bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyester functionalization for mycobacterial capture
Authors: van der Westhuizen Benjamin J. C. , van Reenen Albert J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest diseases known to man and ranks among the top ten global causes of fatalities. Children often develop a paucibacillary form of this disease which makes diagnosis arduous even with the aid of sophisticated techniques. In these cases, the concentration of bacteria in their sputum falls below the lowest limit of detection for sputum smear microscopy, the technique predominantly used in developing countries. In this study we aim to test the hypothesis that modifying a polymer, often used in buccal swabs, could assist in creating a capturing and concentrating oral swab for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the pathogenic bacterial species responsible for TB. Such a device will assist in meeting the detection limit and allow for rapid detection of the disease. The polymer used was a micro fibrous form of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) which was surface functionalized with Concanavalin A (Con A), a lectin based adhesin with an affinity for the mannose groups on the Mtb cell wall. The functionalization was mediated with glutaraldehyde as bioconjugate molecule and found to produce a surface uniformly covered with Con A. Affinity studies between the modified fibers and the Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG), as Mtb mimic, were conducted to evaluate the capturing abilities of the substrate. The results indicate that the fibers avidly captured BCG and that the fibrous matrix aided in its function. Dilution studies showed successful capturing of the bacterial species at concentrations characteristic of paucibacillary cases. In this study a commercial polymeric material was successfully surface modified with a biological entity to create a substrate to which Mtb could adhere and accordingly be captured.
Unraveling the cause for the unusual processing behavior of commercial partially bio‐based poly(butylene succinates) and their stabilization
Authors: Hallstein Jannik , Gomoll André , Lieske Antje , Büsse Thomas , Balko Jens , Brüll Robert , Malz Frank , Metzsch‐Zilligen Elke , Pfaendner Rudolf , Zehm Daniel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe commercially available partially bio‐based poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate) (PBSA) are subjected to prolonged and multiple extrusion cycles to investigate their thermal behavior. Empirically, both PBS and PBSA form branches at 190°C, with PBS possessing a higher tendency for branching than PBSA as studied by rheology and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). In each case, the branching is favored by fumaric acid moieties, making both PBS and PBSA susceptible to accelerated thermal oxidation. Indeed, the NMR signal attributed to fumaric acid disappears upon thermal processing of PBS and PBSA. Presumably, the bio‐based succinic acid used contains minor quantities of fumaric acid, yet still sufficient to cause this surprising processing behavior. The branching of both polymers is suppressed by stabilizers such as phenolic antioxidants, as proven by rheology and SEC. This is complemented by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), revealing that the fumaric acid signal is still well‐resolved in the stabilized processed samples.
COVID‐19 outbreak: An experience to reappraise the role of hospital at home in the anti‐cancer drug injection
Authors: Mittaine‐Marzac Bénédicte , Zogo Arsene , Crusson Jean‐Christophe , Cheneau Valerie , Pinel Marie‐Claire , Brandely‐Piat Marie‐Laure , Amrani Fatma , Havard Laurent , Balladur Elisabeth , Louissaint Taina , Nivet Laurence , Ankri Joel , Aegerter Philippe , De Stampa Matthieu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 outbreak has posed considerable challenges to the health care system worldwide, especially for cancer treatment. We described the activity and the care organisation of the Hospitalisation At Home (HAH) structure during the pandemic for treating patients with anti‐cancer injections.MethodsWe report the established organisation, the eligibility criteria, the patient characteristics, the treatment schemes and the stakeholders’ role during two 5‐week periods in 2020, before and during the French population's lockdown.ResultsThe increase of activity during the lockdown (+32% of treated patients, +156% of new patients and +28% of delivered preparations) concerned solid tumour, mainly breast cancer, even if haematological malignancies remained the most frequent. Thirty different drugs were delivered, including three new drugs administered in HAH versus 19 during the routine period (p < 0.01). For those clinical departments accustomed to using HAH, the usual organisation was kept, but with adjustments. Five clinical departments increased the number of patients treated at home and widened the panel of drugs prescribed. Three oncology departments and one radiotherapy department for the first time solicited HAH for anti‐cancer injections, mainly for immunotherapy. We adjusted the HAH organisation with additional human resources and allowed to prescribe drugs with an infusion time of <30 min only for the new prescribers.ConclusionHAH allowed for the continuation of anti‐cancer injections without postponement during the pandemic, and for a decrease in unnecessary patient travel to hospital with its concomitant COVID‐19 transmission risk. Often left out of guidelines, the place of HAH in treating cancer patients should be reappraised, even more so during a pandemic.
