bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STRA8 induces transcriptional changes in germ cells during spermatogonial development
Authors: Gewiss Rachel L. , Shelden Eric A. , Griswold Michael D. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSpermatogonial development is a key process during spermatogenesis to prepare germ cells to enter meiosis. While the initial point of spermatogonial differentiation is well‐characterized, the development of spermatogonia from the onset of differentiation to the point of meiotic entry has not been well defined. Further, STRA8 is highly induced at the onset of spermatogonial development but its function in spermatogonia has not been defined. To better understand how STRA8 impacts spermatogonia, we performed RNA‐sequencing in both wild‐type and STRA8 knockout mice at multiple timepoints during retinoic acid (RA)‐stimulated spermatogonial development. As expected, in spermatogonia from wild‐type mice we found that steady‐state levels of many transcripts that define undifferentiated progenitor cells were decreased while transcripts that define the differentiating spermatogonia were increased as a result of the actions of RA. However, the spermatogonia from STRA8 knockout mice displayed a muted RA response such that there were more transcripts typical of undifferentiated cells and fewer transcripts typical of differentiating cells following RA action. While spermatogonia from STRA8 knockout mice can ultimately form spermatocytes that fail to complete meiosis, it appears that the defect likely begins as a result of altered messenger RNA levels during spermatogonial differentiation.
Quotidian lives on isolated bodies: Entheseal changes and cross‐sectional geometry among the aboriginal population of La Gomera (ca. 200–1500 AD, Canary Islands)
Authors: Carballo‐Pérez Jared , Sánchez‐Cañadillas Elías , Arnay‐de‐la‐Rosa Matilde , Hernández‐Marrero Juan Carlos , González‐Reimers Emilio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe present study aims to investigate the relationship between physical activity changes and the daily life patterns in the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands, Spain) during the aboriginal period (ca. 3rd–15th centuries AD). The commingled skeletal material used in this study comprised a minimum of 88 individuals from burial caves used by these agropastoral communities. The methodological corpus combines the study of entheseal changes in upper and lower limbs with a cross‐sectional geometry analysis. The results revealed a prevalence of muscle chains linked to bilateral movements and a high mobility, probably more intense in the eastern areas of the island. At the same time, we observed diachronic changes in mobility possibly due to processes of adaptation to an isolated environment. Finally, entheseal changes and cross‐sectional geometry also indicated some differences between sexes as women seem to have had lower mobility than men.
Outcomes and complications of radical cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion: A comparison between open, semi‐robotic and totally robotic surgery
Authors: Asil Erem , Canda Abdullah Erdem , Atmaca Ali Fuat , Gok Bahri , Ozcan Muhammet Fuat , Ardicoglu Arslan , Balbay Mevlana Derya , Yıldızhan Mehmet 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundIt was aimed to compare open versus robotic‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal ileal conduit (ICIC), versus RARC with extracorporeal ileal conduit (ECIC) formation for bladder cancer.Materials and MethodsOpen, RARC‐ECIC and RARC‐ICIC groups were compared in terms of patient demographics, operative and postoperative parameters, pathological parameters, complications and functional outcomes.ResultsMean operative times were lower in the RARC‐ECIC group (p = 0.004). Mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the robotic groups. The blood transfusion was lower in RARC‐ICIC groups (p < 0.001). Rates of stage pT3–4 disease were the highest in the RARC‐ICIC group (p = 0.004). LOS was significantly shorter in the RARC‐ICIC group (p = 0.01). Numbers of Clavien 3–5 complications were lower in the robotic groups (p = 0.012).ConclusionsRARC and ICIC is a complex procedure involving an increased operation time but with the advantages of lower estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, complications and hospital stays compared with open surgery.
Combination of Starch and Nano‐Chitin Whiskers for Surface Treatment of Cellulosic Paper
Authors: Ni Yeyan , Jing Yi , Jiang Qiwen , Gao Ruoshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNano‐chitin whiskers (NWs) are a group of renewable materials that have attracted wide interest. As surface sizing agents, the relevant research has been mainly concentrated on barrier properties since they are considered to be potential plastic alternatives. Nevertheless, it is likewise important to explore their potential to improve print quality. Herein, different dosages of NWs are added into cassava starch (CS) to explore their influence on the surface sizing and printing process. With the addition of NWs, the rheological behavior and film‐forming ability of composite pastes are improved. CS‐6 wt% NWs film with a sizing weight of 2.5 g m−2 can fully cover the pores of the base paper. Compared with CS sized paper with a similar loading weight, contact angle and printing surface strength are increased by 60.0% and 78.6%, respectively. Besides, CS‐6 wt% NWs sized paper show less print mottle on the surface than CS sized paper.
