bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal neovascular changes on optical coherence tomography angiography in proliferative diabetic retinopathy treated with panretinal photocoagulation alone versus with intravitreal conbercept plus panretinal photocoagulation: a pilot study
Authors: He Feng , Yu Weihong 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the longitudinal changes in neovascularization of the retinal elsewhere (NVE) size on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) treated by panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) alone or by single intravitreal conbercept injection plus PRP.

Methods
A prospective pilot study. Forty-four PDR eyes with NVE confirmed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and OCTA were included. They were assigned to receive PRP alone (PRP group) or intravitreal conbercept injection plus PRP (combination group). Ophthalmic examinations, including BCVA and OCTA to measure the NVE size, were performed at baseline before each PRP session, and at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Results
Twenty-nine eyes were included in the PRP group, and 15 eyes were included in the combination group. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to age, BCVA, and NVE area at baseline. In both groups, there was a significant (P < 0.05) NVE size reduction during the majority of study visits, with the reduction observed in the combination group significantly larger than that in the PRP group. No significant BCVA changes were observed in either groups, except that in the PRP group, the BCVA at 3 months was significantly improved (P < 0.05). No deaths or unexpected adverse events (AEs) were reported.

Conclusions
Intravitreal conbercept plus PRP was more effective than PRP monotherapy in NVE regression. Precise quantification of the NVE area by OCTA makes it a useful tool for monitoring the response of retinal neovascular lesions to the therapy.
Higher-order topological solitonic insulators
Authors: Li Zhixiong , Cao Yunshan , Yan Peng , Wang Xiangrong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPursuing topological phase and matter in a variety of systems is one central issue in current physical sciences and engineering. Motivated by the recent experimental observation of corner states in acoustic and photonic structures, we theoretically study the dipolar-coupled gyration motion of magnetic solitons on the two-dimensional breathing kagome lattice. We calculate the phase diagram and predict both the Tamm–Shockley edge modes and the second-order corner states when the ratio between alternate lattice constants is greater than a critical value. We show that the emerging corner states are topologically robust against both structure defects and moderate disorders. Micromagnetic simulations are implemented to verify the theoretical predictions with an excellent agreement. Our results pave the way for investigating higher-order topological insulators based on magnetic solitons.
A calibrated database of kinematics and EMG of the forearm and hand during activities of daily living
Authors: Jarque-Bou Néstor J. , Vergara Margarita , Sancho-Bru Joaquín L. , Gracia-Ibáñez Verónica , Roda-Sales Alba 
Published: November 2019

AbstractLinking hand kinematics and forearm muscle activity is a challenging and crucial problem for several domains, such as prosthetics, 3D modelling or rehabilitation. To advance in this relationship between hand kinematics and muscle activity, synchronised and well-defined data are needed. However, currently available datasets are scarce, and the presented tasks and data are often limited. This paper presents the KIN-MUS UJI Dataset that contains 572 recordings with anatomical angles and forearm muscle activity of 22 subjects while performing 26 representative activities of daily living. This dataset is, to our knowledge, the biggest currently available hand kinematics and muscle activity dataset to focus on goal-oriented actions. Data were recorded using a CyberGlove instrumented glove and surface EMG electrodes, both properly synchronised. Eighteen hand anatomical angles were obtained from the glove sensors by a validated calibration procedure. Surface EMG activity was recorded from seven representative forearm areas. The statistics verified that data were not affected by the experimental procedures and were similar to the data acquired under real-life conditions.
Efficient travelling-mode quantum key agreement against participant’s attacks
Authors: Huang Wei-cong , Yang Yong-kai , Jiang Dong , Chen Li-jun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractQuantum key agreement (QKA) is to negotiate a final key among several participants fairly and securely. In this paper, we show that some existing travelling-mode multiparty QKA protocols are vulnerable to internal participant’s attacks. Dishonest participants can exploit a favorable geographical location or collude with other participants to predetermine the final keys without being discovered. To resist such attacks, we propose a new travelling-mode multiparty QKA protocol based on non-orthogonal Bell states. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed protocol is secure against both external and internal attacks, and can achieve higher efficiency compared with existing travelling-mode multiparty QKA protocols. Finally we design an optical platform for each participant, and show that our proposed protocol is feasible with current technologies.
