bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dorsal raphe serotonin neurotransmission is required for the expression of nursing behavior and for pup survival
Authors: Muzerelle Aude , Soiza-Reilly Mariano , Hainer Cornelia , Ruet Pierre-Louis , Lesch Klaus-Peter , Bader Michael , Alenina Natalia , Scotto-Lomassese Sophie , Gaspar Patricia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProper maternal care is an essential factor of reproductive success in mammals, involving a repertoire of behaviors oriented toward the feeding and care of the offspring. Among the neurotransmitters involved in the initiation of these behaviors, serotonin (5-HT) seems to play an important role. Here we compared pup-oriented maternal behaviors in mice with constitutive 5-HT depletion, the tryptophan hydroxylase 2-knock-out (Tph2-KO) and the Pet1-KO mice. We report that the only common pup-oriented defect in these 2 hyposerotoninergic models is a defective nursing in parturient mice and altered nursing-like (crouching) behavior in virgin mice, while pup retrieval defects are only present in Tph2-KO. Despite a normal mammary gland development and milk production, the defect in appropriate nursing is responsible for severe growth retardation and early lethality of pups born to hyposerotonergic dams. This nursing defect is due to acute rather constitutive 5-HT depletion, as it is reproduced by adult knockdown of Tph2 in the dorsal raphe nucleus in mothers with a prior normal maternal experience. We conclude that 5-HT innervation from the dorsal raphe is required for both the initiation and maintenance of a normal nursing behavior. Our findings may be related to observations of reduced maternal/infant interactions in human depression.
Electrically programmable magnetoresistance in $$\text{AlO}_{x}$$-based magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Hong Jhen-Yong , Hung Chen-Feng , Yang Kui-Hon Ou , Chiu Kuan-Chia , Ling Dah-Chin , Chiang Wen-Chung , Lin Minn-Tsong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe report spin-dependent transport properties and I–V hysteresis characteristics in an $$\text{AlO}_{x}$$

AlO
x

-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The bipolar resistive switching and the magnetoresistances measured at high resistance state (HRS) and low resistance state (LRS) yield four distinctive resistive states in a single device. The temperature dependence of resistance at LRS suggests that the resistive switching is not triggered by the metal filaments within the $$\text{AlO}_{x}$$

AlO
x

layer. The role played by oxygen vacancies in $$\text{AlO}_{x}$$

AlO
x

is the key to determine the resistive state. Our study reveals the possibility of controlling the multiple resistive states in a single $$\text{AlO}_{x}$$

