bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profiling of Primary and Mature miRNA Expression in Atherosclerosis-Associated Cell Types
Authors: Moreau Pierre R. , Tomas Bosch Vanesa , Bouvy-Liivrand Maria , Õunap Kadri , Örd Tiit , Pulkkinen Heidi H. , Pölönen Petri , Heinäniemi Merja , Ylä-Herttuala Seppo , Laakkonen Johanna P. , Linna-Kuosmanen Suvi , Kaikkonen Minna U. 
Published: May 2021

Objective:
Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of most cardiovascular diseases. The main cell types associated with disease progression in the vascular wall are endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. Although their role in atherogenesis has been extensively described, molecular mechanisms underlying gene expression changes remain unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize microRNA (miRNA)-related regulatory mechanisms taking place in the aorta during atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results:
We analyzed the miRNA expression changes in primary human aortic endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human aortic smooth muscle cells, and macrophages (CD14+) under various proatherogenic stimuli by integrating GRO-seq, miRNA-seq, and RNA-seq data. Despite the highly cell-type-specific expression of multi-variant primary miRNAs, the majority of mature miRNAs were found to be common to all cell types and dominated by 2 to 5 abundant miRNA species. We demonstrate that transcription contributes significantly to the mature miRNA levels although this is dependent on miRNA stability. An analysis of miRNA effects in relation to target mRNA pools highlighted pathways and targets through which miRNAs could affect atherogenesis in a cell-type-dependent manner. Finally, we validate miR-100-5p as a cell-type specific regulator of inflammatory and HIPPO-YAP/TAZ-pathways.

Conclusions:
This integrative approach allowed us to characterize miRNA dynamics in response to a proatherogenic stimulus and identify potential mechanisms by which miRNAs affect atherogenesis in a cell-type-specific manner.
Reversible Edema in the Penumbra Correlates With Severity of Hypoperfusion
Authors: Scheldeman Lauranne , Wouters Anke , Dupont Patrick , Christensen Soren , Boutitie Florent , Cheng Bastian , Ebinger Martin , Endres Matthias , Fiebach Jochen B. , Gerloff Christian , Muir Keith W. , Nighoghossian Norbert , Pedraza Salvador , Simonsen Claus Z. , Ringelstein Erich B. , Chamorro Angel , Grond Martin , Laage Rico , Schneider Armin , Thomalla Götz , Thijs Vincent , Lemmens Robin 
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose:
We aimed to investigate fluid-attenuated inversion recovery changes in the penumbra.

Methods:

We determined core and perfusion lesions in subjects from the WAKE-UP trial (Efficacy and Safety of MRI-Based Thrombolysis in Wake-Up Stroke) and AXIS 2 trial (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke) with perfusion- and diffusion-weighted imaging at baseline. Only subjects with a mismatch volume >15 mL and ratio >1.2 were included. We created voxel-based relative fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal intensity (rFLAIR SI) maps at baseline and follow-up. We studied rFLAIR SI in 2 regions of interest: baseline penumbra (baseline perfusion lesion−[core lesion+voxels with apparent diffusion coefficient <620 10
−6
mm
2
/s]) and noninfarcted penumbra (baseline perfusion lesion−follow-up fluid-attenuated inversion recovery lesion) at 24 hours (WAKE-UP) or 30 days (AXIS 2). We analyzed the association between rFLAIR SI and severity of hypoperfusion, defined as time to maximum of the residue function.

Results:

In the baseline penumbra, rFLAIR SI was elevated (ratio, 1.04;
P
=1.7×10
−
13
; n=126) and correlated with severity of hypoperfusion (Pearson r, 0.03;
P
<1.0×10
−
4
; n=126). In WAKE-UP, imaging at 24 hours revealed a further increase of rFLAIR SI in the noninfarcted penumbra (ratio, 1.05 at 24 hours versus 1.03 at baseline;
P
=7.1×10
−3
; n=43). In AXIS 2, imaging at 30 days identified reversibility of the rFLAIR SI (ratio, 1.02 at 30 days versus 1.04 at baseline;
P
=1.5×10
−3
; n=26) since it was no longer different from 1 (ratio, 1.01 at 30 days;
P
=0.099; n=26).