A detailed investigation of the visual system and visual ecology of the Barrier Reef anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos
Authors: Stieb Sara M. , de Busserolles Fanny , Carleton Karen L. , Cortesi Fabio , Chung Wen-Sung , Dalton Brian E. , Hammond Luke A. , Marshall N. Justin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractVision plays a major role in the life of most teleosts, and is assumingly well adapted to each species ecology and behaviour. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we scrutinised several aspects of the visual system and ecology of the Great Barrier Reef anemonefish,Amphiprion akindynos, including its orange with white patterning, retinal anatomy and molecular biology, its symbiosis with anemones and sequential hermaphroditism.Amphiprion akindynospossesses spectrally distinct visual pigments and opsins: one rod opsin, RH1 (498 nm), and five cone opsins, SWS1 (370 nm), SWS2B (408 nm), RH2B (498 nm), RH2A (520 nm), and LWS (554 nm). Cones were arranged in a regular mosaic with each single cone surrounded by four double cones. Double cones mainly expressedRH2B(53%) in one member andRH2A(46%) in the other, matching the prevailing light. Single cones expressedSWS1(89%), which may serve to detect zooplankton, conspecifics and the host anemone. Moreover, a segregated small fraction of single cones coexpressedSWS1withSWS2B(11%). This novel visual specialisation falls within the region of highest acuity and is suggested to increase the chromatic contrast ofAmphiprion akindynoscolour patterns, which might improve detection of conspecifics.
Prediction of Deleterious Non-synonymous SNPs of Human STK11 Gene by Combining Algorithms, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Islam Md. Jahirul , Khan Akib Mahmud , Parves Md. Rimon , Hossain Md Nayeem , Halim Mohammad A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSerine-threonine kinase11 (STK11) is a tumor suppressor gene which plays a key role in regulating cell growth and apoptosis. It is widely known as a multitasking kinase and engaged in cell polarity, cell cycle arrest, chromatin remodeling, energy metabolism, and Wnt signaling. The substitutions of single amino acids in highly conserved regions of the STK11 protein are associated with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS), which is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder. The abnormal function of the STK11 protein is still not well understood. In this study, we classified disease susceptible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in STK11 by using different computational algorithms. We identified the deleterious nsSNPs, constructed mutant protein structures, and evaluated the impact of mutation by employing molecular docking and molecular dynamics analysis. Our results show that W239R and W308C variants are likely to be highly deleterious mutations found in the catalytic kinase domain, which may destabilize structure and disrupt the activation of the STK11 protein as well as reduce its catalytic efficiency. The W239R mutant is likely to have a greater impact on destabilizing the protein structure compared to the W308C mutant. In conclusion, these mutants can help to further realize the large pool of disease susceptibilities linked with catalytic kinase domain activation of STK11 and assist to develop an effective drug for associated diseases.
Phylogenetic surveillance of travel-related Zika virus infections through whole-genome sequencing methods
Authors: Kamelian Kimia , Montoya Vincent , Olmstead Andrea , Dong Winnie , Harrigan Richard , Morshed Muhammad , Joy Jeffrey B. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn 2018, the World Health Organization identified the Zika virus (ZIKV) as a pathogen that should be prioritized for public health research due to its epidemic potential. In this study, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of travel-acquired ZIKV infections was used to examine the limitations of phylogenetic analysis. WGS and phylogenetic analysis were performed to investigate geographic clustering of samples from five Canadians with travel-acquired ZIKV infections and to assess the limitations of phylogenetic analysis of ZIKV sequences using a phylogenetic cluster approach. Genomic variability of ZIKV samples was assessed and for context, compared with hepatitis C virus (HCV) samples. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the suspected region of ZIKV infection for one of five samples and one sample failed to cluster with sequences from its suspected country of infection. Travel-acquired ZIKV samples depicted low genomic variability relative to HCV samples. A floating patristic distance threshold classified all pre-2000 ZIKV sequences into separate clusters, while only Cambodian, Peruvian, Malaysian, and South Korean sequences were similarly classifiable. While phylogenetic analysis of ZIKV data can identify the broad geographical region of ZIKV infection, ZIKV’s low genomic variability is likely to limit precise interpretations of phylogenetic analysis of the origins of travel-related cases.