AlO
x

-based MTJ by the interplay of both electric and magnetic fields, thus providing potential applications for future multi-bit memory devices.
Fast Holocene slip and localized strain along the Liquiñe-Ofqui strike-slip fault system, Chile
Authors: Astudillo-Sotomayor Luis , Jara-Muñoz Julius , Melnick Daniel , Cortés-Aranda Joaquín , Tassara Andrés , Strecker Manfred R. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn active tectonic settings dominated by strike-slip kinematics, slip partitioning across subparallel faults is a common feature; therefore, assessing the degree of partitioning and strain localization is paramount for seismic hazard assessments. Here, we estimate a slip rate of 18.8 ± 2.0 mm/year over the past 9.0 ± 0.1 ka for a single strand of the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault System, which straddles the Main Cordillera in Southern Chile. This Holocene rate accounts for ~ 82% of the trench-parallel component of oblique plate convergence and is similar to million-year estimates integrated over the entire fault system. Our results imply that strain localizes on a single fault at millennial time scale but over longer time scales strain localization is not sustained. The fast millennial slip rate in the absence of historical Mw > 6.5 earthquakes along the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault System implies either a component of aseismic slip or Mw ~ 7 earthquakes involving multi-trace ruptures and > 150-year repeat times. Our results have implications for the understanding of strike-slip fault system dynamics within volcanic arcs and seismic hazard assessments.
Biomechanical influence of the surgical approaches, implant length and density in stabilizing ankylosing spondylitis cervical spine fracture
Authors: Liu Yaoyao , Wang Zhong , Liu Mingyong , Yin Xiang , Liu Jiming , Zhao Jianhua , Liu Peng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAnkylosing spondylitis cervical spine fractures (ASCFs) are particularly unstable and need special consideration when selecting appropriate internal fixation technology. However, there is a lack of related biomechanical studies. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical influence of the pattern, length, and density of instrumentation for the treatment of ASCF. Posterior, anterior, and various combined fixation approaches were constructed using the finite element model (FEM) to mimic the surgical treatment of ASCFs at C5/6. The rate of motion change (RMC) at the fractured level and the internal stress distribution (ISD) were observed. The results showed that longer segments of fixation and combined fixation approaches provided better stability and lowered the maximal stress. The RMC decreased more significantly when the length increased from 1 to 3 levels (302% decrease under flexion, 134% decrease under extension) than from 3 to 5 levels (22% decrease under flexion, 23% decrease under extension). Longer fixation seems to be more stable with the anterior/posterior approach alone, but 3-level posterior fixation may be the most cost-effective option. It is recommended to perform surgery with combined approaches, which provide the best stability. Long skipped-screwing posterior fixation is an alternative technique for use in ASCF patients.
Intracellular detection and communication of a wireless chip in cell
Authors: Yang Mimi X. , Hu Xiaolin , Akin Demir , Poon Ada , Wong H.-S Philip 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe rapid growth and development of technology has had significant implications for healthcare, personalized medicine, and our understanding of biology. In this work, we leverage the miniaturization of electronics to realize the first demonstration of wireless detection and communication of an electronic device inside a cell. This is a significant forward step towards a vision of non-invasive, intracellular wireless platforms for single-cell analyses. We demonstrate that a 25 $$\upmu $$
μ
m wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) device can not only be taken up by a mammalian cell but can also be detected and specifically identified externally while located intracellularly. The S-parameters and power delivery efficiency of the electronic communication system is quantified before and after immersion in a biological environment; the results show distinct electrical responses for different RFID tags, allowing for classification of cells by examining the electrical output noninvasively. This versatile platform can be adapted for realization of a broad modality of sensors and actuators. This work precedes and facilitates the development of long-term intracellular real-time measurement systems for personalized medicine and furthering our understanding of intrinsic biological behaviors. It helps provide an advanced technique to better assess the long-term evolution of cellular physiology as a result of drug and disease stimuli in a way that is not feasible using current methods.
Cardiorespiratory synchronisation and systolic blood pressure correlation of peripheral arterial stiffness during endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
Authors: Muneyasu Toshifumi , Hirano Harutoyo , Furui Akira , Soh Zu , Nakamura Ryuji , Saeki Noboru , Okada Yoshiyuki , Kawamoto Masashi , Yoshizumi Masao , Yoshino Atsuo , Sasaoka Takafumi , Yamawaki Shigeto , Tsuji Toshio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMuscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is known as an effective measure to evaluate peripheral sympathetic activity; however, it requires invasive measurement with the microneurography method. In contrast, peripheral arterial stiffness affected by MSNA is a measure that allows non-invasive evaluation of mechanical changes of arterial elasticity. This paper aims to clarify the features of peripheral arterial stiffness to determine whether it inherits MSNA features towards non-invasive evaluation of its activity. To this end, we propose a method to estimate peripheral arterial stiffness $$\beta$$
β
at a high sampling rate. Power spectral analysis of the estimated $$\beta$$
β
was then performed on data acquired from 15 patients ($$23.7 \pm 9.0$$

23.7
±
9.0

years) who underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. We examined whether $$\beta$$
β
exhibited the features of MSNA where its frequency components synchronise with heart and respiration rates and correlates with the low-frequency component of systolic blood pressure. Regression analysis revealed that the local peak frequency in the range of heartbeat frequency highly correlate with the heart rate ($$R^{2}=0.85$$

