bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eye movement characteristics provide an objective measure of visual processing changes in patients with visual snow syndrome
Authors: Solly Emma J. , Clough Meaghan , McKendrick Allison M. , Foletta Paige , White Owen B. , Fielding Joanne 
Published: May 2021

AbstractVisual snow syndrome (VSS) is a poorly understood neurological disorder that features a range of disabling sensory changes. Visual processing changes revealed previously in VSS appear consistent with poor attentional control, specifically, with difficulty controlling environmentally driven shifts of attention. This study sought to confirm this proposal by determining whether these changes were similarly evident where attention is internally driven. Sixty seven VSS patients and 37 controls completed two saccade tasks: the endogenously cued saccade task and saccadic Simon task. The endogenously cued saccade task correctly (valid trial) or incorrectly (invalid trial) pre-cues a target location using a centrally presented arrow. VSS patients generated significantly shorter saccade latencies for valid trials (p = 0.03), resulting in a greater magnitude cue effect (p = 0.02), i.e. the difference in latency between valid and invalid trials. The saccadic Simon task presents a peripheral cue which may be spatially congruent or incongruent with the subsequent target location. Latencies on this task were comparable for VSS patients and controls, with a normal Simon effect, i.e. shorter latencies for saccades to targets spatially congruent with the preceding cue. On both tasks, VSS patients generated more erroneous saccades than controls towards non-target locations (Endogenously cued saccade task: p = 0.02, saccadic Simon task: p = 0.04). These results demonstrate that cued shifts of attention differentially affect saccade generation in VSS patients. We propose that these changes are not due to impairment of frontally-mediated inhibitory control, but to heightened saccade-related activity in visual regions. These results contribute to a VSS ocular motor signature that may provide clinical utility as well as an objective measure of dysfunction to facilitate future research.
Investigation of the antimicrobial activity and hematological pattern of nano-chitosan and its nano-copper composite
Authors: Ahmed Somia B. , Mohamed Hadeer I. , Al-Subaie Abeer M. , Al-Ohali Ahoud I. , Mahmoud Nesrine M. R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNovel synthesized Chitosan–Copper oxide nanocomposite (Cs–CuO) was prepared using pomegranate peels extract as green precipitating agents to improve the biological activity of Cs-NP's, which was synthesized through the ionic gelation method. The characterization of biogenic nanoparticles Cs-NP's and Cs–CuO-NP's was investigated structurally, morphologically to determine all the significant characters of those nanoparticles. Antimicrobial activity was tested for both Cs-NP's and Cs–CuO-NP's via minimum inhibition concentration and zone analysis against fungus, gram-positive and gram-negative. The antimicrobial test results showed high sensitivity of Cs–CuO-NP's to all microorganisms tested in a concentration less than 20,000 mg/L, while the sensitivity of Cs-NP's against all microorganisms under the test started from a concentration of 20,000–40,000 mg/L except for the C. albicans species. The hematological activity was also tested via measuring the RBCs, platelet count, and clotting time against healthy, diabetic, and hypercholesteremia blood samples. The measurement showed a decrease in RBCs and platelet count by adding Cs-NP’s or Cs–CuO-NP's to the three blood samples. Cs-NP's success in decreasing the clotting time for healthy and diabetic blood acting as a procoagulant agent while adding biogenic CuO-NP’s to Cs-NP’s increased clotting time considering as an anti-coagulant agent for hypercholesteremia blood samples.
Adenosine-related small molecules show utility of recall antigen assay to screen compounds for off-target effects on memory T cells
Authors: Kleiman Eden , Sierra Gloria , Mao Binchen , Magcase Dennie , George Marybeth V. , Daftarian Pirouz M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractExtracellular adenosine suppresses T cell immunity in the tumor microenvironment and in vitro treatment of memory T cells with adenosine can suppress antigen-mediated memory T cell expansion. We describe utilizing the recall antigen assay platform to screen small molecule drug off-target effects on memory T cell expansion/function using a dosing regimen based on adenosine treatment. As a proof of principle, we show low dose GS-5734, a monophosphoramidate prodrug of an adenosine analog, does not alter memory T cell recall at lower doses whereas toxicity observed at high dose favors antigen-specific memory T cell survival/proliferation over non-specific CD8+ T cells. Conversely, parent nucleoside GS-441524 at high dosage does not result in cellular toxicity and reduces antigen-specific T cell recall in most donors. Despite similar chemical structure, these drugs displayed opposing effects on memory T cell expansion and viability highlighting the sensitivity of this assay setup in screening compounds for off-target effects.
