bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vivo and in Silico Trypanocidal Activity Evaluation of (−)‐Cubebin Encapsulated in PLGA Microspheres as Potential Treatment in Acute Phase
Authors: Neres Nayara B. R. , Montagnini Daniel , Ferreira Daniele S. , Parreira Renato L. T. , Orenha Renato P. , Lima Thais C. , Molina Eduardo F. , Cunha Wilson R. , Silva Márcio L. A. , Esperandim Viviane R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this study, the trypomastigotes of a Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi were inoculated intraperitoneally into male BALB/c mice weighing approximately 25 g each, which were divided into groups for evaluation of the trypanocidal activity. For the treatment of experimental groups, encapsulated and unencapsulated (−)‐cubebin, Benznidazole, and two groups as negative controls were used. The encapsulated (−)‐cubebin showed a 68.1 % encapsulation efficiency. The parasitemia peak of substances remained around the 9th day after the observed reduction in the number of circulating trypomastigotes. The encapsulated (−)‐cubebin and (−)‐cubebin unloaded showed a decrease of 61.3 % and 58.5 % in the number of parasites as compared to the negative control, respectively. Moreover, animals treated with encapsulated (−)‐cubebin had a higher survival time as compared to the other groups. In conclusion, the results obtained were more promising for encapsulated (−)‐cubebin as compared to unloaded particles.
SCAI expert consensus update on best practices in the cardiac catheterization laboratory
Authors: Naidu Srihari S. , Abbott J. Dawn , Bagai Jayant , Blankenship James , Garcia Santiago , Iqbal Sohah N. , Kaul Prashant , Khuddus Matheen A. , Kirkwood Lorrena , Manoukian Steven V. , Patel Manesh R. , Skelding Kimberly , Slotwiner David , Swaminathan Rajesh V. , Welt Frederick G. , Kolansky Daniel M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe current document commissioned by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and endorsed by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and Heart Rhythm Society represents a comprehensive update to the 2012 and 2016 consensus documents on patient‐centered best practices in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Comprising updates to staffing and credentialing, as well as evidence‐based updates to the pre‐, intra‐, and post‐procedural logistics, clinical standards and patient flow, the document also includes an expanded section on CCL governance, administration, and approach to quality metrics. This update also acknowledges the collaboration with various specialties, including discussion of the heart team approach to management, and working with electrophysiology colleagues in particular. It is hoped that this document will be utilized by hospitals, health systems, as well as regulatory bodies involved in assuring and maintaining quality, safety, efficiency, and cost‐effectiveness of patient throughput in this high volume area.
Impact of anemia on short‐term outcomes after TAVR: A subgroup analysis from the BRAVO‐3 randomized trial
Authors: Razuk Victor , Camaj Anton , Cao Davide , Nicolas Johny , Hengstenberg Christian , Sartori Samantha , Zhang Zhongjie , Power David , Beerkens Frans , Chiarito Mauro , Meneveau Nicolas , Tron Christophe , Dumonteil Nicolas , Widder Julian D. , Ferrari Markus , Violini Roberto , Stella Pieter R. , Jeger Raban , Anthopoulos Prodromos , Mehran Roxana , Dangas George D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the prognostic impact of anemia in patients randomized to bivalirudin or unfractionated heparin (UFH) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).BackgroundWhether the periprocedural use of bivalirudin as compared with UFH in anemic patients undergoing TAVR has an impact on outcomes remains unknown.MethodsThe BRAVO‐3 trial compared the use of bivalirudin versus UFH in 802 high risk patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Patients were stratified according to the presence (defined as hemoglobin levels <13 g/dl in men and <12 g/dl in women) or absence of anemia. The primary outcomes were net adverse cardiac events (NACE; a composite of all‐cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or bleeding) and major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ≥3b) at 30 days.ResultsAmong 798 patients with available baseline hemoglobin levels, 427 (54%) were anemic of whom 221 (52%) received bivalirudin. There were no significant differences in NACE and major bleeding at 30 days between patients with and without anemia, irrespective of the type of anticoagulant used (pinteraction = 0.71 for NACE, pinteraction = 1.0 for major bleeding). However, anemic patients had a higher risk of major vascular complications (adjusted OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.42–4.16, p = 0.001), and acute kidney injury (adjusted OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.16–2.59, p = 0.007) compared to non‐anemic patients at 30 days.ConclusionsAnemia was not associated with a higher risk of NACE or major bleeding at 30 days after TAVR without modification of the treatment effects of periprocedural anticoagulation with bivalirudin versus UFH.
