bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural and histological observations on the male reproductive system of adult red poplar leaf beetle Chrysomela populi Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Özyurt Koçakoğlu Nurcan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study described the anatomy and histology of the male reproductive system in Chrysomela populi, which is an economically important species belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. Therefore, reproductive biology has been studied to combat this insect. As well as, the characters associated with the reproductive tract have been potential to discuss aspects of the system and to better understand the reproductive dynamics. The male reproductive system of C. populi has a pair of testes, a pair of vas efferentia and deferentia, a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair of accessory glands, an ejaculatory bulb, an ejaculatory duct, and an aedeagus. The testis consists of two flower‐shaped lobes. Each testis has 20 sperm tubules (testicular follicles) containing cysts of germ cells at various developmental stages within the light orange peritoneal sheath. Testicular follicles are composed of three different (growth, maturation, and differentiation) zones. In the middle region of each testis joins with the vas efferens. The testis is attached to the seminal vesicle by a small stalk like vas efferens. In the lumen of the vas efferens, seminal vesicle, and vas deferens, sperms form clumps in the form of thin threads. The proximal end of the vas deferens is connected to the common ejaculatory duct. It joins with the ejaculatory bulb. Around the ejaculator bulb, there is a pair of convoluted, flat‐surface tubular structure accessory glands. Posterior ejaculatory duct joins with the aedeagus.
Jaundice in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Bender Joshua M , Worman Howard J 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackground and AimWhile many studies have reported on liver injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), none have specifically addressed the significance of hepatic jaundice. We aimed to determine the clinical consequences and etiologies of jaundice in patients with COVID‐19.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical features, laboratory abnormalities, and rates of survival and intensive care unit admission in 551 patients with COVID‐19, hospitalized between 1 March 2020, and 31 May 2020 at a tertiary care academic medical center. Hepatic jaundice was defined as a serum total bilirubin concentration >2.5 mg/dL and a direct bilirubin concentration >0.3 mg/dL that was >25% of the total. Liver injury was characterized as cholestatic, mixed, or hepatocellular at the time of peak serum total bilirubin concentration by calculating the R factor.ResultsHepatic jaundice was present in 49 (8.9%) patients and associated with a mortality rate of 40.8% and intensive care unit admission rate of 69.4%, both significantly higher than for patients without jaundice. Jaundiced patients had an increased frequency of fever, leukopenia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hypotension, hypoxemia, elevated serum creatinine concentration, elevated serum procalcitonin concentration, and sepsis. Nine jaundiced patients had isolated hyperbilirubinemia. Of the 40 patients with abnormally elevated serum alanine aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase activities, 62.5% had a cholestatic, 20.0% mixed, and 17.5% hepatocellular pattern of liver injury.ConclusionHepatic jaundice in patients with COVID‐19 is associated with high mortality. The main etiologies of liver dysfunction leading to jaundice appear to be sepsis, severe systemic inflammation, and hypoxic/ischemic hepatitis.
The effectiveness of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine (CoronaVac) on antibody response in participants aged 65 years and older
Authors: Karamese Murat , Tutuncu Emin E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this study, it was aimed to determine the antibody responses after the two doses of inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccinations in people who were above 65 years old and to evaluate the factors affecting this response. A total of 235 participants aged 65 years and older were included. Blood samples were taken and data about age, gender, comorbid diseases, and presence of side effects after vaccination were noted. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 QuantiVac ELISA (IgG) test kit (catalogue number: EI‐2606‐9601‐10‐G, Euroimmun) was used. The mean age was 70.38 ± 4.76. Approximately 120 of 235 participants had at least one comorbid disease. The mean levels of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibody after 4 weeks from the first and second doses of vaccine were 37.70 ± 57.08 IU/ml, and 194.61 ± 174.88 IU/ml, respectively. Additionally, 134 of 235 participants (57.02%) had under 25.6 IU/ml antibody level (negative) after 4 weeks from the first vaccine dose while this rate was 11.48% (n = 27) after 4 weeks from the second vaccine dose. The 19 (70.4%) participants who had under had 25.6 IU/ml antibody level after 4 weeks from the first dose of vaccine had at least one comorbid disease including diabetes mellitus, and 8 (29.6%) participants had no comorbid disease (F = 2.352, p = 0.006). Lower rates of antibody response were detected in participants aged 65 years and older and those with comorbidities both in our study and similar studies in the current literature. Further studies should evaluate whether the low antibody titers are really associated with age and comorbidities or not. Finally, prospective studies are needed to determine how long the immunity provided by SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines will continue.
