bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dental pulp stem cells can improve muscle dysfunction in animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Nitahara-Kasahara Yuko , Kuraoka Mutsuki , Guillermo Posadas Herrera , Hayashita-Kinoh Hiromi , Maruoka Yasunobu , Nakamura-Takahasi Aki , Kimura Koichi , Takeda Shin’ichi , Okada Takashi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited progressive disorder that causes skeletal and cardiac muscle deterioration with chronic inflammation. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are attractive candidates for cell-based strategies for DMD because of their immunosuppressive properties. Therefore, we hypothesized that systemic treatment with DPSCs might show therapeutic benefits as an anti-inflammatory therapy.

Methods
To investigate the potential benefits of DPSC transplantation for DMD, we examined disease progression in a DMD animal model, mdx mice, by comparing them with different systemic treatment conditions. The DPSC-treated model, a canine X-linked muscular dystrophy model in Japan (CXMDJ), which has a severe phenotype similar to that of DMD patients, also underwent comprehensive analysis, including histopathological findings, muscle function, and locomotor activity.

Results
We demonstrated a therapeutic strategy for long-term functional recovery in DMD using repeated DPSC administration. DPSC-treated mdx mice and CXMDJ showed no serious adverse events. MRI findings and muscle histology suggested that DPSC treatment downregulated severe inflammation in DMD muscles and demonstrated a milder phenotype after DPSC treatment. DPSC-treated models showed increased recovery in grip-hand strength and improved tetanic force and home cage activity. Interestingly, maintenance of long-term running capability and stabilized cardiac function was also observed in 1-year-old DPSC-treated CXMDJ.

Conclusions
We developed a novel strategy for the safe and effective transplantation of DPSCs for DMD recovery, which included repeated systemic injection to regulate inflammation at a young age. This is the first report on the efficacy of a systemic DPSC treatment, from which we can propose that DPSCs may play an important role in delaying the DMD disease phenotype.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effects of miR-672 on the angiogenesis of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells during bone regeneration
Authors: Chen Mingjiao , Zhou Meng , Fu Yao , Li Jin , Wang Zi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Sufficient vascular network plays an important role in the repair of bone defects. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) being a key regulator of angiogenesis has attracted the attention of researchers. In addition, evidence has suggested that BMP2 coordinates with microRNAs (miRNAs) to form intracellular networks regulating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) angiogenesis. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms that are regulating adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) angiogenesis might provide more effective method to enhance bone regeneration.

Methods
We identified the specific miRNA in rat ADSCs during BMP2-induced angiogenesis and chose the most significant differentially expressed miRNA, miR-672. Three lentiviral system named Lenti-miR-672, Lenti-as-miR-672, and Lenti-miR-NC were transduced into the ADSCs individually. Then, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blotting, and blood vessel formation analysis were performed to investigate the effects of miR-672 on ADSCs angiogenesis. Bioinformation platforms were used to screen the potential target of miR-672. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against TIMP2 (si-TIMP2) mRNA were obtained from GenePharma, and then si-TIMP2 miRNA and miR-672 were co-transfected into ADSCs to detect the effects of TIMP2 on angiogenesis. Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffolds that seeded the lentiviral-modified ADSCs were constructed to test the vascularized bone regeneration in vivo.

Results
Our data showed that after the angiogenesis of ADSCs induced by BMP2, miR-672 was the most significantly upregulated miRNA. Overexpression of miR-672 promoted the angiogenesis of ADSCs, while knockdown of miR-672 repressed the angiogenesis of ADSCs. The bioinformation prediction showed that TIMP2 might be the one of miR-672′ potential targets. TIMP2 protein expression was gradually decreased in ADSCs with overexpressed miR-672. And the angiogenic factors were upregulated in the ADSCs which were transduced with si-TIMP2. Then, the CPC scaffolds coupled the miR-672-modified ADSCs and showed the good potential in vascularized bone regeneration. The overexpressed miR-672 could greatly enhance the blood vessel volume and Microfil-labeled blood vessel numbers in newly formed bone.

Conclusion
BMP2 could promote the angiogenesis of ADSCs through stimulating the expression of miR-672 in ADSCs. miR-672 acted as a positive regulator on the angiogenesis of ADSCs, and incorporating the miR-672-modified ADSCs in the CPC could significantly promote the vascularization and the bone regeneration.
Exosomes derived from miR-301a-3p-overexpressing adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells reverse hypoxia-induced erectile dysfunction in rat models
Authors: Liang Li , Zheng Dachao , Lu Chao , Xi Qinghong , Bao Hua , Li Wengfeng , Gu Yufei , Mao Yuanshen , Xu Bin , Gu Xin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Erectile dysfunction (ED) has often been observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Research on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC)-derived exosomes has shown that they have significant therapeutic effects in many diseases including ED.

