bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wall Shear Stress Assessment of the False Lumen in Acute Type B Aortic Dissection Visualized by 4-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging: An Ex-Vivo Study
Authors: Veger Hugo T. C. , Pasveer Erik H. , Westenberg Jos J. M. , Wever Jan J. , van Eps Randolph G. Statius 
Published: June 2021

Background: Four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging (4D flow MRI) can accurately visualize and quantify flow and provide hemodynamic information such as wall shear stress (WSS). This imaging technique can be used to obtain more insight in the hemodynamic changes during cardiac cycle in the true and false lumen of uncomplicated acute Type B Aortic Dissection (TBAD). Gaining more insight of these forces in the false lumen in uncomplicated TBAD during optimal medical treatment, might result in prediction of adverse outcomes. Methods: A porcine aorta dissection model with an artificial dissection was positioned in a validated ex-vivo circulatory system with physiological pulsatile flow. 4D flow MR images with 3 set heartrates (HR; 60 bpm, 80 bpm and 100 bpm) were acquired. False lumen volume per cycle (FLV), mean and peak systolic WSS were determined from 4D flow MRI data. For validation, the experiment was repeated with a second porcine aorta dissection model. Results: During both experiments an increase in FLV (initial experiment: ΔFLV = 2.05 ml, p < 0.001, repeated experiment: ΔFLV = 1.08 ml, p = 0.005) and peak WSS (initial experiment: ΔWSS = 1.2 Pa, p = 0.004, repeated experiment: ΔWSS = 1.79 Pa, p = 0.016) was observed when HR increased from 60 to 80 bpm. Raising the HR from 80 to 100 bpm, no significant increase in FLV ( p = 0.073, p = 0.139) was seen during both experiments. The false lumen mean WSS increased significant during initial (2.71 to 3.85 Pa; p = 0.013) and non-significant during repeated experiment (3.22 to 4.00 Pa; p = 0.320). Conclusion: 4D flow MRI provides insight into hemodynamic dimensions including WSS. Our ex-vivo experiments showed that an increase in HR from 60 to 80 bpm resulted in a significant increase of FLV and WSS of the false lumen. We suggest that strict heart rate control is of major importance to reduce the mean and peak WSS in uncomplicated acute TBAD. Because of the limitations of an ex-vivo study, 4D flow MRI will have to be performed in clinical setting to determine whether this imaging model would be of value to predict the course of uncomplicated TBAD.
Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic-Assisted Retrieval of Wall-Penetrating Inferior Vena Cava Filter After Endovascular Techniques Failed: An Initial Clinical Outcome
Authors: Wang Haidong , Liu Zhenhua , Zhu Xiaofei , Liu Jianlong , Man Libo 
Published: June 2021

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are commonly used in China to prevent pulmonary embolisms in patients with deep vein thrombosis. However, IVC filter removal is complicated when the filter has penetrated the IVC wall and endovascular techniques usually fail. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of retroperitoneal laparoscopic-assisted retrieval of wall-penetrating IVC filters after endovascular techniques have failed. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a series of 8 patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic-assisted retrieval of a wall-penetrating IVC filter between December 2017 and November 2019. All patients had experienced at least 1 failure with endovascular retrieval before the study. The filters were slanted and the proximal retrieval hooks penetrated the posterior lateral IVC wall in all patients on computed tomography. Demographic information, operation parameters, and complications were recorded and analyzed. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. Results: The procedure was successful in all patients. The median surgery time was 53.6 ± 12.7 min and the average blood loss was 45.0 ± 13.5 ml. No serious complication occurred during the patients’ hospitalization, which was an average of 6.4 days. The median follow-up time was 15.1 months, and no patient had deep vein thrombosis recurrence. Conclusions: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic-assisted retrieval is a feasible and effective technique, particularly when proximal retrieval hooks penetrate the posterior lateral wall of the IVC after endovascular techniques have failed. To some extent, the development of this technique at our institution has increased the success rate of filter removal and improved patient satisfaction.
No Difference in Outcomes Following Osteochondral Allograft with Fresh Precut Cores Compared to Hemi-Condylar Allografts
Authors: Markus Danielle H. , Blaeser Anna M. , Hurley Eoghan T. , Mannino Brian J. , Campbell Kirk A. , Jazrawi Laith M. , Alaia Michael J. , Strauss Eric J. , Alaia Erin F. 
Published: June 2021

