bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cartilage regeneration with dual‐drug‐releasing injectable hydrogel/microparticle system: In vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Naghizadeh Ziba , Karkhaneh Akbar , Nokhbatolfoghahaei Hanieh , Farzad‐Mohajeri Saeed , Rezai‐Rad Maryam , Dehghan Mohammad M. , Aminishakib Pouyan , Khojasteh Arash 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this study, we developed an injectable in situ forming hydrogel/microparticle system consisting of two drugs, melatonin and methylprednisolone, to investigate the capability of the system for chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The chemical, mechanical, and rheological properties of the hydrogel/microparticle were investigated. For in vitro evaluation, the adipose‐derived stem cells might be mixed with hydrogel/microparticles, then cellular viability was analyzed by acridine orange/propidium iodide and 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining and also dimethylmethylene blue assay were conducted to find the amount of proteoglycan. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction for aggrecan, sex‐determining region Y–Box 9, collagen I (COL1), and COL2 gene expression was performed after 14 and 21 days. For evaluation of cartilage regeneration, the samples were implanted in rabbit knees with cartilaginous experimental defects. Defects were created in both knees of three groups of rabbits. Group 1 was the control with no injection, and Groups 2 and 3 were loaded with hydrogel/cell and hydrogel/microparticle/cell; respectively. Then, after 3 and 6 months, histological evaluations of the defected sites were carried out. The amount of glycosaminoglycans after 14 and 21 days increased significantly in hydrogels/microparticles loaded with cells. The expression of marker genes was also significant in hydrogels/microparticles loaded with cells. According to histology analysis, the hydrogels/microparticles loaded with cells showed the best cartilage regeneration. Overall, our study revealed that the developed injectable hydrogel/microparticle can be used for cartilage regeneration.
Antimicrobial peptide AR‐23 derivatives with high endosomal disrupting ability enhance poly(l‐lysine)‐mediated gene transfer
Authors: Zhang Shi‐Kun , Gong Lin , Zhang Xue , Yun Zhi‐Min , Li Su‐Bo , Gao Hong‐Wei , Dai Cong‐Jie , Yuan Jian‐Jun , Chen Jing‐Ming , Gong Feng , Tan Ying‐Xia , Ji Shou‐Ping 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundpH‐sensitive peptides are a relatively new strategy for conquering the poor endosomal release of cationic polymer‐mediated transfection. Modification of antimicrobial peptides by exchanging positively‐charged residues with negatively‐charged glutamic acid residues (Glu) greatly improves its lytic activity at the endosomal pH, which could improve cationic polymer‐mediated transfection.MethodsIn the present study, we investigated the effect of the number of Glu substituted for positively‐charged residues on the endosomal escape activity of AR‐23 and the ability of mutated AR‐23 with respect to enhancing cationic polymer‐mediated transfection. Three analogs were synthesized by replacing the positively‐charged residues in the AR‐23 sequence with Glu one‐by‐one.ResultsThe pH‐sensitive lysis ability of the peptides, the effect of peptides on the physicochemical characteristics, the intracellular trafficking, the transfection efficiency and the cytotoxicity of the polyplexes were determined. Increased lytic activity of peptides was observed with the increased number of Glu replacement in the AR‐23 sequence at acidic pH. The number of Glu substituted for positively‐charged residues of AR‐23 dramatically affects its lysis ability at neutral pH. Triple‐Glu substitution in the AR‐23 sequence greatly improved poly(l‐lysine)‐mediated gene transfection efficiency at the same time as maintaining low cytotoxicity.ConclusionsThe results indicate that replacement of positively‐charged residues with sufficient Glu residues may be considered as a method for designing pH‐sensitive peptides, which could be applied as potential enhancers for improving cationic polymer‐mediated transfection.
