bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of the Multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) in a sample of Iranian young adults
Authors: Habibi Mojtaba , Etesami Maede Sadat , Taghizadeh Mohammad Ali , Akrami Faezeh Sadat , Garcia Danilo 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThis study examines the factor structure, reliability and test-retest validity of the 12-item Iranian version of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). Additionally, the MEIM’s concurrent validity was tested by investigating the association between ethnic identity and subjective well-being.MethodThe scale was translated into Persian language and was administered to 426 students (193 female) at a major public university in Tehran along with the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale.ResultsThe confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor first-order commitment, and exploration (consisting of 12 items), and the second-order unidimensional factor structure of general ethnic identity. Moreover, we found evidence for good internal consistency, test re-test reliability, and concurrent validity.ConclusionThe MEIM Persian version was found to be a valid and reliable measure to examine ethnic identity in this Iranian student population, for both males and females. These results support the utility of the Persian version of the MEIM for its use in Middle-Eastern contexts.
The long non-coding RNA MEG3 plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone
Authors: Qian Changlin , Qiu Weiqing , Zhang Jie , Shen Zhiyong , Liu Hua , Zhang Yongjie 
Published: February 2021

Background
Cholesterol gallstone (CG) is the most common gallstone disease, which is induced by biliary cholesterol supersaturation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pathogenesis of CG.

Methods
Sixteen mice were equally and randomly divided into model group and normal control group. The model group was fed with lithogenic diets to induce CG, and then gallbladder bile lipid analysis was performed. After RNA-seq library was constructed, differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) between model group and normal control group were analyzed by DESeq2 package. Using the cluster Profiler package, enrichment analysis for the DE-mRNAs was carried out. Based on Cytoscape software, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network were built. Using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, the key RNAs were validated.

Results
The mouse model of CG was suc cessfully established, and then 181 DE-mRNAs and 33 DE-lncRNAs between model and normal groups were obtained. Moreover, KDM4A was selected as a hub node in the PPI network, and lncRNA MEG3 was considered as a key lncRNA in the regulatory network. Additionally, the miR-107-5p/miR-149-3p/miR-346-3-MEG3 regulatory pairs and MEG3-PABPC4/CEP131/NUMB1 co-expression pairs existed in the regulatory network. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that KDM4A expression was increased, and the expressions of MEG3, PABPC4, CEP131, and NUMB1 were downregulated.

Conclusion
These RNAs might be related to the pathogenesis of CG.
MCQ-Balance: a method to monitor patients with balance disorders and improve clinical interpretation of posturography
Authors: De la Torre Juan , Marin Javier , Polo Marco , Gómez-Trullén Eva M. , Marin Jose J. 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundAn estimated 20% to 30% of the global population has suffered a vertiginous episode. Among them, 20% do not receive a clear diagnosis. Improved methods, indicators and metrics are necessary to assess the sensory systems related to balance, especially when patients are undergoing treatment for vertiginous episodes. Patients with balance disorders should be monitored for changes at the individual level to gather objective information. In this study, we evaluate the use of the MCQ-Balance (Measure, Classify and Qualify) assessment for examining a patient’s balance progression using tests to measure static balance control and dynamic postural balance with a stabilometric platform.Materials and MethodsThe MCQ-Balance assessment comprises three stages: (i) measuring the progression of each variable between two separate and consecutive days (called sessions) using the Magnitude-Based Decision analysis; (ii) classifying the progression of the patient’s balance with a score; and (iii) qualifying the progression of the patient’s balance from the resulting scores using a set of rules. This method was applied to 42 patients with balance disorders of peripheral or central origin characterised by vertigo as the cardinal symptom. Balance progression was measured using the MCQ-Balance assessment over the course of three months, and these results were compared with the assessment of a clinical expert.ResultsThe MCQ-Balance assessment showed an accuracy of 83.4% and a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.752 compared to the assessment of a clinical expert.ConclusionThe MCQ-Balance assessment facilitates the monitoring of patient balance and provides objective information that has the potential to improve medical decision making and the adjustment of individual treatment.
