bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis and metabolism is impaired in dystrophin‐deficient mdx mice and humans
Authors: Lindsay Angus , Kemp Bailey , Larson Alexie A. , Baumann Cory W. , McCourt Preston M. , Holm John , Karachunski Peter , Lowe Dawn A. , Ervasti James M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimLoss of dystrophin causes oxidative stress and affects nitric oxide synthase‐mediated vascular function in striated muscle. Because tetrahydrobiopterin is an antioxidant and co‐factor for nitric oxide synthase, we tested the hypothesis that tetrahydrobiopterin would be low in mdx mice and humans deficient for dystrophin.MethodsTetrahydrobiopterin and its metabolites were measured at rest and in response to exercise in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients, age‐matched male controls as well as wild‐type, mdx and mdx mice transgenically overexpressing skeletal muscle‐specific dystrophins. Mdx mice were also supplemented with tetrahydrobiopterin and pathophysiology was assessed.ResultsDuchenne muscular dystrophy patients had lower urinary dihydrobiopterin + tetrahydrobiopterin/specific gravity1.020 compared to unaffected age‐matched males and Becker muscular dystrophy patients. Mdx mice had low urinary and skeletal muscle dihydrobiopterin + tetrahydrobiopterin compared to wild‐type mice. Overexpression of dystrophins that localize neuronal nitric oxide synthase restored dihydrobiopterin + tetrahydrobiopterin in mdx mice to wild‐type levels while utrophin overexpression did not. Mdx mice and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients did not increase tetrahydrobiopterin during exercise and in mdx mice tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency was likely because of lower levels of sepiapterin reductase in skeletal muscle. Tetrahydrobiopterin supplementation improved skeletal muscle strength, resistance to fatiguing and injurious contractions in vivo, increased utrophin and capillary density of skeletal muscle and lowered cardiac muscle fibrosis and left ventricular wall thickness in mdx mice.ConclusionThese data demonstrate that impaired tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis is associated with dystrophin loss and treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin improves striated muscle histopathology and skeletal muscle function in mdx mice.
Modelling item scores of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III for greater trial efficiency
Authors: Sheng Yucheng , Zhou Xuan , Yang Shuying , Ma Peiming , Chen Chao 
Published: February 2021

AimsThe multipart Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale is the standard instrument in clinical trials. A sum of scores for all items in 1 or more parts of the instrument is usually analysed. Without accounting for relative importance of individual items, this sum of scores conceivably does not optimize the power of the instrument. The aim was to compare the ability to detect drug effect in slowing down motor function deterioration, as measured by Part III of the Scale—motor examinations—between the item scores and the sum of scores.MethodsWe used data from 423 patients in a Parkinson's disease progression trial to estimate the symptom severity by item response modelling; modelled symptom progression using the severity and the sum of scores; and conducted simulations to compare the sensitivity of detecting a broad range of hypothetical drug effects on progression using the severity and the sum of scores.ResultsThe severity endpoint was far more sensitive than the sum of scores for detecting treatment effects, e.g. requiring 275 vs. 625 patients per arm to achieve 60% probability of trial success for detecting a range of potential effects in a 2‐year trial. Nontremor items related to the left side of the body seemed most informative. The domain relevance of tremor items appeared questionable.ConclusionThis analysis generated clear evidence that longitudinal modelling of item scores can enhance trial efficiency and success. It also called for reassessing the placement of the tremor items in the instrument.
Gender differences in acute stone admissions – should we have a lower threshold for treatment in female patients?
