bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of overexpansion capabilities and thrombogenicity at the side branch ostia after implantation of four different drug eluting stents
Authors: Gasior Pawel , Lu Shengjie , Ng Chen Koon Jaryl , Toong Wee Yee Daniel , Wong En Hou Philip , Foin Nicolas , Kedhi Elvin , Wojakowski Wojciech , Ang Hui Ying 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInterventions in bifurcation lesions often requires aggressive overexpansion of stent diameter in the setting of long tapering vessel segment. Overhanging struts in front of the side branch (SB) ostium are thought to act as a focal point for thrombi formation and consequently possible stent thrombosis. This study aimed to evaluate the overexpansion capabilities and thrombogenicity at the SB ostia after implantation of four latest generation drug-eluting stents (DES) in an in-vitro bifurcation model. Four clinically available modern DES were utilized: one bifurcation dedicated DES (Bioss LIM C) and three conventional DES (Ultimaster, Xience Sierra, Biomime). All devices were implanted in bifurcation models with proximal optimization ensuring expansion before perfusing with porcine blood. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), immunofluorescence (IF) and scanning electron microscope analysis were done to determine thrombogenicity and polymer coating integrity at the over-expanded part of the stents. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was performed to study the flow disruption. OCT (p = 0.113) and IF analysis (p = 0.007) demonstrated lowest thrombus area at SB ostia in bifurcation dedicated DES with favorable biomechanical properties compared to conventional DES. The bifurcated DES also resulted in reduced area of high shear rate and maximum shear rate in the CFD analysis. This study demonstrated numerical differences in terms of mechanical properties and acute thrombogenicity at SB ostia between tested devices.
Electrochemical degradation and saponification of porcine adipose tissue
Authors: Pham Tiffany T. , Stokolosa Anna M. , Borden Pamela A. , Hansen Kyle D. , Hong Ellen M. , Krasieva Tatiana B. , Sivoraphonh Ryan H. , Moy Wesley J. , Heidari Andrew E. , Lee Lauren H. , Kim Eun-Hee , Sun Chung- Ho , Jia Wangcun , Mo Ji -Hun , Kim Sehwan , Hill Michael G. , Wong Brian J. F. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBody contouring achieved via subcutaneous adipose tissue reduction has notably advanced over the past century, from suction assisted lipectomy to techniques with reduced degrees of invasiveness including laser, radiofrequency, high frequency focused ultrasound, cryolipolysis, and drug-based injection approaches. These costly techniques have focused on damaging adipocyte cell membranes, hydrolyzing triglycerides (TGs), or inducing apoptosis. Here, we present a simple, low-cost technique, termed electrochemical lipolysis (ECLL). During ECLL, saline is injected into the subcutaneous adipose tissue, followed by insertion of needle electrodes and application of an electrical potential. Electrolysis of saline creates localized pH gradients that drive adipocyte death and saponification of TGs. Using pH mapping, various optical imaging techniques, and biochemical assays, we demonstrate the ability of ECLL to induce acid and base injury, cell death, and the saponification of triglycerides in ex vivo porcine adipose tissue. We define ECLL’s potential role as a minimally-invasive, ultra-low-cost technology for reducing and contouring adipose tissue, and present ECLL as a potential new application of an emerging electrochemical redox based treatment modality.