R
2

=
0.85

, $$p=6.3\times 10^{-13}$$

p
=
6.3
×

10

-
13

) where the regression slope was approximately 1 and intercept was approximately 0. Frequency analysis then found spectral peaks of $$\beta$$
β
approximately 0.2 Hz that correspond to the respiratory cycle. Finally, cross power spectral analysis showed a significant magnitude squared coherence between $$\beta$$
β
and systolic blood pressure in the frequency band from 0.04 to 0.2 Hz. These results indicate that $$\beta$$
β
inherits the features observed in MSNA that require invasive measurements, and thus $$\beta$$
β
can be an effective non-invasive substitution for MSNA measure.
NG2/CSPG4, CD146/MCAM and VAP1/AOC3 are regulated by myocardin-related transcription factors in smooth muscle cells
Authors: Rippe Catarina , Morén Björn , Liu Li , Stenkula Karin G. , Mustaniemi Johan , Wennström Malin , Swärd Karl 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe present work addressed the hypothesis that NG2/CSPG4, CD146/MCAM, and VAP1/AOC3 are target genes of myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, MRTF-B/MKL2) and serum response factor (SRF). Using a bioinformatics approach, we found that CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 correlate with MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, and SRF across human tissues. No other transcription factor correlated as strongly with these transcripts as SRF. Overexpression of MRTFs increased both mRNA and protein levels of CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 in cultured human smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Imaging confirmed increased staining for CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 in MRTF-A/MKL1-transduced cells. MRTFs exert their effects through SRF, and the MCAM and AOC3 gene loci contained binding sites for SRF. SRF silencing reduced the transcript levels of these genes, and time-courses of induction paralleled the direct target ACTA2. MRTF-A/MKL1 increased the activity of promoter reporters for MCAM and AOC3, and transcriptional activation further depended on the chromatin remodeling enzyme KDM3A. CSPG4, MCAM, and AOC3 responded to the MRTF-SRF inhibitor CCG-1423, to actin dynamics, and to ternary complex factors. Coincidental detection of these proteins should reflect MRTF-SRF activity, and beyond SMCs, we observed co-expression of CD146/MCAM, NG2/CSPG4, and VAP1/AOC3 in pericytes and endothelial cells in the human brain. This work identifies highly responsive vascular target genes of MRTF-SRF signaling that are regulated via a mechanism involving KDM3A.
Clinical and genomic features of Corynebacterium macginleyi-associated infectious keratitis
Authors: Sagerfors Susanna , Poehlein Anja , Afshar Mastaneh , Lindblad Birgitta Ejdervik , Brüggemann Holger , Söderquist Bo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInfectious keratitis is a potentially sight threatening ophthalmological emergency. Contact lens wear is a common risk factor. Diagnostic advances such as MALDI-TOF MS provides new insights into the spectrum of corneal pathogens and on microbes previously considered as commensals. Corynebacterium macginleyi was described in 1995, and in 2018, the genomic features of three isolates were reported after whole-genome sequencing. Here we describe the clinical characteristics of patients with infectious keratitis (n = 29) presumably caused by Corynebacterium macginleyi, and analyze the genomic features of C. macginleyi (n = 22) isolated from the corneal ulcers of these patients. The disease course was uneventful apart from minor interventions such as corneal cross-linking and amniotic membrane transplant. Genome sequencing and comparison revealed a highly conserved core genome of C. macginleyi. Based on the analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms, the population could be divided into two main clades that also differed in a few clade-specific genomic islands. Patients infected with an isolate belonging to the minor clade (n = 7) presented a more severe disease. Comparisons with other corynebacterial species clearly separated C. macginleyi. C. macginleyi may be considered a corneal pathogen; genomic analysis provided insights into its population structure and disease-causing potential.