Humoral response to spike S1 and S2 and nucleocapsid proteins on microarray after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Portilho Amanda I. , Silva Valéria O. , Ahagon Cintia M. , Matsuda Elaine M. , de Oliveira Elaine L. , da Silveira Edilene P. R. , de Souza Lima Ana K. , Lindoso José A. L. , de Campos Ivana B. , Hong Marisa A. , De Gaspari Elizabeth , de Macedo Brígido Luís F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMany aspects of the humoral immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), such as its role in protection after natural infection, are still unclear. We evaluated IgA and IgG response to spike subunits 1 and 2 (S1 and S2) and Nucleocapsid proteins of SARS‐COV‐2 in serum samples of 109 volunteers with viral RNA detected or seroconversion with different clinical evolution (asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and severe coronavirus disease 2019), using the ViraChip® Test Kit. We observed that the quantification of antibodies to all antigens had a positive correlation to disease severity, which was strongly associated with the presence of comorbidities. Seroreversion was not uncommon even during the short (median of 77 days) observation, occurring in 15% of mild‐asymptomatic cases at a median of 55 days for IgG and 46 days for IgA. The time to reach the maximal antibody response did not differ significantly among recovered and deceased volunteers. Our study illustrated the dynamic of anti‐S1, anti‐N, and anti‐S2 IgA and IgG antibodies, and suggests that high production of IgG and IgA does not guarantee protection to disease severity and that functional responses that have been studied by other groups, such as antibody avidity, need further attention.
Oscillatory chemical reaction as a sensor of Cu(II)–EDTA complex formation and ligand degradation in copper ion‐catalyzed oxidation of thiocyanate ions with hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Oliwa Przemysław , Orlik Marek 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe complex dynamics of the homogeneous H2O2–NaSCN–CuSO4–NaOH oscillator is influenced by the addition of EDTA, which manifests itself in the modification or complete suppression of the oscillations. However, depending on EDTA concentration, this effect can be reversible or not. Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies of these phenomena, together with recent discoveries about possible chemical interactions and compound formation in the Cu(II)–H2O2–EDTA system, resulted in the development of a new kinetic mechanism of the complex interaction of EDTA with this oscillatory system. The model involves 13 intermediates and is an extension of our former, 10‐variable mechanism of the H2O2–NaSCN–CuSO4–NaOH oscillator. Reliability of the proposed reaction scheme has been confirmed by numerical calculations, enabling also the estimation of appropriate reaction rate constants. The work is an example of the application of the chemical oscillatory reaction to study qualitatively and quantitatively the interactions of foreign species with the components of positive and negative feedback loops of a chemical dynamical system.
