bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Panendoscopy during follow‐up in laryngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy
Authors: Stanisz Isabella , Janik Stefan , Grasl Matthäus Christoph , Erovic Boban M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundEarly detection of a recurrent disease remains essential during follow‐up to improve outcome and reduce morbidity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of panendoscopy after radiotherapy for recurrent laryngeal carcinoma.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis, 623 patients were included. Clinical and radiological examinations were compared to pathohistological results of panendoscopy and clinical outcome.ResultsIn the first 6 months after therapy, a negative histopathological result was significantly higher in patients after radiotherapy (n = 394) compared to patients after surgery (n = 195) alone (odds ratio [OR] 0.4424, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2081‐0.969, P = .05). After radiotherapy, a suspicious radiological result was not significantly linked to recurrence (OR 1.461, 95% CI 0.7126‐3.021, P = .37). Clinical investigation was the best predictive parameter for detecting recurrent disease after radiation therapy (OR 4.061, 95% CI 2.268‐7.113, P = <.0001).ConclusionsOur results suggest that in the first 6 months after radiotherapy, emphasis should be placed on clinical evaluation during follow‐up.
Field studies on the influence of rainfall intensity, vegetation cover and slope length on soil moisture infiltration on typical watersheds of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: He Zimiao , Jia Guodong , Liu Ziqiang , Zhang Zhenyao , Yu Xinxiao , Xiao Peiqing 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSoil moisture is a key process in the hydrological cycle. During ecological restoration of the Loess Plateau, soil moisture status has undergone important changes, and infiltration of soil moisture during precipitation events is a key link affecting water distribution. Our study aims to quantify the effects of vegetation cover, rainfall intensity and slope length on total infiltration and the spatial variation of water flow. Infiltration data from the upper, middle and lower slopes of a bare slope, a natural grassland and an artificial shrub grassland were obtained using a simulated rainfall experiment. The angle of the study slope was 15° and rainfall intensity was set at 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 mm/hr. The effect these factors have on soil moisture infiltration was quantified using main effect analysis. Our results indicate that the average infiltration depth (ID) of a bare slope, a grassland slope and an artificial shrub grassland slope was 46.7–73.3, 60–80, and 60–93.3 cm, respectively, and average soil moisture storage increment was 3.5–5.7, 5.0–9.4, and 5.7–10.2 mm under different rainfall intensities, respectively. Heavy rainfall intensity and vegetation cover reduced the difference of soil infiltration in the 0–40 cm soil layer, and rainfall intensity increased surface infiltration differences on the bare slope, the grassland slope and the artificial shrub grassland slope. Infiltration was dominated by rainfall intensity, accounting for 63.03–88.92%. As rainfall continued, the contribution of rainfall intensity to infiltration gradually decreased, and the contribution of vegetation cover and slope length to infiltration increased. The interactive contribution was: rainfall intensity * vegetation cover > vegetation cover * slope length > rainfall * slope length. In the grass and shrub grass slopes, lateral flow was found at a depth of 23–37 cm when the slope length was 5–10 m, this being related to the difference in soil infiltration capacity between different soil layers formed by the spatial cross‐connection of roots.
Mass production of active recombinant Chryseobacterium proteolyticum protein glutaminase in Escherichia coli using a sequential dual expression system and one‐step purification
Authors: Lu Xin , Poon Terence Chuen Wai , Zhang Hongmin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractProtein glutaminase (PG) is an enzyme that specifically catalyzes the deamidation of glutamine residues on proteins or peptides, remarkably improving the solubility, emulsification and foaming properties of food proteins and, thereby, conferring great potential in food industry applications. PG is primarily produced from wild strains of Chryseobacterium proteolyticum and the low enzyme production yield restricts large‐scale industrial applications. In this context, by evaluating different cleavage site insertions between the pro‐region and mature domain of PG as well as different linkers flanking the cleavage site, an E. coli expression and purification protocol has been developed to produce active recombinant PG. To simplify the production workflow, we developed a sequential dual expression system. More than 15 mg of pure and active PG was obtained from 1 L of shaking‐flask bacteria culture by one‐step nickel affinity chromatography purification. The enzymatic characteristics of the recombinant PG protein were similar to those of native PG. For the deamidation effect of recombinant PG, the deamidation degree (DD) of gliadin reached up to 67% and the solubility increased 84‐fold. Thus, this study provides a practical approach to mass producing active PG proteins and investigates its potential applications on food proteins.