Value of clinical, ultrasonographic and MRI signs as diagnostic differentiators of non-benign lipomatous tumours
Authors: Khan Karishma , Azzopardi Elayne , Camilleri Liberato , Azzopardi Ernest A. , Bragg Thomas H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSuspicion of malignant change within a lipoma is a common and increasing workload within the UK Sarcoma multidisciplinary team (MDT) network, and a source of considerable patient anxiety. Currently, there is no lipoma-specific data, with regard to which clinical or radiographic features predict non-benign histology, or calculate an odds-ratio specific to a lipomatous lesion being non-benign. We performed a 9-year, double-blind, unmatched cohort study, comparing post-operative histology outcomes (benign versus non-benign) versus 15 signs across three domains: Clinical (size of tumour, depth, growth noticed by patient, previous lipoma, patient felt pain), Ultrasonographic (size, depth, vascularity, heterogenous features, septae) and MRI (size, depth, vascularity, heterogenous features, septae, complete fat signal suppression). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, odds ratios and binary logistic regression analysis was performed double-blind. When each sign is considered independently, (ROC analysis, followed by binary logistic regression) only Ultrasound depth is a significant predictor (p = 0.044) of a histologically non-benign lipoma. Ultrasonographically determined vascularity and septation were not statistically significant predictors. None of the clinical signs were statistically significant (p > 0.05). Of the MRI signs none was statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, heterogeneous MRI features fared better than MRI depth. Ultrasound signs (Pseudo R-Square = 0.105) are more predictive of the post-operation histology outcome than Clinical signs (Pseudo R-Square = 0.082) or MRI tests (Pseudo R-Square = 0.052) Ultrasound and Clinical tests combined (Pseudo R-Square = 0.147) are more predictive of the post-operation histology outcome than MRI tests (Pseudo R-Square = 0.052). This work challenges the traditional perception of “red-flag” signs when applied to lipomatous tumours. We provide accurate data upon which an informed choice can be made, and provides a robust bases for expedited risk/benefit. The importance of an experienced and cohesive MDT network is emphasised.
Diet induces parallel changes to the gut microbiota and problem solving performance in a wild bird
Authors: Davidson Gabrielle L. , Wiley Niamh , Cooke Amy C. , Johnson Crystal N. , Fouhy Fiona , Reichert Michael S. , de la Hera Iván , Crane Jodie M. S. , Kulahci Ipek G. , Ross R. Paul , Stanton Catherine , Quinn John L. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe microbial community in the gut is influenced by environmental factors, especially diet, which can moderate host behaviour through the microbiome-gut-brain axis. However, the ecological relevance of microbiome-mediated behavioural plasticity in wild animals is unknown. We presented wild-caught great tits (Parus major) with a problem-solving task and showed that performance was weakly associated with variation in the gut microbiome. We then manipulated the gut microbiome by feeding birds one of two diets that differed in their relative levels of fat, protein and fibre content: an insect diet (low content), or a seed diet (high content). Microbial communities were less diverse among individuals given the insect compared to those on the seed diet. Individuals were less likely to problem-solve after being given the insect diet, and the same microbiota metrics that were altered as a consequence of diet were also those that correlated with variation in problem solving performance. Although the effect on problem-solving behaviour could have been caused by motivational or nutritional differences between our treatments, our results nevertheless raise the possibility that dietary induced changes in the gut microbiota could be an important mechanism underlying individual behavioural plasticity in wild populations.
Wild black bears harbor simple gut microbial communities with little difference between the jejunum and colon
Authors: Gillman Sierra J. , McKenney Erin A. , Lafferty Diana J. R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe gut microbiome (GMB), comprising the commensal microbial communities located in the gastrointestinal tract, has co-evolved in mammals to perform countless micro-ecosystem services to facilitate physiological functions. Because of the complex inter-relationship between mammals and their gut microbes, the number of studies addressing the role of the GMB on mammalian health is almost exclusively limited to human studies and model organisms. Furthermore, much of our knowledge of wildlife–GMB relationships is based on studies of colonic GMB communities derived from the feces of captive specimens, leaving our understanding of the GMB in wildlife limited. To better understand wildlife–GMB relationships, we engaged hunters as citizen scientists to collect biological samples from legally harvested black bears (Ursus americanus) and used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize wild black bear GMB communities in the colon and jejunum, two functionally distinct regions of the gastrointestinal tract. We determined that the jejunum and colon of black bears do not harbor significantly different GMB communities: both gastrointestinal sites were dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. However, a number of bacteria were differentially enriched in each site, with the colon harboring twice as many enriched taxa, primarily from closely related lineages.