Retained artery forceps causing acute intestinal strangulation two years following abdominal surgery in a dog
Authors: Miloro Renato , Higgins Joe , Phipps William Bertram 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA 10‐year old male entire Labradoodle presented with a history of acute onset vomiting, lethargy and collapse, two years following an emergency splenectomy and gastropexy procedure performed at a separate veterinary practice. Survey abdominal radiographs revealed metal opacity intra‐abdominal foreign bodies, suspected to be a pair of artery forceps. An exploratory laparotomy was performed when the patient was stable for general anaesthesia. The majority of the small intestines had herniated through the thumb handle of the retained forceps, resulting in strangulation of duodenum and jejunum and severe diffuse ischaemic damage. Given the large section of the non‐viable small intestine and the poor prognosis for a full recovery, the owners opted to euthanise the dog whilst under general anaesthesia. This report describes an unusual case of intestinal strangulation through a retained surgical instrument in a dog and discusses the benefits of incorporating readily available surgical safety checklists for all surgical procedures.
Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science breaking into drug design and neglected diseases
Authors: Peña‐Guerrero José , Nguewa Paul A. , García‐Sosa Alfonso T. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMachine learning (ML) is becoming capable of transforming biomolecular interaction description and calculation, promising an impact on molecular and drug design, chemical biology, toxicology, among others. The first improvements can be seen from biomolecule structure prediction to chemical synthesis, molecular generation, mechanism of action elucidation, inverse design, polypharmacology, organ or issue targeting of compounds, property and multiobjective optimization. Chemical design proposals from an algorithm may be inventive and feasible. Challenges remain, with the availability, diversity, and quality of data being critical for developing useful ML models; marginal improvement seen in some cases, as well as in the interpretability, validation, and reuse of models. The ultimate aim of ML should be to facilitate options for the scientist to propose and undertake ideas and for these to proceed faster. Applications are ripe for transformative results in understudied, neglected, and rare diseases, where new data and therapies are strongly required. Progress and outlook on these themes are provided in this study.This article is categorized under:Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and BiophysicsStructure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
Intensification of agriculture in southwestern Germany between the Bronze Age and Medieval period, based on archaeobotanical data from Baden-Württemberg
Authors: Tserendorj Gegeensuvd , Marinova Elena , Lechterbeck Jutta , Behling Hermann , Wick Lucia , Fischer Elske , Sillmann Marion , Märkle Tanja , Rösch Manfred 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA system of farming with an alternation of land use between being cultivated or left fallow as grassland (Feldgraswirtschaft) developed in southwestern Germany since the Bronze Age. It involved fallow periods, where the arable land is left without crops in order to let it recover its fertility for several years while becoming grassland. This led to regeneration of the topsoil humus, which could later be mobilized by cultivation. With later farming systems, the supply of nutrients needed for crops could also be provided by manuring, which allowed shorter fallow periods but required the production of manure. Such cultivation systems with short or even without fallow phases and with intensive manuring are known from the medieval period as one, two or three field systems of agriculture and their development was an important step towards the intensification of farming. The current study considers on-site plant macrofossil data from archaeological sites as well as the off-site pollen data from cores in Baden-Württemberg in order to recognize the main changes towards agricultural intensification through time from the Bronze Age up to medieval times. The various landscape types included in the study area also reveal their different agricultural histories of intensification. In lowlands with good soils, the intensification can be recognized earlier and more strongly than in uplands or other marginal areas. The main shift towards intensification took place in the Roman period, which is also confirmed by written sources of the time that mention manuring as well as a kind of two field system and alternation between grassland and arable land.
