bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cut-off values of serum IgG4 among three reagents, including a novel IgG4 reagent: a multicenter study
Authors: Usami Yoko , Sugano Mitsutoshi , Uehara Takeshi , Koinuma Masayoshi , Ishimine Nau , Kawasaki Kenji , Yamauchi Kazuyoshi , Hamano Hideaki , Honda Takayuki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElevated serum IgG4 is a useful marker of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) activity. However, there is no uniformity in the cut-off values of IgG4 among the various reagents. The aim of this study was to compare the measured and cut-off values of IgG4 assessed using three different reagents. This study enrolled 466 IgG4-RD and non-IgG4-RD patients who required measurement of serum IgG4 levels to diagnose or treat IgG4-RD. Serum IgG4 was measured using three reagents: N-assay LA IgG4 Nittobo (Nittobo), BS-NIA IgG4 (TBS), and N Latex IgG4 (Siemens). The values obtained using the three reagents were compared, and cut-off values were calculated for each. Although there was good correlation among the results with the three reagents, the measured and cut-off values were all different. The Nittobo values were 1.4 times the TBS values and the TBS values were almost half those of the Siemens values. ROC curve analysis showed cut-off values for the Nittobo, TBS, and Siemens reagents of 1.42, 1.31, and 2.38 g/L, respectively. The measured and cut-off values of serum IgG4 vary depending on the reagents used for the assay, although there is good correlation among the values measured by the three reagents.
ATF5 deficiency causes abnormal cortical development
Authors: Umemura Mariko , Kaneko Yasuyuki , Tanabe Ryoko , Takahashi Yuji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractActivating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is a member of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)/ATF family of basic leucine zipper transcription factors. We previously reported that ATF5-deficient (ATF5−/−) mice exhibited behavioural abnormalities, including abnormal social interactions, reduced behavioural flexibility, increased anxiety-like behaviours, and hyperactivity in novel environments. ATF5−/− mice may therefore be a useful animal model for psychiatric disorders. ATF5 is highly expressed in the ventricular zone and subventricular zone during cortical development, but its physiological role in higher-order brain structures remains unknown. To investigate the cause of abnormal behaviours exhibited by ATF5−/− mice, we analysed the embryonic cerebral cortex of ATF5−/− mice. The ATF5−/− embryonic cerebral cortex was slightly thinner and had reduced numbers of radial glial cells and neural progenitor cells, compared to a wild-type cerebral cortex. ATF5 deficiency also affected the basal processes of radial glial cells, which serve as a scaffold for radial migration during cortical development. Further, the radial migration of cortical upper layer neurons was impaired in ATF5−/− mice. These results suggest that ATF5 deficiency affects cortical development and radial migration, which may partly contribute to the observed abnormal behaviours.
Garcinia mangostana extract and curcumin ameliorate oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia in high fat diet-induced obese Wistar albino rats
Authors: Labban Ranyah Shaker M. , Alfawaz Hanan A. , Almnaizel Ahmed T. , Al-Muammar May N. , Bhat Ramesa Shafi , El-Ansary Afaf 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore the effects of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) and Curcuma longa independently and synergistically in modulating oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia commonly observed in high-fat diet-induced obesity in rodent models. Male albino Wistar rats were divided into eight experimental groups, fed on a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD), then given mangosteen extract (400 mg /kg /day) and/or curcumin (80 mg/kg /day) for 6 weeks. Oxidative stress markers, glucose, and lipid fractions were measured in the sera. Mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE) induced a remarkable decrease in BMI (from 0.86 to 0.81 gm/cm2), while curcuma either alone or in combination was more effective, as treated rats recorded BMIs of 0.78 and 0.79 gm/cm2, respectively. Regarding the antioxidant effects, MPE induced a significant increase of GSH in obese rats (123.86 ± 15.53 μg/ml vs 288.72 ± 121.37 μg/ml). As anti-atherogenic agents MPE demonstrate significant effect recorded higher level of HDL-C in treated animals, but ineefective as anti-dyslipidemic agent. Curcumin was more effective in reducing LDL-C levels in obese rats. Both extracts effectively reduced blood glucose. The present study demonstrated that MPE and curcumin were independently and synergistically effective in treating obesity-induced atherogenesis.
