bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical coherence tomography and multiphoton microscopy offer new options for the quantification of fibrotic aortic valve disease in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Jannasch Anett , Schnabel Christian , Galli Roberta , Faak Saskia , Büttner Petra , Dittfeld Claudia , Tugtekin Sems Malte , Koch Edmund , Matschke Klaus 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAortic valve sclerosis is characterized as the thickening of the aortic valve without obstruction of the left ventricular outflow. It has a prevalence of 30% in people over 65 years old. Aortic valve sclerosis represents a cardiovascular risk marker because it may progress to moderate or severe aortic valve stenosis. Thus, the early recognition and management of aortic valve sclerosis are of cardinal importance. We examined the aortic valve geometry and structure from healthy C57Bl6 wild type and age-matched hyperlipidemic ApoE−/− mice with aortic valve sclerosis using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multiphoton microscopy (MPM) and compared results with histological analyses. Early fibrotic thickening, especially in the tip region of the native aortic valve leaflets from the ApoE−/− mice, was detectable in a precise spatial resolution using OCT. Evaluation of the second harmonic generation signal using MPM demonstrated that collagen content decreased in all aortic valve leaflet regions in the ApoE−/− mice. Lipid droplets and cholesterol crystals were detected using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering in the tissue from the ApoE−/− mice. Here, we demonstrated that OCT and MPM, which are fast and precise contactless imaging approaches, are suitable for defining early morphological and structural alterations of sclerotic murine aortic valves.
A showcase study on personalized in silico drug response prediction based on the genetic landscape of muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Krentel Friedemann , Singer Franziska , Rosano-Gonzalez María Lourdes , Gibb Ewan A. , Liu Yang , Davicioni Elai , Keller Nicola , Stekhoven Daniel J. , Kruithof-de Julio Marianna , Seiler Roland 
Published: March 2021

AbstractImproved and cheaper molecular diagnostics allow the shift from “one size fits all” therapies to personalised treatments targeting the individual tumor. However, the wealth of potential targets based on comprehensive sequencing remains a yet unsolved challenge that prevents its routine use in clinical practice. Thus, we designed a workflow that selects the most promising treatment targets based on multi-omics sequencing and in silico drug prediction. In this study we demonstrate the workflow with focus on bladder cancer (BLCA), as there are, to date, no reliable diagnostics available to predict the potential benefit of a therapeutic approach. Within the TCGA-BLCA cohort, our workflow identified a panel of 21 genes and 72 drugs that suggested personalized treatment for 95% of patients—including five genes not yet reported as prognostic markers for clinical testing in BLCA. The automated predictions were complemented by manually curated data, thus allowing for accurate sensitivity- or resistance-directed drug response predictions. We discuss potential improvements of drug-gene interaction databases on the basis of pitfalls that were identified during manual curation.
Garlic (Allium sativum) based interplanting alters the heavy metals absorption and bacterial diversity in neighboring plants
Authors: Hussain Javed , Wei Xiao , Xue-Gang Luo , Shah Syed Rehmat Ullah , Aslam Muhammad , Ahmed Imtiaz , Abdullah Shaikh , Babar Asma , Jakhar Ali Murad , Azam Toquier 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHeavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and let out in the environment by agriculture, industry, mining and therapeutic expertise and thrilling amassing of these elements pollutes the environment. In this study we have investigated the potential of garlic interplanting in promoting hyper accumulation and absorption of heavy metals to provide a basis for phytoremediation of polluted land. Monoculture and inter-plantation of garlic were conducted to investigate the absorption of cadmium and lead contamination in the land. A group of experiments with single planting (monoculture) of Lolium perenne, Conyza canadensis and Pteris vittata as accumulators were used. The results have shown that garlic has a potential as a hyper accumulate and absorb heavy metals. It was found that the accumulation of Cd and Pb was much higher with inter-planting. Garlic boosts up the absorption of heavy metals in Lolium perenne of Cd 66% and Pb 44% respectively. The Inter-planting of garlic with Pteris vittata promotes the Cd 26% and Pb 15%. While the maximum accumulation of Lead 87% and Cadmium 77% occurred in Conyza canadensis herb plant. The bacterial diversity in the soil was analyzed for each experimental soil and was found that the Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Planctomycetes were commonly abundant in both single planting (monoculture) of ryegrass and interplanting ryegrass with garlic habitats. Variances were observed in the bacterial floral composition of single (monoculture) and intercropping (interplant) soils. Relative abundance of bacterial taxa revealed that the proportion of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria in the inter-planting group was slightly higher, while Firmicutes and Planctomycetes were low. This study provides the evidence to control the heavy metals contaminated soils with weed species. Growth promotion and heavy metal uptake of neighboring plants proved the specific plant-plant and plant-microbial associations with garlic plants. This inter-planting strategy can be used to improve heavy metal absorption.