Detection of degenerate Stokes index states
Authors: Arora Gauri , Deepa S. , Khan Saba N. , Senthilkumaran P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractStokes phase is the phase difference between orthogonal component states in the decomposition of any polarization state. Phase singularities in the Stokes phase distribution are Stokes singularities of an inhomogeneous polarization distribution. Under circular decomposition, Stokes phase distribution$$(\phi _{12})$$(ϕ12)represents polarization azimuth$$(\gamma )$$(γ)distribution and the singularities present in it are polarization singularities. Therefore, the charge of the Stokes vortices depicted as Stokes index$$\sigma _{12}$$σ12is an important parameter associated with the polarization singularity. The Hybrid order Poincaré sphere (HyOPS)/Higher order Poincaré sphere (HOPS) beams, all having same Stokes index, contain a Stokes singularity at the center of the beam as these beams are constructed by vortex superposition. These beams, being superposition of orthogonal orbital angular momentum (OAM) states in orthogonal spin angular momentum (SAM) states can offer great multiplexing capabilities in communication. In this article, we identify these degenerate Stokes index states and discuss the ways and means of lifting this degeneracy. Otherwise, there are limitations on intensity based detection techniques, where demultiplexing or segregation of different HOPS/HyOPS beams is warranted. The method adduced here uses the diffraction of these beams through an equilateral triangular aperture in combination with polarization transformation as a probe to lift the Stokes index/Stokes phase degeneracy. Successively, the novelty of the detection scheme is discussed in the context of beams with alike polarization distributions where even the technique of Stokes polarimetry fails to predict the OAM and SAM content of the beam.
Prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aberrations by chromosomal microarray analysis in foetuses with ventriculomegaly
Authors: Wang Jiamin , Zhang Zhu , Li Qinqin , Zhu Hongmei , Lai Yi , Luo Wei , Liu Shanling , Wang He , Hu Ting 
Published: November 2020

AbstractVentriculomegaly is considered to be linked to abnormal neurodevelopment outcome. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the current applications of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in foetuses with ventriculomegaly. A total of 548 foetuses with ventriculomegaly detected by prenatal ultrasound underwent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array testing and were subjected to long-term follow-up. The overall prevalence of chromosomal aberrations was 7.30% (40/548), including 4.20% (23/548) with pathogenic/likely pathogenic copy number variants. The incidence of chromosomal aberrations was significantly higher in foetuses with bilateral ventriculomegaly than in those with unilateral ventriculomegaly (10.56% vs. 5.71%, P = 0.040), in foetuses with non-isolated ventriculomegaly than in those with isolated ventriculomegaly (12.99% vs. 2.38%, P < 0.0001), and in foetuses with severe ventriculomegaly than in those with mild-to-moderate ventriculomegaly (23.08% vs. 6.51%, P = 0.005). The outcome in foetuses with mild ventriculomegaly was significantly better than in those with moderate ventriculomegaly (95.60% vs. 84.00%, P = 0.003). Thus, CMA should be regarded as the first-tier test for prenatal diagnosis of foetal ventriculomegaly, especially in foetuses with bilateral or non-isolated ventriculomegaly. The outcome of foetuses with mild ventriculomegaly is favourable; however, there is an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in foetuses with moderate ventriculomegaly.
Changes in hemodynamics, renal blood flow and urine output during continuous renal replacement therapies
Authors: Fernández S. N. , Santiago M. J. , González R. , López J. , Solana M. J. , Urbano J. , López-Herce J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractContinuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) affect hemodynamics and urine output. Some theories suggest a reduced renal blood flow as the cause of the decreased urine output, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. A prospective experimental study was carried out in 32 piglets (2–3 months old) in order to compare the impact of CRRT on hemodynamics, renal perfusion, urine output and renal function in healthy animals and in those with non-oliguric acute kidney injury (AKI). CRRT was started according to our clinical protocol, with an initial blood flow of 20 ml/min, with 10 ml/min increases every minute until a goal flow of 5 ml/kg/min. Heart rate, blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, renal blood flow and urine output were registered at baseline and during the first 6 h of CRRT. Blood and urine samples were drawn at baseline and after 2 and 6 h of therapy. Blood pressure, cardiac index and urine output significantly decreased after starting CRRT in all piglets. Renal blood flow, however, steadily increased throughout the study. Cisplatin piglets had lower cardiac index, higher vascular resistance, lower renal blood flow and lower urine output than control piglets. Plasma levels of ADH and urine levels of aquaporin-2 were lower, whereas kidney injury biomarkers were higher in the cisplatin group of piglets. According to our findings, a reduced renal blood flow doesn’t seem to be the cause of the decrease in urine output after starting CRRT.
