bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overview of the Therapeutic Applications of Stem Cell–Derived Exosomes: A Research and Commercial Perspective
Authors: Heale Kali A. , Nath Suman C. , Rancourt Derrick E. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractProgress in extracellular vesicle (EV) research over the past two decades has generated significant interest in using EVs in the biomedical field. Exosomes are a subgroup of EVs that comprise endocytic membrane‐bound nanovesicles of 40 to 160 nm diameter. These vesicles have been shown to facilitate intercellular communication via the delivery of cellular molecules. There are currently several exciting applications for exosomes being developed in therapeutics, diagnostics, drug delivery, and cellular reprogramming. Stem cell–derived exosomes present the opportunity to harness the power of stem cells while circumventing several of the risks associated with their use. This review summarizes the recent developments in exosome technology and lends a prospective view to the future of exosome use and application in research and medicine. Through a review of relevant patent filings, recent literature, and ongoing clinical trials, a valuable overview of the field of exosomes is provided. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
High‐Resolution, Highly‐Integrated Traction Force Microscopy Software
Authors: Mittal Nikhil , Han Sangyoon J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAccurate measurement of cellular traction force is critical for understanding physical interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix. Traction force microscopy (TFM) has become the most widely used tool for this purpose. While TFM has made continual progress in terms of resolution and accuracy, there have been challenges regarding obtaining user‐friendly software and choosing the right values for parameters and sub‐processes associated with the software. Here we provide step‐by‐step instructions for a MATLAB‐based TFM software application equipped with multiple methods for image deformation quantification and force reconstruction, along with clarification on the computational meaning of the parameters within the software. We outline how to choose the optimal sub‐methods and values for parameters for each process, depending on the characteristics of images and purpose of the analyses. The software's runtime is 20, 4, and 0.05 min by Fast BEM L1 (Boundary Element Method L1‐regularization), Fast BEM L2 (L2‐regularization), and FTTC (Fourier Transform Traction Cytometry), respectively, in addition to 7 min of particle‐tracking velocimetry−based deformation tracking, for a single image (1280 × 960 pixel) on a standard workstation. Finally, the colocalization accuracies, in reference to a paxillin‐GFP image, are compared between the three force reconstruction methods. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Setting up the TFM package in MATLABBasic Protocol 2: Running the TFM packageAlternate Protocol 1: Stage drift correction: Efficient subpixel registrationAlternate Protocol 2: Force field calculation: FastBEM
GALAXY Workflow for Bacterial Next‐Generation Sequencing De Novo Assembly and Annotation
Authors: Wee Soon Keong , Yap Eric Peng Huat 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWhole‐genome sequencing of prokaryotes is now readily available and affordable on next‐generation sequencing platforms. However, the process of de novo assembly can be complicated and tedious for those without a background in computational biology, bioinformatics, or UNIX. Licenses for commercial bioinformatics software may be costly and limited in flexibility. GALAXY is a powerful graphical open‐source code‐free bioinformatics platform that is freely available on multiple public and private servers. Here, we describe a bacterial de novo assembly workflow using GALAXY. It performs de novo genome assembly using short reads, long reads, or a hybrid method using both short and long reads. Genome annotation, prediction of antimicrobial resistance genes, and multi‐locus sequence typing are subsequently performed to characterize the draft genome. Performing genome assembly and annotation on this pipeline allows documentation, parameterization, and sharing, facilitating replication, reuse, and reproducibility of both data and methods. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Quality check of NGS readsBasic Protocol 2: De novo assembly using UnicyclerBasic Protocol 3: Assembly quality check using QUAST and BandageBasic Protocol 4: Genome annotation using ProkkaBasic Protocol 5: Prediction of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs)Basic Protocol 6: Multi‐locus sequence typing (MLST)
Sustainable consumption and production: Modelling product carbon footprint of beverage merchandise using a supply chain input‐process‐output approach
Authors: Wong Eugene Yin Cheung , Ho Danny C. K. , So Stuart , Poo Mark Ching‐Pong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe continuous increase in beverage consumption worldwide results in enormous energy consumption and carbon emission along the life cycle of beverage products. A novel input‐process‐output product carbon footprint (PCF) model is developed as a generic framework for products and services with complex operations along the supply chain. A PCF of a carbonated drink product is evaluated at each of the major stages in the product's life cycle with results compared to using GHG Protocol methodology. Results from cradle‐to‐grave analysis indicate retail and distribution has the largest emissions impact along the product life cycle. Retail distribution routing optimisation model is developed and retail vending equipment are analysed to explore opportunities for reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint. Future sustainable development studies on the PCF of same beverage merchandises produced in various countries and mitigation measures using dynamic routing distribution could be carried out.