Objective The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes at early to midterm follow-up between fresh precut cores versus hemi-condylar osteochondral allograft (OCAs) in the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral lesions. Design A retrospective review of patients who underwent an OCA was performed. Patient matching between those with OCA harvested from an allograft condyle/patella or a fresh precut allograft core was performed to generate 2 comparable groups. The cartilage at the graft site was assessed with use of a modified Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) scoring system and patient-reported outcomes were collected. Results Overall, 52 total patients who underwent OCA with either fresh precut OCA cores ( n = 26) and hemi-condylar OCA ( n = 26) were pair matched at a mean follow-up of 34.0 months (range 12 months to 99 months). The mean ages were 31.5 ± 10.7 for fresh precut cores and 30.9 ± 9.8 for hemi-condylar ( P = 0.673). Males accounted for 36.4% of the overall cohort, and the mean lesion size for fresh precut OCA core was 19.6 mm2 compared to 21.2 mm2 for whole condyle ( P = 0.178). There was no significant difference in patient-reported outcomes including Visual Analogue Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement, and Tegner ( P > 0.5 for each), or in MOCART score (69.2 vs. 68.3, P = 0.93). Conclusions This study found that there was no difference in patient-reported clinical outcomes or MOCART scores following OCA implantation using fresh precut OCA cores or size matched condylar grafts at early to midterm follow-up.
Celastrol alleviates LPS-induced inflammation in BMDMs and acute lung injury in mice via inhibition of p-38 MAPK/MK2 signaling
Authors: Chen Zhengxu , Yang Xinyi , Zhang Lu , Li Man , Sun Lei , Qian Feng 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Celastrol is a compound extracted from a medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii which has a broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory effect in traditional medicine. However, the effect of celastrol on acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is still unknown. Methods: We reported that celastrol alleviated LPS-induced acute lung injury by H&E staining, MPO activity and the expression of cytokines in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. The effect of celastrol on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) after LPS treatment was measured by ELISA and Western blotting. Results: In vivo, celastrol reduced the LPS-induced lung edema and MPO activity of lung tissue. Furthermore, the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and KC in bronchoalveolar lavage was reduced. In vitro, upon treatment of LPS, celastrol dose-dependently inhibited the expression of iNOS in BMDMs. Meanwhile, the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and KC in BMDMs were also inhibited by celastrol treatment. Furthermore, we found that celastrol attenuated the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and MK2, and inhibited the interaction between p38 MAPK and MK2. Conclusion: Our data indicate that celastrol has an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-induced inflammatory response in vivo and in vitro, suggesting celastrol is a promising compound for the treatment of ALI and ARDS.
Does time since injury and duration matter in the benefits of physical therapy treatment for concussion?
Authors: Moser Rosemarie S , Schatz Philip , Mayer Bridget , Friedman Sarah , Perkins Melissa , Zebrowski Christina , Islam Siffat , Lemke Hannah , James Matthew , Vidal Paul 
Published: June 2021

Objective To determine if there are differences in post-concussion symptom levels depending on 1) when physical therapy treatment is begun after the concussion and 2) the length of treatment. Method Retrospective chart review yielded 202 patients who sustained concussions and were referred for physical therapy. Participants/patients were assigned to independent groups based on time elapsed between concussion and physical therapy (0–14, 15–30, 31–60, 61–120, 121–365 days), and on months spent in treatment (1–4). Pre- and post- treatment scores were documented for the following measures: Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT), Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) using ANOVAs, with a Bonferroni-corrected p-value of p < .005. Results All patients demonstrated improvements with treatment, with no significant differences in outcomes for time elapsed since injury (SCAT Symptom Score ( p = .80), SCAT Symptom Severity Score ( p = .97), CISS ( p = .61), DHI ( p = .65), mCTSIB ( p = .13)); or for months in treatment (SCAT Symptom Score ( p = .23), SCAT Symptom Severity Score ( p = .04), CISS ( p = .41), DHI ( p = .37), mCTSIB ( p = .50)). Conclusions Improvements were similar for all patients receiving post-concussive physical therapy, regardless of time between injury and treatment onset, and regardless of time spent in treatment. These results may have implications for clinical decision-making and for third party payors’ coverage of post-concussion treatment. Longer periods of treatment may not necessarily be of greater benefit and application of treatment if delayed may also be beneficial. Limitations to the study, such as its retrospective nature, lack of randomization, and convenience sample size are discussed.
Advance care planning among older Canadians amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a focus on sexual orientation
Authors: de Vries Brian , Gutman Gloria , Beringer Robert , Gill Paneet , Daudt Helena 
Published: June 2021

