bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relevance of HLA gene polymorphisms in Romanian patients with chronic renal insufficiency undergoing renal transplantation
Authors: Mărunţelu Ion , Cristea Bogdan Mihai , Omer Secil , Preda Carmen Monica , Constantinescu Ileana 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundChronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is a global public health problem with a high incidence in the Romanian population. In this study, we aimed to investigate genomic HLA polymorphisms in Romanian patients with CRI waiting for kidney transplantation. To determine the existence of a potential strong link between certain HLA polymorphisms and CRI, we also looked at HLA specificity combinations within the same locus or even different loci, referring to randomly inherited allelic combinations rather than potential haplotypes.MethodsA total of 2199 patients with CRI on the kidney transplantation waiting list were included. A total of 2786 healthy individuals were included as controls. Both patients and controls were assessed for both HLA I and class II genes. HLA genes were typed using the low‐resolution method polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific primer.ResultsCertain class I and class II HLA allele groups, genotypes and haplotypes were significantly more frequent in patients with CRI than in the control individuals (eg B* 40 (p ≤ .001, pc ≤ .001), C* 12 (p ≤ .001, pc ≤ .001), DRB1*14 (p = .0022, pc = .04), C*12,‐ (p < .001, pc < .001), A*01‐C*15 (p = .0003, pc = .03) and A*02‐C*12 (p = .0005, pc = .0486)).ConclusionsHLA gene polymorphisms could be clinically relevant CRI‐associated genetic profiles in Romanian patients with CRI.
Psychometric properties of the DSM‐5 social anxiety disorder dimensional scale in an Australian community sample
Authors: Binasis Theodora , Groves David , Wootton Bethany M. , Moses Karen 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe Social Anxiety Disorder Dimensional Scale (SAD‐D) is a 10‐item scale developed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (Fifth Edition) Anxiety, Obsessive‐Compulsive Spectrum, Posttraumatic, and Dissociative Disorder work group to supplement current dichotomous approaches to assessment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SAD‐D in an Australian community sample.MethodsTwo‐hundred and ninety‐one participants (72.9% female) aged 18‐76 years (M =28.46; SD = 12.30) completed the study.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis indicated support for the unidimensional structure of the SAD‐D (root mean square error of approximation [RMSE] = 0.08; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.97). The measure demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.94), as well as good divergent validity. The SAD‐D showed excellent test‐retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.93).ConclusionsOverall, the SAD‐D appears to be a brief and reliable measure of SAD symptomatology. Limitations, including the use of a predominantly female convenience sample, and failure to include the mental health and background of the sample, are discussed.
Fibroblast growth factor 19 as a countermeasure to muscle and locomotion dysfunctions in experimental cerebral palsy
Authors: Pereira Sabrina da Conceição , Benoit Bérengère , de Aguiar Junior Francisco Carlos Amanajás , Chanon Stéphanie , Vieille‐Marchiset Aurélie , Pesenti Sandra , Ruzzin Jérome , Vidal Hubert , Toscano Ana Elisa 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundCerebral palsy (CP) associates cerebral function damages with strong locomotor defects and premature sarcopenia. We previously showed that fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) exerts hypertrophic effects on skeletal muscle and improves muscle mass and strength in mouse models with muscle atrophy. Facing the lack of therapeutics to treat locomotor dysfunctions in CP, we investigated whether FGF19 treatment could have beneficial effects in an experimental rat model of CP.MethodsCerebral palsy was induced in male Wistar rat pups by perinatal anoxia immediately