Synergistic roles of Wnt modulators R-spondin2 and R-spondin3 in craniofacial morphogenesis and dental development
Authors: Alhazmi Nora , Carroll Shannon H. , Kawasaki Kenta , Woronowicz Katherine C. , Hallett Shawn A. , Macias Trevino Claudio , Li Edward B. , Baron Roland , Gori Francesca , Yelick Pamela C. , Harris Matthew P. , Liao Eric C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWnt signaling plays a critical role in craniofacial patterning, as well as tooth and bone development. Rspo2 and Rspo3 are key regulators of Wnt signaling. However, their coordinated function and relative requirement in craniofacial development and odontogensis are poorly understood. We showed that in zebrafish rspo2 and rspo3 are both expressed in osteoprogenitors in the embryonic craniofacial skeleton. This is in contrast to mouse development, where Rspo3 is expressed in osteoprogenitors while Rspo2 expression is not observed. In zebrafish, rspo2 and rspo3 are broadly expressed in the pulp, odontoblasts and epithelial crypts. However, in the developing molars of the mouse, Rspo3 is largely expressed in the dental follicle and alveolar mesenchyme while Rspo2 expression is restricted to the tooth germ. While Rspo3 ablation in the mouse is embryonic lethal, zebrafish rspo3-/- mutants are viable with modest decrease in Meckel’s cartilage rostral length. However, compound disruption of rspo3 and rspo2 revealed synergistic roles of these genes in cartilage morphogenesis, fin development, and pharyngeal tooth development. Adult rspo3−/− zebrafish mutants exhibit a dysmorphic cranial skeleton and decreased average tooth number. This study highlights the differential functions of Rspo2 and Rspo3 in dentocranial morphogenesis in zebrafish and in mouse.
Global-scale constraints on light-absorbing anthropogenic iron oxide aerosols
Authors: Lamb K. D. , Matsui H. , Katich J. M. , Perring A. E. , Spackman J. R. , Weinzierl B. , Dollner M. , Schwarz J. P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAnthropogenic iron oxide aerosols (FeOx) have been identified as a climatically significant atmospheric light absorber, and as a contributor of free iron to the oceans. Here we provide global-scale constraints on their atmospheric abundance with measurements over the remote Pacific and Atlantic Oceans from aircraft campaigns spanning 10 years. We find FeOx-like aerosols are transported far from source regions with similar efficiency as black carbon particles. Strong contrast in concentrations was observed between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere Pacific. We provide observational constraints in remote regions on the ambient ratios of FeOxrelative to BC from fossil fuel burning. Comparison with a global aerosol model tuned to recent observations in East-Asian source regions confirm an upward revision of emissions based on model/observation comparison over the Pacific receptor region. We find that anthropogenic FeOx-like particles generate global-scale shortwave atmospheric heating 0.3–26% of that of black carbon in remote regions where concentrations of both aerosols are very low.