Elucidating direct kinase targets of compound Danshen dropping pills employing archived data and prediction models
Authors: Wang Tongxing , Liang Lu , Zhao Chunlai , Sun Jia , Wang Hairong , Wang Wenjia , Lin Jianping , Hu Yunhui 
Published: May 2021

AbstractResearch on direct targets of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to study the mechanism and material basis of it, but there is still no effective methods at present. We took Compound Danshen dropping pills (CDDP) as a study case to establish a strategy to identify significant direct targets of TCM. As a result, thirty potential active kinase targets of CDDP were identified. Nine of them had potential dose-dependent effects. In addition, the direct inhibitory effect of CDDP on three kinases, AURKB, MET and PIM1 were observed both on biochemical level and cellular level, which could not only shed light on the mechanisms of action involved in CDDP, but also suggesting the potency of drug repositioning of CDDP. Our results indicated that the research strategy including both in silico models and experimental validation that we built, were relatively efficient and reliable for direct targets identification for TCM prescription, which will help elucidating the mechanisms of TCM and promoting the modernization of TCM.
fMRI findings in MTBI patients with headaches following rTMS
Authors: Vaninetti Michael , Lim Mike , Khalaf Aladdin , Metzger-Smith Valerie , Flowers Matthew , Kunnel Alphonsa , Yang Eric , Song David , Lin Lisa , Tsai Alice , Lee Roland , Golshan Shahrokh , Leung Albert 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) patients with persistent headaches are known to have diminished supraspinal modulatory connectivity from their prefrontal cortices. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is able to alleviate MTBI-related headache (MTBI-HA). This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study assessed supraspinal correlates associated with the headache analgesic effect of rTMS at left prefrontal cortex (LPFC), hypothesizing real rTMS would significantly increase modulatory functions at LPFC in comparison to sham treatment. Subjects with MTBI-HA were randomized to receive either real or sham rTMS treatments and subjected to pre- and post-treatment resting state and evoked heat-pain fMRI as described in a prior study. Real rTMS consisted of 2000 pulses delivered at 10 Hz and 80% of the resting motor threshold at left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, whereas sham treatment was delivered with same figure-of-eight coil turned 180 degrees. Follow-up fMRI was performed one-week post-treatment.
All fMRI data was processed using BrainVoyager QX Software. 14 subjects receiving real and 12 subjects receiving sham treatments completed the study. The REAL group demonstrated significant (P < 0.02) decreases in headache frequency and intensity at one week following treatment. fMRI scans in the REAL group showed increased evoked heat pain activity (P < 0.002) and resting functional connectivity (P < 0.0001) at the LPFC after rTMS. Neither this significant analgesic effect nor these fMRI findings were seen in the sham group. Sham treatment was, however, associated with a decrease in resting state activity at the LPFC (P < 0.0001). This study correlates the demonstrated analgesic effect of rTMS in the treatment of MTBI-HA with enhanced supraspinal functional connectivity in the left prefrontal cortex, which is known to be involved in “top-down” pain inhibition along the descending midbrain-thalamic-cingulate pathway.
Trial Registration: This study was registered on September 24, 2013, on ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier: NCT01948947. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01948947.
Number of daily measurements needed to estimate habitual step count levels using wrist-worn trackers and smartphones in 212,048 adults
Authors: Yao Jiali , Tan Chuen Seng , Lim Nicole , Tan Jeremy , Chen Cynthia , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDaily step count is a readily accessible physical activity measure inversely related to many important health outcomes. However, its day-to-day variability is not clear, especially when measured by recent mobile devices. This study investigates number of measurement days required to reliably estimate the weekly and monthly levels of daily step count in adults using wrist-worn fitness trackers and smartphones. Data were from a 5-month physical activity program in Singapore. The 5-month period was divided into 22 weekly and 5 monthly time windows. For each time window, we leveraged data sampling procedures and estimated the minimum number of measurement days needed to achieve reliable mean daily step count with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) above 80%. The ICCs were derived using linear mixed effect models. We examined both simple random and random consecutive measurement days and conducted subgroup analysis by participant characteristics and tracking devices. Analysis of weekly and monthly step count included 212,048 and 112,865 adults, respectively. Fewer simple random measurement days are needed than random consecutive days for weekly time windows (mean 2.5, SD 0.5 vs mean 2.7, SD 0.5; p-value = 0.025). Similarly, monthly time windows require fewer measurements of simple random days than random consecutive days (mean 3.4, SD 0.5 vs mean 4.4, SD 0.5; p-value = 0.025). Younger participants and those tracking steps via smartphones consistently required more days. Being obese was associated with more measurement days for weekly time windows. In sum, to obtain reliable daily step count level, we recommend at least 3 measurement days for weekly and 5 days for monthly time window in adults. Fewer days could be considered for adults age 60+ years, while more days are required when tracking daily step via smartphones.
