bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transdermal Photothermal Sterilization and Abscess Elimination Research of BSA‐CuS Nanoparticles in vivo
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhao Jing‐Jing , Guo Jia‐Xin , Liu Shuang‐Qing , Li Yang , Wang Xiao‐Yi , Li Rong , Tang Hui‐Qin , Li Zhen‐Yu , Yang Hui‐Fen , Chen Bing 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe treatment of subcutaneous abscess caused by drug‐resistant bacteria is facing great difficulties and receiving more attention. In this work, we employed BSA‐CuS nanoparticles as a photothermal reagent to apply photothermal therapy (PTT) to combat drug‐resistant bacteria in vitro and subcutaneous abscess in vivo. The BSA‐CuS nanoparticles were found to be stable and biocompatible without cytotoxicity toward NIH3T3 and 4T1 cells. In vitro experiments showed that three species of drug‐resistant pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, could be effectively sterilized under co‐incubation with BSA‐CuS nanoparticles and then irradiation with 1064 nm NIR laser via tissue penetration. BSA‐CuS nanoparticles together with 1064 nm NIR laser irradiation could also effectively diminish subcutaneous abscesses caused by drug‐resistant bacteria on mice under PTT and depth PTT without causing any serious side effects and organic damage in vivo.That is OK, thank you!
A scalable solver for a stochastic, hybrid cellular automaton model of personalized breast cancer therapy
Authors: Lai Xiaoran , Taskén Håkon A. , Mo Torgeir , Funke Simon W. , Frigessi Arnoldo , Rognes Marie E. , Köhn‐Luque Alvaro 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMathematical modeling and simulation is a promising approach to personalized cancer medicine. Yet, the complexity, heterogeneity and multi‐scale nature of cancer pose significant computational challenges. Coupling discrete cell‐based models with continuous models using hybrid cellular automata (CA) is a powerful approach for mimicking biological complexity and describing the dynamical exchange of information across different scales. However, when clinically relevant cancer portions are taken into account, such models become computationally very expensive. While efficient parallelization techniques for continuous models exist, their coupling with discrete models, particularly CA, necessitates more elaborate solutions. Building upon FEniCS, a popular and powerful scientific computing platform for solving partial differential equations, we developed parallel algorithms to link stochastic CA with differential equations (https://bitbucket.org/HTasken/cansim). The algorithms minimize the communication between processes that share CA neighborhood values while also allowing for reproducibility during stochastic updates. We demonstrated the potential of our solution on a complex hybrid cellular automaton model of breast cancer treated with combination chemotherapy. On a single‐core processor, we obtained nearly linear scaling with an increasing problem size, whereas weak parallel scaling showed moderate growth in solving time relative to increase in problem size. Finally, we applied the algorithm to a problem that is 500 times larger than previous work, allowing us to run personalized therapy simulations based on heterogeneous cell density and tumor perfusion conditions estimated from magnetic resonance imaging data on an unprecedented scale.
A 10‐bit 1GSample/s hybrid digital‐to‐analog converter with a modified thermometer decoder in 65‐nm CMOS technology
Authors: Ghasemi Razieh , Karami Mohammad Azim 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper proposes a new 10‐bit 1GS/s digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC). In the proposed DAC configuration, a beneficial combination of differential resistor ladder and current sources is utilized to attain a significant reduction of the number of unit current sources. Therefore, the suggested 10‐bit DAC is constructed based on only 21 current sources and 64 unit resistors, which results in a considerable decrease regarding the occupied area and power consumption. Also, a modified 4‐bit thermometer decoder using a low number of transistors, based on SET‐RST D flip‐flops (SR‐DFFs), is offered to drive the unit current sources synchronously. The proposed DAC is simulated in 65‐nm Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The postlayout simulation results indicate the better integral nonlinearity (INL) and differential nonlinearity (DNL) parameters than 0.3 least significant bit (LSB) and 0.6 LSB, respectively. Based on achieved results, the proposed DAC consumes 9.31 mW using a single supply voltage of 1.2 V. Moreover, the spurious‐free dynamic range (SFDR) is above 57 dB over 600‐MHz Nyquist bandwidth, by considering 0.0134 mm2its occupied area.