Cardiovascular disease in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Sato Kei , Sinclair Jane E , Sadeghirad Habib , Fraser John F , Short Kirsty R , Kulasinghe Arutha 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPre‐existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases the morbidity and mortality of COVID‐19 and is strongly associated with poor disease outcomes. However, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection can also trigger de novo acute and chronic cardiovascular disease. Acute cardiac complications include arrhythmia, myocarditis and heart failure, which are significantly associated with higher in‐hospital mortality. The possible mechanisms by which SARS‐CoV‐2 causes this acute cardiac disease include direct damage caused by viral invasion of cardiomyocytes as well as indirect damage through systemic inflammation. The long‐term cardiac complications associated with COVID‐19 are incompletely characterised and thought to include hypertension, arrhythmia, coronary atherosclerosis and heart failure. Although some cardiac‐related symptoms can last over 6 months, the effect of these complications on long‐term patient health remains unclear. The risk factors associated with long‐term cardiovascular disease remain poorly defined. Determining which patients are most at‐risk of long‐term cardiovascular disease is vital so that targeted follow‐up and patient care can be provided. The aim of this review was to summarise the current evidence of the acute and long‐term cardiovascular consequences of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the mechanisms by which SARS‐CoV‐2 may cause cardiovascular disease.
Diagnostic clues for differentiating Merkel cell carcinoma from lymphoma in fine‐needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Liu Chih‐Yi , Lai Feng‐Jie , Chang Sheng‐Tsung , Chuang Shih‐Sung 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNodal fine needle aspiration (FNA) is usually the first procedure in the work‐up of malignancy of unknown primary. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous cancer more common in Caucasians but rare among Asians. It is a diagnostic challenge in evaluating FNA from a metastatic MCC without the knowledge of a current or prior history of skin cancer. We report the case of a Taiwanese male with cervical and axillary masses. The diagnosis of the FNA from the axillary lymph node was lymphoproliferative lesion suspicious for lymphoma. The histopathological evaluation of nodal biopsy revealed a metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma and the subsequent excision of the right palm tumor confirmed MCC. Retrospective review of the FNA and imprint cytology smears of the nodal biopsy showed nuclear molding, Indian filing and rare cytoplasmic pale bodies, but no lymphoglandular bodies. Cytologically metastatic MCC may mimic small round cell tumor including lymphoma, we consider these three cytological features as additional diagnostic clues for metastatic MCC. In this report, we present the cytologic and pathological features of this metastatic MCC and discuss the differential diagnosis of the cytologic mimickers.