Identification and characterization of a novel isoform of heparin cofactorIIin human liver
Authors: Bano Shadabi , Fatima Sana , Ahamad Shahzaib , Ansari Shoyab , Gupta Dinesh , Tabish Mohammad , Rehman Sayeed ur , Jairajpuri Mohamad Aman 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHeparin cofactor II (HCII) is predominantly expressed in the liver and inhibits thrombin in blood plasma to influence the blood coagulation cascade. Its deficiency is associated with arterial thrombosis. Its cleavage by neutrophil elastase produces fragment that helps in neutrophil chemotaxis in the acute inflammatory response in human. In the present study, we have identified a novel alternatively spliced transcript of the HCII gene in human liver. This novel transcript includes an additional novel region in continuation with exon 3 called exon 3b. Exon 3b acts like an alternate last exon, and hence its inclusion in the transcript due to alternative splicing removes exon 4 and encodes for a different C‐terminal region to give a novel protein, HCII‐N. MD simulations of HCII‐N and three‐dimensional structure showed a unique 51 amino acid sequence at the C‐terminal having unique RCL‐like structure. The HCII‐N protein purified from bacterial culture showed a protein migrating at lower molecular weight (MW 55 kDa) as compared to native HCII (MW 66 kDa). A fluorescence‐based analysis revealed a more compact structure of HCII‐N that was in a more hydrophilic environment. The HCII‐N protein, however, showed no inhibitory activity against thrombin. Due to large conformational variation observed in comparison with native HCII, HCII‐N may have alternate protease specificity or a non‐inhibitory role. Western blot of HCII purified from large plasma volume showed the presence of a low MW 59 kDa band with no thrombin activity. This study provides the first evidence of alternatively spliced novel isoform of the HCII gene.
Fluorescence cross‐correlation spectroscopy as a valuable tool to characterize cationic liposome‐DNA nanoparticle assembly
Authors: Gómez‐Varela Ana I. , Gaspar Ricardo , Miranda Adelaide , Assis Juliane L. , Valverde Rafael H.F. , Einicker‐Lamas Marcelo , Silva Bruno F. B. , De Beule Pieter A.A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe development of nonviral gene delivery vehicles for therapeutic applications requires methods capable of quantifying the association between the genes and their carrier counterparts. Here we investigate the potential of fluorescence cross‐correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) to characterize and optimize the assembly of nonviral cationic liposome (CL)‐DNA complexes based on a CL formulation consisting of the cationic lipid DOTAP and zwitterionic lipid DOPC. We use a DNA plasmid for lipoplex loading encoding the Oct4 gene, critically involved in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. We demonstrate that FCCS is able to quantitatively determine the extent of the association between DNA and the liposomes and assess its loading capacity. We also establish that the cationic lipid fraction, being proportional to the liposome membrane charge density, as well as charge ratio between the CLs and anionic DNA play an important role in the degree of interaction between the liposomes and DNA.
Time‐gated luminescence imaging of positively charged poly‐l‐lysine‐coated highly microporous silicon nanoparticles in living Hydra polyp
Authors: Schiattarella Chiara , Moretta Rosalba , Defforge Thomas , Gautier Gaël , Della Ventura Bartolomeo , Terracciano Monica , Tortiglione Claudia , Fardella Federica , Maddalena Pasqualino , De Stefano Luca , Velotta Raffaele , Rea Ilaria 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe development of non‐toxic fluorescent agents alternative to heavy metal‐based semiconductor quantum dots represents a relevant topic in biomedical research and in particular in the bioimaging field. Herein, highly luminescent Si─H terminal microporous silicon nanoparticles with μs‐lived photoemission are chemically modified with a two step process and successfully used as label‐free probes for in vivo time‐gated luminescence imaging. In this context, Hydra vulgaris is used as model organism for in vivo study and validity assessment. The application of time gating allows to pursue an effective sorting of the signals, getting rid of the most common sources of noise that are fast‐decay tissue autofluorescence and excitation scattering within the tissue. Indeed, an enhancement by a factor ~ 20 in the image signal‐to‐noise ratio can be estimated.