Histamine H1 receptor on astrocytes and neurons controls distinct aspects of mouse behaviour
Authors: Kárpáti Anikó , Yoshikawa Takeo , Naganuma Fumito , Matsuzawa Takuro , Kitano Haruna , Yamada Yo , Yokoyama Mariko , Futatsugi Akira , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Yanai Kazuhiko 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHistamine is an important neurotransmitter that contributes to various processes, including the sleep-wake cycle, learning, memory, and stress responses. Its actions are mediated through histamine H1–H4 receptors. Gene knockout and pharmacological studies have revealed the importance of H1 receptors in learning and memory, regulation of aggression, and wakefulness. H1 receptors are abundantly expressed on neurons and astrocytes. However, to date, studies selectively investigating the roles of neuronal and astrocytic H1 receptors in behaviour are lacking. We generated novel astrocyte- and neuron-specific conditional knockout (cKO) mice to address this gap in knowledge. cKO mice showed cell-specific reduction of H1 receptor gene expression. Behavioural assessment revealed significant changes and highlighted the importance of H1 receptors on both astrocytes and neurons. H1 receptors on both cell types played a significant role in anxiety. Astrocytic H1 receptors were involved in regulating aggressive behaviour, circadian rhythms, and quality of wakefulness, but not sleep behaviour. Our results emphasise the roles of neuronal H1 receptors in recognition memory. In conclusion, this study highlights the novel roles of H1 receptors on astrocytes and neurons in various brain functions.
Effects of a stepwise, local patient-specific early oral feeding schedule after gastric cancer surgery: a single-center retrospective study from China
Authors: Chen Ji , Xu Ming , Zhang Yunpeng , Gao Chun , Sun Peng 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNowadays, early oral feeding after gastrectomy has been gradually accepted and applied in the clinical practice, but there is still no specific uniform feeding regimen available which works best for patients in different regions with different races and eating habits. Aiming to establish an early oral feeding schedule suitable for local Chinese patients after gastric surgery, from May 2014 to May 2018, 87 gastric cancer patients undergoing various types of gastric resections were enrolled in an early feeding protocol and their clinical course was reviewed retrospectively. A stepwise, local patient-specific, early oral feeding schedule was proposed, implemented within an early recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol and accessed in terms of its safety and tolerability. The primary surgical outcomes included: a median (interquartile range; IQR) postoperative hospital stay of 6 (3) days; 67 (77%) patients were well tolerant of this schedule from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 4; 20 (23%) patients had mild I/II grade complications (Clavien-Dindo classification); 3 (3%) patients had IIIB complications, zero cases of hospital mortality. Compared to similar studies in the past, our early oral feeding program is also safe and beneficial, and it can shorten the postoperative hospital stay without causing any increase in postoperative complications. In summary, our work herein reported the establishment of a detailed early oral feeding schedule embedded within an ERAS protocol which was found to be suitable for local Chinese patients after gastric surgery. Accordingly, this early oral feeding schedule is worth further research and promotion.
Spontaneous Ligand Access Events to Membrane-Bound Cytochrome P450 2D6 Sampled at Atomic Resolution
Authors: Fischer André , Smieško Martin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe membrane-anchored enzyme Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is involved in the metabolism of around 25% of marketed drugs and its metabolic performance shows a high interindividual variation. While it was suggested that ligands access the buried active site of the enzyme from the membrane, no proof from unbiased simulations has been provided to support this hypothesis. Laboratory experiments fail to capture the access process which is suspected to influence binding kinetics. Here, we applied unbiased molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the access of ligands to wild-type CYP2D6, as well as the allelic variant CYP2D6*53. In multiple simulations, substrates accessed the active site of the enzyme from the protein-membrane interface to ultimately adopt a conformation that would allow a metabolic reaction. We propose the necessary steps for ligand access and the results suggest that the increased metabolic activity of CYP2D6*53 might be caused by a facilitated ligand uptake.
