bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperpolarization of the subthalamic nucleus alleviates hyperkinetic movement disorders
Authors: Tai Chun-Hwei , Pan Ming-Kai , Tseng Sheng-Hong , Wang Tien-Rei , Kuo Chung-Chin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractModulation of subthalamic nucleus (STN) firing patterns with injections of depolarizing currents into the STN is an important advance for the treatment of hypokinetic movement disorders, especially Parkinson’s disease (PD). Chorea, ballism and dystonia are prototypical examples of hyperkinetic movement disorders. In our previous study, normal rats without nigro-striatal lesion were rendered hypokinetic with hyperpolarizing currents injected into the STN. Therefore, modulation of the firing pattern by injection of a hyperpolarizing current into the STN could be an effective treatment for hyperkinetic movement disorders. We investigated the effect of injecting a hyperpolarizing current into the STNs of two different types of hyperkinetic animal models and a patient with an otherwise uncontrollable hyperkinetic disorder. The two animal models included levodopa-induced hyperkinetic movement in parkinsonian rats (L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia model) and hyperkinesia induced by an intrastriatal injection of 3-nitropropionic acid (Huntington disease model), covering neurodegeneration-related as well as neurotoxin-induced derangement in the cortico-subcortical re-entrant loops. Delivering hyperpolarizing currents into the STN readily alleviated the hyperkinetic behaviors in the two animal models and in the clinical case, with an evident increase in subthalamic burst discharges in electrophysiological recordings. Application of a hyperpolarizing current into the STN via a Deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode could be an effective general therapy for a wide spectrum of hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Generation of E-band metasurface-based vortex beam with reduced divergence angle
Authors: Chung Hyeongju , Kim Daeik , Sawant Ashwini , Lee Ingeun , Choi Eunmi , Lee Jongwon 
Published: May 2020

AbstractVortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) have attracted considerable attention for the development of high-capacity wireless communication systems due to their infinite sets of orthogonal modes. However, the practical applications of Laguerre-Gaussian type vortex beams are limited due to the fact that the divergence angle increases as the order of the OAM mode increases. In this work, we present metasurfaces that generate vortex beams carrying OAM modes with reduced divergence angles in the E-band frequency range. The metasurfaces were designed using eight different meta-atom phase elements, including a spiral phase distribution for OAM modes l = 1 and 2, a phase gradient array to avoid interference with the source beam, and a lens pattern array to reduce the divergence angle. Through simulation and experimental measurement, it was confirmed that the divergence angle of the vortex beam generated by the metasurface with the lens pattern was reduced from 13° to 9° and 14° to 11° for OAM modes l = 1 and 2, respectively, in comparison with the metasurface without the lens pattern. Our results provide new design methods for various applications based on OAM multiplexing especially in high frequency E-band range.
The absence of BBSome function decreases synaptogenesis and causes ectopic synapse formation in the retina
Authors: Hsu Ying , Garrison Janelle E. , Seo Seongjin , Sheffield Val C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPhotoreceptors possess ribbon synapses distinct from the conventional synapses in the brain. Little is known about the function of the BBSome, a complex integral in ciliary and intracellular trafficking, in ribbon synaptic formation. We performed immunohistochemistry using retinas from Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) mouse models and found that BBS mutant animals have significantly fewer ribbon synapses in the outer plexiform layer and increased ectopic synapses in the outer nuclear layer compared to controls. Many ectopic synapses in BBS mutant retinas are associated with horizontal cell axonal processes that aberrantly intrude into the outer nuclear layer. To determine whether this horizontal cell phenotype is a consequence of retinal degeneration, we examined this phenotype in mice with photoreceptor-specific inactivation of the BBSome induced by Cre recombinase driven by the rhodopsin promoter. At three months of age, despite retinal degeneration, Bbs8floxed/floxed; Rho-Cre+ mice lack the aberrant intrusion of horizontal cell processes. At 6 months, some horizontal cell processes intrude into the outer nuclear layer in Bbs8floxed/floxed; Rho-Cre+ mice, but the phenotype does not recapitulate the phenotypic severity observed in young congenital BBS mutant mice. Therefore, the lack of BBSome function negatively impacts retinal synaptogenesis, and causes horizontal cell defects in a potentially cell-autonomous fashion.
