVID-19 pneumonia patients diagnosed in our hospital from January, 23, 2020 to February, 29, 2020. And we compared three different imaging methods to COVID-19 display ability of pneumonia intrapulmonary lesions.Results: A total of 37 patients diagnosed as COVID-19 by nucleic acid testing were included. The CXR group (10/37) and DTS group (21/28) of 37 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia showed significant differences in intrapulmonary ground glass opacities (P<0.05); DTS group (21/28) and CT group (25/27) showed no statistically significant differences in intrapulmonary ground glass opacities (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Comparison of the three imaging methods of COVID-19 pneumonia, the diagnostic efficiency of CXR is low, which is easy to be false negative and miss lesions; diagnostic resolutions of DTS are higher than CXR, which can improve the ability to display the fine structure of intrapulmonary lesions; CT scan shows the intrapulmonary of COVID-19 pneumonia low-density ground glass opacities and internal structures have equal capacity compared with DTS. Therefore, DTS and CT are the best choices for the image diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Associations with Single Rare Heterozygous NLRP7 Variants for Chinese Patients with Sporadic Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases
Authors: Zhang Peiwen , Yu Xinying , Ying Jun , Reddy Ramesh , Shi Jin , Zhu Xiaoxu , Ding Yuan , Cheng Qi , Zhao Wei , Zhou Wei , Zhang Xiaofei , Xie Xing , Slim Rima , Qian Jianhua 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) encompass a group of clinically heterogeneous tumors of trophoblastic cell origin. In some populations and studies, single NLRP7 heterozygous mutations and some non-synonymous variants (NSVs) have been shown to confer genetic susceptibility to sporadic GTDs. Our study aims to investigate whether single rare heterozygous NSVs in NLRP7 predispose patients to GTDs in Chinese. Methods We performed Sanger sequencing of all NLRP7 exons and exon-intron boundaries in a cohort of Chinese patients with non-recurrent sporadic GTDs and normal childbearing women. Using in-silico analysis and several prediction programs, we investigated the effects of identified NSVs on the function of the protein. Then we examine the function in inflammatory pathway to assessing the functional consequences of the identified rare NSVs in in-vitro studies.Results We found that the number of patients with rare single heterozygous NSVs that are predicted to have functional effects on the protein is significantly higher in the first cohort of 292 patients than in the 300 controls (p=0.028). Analysis of the validation cohort of 130 patients confirmed the significant higher number of patients with rare NSVs than controls (p=0.0014). We show that most of the rare variants that are identified only in the patients are predicted to have functional effects on the protein by various algorithms and in-vitro experiments. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that Chinese patients with GTDs have a higher burden of single heterozygous NLRP7 variants which were predicted to have effects on the protein than controls. We suggest that some of these single NSVs may contribute to the genetic susceptibility for GTDs in China.
COVID-19 complicated by strange pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Jiang Zhifeng , Feng Aiqiao 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe lung CT of COVID-19 has characteristic changes, showing scattered ground-glass changes extrapulmonary zone. However, we observe a case of early infection of COVID-19 in a patient who did not show classic CT changes, but shows characteristic pulmonary fibrosis.Case presentationWe reported a patient who was infected in the early stage of the COVID epidemic without any treatment. The extrapulmonary zone showed symmetrical and diffuse fibrotic changes.Conclusionsthe lungs of COVID-19 may not show scattered ground-glass changes, but show symmetrical, diffuse pulmonary fibrosis in extrapulmonary, suggests that there may be other mechanisms other than infection involved in the changes in the lungs.
Dynamics Simulation of Grasping Process of Underwater Vehicle-Manipulator System
Authors: Chang Zong-Yu , Zhang Yang , Zheng Zhong-Qiang , Zhao Lin , Shen Kun-Fan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Underwater vehicle-manipulator system (UVMS) can be applied to fulfill different complex underwater tasks such as grasping, drilling, sampling, etc. It is widely used in the field of oceanographic research, marine exploration, military and commercial applications. In this paper, the dynamic simulation of UVMS is presented in the process of grasping an object. Firstly, the dynamic model of UVMS, which considers the change of the load of manipulator when the end effector of manipulator grasps the object, is developed. To compare different control conditions, the numerical simulation of grasping processes without/with vehicle attitude control are carried out. The results show that the coupling dynamics between the vehicle and the manipulator in the grasping process are clearly illustrated. The tracking position error of end effector without vehicle control is large and UVMS cannot complete the grasping task under this condition. Vehicle control can compensate the motion of vehicle due to the coupling effect caused by the motion of manipulator. This study will contribute to underwater operation mission for UVMS with floating base.
Symmetric cascade distribution of electrons in atoms
Authors: Yao Yuan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Through the spatial state analysis, the symmetrical cascade distribution of electrons in the atom is obtained. This kind of electron distribution can naturally describe the periodicity of elements and the characteristics of each element. The reason for the formation of the common valence of each element can be explained according to the number and state of valence electron orbitals. The rule that the number of electrons in the orbit tends to reach an even number is applicable not only within atoms, but also between atoms, and can uniformly explain the general process of binding between atoms.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Amoxicillin Loaded Hybrid Material Composite Spheres Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Yameen Muhammad A. , Zeb Amir , Mustafa Raza E. , Mushtaq Sana , Aman Nargis , Samie Muhammad , Shah Khizar H. , Iqbal Jamshed 
Published: December 2020