Recent advances regarding endoscopic biliary drainage for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction
Authors: Kato Hironari , Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Okada Hiroyuki 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBiliary drainage for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (UMHBO) is still associated with a number of controversies to be resolved. The superiority of bilateral drainage in comparison to unilateral drainage has not been proven obviously yet. However, bilateral drainage is necessary to treat obstructive jaundice in some UMHBO patients, and this may be connected with preservation of the functional liver volume. The partial stent‐in‐stent (SIS) method and side‐by‐side (SBS) method developed as bilateral drainage methods. There is no significant difference in the technical or clinical success rates of the SIS and SBS methods. In addition, these methods are comparable in terms of adverse events, patency period, and survival period. On the other hand, reintervention for recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) after the SBS method seems to be easier in comparison to cases with RBO after the SIS method; however, there is no remarkable difference in the clinical results of these procedures. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided biliary drainage also has become an option for patients with UMHBO. Left hepatic drainage using EUS‐guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS‐HGS) has become common; however, few studies have reported the results of bridging drainage for the right lobe using the EUS‐HGS route or EUS‐guided hepaticojejunostomy. A few studies addressed the results of newly designed stents, such as the 6‐mm braided metal stent and inside stent. The development of various drainage methods and new devices is necessary for the further advancement of endoscopic biliary drainage for patients with UMHBO, further studies to evaluate those methods and devices are warranted.
Successful removal of an accidentally swallowed press‐through package sheet using a detachable snare: A case report
Authors: Mawatari Fumihiro , Komatsu Naohiro , Oshiro Ryosaku , Arima Tetsuhiko , Fukuda Sachiko , Kita Yoshiko , Fukahori Aiko , Nakao Kazuhiko 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAccidental swallowing of press‐through package (PTP) sheets that could cause esophageal perforation is commonly encountered in emergency departments requiring early detection and removal. We report a case in which an accidentally swallowed PTP sheet was removed from the esophagus using a detachable snare after usual endoscopic methods proved ineffective. A Japanese woman in her 60s visited the emergency department with a persistent sore throat. Cervicothoracic computed tomography revealed presence of a PTP sheet in the cervical esophagus, and emergency endoscopy was performed. Pre‐endoscopy simulations using a sheet identical to the one swallowed by the patient indicated that the sheet would not have been retrievable using an overtube (its inner diameter was smaller than the sheet's diameter) and grasping forceps (they slipped off the sheet). It was successfully removed using a detachable snare, a device normally employed in colorectal polypectomy, allowing us to ligate the end of the sheet and pull it into the overtube. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of endoscopic removal of a PTP sheet from the esophagus using a detachable snare. We suggest that this novel method would facilitate removal of esophageal PTP sheets.
Extensive mucosal sloughing of the small intestine and colon in a patient with severe COVID‐19
Authors: Yamakawa Tsukasa , Ishigami Keisuke , Takizawa Ayumu , Takada Yumemi , Ohwada Sae , Yokoyama Yoshihiro , Kazama Tomoe , Hirayama Daisuke , Yoshii Shinji , Yamano Hiro‐O , Ohizumi Rina , Bunya Naofumi , Sugawara Taro , Tsujiwaki Mitsuhiro , Sugita Shintaro , Takahashi Satoshi , Narimatsu Eichi , Nakase Hiroshi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) primarily cause respiratory symptoms. However, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can also occur. The endoscopic characteristics of the GI tract in COVID‐19 patients remain unclear. We herein report a 62‐year‐old male with severe COVID‐19 who needed multidisciplinary treatment, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Despite the improvement in his respiratory status, GI bleeding developed. Capsule endoscopy and colonoscopy revealed extensive mucosal sloughing in the lower intestinal tract. Additionally, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the mRNA expression levels of various proinflammatory cytokines in the intestinal mucosal tissues. The results suggested a significant elevation of IL‐6, which could be involved in the pathophysiology of the GI involvement in COVID‐19. Further investigation with more clinical data, including endoscopic findings and molecular analyses, will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of COVID‐19‐associated GI injury.
A problem with variable selection in a comparison of correlative and process‐based species distribution models: Comments on Higgins et al., 2020
Authors: Booth Trevor H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractComments are presented on an article published in October 2020 in Ecology and Evolution (“Predictive ability of a process‐based versus a correlative species distribution model”) by Higgins et al. This analyzed natural distributions of Australian eucalypt and acacia species and assessed the adventive range of selected species outside Australia. Unfortunately, inappropriate variables were used with the MaxEnt species distribution model outside Australia, so that large climatically suitable areas in the Northern Hemisphere were not identified. Examples from a previous analysis and from the use of the freely available spatial portal of the Atlas of Living Australia are provided to illustrate how the problem can be overcome. The comparison of methods described in the Higgins et al. paper is worthwhile, and it is hoped that the authors will be able to repeat their analyses using appropriate variables with the correlative model.