Observational evidence of stratification control of upwelling and pelagic fishery in the eastern Arabian Sea
Authors: Narvekar Jayu , Roy Chowdhury Riyanka , Gaonkar Diksha , Kumar P. K. Dinesh , Prasanna Kumar S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUpwelling is a physical phenomenon that occurs globally along the eastern boundary of the ocean and supports pelagic fishery which is an important source of protein for the coastal population. Though upwelling and associated small pelagic fishery along the eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) is known to exist at least for the past six decades, our understanding of the factors controlling them are still elusive. Based on observation and data analysis we hypothesize that upwelling in the EAS during 2017 was modulated by freshwater-induced stratification. To validate this hypothesis, we examined 17 years of data from 2001 and show that inter-annual variability of freshwater influx indeed controls the upwelling in the EAS through stratification, a mechanism hitherto unexplored. The upper ocean stratification in turn is regulated by the fresh water influx through a combination of precipitation and river runoff. We further show that the oil sardine which is one of the dominant fish of the small pelagic fishery of the EAS varied inversely with stratification. Our study for the first time underscored the role of freshwater influx in regulating the coastal upwelling and upper ocean stratification controlling the regional pelagic fishery of the EAS.
Persimmon-derived tannin ameliorates the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis in a murine model through inhibition of the inflammatory response and alteration of microbiota
Authors: Kitabatake Masahiro , Matsumura Yoko , Ouji-Sageshima Noriko , Nishioka Tatsuki , Hara Atsushi , Kayano Shin-ichi , Ito Toshihiro 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUlcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induced by dysregulation of the immune response in the intestinal mucosa. Although the underlying mechanisms of UC development are not fully understood, disruption of gut microbiota, “dysbiosis”, is thought to lead to the development of IBD. Persimmon (Ebenaceae Diospyros kaki Thunb.)-derived tannin, which is a condensed polymeric tannin consisting of catechin groups, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. In this study, we assessed the effect of persimmon-derived tannin on a murine model of UC established by dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in female mice. Dietary supplementation of tannin significantly decreased disease activity and colon inflammation. A hydrolysate of tannin directly suppressed expression of inflammatory genes in macrophages in vitro. In faecal microbiota, the relative abundance of Bacteroides was increased significantly by tannin supplementation. Alpha-diversity indices in colitis-induced mice were significantly higher in the tannin diet group compared with the control diet group. Additionally, expansion of Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus, which is associated with disease progression of IBD, was remarkably suppressed in the tannin diet group. These results suggest that persimmon-derived tannin ameliorates colon inflammation in UC through alteration of the microbiota composition and immune response, which may be a promising candidate for IBD therapy.
The role of the size in thyroid cancer risk stratification
Authors: Vianello Federica , Censi Simona , Watutantrige-Fernando Sara , Barollo Susi , Zhu Yi Hang , Albiger Nora , Bertazza Loris , Manso Jacopo , Carducci Sofia , Benna Clara , Iacobone Maurizio , Galuppini Francesca , Pennelli Gianmaria , Mian Caterina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOnly a minority of cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) have a poor clinical outcome. Clinical outcomes and molecular aspects were assessed in: 144 DTC ≤ 40 mm without distant metastases (group 1); 50 DTC > 40 mm without distant metastases (group 2); and 46 DTC with distant metastases (group 3). Group 3 had a worse outcome than the other two groups: during the follow-up, patients more frequently had persistent disease, died, or underwent further treatment. The outcomes did not differ between groups 1 and 2. Group 3 had a higher prevalence of TERT promoter mutations than group 2 (32.6% vs 14%). Group 1 had a higher frequency of BRAF mutations than groups 2 or 3 (61.1% vs 16.0% and 26.1%, respectively), while RAS mutations were more common in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3 (16.0% vs 2.1% and 6.5%, respectively). Groups 1 and 2 shared the same outcome, but were genetically distinct. Only lymph node involvement, distant metastases, older age and (among the molecular markers) TERT promoter mutations were independent predictors of a worse outcome. Metastatic DTC had the worst outcome, while the outcome was identical for large and small non-metastatic DTC, although they showed different molecular patterns. TERT promoter mutations emerged as an independent factor pointing to a poor prognosis.