Robust Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Huntington Disease by Combined Triplet-Primed PCR Analysis of the HTT CAG Repeat and Multi-Microsatellite Haplotyping
Authors: Zhao Mingjue , Cheah Felicia Siew Hong , Tan Arnold Sia Chye , Lian Mulias , Phang Gui Ping , Agarwal Anupriya , Chong Samuel S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHuntington disease (HD) is a lethal neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of a CAG repeat within the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Disease prevention can be facilitated by preimplantation genetic testing for this monogenic disorder (PGT-M). We developed a strategy for HD PGT-M, involving whole genome amplification (WGA) followed by combined triplet-primed PCR (TP-PCR) for HTT CAG repeat expansion detection and multi-microsatellite marker genotyping for disease haplotype phasing. The strategy was validated and tested pre-clinically in a simulated PGT-M case before clinical application in five cycles of a PGT-M case. The assay reliably and correctly diagnosed all embryos, even where allele dropout (ADO) occurred at the HTT CAG repeat locus or at one or more linked markers. Ten of the 27 embryos analyzed were diagnosed as unaffected. Four embryo transfers were performed, two of which involved fresh cycle double embryo transfers and two were frozen-thawed single embryo transfers. Pregnancies were achieved from each of the frozen-thawed single embryo transfers and confirmed to be unaffected by amniocentesis, culminating in live births at term. This strategy enhances diagnostic confidence for PGT-M of HD and can also be employed in situations where disease haplotype phase cannot be established prior to the start of PGT-M.
A new approach to biomining: Bioengineering surfaces for metal recovery from aqueous solutions
Authors: Urbina Jesica , Patil Advait , Fujishima Kosuke , Paulino-Lima Ivan G. , Saltikov Chad , Rothschild Lynn J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractElectronics waste production has been fueled by economic growth and the demand for faster, more efficient consumer electronics. The glass and metals in end-of-life electronics components can be reused or recycled; however, conventional extraction methods rely on energy-intensive processes that are inefficient when applied to recycling e-waste that contains mixed materials and small amounts of metals. To make e-waste recycling economically viable and competitive with obtaining raw materials, recovery methods that lower the cost of metal reclamation and minimize environmental impact need to be developed. Microbial surface adsorption can aid in metal recovery with lower costs and energy requirements than traditional metal-extraction approaches. We introduce a novel method for metal recovery by utilizing metal-binding peptides to functionalize fungal mycelia and enhance metal recovery from aqueous solutions such as those found in bioremediation or biomining processes. Using copper-binding as a proof-of-concept, we compared binding parameters between natural motifs and those derived in silico, and found comparable binding affinity and specificity for Cu. We then combined metal-binding peptides with chitin-binding domains to functionalize a mycelium-based filter to enhance metal recovery from a Cu-rich solution. This finding suggests that engineered peptides could be used to functionalize biological surfaces to recover metals of economic interest and allow for metal recovery from metal-rich effluent with a low environmental footprint, at ambient temperatures, and under circumneutral pH.