Modeling the effect of exposure notification and non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 transmission in Washington state
Authors: Abueg Matthew , Hinch Robert , Wu Neo , Liu Luyang , Probert William , Wu Austin , Eastham Paul , Shafi Yusef , Rosencrantz Matt , Dikovsky Michael , Cheng Zhao , Nurtay Anel , Abeler-Dörner Lucie , Bonsall David , McConnell Michael V. , O’Banion Shawn , Fraser Christophe 
Published: March 2021

AbstractContact tracing is increasingly used to combat COVID-19, and digital implementations are now being deployed, many based on Apple and Google’s Exposure Notification System. These systems utilize non-traditional smartphone-based technology, presenting challenges in understanding possible outcomes. In this work, we create individual-based models of three Washington state counties to explore how digital exposure notifications combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions influence COVID-19 disease spread under various adoption, compliance, and mobility scenarios. In a model with 15% participation, we found that exposure notification could reduce infections and deaths by approximately 8% and 6% and could effectively complement traditional contact tracing. We believe this can provide health authorities in Washington state and beyond with guidance on how exposure notification can complement traditional interventions to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
Field effect control of translocation dynamics in surround-gate nanopores
Authors: Tsutsui Makusu , Ryuzaki Sou , Yokota Kazumichi , He Yuhui , Washio Takashi , Tamada Kaoru , Kawai Tomoji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractControlling the fast electrophoresis of nano-objects in solid-state nanopores is a critical issue for achieving electrical analysis of single-particles by ionic current. In particular, it is crucial to slow-down the translocation dynamics of nanoparticles. We herein report that a focused electric field and associated water flow in a surround-gate nanopore can be used to trap and manipulate a nanoscale object. We fine-control the electroosmosis-induced water flow by modulating the wall surface potential via gate voltage. We find that a nanoparticle can be captured in the vicinity of the conduit by balancing the counteracting electrophoretic and hydrodynamic drag forces. By creating a subtle force imbalance, in addition, we also demonstrate a gate-controllable motion of single-particles moving at an extremely slow speed of several tens of nanometers per second. The present method may be useful in single-molecule detection by solid-state nanopores and nanochannels.
Adipositas und HFpEF – Henne oder Ei?
Authors: Kresoja Karl-Patrik , Rommel Karl-Philipp , Thiele Holger , Lurz Philipp 
Published: March 2021

ZusammenfassungHerzinsuffizienz mit erhaltener Pumpfunktion (HFpEF) ist wahrscheinlich eine der am häufigsten übersehenen Ursachen für das Vorliegen einer Belastungsdyspnoe bei Patienten mit Adipositas. Patienten mit Adipositas-assoziierter HFpEF machen bis zu 80 % aller HFpEF Patienten aus, und eine individualisierte Therapie für diese Patientengruppe zu finden ist von größter Wichtigkeit. Patienten mit Adipositas-assoziierter HFpEF sind gekennzeichnet durch eine progressive Expansion und Umwandlung des vor allem epikardialen Fettgewebes, einer Erhöhung des Plasmavolumens, einer verstärkten lokalen und systemischen Inflammation sowie einer ausgeprägten myokardialen Fibrose. Diese Veränderungen münden in einer ausgeprägten Belastungsintoleranz, Anfälligkeit für Volumenänderungen sowie einer sich intensivierenden Kaskade von Komorbiditäten. Individualisierte Therapien zur Behandlung der Adipositas-assoziierten HFpEF sind auf dem Weg und könnten erstmalige Erfolge bei der Behandlung des heterogenen HFpEF-Syndroms bringen.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Glycosphingolipids: A Review
Authors: Guo Zhongwu , Li Qingjiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGlycosphingolipids (GSLs) are the major vertebrate glycolipids, which contain two distinctive moieties, a glycan and a ceramide, stitched together by a β-glycosidic linkage. The hydrophobic lipid chains of ceramide can insert into the cell membrane to form ‘lipid rafts’ and anchor the hydrophilic glycan onto the cell surface to generate microdomains and function as signaling molecules. GSLs mediate signal transduction, cell interactions, and many other biological activities, and are also related to many diseases. To meet the need of biological studies, chemists have developed various synthetic methodologies to access GSLs. Among them, the application of enzymes to GSL synthesis has witnessed significant advancements in the past decades. This short review briefly summarizes the history and progress of enzymatic GSL synthesis.1	Introduction1.1	The Glycosphingolipid Structure1.2	GSL Biosynthesis1.3	Functions and Biological Significance1.4	Overview of GSL Synthesis1.5	Scope of the Review2	Glycotransferases for GSL Synthesis3	Glycosynthases for GSL Synthesis4	Enzymatic Synthesis of Ceramide5	Conclusion