SWI/SNF subunit BAF155 N-terminus structure informs the impact of cancer-associated mutations and reveals a potential drug binding site
Authors: Allen Mark D. , Freund Stefan M. V. , Bycroft Mark , Zinzalla Giovanna 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSWI/SNF (BAF) chromatin remodelling complexes are key regulators of gene expression programs, and attractive drug targets for cancer therapies. Here we show that the N-terminus of the BAF155/SMARCC1 subunit contains a putative DNA-binding MarR-like domain, a chromodomain and a BRCT domain that are interconnected to each other to form a distinct module. In this structure the chromodomain makes interdomain interactions and has lost its canonical function to bind to methylated lysines. The structure provides new insights into the missense mutations that target this module in cancer. This study also reveals two adjacent, highly-conserved pockets in a cleft between the domains that form a potential binding site, which can be targeted with small molecules, offering a new strategy to target SWI/SNF complexes.
Iron induces two distinct Ca2+ signalling cascades in astrocytes
Authors: Guan Wenzheng , Xia Maosheng , Ji Ming , Chen Beina , Li Shuai , Zhang Manman , Liang Shanshan , Chen Binjie , Gong Wenliang , Dong Chengyi , Wen Gehua , Zhan Xiaoni , Zhang Dianjun , Li Xinyu , Zhou Yuefei , Guan Dawei , Verkhratsky Alexei , Li Baoman 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIron is the fundamental element for numerous physiological functions. Plasmalemmal divalent metal ion transporter 1 (DMT1) is responsible for cellular uptake of ferrous (Fe2+), whereas transferrin receptors (TFR) carry transferrin (TF)-bound ferric (Fe3+). In this study we performed detailed analysis of the action of Fe ions on cytoplasmic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in astrocytes. Administration of Fe2+ or Fe3+ in μM concentrations evoked [Ca2+]i in astrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Iron ions trigger increase in [Ca2+]i through two distinct molecular cascades. Uptake of Fe2+ by DMT1 inhibits astroglial Na+-K+-ATPase, which leads to elevation in cytoplasmic Na+ concentration, thus reversing Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and thereby generating Ca2+ influx. Uptake of Fe3+ by TF-TFR stimulates phospholipase C to produce inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), thus triggering InsP3 receptor-mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum. In summary, these findings reveal the mechanisms of iron-induced astrocytic signalling operational in conditions of iron overload.
A critical assessment of the applicability of the energy-limited approximation for estimating exoplanetary mass-loss rates
Authors: Krenn A. F. , Fossati L. , Kubyshkina D. , Lammer H. 
Published: May 2021

Context. The energy-limited atmospheric escape approach is widely used to estimate mass-loss rates for a broad range of planets that host hydrogen-dominated atmospheres as well as for performing atmospheric evolution calculations.
Aims. We aim to study the applicability range of the energy-limited atmospheric escape approximation.
Methods. We revise the energy-limited atmospheric escape formalism and the involved assumptions. We also compare the results of the energy-limited formalism with those of hydrodynamic simulations, employing a grid covering planets with masses, radii, and equilibrium temperatures ranging between 1 M⊕ and 39 M⊕, 1 R⊕ and 10 R⊕, and 300 and 2000 K, respectively.
Results. Within the grid boundaries, we find that the energy-limited approximation gives a correct order of magnitude estimate for mass-loss rates for about 76% of the planets, but there can be departures from hydrodynamic simulations by up to two to three orders of magnitude in individual cases. Furthermore, we find that planets for which the mass-loss rates are correctly estimated by the energy-limited approximation to within one order of magnitude have intermediate gravitational potentials (≈2.5–5.5 ×108 J kg−1) as well as low-to-intermediate equilibrium temperatures and irradiation fluxes of extreme ultraviolet and X-ray radiation. However, for planets with low or high gravitational potentials, or high equilibrium temperatures and irradiation fluxes, the approximation fails in most cases.