Diversified Polyketides and Nitrogenous Compounds from the Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Penicillium steckiiSCSIO 41025
Authors: Chen Chun‐Mei , Chen Wei‐Hao , Tao Hua‐Ming , Yang Bin , Zhou Xue‐Feng , Luo Xiao‐Wei , Liu Yong‐Hong 
Published: April 2021

Main observation and conclusionFour new polyketide decalin derivatives, penicisteck acids A—D (1—4), and three new nitrogenous compounds (7—9), together with eight previously reported compounds, were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Penicillium steckii SCSIO 41025. Their structures and absolute configurations were characterized by analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data combined with ECD calculations and modified Marfey's method. Structurally, compounds 1—3 were highly oxygenated decalin derivatives harboring an unusual propanoic acid unit at C‐1. Compound 8 was identified as a rare natural alkaloid‐N‐oxide confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. A plausible biogenetic pathway of compounds 1—6 is proposed. Compounds 13 and 15 showed significant anti‐bacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with the MIC values of 3.9 and 7.8 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 10 and 12 exhibited potent α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity with the IC50 values of 64.1 and 191.4 μmol/L, respectively.
Commiphoroids G1—G3, H and I, Five Terpenoid Dimers as Extracellular Matrix Inhibitors from Resina Commiphora
Authors: Dong Lu , Jiang Jian‐Bing , Yan Yong‐Ming , Wang Shu‐Mei , Cheng Yong‐Xian 
Published: April 2021

Main observation and conclusionCommiphoroids G1—G3, H and I (1—5), five new terpenoid dimers were isolated from Resina Commiphora. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by using spectroscopic, computational and crystallographic methods. Biological evaluation of these terpenoid dimers against renal fibrosis reveals that 5 inhibits extracellular matrix components including fibronectin and collagen I in a concentration‐dependent manner.
Impact of environmental factors in predicting daily severity scores of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Hurault Guillem , Delorieux Valentin , Kim Young‐Min , Ahn Kangmo , Williams Hywel C. , Tanaka Reiko J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects 20% of children worldwide. Environmental factors including weather and air pollutants have been shown to be associated with AD symptoms. However, the time‐dependent nature of such a relationship has not been adequately investigated. This paper aims to assess whether real‐time data on weather and air pollutants can make short‐term prediction of AD severity scores.MethodsUsing longitudinal data from a published panel study of 177 paediatric patients followed up daily for 17 months, we developed a statistical machine learning model to predict daily AD severity scores for individual study participants. Exposures consisted of daily meteorological variables and concentrations of air pollutants, and outcomes were daily recordings of scores for six AD signs. We developed a mixed‐effect autoregressive ordinal logistic regression model, validated it in a forward‐chaining setting and evaluated the effects of the environmental factors on the predictive performance.ResultsOur model successfully made daily prediction of the AD severity scores, and the predictive performance was not improved by the addition of measured environmental factors. Potential short‐term influence of environmental exposures on daily AD severity scores was outweighed by the underlying persistence of preceding scores.ConclusionsOur data does not offer enough evidence to support a claim that weather or air pollutants can make short‐term prediction of AD signs. Inferences about the magnitude of the effect of environmental factors on AD severity scores require consideration of their time‐dependent dynamic nature.
