bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Osseointegration and antibacterial effect of an antimicrobial peptide releasing mesoporous titania implant
Authors: Pihl Maria , Galli Silvia , Jimbo Ryo , Andersson Martin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMedical devices such as orthopedic and dental implants may get infected by bacteria, which results in treatment using antibiotics. Since antibiotic resistance is increasing in society there is a need of finding alternative strategies for infection control. One potential strategy is the use of antimicrobial peptides, AMPs. In this study, we investigated the antibiofilm effect of the AMP, RRP9W4N, using a local drug‐delivery system based on mesoporous titania covered titanium implants. Biofilm formation was studied in vitro using a safranine biofilm assay and LIVE/DEAD staining. Moreover, we investigated what effect the AMP had on osseointegration of commercially available titanium implants in vivo, using a rabbit tibia model. The results showed a sustained release of AMP with equal or even better antibiofilm properties than the traditionally used antibiotic Cloxacillin. In addition, no negative effects on osseointegration in vivo was observed. These combined results demonstrate the potential of using mesoporous titania as an AMP delivery system and the potential use of the AMP RRP9W4N for infection control of osseointegrating implants.
Serum insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 levels as biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma‐associated malnutrition and muscle wasting
Authors: Dong Jie , Yu Jie , Li Zekun , Gao Song , Wang Hongwei , Yang Shengyu , Wu Liangliang , Lan Chungen , Zhao Tiansuo , Gao Chuntao , Liu Zhe , Wang Xiuchao , Hao Jihui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundMalnutrition and muscle wasting are common features frequently observed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients with cancer cachexia. They are associated with reduced survival and quality of life. Nutrition therapy is an important part of multimodal cancer care in PDAC. However, due to the complexity of nutrition assessment, only 30–60% of patients with nutritional risks receive nutritional treatment at present. It is important to identify biomarkers that may be used to improve management of PDAC‐associated malnutrition. Serum insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) has emerged as a potential serum biomarker in a variety of tumours. However, its association with malnutrition and muscle wasting in PDAC is unclear.MethodsWe evaluated the tumour IGFBP2 expression and serum IGFBP2 level in 98 PDAC patients using immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and analysed the correlation between them. Furthermore, we explored the relationship between IGFBP2 of both tumour and serum and nutritional status (Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment and skeletal muscle index). Pan02 IGFBP2 stable transfection cell lines, Pan02 PLV‐IGFBP2 cells, and PLKO‐IGFBP2 cells were injected subcutaneously into the flank of C57BL/6 mouse. Serum IGFBP2 levels, food intake, and body weight of these mice were measured. The degree of muscle atrophy is characterized by haematoxylin and eosin, Oil Red O, and Masson's trichrome staining. The mRNA and protein expression of several essential muscle‐related signal proteins such as atrogin‐1 and muscle RING finger 1 was measured.ResultsAmong 98 patients, we found that tumour IGFBP2 expression is related to plasma IGFBP2 levels (rs = 0.562, P < 0.001), and they significantly increased among patients with Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment ≥9 and correlated with overall survival. Moreover, serum IGFBP2 level is negatively correlated with skeletal muscle index (rs = −0.600, P < 0.001) and Hounsfield units (rs = −0.532, P < 0.001). In mice injected with Pan02 PLV‐IGFBP2 cell, circulating IGFBP2 was elevated while body weight and food intake were decreased when compared with Pan02 PLV‐Control group. These mice also exhibited significantly aggravated muscle fibre atrophy, lipid deposition, and increased collagen tissue, and the expression of mRNA and protein of atrogin‐1 and muscle RING finger 1 in the gastrocnemius muscle is increased. Conversely, these symptoms were alleviated in the PLKO‐IGFBP2 group.ConclusionsIn the current study, there is a significant correlation between serum IGFBP2 levels, malnutrition, and muscle atrophy in PDAC. Our results suggested that serum IGFBP2 level might be a promising biomarker and intervention targets for PDAC‐associated severe malnutrition and muscle wasting.