Plasmonic enhancement of betanin-lawsone co-sensitized solar cells via tailored bimodal size distribution of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Sreeja S. , Pesala Bala 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNatural pigment-based photosensitizers are an attractive pathway for realizing low cost and environmentally friendly solar cells. Here, broadband light-harvesting is achieved using two natural pigments, betanin and lawsone, absorbing in the green and blue region of the solar spectrum respectively. The use of bimodal size distribution of AgNPs tailored for each of the pigments to further increase their efficiency is the key feature of this work. This study demonstrates a significant enhancement in current-density, voltage, and efficiency by 20.1%, 5.5%, and 28.6% respectively, in a betanin-lawsone co-sensitized solar cell, via plasmonic enhancement using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The optimum sizes of the nanoparticles have been calculated by studying their optical response and electric field profiles using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations, aimed at matching their resonant wavelengths with the absorption bands of the dyes. Simulations show that AgNPs of diameters 20 nm and 60 nm are optimum for enhanced absorption by lawsone and betanin respectively. The FDTD simulations of the plasmonic photoelectrodes demonstrated 30% and 15% enhancement in the power absorption by betanin and lawsone at the LSPR peaks of the 60 nm and 20 nm AgNPs respectively. An optimum overall concentration of 2% (v/v) and a ratio of 4:1 (20 nm:60 nm) of the bimodal distribution of the AgNPs, was determined for incorporation in the photoanodes. An average efficiency of 1.02 ± 0.006% was achieved by the betanin-lawsone co-sensitized solar cell with the bimodal distribution of AgNPs, compared to 0.793 ± 0.006% achieved by the non-plasmonic solar cell of otherwise identical configuration. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed that the incorporation of the bimodal distribution of AgNPs in the solar cells also enabled enhanced electron lifetime and reduced recombination compared to the non-plasmonic counterpart, thereby improving the charge transfer. The plasmonic enhancement methodology presented here can be applied to further improve the efficiency of other natural dye-sensitized solar cells.
In vitro evaluation of Penicillium chrysogenum Snef1216 against Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode)
Authors: Sikandar Aatika , Zhang Mengyue , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhu Xiaofeng , Liu Xiaoyu , Fan Haiyan , Xuan Yuanhu , Chen Lijie , Duan Yuxi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRoot-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is chief plant parasitic nematode of various crops globally. Meanwhile, the negative side effects on human health and environmental concerns associated with haphazard uses of chemical nematicides. Hence, the search for a safe and effective approach is more relevant. The present study was aimed to evaluate the nematicidal potential of Snef1216 (Penicillium chrysogenum) against M. incognita at different concentrations (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and with the nutritious medium. The egg hatching inhibition and mortality of second stage juveniles of M. incognita were assessed after 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h exposure. Results revealed that egg hatching inhibition and percent mortality of M. incognita increased with increasing concentration and exposure time. The highest mortality of juveniles was recorded at 100% conc. i.e., 24.20%, 36%, 66%, 78% and 97.8% at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The highest ovicidal activity was recorded at 100% concentration with 5.20% of eggs hatching. The outcome suggested that Snef1216 (P. chrysogenum) resulted in the lowest LC50 value was recorded as 3718.496 at 6 h exposure period followed by 10479.87, 11186.682, 14838.58 and 24001.430 at 72, 12, 48 and 24 h respectively via ovicidal assay. Whereas, in the larvicidal assay, the lowest LC50 value demonstrated at 72 h being 17.628% exposure period followed by 28.345, 50.490, 215.710 and 482.595% at 48, 24, 12 and 6 h respectively. It is concluded that Snef1216 has potential being used as a biocontrol agent against M. incognita and can serve as a source of a novel nematicidal agent of fungal origin.