Short‐term biological variation and Reference change values of urinary 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2'‐deoxyguanosine and 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanosine
Authors: Zhang Ruiping , Yu Songlin , Wang Danchen , Yin Yicong , Yu Jialei , Cao Yongtong , Qiu Ling 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimThe DNA and RNA oxidative damage products urinary 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2'‐deoxyguanosine (8‐odGsn) and 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanosine (8‐oGsn) have potential use in clinical practice. However, biological variation (BV) and reference change values (RCVs) have not been established. The aim of this study was to establish the short‐term between‐subject BV(CVG), within‐subject BV(CVI), and RCVs for urinary 8‐odGsn and 8‐oGsn.MethodsFirst‐morning midstream urine specimens were collected from 20 apparently healthy subjects(ten males and ten females) on five consecutive days. 8‐odGsn and 8‐oGsn were measured using LC‐MS/MS, while urine creatinine (U‐Cr) was also measured to correct their results. A two‐level nested ANOVA was used to estimate the CVI and CVG.ResultsThe values of CVG for 8‐odGsn, 8‐odGsn/U‐Cr, 8‐oGsn, and 8‐oGsn/U‐Cr were 31.2%, 39.6%, 35.3%, and 28.8%, respectively, while CVI for them were 40.5%, 9.0%, 33.5%, and 12.1%, respectively. The RCVs for 8‐odGsn, 8‐odGsn/U‐Cr, 8‐oGsn, and 8‐oGsn/U‐Cr were 112.5%, 26.7%, 93.7%, and 36.5%, respectively.ConclusionBV and RCVs were firstly established for 8‐oxo‐dGsn and 8‐oGsn, and can be used in clinical practice.
Changes in lung ultrasound of symptomatic healthcare professionals with COVID‐19 pneumonia and their association with clinical findings
Authors: Mafort Thiago Thomaz , Lopes Agnaldo José , da Costa Cláudia Henrique , da Cal Mariana Soares , Lopes Mariana Carneiro , da Silva Bruno Rangel Antunes , Faria Luana Fortes , Faria Anamelia Costa , Costa Walter , Salles Raquel Esteves Brandão , de Castro Marcos César Santos , Rufino Rogério 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate ultrasound signs of coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) pneumonia in symptomatic healthcare professionals and to correlate those changes with clinical findings.MethodsAll patients underwent real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), lung ultrasound (LUS) and clinical evaluation on the same day. In each of the 12 areas evaluated in the LUS, the LUS signs were scored to generate the aeration score.ResultsA total of 409 participants had positive PCR, with a median age of 41 (35‐51) years. All participants had clinical symptoms, with cough in 84.1%, fever in 69.7%, and dyspnea in 36.2% of cases. In the LUS, 72.6% of participants had B‐lines >2, 36.2% had coalescent B‐lines, and 8.06% had subpleural consolidations. The median aeration score was 3 (2‐7). The aeration score differed significantly regarding the presence of cough (P = .002), fever (P = .001), and dyspnea (P < .0001). The finding of subpleural consolidations in the LUS showed significant differences between participants with or without dyspnea (P < .0001).ConclusionsIn healthcare professionals with COVID‐19, LUS plays a key role in the characterization of lung involvement. Although B‐lines are the most common ultrasound sign, subpleural consolidations are those that most impact the respiratory condition.
“Follow the Fallopian tube”: A technique to improve sonographic identification of ovaries in children
Authors: Kitami Masahiro , Aoki Hidekazu , Saito Mioko 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOvary detection is the first step in confirming ovarian lesions. The daughter cyst sign is widely used for this purpose; however, it is not always applicable. Recent improvements in image resolution allow Fallopian tube delineation, which can serve as a guide to identify the ovary. This anatomical approach (“follow the Fallopian tube” technique) comprises three steps: (1) confirm the uterus; (2) follow the Fallopian tube; and (3) find the ovary. Other applications of this approach include the differentiation between nonovarian and ovarian masses and ruling out ovarian torsion and an auto‐amputated ovary.
