bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short-term outcomes of intravitreal brolucizumab for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration with type 1 choroidal neovascularization including polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Authors: Matsumoto Hidetaka , Hoshino Junki , Mukai Ryo , Nakamura Kosuke , Akiyama Hideo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe evaluated the efficacy and safety of loading phase treatment with intravitreal brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with type 1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV). We analyzed consecutive 42 eyes of 40 patients with treatment-naïve nAMD associated with type 1 CNV. Three monthly injections of brolucizumab were completed in 36 eyes (85.7%). In those cases, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.24 ± 0.27 at baseline and improved significantly to 0.12 ± 0.23 after 3 months (P < 0.001). Central macular thickness was 301 ± 110 µm at baseline and decreased significantly to 160 ± 49 µm after 3 months (P < 0.001). Dry macula was achieved in 34 eyes (94.4%) after the loading phase. Central choroidal thickness was 264 ± 89 µm at baseline and decreased significantly to 223 ± 81 µm after 3 months (P < 0.001). Indocyanine green angiography after the loading phase revealed complete regression of polypoidal lesions in 15 of the 19 eyes (78.9%) with polypoidal lesions. Non-infectious intraocular inflammation (IOI) was observed in 8 of 42 eyes (19.0%) during the loading phase, while showing amelioration in response to combination therapy with topical and subtenon injection of steroids. In these eyes, BCVA after 3 months had not deteriorated as compared to that at baseline. These results indicate that loading phase treatment with intravitreal brolucizumab might be effective for improving visual acuity and reducing exudative changes in eyes with nAMD associated with type 1 CNV. Moreover, polypoidal lesions appear to frequently regress after this treatment. However, we must monitor patients carefully for brolucizumab-related IOI, and administer steroid therapy promptly.
Peptide-based scaffolds for the culture and maintenance of primary human hepatocytes
Authors: MacPherson Douglas , Bram Yaron , Park Jiwoon , Schwartz Robert E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe report here the use of a nanofibrous hydrogel as a 3D scaffold for the culture and maintenance of functional primary human hepatocytes. The system is based on the cooperative assembly of a fiber-forming peptide component, fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF), and the integrin-binding functional peptide ligand, Fmoc-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (Fmoc-RGD) into a nanofibrous gel at physiological pH. This Fmoc-FF/RGD hydrogel was formulated to provide a biomimetic microenvironment with some critical features such as mechanical properties and nanofiber morphology, which were optimized to support hepatocyte culture. The material was shown to support maintenance and function of encapsulated primary human hepatocytes as indicated by actin staining, qRT-PCR, and functional cytochrome P450 assays. The designed gel was shown to outperform Matrigel in cytochrome P450 functional assays. The hydrogel may prove useful for liver development and disease models, as well as providing insights into the design of future implantable scaffolds for the regeneration of liver tissue in patients with liver disease.
Phytoextraction efficiency of Pteris vittata grown on a naturally As-rich soil and characterization of As-resistant rhizosphere bacteria
Authors: Antenozio M. L. , Giannelli G. , Marabottini R. , Brunetti P. , Allevato E. , Marzi D. , Capobianco G. , Bonifazi G. , Serranti S. , Visioli G. , Stazi S. R. , Cardarelli M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study evaluated the phytoextraction capacity of the fern Pteris vittata grown on a natural arsenic-rich soil of volcanic-origin from the Viterbo area in central Italy. This calcareous soil is characterized by an average arsenic concentration of 750 mg kg−1, of which 28% is bioavailable. By means of micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF) we detected As in P. vittata fronds after just 10 days of growth, while a high As concentrations in fronds (5,000 mg kg−1), determined by Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), was reached after 5.5 months. Sixteen arsenate-tolerant bacterial strains were isolated from the P. vittata rhizosphere, a majority of which belong to the Bacillus genus, and of this majority only two have been previously associated with As. Six bacterial isolates were highly As-resistant (> 100 mM) two of which, homologous to Paenarthrobacter ureafaciens and Beijerinckia fluminensis, produced a high amount of IAA and siderophores and have never been isolated from P. vittata roots. Furthermore, five isolates contained the arsenate reductase gene (arsC). We conclude that P. vittata can efficiently phytoextract As when grown on this natural As-rich soil and a consortium of bacteria, largely different from that usually found in As-polluted soils, has been found in P. vittata rhizosphere.