Methods
In this study, ED was induced in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats using chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) exposure. CIH-mediated influences were then measured in the corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs).

Results
Our data showed that miR-301a-3p-enriched exosome treatment significantly recovered erectile function in rats and CCSMCs by promoting autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis. The treatment also significantly recovered the level of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in rats and CCSMCs. Bioinformatics predicted that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) might be targets of miR-301a-3p.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that PTEN-overexpression vectors or TLR4-overexpression vectors reverse the therapeutic effects achieved by miR-301a-3p in CCSMCs indicating that PTEN/hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and TLR4 signaling pathways play key roles in the progression of ED. The findings in this study suggest that miR-301a-3p should be considered a new therapeutic target for treating ED associated with OSA.
Preliminary study of AI-assisted diagnosis using FDG-PET/CT for axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Li Zongyao , Kitajima Kazuhiro , Hirata Kenji , Togo Ren , Takenaka Junki , Miyoshi Yasuo , Kudo Kohsuke , Ogawa Takahiro , Haseyama Miki 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
To improve the diagnostic accuracy of axillary lymph node (LN) metastasis in breast cancer patients using 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT, we constructed an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnosis system that uses deep-learning technologies.

Materials and methods
Two clinicians and the new AI system retrospectively analyzed and diagnosed 414 axillae of 407 patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer who had undergone 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT before a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery with a sentinel lymph node (LN) biopsy and/or axillary LN dissection. We designed and trained a deep 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) as the AI model. The diagnoses from the clinicians were blended with the diagnoses from the AI model to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Results
Although the AI model did not outperform the clinicians, the diagnostic accuracies of the clinicians were considerably improved by collaborating with the AI model: the two clinicians' sensitivities of 59.8% and 57.4% increased to 68.6% and 64.2%, respectively, whereas the clinicians' specificities of 99.0% and 99.5% remained unchanged.

Conclusions
It is expected that AI using deep-learning technologies will be useful in diagnosing axillary LN metastasis using 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT. Even if the diagnostic performance of AI is not better than that of clinicians, taking AI diagnoses into consideration may positively impact the overall diagnostic accuracy.
Relationship between body image, anxiety, food-specific inhibitory control, and emotional eating in young women with abdominal obesity: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: He Zhong-Hua , Li Ming-De , Liu Chan-Jun , Ma Xiao-Yue 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Abdominal fat deposition is a key component of obesity, which is associated with an increased risk for a number of mental disorders. The current study aims to explore the relationship between body image, anxiety, food-specific inhibitory control, and emotional eating in young women with abdominal obesity.

Method
A total of 224 participants were recruited: 168 were non-abdominal obesity and 56 were abdominal obesity. Participants completed the following questionnaires and behavioral tests: the Body Mass Index (BMI) -based Silhouette-Matching Test (SMT), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Food Stop Signal Task (SST), the Emotional Eating Scale (EES).

Results
Abdominal obesity women had significantly higher levels of trait anxiety, cognitive difference, expectational difference in body image but lower self-reported emotional eating level compared to the control group. Anxiety mediated the relationship between cognitive difference of body image and depression eating in young females with abdominal obesity. In addition, only among abdominal obesity individuals, expectational difference of body image were significantly and positively correlated with food-specific inhibitory control and trait/state anxiety.

Conclusion
The findings suggest it is of critical importance to promote a healthy body image recognition and expectation and improve mood regulation for young females with abdominal obesity high in trait anxiety.
Indicators of guideline-concordant care in lung cancer defined with a modified Delphi method and piloted in a cohort of over 5,800 cases
Authors:   on behalf of the Lombardy Lung Cancer Working Group, Andreano Anita , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Russo Antonio Giampiero , Siena Salvatore 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
To identify indicators of guideline-concordant care in lung cancer, to implement such indicators with cancer registry data linked to health databases, and to pilot them in a cohort of patients from the cancer registry of the Milan Province.

Methods
Thirty-four indicators were selected by revision of main guidelines by cancer epidemiologists, and then evaluated by a multidisciplinary panel of clinicians involved in lung cancer care and working on the pathway of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in the Lombardy region, Italy. With a modified Delphi method, they assessed for each indicator the content validity as a quality measure of the care pathway, the degree of modifiability from the health professional, and the relevance to the health professional. Feasibility was assessed using the cancer registry and the routine health records of the Lombardy region. Feasible indicators were then calculated in the cohort of lung cancer patients diagnosed in 2007–2012 derived from the cancer registry of the Milan Province. Criterion validity was assessed reviewing clinical records of a random sample of 114 patients (threshold for acceptable discordance ≤20%). Finally, reliability was evaluated at the provider level.