High DNMT1 Is Associated With Worse Local Control in Early‐Stage Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Bruine de Bruin Leonie , Clausen Martijn J. A. M. , Slagter‐Menkema Lorian , de Bock Gertruida H , Langendijk Johannes A. , van der Vegt Bert , van der Laan Bernard F. A. M. , Schuuring Ed 
Published: August 2021

Objectives/HypothesisEarly‐stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has yielded local control rates of 75% after radiotherapy. DNA methylation, in which DNA methyltransferases play an important role, has influence on tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the association between the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and local control in early‐stage LSCC treated with radiotherapy.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsWe analyzed a well‐defined homogeneous series of 125 LSCC patients treated with radiotherapy with curative intent. The association of immunohistochemical expression of DNMT1 with local control was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression models.ResultsWith a median follow‐up of 58 months, 29 local recurrences (23%) were observed. On univariate analysis, worse local control was associated with high DNMT1 expression (hazard ratio [HR] 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–6.01). Also, higher T‐stage (HR 2.48, 95% CI 1.06–5.80) and positive N‐status (HR 2.62, 95% CI 1.06–6.47) were associated with worse local control. Multivariate Cox regression demonstrated that high DNMT1 (HR 2.81; 95% CI 1.20–6.58) was independently associated with worse local control.ConclusionsWe found an association between high DNMT1 expression and worse local control in a homogeneous well‐defined cohort of early‐stage LSCC patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. The association between DNA methylation status as determined by DNMT1 expression and local control suggests that DNMT1 acts as a potential prognostic tumor marker in treatment decision‐making in early‐stage laryngeal carcinoma.Level of evidenceNA Laryngoscope, 132:801–805, 2022
Factors Contributing to Missed Appointments in a Pediatric Otolaryngology Clinic
Authors: Agarwal Pratima , Nathan Ajay S. , Jaleel Zaroug , Levi Jessica R. 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveTo understand why pediatric otolaryngology patients do not attend scheduled clinic appointments and identify factors correlated with no‐show status.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study that uses medical record data extraction of patients that was scheduled to attend new patient appointments at a pediatric otolaryngology clinic in 2018.ResultsFactors associated with no‐shows included complex psychiatric history (OR (95% CI) 0.789 (0.71–0.88), P < .001), increased appointment lead time (OR (95% CI) 0.981 (0.976–0.987), P < .001), afternoon appointments (OR (95% CI) 0.783 (0.64–0.99), P = .038), and complex maternal medical history (OR (95% CI) 0.987 (0.979–0.996), P < .005). In contrast, factors associated with attendance included complex patients’ medical history (OR (95% CI) 1.058 (0.98–1.02), P < .001), primary care physician at the same hospital (OR (95% CI) 2.766 (2.25–3.39), P < .001), and primary language being Spanish (OR (95% CI) 2.536 (1.75–3.67) P < .001). The factors of distance from the hospital (OR (95% CI) 1.001 (0.99–1.01), P = .868), season of appointment (P = .997), race (P = .623), and ethnicity (P = .804) were not associated with attendance or no‐shows.ConclusionPatient and maternal medical problems, mental health history, primary care location, appointment lead time, hour of appointment, and primary language, all contribute to appointment attendance, while appointment timing, race, and ethnicity are not associated with attendance. Further work must be performed to overcome these barriers to minimize healthcare risks and improve patient outcomes.Quality of EvidenceLevel 3 Laryngoscope, 132:895–900, 2022
A nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation on a star graph
Authors: Goloshchapova Nataliia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe study local well‐posedness and orbital stability/instability of standing waves for a first order system associated with a nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation on a star graph. The proof of the well‐posedness uses a classical fixed point argument and the Hille–Yosida theorem. Stability study relies on the linearization approach and recent results for the NLS equation with the δ‐interaction on a star graph.
Efficiency of the synthetic self‐splicing RiboJ ribozyme is robust to cis‐ and trans‐changes in genetic background
Authors: Vlková Markéta , Morampalli Bhargava Reddy , Silander Olin K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe expanding knowledge of the variety of synthetic genetic elements has enabled the construction of new and more efficient genetic circuits and yielded novel insights into molecular mechanisms. However, context dependence, in which interactions between cis‐ or trans‐genetic elements affect the behavior of these elements, can reduce their general applicability or predictability. Genetic insulators, which mitigate unintended context‐dependent cis‐interactions, have been used to address this issue. One of the most commonly used genetic insulators is a self‐splicing ribozyme called RiboJ, which can be used to decouple upstream 5′ UTR in mRNA from downstream sequences (e.g., open reading frames). Despite its general use as an insulator, there has been no systematic study quantifying the efficiency of RiboJ splicing or whether this autocatalytic activity is robust to trans‐ and cis‐genetic context. Here, we determine the robustness of RiboJ splicing in the genetic context of six widely divergent E. coli strains. We also check for possible cis‐effects by assessing two SNP versions close to the catalytic site of RiboJ. We show that mRNA molecules containing RiboJ are rapidly spliced even during rapid exponential growth and high levels of gene expression, with a mean efficiency of 98%. We also show that neither the cis‐ nor trans‐genetic context has a significant impact on RiboJ activity, suggesting this element is robust to both cis‐ and trans‐genetic changes.
