bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evading the host response: Staphylococcus “hiding” in cortical bone canalicular system causes increased bacterial burden
Authors: Zoller Stephen D. , Hegde Vishal , Burke Zachary D. C. , Park Howard Y. , Ishmael Chad R. , Blumstein Gideon W. , Sheppard William , Hamad Christopher , Loftin Amanda H. , Johansen Daniel O. , Smith Ryan A. , Sprague Marina M. , Hori Kellyn R. , Clarkson Samuel J. , Borthwell Rachel , Simon Scott I. , Miller Jeff F. , Nelson Scott D. , Bernthal Nicholas M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractExtremity reconstruction surgery is increasingly performed rather than amputation for patients with large-segment pathologic bone loss. Debate persists as to the optimal void filler for this “limb salvage” surgery, whether metal or allograft bone. Clinicians focus on optimizing important functional gains for patients, and the risk of devastating implant infection has been thought to be similar regardless of implant material. Recent insights into infection pathophysiology are challenging this equipoise, however, with both basic science data suggesting a novel mechanism of infection ofStaphylococcus aureus(the most common infecting agent) into the host lacunar–canaliculi network, and also clinical data revealing a higher rate of infection of allograft over metal. The current translational study was therefore developed to bridge the gap between these insights in a longitudinal murine model of infection of allograft bone and metal. Real-timeStaphylococciinfection characteristics were quantified in cortical bone vs metal, and both microarchitecture of host implant and presence of host immune response were assessed. An orders-of-magnitude higher bacterial burden was established in cortical allograft bone over both metal and cancellous bone. The establishment of immune-evading microabscesses was confirmed in both cortical allograft haversian canal and the submicron canaliculi network in an additional model of mouse femur bone infection. These study results reveal a mechanism by whichStaphylococcievasion of host immunity is possible, contributing to elevated risks of infection in cortical bone. The presence of this local infection reservoir imparts massive clinical implications that may alter the current paradigm of osteomyelitis and bulk allograft infection treatment.
Severity of COVID-19 in children with cancer: Report from the United Kingdom Paediatric Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project
Authors: Millen Gerard C. , Arnold Roland , Cazier Jean-Baptiste , Curley Helen , Feltbower Richard G. , Gamble Ashley , Glaser Adam W. , Grundy Richard G. , Lee Lennard Y. W. , McCabe Martin G. , Phillips Robert S. , Stiller Charles A. , Várnai Csilla , Kearns Pamela R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundChildren with cancer are frequently immunocompromised. While children are generally thought to be at less risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection than adults, comprehensive population-based evidence for the risk in children with cancer is unavailable. We aimed to produce evidence of the incidence and outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 in children with cancer attending all hospitals treating this population across the UK.MethodsRetrospective and prospective observational study of all children in the UK under 16 diagnosed with cancer through data collection from all hospitals providing cancer care to this population. Eligible patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primary end-point was death, discharge or end of active care for COVID-19 for those remaining in hospital.ResultsBetween 12 March 2020 and 31 July 2020, 54 cases were identified: 15 (28%) were asymptomatic, 34 (63%) had mild infections and 5 (10%) moderate, severe or critical infections. No patients died and only three patients required intensive care support due to COVID-19. Estimated incidence of hospital identified SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer under 16 was 3%.ConclusionsChildren with cancer with SARS-CoV-2 infection do not appear at increased risk of severe infection compared to the general paediatric population. This is reassuring and supports the continued delivery of standard treatment.