Results
Initially, 34 indicators were proposed for evaluation in the first Delphi round. Of the finally 22 selected indicators, 3 were not feasible because the required information was actually not available. The remaining 19 were calculated on the pilot cohort. After assessment of criterion validity (3 eliminated), 16 indicators were retained in the final set and evaluated for reliability.

Conclusion
The developed and piloted set of indicators is now available to implement and monitor, over time, quality initiatives for lung cancer care in the studied health system.
Optimal bioconversion for compound K production from red ginseng root (C.A. Mayer) by sequential enzymatic hydrolysis and its characteristics
Authors: Park Yeong-Ju , Hwang Unsik , Park Suyeon , Sim Sol , Jeong Soyeon , Park Misun , Kang Minji , Lee Youngsoo , Song Youngju , Park Hoon , Suh Hee-Jae 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCompound K (CK; 20-O-β-(d-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol) is one of the metabolites of ginsenosides contained in red ginseng (RG) and is known to have high bioavailability. This study aimed to establish the optimal conditions for enzyme treatment to convert ginsenosides from RG extract to CK, and to prove the characteristics of bioconverted red ginseng (BRG) extract. CK was not detected in unenzyme-treated RG extract, and in the single-step enzyme treatment, it was produced at less than 4.58 mg/g only in treatment group with Pyr-flo or Sumizyme AC (at 50 °C for 48 h). The highest yield of CK (14.32 mg/g) was obtained by Ultimase MFC treatment at 50 °C for 48 h after treatment with a mixture of Pyr-flo and Rapidase at 50 °C for 24 h. Total polyphenol, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were higher in BRG than in RG (p < 0.5). High-fat diet (HD) rat fed 1% BRG had significantly lower body weight, heart weight, fat pads (periosteal fat, epididymal fat), serum glucose levels, and hepatic triglyceride levels than those HD rat fed 1% RG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the sequential enzymatic bioconversion was produces higher CK in RG root extract than single-step enzyme treatment.
Preparation of Self-healing Additives for Concrete via Miniemulsion Polymerization: Formulation and Production Challenges
Authors: Taheri Shima , Clark Simon Martin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractConcrete structures undergo internal damage; this usually starts at the atomic level with defects that then grow and form cracks, which can propagate through the material. Here, a method of preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocapsules adhesive system via miniemulsion polymerization technique is reported, where MMA + DMA (resin + accelerator) and BPO (hardener) components are separately encapsulated by PMMA shells. The crack-healing potential of these nanocapsules was then investigated by embedding them into the mortar matrix. The prepared PMMA core–shell self-healing nanostructures survived the mixing and hardening processes, and the hardened mortar alkaline environment. The stress fields associated with propagating cracks (load‐induced cracking) broke the brittle/weak inert shell of these core–shell structures, resulted in releasing the healing agents to bridge the nascent and early-stage fractures (< 10 µm) in a short time. Long-term healing was achieved through the formation of polymorph calcite crystals in the presence of moisture and CO2, which improved the durability of mortar by filling the gaps. Formulation design (addition of chemical admixtures) and process parameters (blade design and mixing speed) were found to directly impact the uniform distribution of nanocapsules, the survival rate of nanocapsules, and the overall strength of the hardened concrete. The stepwise approach to formulate and fabricate a novel high-strength self-healing concrete system unlocks unique opportunities to design nanomaterials that safeguard the integrity of concrete structures.
The risk-value trade-off: price and brand information impact consumers’ intentions to purchase OTC drugs
Authors: Aufegger Lisa , Yanar Celine , Darzi Ara , Bicknell Colin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
European countries face fiscal pressure regarding the long-term sustainability of their healthcare system due to increasing levels of public health expenditures and mounting demographic pressures. The promotion of generic drugs is considered to be an efficient means to tackle these challenges; however, market diffusion remains slow. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of price and brand cues on purchase intentions by means of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) advertising, and to build on the market cue evaluation model by Dodd et al.

Methods
Participants rated purchase intentions on six DTC adverts varying in price and brand information, followed by self-reports on purchase intentions, attitudes towards generics, brand loyalty, price consciousness, as well as perceptions of quality, risk and value. Open-ended questions explored attitudes toward generic drugs.

