bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
18F-florbetapir PET as a marker of myelin integrity across the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum
Authors: Moscoso Alexis , Silva-Rodriguez Jesus , Aldrey Jose Manuel , Cortes Julia , Pias-Peleteiro Juan Manuel , Ruibal Alvaro , Aguiar Pablo 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Recent evidence suggest that PET imaging with amyloid-β (Aβ) tracers can be used to assess myelin integrity in cerebral white matter (WM). Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by myelin changes that are believed to occur early in the disease course. Nevertheless, the extent to which demyelination, as measured with Aβ PET, contributes to AD progression remains unexplored.Methods: Participants with concurrent 18F-florbetapir (FBP), MRI, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations were included (241 cognitively normal, 347 Aβ-positive cognitively impaired, and 207 Aβ-negative cognitively impaired subjects). A subset of these participants had also available diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) images (n=195). We investigated cross-sectional associations of FBP retention in the white matter (WM) with MRI-based markers of WM degeneration, AD clinical progression, and CSF biomarkers. In longitudinal analyses, we used linear mixed models to assess whether FBP retention in normal-appearing WM (NAWM) predicted progression of WM hyperintensity (WMH) burden and clinical decline. Results: In AD-continuum individuals, FBP retention in NAWM was 1) higher compared to WMH regions, 2) associated with DTI-based measures of WM integrity, and 3) associated with longitudinal progression of WMH burden. FBP uptake in WM decreased across the AD continuum and with increasingly abnormal CSF biomarkers of AD. Furthermore, FBP retention in the WM was associated with large-calibre axon degeneration as reflected by abnormal plasma neurofilament light chain levels. Low FBP uptake in NAWM predicted clinical decline in preclinical and prodromal AD, independent of demographics, global cortical Aβ, and WMH burden. Most of these associations were also observed in Aβ-negative cognitively impaired individuals.Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that FBP retention in the WM is myelin-dependent. Demyelination levels progressed across the AD continuum and were associated with clinical progression at early stages, suggesting that this pathologic process might be a relevant degenerative feature in the disease course.
Involvement of miR-214-3p/FOXM1 axis during the progression of psoriasis
Authors: Zhao Jin , Wang Fei , Tian Qingjun , Dong Jing , Chen Liuqing , Hu Rongyi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and relapsing skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and apoptosis delay. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of psoriasis remain elusive. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, small non-coding RNAs that play a crucial role in the development of psoriasis by promoting targeted mRNA degradation or translational inhibition. Here, we report that miR-214-3p, one of the down-regulated miRNAs identified in the skin of psoriatic patients and imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse models, can negatively regulate the expression of forkhead box M1 (FOXM1). miR-214-3p inhibition leads to hyperproliferation and increased apoptosis of keratinocytes in vitro. Moreover, we show that miR-214-3p inhibition causes an arrest of the cell cycle at the S stage by elevating the expression of NEK2, KIF20A, CENP-A, CENP-F, Cyclin B1, and by reducing the expression of Cyclin D1 in HaCaT cells. In vivo, administration of miR-214-3p attenuates the psoriasis-like phenotype in IMQ-induced mice. Collectively, our results suggest that miR-214-3p/FOXM1 axis in keratinocytes could be a novel target in the treatment of psoriasis.
Jointly Optimized Design of Distributed RS Codes by Proper Selection in Relay
Authors: Guo Pengcheng , Yang Fengfan , Zhao Chunli , Ullah Waheed 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
This paper proposes a distributed RS coding scheme which is comprised of two different ReedSolomon (RS) codes over fast Rayleigh fading channel. Practically in any distributed coding scheme, an appropriate encoding strategy at the relay plays a vital role in achieving an optimized code at the destination. Therefore, the authors have proposed an efficient approach for proper selection of information at the relay based on subspace approach. Using this approach as the proper benchmark, another more practical selection approach with low complexity is also proposed. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the distributed RS coding scheme under the two approaches can achieve nearly the same bit error rate (BER) performance. Furthermore, to jointly decode the source and relay codes at the destination, two different decoding algorithms named as naive and smart algorithms are proposed. The simulation results reveal that the advantage of smart algorithm as compared to naive one. The proposed distributed RS coding scheme with smart algorithm outperforms its non-cooperative scheme by a gain of 2.4-3.2 dB under identical conditions. Moreover, the proposed distributed RS coding scheme outperforms multiple existing distributed coding schemes, making it an excellent candidate for the future distributed coding wireless communications.