Authors: Down Chris , Malthouse Theo , Lobo Niyati , Ali Ahmed , Symes Andy , Coker Charles 
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesTo examine the gender‐related differences in the presentation, management and outcomes of patients admitted with acute renal colic at our institution.Patients and MethodsA retrospective analysis of 231 consecutive patients requiring inpatient admission for acute renal colic between October 2015 and March 2018. For each admission, data on demographics, admission blood results, stone characteristics, management and outcomes were collected. Differences between genders were compared using the chi‐squared and Student’s t‐test.ResultsGender distribution was 35% female: 65% male. There was no significant difference in age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification grade or history of diabetes. Women had a higher admission C‐reactive protein level (89.3 vs 32.9 mg/L, P < 0.001) and neutrophil count (10.0 vs 8.8 × 109/L, P = 0.04) than men. They also had more positive cultures (34.1% vs 6.0%, P < 0.001) and were more likely to require percutaneous nephrostomy insertion (9.8% vs 0.7%, P = 0.005). Women had more intensive therapy unit (ITU) admissions (12.2% vs 0.6%, P < 0.001) and longer lengths of stay (4.4 vs 1.8 days, P < 0.001) than men. There was no mortality in our series.ConclusionIn the present study, women admitted with acute renal colic were more likely to have an associated infection than men and require rapid decompression. Although there was no difference in mortality, women experienced greater morbidity as evidenced by the higher rate of ITU admissions and longer length of stay. These differences are important to consider when assessing the suitability of conservative management for female patients.
Secondary structure dependence of amyloid‐β(1–40) on simulation techniques and force field parameters
Authors: Caliskan Murat , Mandaci Sunay Y. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Coskuner‐Weber Orkid 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOur recent studies revealed that none of the selected widely used force field parameters and molecular dynamics simulation techniques yield structural properties for the intrinsically disordered α‐synuclein that are in agreement with various experiments via testing different force field parameters. Here, we extend our studies on the secondary structure properties of the disordered amyloid‐β(1–40) peptide in aqueous solution. For these purposes, we conducted extensive replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations and obtained extensive molecular dynamics simulation trajectories from David E. Shaw group. Specifically, these molecular dynamics simulations were conducted using various force field parameters and obtained results are compared to our replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations and experiments. In this study, we calculated the secondary structure abundances and radius of gyration values for amyloid‐β(1–40) that were simulated using varying force field parameter sets and different simulation techniques. In addition, the intrinsic disorder propensity, as well as sequence‐based secondary structure predisposition of amyloid‐β(1–40) and compared the findings with the results obtained from molecular simulations using various force field parameters and different simulation techniques. Our studies clearly show that the epitope region identification of amyloid‐β(1–40) depends on the chosen simulation technique and chosen force field parameters. Based on comparison with experiments, we find that best computational results in agreement with experiments are obtained using the a99sb*‐ildn, charmm36m, and a99sb‐disp parameters for the amyloid‐β(1–40) peptide in molecular dynamics simulations without parallel tempering or via replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations.
Association between area‐ and individual‐level socio‐economic factors with glycated haemoglobin—Evidence from a Portuguese population‐based study
Authors: Sousa‐Uva Mafalda , Barreto Marta , Roquette Rita , Matias‐Dias Carlos , Ribeiro Rogério , Manuel Boavida José , Nunes Baltazar 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aims to estimate the associations between area‐level deprivation and individual‐level socio‐economic factors, as well as their interaction, with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.MethodsWe conducted a gamma multilevel regression analysis using individual‐level data from the Portuguese National Health Examination Survey and a deprivation index built through factor analysis, at municipality level, with census variables.ResultsLiving in a municipality with high material deprivation and having a low level of education were independently associated with an increase of 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6, 4.0) and of 1.6% (95% CI 0.6, 2.7) in the mean levels of HbA1c, respectively. The interaction between area material deprivation and individual‐level education was not associated with the levels of HbA1c (0.5%, 95% CI −1.3, 2.3).ConclusionsOur findings support the collective resources model that argues that people in less deprived areas have better health because there are more collective resources. The results suggest that to reduce socio‐economic inequalities associated with the levels of HbA1c and, consequently, with diabetes, will require attention to the area material deprivation and individual‐level education. Upstream social determinants of health are thus highlighted.