Thirty‐day and 5‐year results of percutaneous coronary intervention for in‐stent restenotic chronic total occlusion lesions: Data from 2,659 consecutive patients
Authors: Wang Tianjie , Guan Hao , Tian Tao , Guan Changdong , Bai Yinxiao , Hu Yang , Yuan Jiansong , Qiao Shubin , Xu Bo , Yang Weixian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the procedure success rate and clinical outcomes of in‐stent restenotic chronic total occlusion (ISR‐CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundFew studies have reported the short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes of ISR‐CTO PCI.MethodPatients who underwent ISR‐CTO (n = 212) or de‐novo CTO (n = 2,447) PCI at Fuwai Hospital from 2010 to 2013 were enrolled. Thirty‐day and 5‐year clinical outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcome was the incidence of all‐cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure at follow‐up. The secondary outcome was the recanalization result (reasonable, suboptimal, or failed recanalization).ResultsISR‐CTO PCI had a higher rate of suboptimal recanalization than de‐novo CTO PCI (p < .01). The syntax score before PCI (odds ratio (OR): 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.10; p = .002) and occlusion length ≥ 20 mm (OR: 2.70:95% CI: 1.46–4.98; p = .001) were predictors of suboptimal recanalization in ISR‐CTO PCI. Cardiac death (p = .03) and 30‐day all‐cause mortality (p = .05) were higher among patients who underwent ISR‐CTO PCI. The ISR‐CTO group had a higher rate of MI (p = .07) at 5 years. Suboptimal recanalization (hazard ratio: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.13–5.83; p = .025) was an independent predictor of long‐term major adverse events in ISR‐CTO.ConclusionsSuboptimal recanalization, 30‐day cardiac death, and long‐term MI rates are higher for ISR‐CTO PCI than de‐novo CTO PCI. Suboptimal recanalization is an independent predictor of long‐term major adverse events after ISR‐CTO PCI.
Dual HER2 blockade with lapatinib and trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cheong E. Von , Ho Gwo Fuang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe development of resistance to trastuzumab in HER2‐positive gastroesophageal cancer remains a problem. The use of dual HER2 blockade to overcome this is a therapeutic strategy that should be researched more extensively.
Influence of zirconium crosslinker chemical structure and polymer choice on the performance of crosslinked fracturing fluids
Authors: Almubarak Tariq , Ng Jun Hong Clarence , Nasr‐El‐Din Hisham A. , Almubarak Majed , AlKhaldi Mohammed 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCommonly used borate crosslinkers produce weak fracturing fluids at high temperature, high pressure, high salinity, and low pH conditions. Accordingly, zirconium crosslinkers were developed to address these shortcomings. Zirconium crosslinking chemistry is complicated and depends on many factors such as pH, ionic strength, ligand type, ligand order, and ligand to metal ratio. This work evaluated the rheological performance of four commercial zirconium crosslinkers with a polysaccharide and a polyacrylamide. The tested crosslinkers are manufactured with similar zirconium content but differ in ligand type and ligand order, producing different crosslinker chemical structures. The rheological performance was assessed using an HPHT rheometer at 93–204°C for 1.5 h. Shear tolerance performance was evaluated under shear rates of 40 s−1–1000 s−1. The results showed substantial variation in crosslinking performance due to the differences in the crosslinker chemical structure and type of polymer used. Zirconium lactate and propylene glycol crosslinker exhibited the greatest enhancement in shear and thermal stability with the polysaccharide‐based fracturing fluid. Remarkably, the same crosslinker performed the least with the polyacrylamide‐based fracturing fluid. However, Zirconium triethanolamine and lactate demonstrated considerable improvements in shear and thermal stability with the polyacrylamide‐based system. The work unravelled the influence of the zirconium crosslinker ligand type and ligand order on the rheological properties of both tested polymers. The performance evaluation showed that shear resistance, crosslinking delay, and thermal stability could be improved by utilizing the appropriate crosslinkers. The enhancements ultimately reduce additional additives required, prevent screenouts, and save cost during field treatments.