EEG-based trial-by-trial texture classification during active touch
Authors: Eldeeb Safaa , Weber Douglas , Ting Jordyn , Demir Andac , Erdogmus Deniz , Akcakaya Murat 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTrial-by-trial texture classification analysis and identifying salient texture related EEG features during active touch that are minimally influenced by movement type and frequency conditions are the main contributions of this work. A total of twelve healthy subjects were recruited. Each subject was instructed to use the fingertip of their dominant hand’s index finger to rub or tap three textured surfaces (smooth flat, medium rough, and rough) with three levels of movement frequency (approximately 2, 1 and 0.5 Hz). EEG and force data were collected synchronously during each touch condition. A systematic feature selection process was performed to select temporal and spectral EEG features that contribute to texture classification but have low contribution towards movement type and frequency classification. A tenfold cross validation was used to train two 3-class (each for texture and movement frequency classification) and a 2-class (movement type) Support Vector Machine classifiers. Our results showed that the total power in the mu (8–15 Hz) and beta (16–30 Hz) frequency bands showed high accuracy in discriminating among textures with different levels of roughness (average accuracy > 84%) but lower contribution towards movement type (average accuracy < 65%) and frequency (average accuracy < 58%) classification.
Salidroside regulates inflammatory pathway of alveolar macrophages by influencing the secretion of miRNA-146a exosomes by lung epithelial cells
Authors: Zheng Lanzhi , Su Jianming , Zhang Zhuoyi , Jiang Lu , Wei Jinling , Xu Xiaoyang , Lv Shumin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the investigative mechanism of salidroside (SAL) on LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The exosomes from RLE-6TN are extracted and identified by transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis and protein marker detection, and co-cultured with NR8383 cells. The ALI/ARDS model of SD rats was established by LPS (10 mg/kg) intratracheal instillation. Following a four-hour intratracheal instillation of LPS, 50 μl of RLE-6TN exosomes were injected through the tail vein. After that, SAL and miR-146a antagomir were injected into the tail vein for 72 h, respectively. As the changes of HE stain, body weight and ALI score are observed. The expression of miR-146a, TLR4, NF-kB, IRAK1, TRAF6 and their related proteins were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1 β inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA. The expression of miR-146a, NF-kB, IRAK, TRAF6 and related inflammatory factors in LPS-induced NR8383 was significantly higher than that in the control group, while SAL has greatly reduced the expression of TLR4 mediated NF-kB inflammatory pathway and related inflammatory factors. SAL can significantly improve the LPS-induced lung morphological abnormalities, slowed down the rate of weight loss in rats, and reducing the ALI score. The expression trend of NF-kB, IRAK, TRAF6 and related inflammatory factors in rats’ lung tissues was consistent with that in NR8383 cells. SAL has a protective effect on ALI/ARDS caused by sepsis, which is likely to be developed to a potential treatment for the disease. To sum up, this study provides a new theoretical basis for the treatment of ALI/ARDS with SAL.
High-phosphorus diets reduce aortic lesions and cardiomyocyte size and modify lipid metabolism in Ldl receptor knockout mice
Authors: Grundmann Sarah M. , Schutkowski Alexandra , Berger Christian , Baur Anja C. , König Bettina , Stangl Gabriele I. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe consumption of phosphorus in Western populations largely exceeds the recommended intake, while vitamin D supply is often insufficient. Both situations are linked to an increased cardiovascular risk. A 17-week two-factorial study with Ldl receptor-/- mice was conducted to investigate the cardiovascular impact of dietary phosphorus [adequate (0.3%; P0.3) vs. high (1.5%; P1.5)] in combination with a low (50 IU/kg; D50) or adequate vitamin D diet (1000 IU/kg; D1000). The data demonstrate that mice fed the P1.5 vs. P0.3 diets developed smaller vascular lesions (p = 0.013) and cardiac hypotrophy (p = 0.011), which were accompanied by diminished IGF1 and insulin signalling activity in their hearts. Vitamin D showed no independent effect on atherogenesis and heart morphology. Feeding P1.5 vs. P0.3 diets resulted in markedly reduced serum triacylglycerols (p < 0.0001) and cholesterol (p < 0.0001), higher faecal lipid excretion (p < 0.0001) and a reduced mRNA abundance of hepatic sterol exporters and lipoprotein receptors. Minor hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic effects were also found in mice fed the D1000 vs. D50 diets (p = 0.048, p = 0.026). To conclude, a high phosphorus intake strongly affected the formation of vascular lesions, cardiac morphology, and lipid metabolism, although these changes are not indicative of an increased cardiovascular risk.