Association of diagnostic delay with medical cost for patients with Crohn's disease: A Japanese claims‐based cohort study
Authors: Takeyama Eisuke , Wada Hiroo , Sato Setsuko , Tomooka Kiyohide , Ikeda Ai , Tanigawa Takeshi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and AimLonger diagnostic delay (DD) in Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with complications and related surgeries. However, the impact of DD on medical cost after CD diagnosis remains uncertain.MethodsThis was a claims‐based cohort study. Our analysis used data from 2005 to 2018 from the Japanese Claims Database. We enrolled a total of 528 newly diagnosed CD patients (76.9% male) aged 31.5 ± 13.6 years. High medical cost was defined as the highest quartile of the average monthly medical cost. DD was defined as the interval between the first visit to a gastroenterologist and diagnosis with CD. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients were stratified by the use of anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti‐TNFα) agents to exclude their influence on the observed effects. This study was approved by the ethics review board of the Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine (No. 2019178).ResultsThe multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of high medical cost were 1.41 (0.81–2.43) and 0.91 (0.57–1.46), respectively, for a DD of >12 months and 1 to ≤12 months compared to <1 month. In patients receiving anti‐TNFα agents, the multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios for high medical cost were 2.63 (1.34–5.16) and 1.35 (0.79–2.28) for a DD of >12 months and 1 to ≤12 months, respectively, compared to <1 month. In patients without anti‐TNFα, multivariable logistic regression analyses were not presented because of a small number of patients categorized into the high medical cost group.ConclusionA delayed diagnosis of CD may incur high medical cost in patients who develop aggressive disease that requires treatment with anti‐TNFα agents.
Climate shifts vs. edaphic humidity and the difficulty of palaeoreconstructions – a malacological study on stable isotopes in Quaternary dune sequences of Fuerteventura
Authors: Richter Christiane , Roettig Christopher‐Bastian , Wolf Daniel , Gärtner Andreas , Kolb Thomas , Faust Dominik 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTDune palaeosurface sequences on the Eastern Canary Islands were investigated for stable isotope records in gastropod shells of the genus Theba. Due to the ecology of the taxon and the special oceanic insularity of the study site, we assume that δ18Oshell signals in our case mainly reflect shifts in δ18O signals of sea surface water. We found that a rapid decrease in δ18Oshell signals is associated with significant changes in gastropod associations. We suggest that these faunal changes were caused by strong (hot) winds at the end of glacial phases, that were described previously by Moreno et al. In addition, we assume that rapid declines in δ18Oshell signals due to marine transgressions were followed by geomorphologically stable phases, dominated by dust enrichment. Such palaeosurfaces correlate with maxima of gastropod biodiversity and with more negative δ13Cshell signals indicating a higher proportion of C3 plants. Based on our results, we also assume that these silty palaeosurfaces were associated with increased soil moisture conditions due to a higher water storage capacity of the finer substrate, independent of climatic moisture conditions.
Fluorescence‐guided cancer surgery—A new paradigm
Authors: Thammineedi Subramanyeshwar Rao , Saksena Ajesh Raj , Nusrath Syed , Iyer R. Rajagopalan , Shukla Srijan , Patnaik Sujit Chyau , Reddy R. Pratap , Boleneni Naren , Sharma Rakesh M. , Smith Lynette , Are Chandrakanth 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFluorescence‐guided surgery is an emerging and promising operative adjunct to assist the surgeon in various aspects of oncosurgery, ranging from assessing perfusion, identification, and characterization of tumors and peritoneal metastases, mapping of lymph nodes/leaks, and assistance for fluorescence‐guided surgery (FGS). This study aims to provide an overview of principles, currently available dyes, platforms, and surgical applications and summarizes the available literature on the utility of FGS with a focus on abdomino‐thoracic malignancies.