Preparation and characterization of cordierite glass–ceramics for bonding solar thermal transmission pipelines
Authors: Wu Jianfeng , Ding Chunjiang , Xu Xiaohong , Xu Xiaoyang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTiO2 was employed to develop cordierite glass–ceramics for thermal transmission pipeline binders by a melt‐quenching method. The effects of TiO2 on the phase composition, microstructure, and physical properties of glass–ceramics were studied. In addition, the thermal shock resistance of the glass–ceramics based binder was investigated. The results showed the formation of α cordierite could be increased by adding 1.0 wt% TiO2, thereby improving bending strength and decreasing the coefficient of thermal expansion. However, a 3‐5 wt% TiO2 additive resulted in massive generation of µ cordierite, which exhibited a negative effect on the above performances. After crystallization at 1000°C for 2 h, sample B1 (1 wt% TiO2 additional) displayed the best overall properties. It was demonstrated that cordierite glass–ceramics were satisfactory materials as heat transmission pipeline binders when the C2 binder (40 wt% frit, 60 wt% as‐prepared sample B1) was applied, which had a good thermal shock resistance.
Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy of balloon cell nevi: a series of 10 cases
Authors: Fusano Marta , Soglia Simone , Gianotti Raffaele , Bencini Pier Luca 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundBalloon cell nevus (BCN) is a rare histopathological entity. It is usually represented by an asymptomatic brown smooth or polypoid lesion, but no clinical features allow differentiation from other melanocytic nevi. Moreover, dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) aspects of BCN have been described in a few single cases. This study aims to describe a wider BCN series with dermoscopic and RCM features to assess the most frequent patterns.MethodsTen patients who underwent a BCN surgical excision with histological diagnosis were included in this study. Dermatoscopy and RCM were performed for each lesion, searching for the features described in literature.ResultsEach nevus presented as an asymptomatic, smooth brownish lesion. Regarding dermoscopy, four balloon cell nevi showed yellow globules, eight white globules, eight a light‐brown network at the periphery, and eight a structureless central area; moreover, we found a hyperpigmented central blotch in four cases. RCM examination highlighted aggregates of dense nests at superficial dermis level in all BCNs, characterized by the presence of a dark nucleus surrounded by vacuolized cytoplasm. Moreover, multiple melanophages were seen at the dermal–epidermal junction in one case and superficial epidermal dendritic cells in one case.ConclusionsThis series of 10 BCNs improves the dermoscopic and confocal microscopic knowledge of this rare entity. We also reported a new dermoscopic aspect represented by central hyperpigmented blotch. A correct identification of BCN with noninvasive techniques allows to avoid unnecessary surgical excision.
Subcritical crack growth models for static fatigue of Hi‐NicalonTM‐S SiC fiber in air and steam
Authors: Hay Randall S. , Robertson Scott J. , Ruggles‐Wrenn Marina B. , Piper Matthew , Shillig Theodore , Mitchell Ron , Kroeger Ben , Gumucio Logan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThree subcritical crack growth (SCG) laws were used to model strain‐rates and failure times for static fatigue of Hi‐NicalonTM‐S SiC fiber tows in air and Si(OH)4(g)‐saturated steam. Models were fit to tow failure times (tf) and steady‐state strain rates (ἑ) for brittle creep measured at 700 to 1100°C under initial applied stresses (σA) of 260 to 1260 MPa. A power law, a reaction‐rate law, and a bond‐energy law were used to describe SCG that caused sequential filament failure, and ultimately tow failure. Two versions of each model were developed. One allowed access of chemisorbed species to flaws throughout the fiber (mode 1) and another only allowed access to flaws at the SiC‐SiO2interface (mode 2). The stress increase on intact filaments as others fractured and as filaments oxidized, and the increase in stress intensity geometric factors (Y) as crack size increased were incorporated in the models. The fits to data were compared for the different models by using both simple regression analysis and orthogonal distance regression (ODR) analysis. Faster convergence and more consistent results were achieved using ODR analysis. Regression analyses found parameters for all models with similar error in data fits, so validity of a model could not be distinguished by regression analysis alone. For all models, the stress dependence of SCG rates was much stronger in steam than in air, and for most models activation energies were between 300 and 420 kJ/mol, regardless of environment. For the steam environment, the bond‐length parameter (δ) for the bond‐energy model was very close to the lattice parameter of β‐SiC (.436 nm), but in air it was significantly lower at 0.25‐0.26 nm, but still larger than the Si‐C bond length of 0.189 nm. Other factors suggest that either a bond‐energy based law or a modified version of a reaction‐rate law are the best choices for a SCG law. Filament strength distributions initially described by Weibull distributions could not be described by such distributions after application of the models. SCG mechanisms are discussed.