Doping effect in graphene-graphene oxide interlayer
Authors: Haidari Mohd Musaib , Kim Hakseong , Kim Jin Hong , Park Minwoo , Lee Hoonkyung , Choi Jin Sik 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInterlayer coupling in graphene-based van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures plays a key role in determining and modulating their physical properties. Hence, its influence on the optical and electronic properties cannot be overlooked in order to promote various next-generation applications in electronic and opto-electronic devices based on the low-dimensional materials. Herein, the optical and electrical properties of the vertically stacked large area heterostructure of the monolayer graphene transferred onto a monolayer graphene oxide film are investigated. An effective and stable p-doping property of this structure is shown by comparison to that of the graphene device fabricated on a silicon oxide substrate. Through Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations of the charge transport characteristics, it is found that graphene is affected by sustainable p-doping effects induced from underneath graphene oxide even though they have weak interlayer interactions. This finding can facilitate the development of various fascinating graphene-based heterostructures and extend their practical applications in integrated devices with advanced functionalities.
In vitro Studies on The Inhibition of Replication of Zika and Chikungunya Viruses by Dolastane Isolated from Seaweed Canistrocarpus cervicornis
Authors: Cirne-Santos Claudio Cesar , de Souza Barros Caroline , de Oliveira Mariana Cavalcante , Rabelo Vitor Won-Held , Azevedo Renata Campos , Teixeira Valeria Laneuville , Ferreira Davis Fernandes , de Palmer Paixão Izabel Christina Nunes 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe lack of vaccines and antiviral treatment, along with the increasing number of cases of Zika virus (ZIKV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections, emphasize the need for searching for new therapeutic strategies. In this context, the marine brown seaweed Canistrocarpus cervicornis has been proved to hold great antiviral potential. Hence, the aim of this work was to evaluate the anti-ZIKV and anti-CHIKV activity of a marine dolastane isolated from brown seaweed C. cervicornis and its crude extract. Vero cells were used in antiviral assays, submitted to ZIKV and CHIKV, and treated with different concentrations of C. cervicornis extract or dolastane. The crude extract of C. cervicornis showed inhibitory activities for both ZIKV and CHIKV, with EC50 values of 3.3 μg/mL and 3.1 μg/mL, respectively. However, the isolated dolastane showed a more significant and promising inhibitory effect (EC50 = 0.95 µM for ZIKV and 1.3 µM for CHIKV) when compared to both the crude extract and ribavirin, which was used as control. Also, the dolastane showed a very potent virucidal activity against CHIKV and was able to inhibit around 90% of the virus infectivity at 10 μM. For the ZIKV, the effects were somewhat lower, although interesting, at approximately 64% in this same concentration. Further, we observed that both the extract and the dolastane were able to inhibit the replication of ZIKV and CHIKV at different times of addition post-infection, remaining efficient even if added after 8 hours post-infection, but declining soon after. A synergistic effect using sub-doses of the extract and isolates was associated with ribavirin, inhibiting above 80% replication even at the lowest concentrations. Therefore, this work has unveiled the anti-ZIKV and CHIKV potential of C. cervicornis crude extract and an isolated dolastane, which, in turn, can be used as a preventive or therapeutic strategy in the future.
miR-137 targets the inhibition of TCF4 to reverse the progression of osteoarthritis through the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Jinyu , Fang Liming , Ye Lili , Ma Shiliang , Huang Haoran , Lan Xiaoquan , Ma Jianlin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPurpose: To explore the regulatory mechanism of miR-137 and transcription factor 4 (TCF4) in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).Patients and Methods: The expressions of miR-137 and TCF4 were detected in OA cartilage tissue, chondrocytes and OA rat cartilage tissue. miR-137 and TCF4 were up-regulated or down-regulated and transfected into chondrocytes and OA rat cartilage tissue. The gene expression, protein level, cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammatory factors were detected, respectively. LPS and anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) on the right knee were used to induce chondrocyte inflammation and establish rat OA model, respectively.Results: miR-137 was low expressed in cartilage tissue of OA group, while TCF4 expression and protein level were significantly higher, showing significant negative correlation. In LPS group, chondrocyte activity was significantly inhibited, cell apoptosis ability was significantly enhanced, and the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 were significantly increased. However, the above results were significantly improved after the up-regulation of miR-137 or down-regulation of TCF4. Double luciferase report revealed that miR-137 and TCF4 had targeted relationship. LPS induced activation of AMPK/NF-κB pathway and higher level of apoptosis. AMPK/NF-κB pathway inhibitor C could inhibit activation of this pathway, and up-regulation of miR-137 or down-regulation of TCF4 could significantly weaken the regulation of LPS on the pathway and apoptosis. Analysis of OA rat model showed that over-expression of miR-137 could inhibit up-regulation of inflammatory factors and activation of AMPK/NF-κB pathway.Conclusion: miR-137 targets the inhibition of TCF4 to reverse the progression of OA through the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
High-Flow-Sauerstofftherapie – Schritt für Schritt
Authors: Wachs Christian , Grensemann Jörn , Kluge Stefan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn recent years, high-flow oxygen therapy (HFNC) has become established and proven as an oxygenation method for patients with severe respiratory restrictions in most intensive care units. Advantages of this method, which is used especially for patients with hypoxaemia, are the easy application and the compliance by the patient. Devices are used which enable individual oxygen therapy by means of humidification, warming up and gas flow regulation options.