Characterization of a novel COL10A1 variant associated with Schmid‐type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia and a literature review
Authors: Wu Huixiao , Wang Shuping , Li Guimei , Yao Yangyang , Wang Ning , Sun Xiaoqing , Fang Li , Jiang Xiuyun , Zhao Jiajun , Wang Yanzhou , Xu Chao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundSchmid‐type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (SMCD) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia caused by heterozygous mutations in COL10A1, the gene which encodes collagen type X alpha 1 chain. However, its genotype–phenotype relationship has not been fully determined.Subjects and MethodsThe proband is a 2‐year‐old boy, born of non‐consanguineous Chinese parents. We conducted a systematic analysis of the clinical and radiological characteristics and a follow‐up study of the proband. Whole‐exome sequencing was applied for the genetic analysis, together with bioinformatic analysis of predicted consequences of the identified variant. A homotrimer model was built to visualize the affected region and predict possible outcomes of this variant. Furthermore, a literature review and genotype–phenotype analysis were performed by online searching all cases with SMCD.ResultsA novel heterozygous variant (NM_000493.4: c.1863_1866delAATG, NP_000484.2: p.(Met622 Thrfs*54)) was identified in COL10A1 gene in the affected child. And it was predicted to be pathogenic by in silico analysis. Protein modeling revealed that the variant was located in the NC1 domain, which was predicted to produce truncated collagen and impair the trimerization of collagen type X alpha 1 chain and combination with molecules in the matrix. Moreover, genotype–phenotype correlation analysis demonstrated that patients with truncating variants or variants in NC1 domain often presented earlier onset and severer symptoms compared with those with non‐truncating or variants in non‐NC1 domains.ConclusionThe NC1 domain of COL10A1 was proved to be the hotspot region underlying SMCD, patients with variants in NC1 domain were more likely to present severer manifestations at an earlier age.
A 2D Gaussian beam launcher applied in parallel plate waveguide field mapping systems
Authors: Xu Ke , Zhu Bo O. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract3D Gaussian beam generation techniques have been studied by many researchers, while the problem of 2D Gaussian beam generations have not been addressed fully. However, 2D Gaussian beams are still useful in research and applications. This article presents the mechanism, design, simulation, and measurement of a 2D Gaussian beam launcher, which allows the easy control of the width and the location of Gaussian beam waist. The proposed Gaussian beam launcher consists of a radiator array fed with the designable excitation phase and magnitude to each radiator, so as to generate the necessary boundary condition that the Gaussian beam can be excited and propagate. Both simulation and measurement results are nearly identical with the profile of the lowest order 2D Gaussian beam mode. The proposed 2D Gaussian beam launcher is suitable as the excitation source of parallel plate waveguide measurement systems. By integrating tunable components, it can be easily extended in the future to control Gaussian beam parameters dynamically.
A multi‐inversion multi‐echo spin and gradient echo echo planar imaging sequence with low image distortion for rapid quantitative parameter mapping and synthetic image contrasts
Authors: Manhard Mary Kate , Stockmann Jason , Liao Congyu , Park Daniel , Han Sohyun , Fair Merlin , van den Boomen Maaike , Polimeni Jon , Bilgic Berkin , Setsompop Kawin 
Published: March 2021

PurposeBrain imaging exams typically take 10‐20 min and involve multiple sequential acquisitions. A low‐distortion whole‐brain echo planar imaging (EPI)‐based approach was developed to efficiently encode multiple contrasts in one acquisition, allowing for calculation of quantitative parameter maps and synthetic contrast‐weighted images.MethodsInversion prepared spin‐ and gradient‐echo EPI was developed with slice‐order shuffling across measurements for efficient acquisition with T1, T2, and weighting. A dictionary‐matching approach was used to fit the images to quantitative parameter maps, which in turn were used to create synthetic weighted images with typical clinical contrasts. Dynamic slice‐optimized multi‐coil shimming with a B0 shim array was used to reduce B0 inhomogeneity and, therefore, image distortion by >50%. Multi‐shot EPI was also implemented to minimize distortion and blurring while enabling high in‐plane resolution. A low‐rank reconstruction approach was used to mitigate errors from shot‐to‐shot phase variation.ResultsThe slice‐optimized shimming approach was combined with in‐plane parallel‐imaging acceleration of 4× to enable single‐shot EPI with more than eight‐fold distortion reduction. The proposed sequence efficiently obtained 40 contrasts across the whole‐brain in just over 1 min at 1.2 × 1.2 × 3 mm resolution. The multi‐shot variant of the sequence achieved higher in‐plane resolution of 1 × 1 × 4 mm with good image quality in 4 min. Derived quantitative maps showed comparable values to conventional mapping methods.ConclusionThe approach allows fast whole‐brain imaging with quantitative parameter maps and synthetic weighted contrasts. The slice‐optimized multi‐coil shimming and multi‐shot reconstruction approaches result in minimal EPI distortion, giving the sequence the potential to be used in rapid screening applications.