A novel proteomics approach to epigenetic profiling of circulating nucleosomes
Authors: Van den Ackerveken Priscilla , Lobbens Alison , Turatsinze Jean-Valery , Solis-Mezarino Victor , Völker-Albert Moritz , Imhof Axel , Herzog Marielle 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlteration of epigenetic modifications plays an important role in human cancer. Notably, the dysregulation of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) has been associated with several cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the signature of histone PTMs on circulating nucleosomes is still not well described. We have developed a fast and robust enrichment method to isolate circulating nucleosomes from plasma for further downstream proteomic analysis. This method enabled us to quantify the global alterations of histone PTMs from 9 CRC patients and 9 healthy donors. Among 54 histone proteoforms identified and quantified in plasma samples, 13 histone PTMs were distinctive in CRC. Notably, methylation of histone H3K9 and H3K27, acetylation of histone H3 and citrullination of histone H2A1R3 were upregulated in plasma of CRC patients. A comparative analysis of paired samples identified 3 common histone PTMs in plasma and tumor tissue including the methylation and acetylation state of lysine 27 of histone H3. Moreover, we highlight for the first time that histone H2A1R3 citrulline is a modification upregulated in CRC patients. This new method presented herein allows the detection and quantification of histone variants and histone PTMs from circulating nucleosomes in plasma samples and could be used for biomarker discovery of cancer.
Self-ordered nanospike porous alumina fabricated under a new regime by an anodizing process in alkaline media
Authors: Iwai Mana , Kikuchi Tatsuya , Suzuki Ryosuke O. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHigh-aspect ratio ordered nanomaterial arrays exhibit several unique physicochemical and optical properties. Porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) is one of the most typical ordered porous structures and can be easily fabricated by applying an electrochemical anodizing process to Al. However, the dimensional and structural controllability of conventional porous AAOs is limited to a narrow range because there are only a few electrolytes that work in this process. Here, we provide a novel anodizing method using an alkaline electrolyte, sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7), for the fabrication of a high-aspect ratio, self-ordered nanospike porous AAO structure. This self-ordered porous AAO structure possesses a wide range of the interpore distance under a new anodizing regime, and highly ordered porous AAO structures can be fabricated using pre-nanotexturing of Al. The vertical pore walls of porous AAOs have unique nanospikes measuring several tens of nanometers in periodicity, and we demonstrate that AAO can be used as a template for the fabrication of nanomaterials with a large surface area. We also reveal that stable anodizing without the occurrence of oxide burning and the subsequent formation of uniform self-ordered AAO structures can be achieved on complicated three-dimensional substrates.
Enhanced activations in syntax-related regions for multilinguals while acquiring a new language
Authors: Umejima Keita , Flynn Suzanne , Sakai Kuniyoshi L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe neuroscientific foundation of multilingualism, a unique cognitive capacity, necessitates further elucidation. We conducted an fMRI experiment to evaluate the acquisition of syntactic features in a new language (Kazakh) for multilinguals and bilinguals. Results showed that the multilinguals who were more proficient in their second/third languages needed fewer task trials to acquire Kazakh phonology. Regarding group differences, the reduction in response times during the initial exposure to Kazakh were significantly larger for the multilinguals than the bilinguals. For the multilinguals, activations in the bilateral frontal/temporal regions were maintained at a higher level than the initial level during subsequent new grammar conditions. For the bilinguals, activations in the basal ganglia/thalamus and cerebellum decreased to the initial level each time. Direct group comparisons showed significantly enhanced activations for the multilinguals in the left ventral inferior frontal gyrus. These results indicate that both syntax-related and domain-general brain networks were more enhanced for the multilinguals. We also unexpectedly observed significant activations in the visual areas for the multilinguals, implying the use of visual representation even when listening to speech sounds alone. Because the multilinguals were able to successfully utilize acquired knowledge in an accumulated manner, the results support the cumulative-enhancement model of language acquisition.