Osmokinetics: Defining the Characteristics of Osmotic Challenge to the Ocular Surface
Authors: van Setten Gysbert Botho 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe association of severe dry eye disease with elevated osmolarity in the tear film is a subject of ongoing discussions. As the absolute value of osmolarity in tear film is highly variable, the daily variation in osmolarity (DVO) has recently been proposed to further identify the osmotic stress at the ocular surface. However, the DVO alone does not explain the variations in the available published data or allow their use in diagnostic testing or therapy. We therefore investigated and evaluated further details of osmokinetics and their importance for ocular surface disease on the basis of the available literature. Additionally, osmolarity was measured in the tear samples of volunteers in the morning hours between 8 – 10 a. m., midday noon–2 p. m., and afternoon between 3 – 5 p. m., i.e., during normal office hours. The results were compared with available published data which suggested that within the DVO, the daily maximal amplitude of osmotic variation (M-DVO) and the frequency of osmotic cycles (defined as daily osmolarity cycles, DOC) could be the main factors that further characterize osmokinetics. In addition, a decisive role could be the level of osmolarity at which the variation does occurs (L-DVO). The possible effects of these characteristics on ocular surface pathophysiology are discussed, along with their relationship to topical therapy with hypo-osmolar solutions, and the model of the osmotic roller coaster is introduced.
Makulaödem bei Uveitis: Pathogenese, Diagnostik und Therapie
Authors: Deuter Christoph , Grajewski Rafael S. 
Published: May 2020

ZusammenfassungDas Makulaödem ist die häufigste Ursache einer irreversiblen Visusminderung bei Patienten mit Uveitis. Pathogenetisch führen proinflammatorische Zytokine zu einem Zusammenbruch der Blut-Retina-Schranke. Zur Diagnostik des entzündlichen Makulaödems wird heutzutage überwiegend die optische Kohärenztomografie eingesetzt, welche die Fluoreszenzangiografie jedoch nicht immer zu ersetzen vermag. Die Therapie erfolgt überwiegend mittels intravitreal applizierter Kortikosteroide sowie systemischer immunmodulierender Substanzen und sollte so früh wie möglich einsetzen, um einer Chronifizierung des Makulaödems vorzubeugen.
Tumorrisiken nach Organtransplantation
Authors: Thorban Stefan , Matevossian Edouard 
Published: May 2020

ZusammenfassungSeit Beginn der Organtransplantation in Deutschland vor fast 40 Jahren steigt die Zahl der Langzeittransplantierten und damit das Tumorrisiko für die Empfänger. Tumorgenese und Tumorinzidenz bei verschiedenen Tumorentitäten werden insbesondere unter dem Aspekt der Langzeitimmunsuppression untersucht. Notwendige Screeningverfahren, Prävention und Risikofaktoren bei den einzelnen Tumortypen werden analysiert sowie Therapieempfehlungen untersucht. Im Gespräch mit dem Patienten sind der Verlust der Lebensqualität mit einem möglichem Transplantatverlust unter der Therapie gegenüber der zu erwartenden Lebenserwartung zu erörtern.