Early and Eighteen Month Clinical Outcomes of First UK Case of Percutaneous Deep Vein Arterialisation (pDVA) to Treat “No Option” Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Using the Limflow System
Authors: Lechareas Symeon , Sritha Kaji , Williams RG Mc 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) in cases where there are no further standard treatment options for limb salvage represents the most advanced stage of peripheral arterial disease. This case represents the first UK use of the LimFlow System to perform percutaneous deep vein arterialisation (pDVA) in a “no option” CLTI patient, with outcomes out to 18 months post-procedure.Case Presentation: We present the case of a 78 year old male diabetic patient with a history of contralateral below knee amputation who presented with ischaemic rest pain and dry gangrene involving his left heel and first and second toes. Following review by the lower limb multi-disciplinary team at our institution, the patient was deemed to have no surgical or endovascular treatment options, apart from major amputation, as there was no viable target for angioplasty or bypass. He was therefore referred as a candidate for percutaneous deep vein arterialisation (pDVA) with the LimFlow System (LimFlow SA, France). After screening of the patient according to the indications for use, the pDVA procedure was successfully performed resulting in complete resolution of ischaemic rest pain immediately following the procedure, and adequate revascularisation of the foot. The subject went on to have minor amputation of the first, second and third toes 2 months post initial procedure with further secondary angioplasty procedures to optimise the flow throughout the arterialised circuit up to 4 months after the initial procedure. He underwent elective completion transmetatarsal amputation at 13 months post index procedure. The surgical wounds post minor amputation and the heel wound showed continued healing progress, especially after secondary optimisation of the pDVA outflow, with tissue epithelialisation by 6 months and complete healing by 18 months post index procedure.Conclusions: This case report demonstrates the clinical outcomes of a technically-successful LimFlow pDVA including both limb salvage and wound healing at 18 months.
Evolution of stellated gold nanoparticles: new conceptual insights into controlling the surface processes
Authors: Singh Gurvinder , Jami Hesamodin , Lesani Pooria , Bhattacharya Shubhayan , Ramaswamy Yogambha , Bisht Prem B , Zreiqat Hala 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Understanding the surface processes (deposition and surface diffusion) that occur at or close to the surface of growing nanoparticles is important for fabricating reproducibly stellated or branched gold nanoparticles with precise control over arm length and spatial orientation of arms around the core. By employing a simple seed-mediated strategy, we investigate the key synthetic variables for precise tuning of in situ surface processes (competition between the deposition and surface diffusion). These variables include the reduction rate of a reaction, the packing density of molecules/ions on the high surface energy facets, and temperature. As a result, the thermodynamically stabilized nanoparticles (cuboctahedron and truncated cube) and kinetic products (cube, concave cube, octapod, stellated octahedron, and rhombic dodecahedron) in different sizes with high quantitative shape yield (> 80%) can be obtained depending on the reduction rate of reaction and the packing density of molecules/ions. With computer simulation, we studied the stability of stellated (branched structure) and non-stellated (non-branched structure) gold nanoparticles at high temperature. We construct a morphology phase diagram by varying different synthetic parameters, illustrating the formation of both stellated and non-stellated gold nanoparticles in a range of reaction conditions. The stellated gold nanoparticles display shape-dependent optical properties and can be self-assembled into highly ordered superstructures to achieve an enhanced plasmonic response. Our strategy can be applied to other metal systems, allowing for the rational design of advanced new stellated metal nanoparticles with fascinating symmetry dependent plasmonic, catalytic, and electronic properties for technological applications.