BMSC-derived exosomes from congenital polydactyly tissue alleviate osteoarthritis by promoting chondrocyte proliferation
Authors: Zhou Xinghua , Liang Hansi , Hu Xiaohan , An JinNan , Ding Sisi , Yu Shuichang , Liu Cuiping , Li Fang , Xu Yunyun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn the past decade, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), and exosomes may play a major role. Here, we acquired a special kind of MSCs from the bone marrow of surgically resected tissue from the hand of a patient with polydactyly. Experiments were focused on the role of polydactyly bone marrow-derived MSCs (pBMSCs) in osteoarthritis. The results showed that the pBMSCs had a greater ability than the BMSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes. Mechanistically, the expression of BMP4 was significantly higher in the pBMSCs than it was in the BMSCs. Furthermore, we showed that the migration and proliferation of chondrocytes were stimulated by exosomes secreted by pBMSC (pBMSC-EXOs). Notably, the downregulation of BMP4 in pBMSCs by siRNA inhibited both the chondrogenic differentiation potential of the MSCs and the function of the chondrocytes. In addition, the injection of pBMSC-EXOs and BMSC-EXOs attenuated OA in an OA mouse model, but the pBMSC-EXOs had a superior therapeutic effect compared with that of the BMSC-EXOs. Taken together, the data indicate that pBMSCs have greater ability to differentiate into chondrocytes and regulate chondrocyte formation through BMP4 signaling. Therefore, pBMSC-EXOs may represent a novel treatment for OA.
A fluorescence immunoassay for a rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes on working surfaces
Authors: Capo Alessandro , D’Auria Sabato , Lacroix Monique 
Published: December 2020

AbstractListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen responsible for human listeriosis. The increasing incidence of listeriosis induced governments and food manufacturing enterprises to act to diminish the problem. Several methods for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food industries were developed. However, they are time-consuming and require the use of specialized equipment. To reduce the detection time of Listeria monocytogenes in food, in this work we developed a fluorescence sandwich immunoassay based on the use of an innovative chitosan-cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) membrane that improves the antigen capture during bacterial growth. The combined use of CNC film for the capture of p60 protein-specific antigen together with the use of fluorescence detection reduced the time of analysis from 24 to 12 h with a limit of detection (LOD) of the assay of 102 CFU/mL (2 Log). In addition, the use of monoclonal anti-PepD covalently immobilized to a CNC membrane assured a high specificity of the assay. Interestingly, the obtained results show no cross-reactivity with the five most diffused pathogen bacteria strains tested.
Nonreciprocal elasticity and the realization of static and dynamic nonreciprocity
Authors: Shaat Mohamed 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe realization of the mechanical nonreciprocity requires breaking either the time-reversal symmetry or the material deformation symmetry. The time-reversal asymmetry was the commonly adopted approach to realize dynamic nonreciprocity. However, a static nonreciprocity requires—with no any other option—breaking the material deformation symmetry. By virtue of the Maxwell–Betti reciprocal theorem, the achievement of the static nonreciprocity seems to be conditional by the use of a nonlinear material. Here, we further investigate this and demonstrate a novel “nonreciprocal elasticity” concept. We investigated the conditions of the attainment of effective static nonreciprocity. We revealed that the realization of static nonreciprocity requires breaking the material deformation symmetry under the same kinematical and kinetical conditions, which can be achieved only and only if the material exhibits a nonreciprocal elasticity. By means of experimental and topological mechanics, we demonstrate that the realization of static nonreciprocity requires nonreciprocal elasticity no matter what the material is linear or nonlinear. We experimentally demonstrated linear and nonlinear metamaterials with nonreciprocal elasticities. The developed metamaterials were used to demonstrate that nonreciprocal elasticity is essential to realize static nonreciprocal-topological systems. The nonreciprocal elasticity developed here will open new venues of the design of metamaterials that can effectively break the material deformation symmetry and achieve, both, static and dynamic nonreciprocity.