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to death and hardship around the world, and increased popular discourse about end-of-life circumstances and conditions. The extent to which this discourse and related pandemic experiences have precipitated advance care planning (ACP) activities was the focus of this study with a particular emphasis on sexual orientation. Methods: A large, national online survey was conducted between 10 August and 10 October 2020 in Canada. The final sample of 3923 persons aged 55 and older was recruited using social media, direct email, and Facebook advertising and in conjunction with community groups. Women comprised almost 78% of the sample; just more than 7% of the sample identified as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB). Measures included demographic variables and a series of questions on ACP, including documents and discussions undertaken prior to the pandemic and since its onset. Results: Descriptive analyses revealed few gender or sexual orientation differences on documents and discussions prior to the pandemic; since its onset, LGB persons have completed or initiated wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, representation agreements, and have engaged in ACP discussions in greater proportion than heterosexuals. Logistic regressions reveal the increased likelihood of pre-pandemic ACP engagement by age, gender (women), and education; since the pandemic onset, gender, education, and sexual orientation were predictive of greater ACP engagement. Care discussions were more likely undertaken by women and LGB persons since the pandemic most often with spouses, family, and friends, especially among LGB persons. Discussion: Gender roles and previous pandemic experiences (HIV/AIDS, in particular) are implicated in this pattern of results; opportunities for educational interventions are considered.
Biologicals in childhood severe asthma: the European PERMEABLE survey on thestatus quo
Authors: Santos-Valente Elisangela , Buntrock-Döpke Heike , Abou Taam Rola , Arasi Stefania , Bakirtas Arzu , Lozano Blasco Jaime , Bønnelykke Klaus , Craiu Mihai , Cutrera Renato , Deschildre Antoine , Elnazir Basil , Fleming Louise , Frey Urs , Gappa Monika , Nieto García Antonio , Skamstrup Hansen Kirsten , Hanssens Laurence , Jahnz-Rozyk Karina , Jesenak Milos , Kerzel Sebastian , Kopp Matthias V. , Koppelman Gerard H. , Krivec Uros , MacLeod Kenneth A. , Mäkelä Mika , Melén Erik , Mezei Györgyi , Moeller Alexander , Moreira Andre , Pohunek Petr , Minić Predrag , Rutjes Niels W.P. , Sammut Patrick , Schwerk Nicolaus , Szépfalusi Zsolt , Turkalj Mirjana , Tzotcheva Iren , Ulmeanu Alexandru , Verhulst Stijn , Xepapadaki Paraskevi , Niggel Jakob , Vijverberg Susanne , Maitland-van der Zee Anke H. , Potočnik Uroš , Reinartz Susanne M. , van Drunen Cornelis M. , Kabesch Michael 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionSevere asthma is a rare disease in children, for which three biologicals, anti-immunoglobulin E, anti-interleukin-5 and anti-IL4RA antibodies, are available in European countries. While global guidelines exist on who should receive biologicals, knowledge is lacking on how those guidelines are implemented in real life and which unmet needs exist in the field. In this survey, we aimed to investigate thestatus quoand identify open questions in biological therapy of childhood asthma across Europe.MethodsStructured interviews regarding experience with biologicals, regulations on access to the different treatment options, drug selection, therapy success and discontinuation of therapy were performed. Content analysis was used to analyse data.ResultsWe interviewed 37 experts from 25 European countries and Turkey and found a considerable range in the number of children treated with biologicals per centre. All participating countries provide public access to at least one biological. Most countries allow different medical disciplines to prescribe biologicals to children with asthma, and only a few restrict therapy to specialised centres. We observed significant variation in the time point at which treatment success is assessed, in therapy duration and in the success rate of discontinuation. Most participating centres intend to apply a personalised medicine approach in the future to match patientsa priorito available biologicals.ConclusionSubstantial differences exist in the management of childhood severe asthma across Europe, and the need for further studies on biomarkers supporting selection of biologicals, on criteria to assess therapy response and on how/when to end therapy in stable patients is evident.
Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is a risk factor for osteoarthritis in older female adults: a case control study
Authors: Chen Juanjuan , Wang Anqi , Wang Qi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial joint degenerative disease with low-grade inflammation. The gut microbiome has recently emerged as an pathogenic factor of OA, and prebiotics supplementation could alleviate OA symptoms in animal models. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome and OA in the older female adults is hitherto not clear.

Results
Here we studied the gut microbiome of 57 OA patients and their healthy controls by metagenome-wide association study based on previously published data. A significant reduction in the richness and diversity of gut microbiome were observed in OA patients. Bifidobacterium longum and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were decreased while Clostridium spp. was increased in the OA group. The functional modules, particularly the energetic metabolism and acetate production were also decreased in the OA patients. To evaluate the diagnostic value of identified species for elderly patients with OA, we constructed a set of random forest disease classifiers based on species differences between the two groups. Among them, 9 species reached the lowest classification error in the random forest cross validation, and the area under ROC of the model was 0.81.