Downregulation of Grem1 expression in the distal limb mesoderm is a necessary precondition for phalanx development
Authors: Lancman Joseph J. , Hasso Sean M. , Suzuki Takayuki , Kherdjemil Yacine , Kmita Marie , Ferris Andrea , Dong P. Duc S. , Ros Marian A. , Fallon John F. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe phalanges are the final skeletal elements to form in the vertebrate limb and their identity is regulated by signaling at the phalanx forming region (PFR) located at the tip of the developing digit ray. Here, we seek to explore the relationship between PFR activity and phalanx morphogenesis, which define the most distal limb skeletal elements, and signals associated with termination of limb outgrowth.ResultsAs Grem1 is extinguished in the distal chick limb mesoderm, the chondrogenesis marker Aggrecan is up‐regulated in the metatarsals and phalanges. Fate mapping confirms that subridge mesoderm cells contribute to the metatarsal and phalanges when subridge Grem1 is down‐regulated. Grem1 overexpression specifically blocks chick phalanx development by inhibiting PFR activity. PFR activity and digit development are also disrupted following overexpression of a Gli3 repressor, which results in Grem1 expression in the distal limb and downregulation of Bmpr1b.ConclusionsBased on expression and fate mapping studies, we propose that downregulation of Grem1 in the distal limb marks the transition from metatarsal to phalanx development. This suggests that downregulation of Grem1 in the distal limb mesoderm is necessary for phalanx development. Grem1 downregulation allows for full PFR activity and phalanx progenitor cell commitment to digit fate.
Revitalizing mouse diphyodontic dentition formation by inhibiting the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway
Authors: Mao Chuanqing , Lai Yongzhen , Liao Caiyu , Chen Jiangping , Hong Yuhang , Ren Chengyan , Wang Chengyong , Lu Meng , Chen Weihui 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundTooth regeneration depends on the longevity of the dental epithelial lamina. However, the exact mechanism of dental lamina regression has not yet been clarified. To explore the role of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in regression process of the rudimentary successional dental lamina (RSDL) in mice, we orally administered a single dose of a Shh signaling pathway inhibitor to pregnant mice between embryonic day 13.0 (E13.0) and E17.0.ResultsWe observed that the Shh signaling pathway inhibitor effectively inhibited the expression of Shh signaling pathway components and revitalized RSDL during E15.0–E17.0 by promoting cell proliferation. In addition, mRNA‐seq, reverse transcription plus polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), and immunohistochemical analyses indicated that diphyodontic dentition formation might be related to FGF signal up‐regulation and the Sostdc1‐Wnt negative feedback loop.ConclusionsOverall, our results indicated that the Shh signaling pathway may play an initial role in preventing further development of mouse RSDL in a time‐dependent manner.
Diabetic emergencies presenting during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A retrospective case analysis
Authors: Joseph Tobin , Crawley Eleanor , Qamar Sulmaaz , Zosmer Maya , Rayanagoudar Girish , Nethaji Chidambaram , Menon Ravi 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroductionCOVID‐19 has triggered a global pandemic and is an emerging situation. Diabetes has been associated with significant mortality in SARS and MERS‐COV infections. Patients with diabetes are at risk of COVID‐19 triggering diabetic emergencies due to known and unknown mechanisms. There is little evidence overviewing the clinical course of COVID‐19 patients who either present or have diabetic emergencies during their disease course.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case analysis of all patients admitted to our hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The inclusion criteria were all patients receiving treatment for COVID‐19 and either presenting with a diabetic emergency on admission or developing an emergency during their admission. Data collected for the study were all routinely collected data as part of the admission. We compared these data to nine patients with no COVID‐19.ResultsThirty patients received treatment for a diabetic emergency, of which 21 also received treatment for COVID‐19. Significant differences were found between pH and bicarbonate on admission between RT‐PCR‐positive and both RT‐PCR‐negative and non‐COVID‐19 patients. Other results approaching significance include ALP and eGFR.DiscussionPatients suffering from COVID‐19 and diabetes concurrently can suffer from profound metabolic disturbance, with a significant difference in inpatient mortality. However further, prospective detailed investigation into biochemical processes is needed to fully elucidate underlying mechanisms that affect these patients' outcomes.