Computational drug repurposing study elucidating simultaneous inhibition of entry and replication of novel corona virus by Grazoprevir
Authors: Behera Santosh Kumar , Vhora Nazmina , Contractor Darshan , Shard Amit , Kumar Dinesh , Kalia Kiran , Jain Alok 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOutcomes of various clinical studies for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment indicated that the drug acts via inhibition of multiple pathways (targets) is likely to be more successful and promising. Keeping this hypothesis intact, the present study describes for the first-time, Grazoprevir, an FDA approved anti-viral drug primarily approved for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), mediated multiple pathway control via synergistic inhibition of viral entry targeting host cell Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2)/transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and viral replication targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Molecular modeling followed by in-depth structural analysis clearly demonstrated that Grazoprevir interacts with the key residues of these targets. Futher, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations showed stability and burial of key residues after the complex formation. Finally, Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) analysis identified the governing force of drug-receptor interactions and stability. Thus, we believe that Grazoprevir could be an effective therapeutics for the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic with a promise of unlikely drug resistance owing to multiple inhibitions of eukaryotic and viral proteins, thus warrants further clinical studies.
Effects of different prosthetic instrumentations on tibial bone resection in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Lu Yufeng , Yuan Xuechao , Qiao Feng , Hao Yangquan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOur aim was to assess the accuracy of the obtained posterior tibial slope (PTS) with a fixed angle cutting block. 247 TKAs in 213 patients were reviewed. We included 104 Legion Prosthesis, 76 U2 Knee Prosthesis, 46 NexGen LPS-Flex Prosthesis, and 21 Vanguard Knee System products. Preoperative and postoperative PTS were measured via expanded lateral tibia radiographs. For postoperative PTS, the Legion group had significantly smaller slopes than the U2 Knee group and Vanguard group. However, there was no significant difference between the Legion and NexGen groups, and no significant difference among the NexGen, U2 Knee, and Vanguard groups. Multiple linear regression showed that the different tibial lengths and preoperative PTS had statistically significant effects on postoperative PTS. However, there were weak correlations between the tibial length and PTS, and between preoperative and postoperative PTS. For TKA, although the PTS is not completely consistent with the angle of the cutting block, using conventional tibial bone resection technology with different tibial cutting instrumentations provided by various manufacturers in TKA can obtain safe PTS.
Enhanced lipid metabolism induces the sensitivity of dormant cancer cells to 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy
Authors: Nakayama Taku , Sano Tomonori , Oshimo Yoshiki , Kawada Chiaki , Kasai Moe , Yamamoto Shinkuro , Fukuhara Hideo , Inoue Keiji , Ogura Shun-ichiro 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCancer can develop into a recurrent metastatic disease with latency periods of years to decades. Dormant cancer cells, which represent a major cause of recurrent cancer, are relatively insensitive to most chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation. We previously demonstrated that cancer cells exhibited dormancy in a cell density-dependent manner. Dormant cancer cells exhibited increased porphyrin metabolism and sensitivity to 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT). However, the metabolic changes in dormant cancer cells or the factors that enhance porphyrin metabolism have not been fully clarified. In this study, we revealed that lipid metabolism was increased in dormant cancer cells, leading to ALA-PDT sensitivity. We performed microarray analysis in non-dormant and dormant cancer cells and revealed that lipid metabolism was remarkably enhanced in dormant cancer cells. In addition, triacsin C, a potent inhibitor of acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSs), reduced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) accumulation and decreased ALA-PDT sensitivity. We demonstrated that lipid metabolism including ACS expression was positively associated with PpIX accumulation. This research suggested that the enhancement of lipid metabolism in cancer cells induces PpIX accumulation and ALA-PDT sensitivity.