after birth and by sensorimotor restriction of hind paws maintained until Day 28. Daily subcutaneous injections with recombinant human FGF19 (0.1 mg/kg bw) were performed from Days 22 to 28. Locomotor activity and muscle strength were assessed before and after FGF19 treatment. At Day 29, motor coordination on rotarod and various musculoskeletal parameters (weight of tibia bone and of soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles; area of skeletal muscle fibres) were evaluated. In addition, expression of specific genes linked to human CP was measured in rat skeletal muscles.ResultsCompared to controls, CP rats had reduced locomotion activity (−37.8% of distance travelled, P < 0.05), motor coordination (−88.9% latency of falls on rotarod, P < 0.05) and muscle strength (−25.1%, P < 0.05). These defects were associated with reduction in soleus (−51.5%, P < 0.05) and EDL (−42.5%, P < 0.05) weight, smaller area of muscle fibres, and with lower tibia weight (−38%, P < 0.05). In muscles from rats submitted to CP, changes in the expression levels of several genes related to muscle development and neuromuscular junctions were similar to those found in wrist muscle of children with CP (increased mRNA levels of Igfbp5, Kcnn3, Gdf8, and MyH4 and decreased expression of Myog, Ucp2 and Lpl). Compared with vehicle‐treated CP rats, FGF19 administration improved locomotor activity (+53.2%, P < 0.05) and muscle strength (+25.7%, P < 0.05), and increased tibia weight (+13.8%, P < 0.05) and soleus and EDL muscle weight (+28.6% and +27.3%, respectively, P < 0.05). In addition, it reduced a number of very small fibres in both muscles (P < 0.05). Finally, gene expression analyses revealed that FGF19 might counteract the immature state of skeletal muscles induced by CP.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that pharmacological intervention with recombinant FGF19 could restore musculoskeletal and locomotor dysfunction in an experimental CP model, suggesting that FGF19 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to combat the locomotor disorders associated with CP.
Artificial‐intelligence‐driven discovery of prognostic biomarker for sarcopenia
Authors: Chung Heewon , Jo Yunju , Ryu Dongryeol , Jeong Changwon , Choe Seong‐Kyu , Lee Jinseok 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia is defined as muscle wasting, characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass and function due to ageing. Diagnosis of sarcopenia typically involves both muscle imaging and the physical performance of people exhibiting signs of muscle weakness. Despite its worldwide prevalence, a molecular method for accurately diagnosing sarcopenia has not been established.MethodsWe develop an artificial intelligence (AI) diagnosis model of sarcopenia using a published transcriptome dataset comprising patients from multiple ethnicities. For the AI model for sarcopenia diagnosis, we use a transcriptome database comprising 17 339 genes from 118 subjects. Among the 17 339 genes, we select 27 features as the model inputs. For feature selection, we use a random forest, extreme gradient boosting and adaptive boosting. Using the top 27 features, we propose a four‐layer deep neural network, named DSnet‐v1, for sarcopenia diagnosis.ResultsAmong isolated testing datasets, DSnet‐v1 provides high sensitivity (100%), specificity (94.12%), accuracy (95.83%), balanced accuracy (97.06%) and area under receiver operating characteristics (0.99). To extend the number of patient data, we develop a web application (http://sarcopeniaAI.ml/), where the model can be accessed unrestrictedly to diagnose sarcopenia if the transcriptome is available. A focused analysis of the top 27 genes for their differential or co‐expression with other genes implied the potential existence of race‐specific factors for sarcopenia, suggesting the possibility of identifying causal factors of sarcopenia when a more extended dataset is provided.ConclusionsOur new AI model, DSnet‐v1, accurately diagnoses sarcopenia and is currently available publicly to assist healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating sarcopenia.