Heart rate variability analysis for the identification of the preictal interval in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Leal Adriana , Pinto Mauro F. , Lopes Fábio , Bianchi Anna M. , Henriques Jorge , Ruano Maria G. , de Carvalho Paulo , Dourado António , Teixeira César A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElectrocardiogram (ECG) recordings, lasting hours before epileptic seizures, have been studied in the search for evidence of the existence of a preictal interval that follows a normal ECG trace and precedes the seizure’s clinical manifestation. The preictal interval has not yet been clinically parametrized. Furthermore, the duration of this interval varies for seizures both among patients and from the same patient. In this study, we performed a heart rate variability (HRV) analysis to investigate the discriminative power of the features of HRV in the identification of the preictal interval. HRV information extracted from the linear time and frequency domains as well as from nonlinear dynamics were analysed. We inspected data from 238 temporal lobe seizures recorded from 41 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy from the EPILEPSIAE database. Unsupervised methods were applied to the HRV feature dataset, thus leading to a new perspective in preictal interval characterization. Distinguishable preictal behaviour was exhibited by 41% of the seizures and 90% of the patients. Half of the preictal intervals were identified in the 40 min before seizure onset. The results demonstrate the potential of applying clustering methods to HRV features to deepen the current understanding of the preictal state.
CD73 facilitates EMT progression and promotes lung metastases in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Petruk Nataliia , Tuominen Sanni , Åkerfelt Malin , Mattsson Jesse , Sandholm Jouko , Nees Matthias , Yegutkin Gennady G. , Jukkola Arja , Tuomela Johanna , Selander Katri S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCD73 is a cell surface ecto-5′-nucleotidase, which converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate to adenosine. High tumor CD73 expression is associated with poor outcome among triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Here we investigated the mechanisms by which CD73 might contribute to TNBC progression. This was done by inhibiting CD73 with adenosine 5′-(α, β-methylene) diphosphate (APCP) in MDA-MB-231 or 4T1 TNBC cells or through shRNA-silencing (sh-CD73). Effects of such inhibition on cell behavior was then studied in normoxia and hypoxia in vitro and in an orthotopic mouse model in vivo. CD73 inhibition, through shRNA or APCP significantly decreased cellular viability and migration in normoxia. Inhibition of CD73 also resulted in suppression of hypoxia-induced increase in viability and prevented cell protrusion elongation in both normoxia and hypoxia in cancer cells. Sh-CD73 4T1 cells formed significantly smaller and less invasive 3D organoids in vitro, and significantly smaller orthotopic tumors and less lung metastases than control shRNA cells in vivo. CD73 suppression increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin expression in vitro and in vivo, proposing maintenance of a more epithelial phenotype. In conclusion, our results suggest that CD73 may promote early steps of tumor progression, possibly through facilitating epithelial–mesenchymal transition.
A hospital-based study on etiology and prognosis of bacterial meningitis in adults
Authors: Sunwoo Jun-Sang , Shin Hye-Rim , Lee Han Sang , Moon Jangsup , Lee Soon-Tae , Jung Keun-Hwa , Park Kyung-Il , Jung Ki-Young , Kim Manho , Lee Sang Kun , Chu Kon 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBacterial meningitis is a neurological emergency with high morbidity and mortality. We herein investigated clinical features, etiology, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and prognosis of bacterial meningitis in adults from a single tertiary center. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis from 2007 to 2016. Patients with recent neurosurgery, head trauma, or indwelling neurosurgical devices were classified as having healthcare-related meningitis. Causative microorganisms were identified by analyzing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood cultures, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were evaluated. We performed multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with unfavorable outcomes. We identified 161 cases (age, 55.9 ± 15.5 years; male, 50.9%), of which 43 had community-acquired and 118 had healthcare-related meningitis. CSF and blood culture positivity rates were 91.3% and 30.4%, respectively. In community-acquired meningitis patients, Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.6%) was the most common isolate, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (18.6%) and Listeria monocytogenes (11.6%). The susceptibility rates