Suitability of an Upper Mississippi River Tributary for Invasive Carp Reproduction
Authors: Camacho Carlos A. , Sullivan Christopher J. , Weber Michael J. , Pierce Clay L. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Invasive carp are expanding throughout the upper Mississippi River basin and are of great concern due to their potential economic and ecological impacts. Identification of spawning locations provides critical information on recruitment sources to evaluate potential management strategies. Our objective was to create and validate a spawning habitat suitability model of the Des Moines River, Iowa, during low-, average-, and high-water-level conditions. Backwater availability, abundance of hardpoints (structures that create turbulence), river gradient and sinuosity, water temperature, and continuously free-flowing river lengths were used as model parameters. The model was compared to back-calculated spawning locations from invasive carp eggs collected in 2014–2015. Turbulent hardpoints, river sinuosity, and gradient were not significant predictors of invasive carp spawning locations, and backwater availability in the 25 river kilometers downstream of each reach was inversely correlated with invasive carp spawning locations. Invasive carp eggs were not caught in 2014 despite optimal spawning conditions, revealing that spawning may have high interannual variation. This study suggests that predicting invasive carp reproduction may require variables in addition to those currently proposed.
Convergence of the fixed‐point iteration for multilinear PageRank
Authors: Huang Jun , Wu Gang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFixed‐point iteration is a popular method for the multilinear PageRank problem. In [B. Meini, F. Poloni, Perron‐based algorithms for the multilinear PageRank, Numer. Linear Algebra Appl., 25: e2177, 2018], a theorem was proved to determine the behavior of the fixed‐point iteration as the parameter . In this work, we point out that this theorem is incomplete, and revisit the convergence of the fixed‐point iteration for multilinear PageRank as .
How does innovative technology impact nursing in infectious diseases and infection control? A scoping review
Authors: Huang Fanyu , Brouqui Philippe , Boudjema Sophia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimConsidering the increasing number of emerging infectious diseases, innovative approaches are strongly in demand. Additionally, research in this field has expanded exponentially. Thus, faced with this diverse information, we aim to clarify key concepts and knowledge gaps of technology in nursing and the field of infectious diseases.DesignThis scoping review followed the methodology of scoping review guidance from Arksey and O’Malley.MethodsSix databases were searched systematically (PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE Explore, EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library and Summon). After the removal of duplicates, 532 citations were retrieved and 77 were included in the analysis.ResultsWe identified five major trends in technology for nursing and infectious diseases: artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, information and communications technology, simulation technology and e‐learning. Our findings indicate that the most promising trend is the IoT because of the many positive effects validated in most of the reviewed studies.
Multiscale simulation and theoretical prediction for the elastic properties of unidirectional fiber‐reinforced polymer containing random void defects
Authors: Chu Yantao , Sun Lingyu , Yang Xudong , Wang Jinxi , Huang Wei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPolymer‐matrix composites are widely used in various industries due to their high specific strength and specific stiffness. However, the void formation is inevitable as a by‐product during manufacturing processes, which may have negative effects on its mechanical properties. The purposes of this paper are to quantitatively evaluate the influence of voids on the anisotropic elastic properties of composites and to provide corresponding theoretical prediction models. Firstly, three‐dimensional representative volume elements (RVE) of fiber‐reinforced composite materials with different fiber contents (36.37%, 45.47%, 50.92%) and different void contents (1%, 3%, 5%, 7%) are established. To obtain the elastic properties in different directions, various periodic boundary conditions are applied to the RVE models and corresponding subroutines are developed by ABAQUS‐PYTHON. Secondly, a series of theoretical models are proposed to quickly predict the anisotropic elastic properties of unidirectional fiber/epoxy composites containing random‐sized void defects, which agree well with the finite element simulation results. Especially, the proposed models have concise expressions, which require only a few parameters to be input, and hence they are convenient for engineering application. Both theoretical and numerical results show that void defects have an obvious influence on the transverse modulus, major Poisson's ratio, and the out‐of‐plane shear modulus. When the void volume reaches 7%, all of the properties mentioned above decrease by more than 10% for the FRPs studied.