A novel histopathological scoring system to distinguish urticarial vasculitis from chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Puhl Viktoria , Bonnekoh Hanna , Scheffel Jörg , Hawro Tomasz , Weller Karsten , von den Driesch Peter , Röwert‐Huber Hans‐Joachim , Cardoso José , Gonçalo Margarida , Maurer Marcus , Krause Karoline 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundUrticarial vasculitis (UV) is defined by long‐lasting urticarial lesions combined with the histopathologic findings of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. As one of the major unmet needs in UV, diagnostic criteria are rather vague and not standardized. Moreover, there seems to be considerable overlap with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), particularly for the normocomplementemic variant of UV. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a diagnostic scoring system that improves the histopathologic discrimination between UV and CSU.MethodsLesional skin sections of patients with clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of UV (n = 46) and CSU (n = 51) were analyzed (blinded to the diagnosis) for the following pre‐defined criteria: presence of leukocytoclasia, erythrocyte extravasation, fibrin deposits, endothelial cell swelling, ectatic vessels, blurred vessel borders, dermal edema, intravascular neutrophil, and eosinophil numbers and numbers of dermal neutrophils, macrophages and mast cells.ResultsThe greatest differences between UV and CSU samples were observed for leukocytoclasia (present in 76% of UV vs. 3.9% of CSU samples;p < 0.0001), erythrocyte extravasation (present in 41.3% of UV vs. 2.0% of CSU samples;p < 0.0001), and fibrin deposits (present in 27.9% of UV vessels vs. 9.7% of CSU vessels;p < 0.0001). Based on these findings, we developed a diagnostic score, the urticarial vasculitis score (UVS), which correctly assigned 37 of 46 cases of UV and 49 of 51 cases of CSU to the previously established diagnosis.ConclusionOur results suggest that the UVS, a combined quantitative assessment of the three criteria leukocytoclasia, fibrin deposits and extravasated erythrocytes, distinguishes UV from CSU in skin histopathology. The UVS, if validated in larger patient samples, may help to improve the diagnostic approach to UV.
The synaptic inputs and thalamic projections of two classes of layer 6 corticothalamic neurons in primary somatosensory cortex of the mouse
Authors: Whilden Courtney Michelle , Chevée Maxime , An Seong Yeol , Brown Solange Pezon 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAlthough corticothalamic neurons (CThNs) represent the largest source of synaptic input to thalamic neurons, their role in regulating thalamocortical interactions remains incompletely understood. CThNs in sensory cortex have historically been divided into two types, those with cell bodies in Layer 6 (L6) that project back to primary sensory thalamic nuclei and those with cell bodies in Layer 5 (L5) that project to higher‐order thalamic nuclei and subcortical structures. Recently, diversity among L6 CThNs has increasingly been appreciated. In the rodent somatosensory cortex, two major classes of L6 CThNs have been identified: one projecting to the ventral posterior medial nucleus (VPM‐only L6 CThNs) and one projecting to both VPM and the posterior medial nucleus (VPM/POm L6 CThNs). Using rabies‐based tracing methods in mice, we asked whether these L6 CThN populations integrate similar synaptic inputs. We found that both types of L6 CThNs received local input from somatosensory cortex and thalamic input from VPM and POm. However, VPM/POm L6 CThNs received significantly more input from a number of additional cortical areas, higher order thalamic nuclei, and subcortical structures. We also found that the two types of L6 CThNs target different functional regions within the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). Together, our results indicate that these two types of L6 CThNs represent distinct information streams in the somatosensory cortex and suggest that VPM‐only L6 CThNs regulate, via their more restricted circuits, sensory responses related to a cortical column while VPM/POm L6 CThNs, which are integrated into more widespread POm‐related circuits, relay contextual information.
A performance study of meta‐heuristic approaches for quadratic assignment problem
Authors: Achary Thimershen , Pillay Shivani , Pillai Sarah M. , Mqadi Malusi , Genders Emma , Ezugwu Absalom E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe quadratic assignment problem (QAP) is a well‐known challenging combinatorial optimization problem that has received many researchers' attention with varied real‐world and industrial applications areas. It is noteworthy to mention that a plethora of nature‐inspired optimization algorithms have successfully been used to solve various optimization problems, including several variants of the QAPs. In this article, a comprehensive literature review is presented to show the most relevant nature‐inspired algorithms that have been used in solving the QAP. More so, extensive experiments are conducted and analyzed to show the performance of the well‐known state‐of‐the‐art nature‐inspired meta‐heuristic optimization algorithms in solving the QAP, including the ant colony optimization (ACO), bat algorithm, genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and tabu search algorithm. Besides, a modified variant of the discrete PSO algorithm is implemented and compared with existing approaches. The six selected algorithms' performances, including the modified PSO, are validated on eight commonly used QAP instances of varying complexity and size, considering the quality of solutions achieved and computational time consumed by the representative algorithms. The numerical results revealed that the most competitive algorithm was ACO, while the GA appeared to be the worst performed algorithm among the six compared meta‐heuristic algorithms. However, based on the extensive analysis conducted on the tested algorithms, further improvements are suggested, including implementing new modified versions of the tested algorithms to tackle the QAP and its variant instances.