of K. pneumoniae to ceftriaxone, cefepime, and meropenem were 85.7%, 81.3%, and 100%, respectively. Among healthcare-related meningitis patients, the most common bacterial isolates were coagulase-negative staphylococci (28.0%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16.1%) and Enterobacter spp. (13.6%). Neurological complications occurred in 39.1% of the patients and the 3-month mortality rate was 14.8%. After adjusting for covariates, unfavorable outcome was significantly associated with old age (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.06), neurological complications (OR 4.53, 95% CI 1.57–13.05), and initial Glasgow coma scale ≤ 8 (OR 19.71, 95% CI 4.35–89.40). Understanding bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility may help optimize antimicrobial therapy in adult bacterial meningitis.
First report on establishment and characterization of a carcinosarcoma tumour cell line model of the bladder
Authors: Eberhard Johannes , Hirsch Daniela , Schilling Oliver , Dirks Wilhelm G. , Guo Feng , Fabarius Alice , Rückert Felix , Reißfelder Christoph , Hohenberger Peter , Pallavi Prama 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCarcinosarcoma of the urinary bladder is a very rare and aggressive subtype of bladder cancer with poor prognosis. Characteristically carcinosarcomas exhibit biphasic nature with both epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation. Limited information is available regarding its clinical features and appropriate treatments due to its rarity. Development of tumour models can further our understanding of bladder carcinosarcoma. We report establishment and characterization of the first-ever bladder carcinosarcoma cell line MaS-3. It is established by the outgrow method from 86 year-old caucasian male who underwent a radical pelvic resection after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. MaS-3 showed carcinosarcoma profile with high conformity with to the original tumour in terms of immunocytochemistry. Proteome analysis also aligned the MaS-3 cell line with the carcinosarcoma specimen rather than corresponding non-malignant tissue. Chemotherapy sensitivity testing revealed a great sensitivity of MaS-3 growth to 5-Fluorouracil, Gemcitabine and Cisplatin, with almost no impact of Irinotecan. Additionally, the suitability of MaS-3 for 3D in vitro experiments was also demonstrated. The newly established cell line MaS-3 shows typical characteristics of the tumour and may thus be a useful in vitro model system for studying the tumour biology and developing future of treatments of this rare but very aggressive entity.
Effects of deep inspiration breath hold on prone photon or proton irradiation of breast and regional lymph nodes
Authors: Speleers Bruno , Schoepen Max , Belosi Francesca , Vakaet Vincent , De Neve Wilfried , Deseyne Pieter , Paelinck Leen , Vercauteren Tom , Parkes Michael J. , Lomax Tony , Van Greveling Annick , Bolsi Alessandra , Weber Damien C. , Veldeman Liv , De Gersem Werner 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe report on a comparative dosimetrical study between deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and shallow breathing (SB) in prone crawl position for photon and proton radiotherapy of whole breast (WB) and locoregional lymph node regions, including the internal mammary chain (LN_MI). We investigate the dosimetrical effects of DIBH in prone crawl position on organs-at-risk for both photon and proton plans. For each modality, we further estimate the effects of lung and heart doses on the mortality risks of different risk profiles of patients. Thirty-one patients with invasive carcinoma of the left breast and pathologically confirmed positive lymph node status were included in this study. DIBH significantly decreased dose to heart for photon and proton radiotherapy. DIBH also decreased lung doses for photons, while increased lung doses were observed using protons because the retracting heart is displaced by low-density lung tissue. For other organs-at-risk, DIBH resulted in significant dose reductions using photons while minor differences in dose deposition between DIBH and SB were observed using protons. In patients with high risks for cardiac and lung cancer mortality, average thirty-year mortality rates from radiotherapy-related cardiac injury and lung cancer were estimated at 3.12% (photon DIBH), 4.03% (photon SB), 1.80% (proton DIBH) and 1.66% (proton SB). The radiation-related mortality risk could not outweigh the ~ 8% disease-specific survival benefit of WB + LN_MI radiotherapy in any of the assessed treatments.