Results
Brand information and purchase intentions were mediated by perceived risk and perceived quality, while price information influenced purchase intention through perceptions of quality, risk and value. Consumers’ purchase behaviour was furthermore influenced by unawareness and misconceptions, past experiences, and advertising as a decision-making tool.

Conclusions
Advertisements, including price and brand information, are an important tool to improve consumers’ awareness of the availability of different OTC drugs. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Development of space environment customized risk estimation for satellites (SECURES)
Authors: Nagatsuma Tsutomu , Nakamizo Aoi , Kubota Yasubumi , Nakamura Masao , Koga Kiyokazu , Miyoshi Yoshizumi , Matsumoto Haruhisa 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPlasma variations in the geospace environment driven by solar wind–magnetosphere interactions are one of the major causes of satellite anomaly. To mitigate the effect of satellite anomaly, the risk of space weather disturbances predicted by space weather forecasting needs to be known in advance. However, the risk of satellite anomaly owing to space weather disturbances is not the same for all satellites, because the risk depends not only on the space environment itself but also on the design and materials of individual satellites. From the viewpoint of satellite operators, it is difficult to apply a general alert level of the space environment to the risk of individual satellites. To provide tailored space weather information, we have developed SECURES (Space Environment Customized Risk Estimation for Satellites) by combining models of the space environment and those of spacecraft charging. In SECURES, we focus on the risk of spacecraft charging (surface/internal) for geosynchronous satellites. For the risk estimation of surface charging, we have combined the global magnetosphere magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model with the satellite surface charging models. For the risk estimation of internal charging, we have combined the radiation belt models with the satellite internal charging models. We have developed prototype products for both types of charging/electrostatic discharge (ESD). The development of SECURES and our achievements are introduced in this paper.
Lung ultrasound and computed tomography to monitor COVID-19 pneumonia in critically ill patients: a two-center prospective cohort study
Authors: Heldeweg Micah L. A. , Lopez Matta Jorge E. , Haaksma Mark E. , Smit Jasper M. , Elzo Kraemer Carlos V. , de Grooth Harm-Jan , de Jonge Evert , Meijboom Lilian J. , Heunks Leo M. A. , van Westerloo David J. , Tuinman Pieter R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundLung ultrasound can adequately monitor disease severity in pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We hypothesize lung ultrasound can adequately monitor COVID-19 pneumonia in critically ill patients.MethodsAdult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit of two academic hospitals who underwent a 12-zone lung ultrasound and a chest CT examination were included. Baseline characteristics, and outcomes including composite endpoint death or ICU stay > 30 days were recorded. Lung ultrasound and CT images were quantified as a lung ultrasound score involvement index (LUSI) and CT severity involvement index (CTSI). Primary outcome was the correlation, agreement, and concordance between LUSI and CTSI. Secondary outcome was the association of LUSI and CTSI with the composite endpoints.ResultsWe included 55 ultrasound examinations in 34 patients, which were 88% were male, with a mean age of 63 years and mean P/F ratio of 151. The correlation between LUSI and CTSI was strong (r = 0.795), with an overall 15% bias, and limits of agreement ranging − 40 to 9.7. Concordance between changes in sequentially measured LUSI and CTSI was 81%. In the univariate model, high involvement on LUSI and CTSI were associated with a composite endpoint. In the multivariate model, LUSI was the only remaining independent predictor.ConclusionsLung ultrasound can be used as an alternative for chest CT in monitoring COVID-19 pneumonia in critically ill patients as it can quantify pulmonary involvement, register changes over the course of the disease, and predict death or ICU stay > 30 days.Trial registration: NTR, NL8584. Registered 01 May 2020—retrospectively registered,https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8584
Combating an invisible enemy: the American military response to global pandemics
Authors: Dutton Lauren K. , Rhee Peter C. , Shin Alexander Y. , Ehrlichman Richard J. , Shemin Richard J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe present moment is not the first time that America has found itself at war with a pathogen during a time of international conflict. Between crowded barracks at home and trenches abroad, wartime conditions helped enable the spread of influenza in the fall of 1918 during World War I such that an estimated 20–40% of U.S. military members were infected. While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unparalleled for most of today’s population, it is essential to not view it as unprecedented lest the lessons of past pandemics and their effect on the American military be forgotten. This article provides a historical perspective on the effect of the most notable antecedent pandemic, the Spanish Influenza epidemic, on American forces with the goal of understanding the interrelationship of global pandemics and the military, highlighting the unique challenges of the current pandemic, and examining how the American military has fought back against pandemics both at home and abroad, both 100 years ago and today.