The PhenX Toolkit: Establishing Standard Measures for COVID‐19 Research
Authors: Krzyzanowski Michelle C. , Terry Ian , Williams David , West Pat , Gridley Lauren N. , Hamilton Carol M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe PhenX (consensus measures for Phenotypes and eXposures) Toolkit (https://www.phenxtoolkit.org/) is a publicly available, web‐based catalog of recommended, well‐established measurement protocols of phenotypes and exposures. The goal of PhenX is to facilitate the use of standard measures, enhance data interoperability, and promote collaborative and translational research. PhenX is driven by the scientific community and historically has depended on working groups of experts to recommend measures for release in the PhenX Toolkit. The urgent need for recommended, standard measures for COVID‐19 research triggered the development of a “rapid release” process for releasing new content in the PhenX Toolkit. Initially, PhenX collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, the National Human Genome Research Institute, and the NIH Disaster Research Response (DR2) program to create a library of COVID‐19 measurement protocols. With additional support from NIH, PhenX adapted crowdsourcing techniques to accelerate prioritization and recommendation of protocols for release in the PhenX Toolkit. Prioritized COVID‐19‐specific protocols were used to anchor and define specialty collections of protocols that were subject to review and approval by the PhenX Steering Committee. In addition to the COVID‐19‐specific protocols, the specialty collections include existing, well‐established PhenX protocols, use of which will further enhance data interoperability and cross‐study analysis. The COVID‐19 specialty collections are Behaviors and Risks; Ethnicity, Race and Demographics; History, Treatment and Outcomes; Information Resources; Psychosocial and Mental Health; and Socioeconomic. The development and usage of PhenX COVID‐19 specialty collections are described in this article. © 2021 The Authors.Basic Protocol: Selecting COVID‐19 protocols
Simple, Inexpensive RNA Isolation and One‐Step RT‐qPCR Methods for SARS‐CoV‐2 Detection and General Use
Authors: Graham Thomas G.W. , Dugast‐Darzacq Claire , Dailey Gina M. , Darzacq Xavier , Tjian Robert 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe most common method for RNA detection involves reverse transcription followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) analysis. Commercial one‐step master mixes—which include both a reverse transcriptase and a thermostable polymerase and thus allow performing both the RT and qPCR steps consecutively in a sealed well—are key reagents for SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnostic testing; yet, these are typically expensive and have been affected by supply shortages in periods of high demand. As an alternative, we describe here how to express and purify Taq polymerase and M‐MLV reverse transcriptase and assemble a homemade one‐step RT‐qPCR master mix. This mix can be easily assembled from scratch in any laboratory equipped for protein purification. We also describe two simple alternative methods to prepare clinical swab samples for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA detection by RT‐qPCR: heat‐inactivation for direct addition, and concentration of RNA by isopropanol precipitation. Finally, we describe how to perform RT‐qPCR using the homemade master mix, how to prepare in vitro−transcribed RNA standards, and how to use a fluorescence imager for endpoint detection of RT‐PCR amplification in the absence of a qPCR machine In addition to being useful for diagnostics, these versatile protocols may be adapted for nucleic acid quantification in basic research. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of a one‐step RT‐qPCR master mix using homemade enzymesBasic Protocol 2: Preparation of swab samples for direct RT‐PCRAlternate Protocol 1: Concentration of RNA from swab samples by isopropanol precipitationBasic Protocol 3: One‐step RT‐qPCR of RNA samples using a real‐time thermocyclerSupport Protocol: Preparation of RNA concentration standards by in vitro transcriptionAlternate Protocol 2: One‐step RT‐PCR using endpoint fluorescence detection
Screening of spherical moulds manufactured isotropically in plasma etching conditions
Authors: Herth Etienne , Belharet Djaffar , Edmond Samson , Bouville David , Robert Laurent , Lardet‐Vieudrun Franck 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMicro‐moulding is a critical rapid prototyping process chain used for a wide range of applications. This study demonstrates that it is possible to manufacture mould at low excitation frequency plasma (380 kHz), on a silicon substrate using fluorinated chemistry. According to the mask aperture designed and process time, the cavities profile characteristics, depending on the plasma chemistry, were analysed to predict the degree of anisotropy and the curvature. We show the possibility of creating curvature shapes with a desirable conic constant k of 1.25. In particular, we highlighted the smallest aperture sizes are more attractive for replicating optical micro‐lens arrays using silicon moulds. Otherwise, the largest aperture sizes gain more attention for optoelectronics, microsystems, and microfluidics applications.