Background:
Incoherent use of antibiotics has led toward resistance in MRSA, becoming
multidrug-resistant with a high rate of virulence in the community and hospital settings.

Objective:
Synergistic anti-MRSA activity was investigated in this study for hybrid material composite
spheres of amoxicillin, Ag nanoparticles, and chitosan, which were prepared by one-step synthesis
method, and various characterizations were performed.

Methods:
Antimicrobial-susceptibility assay on MRSA was achieved by disc diffusion and agar dilution
techniques, while agar well diffusion was used for hybrid composite spheres. The in vitro and
cytotoxicity studies were conducted on the skin abrasion mouse model and MTT assay on RD cell,
respectively.

Results:
All isolates showed resistance to the tested antibiotics except vancomycin. MIC against
MRSA showed high resistance with amoxicillin from 4 to 128 mg L-1. The mean diameter of chitosan
spheres and Ag nanoparticles was 02 mm and 277 nm, respectively. Morphology of spheres
was uneven, varied, porous, and irregular in SEM, and Ag nanoparticles presence and formation
was also seen in the micrograph. No substantial interface among drug, nanoparticles, and polymer
was found in XRD, and IR showed characteristic peaks of all compounds in the formulation. The
in vitro assay showed augmented anti-MRSA activity with amoxicillin loaded hybrid composite
spheres (22-29 mm). A significant reduction in microbial burden (~6.5 log10 CFU mL-1) was seen
in vivo with loaded hybrid composite spheres formulation. The MTT assay indicated no potential
cytotoxicity with hybrid composite spheres.

Conclusion:
The synergistic effect of Amoxycillin in the current study predicts a promising hybrid
formulation with enhanced anti-MRSA activity.
Silver Nanoparticles Affect the Inflammatory Response in a Lung Epithelial Cell Line
Authors: Fehaid Alaa , Fujii Ryo , Sato Takeshi , Taniguchi Akiyoshi 
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives:
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have a dual effect showing both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects; however, the molecular mechanism of their anti-inflammatory effect is not clearly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of AgNPs on the inflammatory response.

Methods:
We induced an inflammatory response in a lung epithelial cell line using tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) as an in vitro inflammatory model. Then the effect of AgNPs on the TNFα-induced inflammatory response was observed.

Results:
The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18) showed upregulation of IL-1β by AgNPs alone. However, AgNPs reduced the TNFα-induced upregulation of IL-1β and IL-18. AgNPs reduced the TNFα-induced NF-KB response, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, Nod Like Receptor Family-Pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) gene expression, and caspase-1 activation, indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of AgNPs was by inhibition of both NF-KB transcriptional and inflammasome pathways. Conversely, AgNPs alone induced the activation of both NF-KB transcriptional and inflammasome pathways, suggesting their involvement in the molecular mechanism of the inflammatory effect of AgNPs.

Conclusion:
Altogether, these findings show that two different pathways are involved in the molecular mechanism of both the dose-dependent inflammatory effect of AgNPs alone and the anti-inflammatory effect of AgNPs against the TNFα-induced inflammatory response. Understanding this mechanism will help to improve the medical applications of AgNPs and suggest their potential as a TNFα inhibitor to treat TNFα-induced inflammatory diseases.