Performing Distance Measurements in Curved Facial Regions: A Comparison between Three-Dimensional Surface Scanning and Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Alfertshofer Michael , Frank Konstantin , Melnikov Dmitry V. , Möllhoff Nicholas , Gotkin Robert H. , Freytag David Lysander , Heisinger Stephan , Giunta Riccardo E. , Schenck Thilo L. , Cotofana Sebastian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFacial flap surgery depends strongly on thorough preoperative planning and precise surgical performance. To increase the dimensional accuracy of transferred facial flaps, the methods of ultrasound and three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning offer great possibilities. This study aimed to compare different methods of measuring distances in the facial region and where they can be used reliably. The study population consisted of 20 volunteers (10 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 26.7 ± 7.2 years and a mean body mass index of 22.6 ± 2.2 kg/m2. Adhesives with a standardized length of 20 mm were measured in various facial regions through ultrasound and 3D surface scans, and the results were compared. Regardless of the facial region, the mean length measured through ultrasound was 18.83 mm, whereas it was 19.89 mm for 3D surface scans, with both p < 0.0001. Thus, the mean difference was 1.17 mm for ultrasound measurements and 0.11 mm for 3D surface scans. Curved facial regions show a great complexity when it comes to measuring distances due to the concavity and convexity of the face. Distance measurements through 3D surface scanning showed more accurate distances than the ultrasound measurement. Especially in “complex” facial regions (e.g., glabella region and labiomental sulcus), the 3D surface scanning showed clear advantages.
Protective Role of Activated Protein C against Viral Mimetic Poly(I:C)-Induced Inflammation
Authors: Cai Xiaofeng , Panicker Sumith R. , Biswas Indranil , Giri Hemant , Rezaie Alireza R. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractActivated protein C (APC) is an anticoagulant plasma serine protease which exhibits potent cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we studied protective effects of APC on the proinflammatory function of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded RNA, in cellular and animal models. Poly(I:C) induced histone H3 extranuclear translocation via interaction with toll-like receptor 3 in two established endothelial cell lines. Furthermore, poly(I:C) induced histone H3 extranuclear translocation in J774A.1 macrophages and human neutrophils and formation of macrophage and neutrophil extracellular traps (ETs). Mechanistically, poly(I:C) was found to upregulate expression of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 and enhance its interaction with histone H3, thereby leading to increased histone citrullination and neutrophil ET formation. Poly(I:C) elicited proinflammatory signaling responses by inducing nuclear factor kappa B activation and disrupting endothelial cell permeability. In vivo, poly(I:C) enhanced cell surface expression of Mac-1 on neutrophils in mice and facilitated their infiltration to lung tissues. Poly(I:C) also downregulated thrombomodulin expression in mouse tissues and reduced its circulating soluble level in plasma. We demonstrate in this study that APC and a signaling-selective mutant of APC effectively inhibit proinflammatory signaling effects of poly(I:C) in both cellular and animal models. We further demonstrate that unlike the requirement for endothelial protein C receptor on endothelial cells, the integrin Mac-1 is involved in the protease-activated receptor 1-dependent APC inhibition of macrophage ET formation in J774A.1 cells. Taken together, these results support a key role for APC signaling in inhibiting the viral mimetic-induced proinflammatory signaling responses and histone translocation-associated formation of ETs by innate immune cells.