Longitudinal relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and activities of daily living in older inpatients
Authors: Akazawa Naoki , Kishi Masaki , Hino Toshikazu , Tsuji Ryota , Tamura Kimiyuki , Hioka Akemi , Moriyama Hideki 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe longitudinal relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and activities of daily living (ADL) in older inpatients remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether decrease of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is related to the recovery of ADL than increase of muscle mass.MethodsThis longitudinal study included 202 inpatients aged ≥65 years [median age: 83.0 (77.0–88.0), 56.4% female]. Recovery of ADL during hospital stay was assessed using the change in Barthel index (BI) score (i.e. BI score at discharge minus BI score at admission) and BI score at discharge. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed using echo intensity and muscle thickness on ultrasound images, respectively. Higher echo intensity indicates greater intramuscular adipose tissue. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors independently associated with the change in BI score and BI score at discharge. Changes in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, quadriceps echo intensity and thickness, and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh at admission, age, sex, days from onset disease, BI score at admission, and disease were set as independent variables.ResultsThe means of the change in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness were −2.3 ± 15.7 and 0.1 ± 0.4 cm, respectively. The median of the change in BI score was 15.0 (0.0–30.0). The quadriceps echo intensity at discharge was significantly lower than at admission (P = 0.043). The quadriceps thickness (P = 0.004) and BI score at discharge (P < 0.001) were significantly higher than those at admission. Change in quadriceps echo intensity was independently and significantly associated with the change in BI score (β = −0.25, P = 0.006) and BI score at discharge (β = −0.18, P = 0.006). In contrast, change in quadriceps thickness was not independently and significantly associated with the change in BI score (β = 0.09, P = 0.244) and BI score at discharge (β = 0.06, P = 0.244).ConclusionsOur study indicates that a decrease of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps is related to the recovery of ADL than an increase of muscle mass in older inpatients. Intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is considered to be a predictor for the recovery of ADL, and intervening for intramuscular adipose tissue may be important for improving ADL in older inpatients.
A review of zeolite materials used in membranes for water purification: history, applications, challenges and future trends
Authors: Mahdavi Far Rana , Van der Bruggen Bart , Verliefde Arne , Cornelissen Emile 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis review provides a fundamental assessment of the potential of zeolite particles incorporated into polymeric membranes in view of improving the performance of these membranes. Zeolites are of interest as having extensive potential in separation processes due to their unique frameworks and properties. Significant investigations have been carried out to improve conventional membrane properties by the inclusion of zeolites. Zeolite membranes can be classified into three categories: (i) self‐supported zeolite membranes, (ii) inorganic‐supported zeolite membranes and (iii) zeolites mixed into a polymeric membrane matrix or top layer. The focus of this review is on nanosized zeolite particles incorporated into the polymeric structure of membranes, with specific attention to a polyamide layer used in pressure‐driven membrane processes such as reverse osmosis. The incorporation of inorganic zeolite particles in the polymer matrix enhances the permeability without decreasing the selectivity, and increases the mechanical strength in a harsh environment and fouling and chlorine resistance of the membranes. Agglomeration of nanosized zeolites and defect formation are highlighted as the main obstacles to the fabrication of large‐scale high‐performance zeolite membranes in order to identify strategies to solve these issues. Among the different strategies, adding a crosslinking agent to the interfacial polymerization process might be a promising method for fabricating homogeneous zeolite–polymer composite membranes with excellent performance. This paper provides a better understanding of the knowledge acquired in the development of polymer‐based zeolite nanocomposite membranes and gives perspectives for future research. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Adaptive replanning using cone beam CT for deformation of original CT simulation
Authors: Bojechko Casey , Hua Patricia , Sumner Whitney , Guram Kripa , Atwood Todd , Sharabi Andrew 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundDuring a course of radiation therapy, anatomical changes such as a decrease in tumour size or weight loss can trigger the need for repeating a computed tomography (CT) simulation scan in order to generate a new treatment plan. This adaptive approach requires a separate appointment for an additional CT scan which generates additional burden, cost, and radiation exposure for patients.Case PresentationHere, we present a case of a head and neck cancer patient who required palliative radiation for a large neck mass. During treatment, he had a remarkable response which required a replan due to rapid tumour downsizing. In this case, we used a novel technique to avoid repeating the planning CT simulation by using a mid‐treatment high‐quality cone beam CT (CBCT) to deform the secondary image (plan CT) of the original planning CT and generate a new adapted treatment plan.ConclusionThis is the first report to our knowledge using a Halcyon CBCT to deform the original planning CT in order to generate a new radiation treatment plan, and this novel technique represents a new potential method of adaptive replanning for select patients.