Outcomes after Surgical Repair of Medial Meniscal Root Tears: A Review
Authors: Edwards Chad , Goldman Brian H. , Turley Jeffery , Richey Bradley , Deal Matthew Jordan , Kalbac Daniel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAt the present time, there is a paucity of literature regarding medial meniscal posterior root repair and outcomes. This review seeks to examine the currently available data to further elucidate the clinical risks and benefits and any associated risks of medial meniscal posterior root repair. A systematic literature search was performed up to July 2018 in the databases of Medline via PubMed, EBSCOhost, and EMBASE. The results were reviewed independently by two authors and appropriate articles were reviewed and eligibility determined based on established criteria. The best-evidence synthesis was subsequently used. Thirteen studies (324 patients) were included in this review with a mean patient age of 54 years. There were no control studies with nonoperative treatment of medial meniscal posterior root tears. All studies included a minimum of 10 patients in a case series or case-control manner. Of patients treated with medial meniscal posterior root repair, 62.43% demonstrated complete healing on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or second-look arthroscopy. Among them, 32.60% demonstrated incomplete healing, loosening of the construct, or excessive scar tissues formation. Also, 4.97% demonstrated complete failure or retearing of the construction. At a mean follow-up period of 33 months, patients demonstrated a mean improvement in Lysholm's score of 30.5 (p < 0.00001), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score of 31.9 (p < 0.00001), and HSS Knee Score of 38.3 (p < .00001). Surgical repair of medial meniscus posterior root tears appears to result in highly satisfying subjective outcomes. Patients included in this review meet criteria for both statistically and clinically significant improvement, based on published guidelines for minimal clinically important difference. Despite this, however, postoperative MRI and second-look arthroscopy demonstrate a relatively high rate of incomplete healing (32.60%) or retearing and failure of the construct (4.97%). More highly powered studies are required to confirm these findings.
Exclusion of Pregnant Women from Clinical Trials during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Review of International Registries
Authors: Smith Devin D. , Pippen Jessica L. , Adesomo Adebayo A. , Rood Kara M. , Landon Mark B. , Costantine Maged M. 
Published: May 2020

Objective Pregnant women have been historically excluded from clinical trials for nonobstetric conditions, even during prior epidemics. The objective of this review is to describe the current state of research for pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Study Design We conducted a search of international trial registries for trials relating to the novel coronavirus. The eligibility criteria for each trial were reviewed for inclusion/exclusion of pregnant women. Relevant data were extracted and descriptive statistics were calculated for individual and combined data. The total number of trials from each registry were compared, as well as the proportions of pregnancy-related trials within each.
Results Among 621,370 trials in the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry, 927 (0.15%) were COVID-19 related. Of those, the majority (52%) explicitly excluded pregnancy or failed to address pregnancy at all (46%) and only 16 (1.7%) were pregnancy specific. When categorized by region, 688 (74.2%) of COVID-19 trials were in Asia, followed by 128 (13.8%) in Europe, and 66 (7.2%) in North America. Of the COVID-19 trials which included pregnant women, only three were randomized-controlled drug trials.
Conclusion Approximately 1.7% of current COVID-19 research is pregnancy related and the majority of trials either explicitly exclude or fail to address pregnancy. Only three interventional trials worldwide involved pregnant women. The knowledge gap concerning the safety and efficacy of interventions for COVID-19 created by the exclusion of pregnant women may ultimately harm them. While “ethical” concerns about fetal exposure are often cited, it is in fact unethical to habitually exclude pregnant women from research.
Key Points
Coagulopathy in COVID-19: Connecting the Dots Together
Authors: Gandhi Ajay , Görlinger Klaus 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus has spread quickly and become a public health emergency of global concern. Originating in the Wuhan district of China, which has reportedly been declared free of it now, the rest of the world continues to struggle with its severity and spread. While a lot of scientific publications and clinical data are available, newer clinical investigations and experiences continue to evolve, thereby depicting the dynamic nature of the disease and the knowledge around it. Researchers and clinical professionals continue to collect scientific information, clinical data, and evidence to help build a knowledge pool and guidance for the health care professionals to manage those affected with this pandemic disease. As significant and new data emerge, a lot of already available information gets confirmed and updated, while some of it also getting rejected or disapproved. In this article, we aim to put together the scientific and clinical information that is proven so far and the areas where more data or evidence is needed before a clear understanding can be achieved and guidance can be developed.