Finite Element Modelling of Air-Coupled Circular Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer for Anodic Bonding Process using SOI Wafer
Authors: Gill Gurpreet Singh , Kumar Sanjay , Mukhiya Ravindra , Khanna Vinod Kumar 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) provides an alternative to commercial piezoelectric-based ultrasonic transducers due to its wide bandwidth, improved efficiency, sensitivity, and design flexibility [1, 2]. In this paper, Finite Element Method-based design and simulations of circular capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) is presented. The FEM simulation of air-coupled CMUT was accomplished by using MEMCAD tools CoventorWare® and COMSOL™. The resonance frequency of 3.9 MHz was achieved for the designed circular CMUT device. A favourable agreement was found for the resonance frequency and pull-in voltage of the device using MEMSCAD tools and analytical calculations. For the proposed CMUT design, a circular cavity will be formed inside the glass substrate. Then, a free-standing membrane will be released using active layer of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. The bulk silicon of SOI wafer will be removed after bonding it on the glass substrate using anodic bonding technique as described in fabrication process flow for CMUT.
Bioaugmentation and Bioaugmentation – Assisted Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Contaminated Soil By a Synergistic Effect of Cyanobacteria Inoculation, Biochar, and Purtolaca Oleracea
Authors: Zanganeh Fahimeh , heidari Ava , Sepehr Adel , Rohani Abbas 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In recent decades, soil contamination with heavy metals has become an environmental crisis due to their long-term stability and adverse biological effects. Therefore, bioremediation is an eco-friendly technology to remediate contaminated soil, that its efficiency requires further research. This study was conducted to comparatively investigate two strategies, including bioaugmentation by using Oscillatoria sp and bioaugmentation assisted phytoremediation by using Oscillatoria sp -portulaca oleracea for the bioremediation of heavy metal (Cr (III), Cr (VI), Fe, Al, and Zn) contaminated soil at 180 days. To facilitate the remediation process, various quantities of biochar (0, 0.5, 2, and 5% (w/w)) were used in the experiments. The results of the bioaugmentation showed a significant improvement in chlorophyll a, nitrogen, organic carbon contents of soil and decrease all heavy metal bioavailability and EC of soil. The remediation efficiency test using plants proved the success of remediation treatments. Moreover, the findings of bioaugmentation-assisted phytoremediation displayed an improvement in soil fertility and a substantial reduction in the bioavailable fraction of heavy metals, especially in soil amended with 5% biochar. Cyanobacteria inoculation and biochar amendment dramatically enhanced the root lengths and shoot heights of portulaca oleracea while it significantly decreased their heavy metal accumulation compared to the control. For all heavy metals, TF and BAC (except Zn) values ​​were found to be less than 1.0 at all treatments, illustrated the successful phytoextraction by the P. In conclusion, cyanobacteria inoculation along with biochar addition enhanced the TI quantities while diminished BAC and BCF values, suggesting the feasibility their applying in heavy metal contaminated soil for the facilitation of phytoremediation and their ability in pollutant immobilization.
LsaYAB7, A Homologous Gene of FILAMENTOUS FLOWER, Participating In The Regulation of Adaxial-Abaxial Polarity of Leaves In Lettuce
Authors: Luo Kangsheng , Zhang Dechun , Zhai Zhaodong , Liu Xue , Zhou Jun , Zhang Bin , Li Dayong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: The plant-specific YABBY transcription factor plays important roles in the development of lateral organs, the establishment of adaxial-abaxial polarity and abiotic stress response. However, the function of YABBY gene family in lettuce (Lactuca sativa), an important leaf vegetable is still unclear yet. Results: In this study, we analyzed the chromosomal distribution, gene structure and cis-transcriptional elements of the YABBY gene family in lettuce. Phylogenetic analysis of YABBY genes in lettuce, Arabidopsis, maize and rice classified them into five groups. In addition, the expression profile of YABBY genes in lettuce indicated that they may play distinct functions in different tissues and developmental processes. The subcellular localization analysis and transactivation assay showed that LsaYAB7 probably functions as a transcription factor in the nucleus. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of LsaYAB7 exhibited abaxially curled leaves, not only in Arabidopsis, but also in lettuce. Conclusion: Altogether, LsaYAB7 is a key functional gene in determining the adaxial-abaxial polarity of lettuce leaves. Our study laid foundation for the molecular research of functional genes in lettuce.