Evaluation of glove type on survival and transfer of Escherichia coli in model systems and during hand harvesting of lettuce
Authors: Zhao Irene Y. , Jung Jiin , Moyne Anne‐laure , Schaffner Donald W. , Harris Linda J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundBoth reusable and single‐use gloves can be employed during hand harvesting of lettuce and leafy greens. The impact of glove type on survival and transfer of Escherichia coli was evaluated using agar or lettuce in a laboratory setting and during simulated lettuce harvesting in the field.ResultsTextured and smooth reusable latex and smooth disposable latex gloves inoculated with E. coli were sequentially touched to 10 or 20 agar plates or 20 lettuce leaves (n = 6; laboratory) or used to sequentially harvest 20 heads of lettuce (n = 6; field). E. coli was recovered by enrichment from significantly fewer leaves (46%; 55 of 120) or heads (26%; 31 of 120) of lettuce when inoculated reusable textured gloves were used compared with disposable gloves (leaves: 98%; 118 of 120, or heads: 74%; 89 of 120). In contrast, when a single head of lettuce was the point source for glove contamination, there was no significant difference in the number of E. coli‐positive lettuce heads harvested with reusable textured (71%; 85 of 120) or disposable gloves (75%; 90 of 120). In either field‐contamination scenario, at the 20th head of lettuce harvested with a single glove (final sample point), E. coli was recovered from one to five of six lettuce heads across experimental trials.ConclusionContamination of a glove from a single point source can lead to subsequent contamination of multiple heads of lettuce during hand harvesting, showing the importance of policies to manage hand hygiene and glove use for harvest crews.
Reducing extreme weather impacts in greenhouses: the effect of a new passive climate control system on nutritional quality of pepper fruits
Authors: Piñero María Carmen , Lorenzo Pilar , Sánchez‐Guerrero María‐Cruz , Medrano Evangelina , López‐Marín Josefa , del Amor Francisco M 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDEnvironmental conditions affect the quality of the fruits and their organoleptic properties. In low‐tech greenhouses, these environmental conditions are frequently not optimal for crops. Therefore, the present study demonstrates the effects of the use of an integrated passive heating and cooling system in a greenhouse located in the Mediterranean area on the quality of pepper fruits.RESULTSThe results indicate that the passive system utilized (i) improved many parameters, such as average weight of fruits, °Brix, glucose and fructose content, and P and K content; (ii) increased the values of b* and hab*; and (iii) reduced total phenolic compounds, total amino acids content, and Fe and Zn content. However, the degree of the effect of the climatic factors on these parameters was also affected by harvest time.CONCLUSIONThis novel study highlights the possibility of improving the nutritional quality of pepper fruits by modifying the environmental conditions through the use of passive heating and cooling systems at the same time as reducing the carbon footprint. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pulsed pressure: Fluctuating impacts of multifactorial environmental change on a temperate macroalgal community
Authors: Wahl Martin , Barboza Francisco R. , Buchholz Björn , Dobretsov Sergey , Guy‐Haim Tamar , Rilov Gil , Schuett Renate , Wolf Fabian , Vajedsamiei Jahangir , Yazdanpanah Maryam , Pansch Christian 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGlobal change impacts marine organisms and communities mainly through ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation, and changes in nutrient inputs and water circulation. To assess the ecological impacts of global change, the effects of multiple interacting environmental drivers, including their fluctuations, should be tested at different levels of biological organization. In an outdoor mesocosm study, we investigated the differential effects of three simulated upwelling events coupled with ocean warming (1–5°C above ambient) on a temperate benthic community in the Western Baltic Sea. Ocean warming, especially in summer when temperatures are close to or above the physiological optimum of many species, is likely to impose thermal stress with species‐specific impacts. As the properties of deep water vary seasonally, so will the effects of upwelling. Upwelling of cooler deep water in midsummer may alleviate thermal stress, although this mitigation may be modulated by upwelling‐associated shifts in other water‐quality parameters such as salinity, nutrients, or late‐summer hypoxia. This investigation showed that in the Western Baltic Ocean warming was rather beneficial in early and late summer but detrimental when ambient temperatures were highest in midsummer. The effects of upwelling in the absence of ocean warming were generally weakly beneficial, while this effect tended to vanish with intensifying imposed ocean warming. Hypoxia associated with the late summer upwelling impacted some of the grazer species but did not impact the macroalgae. We conclude that in coastal temperate benthic communities, ocean warming is the predominant stressor that may partially and seasonally be buffered by upwelling.