Electronic bandgap miniaturized UWB antenna for near-field microwave investigation of skin
Authors: Alani Sameer , Zakaria Zahriladha , Saeidi Tale , Ahmad Asmala , Alsariera Hussein , Al-Heety Othman S. , Mahmood Sarmad Nozad 
Published: March 2021

Near-field microwave investigation and tomography has many practical applications, especially where the trend of fields and signals in different environments is vital. This article shows an elliptical patch ultra-wideband antenna fed by a transmission line for the near-field characterization of cancerous cells in the skin. The antenna comprises an elliptical patch, stub loading to shift the band to lower bands, and an electronic bandgap structure on the ground side. Even though the antenna has a low profile of 15 × 15 mm2, the proposed antenna has more promising results than recent studies. Furthermore, both simulated near-field and far-field results show a broad bandwidth of 3.9–30 GHz and a resonance at 2.4 GHz applicable for industrial, scientific, and medical band applications. The proposed antenna also illustrates a peak gain of 6.48 dBi and a peak directivity of 7.09 dBi. Free space and skin (on a layer of breast fat and a tumor with a diameter of 4 mm at the boundary of skin and breast) are used as test environments during the simulation and measurement of near-field and far-field investigations while considering a phantom breast shape. Both far-field and near-field microwave investigations are performed in Computer Simulation Technology studio, and results are then compared with the measured data. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement, and the focused energy around the tumor is completely reconstructed. Therefore, the proposed antenna can be an adequate candidate for the differentiation of breast skin and tumor to reconstruct the tumor’s image.
High-speed wavefront determination method based on single in-and-out electric field analysis to focus light through highly scattering medium
Authors: Cao Jing , Yang Qiang , Miao Yusi , Li Yan , Wang Pinghe , Chen Zhongping 
Published: March 2021

We develop a new type of high-speed wavefront determination method with single feedback measurement to focus light through a 15.2 scattering mean free path in ∼113 ms. Our method is based on a heterodyne-detection phase sensitivity interferometer. First, the matrix which describes the light propagation process in the sample is measured by single input and output optical fields’ analysis. Then, by using a spatial light modulator to reshape the incident light with a matched wavefront, a focused beam is observed behind the sample. The proposed high-speed light focusing method will open new spot scanning mode toward deeper imaging through highly scattering biological tissues.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of biosimilar for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis informing the 2020 update of the Japan College of Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tanaka Eiichi , Kawahito Yutaka , Kohno Masataka , Hirata Shintaro , Kishimoto Mitsumasa , Kaneko Yuko , Tamai Hiroya , Seto Yohei , Morinobu Akio , Sugihara Takahiko , Murashima Atsuko , Kojima Masayo , Mori Masaaki , Ito Hiromu , Kojima Toshihisa , Sobue Yasumori , Nishida Keiichiro , Matsushita Isao , Nakayama Takeo , Yamanaka Hisashi , Harigai Masayoshi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of biosimilars compared with reference biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a part of the process of developing the 2020 update of the Japan College of Rheumatology guidelines for the management of RA.

Methods
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Japan Centra Revuo Medicina were searched for articles to conduct a systematic review (SR). The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system.

Results
Twenty randomized controlled trials were included (biosimilars of infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab). A meta-analysis revealed that the risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of achieving the American College of Rheumatology 50% response (ACR50) at week 24 and serious adverse events (SAEs) for biosimilars compared with the reference bDMARDs were 1.04 (0.98–1.10) and 0.84 (0.61–1.18), respectively. The RRs of achieving ACR50 and SAEs at week 24 were respectively 0.93 (0.69–1.26) and 2.15 (0.55–8.35) in the patients who switched to biosimilars from the reference bDMARDs and 0.92 (0.76–1.12) and 1.41 (0.32–6.15) in those who continued the reference bDMARDs.

Conclusion
Biosimilars and reference bDMARDs were equally useful for the management of RA.
The topological criticality in disordered non-Hermitian system
Authors: Bao Xi-Xi , Guo Gang-Feng , Du Xue-Peng , Gu Huai-Qiang , Tan Lei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Disorders have a rich influence on topological and localized properties. Here, we explore the effects of different type of disorders (intracell and intercell) on the non-Hermitian system. We first exhibit the phase diagram and find that the intracell disorder and intercell disorder can broaden and narrow the topological region, respectively. Moreover, the skin effect, which is unique in the non-Hermitian system, is broken by disorders. Furthermore, we propose the generalized localization length to settle the issue of how to determine the topological phase boundary explicitly in the disordered non-Hermitian system. Significantly, the rationality of this definition can be verified by similarity transformation, in which we prove that the topological invariant remains invariant. Finally, a byproduct of our definition is that one can analytically get the criticality of topology in the clean-limit non-Hermitian system.