Increasing availability of palatable prey induces predator-dependence and increases predation on unpalatable prey
Authors: Hossie Thomas J. , Chan Kevin , Murray Dennis L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the factors governing predation remains a top priority in ecology. Using a dragonfly nymph-tadpole system, we experimentally varied predator density, prey density, and prey species ratio to investigate: (i) whether predator interference varies between prey types that differ in palatability, (ii) whether adding alternate prey influences the magnitude of predator interference, and (iii) whether patterns of prey selection vary according to the predictions of optimal diet theory. In single-prey foraging trials, predation of palatable leopard frog tadpoles was limited by prey availability and predator interference, whereas predation of unpalatable toad tadpoles was limited by handling time. Adding unpalatable prey did not affect the predator’s kill rate of palatable prey, but the presence of palatable prey increased the influence of predator density on the kill rate of unpalatable prey and reduced unpalatable prey handling time. Prey selection did not change with shifts in the relative abundance of prey types. Instead, predators selected easy-to-capture unpalatable prey at low total densities and harder-to-capture palatable prey at high densities. These results improve our understanding of generalist predation in communities with mobile prey, and illustrate that characteristics of the prey types involved govern the extent to which alternate prey influence the predator’s kill rate.
Spatio-temporal predictive modeling framework for infectious disease spread
Authors: Ganesan Sashikumaar , Subramani Deepak 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA novel predictive modeling framework for the spread of infectious diseases using high-dimensional partial differential equations is developed and implemented. A scalar function representing the infected population is defined on a high-dimensional space and its evolution over all the directions is described by a population balance equation (PBE). New infections are introduced among the susceptible population from a non-quarantined infected population based on their interaction, adherence to distancing norms, hygiene levels and any other societal interventions. Moreover, recovery, death, immunity and all aforementioned parameters are modeled on the high-dimensional space. To epitomize the capabilities and features of the above framework, prognostic estimates of Covid-19 spread using a six-dimensional (time, 2D space, infection severity, duration of infection, and population age) PBE is presented. Further, scenario analysis for different policy interventions and population behavior is presented, throwing more insights into the spatio-temporal spread of infections across duration of disease, infection severity and age of the population. These insights could be used for science-informed policy planning.
Chondrogenic and BMP-4 primings confer osteogenesis potential to human cord blood mesenchymal stromal cells delivered with biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics
Authors: Brennan Meadhbh Á. , Barilani Mario , Rusconi Francesco , de Lima Julien , Vidal Luciano , Lavazza Cristiana , Lazzari Lorenza , Giordano Rosaria , Layrolle Pierre 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) show great promise for bone repair, however they are isolated by an invasive bone marrow harvest and their regenerative potential decreases with age. Conversely, cord blood can be collected non-invasively after birth and contains MSCs (CBMSCs) that can be stored for future use. However, whether CBMSCs can replace BMSCs targeting bone repair is unknown. This study evaluates the in vitro osteogenic potential of unprimed, osteogenically primed, or chondrogenically primed CBMSCs and BMSCs and their in vivo bone forming capacity following ectopic implantation on biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics in nude mice. In vitro, alkaline phosphatase (intracellular, extracellular, and gene expression), and secretion of osteogenic cytokines (osteoprotegerin and osteocalcin) was significantly higher in BMSCs compared with CBMSCs, while CBMSCs demonstrated superior chondrogenic differentiation and secretion of interleukins IL-6 and IL-8. BMSCs yielded significantly more cell engraftment and ectopic bone formation compared to CBMSCs. However, priming of CBMSCs with either chondrogenic or BMP-4 supplements led to bone formation by CBMSCs. This study is the first direct quantification of the bone forming abilities of BMSCs and CBMSCs in vivo and, while revealing the innate superiority of BMSCs for bone repair, it provides avenues to induce osteogenesis by CBMSCs.