Comprehensive analysis of liver and blood miRNA in precancerous conditions
Authors: Umezu Tomohiro , Tsuneyama Koichi , Kanekura Kohsuke , Hayakawa Michiyo , Tanahashi Toshihito , Kawano Mitsuoki , Taguchi Y-h , Toyoda Hidenori , Tamori Akihiro , Kuroda Masahiko , Murakami Yoshiki 
Published: December 2020

AbstractStreptozotocin administration to mice (STZ-mice) induces type I diabetes and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We attempted to elucidate the carcinogenic mechanism and the miRNA expression status in the liver and blood during the precancerous state. Serum and liver tissues were collected from STZ-mice and non-treated mice (CTL-mice) at 6, 10, and 12 W. The exosome enriched fraction extracted from serum was used. Hepatic histological examination and hepatic and exosomal miRNA expression analysis were serially performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Human miRNA expression analysis of chronic hepatitis liver tissue and exosomes, which were collected before starting the antiviral treatment, were also performed. No inflammation or fibrosis was found in the liver of CTL-mice during the observation period. In STZ-mice, regeneration and inflammation of hepatocytes was found at 6 W and nodules of atypical hepatocytes were found at 10 and 12 W. In the liver tissue, during 6–12 W, the expression levels of let-7f-5p, miR-143-3p, 148a-3p, 191-5p, 192-5p, 21a-5p, 22-3p, 26a-5p, and 92a-3p was significantly increased in STZ-mice, and anti-oncogenes of their target gene candidates were down-regulated. miR-122-5p was also significantly down-regulated in STZ-mice. Fifteen exosomal miRNAs were upregulated in STZ-mice. Six miRNAs (let-7f-5p, miR-10b-5p, 143-3p, 191-5p, 21a-5p, and 26a-5p) were upregulated, similarly to human HCC cases. From the precancerous state, aberrant expression of hepatic miRNAs has already occurred, and then, it can promote carcinogenesis. In exosomes, the expression pattern of common miRNAs between mice and humans before carcinogenesis was observed and can be expected to be developed as a cancer predictive marker.
Intercalation of Mn in graphene/Cu(111) interface: insights to the electronic and magnetic properties from theory
Authors: Guo Qilin , Dedkov Yuriy , Voloshina Elena 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe effect of Mn intercalation on the atomic, electronic and magnetic structure of the graphene/Cu(111) interface is studied using state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations. Different structural models of the graphene–Mn–Cu(111) interface are investigated. While a Mn monolayer placed between graphene and Cu(111) (an unfavorable configuration) yields massive rearrangement of the graphene-derived $$\pi $$
π
bands in the vicinity of the Fermi level, the possible formation of a $$\hbox {Cu}_2$$

Cu
2

Mn alloy at the interface (a favorable configuration) preserves the linear dispersion for these bands. The deep analysis of the electronic states around the Dirac point for the graphene/$$\hbox {Cu}_2$$

Cu
2

Mn/Cu(111) system allows to discriminate between contributions from three carbon sublattices of a graphene layer in this system and to explain the bands’ as well as spins’ topology of the electronic states around the Fermi level.
Self-healable soft shield for γ-ray radiation based on polyacrylamide hydrogel composites
Authors: Park Jinwoo , Kim Minseok , Choi Sooseok , Sun Jeong-Yun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWith the growing risk of radiation exposure, there are growing interests in radiation shielding. Because most radiation shields are made from heavy metals, a need to develop a soft shield is raised to protect human body. However, because the shield can easily undergo a mechanical damage by an impact, it would be better to have self-repairing system in the shield. Here, we have fabricated an intrinsic self-healable soft shield for gamma ray by making acrylamide based hydrogel composite. The composite contains lead dioxide nanoparticles for gamma ray shielding and Laponite clays for self-repairing. Although the hydrogel contained a large amount of lead dioxide nanoparticles (3.23 M), the fabricated composites stretched beyond 1400% while showing a high attenuation coefficient of 0.1343 cm−1against gamma ray from a cobalt-60 source. Then a systematic study was performed to analyze self-healing properties and the 96.55% of maximum self-healing efficiency was obtained. We also analyzed a storage modulus of hydrogel and molecular weight of polyacrylamide to study an effect of gamma ray on the self-healing. The self-healing efficiency was decreased by a gamma ray because the radiation induces scissioning or covalent crosslinking in the chains.