Safety evaluation of shorter infusion for ocrelizumab in a substudy of the Phase IIIb CHORDS trial
Authors: Bermel Robert A. , Waubant Emmanuelle , Pardo Gabriel , Bass Ann , Repovic Pavle , Newsome Scott , Lindsey John W. , Kile Deidre , Pradhan Ashish , Musch Bruno , Zabeti Aram 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe CHORDS trial evaluated ocrelizumab (OCR) in patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis who had a suboptimal response to previous disease‐modifying treatment. The objective of the present study was to assess the safety of shorter OCR infusions in a substudy of CHORDS. After completing four doses of OCR per initial US prescribing recommendations in the main study, participants in the substudy (N = 129) received a fifth dose over a 2‐h duration (vs. 3.5 h). Infusion‐related reactions occurred in 12.4% of patients. None were severe, life‐threatening or led to treatment discontinuation. Shorter infusion time did not change the safety profile of OCR. Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT0237856).
Rational Designs for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries with Low Electrolyte/Sulfur Ratio
Authors: Guo Junling , Pei Huayu , Dou Ying , Zhao Siyuan , Shao Guosheng , Liu Jinping 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered a promising next‐generation energy storage device owing to their high theoretical energy density. However, their overall performance is limited by several critical issues such as lithium polysulfide (PS) shuttles, low sulfur utilization, and unstable Li metal anodes. Despite recent huge progress, the electrolyte/sulfur ratio (E/S) used is usually very high (≥20 µL mg−1), which greatly reduces the practical energy density of devices. To push forward LSBs from the lab to the industry, considerable attention is devoted to reducing E/S while ensuring the electrochemical performance. To date, however, few reviews have comprehensively elucidated the possible strategies to achieve that purpose. In this review, recent advances in low E/S cathodes and anodes based on the issues resulting from low E/S and the corresponding solutions are summarized. These will be beneficial for a systematic understanding of the rational design ideas and research trends of low E/S LSBs. In particular, three strategies are proposed for cathodes: preventing PS formation/aggregation to avoid inadequate dissolution, designing multifunctional macroporous networks to address incomplete infiltration, and utilizing an imprison strategy to relieve the adsorption dependence on specific surface area. Finally, the challenges and future prospects for low E/S LSBs are discussed.
Electric Field Gradient‐Controlled Domain Switching for Size Effect‐Resistant Multilevel Operations in HfO2‐Based Ferroelectric Field‐Effect Transistor
Authors: Zeng Binjian , Liu Chen , Dai Siwei , Zhou Pingan , Bao Keyu , Zheng Shuaizhi , Peng Qiangxiang , Xiang Jinjuan , Gao Jianfeng , Zhao Jie , Liao Min , Zhou Yichun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe ferroelectric field‐effect transistor (FeFET) is a promising memory technology due to its high switching speed, low power consumption, and high capacity. Since the recent discovery of ferroelectricity in Si‐doped HfO2 thin films, HfO2‐based materials have received considerable interest for the development of FeFET, particularly considering their excellent complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility, relatively low permittivity, and high coercive field. However, the multilevel capability is limited by the device size, and multidomain switching tends to vanish when the channel length of the HfO2‐based FeFET approaches 30 nm. Here, multiple nonvolatile memory states are realized by tuning the electric field gradient across the Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) ferroelectric thin film along the channel direction of FeFET. The multi‐step domain switching can be readily and directionally controlled in the HZO‐FeFETs, with a very low variation. Moreover, multiple nonvolatile memory states or multi‐step domain switching can be effectively controlled in the FeFETs with a channel length less than 20 nm. This study suggests the possibility to implement multilevel memory operations and mimic biological synapse functions in highly scaled HfO2‐based FeFETs.