The presence of tumour‐infiltrating neutrophils is an independent adverse prognostic feature in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Tessier‐Cloutier Basile , Twa David DW , Marzban Mahsa , Kalina Jennifer , Chun Hye‐Jung E , Pavey Nils , Tanweer Zaidi , Katz Ruth L , Lum Julian J , Salina Davide 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTumour‐promoting inflammation is an emerging hallmark of cancer that is increasingly recognised as a therapeutic target. As a constituent measure of inflammation, tumour‐infiltrating neutrophils (TINs) have been associated with inferior prognosis in several cancers. We analysed clinically annotated cohorts of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) to assess the presence of neutrophils within the tumour microenvironment as a function of outcome. We centrally reviewed ccRCC surgical resection and fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, including primary and metastatic sites, from three centres. TINs were scored based on the presence of neutrophils in resection and FNA specimens by two pathologists. TIN count was correlated with tumour characteristics including stage, WHO/ISUP grade, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In parallel, we performed CIBERSORT analysis of the tumour microenvironment in a cohort of 516 ccRCCs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We included 102 ccRCC cases comprising 65 resection specimens (37 primary and 28 metastatic resection specimens) and 37 FNAs from primary lesions. High TINs were significantly associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.009) independent of tumour grade and stage. In ccRCCs sampled via FNA, all cases with high TINs had distant metastasis, whereas they were seen in only 19% of cases with low TINs (p = 0.0003). IHC analysis showed loss of E‐cadherin in viable tumour cells in areas with high TINs, and neutrophil activation was associated with elastase and citrullinated histone H3 expression (cit‐H3). In the TCGA cohort, neutrophilic markers were also associated with worse survival (p < 0.0001). TINs are an independent predictor of worse prognosis in ccRCC, which have the potential to be assessed at the time of first biopsy or FNA. Neutrophils act directly on tumour tissue by releasing elastase, a factor that contributes to the breakdown of cell–cell adhesion and to facilitate tumour dissemination.
Colors in the French National Archives
Authors: Raimondo Alexia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe presentation of the F/12 collection of textiles, kept at the Archives nationales, provides an opportunity to make known a unique color collection. The Archives nationales preserves the memory of the French central administration in the 18th century through the history of the action taken by the State concerning the color of textiles through the control of their production, and the encouragement of innovation. The textile samples belong to different provinces of the kingdom, and illustrate dyeing trials and dyeing experiments from over two centuries.