Discovery of the Griffiths phase in the quaternary nitrides Ge1−xSnxNFe3
Authors: Liu Chaocheng , Kan Xucai , Liu Xiansong , Feng Shuangjiu , Hu Jiyu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe report the Griffiths phase (GP) and transport behavior in the quaternary antiperovskite nitrides Ge1−xSnxNFe3 by a series of systematical magnetic susceptibility and thermoelectric behavior measurements. All the corresponding fitting exponent parameters λGP = 0.852 and 0.854 completely satisfy 0 ≤ λ ≤ 1 in GP regions for Ge0.7Sn0.3NFe3 and Ge0.8Sn0.2NFe3, respectively, indicating the different ferromagnetic concentrations in the system. An observed structural transition from distorted tetragonal structure (I4/mcm) to cubic antiperovskite (Pm3m) with increasing dopants should be responsible for the GP in Ge1−xSnxNFe3, which results in a magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetism (FM) to antiferromagnetism (AFM). Furthermore, the studies of electrical transport properties indicate that the Ge1−xSnxNFe3 series of compounds perform a Fermi liquid behavior at low temperature while the stronger electron‐phonon scatterings are found in the high‐temperature region. In addition, the intensive electron–electron correlation is also determined since much higher value of lattice thermal conductivity κl than the one of electronic thermal conductivity κe.
Development of magnetic recyclable spinel photocatalysts with enhanced sunlight‐driven degradation of industrial dyes
Authors: Tangcharoen Thanit , T‐Thienprasert Jiraroj , Kongmark Chanapa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNanocrystalline nickel and copper‐substituted zinc aluminate spinel powders (NixZn1−xAl2O4 and CuxZn1−xAl2O4) with different additional ion concentrations (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) were successfully synthesized by the sol‐gel auto combustion method using diethanolamine (DEA) as a fuel. The structures, chemical bonds, morphologies, composition, surface area, and optical properties including the magnetic behavior of the obtained samples were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) method, UV‐visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV‐DRS), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). All characterization results confirmed that a single‐phase spinel structure was obtained for all calcined aluminate powders with various crystallite sizes and lattice constants. The band gap energy (Eg) of all modified aluminates is in the range of 2.99‐3.15 eV, which was found to be much lower than that of the pure sample (5.60 eV). These results indicate that the Ni2+ and Cu2+‐substituted ZnAl2O4 samples could be effectively photoexcited by both the ultraviolet and visible light. Evaluation of the samples to determine the photocatalytic activity was carried out through investigation of the way the four main pollutant types decompose when irradiated by sunlight. These pollutants were rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and methyl red (MR). For all optimum samples of organic dyes, the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation achieved 96% by the end of 150 min. Furthermore, each of the modified photocatalysts could be reused and showed a high degree of stability. According to magnetic measurements, the S‐shaped curve of ferrimagnetism can arise in those samples with the optimum concentration, although pure ZnAl2O4 exhibits diamagnetic properties. In comparison to pure ZnAl2O4, the modified samples exhibit high enhancement in the remanent magnetization (Mr), which indicates that it is easy to recover those magnetic photocatalyst through the use of an external magnetic field application. These findings therefore serve as a strong indication that ZnAl2O4 powders substituted by both Ni2+ and Cu2+ may offer the capability to serve in environmentally beneficial harvesting of solar energy.