Use of Geophysical and Radar Interferometric Techniques to Monitor Land Deformation Associated with the Jazan Salt Diapir, Jazan city, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Pankratz Hannah G. , Sultan Mohamed , Abdelmohsen Karem , Sauck William A. , Alsefry Saleh , Alharbi Hassan , Emil Mustafa K. , Gebremichael Esayas , Asaeidi Ali , Alshehri Fahad , Hashim Hisham I. , Al-Shamrani Haitham A. , El-Sahly Mubark 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUsing integrated Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) datasets (Envisat: 2003–2009; Sentinel-1: 2014–2018), local gravity surveys, and passive seismic data, we investigated the environmental hazards associated with the rise of the Miocene Jazan salt diapir (JZD; ~ 2 km2) within Jazan city, Saudi Arabia, and identified areas at risk in its immediate surroundings. Our findings include (1) the JZD outcrop and its northern, southern and western bordering areas have been undergoing substantial uplift (up to 4.7 mm/yr), whereas the sabkhas to the east are witnessing subsidence (up to − 7.5 mm/yr); (2) a low Bouguer anomaly (7.5 mGal) was observed over the JZD relative to its surroundings (8.5–12 mGal) with the steepest gradient along its eastern side; (3) strong and clear horizontal/vertical (H/V) spectral ratio peak and high frequency (5–10 Hz) over the JZD outcrop and areas proximal to its western margin, but areas to the east have a weak H/V peak and low frequency (1.5-3 Hz); (4) drilling confirmed presence of a shallow (4 m) salt bedrock layer west of the JZD and the absence of this layer to its east (up to depths of 60 m); (5) uplift patterns along the diapir margins are indicative of near-vertical contact along the JZD eastern margin and less steep contacts along the remaining margins; and (6) additional near-surface diapirs could potentially be identified in the vicinity of the JZD using our integrated approach.
Safety and Tolerability of Subcutaneous IgPro20 at High Infusion Parameters in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency: Findings from the Pump-Assisted Administration Cohorts of the HILO Study
Authors: Anderson John T. , Bonagura Vincent R. , Cowan Juthaporn , Hsu Connie , Mustafa S. Shahzad , Patel Niraj C. , Routes John M. , Sriaroon Panida , Vinh Donald C. , Hofmann Jutta H. , Praus Michaela , Rojavin Mikhail A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the safety and tolerability of subcutaneous IgPro20 (Hizentra®, CSL Behring, King of Prussia, PA, USA) administered at high infusion parameters (> 25 mL and > 25 mL/h per injection site) in patients with primary immunodeficiency.

Methods
The Hizentra® Label Optimization (HILO) study was an open-label, parallel-arm, non-randomized study (NCT03033745) of IgPro20 using a forced upward titration design for infusion parameters. Patients experienced with pump-assisted IgPro20 infusions received weekly IgPro20 infusions at a stable dose in the Pump-Assisted Volume Cohort (N = 15; 25–50 mL per injection site) and in the Pump-Assisted Flow Rate Cohort (N = 18; 25–100 mL/h per injection site). Responder rates (percentage of patients who successfully completed ≥ 75% of planned infusions), safety outcomes, and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) trough levels were evaluated.

Results
Responder rates were 86.7% (13/15, 25 mL) and 73.3% (11/15, 40 and 50 mL) in the Volume Cohort, and 77.8% (14/18, 25 and 50 mL/h), 66.7% (12/18, 75 mL/h), and 61.1% (11/18, 100 mL/h) in the Flow Rate Cohort. Infusion compliance was ≥ 90% in all patients in the Volume Cohort and in 83.3% of patients in the Flow Rate Cohort. The number of injection sites (Volume Cohort) and the infusion duration (Flow Rate Cohort) decreased with increasing infusion parameters. The rate of treatment-emergent adverse events per infusion was low (0.138 [Volume Cohort] and 0.216 [Flow Rate Cohort]). Serum IgG levels remained stable during the study.

Conclusion
Pump-assisted IgPro20 infusions are feasible at 50 mL and 100 mL/h per injection site in treatment-experienced patients, which may result in fewer injection sites and shorter infusion times.

Trial Registration
NCT03033745; registered January 27, 2017
Neck complaints before and after uncomplicated thyroidectomy: prevalence, postoperative outcome and relationships with thyroid weight and reflux like symptoms
Authors: Marchese Maria Raffaella , Galli Jacopo , D’Alatri Lucia , D’Amore Annamaria , Sionne Francesco , Trozzi Lucrezia , Paludetti Gaetano , Bellantone Rocco , Lombardi Celestino Pio 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The surgical thyroid disease includes upper aerodigestive complaints with not homogenous prevalence and specific features. The purpose was to analyze before and after total thyroidectomy (TT) the prevalence and severity of voice, swallowing, respiratory, and reflux airway symptoms in relation with thyroid weight.