Microwave Dielectric Properties and Sintering Behavior of K20 Series Temperature‐Stable 0.91MgTiO3‐0.09(Ca0.8Na0.1Ce0.1)TiO3 Composite Ceramics
Authors: Yue Tao , Li Lingxia , Du Mingkun , Zhan Yu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRecently, the progress of miniaturization and integration for dielectric communication devices is being motivated by the rapidly‐developed communication technology. Microwave dielectric ceramics, the foundation of dielectric communication devices, have been receiving great attention. In this study, 0.91MgTiO3‐0.09(Ca0.8Na0.1Ce0.1)TiO3 ceramic (0.91MT‐0.09CNCT) was synthesized by the traditional solid‐phase process to tune the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) to zero. Compared with 0.95MgTiO3–0.05CaTiO3 ceramic, a Q×f value increased by 15 % was achieved in 0.91MT‐0.09CNCT ceramic, meanwhile, the sintering temperature of which was significantly lowered by 225 °C. In general, the τf value is related to the (Ca0.8Na0.1Ce0.1)TiO3 content and sintering temperature. At the same time, the 0.91MT‐0.09CNCT ceramic sintered at 1175 °C has competitive dielectric properties: ϵr=20.4, Q×f=66,000 GHz, τf=0.2 ppm/°C, which suggests it a promising candidate for dielectric communication devices with low cost and green synthesis.
[(Me6TREN)MgOCHPh2][B(C6F5)4]: A Model Complex to Explore the Catalytic Activity of Magnesium Alkoxides in Ketone Hydroboration
Authors: Ankur  , Kannan Ramkumar , Chambenahalli Raju , Banerjee Sumanta , Yang Yan , Maron Laurent , Venugopal Ajay 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe sterically hindered monomeric alkoxomagnesium compound [(Me6TREN)MgOCHPh2][B(C6F5)4] (1) has been used to explore the role of magnesium alkoxides in ketone hydroboration. Experiments and DFT calculations are suggestive of a concerted reaction pathway traversing through a six‐membered transition state involving Mg−OCHPh2, B−H, and C=O bonds. Prompted by this hypothesis, we investigated the activity of [Mg(OCHPh2)2] (3), which exhibits turn‐over frequency reaching up to 59,400 h−1 under solvent‐free conditions and stability towards C=C, −OH, −NH2 and −NO2. Due to the non‐existence of a metal hydride intermediate, such catalytic reactions will not get hindered in the presence of additional reactive functional groups.
A Dirichlet process model for change‐point detection with multivariate bioclimatic data
Authors: Mastrantonio Gianluca , Jona Lasinio Giovanna , Pollice Alessio , Teodonio Lorenzo , Capotorti Giulia 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMotivated by real‐world data of monthly values of precipitation, minimum, and maximum temperature recorded at 360 monitoring stations covering the Italian territory for 60 years ( months), in this work we propose a change‐point model for multiple multivariate time series, inspired by the hierarchical Dirichlet process. We assume that each station has its change‐point structure and, as main novelties, we allow unknown subsets of the parameters in the data likelihood to stay unchanged before and after a change‐point, that stations possibly share values of the same parameters and that the unknown number of weather regimes is estimated as a random quantity. Owing to the richness of the formalization, our proposal enables us to identify clusters of spatial units for each parameter, evaluate which parameters are more likely to change simultaneously, and distinguish between abrupt changes and smooth ones. The proposed model provides useful benchmarks to focus monitoring programs regarding ecosystem responses. Results are shown for the whole data, and a detailed description is given for three monitoring stations. Evidence of local behaviors includes highlighting differences in the potential vulnerability to climate change of the Mediterranean ecosystems from the Temperate ones and locating change trends distinguishing between continental plains and mountain ranges.