Familial DHCR7 genotype presenting as a very mild form of Smith‐Lemli‐Opitz syndrome and lethal holoprosencephaly
Authors: Temple Suzanna E. L. , Sachdev Rani , Ellaway Carolyn 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSmith‐Lemli‐Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by variants in the DHCR7 gene. In cholesterol biosynthesis, 7‐dehydrocholesterol (7‐DHC) is converted to cholesterol by the enzyme 7‐DHC reductase, which is encoded by the gene DHCR7. Thus, an elevated 7‐DHC is indicative of SLOS. Characteristically SLOS is usually associated with congenital anomalies, dysmorphisms, and moderate to severe neurodevelopmental delay. However, there are rare descriptions of individuals with milder phenotypes. We report a mild case of SLOS presenting with short stature, cleft palate, imperforate anus, and mild language delay with subtle dysmorphic features. 7‐DHC was not elevated at 1 year of age and SLOS considered excluded at this time. The parents had two pregnancies with holoprosencephaly. Whole exome sequencing of one of the fetuses identified compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the DHCR7 gene (c.964‐1G>C (p.?) and c.1039G>A (p.Gly347Ser) causative of SLOS. The proband with a mild form of SLOS was also found to have the same DHCR7 variants as the fetus and repeat testing of 7‐DHC at 4 years of age was elevated, in keeping with SLOS. This case is the first to describe a wide intrafamilial phenotypic spectrum of SLOS as a result of the same DHCR7 genotype. This case also supports the findings of others that a normal or near normal development should not exclude SLOS. As demonstrated in this case exclusion of a metabolic diagnosis because of a negative biochemical marker such as 7‐DHC is not absolute and if clinical suspicion remains genomic sequencing is warranted.
Association between markers of immune response at hospital admission and COVID‐19 disease severity and mortality: A meta‐analysis and meta‐regression
Authors: Khinda Jaskaran , Janjua Naveed Z. , Cheng Shannon , van den Heuvel Edwin R. , Bhatti Parveen , Darvishian Maryam 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo determine the utility of admission laboratory markers in the assessment and prognostication of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19), a systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted on the association between admission laboratory values in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients and subsequent disease severity and mortality.Material and MethodsSearches were conducted in MEDLINE, Pubmed, Embase, and the WHO Global Research Database from December 1,2019 to May 1, 2020 for relevant articles. A random effects meta‐analysis was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each of 27 laboratory markers. The impact of age and sex on WMDs was estimated using meta‐regression techniques for 11 markers.ResultsIn total, 64 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most marked WMDs were for neutrophils (ANC) at 3.82 × 109/L (2.76, 4.87), lymphocytes (ALC) at −0.34 × 109/L (−0.45, −0.23), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) at 32.59 pg/mL (23.99, 41.19), ferritin at 814.14 ng/mL (551.48, 1076.81), C‐reactive protein (CRP) at 66.11 mg/L (52.16, 80.06), D‐dimer at 5.74 mg/L (3.91, 7.58), LDH at 232.41 U/L (178.31, 286.52), and high sensitivity troponin I at 90.47 pg/mL (47.79, 133.14) when comparing fatal to nonfatal cases. Similar trends were observed comparing severe to non‐severe groups. There were no statistically significant associations between age or sex and WMD for any of the markers included in the meta‐regression.ConclusionThe results highlight that hyper inflammation, blunted adaptive immune response, and intravascular coagulation play key roles in the pathogenesis of COVID‐19. Markers of these processes are good candidates to identify patients for early intervention and, importantly, are likely reliable regardless of age or sex in adult patients.