Conclusions:
Penumbral rFLAIR SI increases appear early after stroke onset, correlate with severity of hypoperfusion, further increase at 24 hours, and are reversible by 30 days.

Registration:

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01525290. URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00927836.
Orange & Teal
Authors: Koenderink Jan , van Doorn Andrea 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
‘Orange & Teal’ has become the preferred ‘look’ of the Hollywood movie industry. Is this craze just another arbitrary fashion? Possibly not, because ‒ apart from the name ‒ this palette has been around for ages in the visual arts. It is variously known as ‘painting in cool and warm,’ drawing a trois croyons, use of a ‘limited palette,’ and so forth. This leaves open the question of whether there might be one or more fundamental reasons for the preference for this particular dichromatic pair. Why not yellow–blue, red–turquoise, or green–purple? Reasons might be sought in human anatomy/physiology, physics of surface scattering, or the ecology of the human Umwelt. An in-depth analysis reveals that all these factors cooperate to render the orange & teal complementary palette indeed special. It involves world, body and mind and has to be understood in a proper semiotical (biological) setting.
Digitalization and Enrichment of the Նոր Բառգիրք Հայկազեան Լեզուի: Work in Progress for Armenian Lexicography
Authors: Vidal-Gorène Chahan , Decours-Perez Aliénor , Queuche Baptiste , Ouzounian Agnès , Riccioli Thomas 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The Nor Baṙgirk‘ Haykazean Lezui (1836–1837) is an unilingual dictionary of Classical Armenian, considered as the work of reference in the field of Armenian lexicography. In this paper, we introduce an ongoing project of digitization and enhancement of this work, in order to build a comprehensive and multilingual database for Classical Armenian. Our paper is focused on the methodology applied to update the content and the different process of “Character Recognition”, “Text Analysis” and the crowdsourcing of works. We define our work and outline the challenges we had to overcome to continue the work of erudition in Armenian lexicography.
Elżbieta Święcicka and her Affaire de Coeur with an Armenian Literary Figure and his Dictionary
Authors: Bakhchinyan Artsvi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Armenian Philologist, writer, and cultural Armenologist Artsvi Bakhchinyan interviews Polish researcher of Turkic languages at Uppsala University in Sweden, Elżbieta Święcicka. This interview takes place during the recent war waged attack on the people of Artsakh by the Azeri and Turkish governemnts in the fall of 2020. Bakhchinyan’s interview delves into significant questions around language, authorship, and translation as it connects to the intercultural relations between Armenians and Turks from the medieval to the contemporary period.
Evolution of the Tropical Response to Periodic Extratropical Thermal Forcing
Authors: Shin Yechul , Kang Sarah M. , Takahashi Ken , Stuecker Malte F. , Hwang Yen-Ting , Kim Doyeon 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study examines the temporal evolution of the extratropically forced tropical response in an idealized aquaplanet model under equinox condition. We apply a surface thermal forcing in the northern extratropics that oscillates periodically in time. It is shown that tropical precipitation is unaltered by sufficiently high-frequency extratropical forcing. This sensitivity to the extratropical forcing periodicity arises from the critical time required for sea surface temperature (SST) adjustment. Low-frequency extratropical forcing grants sufficient time for atmospheric transient eddies to diffuse moist static energy to perturb the mid-latitude SSTs outside the forcing region, as demonstrated by a one-dimensional energy balance model with a fixed diffusivity. As the transient eddies weaken in the subtropics, a further equatorward advection is accomplished by the Hadley circulation. The essential role of Hadley cell advection in connecting the subtropical signal to the equatorial region is supported by an idealized thermodynamical-advective model. Associated with the SST changes in the tropics is a meridional shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Since the time needed for SST adjustment increases with increasing mixed layer depth, the critical forcing period at which the extratropical forcing can affect the tropics scales linearly with the mixed layer depth. Our results highlight the important role of decadal-and-longer extratropical climate variability in shaping the tropical climate system. We also raise the possibility that the transient behavior of a tropical response forced by extratropical variability may be strongly dependent on cloud radiative effects.
Long-Lived Mesoscale Convective Systems over Eastern South Africa
Authors: Morake D. M. , Blamey R. C. , Reason C. J. C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA climatology of large, long-lived mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) over eastern South Africa for the extended austral summer (September–April) from 1985 to 2008 is presented. On average, 63 MCSs occur here in summer, but with considerable interannual variability in frequency. The systems mainly occur between November and March, with a December peak. This seasonal cycle in MCS activity is shown to coincide with favorable CAPE and vertical shear profiles across the domain. Most systems tend to occur along the eastern escarpment and adjacent warm waters of the northern Agulhas Current with a nocturnal life cycle. Typically, initiation begins in the early afternoon, MCS status is reached midafternoon, maximum extent early in the night, and termination around midnight or shortly thereafter. It is found that most MCSs initiate over land, but systems that initiate over the ocean tend to last longer than those that develop over land. The results also show that there are differences in the seasonal cycle between continental and oceanic MCSs, with oceanic systems containing two intraseasonal peaks (December and April). There is a relatively strong positive relationship between the southern annular mode (SAM) and early summer MCS frequency. For the late summer, the frequency of MCSs appears related to the strength of the Mascarene high and Mozambique Channel trough, which modulate the inflow of moisture into eastern South Africa and the stability of the lower atmosphere over the region.
Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different diameters on morphology and thermal and mechanical properties of flexible polyurethane foams
Authors: Yang Fukai , Xie Miao , Yudi Zhang , Xu Xinyu 
Published: May 2021