Pilot trial of a media intervention with journalism students on news reporting of mental illness in the context of violence and crime
Authors: Ross Anna M. , Morgan Amy J. , Wake Alexandra , Jorm Anthony F. , Reavley Nicola J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIssue addressedNews reports linking mental illness to violent crime are among the most stigmatising portrayals. These portrayals can perpetuate stereotypes of dangerousness, negatively influencing public attitudes and having a harmful impact on people with lived experience of mental illness. With the aim of improving the quality of news portrayals and mitigating harm, best‐practice guidelines for media reporting on mental illness, violence and crime have been developed. To increase understanding of the guidelines’ content, a 1‐hour workshop based on the main principles was developed for journalism students.MethodsIn this study, the workshop was piloted with a pre and 3‐week follow‐up evaluation with a cohort of journalism students (n = 29).ResultsThree weeks after the workshop, there were significant improvements in attitudes towards severe mental illness, knowledge of best‐practice reporting, intentions and confidence to report consistently with the best‐practice guidelines and performance on an editing task designed to assess adherence to the guidelines. Belief in dangerousness/unpredictability reduced markedly, demonstrating that the workshop effectively addressed misinformation about people with severe mental illness being a risk to the public.ConclusionsThis pilot trial provides promising initial results and provides a basis for wider implementation and evaluation of media training on this topic.So whatImproved understanding of best‐practice media guidelines, as generated through this workshop, has potential to reduce stigmatising news reporting on people with mental illness, and consequently reduce public stigma.
Lean management for improving hospital waiting times—Case study of a Vietnamese public/general hospital emergency department
Authors: Le Duong X. , Do Hoa T. , Bui Khoa T. , Hoang Truong Q. , Nguyen Ghi H. , Nguyen Anh V. , Nguyen Quynh T. , Gorgui‐Naguib Hannah , Naguib Raouf N. G. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroduction: Emergency departments (EDs) at public hospitals in Vietnam typically face problems with overcrowding, as well as being populated by a wide variety of illnesses, resulting in increasing dissatisfaction from patients. To alleviate these problems, we used the increasingly popular value‐stream mapping (VSM) and lean strategy approaches to (1) evaluate the current patient flow in EDs; (2) identify and eliminate the non‐valued‐added components; and (3) modify the existing process in order to improve waiting times.Methods: Data from a total of 742 patients who presented at the ED of 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, were collected. A VSM was developed where improvement possibilities were identified and attempts to eliminate non‐value‐added activities were made. A range of issues that were considered as a resource waste were highlighted, which led to a re‐design process focusing on prioritizing blood tests and ultrasound procedures. On the administrative side, various measures were considered, including streamlining communication with medical departments, using QR codes for healthcare insurance payments, and efficient management of X‐ray and CT scan online results.Results: By implementing a lean approach, the following reductions in delay and waiting time were incurred: (1) pre‐operative test results (for patients requiring medical procedures/operations) by 33.3% (from 134.4 to 89.4 min); (2) vascular interventions by 10.4% (from 54.6 to 48.9 min); and (3) admission to other hospital departments by 49.5% (from 118.3 to 59.8 min). Additionally, prior to the implementation of the lean strategy approach, only 22.9% of patients or their proxies (family members or friends), who responded to the survey, expressed satisfaction with the ED services. This percentage increased to 76.5% following the curtailment of non‐value‐added activities. Through statistical inferential test analyses, it can be confidently concluded that applying lean strategy and tools can improve patient flow in public/general hospital EDs and achieve better staff coordination within the various clinical and administrative hospital departments. To the authors' knowledge, such analysis in a Vietnamese hospital's ED context has not been previously undertaken.