A disease-linked lncRNA mutation in RNase MRP inhibits ribosome synthesis
Authors: Roberston Nic , Shchepachev Vadim , Wright David , Turowski Tomasz , Spanos Christos , Helwak Aleksandra , Zamoyska Rose , Tollervey David 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
RMRP encodes a non-coding RNA forming the core of the RNase MRP ribonucleoprotein complex. Mutations cause Cartilage Hair Hypoplasia (CHH), characterized by skeletal abnormalities and impaired T cell activation. Yeast RNase MRP cleaves a specific site in the pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) during ribosome synthesis. CRISPR-mediated disruption of RMRP in human cells lines caused growth arrest, with pre-rRNA accumulation. Here, we analyzed disease-relevant primary cells, showing that mutations in RMRP impair mouse T cell activation and delay pre-rRNA processing. Patient-derived human fibroblasts with CHH-linked mutations showed similar pre-rRNA processing delay. Human cells engineered with the most common CHH mutation (70AG in RMRP) show specifically impaired pre-rRNA processing, resulting in reduced mature rRNA and a reduced ratio of cytosolic to mitochondrial ribosomes. Moreover, the 70AG mutation caused a reduction in intact RNase MRP complexes. Together, these results indicate that CHH is a ribosomopathy, and the first processing-specific human disorder to be described.
Modified Multiple Marker Aneuploidy Screening as a Primary Screening Test for Preeclampsia
Authors: Huang Tianhua , Bedford H. Melanie , Rashid Shamim , Rasasakaram Evasha , Priston Megan , Mak-Tam Ellen , Gibbons Clare , Meschino Wendy S. , Cuckle Howard , Mei-Dan Elad 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Maternal biochemical markers used in multiple marker aneuploidy screening have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to assess if a combination of maternal characteristics and biochemical markers in the first and second trimesters can be used to screen for preeclampsia (PE), gestational hypertension and preterm birth. Methods: This case-control study used information on maternal characteristics and residual blood samples from pregnant women who have undergone multiple marker aneuploidy screening. The median multiple of the median (MoM) of first and second trimester biochemical markers in cases (women with PE, gestational hypertension and preterm birth) and controls were compared. Biochemical markers included pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), placental growth factor (PlGF), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), alpha feto-protein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3) and Inhibin A. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate screening performance using different marker combinations. Screening performance was defined as detection rate (DR) and false positive rate (FPR). Preterm and early-onset preeclampsia PE were defined as women with PE delivered < 37 and < 34 weeks of gestation.Results: There were 147 pregnancies with PE (81 term, 49 preterm and 17 early-onset), 295 with gestational hypertension, and 166 preterm birth. Compared to controls, PE cases had significantly lower median MoM of PAPP-A (0.77 vs 1.10, p<0.0001), PlGF (0.76 vs 1.01, p<0.0001) and free-β hCG (0.81 vs. 0.98, p<0.001) in the first trimester along with PAPP-A (0.82 vs 0.99, p<0.01) and PlGF (0.75 vs 1.02, p<0.0001) in the second trimester. The lowest first trimester PAPP-A, PlGF and free β-hCG were seen in those with preterm and early-onset PE. At a 20% FPR, 67% of preterm and 76% of early-onset PE cases can be predicted using a combination of maternal characteristics with PAPP-A and PlGF in the first trimester.Conclusions: Maternal characteristics with first trimester PAPP-A and PlGF measured for aneuploidy screening provided reasonable accuracy in identifying women at risk of developing early onset PE, allowing triage of high-risk women for further investigation and risk-reducing therapy.