Structure‐based Pharmacophore Screening Coupled with QSAR Analysis Identified Potent Natural‐product‐derived IRAK‐4 Inhibitors
Authors: Khanfar Mohammad A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInterleukin‐1 Receptor‐Associated Kinase 4 (IRAK‐4) has crucial functions in inflammation, innate immunity, and malignancy. Structure‐based pharmacophore modeling integrated with validated QSAR analysis was implemented to discover structurally novel IRAK‐4 inhibitors from natural products database. The QSAR model combined molecular descriptors with structure‐based pharmacophore capable of explaining bioactivity variation of structurally diverse IRAK‐4 inhibitors. Manually built pharmacophore model, validated with receiver operating characteristic curve, and selected using the statistically optimum QSAR equation, was applied as a 3D‐search query to mine AnalytiCon Discovery database of natural products. Experimental in vitro testing of highest‐ranked hits identified uvaretin, saucerneol, and salvianolic acid B as active IRAK‐4 inhibitors with IC50 values in low micromolar range.
An X‐band centrosymmetric microstrip bandpass filter with reflectionless range over 3.9–18.6 GHz and stopband up to 40 GHz
Authors: Zhang Awei , Xu Jinping , Liu Zhiqiang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this letter, the design of a centrosymmetric absorptive bandpass filter (ABPF) with ultra‐wide reflectionless band at both input and output port and wide stopband is reported. It is based on a balanced‐circuit structure, consisting of a pair of 3‐dB couplers and two channels of conventional reflective bandpass filters (BPFs). The bandwidth of the 3‐dB couplers is maximized, which covers from C‐band up to beyond Ku‐band, to extend the reflectionless band of the ABPF. It is realized by introducing a cross‐fingered defected ground structure (DGS) into the classical coupled‐line coupler to strongly enhance the coupling effect while maintaining a compact size. To suppress the harmonics outside the passband, two C‐shaped DGSs are employed at the input and output ends of the coupled‐line‐based BPF which introduces extra transmission zeros in the stopband. A prototype of the proposed ABPF is fabricated and tested. Measured input/output return loss are better than 10 dB over 3.94–18.63 GHz, which is commonly viewed as the reflectionless band. Moreover, the upper stopband is extended up to 40 GHz with suppression higher than 23 dB. The presented ABPF features advantages in convenient integration, dual‐port ultra‐wide reflectionless band and broad stopband.
A Huygens’ surface approach to rapid characterization of peripheral nerve stimulation
Authors: Davids Mathias , Guerin Bastien , Wald Lawrence L. 