Classification of tumor subtypes leveraging constriction‐channel based impedance flow cytometry and optical imaging
Authors: Jiang Mei , Wang Xiaojie , Zhao Xiaoting , Teng Yu , Chen Jian , Wang Junbo , Yue Wentao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs label‐free biomarkers, electrical properties of single cells have been widely used for cell‐type classification and cell‐status evaluation. However, as intrinsic bioelectrical markers, previously reported membrane capacitance and cytoplasmic resistance (e.g., specific membrane capacitance Cspecific membrane and cytoplasmic conductivity σcytoplasm) of tumor subtypes were derived from tens of single cells, lacking statistical significance due to low cell numbers. In this study, tumor subtypes were constructed based on phenotype (treatment with 4‐methylumbelliferone) or genotype (knockdown of ROCK1) modifications and then aspirated through a constriction‐channel based impedance flow cytometry to characterize single‐cell Cspecific membrane and σcytoplasm. Thousands of single tumor cells with phenotype modifications were measured, resulting in significant differences in 1.64 ± 0.43 μF/cm2 vs. 1.55 ± 0.47 μF/cm2 of Cspecific membrane and 0.96 ± 0.37 S/m vs. 1.24 ± 0.47 S/m of σcytoplasm for 95C cells (792 cells of 95C‐control vs. 1529 cells of 95C‐pheno‐mod); 2.56 ± 0.88 μF/cm2 vs. 2.33 ± 0.56 μF/cm2 of Cspecific membrane and 0.83 ± 0.18 S/m vs. 0.93 ± 0.25 S/m of σcytoplasm for H1299 cells (962 cells of H1299‐control vs. 637 cells of H1299‐pheno‐mod). Furthermore, thousands of single tumor cells with genotype modifications were measured, resulting in significant differences in 3.82 ± 0.92 vs. 3.18 ± 0.47 μF/cm2 of Cspecific membrane and 0.47 ± 0.05 vs. 0.52 ± 0.05 S/m of σcytoplasm (1100 cells of A549‐control vs. 1100 cells of A549‐geno‐mod). These results indicate that as intrinsic bioelectrical markers, specific membrane capacitance and cytoplasmic conductivity can be used to classify tumor subtypes.
Emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed safely in a patient with COVID‐19 with suspected hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Misumi Yoshitsugu , Nitta Yuki , Nonaka Kouichi , Kawana Masatoshi , Arimura Ken , Tokushige Katsutoshi , Tanabe Kazunari 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has spread explosively throughout the world and has since been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Although it is recommended that upper gastrointestinal endoscopies either be postponed or canceled during the pandemic because of their high risk of aerosol generation, this does not apply in emergency cases, which may include patients with coronavirus disease. In this case report, we describe the safe undertaking of an emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a patient with suspected hemorrhagic shock who tested positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 using the polymerase chain reaction. We performed the procedure in the contamination zone of a specialized coronavirus disease ward with prespecified zones. Full personal protective equipment was worn during the procedure, as recommended by various academic societies, and careful attention was paid to the sterilization of all equipment after the procedure. Thus, emergency endoscopies can be performed safely in patients with coronavirus disease in a suitable environment by using appropriate personal protective equipment and by handling the equipment appropriately.