Survival to intensive care unit discharge among in‐hospital cardiac arrest patients by applying audiovisual feedback device
Authors: Goharani Reza , Vahedian‐Azimi Amir , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin , Amanpour Farzaneh , Rosano Giuseppe M.C. , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimsSurvival rates after in‐hospital cardiac arrest remain very low. Although there is evidence that the use of audiovisual feedback devices can improve compression components, there are no data on patient survival. Therefore, we conducted this study to analyse the survival rate of patients with in‐hospital cardiac arrest after discharge from the intensive care unit.Methods and resultsThis study was a secondary analysis of a prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel study of patients who received either standard manual chest compression or a real‐time feedback device. Parametric and semi‐parametric models were fitted to the data. Different survival time of length of stay was investigated by univariate and multiple analyses. Pearson's correlation between length of stay and hospital length of stay was obtained. A total of 900 patients with a mean survival time of 35 days were included. Intervention was associated with a higher length of stay. Relative time was significant in adjusted fitted log‐normal regression for intervention group, female gender, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the night shift. A positive correlation between length of stay and hospital length of stay was found.ConclusionsImplementation of feedback device improved survival and length of stay. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance during the night shift decreased the survival time, which could be due to the inexperienced staff available outside working hours.
Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,2‐cis‐Glycosyl Sulfones and Their Application in One‐Pot Julia Olefination for the Synthesis of exo‐Glycals
Authors: Oka Natsuhisa , Suzuki Kanna , Mori Ayumi , Ando Kaori 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGlycosyl sulfones are important intermediates in the synthesis of various sugar derivatives. However, their 1,2‐cis‐isomers have not been extensively studied because of lower availability. Herein, we report the highly stereoselective synthesis of heteroaryl‐substituted 1,2‐cis‐glycosyl sulfones via glycosylation of heteroarylthiols and subsequent oxidation by magnesium monoperphthalate. One‐pot Julia olefination using these 1,2‐cis‐glycosyl sulfones was also studied. It furnished thermodynamically less stable (E)‐exo‐glycals with E/Z selectivity of up to 91 : 9.
A flow‐through microfluidic chip for continuous dielectrophoretic separation of viable and non‐viable human T‐cells
Authors: Mustafa Adil , Pedone Elisa , Marucci Lucia , Moschou Despina , Lorenzo Mirella Di 
Published: October 2021

AbstractEffective methods for rapid sorting of cells according to their viability are critical in T cells based therapies to prevent any risk to patients. In this context, we present a novel microfluidic device that continuously separates viable and non‐viable T‐cells according to their dielectric properties. A dielectrophoresis (DEP) force is generated by an array of castellated microelectrodes embedded into a microfluidic channel with a single inlet and two outlets; cells subjected to positive DEP forces are drawn toward the electrodes array and leave from the top outlet, those subjected to negative DEP forces are repelled away from the electrodes and leave from the bottom outlet. Computational fluid dynamics is used to predict the device separation efficacy, according to the applied alternative current (AC) frequency, at which the cells move from/to a negative/positive DEP region and the ionic strength of the suspension medium. The model is used to support the design of the operational conditions, confirming a separation efficiency, in terms of purity, of 96% under an applied AC frequency of 1.5 × 106 Hz and a flow rate of 20 μl/h. This work represents the first example of effective continuous sorting of viable and non‐viable human T‐cells in a single‐inlet microfluidic chip, paving the way for lab‐on‐a‐chip applications at the point of need.