We report flexible polyurethane foams (PUFs) containing –OH functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different diameters (10–20 nm, 20–30 nm, >50 nm) from 0.1–0.6 wt% (per 100 resins of polyol by weight) prepared via in situ polymerization. After synthesis, the morphology of the MWCNT/PUF composites was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) based on MWCNT amount. The MWCNTs acted as nucleating agents and increased the matrix viscosity. The pore size of the composites decreased and the number of pores increased with increasing MWCNT concentration. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that the storage modulus of the composites increased, the loss modulus decreased, and the Tg gradually decreased with increasing MWCNT content. The incorporation of MWCNTs induced remarkable thermal stabilization of the matrix. The increase in the degradation temperature from 294°C to 304°C resulted in a 50% weight loss. The mechanical properties of the MWCNT/PUF materials increased with increasing MWCNT proportion because of the excellent compatibility and strong interface interaction between the MWCNT and flexible PUF.
Real-world effectiveness and tolerability of Zelesse cream® for treating vulvovaginitis in adult women: an observational, prospective study
Authors: Masero Ana Rosa , Frutos Luís Manuel San , Vizcaíno Ernesto , Palma María , Velasco-Ortega Syra , Nieto Concepción 
Published: May 2021

Objective To assess the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of a vaginal cream based on plant extracts for treating signs and symptoms of vulvovaginitis (VV) (Zelesse cream®), either as monotherapy (non-infectious VV) or adjuvant to antimicrobial therapy (infectious VV). Methods This prospective, observational, multicenter study included women who attended outpatient offices for VV. The severity of signs (vaginal discharge, erythema, and edema) and symptoms (pruritus, burning, and dysuria) was assessed before and after 15±5 days of daily treatment with Zelesse cream on a 4-point scale (18-point global score). Results The study included 58 women aged 43.0±13.2 years, including 42 who were treated with Zelesse cream only and 16 who used Zelesse cream as adjuvant to antimicrobial therapy. All participants showed significantly reduced scores and absolute prevalence of individual signs and symptoms in both groups. Similarly, the median signs/symptoms decreased by 4.0 and 8.0 points in women using Zelesse only and those using Zelesse plus antimicrobial therapy, respectively. This product was well tolerated and had high acceptability. Conclusions Zelesse cream relieves signs and symptoms of VV, either as monotherapy in non-infectious VV or as adjuvant to antimicrobial therapy in infectious VV. Future randomized, placebo-controlled trials with larger sample sizes are warranted.
Diagnostic utility of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay versus conventional methods for diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Elbrolosy Asmaa Mohammed , El Helbawy Rana H. , Mansour Osama M. , Latif Reda Abdel 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundTuberculosis (T.B) is one of the major infectious diseases in the developing countries. The diagnosis of extrapulmonary T.B (EPTB) remains problematic and emergence of resistant strains poses a significant threat. Improved diagnosis of tuberculosis is a global priority for proper control. The study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for diagnosis of pulmonary TB (PTB) and EPTB and to evaluate the performance of GeneXpert system for demonstrating rifampicin resistance among the studied patients.MethodsA total of 582 clinical samples (449 pulmonary; 430 sputum and 19 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and 