Evaluation of an antibody-PNA conjugate as a clearing agent for antibody-based PNA-mediated radionuclide pretargeting
Authors: Myrhammar Anders , Vorobyeva Anzhelika , Westerlund Kristina , Yoneoka Shuichiro , Orlova Anna , Tsukahara Takehiko , Tolmachev Vladimir , Karlström Amelie Eriksson , Altai Mohamed 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRadionuclide molecular imaging of cancer-specific targets is a promising method to identify patients for targeted antibody therapy. Radiolabeled full-length antibodies however suffer from slow clearance, resulting in high background radiation. To overcome this problem, a pretargeting system based on complementary peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes has been investigated. The pretargeting relies on sequential injections of primary, PNA-tagged antibody and secondary, radiolabeled PNA probe, which are separated in time, to allow for clearance of non-bound primary agent. We now suggest to include a clearing agent (CA), designed for removal of primary tumor-targeting agent from the blood. The CA is based on the antibody cetuximab, which was conjugated to PNA and lactosaminated by reductive amination to improve hepatic clearance. The CA was evaluated in combination with PNA-labelled trastuzumab, T-ZHP1, for radionuclide HER2 pretargeting. Biodistribution studies in normal mice demonstrated that the CA cleared ca. 7 times more rapidly from blood than unmodified cetuximab. Injection of the CA 6 h post injection of the radiolabeled primary agent [131I]I-T-ZHP1 gave a moderate reduction of the radioactivity concentration in the blood after 1 h from 8.5 ± 1.8 to 6.0 ± 0.4%ID/g. These proof-of-principle results could guide future development of a more efficient CA.
Physiological and molecular correlates of the screwworm fly attraction to wound and animal odors
Authors: Hickner Paul V. , Mittapalli Omprakash , Subramoniam Anjana , Sagel Agustin , Watson Wes , Scott Maxwell J. , Arp Alex P. , de León Adalberto A. Pérez , Syed Zainulabeuddin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe screwworm fly,Cochliomyia hominivorax(Coquerel), was successfully eradicated from the United States by the sterile insect technique (SIT). However, recent detection of these flies in the Florida Keys, and increased risk of introductions to the other areas warrant novel tools for management of the flies. Surveillance, a key component of screwworm control programs, utilizes traps baited with rotting liver or a blend of synthetic chemicals such asswormlure-4. In this work, we evaluated the olfactory physiology of the screwworm fly and compared it with the non-obligate ectoparasitic secondary screwworm flies,C. macellaria,that invade necrotic wound and feed on dead tissue. These two species occur in geographically overlapping regions.C. macellaria, along with other blowflies such as the exoticC. megacephala, greatly outnumberC. hominivoraxin the existing monitoring traps. Olfactory responses toswormlure-4constituents between sex and mating status (mated vs unmated) in both species were recorded and compared. Overall, responses measured by the antennograms offered insights into the comparative olfactory physiology of the two fly species. We also present detailed analyses of the antennal transcriptome by RNA-Sequencing that reveal significant differences between male and female screwworm flies. The differential expression patterns were confirmed by quantitative PCR. Taken together, this integrated study provides insights into the physiological and molecular correlates of the screwworm’s attraction to wounds, and identifies molecular targets that will aid in the development of odorant-based fly management strategies.