Infantile‐onset myoclonic developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: A new RARS2 phenotype
Authors: de Valles‐Ibáñez Guillem , Hildebrand Michael S. , Bahlo Melanie , King Chontelle , Coleman Matthew , Green Timothy E. , Goldsmith John , Davis Suzanne , Gill Deepak , Mandelstam Simone , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Sadleir Lynette G. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRecessive variants in RARS2, a nuclear gene encoding a mitochondrial protein, were initially reported in pontocerebellar hypoplasia. Subsequently, a recessive RARS2 early‐infantile (<12 weeks) developmental and epileptic encephalopathy was described with hypoglycaemia and lactic acidosis. Here, we describe two unrelated patients with a novel RARS2 phenotype and reanalyse the published RARS2 epilepsy phenotypes and variants. Our novel cases had infantile‐onset myoclonic developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, presenting with a progressive movement disorder from 9 months on a background of normal development. Development plateaued and regressed thereafter, with mild to profound impairment. Multiple drug‐resistant generalized and focal seizures occurred with episodes of non‐convulsive status epilepticus. Seizure types included absence, atonic, myoclonic, and focal seizures. Electroencephalograms showed diffuse slowing, multifocal, and generalised spike‐wave activity, activated by sleep. Both patients had compound heterozygous RARS2 variants with likely impact on splicing and transcription. Remarkably, of the now 52 RARS2 variants reported in 54 patients, our reanalysis found that 44 (85%) have been shown to or are predicted to affect splicing or gene expression leading to protein truncation or nonsense‐mediated decay. We expand the RARS2 phenotypic spectrum to include infantile encephalopathy and suggest this gene is enriched for pathogenic variants that disrupt splicing.
Changes in the vegetation cover of transgressive dune fields: A case study in Cape Woolamai, Victoria
Authors: Gao Jinjuan , Kennedy David M. , Konlechner Teresa M. , McSweeney Sarah , Chiaradia Andre , McGuirk Marita 
Published: November 2021

AbstractChanges in vegetation cover and dune mobility of Woolamai dune fields on the southeast coast of Australia were quantified based on a time series of aerial imagery (1939 to 2020). Results showed that the dune fields have shifted from nearly all bare sand (with <5% vegetation cover) to a new quasi‐equilibrium state, being almost fully stabilized by vegetation (>80%) from 1939 to 2020. Three temporal stages of vegetation change were identified, namely: (I) early expansion over 1939–1975; (II) rapid growth from 1976 to 2010; and (III) recent ‘quasi‐equilibrium’ state in 2010–2020. In stage I, complex impacts of climate and human activities co‐existed with uncertainty of the dominant factor. In this early stage, vegetation growth was constrained to the low and sheltered areas, indicating the influence of topography. Rapid vegetation growth took place in 1976–2010 (stage II), during which a re‐vegetation programme combined with favourable climate conditions promoted vegetation growth. In the last decade (stage III), vegetation might have reached a new quasi‐equilibrium when the vegetation almost reached a maximum. The slight loss of vegetation could be attributed to weed control and an unfavourable climate for growth (drier and windier) in Woolamai dune fields.This study showed that variations in vegetation cover and dune mobility through time are not simply linked to a single factor but depend on the occurrence of multiple factors (e.g. topography, climate and human activities) that promote stability, or alternatively, mobility of the dune system. This research contributes to expanding our understanding of the complexity of the bio‐geomorphologic dynamics in dune fields. It also provides detailed observational evidence for the historical trajectory of vegetation expansion from the bare dune fields to a fully stabilized state, which can be used to verify and refine models for other similar dune sites.
Recombinant lactic acid bacteria as promising vectors for mucosal vaccination
Authors: Qiao Nan , Du Guangsheng , Zhong Xiaofang , Sun Xun 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLactic acid bacteria (LAB), a diverse family of gram‐positive bacteria, has been proven effective in delivering varieties of therapeutic and prophylactic molecules such as antigens and cytokines. Featuring the properties of acid‐resistant, high uptake into Peyer's patches, and superior capacity for inducing secretory IgA antibodies, LAB have good potential to be used as vaccine vectors for mucosal vaccination. Mucosal immunization enables both mucosal and systemic immune responses, which are critical for resisting pathogens that invade the host through the mucosal surfaces. With the development of genetic engineering, LAB strains, primarily Lactococcus and Lactobacillus have been exploited to express a range of heterologous antigens. Numerous studies have demonstrated that LAB mucosal vaccines can stimulate all arms of the immune system to provide adequate protection against pathogen infections. Additionally, several LAB‐based human papillomavirus vaccines have entered the clinical trial studies, which suggest the great promise of LAB vaccines for new interventions in mucosal transport diseases. Herein, we will discuss the factors that influence the immunogenicity of LAB vaccines, including LAB strains, the location of antigens, and administration routes, and focus on the current strategies that have been reported for optimizing LAB vaccines.