133 extra-pulmonary origins; 26 pleural fluid, 62 CSF, 19 ascetic fluid, 12 pus and 14 urine) were collected from patients under clinical and radiological assessment of either PTB or EPTB who were admitted to Menoufia Chest Hospital over a period of three years. Clinical samples were processed and investigated for detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) by both Xpert assay and the conventional methods including Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN)/acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear microscopy and Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture. Patients′ demographic, clinical characteristics and risk factors for acquiring rifampicin resistance were analyzed.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, false- negative rate and total accuracy of AFB smear microscopy respectively were 72.1 %, 81.3 %, 27.9 and 78.8 % for PTB. However for EPTB, they were 63.2 %, 70.5 %, 36.8 and 68.4 % respectively in relation to LJ culture as the gold standard. GeneXpert MTB/RIF revealed better performance for PTB than EPTB. For PTB, it showed 90.2 % sensitivity, 86.9 % specificity, and 9.8 % false- negative rate. For EPTB, the assay showed a sensitivity of 81.6 %, specificity of 78.9 % and false- negative rate of 18.5 %. Multivariate regression analysis showed that presence of EPTB and contacts with known TB cases were independent risk factors for developing rifampicin resistance.ConclusionsGeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is a rapid and highly sensitive technique for diagnosis of PTB or EPTB. Its simplicity and accuracy make this new method a very impressive tool for diagnosis of MTB and rifampicin resistance.
Combining transposon mutagenesis and reporter genes to identify novel regulators of the topA promoter in Streptomyces
Authors: Gongerowska-Jac Martyna , Szafran Marcin Jan , Jakimowicz Dagmara 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Identifying the regulatory factors that control transcriptional activity is a major challenge of gene expression studies. Here, we describe the application of a novel approach for in vivo identification of regulatory proteins that may directly or indirectly control the transcription of a promoter of interest in Streptomyces.

Results
A method based on the combination of Tn5 minitransposon-driven random mutagenesis and lux reporter genes was applied for the first time for the Streptomyces genus. As a proof of concept, we studied the topA supercoiling-sensitive promoter, whose activity is dependent on unknown regulatory factors. We found that the sco4804 gene product positively influences topA transcription in S. coelicolor, demonstrating SCO4804 as a novel player in the control of chromosome topology in these bacteria.

Conclusions
Our approach allows the identification of novel Streptomyces regulators that may be critical for the regulation of gene expression in these antibiotic-producing bacteria.
Risk of cardiovascular mortality, stroke and coronary heart mortality associated with aircraft noise around Congonhas airport, São Paulo, Brazil: a small-area study
Authors: Roca-Barceló Aina , Nardocci Adelaide , de Aguiar Breno Souza , Ribeiro Adeylson G. , Failla Marcelo Antunes , Hansell Anna L. , Cardoso Maria Regina , Piel Frédéric B. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Noise pollution is increasingly recognised as a public health hazard, yet limited evidence is available from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly for specific sources. Here, we investigated the association between day-night average (Ldn) aircraft noise and the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) at small-area level around São Paulo‘s Congonhas airport, Brazil during the period 2011–2016.