Self-buffering capacity of a human sulfatase for central nervous system delivery
Authors: Wen Yi , Salamat-Miller Nazila , Jain Keethkumar , Taylor Katherine 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDirect delivery of therapeutic enzymes to the Central Nervous System requires stringent formulation design. Not only should the formulation design consider the delicate balance of existing ions, proteins, and osmolality in the cerebrospinal fluid, it must also provide long term efficacy and stability for the enzyme. One fundamental approach to this predicament is designing formulations with no buffering species. In this study, we report a high concentration, saline-based formulation for a human sulfatase for its delivery into the intrathecal space. A high concentration formulation (≤ 40 mg/mL) was developed through a series of systematic studies that demonstrated the feasibility of a self-buffered formulation for this molecule. The self-buffering capacity phenomenon was found to be a product of both the protein itself and potentially the residual phosphates associated with the protein. To date, the self-buffered formulation for this molecule has been stable for up to 4 years when stored at 5 ± 3 °C, with no changes either in the pH values or other quality attributes of the molecule. The high concentration self-buffered protein formulation was also observed to be stable when exposed to multiple freeze–thaw cycles and was robust during in-use and agitation studies.
Regression analysis and driving force model building of CO2 emissions in China
Authors: Zhou Yi , Zhang Jinyan , Hu Shanying 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn recent years, global warming has become increasingly devastating, leading to severe consequences, such as extreme weather events and sea-level rise. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it is essential to recognize different emission sources and key driving factors. Three main carbon emission sources from the period between 1990 and 2017 were identified in China: the energy industry, fuel combustion in other industries, and industrial process. For each source, a driving force model was developed via multiple linear regression. Based on these models, forecasts of the carbon intensity and total CO2 emissions were obtained from 2018 to 2030. The results demonstrate that the CO2 emission intensity and total emissions will continue to decrease but more effort will be required to achieve the goal of Paris Agreement.
Met carriers of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism show reduced Glx/NAA in the pregenual ACC in two independent cohorts
Authors: Martens Louise , Herrmann Luisa , Colic Lejla , Li Meng , Richter Anni , Behnisch Gusalija , Stork Oliver , Seidenbecher Constanze , Schott Björn H. , Walter Martin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Met allele of the Val66Met SNP of theBDNFgene (rs6265) is associated with impaired activity-dependent release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), resulting in reduced synaptic plasticity, impaired glutamatergic neurotransmission, and morphological changes. While previous work has demonstrated Val66Met effects on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) markers of either glutamatergic metabolism (Glx) or neuronal integrity (NAA), no study has investigated Val66Met effects on these related processes simultaneously. As these metabolites share a metabolic pathway, the Glx/NAA ratio may be a more sensitive marker of changes associated with the Val66Met SNP. This ratio is increased in psychiatric disorders linked to decreased functioning in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In this study, we investigated the correlation of the Val66Met polymorphism of theBDNFgene with Glx/NAA in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) using MRS at 3 Tesla (T) (n = 30, all males) and 7 T (n = 98, 40 females). In both cohorts, Met carriers had lower Glx/NAA compared to Val homozygotes. Follow-up analyses using absolute quantification revealed that the Met carriers do not show decreased pgACC glutamate or glutamine levels, but instead show increased NAA compared to the Val homozygotes. This finding may in part explain conflicting evidence for Val66Met as a risk factor for developing psychiatric illnesses.