Daikenchuto attenuates visceral pain and suppresses eosinophil infiltration in inflammatory bowel disease in murine models
Authors: Kogure Yoko , Kanda Hirosato , Wang Shenglan , Hao Yongbiao , Li Junxiang , Yamamoto Satoshi , Noguchi Koichi , Dai Yi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground and AimDaikenchuto (DKT), a traditional Japanese formula, comprises four herbal medicines and is used for abdominal pain. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) and is characterized by colonic inflammation and chronic abdominal pain. The present study aimed to investigate whether DKT suppresses colonic hypersensitivity and inflammation associated with IBD in animal models.MethodsSprague–Dawley rats were administered 4% sodium dextran sulfate (DSS) or trinitrobenzene sulfate (TNBS) in the colon to establish UC or CD models, respectively. DKT and 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) were administered orally once a day from Days 3 to 7 after induction of colitis. On Day 7, visceral pain and inflammation were evaluated by measuring the visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distention (CRD) and inflammatory indicators, including histological score, length of leukocyte infiltration, MPO activity, and eosinophil count.ResultsDSS and TNBS increased VMR to CRD and the inflammation indicators. DKT, but not 5‐ASA, suppressed the VMR to CRD in DSS‐ and TNBS‐treated rats. DKT and 5‐ASA decreased the eosinophil count in both IBD models. In DSS‐treated rats, 5‐ASA, but not DKT, suppressed the MPO activity. In TNBS‐treated rats, neither 5‐ASA nor DKT suppressed MPO activity.ConclusionThese results suggest that DKT is beneficial for abdominal pain associated with IBD. The anti‐inflammatory effect of DKT on IBD may involve inhibition of eosinophils. The mechanism of anti‐inflammatory effect of DKT partially differs from that of 5‐ASA. Coapplication of DKT and conventional medicine may produce a positive synergy effect for IBD treatment.
Synthesis of glycolurils and hydantoins by reaction of urea and 1, 2‐dicarbonyl compounds using etidronic acid as a “green catalyst”
Authors: Bakibaev Abdigali A. , Uhov Artur , S. Malkov Victor , Yu. Panshina Svetlana 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMost of the known methods for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds have disadvantages, such as a long reaction time and aggressive conditions. We have developed a new, rather simple and efficient method for the synthesis of a number of glycoluryls and hydantoins in water using a etidronic acid (HEDP) as “Green catalyst.” So, for the first time, the condensation reaction of ureas with 1, 2‐dicarbonyl compounds was carried out in the presence of HEDP. Also based on NMR studies, a chemism of these reactions, which is stepwise, is proposed. It has been established that the optimal conditions for the synthesis of glycoluryls and hydantoins using HEDP are: temperature 80°C‐90°C, 40‐20 minutes, and the ratio of urea and HEDP is 1:1. In all cases, the remaining aqueous filtrate containing HEDP after the reaction can be reused for other cycles synthesis of glycoluril and other compounds, because HEDP is not converted during the reaction.