COVID‐19 and the Emerging Regulatory Guidance for Ongoing Clinical Trials in the European Union
Authors: de Jong Amos Jochanan , Santa‐Ana‐Tellez Yared , van Thiel Ghislaine José Madeleine Wilhelmien , Zuidgeest Mira Gerta Petra , Siiskonen Satu Johanna , Mistry Dinesh , de Boer Anthonius , Gardarsdottir Helga ,   the Trials@Home Consortium
Published: March 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and the accompanying control measures have significantly affected clinical trial (CT) conduct, and sponsors have needed to make rapid changes to their CT operations. As a result, regulatory guidance was pivotal during the initial phases of the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the regulatory readiness and guidance related to COVID‐19 in the European Union (EU). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and national competent authorities’ (NCAs') websites were searched in September and October 2020 for guidances on the management of CTs during the pandemic published from January 2020 onward. “Regulatory readiness” was defined as the number of days from the first European COVID‐19 case (January 24, 2020) to the first published guidance by the respective NCA. “Regulatory guidance” was evaluated by coding the guidances for the following predefined operational trial activities important for ongoing CTs: obtaining informed consent, participant information, clinic visits, home health visits, telemedicine visits, self‐monitoring, investigational medicinal product (IMP) supply, IMP adherence monitoring, CT monitoring, documentation management, regulatory management, and safety management. Twenty‐four of the 27 EU NCAs published country‐specific guidance. The time from the first European COVID‐19 case to the first published EMA guidance was 56 days and ranged from 47 to 66 days for the first national guidances. Guidance was provided most frequently for regulatory management (24/24), safety management (23/24), documentation management (22/24), and CT monitoring (22/24). The regulatory guidance provided during the pandemic, ensuring participant safety and data integrity, may now be the starting point to innovate future CT conduct.
Synthesis of benzimidazole based hydrazones as non‐sugar based α‐glucosidase inhibitors: Structure activity relation and molecular docking
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Umair , Rafiq Muhammad , Zahra Bakhtawar , Islam Muhamamd , Ashraf Muhammad , al‐Rashida Mariya , Khan Ajmal , Hussain Javid , Shafiq Zahid , Al‐Harrasi Ahmed 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn search for α‐glucosidase inhibitors used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, a series of unique benzimidazole based hydrazones derivatives were synthesized (5a‐5p), which were then investigated for their in vitro α‐glucosidase inhibitory potential. The compounds of interest were characterized by modern spectroscopic approaches including CHN, 1HNM R, 13CN MR and FTIR. The structure of compound 5n was distinctively authenticated through single crystal X‐ray study. All compounds depicted potent enzyme inhibitory potential with IC50 values in the range of 2.25 ± 0.01 to 81.16 ± 0.12 μM except 5n that showed IC50 value of 182.75 ± 0.13 μM. A limited structure–activity correlation demonstrated that substitutions of isatin, aldehydes and ketone in hydrazones moiety had remarkable contribution in the overall activity and that was further supported by molecular docking studies carried out in elucidating the mechanism of binding interaction of these compounds in the catalytic site of α‐glucosidase.
Integrating omics to characterize eco‐physiological adaptations: How moose diet and metabolism differ across biogeographic zones
Authors: Fohringer Christian , Dudka Ilona , Spitzer Robert , Stenbacka Fredrik , Rzhepishevska Olena , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Gröbner Gerhard , Ericsson Göran , Singh Navinder J. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

With accelerated land conversion and global heating at northern latitudes, it becomes crucial to understand, how life histories of animals in extreme environments adapt to these changes. Animals may either adapt by adjusting foraging behavior or through physiological responses, including adjusting their energy metabolism or both. Until now, it has been difficult to study such adaptations in free‐ranging animals due to methodological constraints that prevent extensive spatiotemporal coverage of ecological and physiological data.

Through a novel approach of combining DNA‐metabarcoding and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based metabolomics, we aim to elucidate the links between diets and metabolism in Scandinavian moose Alces alces over three biogeographic zones using a unique dataset of 265 marked individuals.

Based on 17 diet items, we identified four different classes of diet types that match browse species availability in respective ecoregions in northern Sweden. Individuals in the boreal zone consumed predominantly pine and had the least diverse diets, while individuals with highest diet diversity occurred in the coastal areas. Males exhibited lower average diet diversity than females.

We identified several molecular markers indicating metabolic constraints linked to diet constraints in terms of food availability during winter. While animals consuming pine had higher lipid, phospocholine, and glycerophosphocholine concentrations in their serum than other diet types, birch‐ and willow/aspen‐rich diets exhibit elevated concentrations of several amino acids. The individuals with highest diet diversity had increased levels of ketone bodies, indicating extensive periods of starvation for these individuals.