Unravelling the intricate cooperativity of subunit gating in P2X2 ion channels
Authors: Sattler Christian , Eick Thomas , Hummert Sabine , Schulz Eckhard , Schmauder Ralf , Schweinitz Andrea , Unzeitig Christopher , Schwede Frank , Benndorf Klaus 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIonotropic purinergic (P2X) receptors are trimeric channels that are activated by the binding of ATP. They are involved in multiple physiological functions, including synaptic transmission, pain and inflammation. The mechanism of activation is still elusive. Here we kinetically unraveled and quantified subunit activation in P2X2 receptors by an extensive global fit approach with four complex and intimately coupled kinetic schemes to currents obtained from wild type and mutated receptors using ATP and its fluorescent derivative 2-[DY-547P1]-AET-ATP (fATP). We show that the steep concentration-activation relationship in wild type channels is caused by a subunit flip reaction with strong positive cooperativity, overbalancing a pronounced negative cooperativity for the three ATP binding steps, that the net probability fluxes in the model generate a marked hysteresis in the activation-deactivation cycle, and that the predicted fATP binding matches the binding measured by fluorescence. Our results shed light into the intricate activation process of P2X channels.
Increased interleukin-6 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 are associated with respiratory failure in COVID-19
Authors: Jøntvedt Jørgensen Marthe , Holter Jan Cato , Christensen Erik Egeland , Schjalm Camilla , Tonby Kristian , Pischke Søren Erik , Jenum Synne , Skeie Linda G. , Nur Sarah , Lind Andreas , Opsand Hanne , Enersen Tone Burvald , Grøndahl Ragnhild , Hermann Anne , Dudman Susanne , Muller Fredrik , Ueland Thor , Mollnes Tom Eirik , Aukrust Pål , Heggelund Lars , Holten Aleksander Rygh , Dyrhol-Riise Anne Ma 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn SARS-CoV-2 infection there is an urgent need to identify patients that will progress to severe COVID-19 and may benefit from targeted treatment. In this study we analyzed plasma cytokines in COVID-19 patients and investigated their association with respiratory failure (RF) and treatment in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Hospitalized patients (n = 34) with confirmed COVID-19 were recruited into a prospective cohort study. Clinical data and blood samples were collected at inclusion and after 2–5 and 7–10 days. RF was defined as PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F) < 40 kPa. Plasma cytokines were analyzed by a Human Cytokine 27-plex assay. COVID-19 patients with RF and/or treated in ICU showed overall increased systemic cytokine levels. Plasma IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1α levels were negatively correlated with P/F, whereas combinations of IL-6, IP-10, IL-1ra and MCP-1 showed the best association with RF in ROC analysis (AUC 0.79–0.80, p < 0.05). During hospitalization the decline was most significant for IP-10 (p < 0.001). Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were present in patients with severe COVID-19. IL-6 and MCP-1 were inversely correlated with P/F with the largest AUC in ROC analyses and should be further explored as biomarkers to identify patients at risk for severe RF and as targets for improved treatment strategies.
Long-term T cell fitness and proliferation is driven by AMPK-dependent regulation of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Lepez Anouk , Pirnay Tiphène , Denanglaire Sébastien , Perez-Morga David , Vermeersch Marjorie , Leo Oberdan , Andris Fabienne 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a major energy sensor metabolic enzyme that is activated early during T cell immune responses but its role in the generation of effector T cells is still controversial. Using both in vitro and in vivo models of T cell proliferation, we show herein that AMPK is dispensable for early TCR signaling and short-term proliferation but required for sustained long-term T cell proliferation and effector/memory T cell survival. In particular, AMPK promoted accumulation of effector/memory T cells in competitive homeostatic proliferation settings. Transplantation of AMPK-deficient hematopoïetic cells into allogeneic host recipients led to a reduced graft-versus-host disease, further bolstering a role for AMPK in the expansion and pathogenicity of effector T cells. Mechanistically, AMPK expression enhances the mitochondrial membrane potential of T cells, limits reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and resolves ROS-mediated toxicity. Moreover, dampening ROS production alleviates the proliferative defect of AMPK-deficient T cells, therefore indicating a role for an AMPK-mediated ROS control of T cell fitness.