Conclusions. The energy-limited approximation should not be used for planetary evolution calculations that require computing mass-loss rates for planets that cover a broad parameter space. In this case, it is very likely that the energy-limited approximation would at times return mass-loss rates of up to several orders of magnitude above or below those predicted by hydrodynamic simulations. For planetary atmospheric evolution calculations, interpolation routines or approximations based on grids of hydrodynamic models should be used instead.
Significant interstellar object production by close stellar flybys
Authors: Pfalzner Susanne , Aizpuru Vargas Luis L. , Bhandare Asmita , Veras Dimitri 
Published: May 2021

Context. Within just two years, two interstellar objects (ISOs) – 1I/‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov – have been discovered, the first of their kind. Large quantities of planetesimals form as a by-product of planet formation. Therefore, it seems likely that ISOs are former planetesimals that became somehow unbound from their parent star. The discoveries raise the question of the dominant ISO formation process.
Aims. Here, we concentrate on planetesimals released during another star’s close flybys. Such close flybys happen most frequently during the first 10 Myr of a star’s life. Here, we quantify the amount of planetesimals released during close stellar flybys, their ejection velocity and likely composition.
Methods. We numerically study the dependence of the effect of parabolic flybys on the mass ratio between the perturber and parent star, the periastron distance, inclination, and angle of periastron.
Results. As expected, close prograde flybys of high-mass stars produce the most considerable amount of ISOs. Especially flybys of stars with M > 5 M⊙ on trajectories closer than 250 AU can lead to more planetesimals turning into ISOs than remaining bound to the parent star. Even strongly inclined orbits do not significantly reduce the ISO production; only retrograde flybys lead to a significantly lower ISO production. For perturbers slightly more massive than the parent star, there is a competition between ISO production and planetesimals being captured by the perturber. Whenever ISOs are produced, they leave their parent system typically with velocities in the range of 0.5–2 km s−1. This ejection velocity is distinctly different to that of ISOs produced by planet scattering (~4–8 km s−1) and those shed during the stellar post-main-sequence phase (~0.1–0.2 km s−1). Using the typical disc truncation radius in various cluster environments, we find that clusters like the Orion nebula cluster are likely to produce the equivalent of 0.85 Earth-masses of ISOs per star. In contrast, compact clusters like NGC 3603 could produce up to 50 Earth-masses of ISOs per star. Our solar-system probably produced the equivalent of 2–3 Earth masses of ISOs, which left our solar system at a mean ejection velocity of 0.7 km s−1.
Conclusions. Most ISOs produced by flybys should be comet-like, similar to Borisov and unlike ‘Oumuamua. ISOs originating from compact long-lived clusters would often show a deficiency in CO. As soon as a statistically significant sample of ISOs is discovered, the combined information of their observed velocities and composition might help in constraining the dominant production process.
Roboter-assistierte Resektion einer symptomatischen Müller-Gang-Zyste
Authors: Siemer Robert große , Pantaleon André , Prinz Christian , Urban Max , Dreger Nici Markus , Degener Stephan , von Rundstedt Friedrich-Carl 
Published: May 2021

ZusammenfassungZysten im kleinen Becken sind eine seltene Erkrankung, die meist während einer Routinediagnostik als Zufallsbefund festgestellt werden. In der Literatur werden diese Zysten zum Teil kontrovers diskutiert und in Abhängigkeit von ihrer Lokalisation, ihres Zysteninhaltes und eventuell begleitender anatomischer Anomalien in verschiedene Typen unterschieden.Wir berichten in unserem Fall von einem 33-jährigen gesunden Patienten, der sich wegen einer großen retrovesikalen Zyste in unserer Klinik konsiliarisch vorstellte. Aufgrund von Unterbauchbeschwerden und Problemen bei der Defäkation war die Zyste im Ultraschall beim Hausarzt diagnostiziert worden. In der weiterführenden bildgebenden Diagnostik bestätigte sich eine retrovesikale Zyste unklarer Dignität, die retrospektiv als Müller-Gang-Zyste gewertet wurde. Aufgrund der Symptomatik und malignem Entartungspotential wurde die Indikation zur operativen Sanierung gestellt. Mit Hilfe des Operationsroboter konnte die als histologisch benigne beurteilte Zyste sicher und vollständig entfernt werden. Im Rahmen einer postoperativen Verlaufsuntersuchung zeigte sich sonographisch kein Anhalt für ein Rezidiv. Zudem gab der Patient an frei von Symptomen zu sein. Somit bestätigte sich die Roboter-assistierte Resektion als ein sicheres Verfahren zur Therapie von großen symptomatischen Müller-Gang-Zysten.