Routine Adoption of Urinary [IGFBP7]∙[TIMP-2] to Assess Acute Kidney Injury at Any Stage 12 hours After Intensive Care Unit Admission: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ferrari Fiorenza , Romero-González Gregorio , Topete Lilia Rizo , Senzolo Mara , Lorenzin Anna , Husain-Syed Faeq , Puci Mariangela Valentina , Ferraro Ottavia Eleonora , Muraro Eva , Serrano-Soto Mara , Triviño Alejandra Molano , Castro Ana Coutinho , Xie Yun , Yang Bo , De Cal Massimo , Corradi Valentina , Brendolan Alessandra , Scarpa Marta , Carta Maria Rosa , Giavarina Davide , Bonato Raffaele , Ronco Claudio 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 ([TIMP-2]∙[IGFBP7]) have been introduced to improve risk prediction of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) within 12 hours of measurement. We performed a prospective cohort study to evaluate if the predictive value of [TIMP-2]∙[IGFBP7] for AKI might continue after 12 hours. We enrolled 442 critically ill adult patients from June to December 2016. Urine samples were collected at admission for [TIMP-2]∙[IGFBP7] measurement. Baseline patient characteristics were recorded including patients’ demographics, prior health history, and the main reason for admission to build a logistic regression model to predict AKI. AKI occurrence differed between patients with [TIMP-2]∙[IGFBP7] ≤0.3 and >0.3 (ng/ml)2/1000 (31.9% and 68.10% respectively; p < 0.001). Patients with AKI had higher biomarker values compared to those without AKI (0.66 (0.21–2.84) vs 0.22 (0.08–0.63) (ng/ml)2/1000; p < 0.001). [TIMP-2]∙[IGFBP7] at ICU admission had a lower performance in predicting AKI at any stage within 48 hours and 7 days after measurement (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) equal to 0.70 (95%CI 0.65–0.76), AUC 0.68 (95%CI 0.63–0.73)). In the logistic regression model, 0.1 (ng/ml)2/1000-unit increment was likely to increase the risk of AKI by 2% (p = 0.002).
Progressive loss of muscle mass could be an adverse prognostic factor of 28-day mortality in septic shock patients
Authors: Seo Dong-Woo , Kim Kyung Won , Sohn Chang Hwan , Ryoo Seung Mok , Kim Youn-Jung , Shin Ahn , Kim Won Young 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA decrease in skeletal muscle mass has been shown to increase hospital mortality. Nevertheless, little is known about the association between progressive muscle loss over time and clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate whether progressive loss of muscle mass in septic shock patients was associated with mortality. We reviewed prospectively enrolled registry of septic shock which had 817 consecutive patients. Of these, 175 patients who had computed tomography (CT) at a time of admission as well as 3–6 months prior to admission were included. Between these two CTs, the change in total abdominal muscle area index (TAMAI) was evaluated for progressive muscle loss. The change in TAMAI was higher in the non-survivors (−7.6 cm2/m2, 19.0% decrease) than the survivors (−4.0 cm2/m2, 10.5% decrease) with statistical significance (p = 0.002). Multiple logistic regression showed that the patients who had more than a 6.4 cm2/m2 (16.7%) reduction of TAMAI had a 4.42-fold higher risk for mortality at 28 days (OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 1.41–13.81, p = 0.011). Our study suggested that progressive loss of muscle mass might be a useful prognostic factor for septic shock patients. This implication will need to be further explored in future prospective studies.
Staphylococcus aureus ClpX localizes at the division septum and impacts transcription of genes involved in cell division, T7-secretion, and SaPI5-excision
Authors: Jensen Camilla , Fosberg Marie J. , Thalsø-Madsen Ida , Bæk Kristoffer T. , Frees Dorte 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn all living cells, molecular chaperones are essential for facilitating folding and unfolding of proteins. ClpX is a highly conserved ATP-dependent chaperone that besides functioning as a classical chaperone can associate with ClpP to form the ClpXP protease. To investigate the relative impact of the ClpXP protease and the ClpX chaperone in cell physiology of the important pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, we assessed the transcriptional changes induced by inactivating only ClpXP, or by completely deleting ClpX. This analysis revealed that ClpX has a profound impact on S. aureus cell physiology that is mediated primarily via ClpXP-dependent pathways. As an example, ClpX impacts expression of virulence genes entirely via ClpXP-dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, ClpX controls a high number of genes and sRNAs via pathways involving both ClpXP protease and ClpX chaperone activities; an interesting example being genes promoting excision and replication of the pathogenicity island SaPI5. Independently of ClpP, ClpX, impacts transcription of only a restricted number of genes involved in peptidoglycan synthesis, cell division, and type seven secretion. Finally, we demonstrate that ClpX localizes in single foci in close proximity to the division septum lending support to the idea that ClpX plays a role in S. aureus cell division.