Hop flower extracts mitigate retinal ganglion cell degeneration in a glaucoma mouse model
Authors: Hasegawa Tomoko , Ikeda Hanako O. , Iwai Sachiko , Sasaoka Norio , Kakizuka Akira , Tsujikawa Akitaka 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn glaucoma, retinal ganglion cells degenerate progressively, leading to visual field loss and blindness. Presently, the only treatment strategy for glaucoma is lowering the intraocular pressure. However, there are cases in which patients develop progressive visual field loss even though their intraocular pressures are within normal ranges. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic strategies is an urgent endeavor. Besides high intraocular pressure, several other factors have been proposed to be associated with glaucoma progression, e.g., myopia, blood flow impairment, and amyloid β accumulation. We have previously reported that hop flower extracts possess γ-secretase inhibitory activities and reduce amyloid β deposition in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease model mice. In the current study, we showed that administration of hop flower extracts to glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) knockout mice, the glaucoma model mice, attenuated glaucomatous retinal ganglion cell degeneration. Preservation of retinal ganglion cells in hop flower extract-administered mice was confirmed using optical coherence tomography, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, and retinal flatmount and histological evaluations. Hop flower extracts are, therefore, deemed a possible candidate as a novel therapeutic agent to treat glaucoma.
Tracking the early depleting transmission dynamics of COVID-19 with a time-varying SIR model
Authors: Law Kian Boon , Peariasamy Kalaiarasu M. , Gill Balvinder Singh , Singh Sarbhan , Sundram Bala Murali , Rajendran Kamesh , Dass Sarat Chandra , Lee Yi Lin , Goh Pik Pin , Ibrahim Hishamshah , Abdullah Noor Hisham 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe susceptible-infectious-removed (SIR) model offers the simplest framework to study transmission dynamics of COVID-19, however, it does not factor in its early depleting trend observed during a lockdown. We modified the SIR model to specifically simulate the early depleting transmission dynamics of COVID-19 to better predict its temporal trend in Malaysia. The classical SIR model was fitted to observed total (I total), active (I) and removed (R) cases of COVID-19 before lockdown to estimate the basic reproduction number. Next, the model was modified with a partial time-varying force of infection, given by a proportionally depleting transmission coefficient, $$\beta_{t}$$

β
t

and a fractional term, z. The modified SIR model was then fitted to observed data over 6 weeks during the lockdown. Model fitting and projection were validated using the mean absolute percent error (MAPE). The transmission dynamics of COVID-19 was interrupted immediately by the lockdown. The modified SIR model projected the depleting temporal trends with lowest MAPE for I total, followed by I, I daily and R. During lockdown, the dynamics of COVID-19 depleted at a rate of 4.7% each day with a decreased capacity of 40%. For 7-day and 14-day projections, the modified SIR model accurately predicted I total, I and R. The depleting transmission dynamics for COVID-19 during lockdown can be accurately captured by time-varying SIR model. Projection generated based on observed data is useful for future planning and control of COVID-19.
Association between positive history of essential tremor and disease progression in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ou Ruwei , Wei Qianqian , Hou Yanbing , Zhang Lingyu , Liu Kuncheng , Lin Junyu , Jiang Zheng , Song Wei , Cao Bei , Shang Huifang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the effect of pre-existing essential tremor (ET) history on the disease progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We recruited and followed-up a group of PD patients from March 2009 to July 2020. The ET history of each patient was obtained by retrospective interviews or past medical records. Cox proportional hazards models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Of 785 patients who completed the followed-up visits, 61 patients (7.8%) reported a history of pre-existing ET. Cox regression models after IPTW indicated that the positive ET history in patients with PD was protective against time to United PD Rating Scale III 14-point increase (HR = 0.301, 95% CI = 0.134–0.678, P = 0.004), time to akinesia and rigidity 8-point increase (HR = 0.417, 95% CI = 0.218–0.796, P = 0.008), time to conversion to Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 (HR = 0.356, 95% CI = 0.131–0.969, P = 0.043), time to develop dyskinesia (HR = 0.160, 95% CI = 0.037–0.698, P = 0.015), and time to Montreal Cognitive Assessment 3-point decrease (HR = 0.389, 95% CI = 0.160–0.946, P = 0.037), but had no relationship with time to tremor 4-point increase (HR = 1.638, 95% CI = 0.822–3.266, P = 0.161) and time to death (HR = 0.713, 95% CI = 0.219–2.319, P = 0.574). Our study indicated that ET history in patients with PD is associated with a benign prognosis with slower motor and non-motor progression.