Facile, Mild-Temperature Synthesis of Metal-Free Phthalocyanines
Authors: Cong Fangdi , Jiang Hongzhen , Du Xiguang , Zhang Shulin , Yang Wei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIt is important for the synthesis and research of phthalocyanine compounds for these compounds to be easily obtained at low temperature. We observed that metal-free phthalocyanine was sometimes found in a simple system used to synthesize phthalocyanine precursors at room temperature, and further studies showed that the key to the effective formation of phthalocyanines at low temperature lay in the presence of equal volumes of alcohol and amine, in addition to substrate phthalonitriles and solvents, in the reaction system. A synthetic mechanism was proposed and facile syntheses have been realized, such as the synthesis of tetra-α(β)-nitrophthalocyanines and tetra-α(β)-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)phthalocyanines from the corresponding substituted phthalonitriles at mild temperature (37 °C). The results are significant for the design and synthesis of new phthalocyanine derivatives, and the method is convenient and easy to adopt for general use in standard laboratories.
Synthesis of Dihydropyrrole Derivatives by Oxidative Functionalization of 2-Amino-4H-Chromenes Using Hypervalent Iodine Reagents
Authors: Alla Manjula , Indukuri Divakar Reddy , Potuganti Gal Reddy , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAn efficient simple, metal-free, one-pot protocol for the synthesis of dihydropyrrole derivatives has been achieved via sequential addition of iodobenzenediacetate and secondary amine to 2-amino-4H- pyran derivatives. The one-pot protocol proceeds through tandem oxidative functionalization, rearrangement, and ring contraction to provide an entirely new strategy for the construction of the dihydropyrrole skeleton.
Determinação dos parâmetros anatômicos limítrofes para melhor desfecho funcional da fratura de Colles: Um estudo prospectivo
Authors: Panigrahi Tapasa Kumar , Ray Satyajeet , Mallik Manoranjan , Maharaj Ramesh Chandra , Khatua Jugaratna , Nanda Debi Prasad 
Published: May 2021

Resumo
Objetivo O tratamento da fratura de Colles pode deformar o pulso. Alguns estudos afirmam que essa deformidade raramente dificulta as atividades diárias, enquanto outros relatam o contrário; assim, a redução anatômica é desejável. Nosso objetivo foi analisar os resultados anatômicos e funcionais da fratura de Colles para descobrir os valores de parâmetros individuais correspondentes ao melhor desfecho funcional.
Métodos Este estudo prospectivo incluiu 70 pacientes idosos com fratura de Colles. Todos os pacientes foram tratados de forma conservativa. Os parâmetros anatômicos foram a angulação dorsal, a inclinação radial e a altura radial, avaliados de acordo com Stewart et al. O resultado funcional foi avaliado segundo a tabela de pontuação de pulso Mayo. Os resultados foram analisados por meio do teste de associação do qui-quadrado, considerando o valor de p < 0,001 estatisticamente significativo. A força das associações foi analisada por razões de possibilidades com intervalos de confiança de 95%.
Resultados Excelentes e bons resultados anatômicos e funcionais foram obtidos em 68,5% e 78,5% dos casos, respectivamente, com diferença estatística significativa (p = 0,0009). Dos três parâmetros anatômicos, a angulação dorsal inferior a 10° e a perda da inclinação radial inferior a 9° apresentaram associação estatisticamente significativa com os resultados funcionais (p = 0,0006), mas não a perda de altura radial inferior a 6 mm (p = 0,0568); no entanto, a perda da altura radial inferior a 4 mm foi associada de forma significativa aos desfechos funcionais (p = 0,00062).
Conclusão As fraturas com redução anatômica apresentam melhores desfechos funcionais. Os parâmetros anatômicos limítrofes aceitáveis para a obtenção de resultados funcionais excelentes ou bons são angulação dorsal inferior a 10°, perda da inclinação radial inferior a 9° e perda da altura radial inferior a 4 mm.