Methods
A total of 98 consenting patients undergoing TT were enrolled. Preoperatively, 1 and 3 months after TT, patients underwent videolaryngoscopy, subjective evaluation of voice (VIS), swallowing (SIS and EAT-10), respiratory (mMRC), and reflux symptoms (RSI, Gerd-Q). The scores were analyzed based on thyroid weight (<25 gr, 26–50 gr, 51–75 gr, >75 gr) and post-operative score gain was calculated from the score before TT and the follow-up examination.

Results
In total, 40/98 selected cases of uncomplicated TT completed the postoperative evaluation. Endoscopic signs suggestive of reflux disease were observed in 1/40 (2.5%) and 0/19 cases before and after TT respectively. The prevalence of cases with abnormal reflux symptom index decreased significantly after surgery (8/40 vs 1/40) (p < 0.05), similarly occurred for the Gerd-Q (4/40 vs 1/40) (p < 0.05). Three months after TT the voice, swallowing and respiratory scores were significantly lower than the preoperative ones (p < 0.05). The SIS correlated positively with EAT-10 and RSI. After 3 months the postoperative score gain of voice, swallowing, respiratory, and reflux symptoms (Gerd-Q) was statistically higher (p < 0.05) in the cases with heaviest gland.

Conclusions
The surgical thyroid disease is associated to mild aerodigestive preoperative compressive symptoms, that include respiratory abnormalities and reflux like symptoms, regardless of the gland weight. In absence of endoscopic signs of airway reflux the presence of reflux symptoms suggests an overlapping with thyroid neck complaints. The patients undergoing uncomplicated TT had improvement in compressive symptoms and the greatest improvement is seen in larger goiters.
Bi/BiOCl Nanosheets Enriched with Oxygen Vacancies to Enhance Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Wu Shuqi , Wang Junbu , Li Qingchuan , Huang Zeai , Rao Zhiqiang , Zhou Ying 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBiOCl has been used in the photoreduction of CO2, but exhibits limited photocatalytic activity. In this study, Bi was in situ reduced and deposited on the surface of (001)-dominated BiOCl nanosheets by NaBH4 to form Bi/BiOCl nanosheets enriched with oxygen vacancies. The as-prepared Bi/BiOCl nanosheets having low thickness (ca. 10 nm) showed much higher concentration of oxygen vacancies compared to Bi/BiOCl nanoplates having high thickness (ca. 100 nm). Subsequently, the photocatalytic activity of the Bi/BiOCl nanosheets enriched with oxygen vacancies for CO2 reduction was dramatically enhanced and much higher than that of BiOCl nanoplates, nanosheets, and Bi/BiOCl nanoplates. It showed that the improved photocatalytic activity in the reduction of CO2 can be attributed to the enhanced separation efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole pairs of the oxygen vacancies on BiOCl nanosheets and Bi metals. This work demonstrated that the in situ reduction of non-noble metals on the surface of BiOCl nanosheets that are enriched with oxygen vacancies is favorable for increasing photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Pre-clinical atherosclerosis is found at post-mortem, in the brains of men with HIV
Authors: Daramola Olusola , Ali Hebah , Mckenzie Chris-Anne , Smith Colin , Benjamin Laura A. , Solomon Tom 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study is to ascertain the burden of pre-clinical atherosclerotic changes in the brains of young adult males with HIV and explore the impact of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). The study design is case-control, cross-sectional. Histological sections from HIV-positive post-mortem brain samples, with no associated opportunistic infection, from the MRC Edinburgh brain bank were evaluated. These were age and sex matched with HIV-negative controls. Immunohistochemical stains were performed to evaluate characteristics of atherosclerosis. The pathological changes were graded blinded to the HIV status and a second histopathologist reassessed 15%. Univariable models were used for statistical analyses; p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Nineteen HIV-positive post-mortem cases fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Nineteen HIV-negative controls were selected. We assessed mostly small-medium-sized vessels. For inflammation (CD45), 7 (36%) of the HIV+ had moderate/severe changes compared with none for the HIV− group (p < 0.001). Moderate/severe increase in smooth muscle remodeling (SMA) was found in 8 (42%) HIV+ and 0 HIV− brains (p < 0.001). Moderate/severe lipoprotein deposition (LOX-1) was found in 3 (15%) and 0 HIV−brains (p < 0.001). ART was associated with less inflammation [5 (63%) no ART versus 2 (18%) on ART (p = 0.028)] but was not associated with reduced lipid deposition or smooth muscle damage. In HIV infection, there are pre-clinical small- to medium-sized vessel atherosclerotic changes and ART may have limited impact on these changes. This could have implications on the increasing burden of cerebrovascular disease in HIV populations and warrants further investigation.