Our results show how the adaptive capacity of moose at the eco‐physiological level varies over a large eco‐geographic scale and how it responds to land use pressures. In light of extensive ongoing climate and land use changes, these findings pave the way for future scenario building for animal adaptive capacity.
Mechanistic studies of droplet electrophoresis: A review
Authors: Rashidi Mansoureh , Zargartalebi Mohammad , Benneker Anne M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElectrophoresis (EP) of droplets is an intriguing phenomenon that has applications in biological systems, separation strategies, and reactor engineering. Droplet EP is significantly different from the classic particle EP because of droplet characteristics such as a mobile surface charge and the nonrigidity of the interface. Also, the liquid–liquid system, where there is an interplay between the hydrodynamic and electrokinetic forces in both phases, adds to the complexity of electrophoretic motion. Due to the vast amount of potential applications of droplet EP, a mechanistic understanding of the droplet motion in the presence of an external electric field is crucial. This review provides a background on the mechanism of droplet EP and summarizes the intrinsic interplay between the different relevant forces in these systems. The review also describes the key differences between droplet EP and particle EP, and the impact of these differences on droplet mobility. Additionally, we schematically summarize the effects of key parameters on droplet EP mobility, such as electric double layer polarization, the development of internal flow inside a droplet and boundary effects.
Iron accumulation in skeletal muscles of old mice is associated with impaired regeneration after ischaemia–reperfusion damage
Authors: Alves Francesca M. , Kysenius Kai , Caldow Marissa K. , Hardee Justin P. , Crouch Peter J. , Ayton Scott , Bush Ashley I. , Lynch Gordon S. , Koopman René 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundOxidative stress is implicated in the insidious loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with age. However, few studies have investigated the role of iron, which is elevated during ageing, in age‐related muscle wasting and blunted repair after injury. We hypothesized that iron accumulation leads to membrane lipid peroxidation, muscle wasting, increased susceptibility to injury, and impaired muscle regeneration.MethodsTo examine the role of iron in age‐related muscle atrophy, we compared the skeletal muscles of 3‐month‐old with 22‐ to 24‐month‐old 129SvEv FVBM mice. We assessed iron distribution and total elemental iron using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Perls' stain on skeletal muscle cross‐sections. In addition, old mice underwent ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) injury (90 min ischaemia), and muscle regeneration was assessed 14 days after injury. Immunoblotting was used to determine lipid peroxidation (4HNE) and iron‐related proteins. To determine whether muscle iron content can be altered, old mice were treated with deferiprone (DFP) in the drinking water, and we assessed its effects on muscle regeneration after injury.ResultsWe observed a significant increase in total elemental iron (+43%, P < 0.05) and lipid peroxidation (4HNE: +76%, P < 0.05) in tibialis anterior muscles of old mice. Iron was further increased after injury (adult: +81%, old: +135%, P < 0.05) and associated with increased lipid peroxidation (+41%, P < 0.05). Administration of DFP did not impact iron or measures of lipid peroxidation in skeletal muscle or modulate muscle mass. Increased muscle iron concentration and lipid peroxidation were associated with less efficient regeneration, evident from the smaller fibres in cross‐sections of tibialis anterior muscles (−24%, P < 0.05) and an increased percentage of fibres with centralized nuclei (+4124%, P < 0.05) in muscles of old compared with adult mice. Administration of DFP lowered iron after IR injury (PRE: −32%, P < 0.05 and POST: −41%, P < 0.05), but did not translate to structural improvements.ConclusionsMuscles from old mice have increased iron levels, which are associated with increased lipid peroxidation, increased susceptibility to IR injury, and impaired muscle regeneration. Our results suggest that iron is involved in effective muscle regeneration, highlighting the importance of iron homeostasis in muscle atrophy and muscle repair.