Rationally designed modular drug delivery platform based on intracellular peptide self‐assembly
Authors: An Hong‐Wei , Mamuti Muhetaerjiang , Wang Xiaofeng , Yao Haodong , Wang Man‐Di , Zhao Lina , Li Li‐Li 
Published: October 2021

AbstractModulated molecular design‐based intracellular self‐assembly strategy has showed great potentiality in drug delivery, due to its assembling nature‐resulted optimized drug biodistribution and metabolism. The modular designing concept endows the delivery system multiple functions, such as, selectivity and universality to improve the pharmacokinetics of loaded drugs. However, the accurate controlling of the self‐assembling process in desired site to achieve optimal drug delivery is posed great challenges toward rational molecular design. Here, we fabricated a modulated drug‐delivery system (MDS) through intracellular peptide self‐assembly to realize effective drug delivery. MDS was designed based on modulated molecular designing strategy which contains five functional motifs and effectively transformed into fibrous nanostructures inside target cells by caspase3/7 hydrolysis directed in situ self‐assembly. The experimental studies and molecular simulations were carried out to evaluate the successful construction and delivering efficacy of MDS. According to the experimental results and molecular simulation analysis, the percentage of solvent‐exposed surface area of assembling modular (KLVFFAE), as well as its non‐covalent interaction between four other modules synergeticly decide the solubility of molecules. The weak intramolecular forces of the peptide back bone, such as, hydrogen bond, as well as multivalent interactions of the side chains such as, salt bridge and hydrophobic interaction both contribute to the self‐assembly of the molecules. The significant structural difference between delivering molecules optimize the system to adapt hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Finally, the predicted drug delivery molecule specifically recognizes targeted cancer cell lines and self‐assembles to form fibers intracellularly, resulting in prolonged drug retention and accumulation. The regular prediction and rational molecular design will benefit the further construction and optimization of modulated drug delivery platform.
Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on vegetable production systems and livelihoods: Smallholder farmer experiences in Burkina Faso
Authors: Middendorf B. Jan , Traoré Hamidou , Middendorf Gerad , Jha Prakash K. , Yonli Djibril , Palé Siébou , Prasad P.V. Vara 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAt the onset of COVID‐19, researchers quickly recognized the need for research on the consequences of the pandemic for agricultural and food systems, both in terms of immediate impacts on access to inputs and labor, disruptions in transportation and markets, and the longer‐term implications on crop productivity, income, and livelihoods. Vegetable production and supply chains are particularly vulnerable due to the perishable nature of the products and labor‐intensive production practices. The purpose of this study was to understand the impacts of COVID‐19 on vegetable production in Burkina Faso in terms of both the biophysical aspects such as yields and access to inputs and socioeconomic aspects such as access to labor, markets, and social services. A survey was developed to better understand smallholder farmer experiences regarding the impacts of COVID‐19 on their vegetable production systems and social well‐being. The survey was administered (between August and October 2020) with smallholder farmers (n= 605) in 13 administrative regions covering all agroecological zones of Burkina Faso. The survey results clearly show impacts of COVID‐19 on vegetable systems, including a reduction in access to inputs, a reduction in yields, a loss of income, reduced access to local and urban markets, reduced access to transportation, and an increase in post‐harvest loss. Market access, distribution, and disruptions were a major shock to the system. Results also showed an increase in women's labor in the household, and for youth, an increase in unemployment, job loss, and concerns of poverty. Finally, food security and social supports were highlighted as major issues for resilience and livelihoods. The results from this survey should be helpful to policymakers and researchers to develop policies and strategies to minimize the negative impacts of this ongoing pandemic on the agri‐food systems and support smallholder farmers to overcome stress caused by COVID‐19.