Calibrating the triple oxygen isotope signature of cultured diatoms
Authors: Liljestrand Frasier L. , Hania Anxhela , Giordano Mario , Johnston David T. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe 18O/16O of precipitated silica in natural environments is posited to record the temperature of the ambient environment. Measurements of 17O/16O in silica (SiO2), when paired with 18O/16O, provide an opportunity to further constrain the environmental conditions at the time of mineral precipitation and ripening. On Cenozoic timescales, siliceous frustule precipitation by diatoms has served as the primary sink of silica from the ocean. Frustule precipitation is a biologically catalyzed process from an ocean undersaturated in SiO2. Here, we measure the 17O/16O and 18O/16O in diatom frustules from semicontinuous cultures with two different diatom species and across a range of growth rates and temperatures. To further enable these measurements, we developed a laser fluorination method to reproducibly measure the triple oxygen isotope composition of silica frustules. While the δ13C of the organic matter scaled predictably with growth rate, neither the δ18O or Δ′17O of the frustule silica varied significantly with respect to variations in growth rate or species. Temperature, however, does carry a control on the product δ18O composition. Conversely, the measured Δ′17O compositions were systematically negative with respect to the corresponding theoretical equilibrium isotope prediction, consistent with other empirical work on the SiO2 system and only weakly temperature‐dependent. This isotopic offset may be caused by the silica concentrating mechanisms diatoms use to precipitate their frustules. These results are consistent with literature arguments regarding the utility of diatom δ18O in reconstructing temperature, but suggest that Δ′17O may not be a suitable temperature proxy for diatomaceous sediment.
Review of Anisotropic 2D Materials: Controlled Growth, Optical Anisotropy Modulation, and Photonic Applications
Authors: Li Xu , Liu Haiyang , Ke Congming , Tang Weiqing , Liu Mengyu , Huang Feihong , Wu Yaping , Wu Zhiming , Kang Junyong 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAnisotropic 2D materials are promising building blocks for future photonic and optoelectronic devices due to their low structural symmetry and in‐plane optical anisotropy. This review systematically summarizes the crystalline structure, growth dynamics, optical anisotropy and their modulation strategies, and the corresponding photonic applications for emerging anisotropic 2D materials. First, the physical properties and crystalline structures of typical anisotropic 2D materials are briefly introduced. After that, special attention is paid to the growth mechanism of low‐symmetry lattices, where the competition between different growth modes determines the crystal morphologies. Then, the physical principles of anisotropic optical absorption, photoluminescence, Raman scattering, photodetection, and nonlinear response are discussed based on recent scientific advances. The discussion on the techniques to modify the intrinsic in‐plane anisotropy, along with the possibility of introducing optical anisotropy to the isotropic materials, add a new degree of freedom to the control over their optical properties. The review of application prospects also helps bridge the gap between the scientific exploration of novel anisotropic materials and the development of polarization‐sensitive photonic devices. The discussions in this review will push forward the scientific frontier in the crystalline growth and anisotropy control of anisotropic 2D materials.