Published: August 2021

PurposePeripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) modeling has a potential role in designing and operating MRI gradient coils but requires computationally demanding simulations of electromagnetic fields and neural responses. We demonstrate compression of an electromagnetic and neurodynamic model into a single versatile PNS matrix (P‐matrix) defined on an intermediary Huygens’ surface to allow fast PNS characterization of arbitrary coil geometries and body positions.MethodsThe Huygens’ surface approach divides PNS prediction into an extensive pre‐computation phase of the electromagnetic and neurodynamic responses, which is independent of coil geometry and patient position, and a fast coil‐specific linear projection step connecting this information to a specific coil geometry. We validate the Huygens’ approach by performing PNS characterizations for 21 body and head gradients and comparing them with full electromagnetic‐neurodynamic modeling. We demonstrate the value of Huygens’ surface‐based PNS modeling by characterizing PNS‐optimized coil windings for a wide range of patient positions and poses in two body models.ResultsThe PNS prediction using the Huygens’ P‐matrix takes less than a minute (instead of hours to days) without compromising numerical accuracy (error ≤ 0.1%) compared to the full simulation. Using this tool, we demonstrate that coils optimized for PNS at the brain landmark using a male model can also improve PNS for other imaging applications (cardiac, abdominal, pelvic, and knee imaging) in both male and female models.ConclusionRepresenting PNS information on a Huygens’ surface extended the approach’s ability to assess PNS across body positions and models and test the robustness of PNS optimization in gradient design.
Cytotoxicity of Amino‐BODIPY Modulated via Conjugation with 2‐Phenyl‐3‐Hydroxy‐4(1H)‐Quinolinones
Authors: Porubský Martin , Vychodilová Kristýna , Milićević David , Buděšinský Miloš , Stanková Jarmila , Džubák Petr , Hajdúch Marián , Hlaváč Jan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe combination of cytotoxic amino‐BODIPY dye and 2‐phenyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolinone (3‐HQ) derivatives into one molecule gave rise to selective activity against lymphoblastic or myeloid leukemia and the simultaneous disappearance of the cytotoxicity against normal cells. Both species′ conjugation can be realized via a disulfide linker cleavable in the presence of glutathione characteristic for cancer cells. The cleavage liberating the free amino‐BODIPY dye and 3‐HQ derivative can be monitored by ratiometric fluorescence or by the OFF‐ON effect of the amino‐BODIPY dye. A similar cytotoxic activity is observed when the amino‐BODIPY dye and 3‐HQ derivative are connected through a non‐cleavable maleimide linker. The work reports the synthesis of several conjugates, the study of their cleavage inside cells, and cytotoxic screening.
Associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with appetite sensations and eating regulation behaviors before and during the initial year following bariatric surgery
Authors: Bond Dale S. , Smith Kathryn E. , Schumacher Leah M. , Vithiananthan Sivamainthan , Jones Daniel B. , Webster Jennifer , Thomas J. Graham 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundBariatric surgery produces weight loss in part by impacting appetite and eating behavior. Research suggests physical activity (PA) assists with regulation of appetite and eating during non‐surgical weight loss, although whether PA carries similar benefits in the context of bariatric surgery is unknown.ObjectiveEvaluate associations of moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) with appetite sensations (hunger [homeostatic/hedonic], satiety) and eating regulation behaviors (restraint, disinhibition) before and during the initial year following bariatric surgery.MethodAdult bariatric patients received an accelerometer to measure MVPA/ST and a smartphone to complete appetite/eating ratings at four semi‐random times daily for 10 days at pre‐ and 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐months post‐surgery. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models.ResultsHigher MVPA levels related to more satiety across time (p = 0.045) and more restraint at 3‐months post‐surgery (p < 0.001). At pre‐surgery, higher MVPA levels also related to more disinhibition (p's < 0.01), although participants reported more disinhibition on days they performed less MVPA than usual (p = 0.017). MVPA did not relate to hunger. Lower ST levels related to more hedonic hunger (p = 0.003), especially at 12‐months post‐surgery (p < 0.001), and participants reported more homeostatic hunger on days they accumulated more ST than usual (p = 0.044). Additionally, higher ST levels related to more disinhibition at 3‐months post‐surgery (p's < 0.01) and lower restraint at pre‐surgery (p's < 0.05). ST did not relate to satiety.ConclusionsThis study is the first to show that MVPA and ST each associate with appetite and eating regulation in daily life before and during post‐surgical weight loss. Results, while preliminary and requiring experimental confirmation, highlight potential for targeting bariatric patients' activity behaviors to enhance modulation of appetite, control of food intake, and resistance to overeating.