Methods
We selected 3259 census tracts across 16 districts partially or entirely exposed to ≥50 dB aircraft noise levels around the Congonhas airport, using pre-modelled 5 dB Ldn noise bands (≤50 dB to > 65 dB). We estimated the average noise exposure per census tract using area-weighting. Age, sex and calendar year-specific death counts for CVD, stroke and CHD were calculated by census tract, according to the residential address at time of death. We fitted Poisson regression models to quantify the risk associated with aircraft noise exposure, adjusting for age, sex, calendar year and area-level covariates including socioeconomic development, ethnicity, smoking and road traffic related noise and air pollution.

Results
After accounting for all covariates, areas exposed to the highest levels of noise (> 65 dB) showed a relative risk (RR) for CVD and CHD of 1.06 (95% CI: 0.94; 1.20) and 1.11 (95%CI: 0.96; 1.27), respectively, compared to those exposed to reference noise levels (≤50 dB). The RR for stroke ranged between 1.05 (95%CI: 0.95;1.16) and 0.91 (95%CI: 0.78;1.11) for all the noise levels assessed. We found a statistically significant positive trend for CVD and CHD mortality risk with increasing levels of noise (p = 0.043 and p = 0.005, respectively). No significant linear trend was found for stroke. Risk estimates were generally higher after excluding road traffic density, suggesting that road traffic air and noise pollution are potentially important confounders.

Conclusions
This study provides some evidence that aircraft noise is associated with increased risk of CVD and CHD mortality in a middle-income setting. More research is needed to validate these results in other LMIC settings and to further explore the influence of residual confounding and ecological bias. Remarkably, 60% of the study population living near the Congonhas airport (~ 1.5 million) were exposed to aircraft noise levels > 50 dB, well above those recommended by the WHO (45 dB), highlighting the need for public health interventions.
Prognostic value of regional lymph node involvement in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: palliative versus curative resection
Authors: Kuo Ya-Ting , Tsai Wen-Sy , Hung Hsin-Yuan , Hsieh Pao-Shiu , Chiang Sum-Fu , Lai Cheng-Chou , Chern Yih-Jong , Hsu Yu-Jen , You Jeng-Fu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Approximately 20% of patients with colorectal cancer are initially diagnosed with stage IV disease. This study aims to examine the role of regional lymph node (LN) status in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with respect to clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes.

Methods
We investigated 1147 patients diagnosed with mCRC and had undergone surgical resection of the primary CRC. A total of 167 patients were placed in the LN-negative (LN−) group and another 980 in the LN-positive (LN+) group.

Results
LN+ patients exhibited a significantly higher rate of T4 tumors (p = 0.008), poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001), and perineural invasion (p < 0.001) than those in the LN− group. LN− patients had a significantly higher rate of lung metastasis (p < 0.001), whereas the rate of peritoneal seeding (p < 0.001) and systemic node metastasis (p < 0.001) was both significantly higher in the LN+ group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) in the LN+ group was significantly poorer than that in the LN− group (LN− vs. LN+ 23.2% vs. 18.1%; p = 0.040). In patients with curative resection, the 5-year OS rate has no significant difference between the two groups (LN− vs. LN+ 19.5% vs. 24.3%; p = 0.890).

Conclusions
Metastatic CRC patients with LN+ who underwent primary tumor resection may present with more high-risk pathological features, more peritoneal seeding, and systemic node metastasis, but less lung metastasis than LN− patients. LN+ patients had poorer long-term outcomes compared with that in LN− patients. Nevertheless, with curative resection, LN+ patients could have similar survival outcomes as LN− patients.