Photoacoustic Computed Tomography of Breast Cancer in Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Lin Li , Tong Xin , Hu Peng , Invernizzi Marta , Lai Lily , Wang Lihong V. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNeoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has contributed to improving breast cancer outcomes, and it would ideally reduce the need for definitive breast surgery in patients who have no residual cancer after NAC treatment. However, there is no reliable noninvasive imaging modality accepted as the routine method to assess response to NAC. Because of the inability to detect complete response, post‐NAC surgery remains the standard of care. To overcome this limitation, a single‐breath‐hold photoacoustic computed tomography (SBH‐PACT) system is developed to provide contrast similar to that of contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, but with much higher spatial and temporal resolution and without injection of contrast chemicals. SBH‐PACT images breast cancer patients at three time points: before, during, and after NAC. The analysis of tumor size, blood vascular density, and irregularity in the distribution and morphology of the blood vessels on SBH‐PACT accurately identifies response to NAC as confirmed by the histopathological diagnosis. SBH‐PACT shows its near‐term potential as a diagnostic tool for assessing breast cancer response to systemic treatment by noninvasively measuring the changes in cancer‐associated angiogenesis. Further development of SBH‐PACT may also enable serial imaging, rather than the use of current invasive biopsies, to diagnose and follow indeterminate breast lesions.
The phenotype of 15 cases with rare 8q24.13‐q24.3 deletions–A new syndrome or still an enigma?
Authors: Maya Idit , Kahana Sarit , Agmon‐Fishman Ifaat , Klein Cochava , Matar Reut , Berger Racheli , Josefsberg Sagi Ben Yehoshua , Shohat Mordechai , Marom Daphna , Basel‐Salmon Lina , Sagi‐Dain Lena 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDiagnosis of rare copy number variants (CNVs) with scarce literature evidence poses a major challenge for interpretation of the clinical significance of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) results, especially in the prenatal setting. Bioinformatic tools can be used to assist in this issue; however, this prediction can be imprecise. Our objective was to describe the phenotype of the rare copy number losses encompassing the 8q24.13‐q24.3 locus, and to find common features in terms of genomic coordinates, gene content, and clinical phenotypic characteristics. Appropriate cases were retrieved using local databases of two largest Israeli centers performing CMA analysis. In addition, literature and public databases search was performed. Local database search yielded seven new patients with del (8)(q24.13q24.3) (one of these with an additional copy number variant). Literature and public databases search yielded eight additional patients. The cases showed high phenotypic variability, ranging from asymptomatic adults and fetuses with normal ultrasound to patients with autism/developmental delay (6/11 postnatal cases, 54.5%). No clear association was noted between the specific disease‐causing/high‐pLI gene content of the described del (8)(q24.13q24.3) to neurodevelopmental disorders, except for a possibly relevant locus encompassing the KCNQ3 gene. We present the challenges in classification of rare variants with limited clinical information. In such cases, genotype–phenotype correlation must be assessed with extra‐caution and possibly using additional methods to assist the classification, especially in the prenatal setting.
Fork‐shaped mandibular incisors as a novel phenotype of LRP5‐associated disorder
Authors: Yamada Mamiko , Kubota Kazumi , Uchida Atsuro , Yagihashi Tatsuhiko , Kawasaki Masahito , Suzuki Hisato , Uehara Tomoko , Takenouchi Toshiki , Kurosaka Hiroshi , Kosaki Kenjiro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe LRP5 gene encodes a Wnt signaling receptor to which Wnt binds directly. In humans, pathogenic monoallelic variants in LRP5 have been associated with increased bone density and exudative vitreoretinopathy. In mice, LRP5 plays a role in tooth development, including periodontal tissue stability and cementum formation. Here, we report a 14‐year‐old patient with a de novo non‐synonymous variant, p.(Val1245Met), in LRP5 who exhibited mildly reduced bone density and mild exudative vitreoretinopathy together with a previously unreported phenotype consisting of dental abnormalities that included fork‐like small incisors with short roots and an anterior open bite, molars with a single root, and severe taurodontism. In that exudative vitreoretinopathy has been reported to be associated with heterozygous loss‐of‐function variants of LRP5 and that our patient reported here with the p.(Val1245Met) variant had mild exudative vitreoretinopathy, the variant can be considered as an incomplete loss‐of‐function variant. Alternatively, the p.(Val1245Met) variant can be considered as exerting a dominant‐negative effect, as no patients with truncating LRP5 variants and exudative vitreoretinopathy have been reported to exhibit dental anomalies. The documentation of dental anomalies in the presently reported patient strongly supports the notion that LRP5 plays a critical role in odontogenesis in humans, similar to its role in mice.