Molecular dynamics study of UO2 symmetric tilt grain boundaries around [001] axis
Authors: Borde Marion , Germain Allan , Bourasseau Emeric 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMolecular dynamics and CRG empirical potential are used in this work to study the symmetrical tilt grain boundaries around the [001] axis in UO2. The analysis of atomic structures obtained by simulation shows excellent agreement with the Read and Schokley model (Read WT, Shockley W. Dislocation Models of Crystal Grain Boundaries. Physical Review. 1950;78:275) predicting the existence of regular dislocations in these grain boundaries. We calculated their energy of formation and cleavage as well as the energy of formation of Schottky defects and incorporation of xenon and krypton atoms in their proximity. This allowed us to determine how these properties evolve for this series of grain boundaries presenting similar geometric characteristics, as a function of the misorientation angle. In addition, the boundary between small and large misorientation grain boundaries has been determined around 20°, close to the value of 15° reported in literature.
High‐velocity pneumatic injection of non‐crosslinked hyaluronic acid for skin regeneration and scar remodeling: A retrospective analysis of 115 patients
Authors: MacGillis Diane , Vinshtok Yuri 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundPneumatic‐assisted high velocity jet injections are an alternative method for intradermal delivery of hyaluronic acid (HA) and demonstrated efficacy in dermal thickening and scar remodeling with minimal side effects.AimsWe aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy comparing non‐crosslinked HA (NCL‐HA) and crosslinked HA (CL‐HA) for aesthetic skin concerns.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed charts of 115 patients treated with jet injected NCL‐HA and CL‐HA for skin rejuvenation, age‐related laxity and rhytidosis, hypertrophic and acne scars and striae.Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and the 5‐grade patient satisfaction scale were used for assessment of the treatment efficacy at the 3‐month follow‐up. Efficacy was separately analyzed between patients receiving NCL‐HA vs. CL‐HA. Longevity of treatment effect was measured by the time to voluntary return for repeat treatment.ResultsAn average of 2.8 treatments was completed per patient with a low incidence of side effects including bruises (7%) and temporary local edema (1%). Patients were highly‐satisfied with the treatment results in all categories with the average satisfaction scores of 3.68 (NCL‐HA) and 3.76 (CL‐HA). An average GAIS score of 1.7 (“much improved”) was calculated for neck, décolleté and perioral areas. An overall GAIS score averaged as 1.78 (NCL‐HA) and 1.6 (CL‐HA). Longevity of the effect averaged 13.1 months for NCL‐HA and 13.2 months for CL‐HA groups.ConclusionOur retrospective data showed similar significant improvement of all aesthetic skin concerns in 115 subjects treated with either NCL‐HA or CL‐HA delivered intradermally by a high velocity jet‐injector device with minimal downtime, pain or side‐effects.
A proposed method of evaluating the yield stress of a thickened liquid using a simplified inclined plane test
Authors: Yasuda Toshitaka , Shimokasa Kenji 
Published: February 2021

AbstractManaging the thickening index of food is important for dysphagia and helps in recognizing the static and dynamic rheological properties of the thickening agent. One dynamic property is the viscosity under a shear rate of 50 s−1, and one static property is the yield stress at a shear rate of 0 s−1. The purpose of this study is to design a simplified inclined plane test to identify the yield stress of a thickened liquid by observing flow behavior on an inclined plate. The yield angle (stress) is defined as the inclination angle of the plate just before the thickened liquid flows. The concentrations (yield stresses, yield angles) of a thickening agent containing xanthan gum are 1.0 (1.2, 3°), 1.5 (5.6, 13°), 2.0 (7.5, 26°), 2.5 (12.5, 26°), and 3.0 (19.1, 42°) wt% (Pa, degrees). We measured the time course of the displacement of the downstream edge (DDE) of the thickened liquid on the inclined plate. The discrete inclination angles were in the range of 0° to 42°. The DDE after 10 s was more than 4.5 mm for all concentrations of the thickening agent at an inclination greater than the yield angle of the plate. We confirmed that the yield angle identifies the yield stress for the thickened liquid via the DDE using the simplified inclined plane test with discrete inclination angles.