Brain tissue transcriptomic analysis of SIV-infected macaques identifies several altered metabolic pathways linked to neuropathogenesis and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) as potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Mavian Carla , Ramirez-Mata Andrea S. , Dollar James Jarad , Nolan David J. , Cash Melanie , White Kevin , Rich Shannan N. , Magalis Brittany Rife , Marini Simone , Prosperi Mattia C. F. , Amador David Moraga , Riva Alberto , Williams Kenneth C. , Salemi Marco 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Despite improvements in antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent in subjects undergoing therapy. HAND significantly affects individuals’ quality of life, as well as adherence to therapy, and, despite the increasing understanding of neuropathogenesis, no definitive diagnostic or prognostic marker has been identified. We investigated transcriptomic profiles in frontal cortex tissues of Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected Rhesus macaques sacrificed at different stages of infection. Gene expression was compared among SIV-infected animals (n = 11), with or without CD8+ lymphocyte depletion, based on detectable (n = 6) or non-detectable (n = 5) presence of the virus in frontal cortex tissues. Significant enrichment in activation of monocyte and macrophage cellular pathways was found in animals with detectable brain infection, independently from CD8+ lymphocyte depletion. In addition, transcripts of four poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) were up-regulated in the frontal cortex, which was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our results shed light on involvement of PARPs in SIV infection of the brain and their role in SIV-associated neurodegenerative processes. Inhibition of PARPs may provide an effective novel therapeutic target for HIV-related neuropathology.
Pulsed Shortwave Therapy in Cervical Osteoarthritis: an NSAID- Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: El Mohammad A. Rachid , Koneru Sree , Staelin Richard , McLeod Kenneth , Tabbouche Omar , Rawe Ian M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAssess treatment superiority of pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT) against COX-2 NSAID therapy, in reducing disability and pain due to cervical osteoarthritis. Two hundred chronic pain suffers (average pain duration about 2 years) diagnosed with cervical osteoarthritis by radiological imaging were randomized into one of two treatment arms: COX-2 NSAID treatment; etoricoxib 60 mg/day for 4 weeks; or PSWT treatment worn 24 h/day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the 4-week score on the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a 10-question assessment on a 50-point scale. Secondary outcome measures included pain (at rest and during activity) measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0–100 mm, dose count of rescue pain medication (paracetamol) use, and a treatment satisfaction rating. These 4-week scores were compared across the two arms to assess superiority. After 4 weeks of treatment, subjects in both study arms reported statistically significant (p < 0.0001) reductions in NDI, with final scores of 11.24-NSAID and 9.34-PSWT, VASrest, with final scores of 30.08-NSAID; 22.76-PSWT, and VASactivity, with final scores of 36.40-NSAID; 27.42-PSWT. The absolute reduction from baseline in NDI was significantly greater in the PSWT arm than NSAID arm (3.66 points; 95% CI 2.3 to 5.02; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the reductions from baseline in VASrest and VASactivity were significantly greater in the PSWT arm than NSAID arm (10.89 mm; 95% CI 6.90 to 14.87; p < 0.0001; and 12.05 mm; 95% CI 7.76 to 16.33; p < 0.0001, respectively). The PSWT arm used 50% less rescue pain medication. Eleven adverse effects were reported in the NSAID arm and zero in the PSWT arm. Both NSAID and PSWT treatments resulted in statistically significant improvements in quality of life (NDI) and reduction in pain (VAS) resulting from cervical osteoarthritis. However, the PSWT intervention showed superior improvements in all outcome measures when compared to the NSAID arm with no adverse effects. Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03542955).