Experimental platforms for the investigation of spatiotemporal patterns in the rhizosphere—Laboratory and field scale
Authors: Vetterlein Doris , Lippold Eva , Schreiter Susanne , Phalempin Maxime , Fahrenkampf Toni , Hochholdinger Frank , Marcon Caroline , Tarkka Mika , Oburger Eva , Ahmed Mutez , Javaux Mathieu , Schlüter Steffen 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe numerous feedback loops between roots, microorganisms, soil chemical and physical properties, and environmental variables result in spatial parameter patterns which are highly dynamic in time. In order to improve our understanding of the related rhizosphere processes and their relevance at the soil–plant system scale, experimental platforms are required. Those platforms should enable (1) to relate small scale observations (nm to dm) to system behaviour, (2) the integration of physical, chemical and biological sampling approaches within the same experiment, and (3) sampling at different time points during the life cycle of the system in question. Here we describe what requirements have to be met and to what extent this has been achieved in practice by the experimental platforms which were set up within the framework of DFG priority programme 2089 “Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation—a key to rhizosphere functions”. It is discussed to what extent theoretical considerations could be accommodated, in particular for the comparison across scales, i.e., from laboratory to field scale. The latter scale is of utmost importance to overcome the trade‐off between fraction of life cycle covered and the avoidance of unrealistic root length densities.
Analysis of corn and sorghum flour mixtures using laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Akın Pervin A , Sezer Banu , Bean Scott R , Peiris Kamaranga , Tilley Michael , Apaydın Hakan , Boyacı İsmail H 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn a world constantly challenged by climate change, corn and sorghum are two important grains because of their high productivity and adaptability, and their multifunctional use for different purposes such as human food, animal feed, and feedstock for many industrial products and biofuels. Corn and sorghum can be utilized interchangeably in certain applications; one grain may be preferred over the other for several reasons. The determination of the composition corn and sorghum flour mixtures may be necessary for economic, regulatory, environmental, functional, or nutritional reasons.RESULTSLaser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in combination with chemometrics, was used for the classification of flour samples based on the LIBS spectra of flour types and mixtures using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) and the determination of the sorghum ratio in sorghum / corn flour mixture based on their elemental composition using partial least squares (PLS) regression. Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy with PLS‐DA successfully identified the samples as either pure corn, pure sorghum, or corn‐sorghum mixtures. Moreover, the addition of various levels of sorghum flour to mixtures of corn‐sorghum flour were used for PLS analysis. The coefficient of determination values of calibration and validation PLS models are 0.979 and 0.965, respectively. The limit of detection of the PLS models is 4.36%.CONCLUSIONThis study offers a rapid method for the determination of the sorghum level in corn‐sorghum flour mixtures and the classification of flour samples with high accuracy, a short analysis time, and no requirement for time‐consuming sample preparation procedures. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Capillary liquid chromatography as an effective method for the determination of seven neonicotinoid residues in honey samples
Authors: Carbonell‐Rozas Laura , Lara Francisco J. , del Olmo Iruela Monsalud , García‐Campaña Ana M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA new analytical method based on capillary liquid chromatography with diode array detection has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of seven neonicotinoid insecticides commercially available (imidacloprid, thiacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, nitenpyram, and dinotefuran) in honey samples. The separation was achieved in a Zorbax XDB‐C18 column (150 × 0.5 mm id, 5 μm), with a mobile phase consisting of ultrapure water (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B) at a flow rate of 10 μL/min. Capillary column was thermostated at 25°C during the analysis and 254 or 270 nm was established as detection wavelength, depending on the analyte. Furthermore, full loop injection mode (8 μL) was selected, using water as injection solvent. Finally, the optimized method was applied to the analysis of neonicotinoid residues in honey of different floral origins using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction as sample treatment. Variables affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized, choosing methanol and dichloromethane as dispersive and extraction solvents, respectively. The method was characterized in terms of linearity (≥ 0.9948), repeatability, reproducibility (relative standard deviation below 4.5 and 6.3% respectively), and recoveries (≥80.5%). Detection and quantification limits were lower than 6.6 and 22.0 μg/kg for the studied analytes, respectively.