Low‐Field MRI of Stroke: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Bhat Seema S. , Fernandes Tiago T. , Poojar Pavan , da Silva Ferreira Marta , Rao Padma Chennagiri , Hanumantharaju Madigondanahalli Chikkamaraiah , Ogbole Godwin , Nunes Rita G. , Geethanath Sairam 
Published: August 2020

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The reasons for increased stroke burden in developing countries are inadequately controlled risk factors resulting from poor public awareness and inadequate infrastructure. Computed tomography and MRI are common neuroimaging modalities used to assess stroke with diffusion‐weighted MRI, in particular, being the recommended choice for acute stroke imaging. However, access to these imaging modalities is primarily restricted to major cities and high‐income groups. In the case of stroke, the time‐window of treatment to limit the damage is of a few hours and needs a point‐of‐care diagnosis. A low‐cost MR system typically achieved at the ultra‐low‐ and very‐low‐field would meet the need for a geographically accessible and portable solution. We review studies focused on accessible stroke imaging and recent developments in MR methodologies, including hardware, to image at low fields. We hypothesize that in the absence of a formal, rapid stroke triaging system, the value of timely on‐site delivery of the scanner to the stroke patient can be significant. To this end, we discuss multiple recent hardware and methods developments in the low‐field regime. Our review suggests a compelling need to explore further the trade‐offs between high signal, contrast, and accessibility at low fields in low‐income communities.Level of Evidence4Technical Efficacy Stage6
COVID‐19 Pandemic – considerations and challenges for the management of medical imaging departments in Queensland
Authors: Eastgate Patrick , Neep Michael J. , Steffens Tom , Westerink Adam 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this commentary was to outline several key considerations and challenges for medical imaging departments during a global pandemic. Five public hospital medical imaging departments were identified in South‐East Queensland, Australia, to provide insight into their response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Common themes were identified, with the four considered most pertinent documented in this commentary. Similar operational considerations and challenges were identified amongst all sites. This commentary intends to serve as a starting point for medical imaging departments in considering the planning and implementation of services in a pandemic scenario.
Punicalagin is a neuraminidase inhibitor of influenza viruses
Authors: Li Ping , Du Ruikun , Chen Zinuo , Wang Yanyan , Zhan Peng , Liu Xinyong , Kang Dongwei , Chen Zhaoyu , Zhao Xiujuan , Wang Lin , Rong Lijun , Cui Qinghua 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInfluenza A virus (IAV) causes great morbidity and mortality worldwide every year. However, there are only a limited number of drugs clinically available against IAV infection. Further, emergence of drug‐resistant strains can render those drugs ineffective. Thus there is an unmet medical need to develop new anti‐influenza agents. In this study, we show that punicalagin from plants possesses strong anti‐influenza activity with a low micromolar IC50 value in tissue culture. Using a battery of bioassays such as single‐cycle replication assay, neuraminidase (NA) inhibition assay, and virus yield reduction assay, we demonstrate that the primary mechanism of action (MOA) of punicalagin is the NA‐mediated viral release. Moreover, punicalagin can inhibit replication of different strains of influenza A and B viruses, including oseltamivir‐resistant virus (NA/H274Y), indicating that punicalagin is a broad spectrum antiviral against both IAV and IBV. Further, although punicalagin targets NA like oseltamivir, it has a different MOA. These results suggest that punicalagin is an influenza NA inhibitor that may be further developed as a novel antiviral against influenza viruses.
Downscaling of seasonal ensemble forecasts to the convection‐permitting scale over the Horn of Africa using the WRF model
Authors: Mori Paolo , Schwitalla Thomas , Ware Markos Budusa , Warrach‐Sagi Kirsten , Wulfmeyer Volker 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe new SEAS5 global ensemble forecast system was dynamically downscaled over the Horn of Africa for summer (June‐July‐August) 2018. For this purpose, a multi‐physics ensemble was designed with a grid increment of 3 km and without any intermediate nest based on the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF). The WRF and the SEAS5 model output were compared with each other and reference datasets to assess the biases in 4 different regions of Ethiopia. Also, the WRF ensemble variability was investigated in relation to model parameterization and lateral boundary conditions. Over the summer, the SEAS5 has a positive temperature bias of 0.17°C compared to ECMWF analysis average for the study domain, while the WRF bias is +1.14°C. Concerning precipitation, the WRF model had average accumulated values of 264 mm, compared to 248 mm for SEAS5 and 236 mm for the observations. Over south Ethiopia, however, the downscaling produced over 50% more precipitation than the other datasets. The maximum northward extension of the tropical rain belt was reduced by about 2° in both models when compared to observations. Downscaling increased reliability for precipitation, correcting the SEAS5 underdispersion: ensemble spread for precipitation was increased by about 70% in the WRF ensemble in three of the four Ethiopian sub‐regions, whereas the very dry Somali region remained unaffected. The WRF ensemble analysis revealed that the ensemble spread is mainly caused by the perturbed boundary conditions, as their effect is often 50% larger than the physics‐induced variability in the mountainous part of Ethiopia for precipitation and temperature.