Thyroid hormone insufficiency alters the expression of psychiatric disorder-related molecules in the hypothyroid mouse brain during the early postnatal period
Authors: Uchida Katsuya , Hasuoka Kentaro , Fuse Toshimitsu , Kobayashi Kenichi , Moriya Takahiro , Suzuki Mao , Katayama Norihiro , Itoi Keiichi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe functional role of thyroid hormone (TH) in the cortex and hippocampus of mouse during neuronal development was investigated in this study. TH insufficiency showed a decrease in the expression of parvalbumin (PV) in the cortex and hippocampus of pups at postnatal day (PD) 14, while treatment with thyroxine from PD 0 to PD 14 ameliorated the PV loss. On the other hand, treatment with antithyroid agents in adulthood did not result in a decrease in the expression of PV in these areas. These results indicate the existence of a critical period of TH action during the early postnatal period. A decrease in MeCP2-positive neuronal nuclei was also observed in the cortical layers II–IV of the cerebral cortex. The brains were then stained with CUX1, a marker for cortical layers II–IV. In comparison with normal mice, CUX1 signals were decreased in the somatosensory cortex of the hypothyroid mice, and the total thickness of cortical layers II–IV of the mice was lower than that of normal mice. These results suggest that TH insufficiency during the perinatal period strongly and broadly affects neuronal development.
The reduction of the thermal quenching effect in laser-excited phosphor converters using highly thermally conductive hBN particles
Authors: Zabiliūtė-Karaliūnė Akvilė , Aglinskaitė Justina , Vitta Prancis̆kus 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPhosphor converters for solid state lighting applications experience a strong thermal stress under high-excitation power densities. The recent interest in laser diode based lighting has made this issue even more severe. This research presents an effective approach to reduce the thermal quenching effect and damage of laser-excited phosphor-silicone converters using thermally conductive hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) particles. Herein, the samples are analyzed by employing phosphor thermometry based on the photoluminescence decay time, and thermo-imaging techniques. The study shows that hBN particle incorporation increases the thermal conductivity of a phosphor-silicone mixture up to 5 times. It turns out, that the addition of hBN to the Eu$$^{2+}$$

2
+

doped chalcogenide-silicone converters can increase the top-limit excitation power density from 60 to 180 W cm$$^{-2}$$

-
2

, thus reaching a 2.5 times higher output. Moreover, it is shown that the presence of hBN in Ce$$^{3+}$$

3
+

activated garnet phosphor converters, may increase the output power by up to 1.8 times and that such converters can withstand 218 W cm$$^{-2}$$

-
2

excitation. Besides, hBN particles are also found to enhance the stability of the converters chromaticity and luminous efficacy of radiation. This means that the addition of hBN particles into silicone-based phosphor converter media is applicable in a wide range of different areas, in particular, the ones requiring a high optical power output density.
A randomized clinical trial of dentin hypersensitivity reduction over one month after a single topical application of comparable materials
Authors: Abuzinadah Samar Hatem , Alhaddad Abdulrahman Jafar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is a condition that causes patient discomfort. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Gluma, fluoride varnish and Tetric N-Bond self-etch system in relieving DH immediately and over 30 days following a single topical application. The present randomized clinical trial was conducted on 55 patients with an age range 20–49 years. 70 teeth in total were incorporated and randomly assigned to the three groups. Parameters examined were: Tactile, air blast, and cold stimuli. VAS was used to assess tactile stimulus whereas the Schiff Cold Scale for air blast and cold stimuli. DH was evaluated immediately, at two weeks and 1 month follow up. Gluma showed a statistically significant reduction in DH scores over other materials. It was concluded that Gluma have statistically significant results over other materials in relieving DH immediately and over 30 days following a single topical application.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT04351412, King Abdulaziz University Protocol Record 129-09-19. Registered 17 April 2020 – Retrospectively registered. http://ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04351412.