Simultaneous separation and indirect ultraviolet detection of chlorate and perchlorate by pyridinium ionic liquids in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Yin Zhen‐jie , Zhang Ya‐nan , Guan Fu‐jing , Yu Hong , Ma Ya‐jie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA novel approach for the simultaneous separation and indirect ultraviolet detection of chlorate and perchlorate using pyridinium ionic liquids as mobile phase additives in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography was developed. Pyridinium ionic liquids and imidazolium ionic liquids as the mobile phase additives were compared. The effects of pyridinium ionic liquids, methanol, column temperature, and detection wavelength on the separation and detection of chlorate and perchlorate were investigated. The role of ionic liquids, retention rules and relevant mechanisms were discussed. Pyridinium ionic liquids mainly acted as ultraviolet absorption reagent and ion‐pair reagent. The successful separation and indirect ultraviolet detection of chlorate and perchlorate were achieved by using a common reversed‐phase column, 0.2 mmol/L N‐octylpyridinium bromide aqueous solution/methanol (90/10, v/v) as mobile phase and at the detection wavelength of 210 nm. The retention times of chlorate and perchlorate were 30.51 and 37.06 min, respectively. The detection limits of chlorate and perchlorate were 0.16 and 0.29 mg/L, respectively. The linearity and repeatability of the method were satisfactory. The approach was used to the analysis of river water samples with accurate and reliable results. This method is easy to popularize due to the use of common reversed‐phase column and ultraviolet detector in liquid chromatography.
Clinical Effects of Radiofrequency Coblation for Adult Laryngopharyngeal Vascular Lesions
Authors: Jia Junxiao , Zhang Junbo , Xiao Shuifang 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and efficacy of transoral radiofrequency coblation surgery (TRS) in the treatment of adult laryngopharyngeal vascular lesion (LVL).MethodsA total of 15 patients with LVL were retrospectively studied, including 11 capillary lesions and five cavernous lesions (there was one case with two separate lesions). All of the lesions were treated with TRS alone (capillary lesion) or with a combination of TRS and sclerotherapy (cavernous lesion). The treatment efficacy was evaluated according to the modified Achauer criteria: grade 1, no change in size; grade 2, a decrease of < 50% in size; grade 3, a decrease of ≥ 50% but < 100%; and grade 4, the disappearance of the lesion with no recurrence for at least 6 months.ResultsThe surgical procedures were successfully completed in all patients. According to the modified Achauer criteria, the treatment outcomes were grade 4 for 10 capillary lesions and one cavernous lesion; grade 3 for one capillary lesion and one cavernous lesion; grade 2 for one cavernous lesion; and grade 1 for two cavernous lesions, respectively. No complications related to the surgery, including bleeding, dysphagia, and infections, occurred after treatment.ConclusionThe TRS is an effective treatment option for LVL, especially for patients with laryngopharyngeal capillary lesions.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:566–570, 2021
Cost‐Effectiveness of Surgery Versus Organ Preservation in Advanced Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Beck Ann‐Jean C. C. , van Harten Wim H. , van den Brekel Michiel W. M. , Navran Arash , Retèl Valesca P. 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveTreatment decision‐making for patients with laryngeal cancer consists of a complex trade‐off between survival and quality of life. For decision makers on coverage and guidelines, costs come in addition to this equation. Our aim was to perform a cost‐effectiveness analysis of surgery (laryngectomy with or without radiotherapy) versus organ preservation (OP: radiotherapy, chemo‐ and/or bioradiation) in advanced laryngeal cancer patients from a healthcare perspective.MethodsA cost‐effectiveness analysis was conducted using a Markov model. For each modality, data on survival and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) were sourced from relevant articles in agreement with experts, and national benchmark cost prices were included regarding treatment, follow‐up, adverse events, and rehabilitation.ResultsTotal QALYs of the surgical approach (6.59) were substantially higher compared to the OP approach (5.44). Total lifetime costs were higher for the surgical approach compared to the OP approach, namely €95,881 versus €47,233. The surgical approach was therefore more effective and more costly compared to OP, resulting in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of €42,383/QALY.ConclusionBased on current literature, surgical treatment was cost‐effective compared to OP in advanced laryngeal cancer within most willingness‐to‐pay thresholds. The study provides information on the survival adjusted for quality of life in combination with costs of two different approaches for advanced laryngeal cancer, relevant for patients, physicians, and policy makers. As financial toxicity is a relevant aspect in this population, collection of real‐world data on country‐specific costs and utilities is strongly recommended to enable further generalization.Level of EvidenceN/A.Laryngoscope, 131:E509–E517, 2021
Biogeochemistry and microbiology of high Arctic marine sediment ecosystems—Case study of Svalbard fjords
Authors: Jørgensen Bo Barker , Laufer Katja , Michaud Alexander B. , Wehrmann Laura M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFjord ecosystems of the high Arctic are distinct from fjords of temperate latitudes due to the influence of glaciers, icebergs, sea ice, and the permanently low temperatures. The sediment microbiology and biogeochemical processes were analyzed during an international research program with multiple field studies in Svalbard, situated between the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. We here describe the physical and geochemical setting and the predominant microbiological processes in several fjords. Physiological studies of sediments and pure cultures show how the predominantly psychrophilic bacteria are adapted to the near‐zero temperature. The microbial communities include bacteria responsible for organic matter hydrolytic degradation, fermentation, and terminal oxidation to CO2. These processes drive the cycling of carbon, sulfur, iron, and manganese. The balance between the dominant sediment microbial processes changes along transects out through the fjords, reflecting the varying impact of the glacier‐derived rock flour, rich in metal oxides at the head, and the plankton‐derived, labile, marine organic matter at the mouth. Due to accelerated warming of Arctic ecosystems, glaciers are retreating with impacts on the physical, chemical, and biological functioning of the fjord sediment ecosystems.
An ESA‐CFD combined method for dynamic analysis of the aerostatic journal bearing
Authors: Li Yifei , Yin Yihui , Cui Hailong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFor the aerostatic journal bearing with orifice‐type restrictor, it is difficult to analyse the bearing performances because of the complex air film geometry. In the present work, based on the traditional engineering simplification algorithm (ESA) for bearing performances calculation, an ESA‐CFD combined method is proposed by integrating ESA method with modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation technique, where both advantages of the ESA and CFD methods are retained. With this approach, both static and dynamic performances of the journal bearing can be analyzed with a high level of accuracy and low computational cost. As an example, an engineering journal bearing is considered and its performances are analyzed. The influences of bearing parameters on dynamic performances are particularly discussed, and meanwhile, the calculation accuracy is verified by conducting experiments. The proposed ESA‐CFD combined method can provide an efficient way for engineering application in design of aerostatic journal bearing, especially for the design optimization.
Numerical Investigations of Perfectly Mixed Condition at the Inlet of Free Radical Polymerization Tubular Microreactors of Different Geometries
Authors: Garg Dhiraj K. , Serra Christophe A. , Hoarau Yannick , Parida Dambarudhar , Bouquey Michel , Muller Rene 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe numerical investigation of free radical polymerization (FRP) of methyl methacrylate under mixed feed condition at inlet is made for three microtubular reactor geometries, namely, straight tube, coiled tube, and coil flow inverter reactor. The effect of variation of fluid thermophysical properties (FTPP) (density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity) with reaction along with discrete variation of chemical species diffusion coefficient is studied. Predicted values of monomer conversion, number‐average chain length (DPn), and polydispersity index (PDI) are found to be systematically lower for variable FTPP case compared to constant FTPP case. But contrary to expectations, results are found to be independent of reactor geometry for either case. Results clearly show the importance of modeling the variation of FTPP especially with respect to conversion. One case of varying diffusion coefficient of each chemical species based on free volume theory with constant FTPP is also simulated. Here again, the results are found to be independent of reactor geometry. Constant thermal conductivity and isothermal reactor condition are found to be good assumptions. This study clearly establishes the need not only for variable FTPP, thus coupling transport processes, but also for incorporating varying diffusion coefficient along with conversion in modeling of FRP in microreactors for better predictions.