Conclusions
Significant alterations in the gut microbial composition and function were observed between the older patients with OA and their controls, and a random forest classifier model for OA were constructed based on the differences in our study. Our study have identified several potential gut microbial targets in the elderly females with OA, which will facilitate the treatment of OA based on gut microbiota, is of great value in alleviating pain and improving the quality of life for them.
FEGS: a novel feature extraction model for protein sequences and its applications
Authors: Mu Zengchao , Yu Ting , Liu Xiaoping , Zheng Hongyu , Wei Leyi , Liu Juntao 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Feature extraction of protein sequences is widely used in various research areas related to protein analysis, such as protein similarity analysis and prediction of protein functions or interactions.

Results
In this study, we introduce FEGS (Feature Extraction based on Graphical and Statistical features), a novel feature extraction model of protein sequences, by developing a new technique for graphical representation of protein sequences based on the physicochemical properties of amino acids and effectively employing the statistical features of protein sequences. By fusing the graphical and statistical features, FEGS transforms a protein sequence into a 578-dimensional numerical vector. When FEGS is applied to phylogenetic analysis on five protein sequence data sets, its performance is notably better than all of the other compared methods.

Conclusion
The FEGS method is carefully designed, which is practically powerful for extracting features of protein sequences. The current version of FEGS is developed to be user-friendly and is expected to play a crucial role in the related studies of protein sequence analyses.
Historical genomics reveals the evolutionary mechanisms behind multiple outbreaks of the host-specific coffee wilt pathogen Fusarium xylarioides
Authors: Peck Lily D. , Nowell Reuben W. , Flood Julie , Ryan Matthew J. , Barraclough Timothy G. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Nearly 50% of crop yields are lost to pests and disease, with plants and pathogens locked in an amplified co-evolutionary process of disease outbreaks. Coffee wilt disease, caused by Fusarium xylarioides, decimated coffee production in west and central Africa following its initial outbreak in the 1920s. After successful management, it later re-emerged and by the 2000s comprised two separate epidemics on arabica coffee in Ethiopia and robusta coffee in east and central Africa.

Results
Here, we use genome sequencing of six historical culture collection strains spanning 52 years to identify the evolutionary processes behind these repeated outbreaks. Phylogenomic reconstruction using 13,782 single copy orthologs shows that the robusta population arose from the initial outbreak, whilst the arabica population is a divergent sister clade to the other strains. A screen for putative effector genes involved in pathogenesis shows that the populations have diverged in gene content and sequence mainly by vertical processes within lineages. However, 15 putative effector genes show evidence of horizontal acquisition, with close homology to genes from F. oxysporum. Most occupy small regions of homology within wider scaffolds, whereas a cluster of four genes occupy a 20Kb scaffold with strong homology to a region on a mobile pathogenicity chromosome in F. oxysporum that houses known effector genes. Lacking a match to the whole mobile chromosome, we nonetheless found close associations with DNA transposons, especially the miniature impala type previously proposed to facilitate horizontal transfer of pathogenicity genes in F. oxysporum. These findings support a working hypothesis that the arabica and robusta populations partly acquired distinct effector genes via transposition-mediated horizontal transfer from F. oxysporum, which shares coffee as a host and lives on other plants intercropped with coffee.

Conclusion
Our results show how historical genomics can help reveal mechanisms that allow fungal pathogens to keep pace with our efforts to resist them. Our list of putative effector genes identifies possible future targets for fungal control. In turn, knowledge of horizontal transfer mechanisms and putative donor taxa might help to design future intercropping strategies that minimize the risk of transfer of effector genes between closely-related Fusarium taxa.
FLA14 is required for pollen development and preventing premature pollen germination under high humidity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Miao Yingjing , Cao Jiashu , Huang Li , Yu Youjian , Lin Sue 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
As an important subfamily of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), fasciclin-like AGPs (FLAs) contribute to various aspects of growth, development and adaptation, yet their function remains largely elusive. Despite the diversity of FLAs, only two members, Arabidopsis FLA3 and rice MTR1, are reported to be involved in sexual reproduction. In this study, another Arabidopsis FLA-encoding gene, FLA14, was identified, and its role was investigated.

Results
Arabidopsis FLA14 was found to be a pollen grain-specific gene. Expression results from fusion with green fluorescent protein showed that FLA14 was localized along the cell membrane and in Hechtian strands. A loss-of-function mutant of FLA14 showed no discernible defects during male gametogenesis, but precocious pollen germination occurred inside the mature anthers under high moisture conditions. Overexpression of FLA14 caused 39.2% abnormal pollen grains with a shrunken and withered appearance, leading to largely reduced fertility with short mature siliques and lower seed set. Cytological and ultramicroscopic observation showed that ectopic expression of FLA14 caused disruption at the uninucleate stage, resulting in either collapsed pollen with absent intine or pollen of normal appearance but with a thickened intine.

Conclusions
Taken together, our data suggest a role for FLA14 in pollen development and preventing premature pollen germination inside the anthers under high relative humidity in Arabidopsis.