Kramers Weyl semimetals as quantum solenoids and their applications in spin-orbit torque devices
Authors: He Wen-Yu , Xu Xiao Yan , Law K. T. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractKramers Weyl semimetals are Weyl semimetals that have Weyl points pinned at the time reversal invariant momenta. Recently it has been discovered that all chiral crystals host Weyl points at time reversal invariant momenta, so metals with chiral lattice symmetry all belong to the category of Kramers Weyl semimetals. In this work, we show that due to the chiral lattice symmetry, Kramers Weyl semimetals have the unique longitudinal magnetoelectric effect in which the charge current induced spin and orbital magnetization is parallel to the direction of the current. This feature allows Kramers Weyl semimetals to act as nanoscale quantum solenoids with both orbital and spin magnetization. As the moving electrons of Kramers Weyl semimetal can generate longitudinal magnetization, Kramers Weyl semimetals can be used for new designs of spin-orbit torque devices with all electric control of magnetization switching for magnets with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.
Atmospheric diffuse plasma jet formation from positive-pseudo-streamer and negative pulseless glow discharges
Authors: Li Jing , Lei Bingying , Wang Jing , Xu Boping , Ran Shuang , Wang Yishan , Zhang Tongyi , Tang Jie , Zhao Wei , Duan Yixiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAtmospheric gas discharge is very likely to constrict into filaments and diffuse plasma formation is inefficient in most cases. Developing cost-efficient atmospheric diffuse plasma devices represents a significant challenge for high performance in biomedical decontamination and material processing. Here, we propose an alternative roadmap to produce a diffuse argon plasma jet by expanding and quenching the existing filamentary discharge at the initial or middle stage of streamer development. Possible mechanisms are summarized. With the gas flow velocity comparable to the ion drift one, enhancing ambipolar diffusion near the edge of the positive-streamer channel promotes the radial diffusion of newly-produced electrons, realizing the radial expansion of channel. Weakening electric field in front of the streamer head through head expansion and field offset, prevents the further development of streamer, leading to a positive-pseudo-streamer discharge. Reducing electric field in front of the negative-streamer head through ion compensation, impedes the initial growth of streamer, resulting in a negative pulseless glow discharge. The positive-pseudo-streamer and negative pulseless glow discharges function together to form the diffuse plasma jet.
Metal–ligand cooperation behaviour of Fe and Co complexes bearing a tetradentate phenanthroline-based PNNP ligand
Authors: Nakajima Yumiko , Takeshita Tomohiro , Jheng Nai-Yuan 
Published: March 2021

A metal–ligand cooperation (MLC) behavior was investigated using Iron and cobalt complexes bearing a phenanthroline-based meridional PNNP ligand, demonstrating a unique long-range MLC, where the phenanthroline backbone behaves as a H2 reservoir.
Synergic and coupling effect between SnO2 nanoparticles and hierarchical AlV3O9 microspheres toward emerging electrode materials for lithium-ion battery devices
Authors: Ghiyasiyan-Arani Maryam , Salavati-Niasari Masoud 
Published: March 2021

Excellent functional properties were achieved for AlV3O9/SnO2 micro/nano sphere composites with high electronic and ionic conductivity due to the coupling effect, which utilized as promising candidates for Lithium storage application.
Auditory-Perceptual Features of Speech in Children and Adults With Down Syndrome: A Speech Profile Analysis
Authors: Kent Raymond D. , Eichhorn Julie , Wilson Erin M. , Suk Youmi , Bolt Daniel M. , Vorperian Houri K. 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine how the speech disorder profiles in Down syndrome (DS) relate to reduced intelligibility, atypical overall quality, and impairments in the subsystems of speech production (phonation, articulation, resonance, and prosody).MethodAuditory-perceptual ratings of intelligibility, overall quality, and features associated with the subsystems of speech production were obtained from recordings of 79 children and adults with DS. Ratings were made for sustained vowels (62 of 79 speakers) and short sentences (79 speakers). The data were analyzed to determine the severity of the affected features in each speaking task and to detect patterns in the group data by means of principal components analysis.ResultsReduced intelligibility was noted in 90% of the speakers, and atypical overall speech quality was noted in 100%. Affected speech features were distributed across the speech production subsystems. Principal components analysis revealed four components each for the vowel and sentence tasks, showing that individuals with DS are not homogeneous in the features of their speech disorder.DiscussionThe speech disorder in DS is complex in its perceptual features and reflects impairments across the subsystems of speech production, but the pattern is not uniform across individuals, indicating that attention must be given to individual variation in designing treatments.