Selective Inhibition of the Hsp90α Isoform
Authors: Mishra Sanket J. , Khandelwal Anuj , Banerjee Monimoy , Balch Maurie , Peng Shuxia , Davis Rachel E. , Merfeld Taylor , Munthali Vitumbiko , Deng Junpeng , Matts Robert L. , Blagg Brian S. J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe 90 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone that processes nascent polypeptides into their biologically active conformations. Many of these proteins contribute to the progression of cancer, and consequently, inhibition of the Hsp90 protein folding machinery represents an innovative approach toward cancer chemotherapy. However, clinical trials with Hsp90 N‐terminal inhibitors have encountered deleterious side effects and toxicities, which appear to result from the pan‐inhibition of all four Hsp90 isoforms. Therefore, the development of isoform‐selective Hsp90 inhibitors is sought to delineate the pathological role played by each isoform. Herein, we describe a structure‐based approach that was used to design the first Hsp90α‐selective inhibitors, which exhibit >50‐fold selectivity versus other Hsp90 isoforms.
Auricular cartilage configuration: A histological study using late‐stage human fetuses and adult cadavers
Authors: Hashimoto Chiaki , Kitamura Kei , Yamamoto Masahito , Honkura Yohei , Murakami Gen , Abe Hiroshi , Abe Shinichi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe auricular cartilage is considered to develop from a funnel‐like arrangement of six embryonic hillocks. However, there is little information as to when and how the initial cartilage plate differentiates into the major three hollows or caves: the concha, the scapha and the triangular fossa.We examined semiserial histological sections from 42 human fetuses as well as from seven cadavers of elderly individuals. Tangential sections from adults suggested that three ring‐like cartilages were combined to provide a single auricular cartilage and that the external auditory meatus was attached to the lowest ring or concha. All of the fetuses studied carried the three major hollows delineated by skin folds. These skin folds often contained a cartilage loop as a core in place of a thickening or tubercle. Conversely, some of the skin folds corresponded to a highly wavy cartilage plate without looping. According to whether the cartilage loop was present or absent in horizontal sections from 35 fetuses, we classified the cartilage morphology into four patterns, the most frequent of which was absence of the triangular fossa loop (27 fetuses), followed by absence of the scapha loop (11 fetuses). Each pattern was evenly distributed among small and large fetuses. This suggested that some form of cartilage correction or reconstruction was likely to occur after birth, especially at the triangular fossa and/or scapha. Infants appear to show significant region‐specific variation in the postnatal growth of the auricular cartilages, especially at the triangular fossa and/or scapha.
Hydroquinone Decorated with Alkyne, Quaternary Ammonium, and Hydrophobic Motifs to Mitigate Corrosion of X‐60 Mild Steel in 15 wt.% HCl
Authors: Odewunmi Nurudeen A. , Mazumder Mohammad A. Jafar , Ali Shaikh A. , Alharbi Bader G. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract1‐(6‐Bromohexyloxy)‐4‐propargyloxybenzene upon quaternization with 3‐dimethylamino‐1‐propanol and N,N‐dimethyldodecylamine produced two new inhibitor molecules: N‐[6‐(4‐Propargyloxyphenoxy)hexyl]‐N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)ammonium bromide (PHAB) and N‐[6‐(4‐Propargyloxyphenoxy)hexyl]‐N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐dodecylammonium bromide (PDAB), respectively, in excellent yields. The inhibitor molecules were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The inhibitors were evaluated for X‐60 mild steel corrosion in 15 wt.% HCl using different electrochemical and gravimetric techniques. The potentiodynamic polarization confirms both the inhibitors as mixed‐type corrosion inhibitors. A low concentration (15 ppm) of PDAB has demonstrated excellent corrosion inhibition efficiencies of 97%, 98%, and 86% at 25 °C, 50 °C, and 70 °C, respectively, for 24 h exposure time. SEM and EDX spectra reveal that the adsorptions of corrosion inhibitors on X‐60 mild steel create a protective film that serves as a barrier to mitigate the corrosion process. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the chemical interaction between the corrosion inhibitors and mild steel, which was predicted by the Langmuir adsorption model. Assembly of inhibitive motifs of the alkyne, π‐electron‐rich aromatic, quaternary ammonium and C12 alkyl chain hydrophobe in PDAB has augmented its inhibiting action.