Study on mechanical and tribological properties of ternary fluororubber filled with four needles of zinc oxide
Authors: Ning Mengyao , Li Kangshuai , Yan Chengqi , Wang Guangfei , Xu Zehua , He Qiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis article deals with study of the influence of four‐needle zinc oxide (T‐ZnOw) on the basic mechanical properties of ternary fluororubber (FKM) and the frictional properties of FKM improved by four‐needle zinc oxide under different temperatures. T‐ZnOw/FKM composites were prepared by mechanical blending and hot molding after pretreatment with silane coupling agent. The hardness, tensile, tearing, rotating friction at normal temperature, and reciprocating friction at high temperature of FKM and T‐ZnOw/FKM were studied. The results showed that T‐ZnOw with needle‐like three‐dimensional (3D) structure can effectively decompose the point stress generated in the tensile process of the composite, and the uniform distribution of tensile force improves the fracture base point and final mechanical properties of the composite. Its unique 3D structure can reduce fatigue wear caused by extrusion plastic deformation of the matrix during the friction process. The friction coefficient and wear rate of materials were effectively reduced by the reduction of plastic deformation resistance and fatigue wear area in the process of friction. Especially at 200°C, the friction coefficient and wear rate of T‐ZnOw/FKM were reduced by 30% and 55.32%, respectively, by T‐ZNOW/FKM doping.
Synergy evaluation of non‐normalizable dose–response data: Generalization of combination index for the linear effect of drugs
Authors: Novotný Branislav , Nagy Milan , Kurin Elena 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe study of drug synergy plays a prominent role in the search for drug combinations with beneficial interactions. Firstly, in this process, the drug‐effect response of individual parts and the mixture needs to be derived. This function is usually well described by Hill (or other logistic or sigmoid) curve. Due to its boundedness, it allows the measured data to be normalized. The normalized data can then be processed by interaction analysis using the Loewe, Bliss, or other models to evaluate possible synergy or antagonism of two or more drugs. However, sometimes, the drug‐effect responses observed in pharmaceutical research do not appear to be bounded. Theoretically, the drug‐effect curve cannot grow to infinity, but it may be impossible to determine its upper bound within the observed region. In this case, standard models cannot be used, since they assume that data are normalized. The approach of this article bypasses the need to normalize the data, allowing its broader application and usefulness in finding potential synergies in pharmaceutical research.
Curative effects of sophorolipid on physical wounds: In vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Kwak Min‐Jin , Park Min‐Young , Kim Jonggun , Lee Hanbae , Whang Kwang‐Youn 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEarly‐weaning syndrome is harmful to animals because an effect on growth in the early‐stage of life generally determines the overall growth rate. Sophorolipid (SPL), a surface‐active glycolipid compound, has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity and stimulate cell proliferation. Thus, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the potential of SPL on the gut turnover after the wound. The in vitro experiment with HT‐29 cells showed the increased proliferation with increasing gene levels of collagenase‐1 and matrilysin‐1. Next, the 16‐day in vivo experiment was conducted with thirty rats (14‐day‐old), and the allocation was performed according to their body weight (BW) into three treatments: control diet (CON), 48 ppm of oxytetracycline‐supplemented diet (OTC) and 10 ppm of SPL‐supplemented diet (SPL). Dietary SPL accelerates the growth of rats in overall periods, and intestinal permeability was lower in SPL at day 16. Villus:crypt ratio and the goblet cell count were also higher in SPL than in CON at day 8. Caecal Streptococcus spp. were significantly reduced with dietary SPL and OTC at day 8 and 16, and total short‐chain fatty acid, acetate and butyrate levels were increased in the SPL at day 8. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that SPL could improve gut remodelling potential and modulate the gut environments, resulted in acceleration of post‐weaning growth. Therefore, SPL could have a potential as a feed additive aimed at promoting repair system after wound in animal's gut.