Sustainable Eco-friendly Wire-cut Electrical Discharge Machining: Gas Emission Analysis
Authors: Sampath Boopathi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Wire-cut electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is the highly essential unconventional electro-thermal machining process to cut the contour profile of hard materials in modern production industries. The various environmental impacting wastes (by evaporating and reacting hydro-carbon dielectric fluid) are produced during the WEDM process and these are harmful to the machine operators. These wastes are minimized by a near-dry WEDM process wherein the pressurized air mixed with a small amount of water is used as a dielectric substance. In this research, influences, and contributions of machining parameters such as air pressure, mixing water flow rate, spark current and pulse width on gas emission concentration (GEC), materials removal rate (MRR), and relative emission rate (RER) of sustainable near-dry WEDM process have been optimized by Taguchi analysis. RER is investigated to analyze the effects of machining factors on gas emission and machining rate combinedly. It was revealed that the maximum air pressure and flow rate of mixing water have significantly been promoting the sustainable near-dry WEDM process.
A Pentagonal Shaped Microstrip Planar Antenna with Defected Ground Structure for Ultrawideband Applications
Authors: Ibnyaich Saida , Chabaa Samira , wakrim Layla , Yassini Abdessalam El , Zeroual Abdelouhab , Hassani Moha M'rabet 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A new compact pentagonal microstrip patch antenna with slotted ground plane structure, developed for use in ultrawideband applications, is studied in this article.
The proposed antenna is mainly constituted by a pentagonal shaped patch antenna, a defected ground plane structure, two stubs, and four slots to improve the bandwidth.
The designed antenna has an overall dimension of 30×17.59×1.6mm 3 , for WIMAX /WLAN/ WiFi/HIPERLAN-2 /Bluetooth /LTE /5G applications with a very large bandwidth starting from 2.66 GHz to 10.82 GHz (S 11 <-6 dB ). A parametric study of the ground plane structure was carried out to find the final and the optimal UWB antenna, and to confirm that the antenna has good performance and broader bandwidth. The proposed antenna prototype has been fabricated. The measured results indicate that the antenna has a good impedance matching.
The antenna has an electrically small dimension with a good gain, a notable efficiency, and a wide impedance bandwidth, which makes this antenna an excellent candidate for ultrawideband wireless communication, microwave imaging, radar applications, and the major part of the mobile phone frequencies as well.
Hyperglycemic Conditions Proliferate Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells: Role of Ornithine Decarboxylase
Authors: Chandra Surabhi , Capellen Caleb C. , Ortega Jose A. , Morwitzer M. Jane , Tofilau Hadassha , Dunworth Matthew , Casero Robert A. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Several cancer subtypes (pancreatic, breast, liver, and colorectal) rapidly advance to higher aggressive stages in diabetes. Though hyperglycemia has been considered as a fuel for growth of cancer cells, pathways leading to this condition are still under investigation. Cellular polyamines can modulate normal and cancer cell growth, and inhibitors of polyamine synthesis have been approved for treating colon cancer, however the role of polyamines in diabetes-mediated cancer advancement is unclear as yet. We hypothesized that polyamine metabolic pathway is involved with increased proliferation of breast cancer cells under high glucose(HG) conditions. Studies were performed with varying concentrations of glucose (5mM-25mM) exposure in invasive, triple negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231; non-invasive, estrogen/progesterone receptor positive breast cancer cells, MCF-7; and non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells, MCF-10A. There was a significant increase in proliferation with HG (25mM) at 48-72h in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-10A cells but no such effect was observed in MCF-7 cells. This was correlated to higher activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis pathway. Inhibitor of polyamine synthesis (difluoromethylornithine, DFMO, 5mM) was quite effective in suppressing HG-mediated cell proliferation and ODC activity in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-10A cells. Polyamine (putrescine) levels were significantly elevated with HG treatment in MDA-MB-231 cells. HG exposure also increased the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings are the first to indicate that polyamine inhibition can improve prognosis of breast cancer patients with diabetes, and also prevent proliferation of normal breast epithelial cells, which could potentially become tumorigenic.