Online monitoring of gas transfer rates during CO and CO/H2 gas fermentation in quasi‐continuously ventilated shake flasks
Authors: Mann Marcel , Hüser Aline , Schick Benjamin , Dinger Robert , Miebach Katharina , Büchs Jochen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSyngas fermentation is a potential player for future emission reduction. The first demonstration and commercial plants have been successfully established. However, due to its novelty, development of syngas fermentation processes is still in its infancy, and the need to systematically unravel and understand further phenomena, such as substrate toxicity as well as gas transfer and uptake rates, still persists. This study describes a new online monitoring device based on the respiration activity monitoring system for cultivation of syngas fermenting microorganisms with gaseous substrates. The new device is designed to online monitor the carbon dioxide transfer rate (CO2TR) and the gross gas transfer rate during cultivation. Online measured data are used for the calculation of the carbon monoxide transfer rate (COTR) and hydrogen transfer rate (H2TR). In cultivation on pure CO and CO + H2, CO was continuously limiting, whereas hydrogen, when present, was sufficiently available. The maximum COTR measured was approximately 5 mmol/L/h for pure CO cultivation, and approximately 6 mmol/L/h for cultivation with additional H2 in the gas supply. Additionally, calculation of the ratio of evolved carbon dioxide to consumed monoxide, similar to the respiratory quotient for aerobic fermentation, allows the prediction of whether acetate or ethanol is predominantly produced. Clostridium ljungdahlii, a model acetogen for syngas fermentation, was cultivated using only CO, and CO in combination with H2. Online monitoring of the mentioned parameters revealed a metabolic shift in fermentation with sole CO, depending on COTR. The device presented herein allows fast process development, because crucial parameters for scale‐up can be measured online in small‐scale gas fermentation.
A rapid novel strategy for screening of antibody phage libraries for production, purification, and functional characterization of amber stop codons containing single‐chain antibody fragments
Authors: Perween Reshma , Ahmed Shubbir , Shrivastava Tripti , Parray Hilal A. , Singh Balwant , Pindari Kamal S. , Sharma Chandresh , Shukla Shivangi , Sinha Subrata , Panchal Anil Kumar , Kumar Rajesh 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPhage display antibody (PDA) libraries, allows the rapid isolation and characterization of high specificity monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, selection of positive binding clones from synthetic and semi‐synthetic libraries has an inherent bias towards clones containing randomly generated amber stop codons, complicating the identification of high affinity binding antibodies. We screened Tomlinson I and J library against receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS CoV2, eight clones which showed positive binding in phage ELISA, contained one or more amber stop codons in their single‐chain antibody fragment (scFv) gene sequences. The presence of amber stop codons within the antibody sequence causes the premature termination of soluble form of scFv expression in nonsuppressor Escherichia coli strain. In the present study, we have used a novel strategy that allows soluble expression of scFvs having amber stop codon in their gene sequences (without phage PIII protein fusion), in the suppressor strain. This strategy of introduction of Ochre (TAA) codon at the junction of scFv and PIII gene, speeds up the initial screening process which is critical for selecting the right scFvs for further studies. Present strategy leads to the identification of a scFv, B8 that binds specifically with nanomolar affinity toward SARS CoV 2 RBD, which otherwise lost in terms of traditional methodology.