Distributions of Arctic and Northwest Atlantic killer whales inferred from oxygen isotopes
Authors: Matthews Cory J. D. , Longstaffe Fred J. , Lawson Jack W. , Ferguson Steven H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractKiller whales (Orcinus orca) are distributed widely in all oceans, although they are most common in coastal waters of temperate and high-latitude regions. The species’ distribution has not been fully described in the northwest Atlantic (NWA), where killer whales move into seasonally ice-free waters of the eastern Canadian Arctic (ECA) and occur year-round off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador farther south. We measured stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in dentine phosphate (δ18OP) and structural carbonate (δ18OSC, δ13CSC) of whole teeth and annual growth layers from killer whales that stranded in the ECA (n = 11) and NWA (n = 7). Source δ18O of marine water (δ18Omarine) at location of origin was estimated from dentine δ18OPvalues, and then compared with predicted isoscape values to assign individual distributions. Dentine δ18OPvalues were also assessed against those of other known-origin North Atlantic odontocetes for spatial reference. Most ECA and NWA killer whales had mean δ18OPand estimated δ18Omarinevalues consistent with18O-depleted, high-latitude waters north of the Gulf Stream, above which a marked decrease in baseline δ18O values occurs. Several individuals, however, had relatively high values that reflected origins in18O-enriched, low-latitude waters below this boundary. Within-tooth δ18OSCranges on the order of 1–2‰ indicated interannual variation in distribution. Different distributions inferred from oxygen isotopes suggest there is not a single killer whale population distributed across the northwest Atlantic, and corroborate dietary and morphological differences of purported ecotypes in the region.
Predictors of glycosylated haemoglobin A1C trend among type 2 diabetes patients in a multi-ethnic country
Authors: Wan Kim Sui , Hairi Noran Naqiah , Mustapha Feisul Idzwan , Mohd Yusof Khalijah , Mohd Ali Zainudin , Moy Foong Ming 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGood control of glycosylated haemoglobin A1C in diabetes patients prevents cardiovascular complications. We aim to describe the A1C trend and determine the predictors of the trend among type 2 diabetes patients in Malaysia. Longitudinal data in the National Diabetes Registry from 2013 to 2017 were analysed using linear mixed-effects modelling. Among 17,592 patients, 56.3% were females, 64.9% Malays, and the baseline mean age was 59.1 years. The U-shaped A1C trend changed marginally from 7.89% in 2013 to 8.07% in 2017. The A1C excess of 1.07% as reported in 2017 represented about 22% higher risk of diabetes-related death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which are potentially preventable. The predictors for higher baseline A1C were non-Chinese ethnicity, younger age groups, longer diabetes duration, patients on insulin treatment, polypharmacy use, patients without hypertension, and patients who were not on antihypertensive agents. Younger age groups predicted a linear increase in the A1C trend, whereas patients on insulin treatment predicted a linear decrease in the A1C trend. Specifically, the younger adults and patients of Indian and Malay ethnicities had the poorest A1C trends. Targeted interventions should be directed at these high-risk groups to improve their A1C control.
Stability of uniformly labeled (13C and 15N) cytochrome c and its L94G mutant
Authors: Naiyer Abdullah , Khan Bushra , Hussain Afzal , Islam Asimul , Alajmi Mohamed F. , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz , Sundd Monica , Ahmad Faizan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCytochrome c (cyt c) is widely used as a model protein to study (i) folding and stability aspects of the protein folding problem and (ii) structure–function relationship from the evolutionary point of view. Databases of cyts c now contain 285 cyt c sequences from different organisms. A sequence alignment of all these proteins with respect to horse cyt c led to several important conclusions. One of them is that Leu94 is always conserved in all 30 mammalian cyts c. It is known that mutation L94G of the wild type (WT) horse cyt c is destabilizing and mutant exists as molten globule under the native condition (buffer pH 6 and 25 °C). We have expressed and purified uniformly labeled (13C and 15N) and unlabeled WT horse cyt c and its L94G mutant. We report that labeling does not affect the thermodynamic stability of proteins. To support this conclusion, the secondary and tertiary structure of each protein in labeled and unlabeled forms was determined by conventional techniques (UV–Vis absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy).