bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineering Bioactive Nanoparticles to Rejuvenate Vascular Progenitor Cells
Authors: Bui Loan , Edwards Shanique , Alderfer Laura , Round Kellen , Owen Madeline , Sainaghi Pietro , Nallathamby Prakash , Zhang Siyuan , Haneline Laura , Hanjaya-Putra Donny 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Fetal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) predisposes children to future health complications including hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A key mechanism by which these complications occur is through stress-induced dysfunction of vascular progenitor cells, including endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). Although several approaches have been previously explored to restore endothelial dysfunction, their widespread adoption remains tampered by systemic side effects of adjuvant drugs and their limited efficacy. Here, we report a strategy to rejuvenate circulating vascular progenitor cells by conjugation of drug-loaded liposomal nanoparticles directly to the surface of GDM-exposed ECFCs (GDM-ECFCs). Bioactive nanoparticles can be robustly conjugated to the surface of ECFCs without altering cell viability and key progenitor phenotypes. Moreover, controlled delivery of therapeutic drugs to vascular progenitor cells is able to normalize transgelin (TAGLN) expression and improve cell migration, which is a critical key step in establishing functional vascular networks. More importantly, sustained pseudo-autocrine stimulation with bioactive nanoparticles is able to improve in vitro and in vivo vasculogenesis of GDM-ECFCs. Collectively, these findings highlight a simple, yet promising strategy to rejuvenate GDM-ECFCs and improve their therapeutic potential, which can be clinically-translated to address various cardiovascular complications, as well as toward a range of approaches in regenerative medicine.
Evaluation of the performance of the COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in a tertiary level hospital in Bangladesh.
Authors: Khan Mohammad Jahidur Rahman , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Shumu Samshad Jahan , Reza Md. Selim , Mim Farzana , Akram Arifa 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide crisis, tests with high sensitivity and specificity are essential for identifying and managing COVID-19 patients. Globally, several rapid antigen tests RATs for COVID-19 have been developed, but their clinical efficacy has not been well established. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of several rapid antigen tests (RATs) to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College hospital from February 2021 to April 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This study included the patients admitted in this hospital at the COVID-19 isolation unit or referred from the triage facility of the outdoor department of this hospital suspected as COVID-19 case. Two nasopharyngeal samples were collected simultaneously. one sample was used on the spot for the RAT. The other was sent to the adjacent Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College COVID-19 RT-PCR laboratory for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The performance of the RAT was evaluated using the results of qRT-PCR as a reference.Results: A total of 223 patients were included in this study, and the real-time RT-PCR detected SARS-CoV-2 in 84 (37.7%) patients. Of these 84 patients, 9 (10.7%) were asymptomatic. The overall sensitivity and specificity of RATs were 78.6% and 99.3%, respectively. The sensitivity was 81.3% in symptomatic cases and 55.6% in asymptomatic cases. False-negatives were observed in 18 patients, 3 of whom were asymptomatic and had a low viral load (cycle threshold (Ct) > 30). The detection rate of RATs was 100% when the Ct value was up to 24. The detection rate was 42.3% when the Ct was >29. The detection rate of RATs was 92.3% when the onset of symptoms was within three days. The detection rate was 33.3% when the onset of symptoms was >7 days.Conclusions: RATs for COVID-19 used in this study delivered an acceptable performance in patients with high viral load and within the first week of the onset of symptoms. They can be used as a supplementary method to RT-PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 patients.
Reproducibility of Ultrasound-Guided Attenuation Parameter (UGAP) to the Noninvasive Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis
Authors: Zhao Yanan , Jia Minyue , Zhang Chao , Feng Xinxu , Chen Jifan , Li Qunying , Zhang Yingying , Xu Wen , Dong Yiping , Liu Yajing , Jiang Yifan , Huang Pintong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background and aim
The aim of this study was to identify the applicability of an ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) for the noninvasive assessment of hepatic steatosis in clinical practice and to compare its correlation with B-mode ultrasound (US).
Methods
We enrolled 63 subjects with different body mass index (BMI) grades from May to July 2021. All of the participants fasted for at least 8 hours before the study. UGAP measurements were performed on liver segment V in the supine position during breath holding, free breathing, expiration, and deep inspiration, and in the lateral decubitus position when breath holding and free breathing, and on another segment in the supine position. Then, the participants were measured again 2 hours after a meal. To validate the intraoperator and interoperator agreements, additional measurements were performed in the supine position by the same radiologist A after 15 minutes intervals and by another experienced radiologist B, who was blinded to the results of radiologist A. Finally, the UGAP values were also compared with the visual grades of hepatic steatosis on B-mode US using a 4-point scale method.
Results
The intraclass correlation (ICC) of the UGAP values between the two radiologists was 0.862 (p<0.001), and the ICCs of the UGAP values on the same day and different days by radiologist A were 0.899 (p<0.001) and 0.910 (p<0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences in UGAP values under different breathing manipulations (p>0.05), positions (p>0.05), or diet statuses (p=0.300). The UGAP values in the fasting (supine position, segment V, 1) condition among the lean (BMI<24 kg/m2), overweight (24 kg/m2≤BMI<28 kg/m2) and obese groups (BMI≥28 kg/m2) were 0.60±0.12, 0.66±0.14, and 0.71±0.11 dB/cm/MHz, respectively, with a significant difference (p=0.006). The correlation coefficients (Rho) between the UGAP values and the visual grades of hepatic steatosis by the two reviewers were 0.845 (p<0.001) and 0.850 (p<0.001), corresponding to a strong relationship. Steatosis grades by reviewer 1 (p=0.036) and reviewer 2 (p=0.003) were significant factors determining the UGAP values according to the multivariate linear regression analysis.
Conclusion
UGAP demonstrated excellent intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility in the assessment of hepatic steatosis. UGAP may be a promising tool in clinical practice to predict hepatic steatosis.
Neuronal congruency effects in macaque frontal cortex
Authors: Yao Tao , Vanduffel Wim 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The interplay between task-relevant and task-irrelevant stimulus features induces conflicts which impair human behavioral performance in many perceptual and cognitive tasks, a.k.a. a behavioral congruency effect. The neuronal mechanisms underlying behavioral congruency effects, however, are poorly understood. We recorded single unit activity in monkey frontal cortex using a novel task-switching paradigm and discovered a neuronal congruency effect that is carried by task-relevant and -irrelevant neurons. The former neurons provide more signal, the latter less noise in congruent compared to incongruent conditions. Their relative activity levels determine the neuronal congruency effect and behavioral performance. Although these neuronal congruency signals are sensitive to selective attention, they cannot be entirely explained by selective attention as gauged by response time. We propose that such neuronal congruency effects can explain behavioral congruency effects in general, as well as previous fMRI and EEG results in various conflict paradigms.
Forest Water Use is Increasingly Decoupled from Water Availability Even During Severe Drought
Authors: McQuillan Katie A. , Tulbure Mirela G. , Martin Katherine L. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Context: Key to understanding forest water balances is the role of tree species regulating evapotranspiration (ET), but the synergistic impact of forest species composition, topography, and water availability on ET and how this shapes drought sensitivity across the landscape remains unclear.Objectives: Our aims were to quantify (1) the effect of forest composition and topography including elevation and hillslope gradients on the relationship between ET and water availability, and (2) whether the relationship has changed over time. Methods: We used remotely sensed Landsat and MODIS ET to quantify forest ET across the Blue Ridge ecoregion of the southeastern USA. Then quantified metrics describing ET responses to water availability and trends in responses over time and assessed how these metrics varied across elevation, hillslope, and forest composition gradients. Results: We demonstrated forest ET is becoming less constrained by water availability at the expense of lateral flow. Drought impacts on ET diverged along elevation and hillslope gradients, and that divergence was more pronounced with increasingly severe drought, indicating high elevation and drier, upslope regions tend to maintain ET rates even during extreme drought. We identified a decoupling of ET from water availability over time, and found this process was accelerated at higher elevations and in areas with more diffuse-porous trees. Conclusions: Given the large proportion of forests on the landscape distributed across high elevation and upslope positions, reductions in downslope water availability could be widespread, amplifying vulnerability of runoff, the health of downslope vegetation, and aquatic biodiversity.
PCR-Sequencing Approaches to Assess Informative Mutations in SARS-Cov-2 Spike (S) and ORF7, ORF8 and N Genes Characterizing Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest
Authors: Vitiello Glauco Akelinghton Freire , Oliveira Isabela Medeiros , Ivanski Fernanda , Fermino Bárbara Luisa , Gustani-Buss Emanuele Cristina , Bezerra Rafael dos Santos , Buss Carlos Eduardo , Ximenez João Paulo Bianchi , Paz Bárbara Mendes , Gabriel Katiuscia de Oliveira Francisco , Biaggi Carlos Alberto Oliveira , Consortium Omics working group NAPI Genomics , Silva Daiane Priscila Simão , Carraro Emerson , Peronni Kamila Chagas , Figueiredo David Livingstone Alves , Silva Wilson Araujo 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: The high infectivity rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the prolonged duration of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics have contributed to the emergence of viral variants endowed with evolutionary advantages, leading to enhanced infectivity. The tracking of these lineages is urgent. However, the need to sequence whole-viral genomes through next-generation sequencing (NGS) represents a barrier hampering the massive identification of these variants. Therefore, in the current study, we developed Sanger-sequencing approaches targeting regions of interest containing vast lineage-defining mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 S gene and ORF8 region, allowing for unambiguous identification of all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and of interest (VOIs).Methods and results: Primers were designed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR to amplify and sequence samples with a low-viral burden. The primers’ annealing sites conservancy were checked in a large group of sequences. Amplification protocols were standardized, and sequencing reactions were performed in a cohort of samples for validation. The primers were highly efficient and sequencing of the targeted regions matched those generated by NGS in the same samples. The sequencing results allowed for the unambiguous identification of B.1.1.7, P.1 and P.2 samples, and would also allow the identification of B.1.617.2, B.1.351 and B.1.427/B.1.429 lineages, which were absent in our cohort.Conclusion: Implementing Sanger-sequencing-based approaches to identify SARS-CoV-2 lineages may represent an alternative to tracking these variants by more laboratories around the world and providing valuable molecular and epidemiologic information to inform health systems.
Methodology for Generating Datasets with Characteristic Diagnostic Parameters of Rare Diseases Using the Example of Pompe Disease, Gaucher Disease and Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
Authors: Liebers-Kyungay Ann-Christin , Mohnike Klaus , Lingen Corine van , Bressan Anita , Palm Katja , Ziagaki Athanasia 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundFinding a diagnosis for rare diseases is a challenge for patients and those treating them. Establishing a uniform methodology for specifying the symptoms of a patient seems useful. This, as well as a database with clinical parameters reported in patients already diagnosed with the corresponding disease or that have led to the diagnosis, would facilitate the global data exchange between specialists and subsequently diagnosis. The aim of this work is to develop standardized data sets with the most frequent symptoms exemplarily for the three rare diseases late-onset Pompe disease, Gaucher disease Type I and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS).Methods and resultsA systematic literature review of characteristic symptoms and diagnostic criteria was performed for each of the three disorders. These parameters were converted into vocabulary standardized by The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), so-called HPO terms. Subsequently, a retrospective analysis of the patient files of 23 late-onset Pompe disease patients, 21 Gaucher disease Type I patients and 25 SLOS patients was carried out together with the University Children's Hospital Magdeburg and the Center of excellence for Rare Metabolic Diseases at the Charité Berlin. Features present in ≥ 40 % of the cohort and collected simultaneously in a certain minimum number of patients were filtered out. The analysis resulted in data sets with 20 diagnostic parameters for late-onset Pompe disease, 16 features for Gaucher disease Type I and 17 parameters for SLOS. After the statistical evaluation, the results were discussed comparatively with similar studies exemplarily for SLOS.ConclusionThe developed datasets for the three diseases provide a good basis for expansion with further patient examples and for extending the methodology to other diseases with the aim of improving the diagnostic pathway and thus the health care of patients with rare diseases.
Comparing an optimised physiotherapy treatment package with usual physiotherapy care for people with Tennis Elbow – protocol for the OPTimisE pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial.
Authors: Bateman Marcus , Saunders Benjamin , Littlewood Chris , Davis Daniel , Beckhelling Jacqueline , Cooper Karin , Skeggs Andrew , Foster Nadine E , Vicenzino Bill , Hill Jonathan C 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPhysiotherapy is recommended for people with Tennis Elbow, but whilst a wide array of treatments is available, the optimal approach remains uncertain. We have therefore recently developed an optimised physiotherapy treatment package for Tennis Elbow based on a synthesis of the evidence, patient input, and clinical consensus. It consists of detailed advice and education, a structured progressive exercise programme and provision of a counter-force elbow brace. Here we report the protocol for our multi-centre pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to a) examine the feasibility of our optimised physiotherapy treatment package, and b) to pilot trial processes for a future fully-powered RCT to test clinical and cost-effectiveness compared with usual physiotherapy treatment.MethodsA multi-centre pilot and feasibility RCT will be conducted across three sites in England, recruiting up to 50 patients (or for a maximum of 12 months). Participants with Tennis Elbow, identified from physiotherapy clinic waiting lists and general practice surgeries, will be randomly allocated to receive the optimised physiotherapy treatment package or usual physiotherapy care. Analysis will focus on feasibility measures including; consent rate, intervention fidelity, follow-up rate, and outcome completion rate. A nested qualitative study will explore the acceptability of the study processes and patient and physiotherapist experiences of the new optimised intervention.DiscussionThis study will determine the feasibility of a new optimised physiotherapy treatment package for people with Tennis Elbow and pilot the processes for a future fully-powered RCT. In the longer term, this treatment package may improve pain and quality of life outcomes for people with Tennis Elbow and help to guide a more clinically and economically efficient treatment pathway design.Trial RegistrationRegistered with the ISRCTN database 19/7/2021. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN64444585
PVA/Gd2O3@Zno Nanocomposite Films as New Uv-Blockers: Structure and Optical Revealations
Authors: Vedhavathi H.S , S Divya U , S Madhukar B , Vanga Pradeep Reddy , N Kumara Swamy 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Herein we have synthesised Gadolinium oxide doped Zinc oxide (Gd 2 O 3 @ZnO) by solution combustion method and incorporated it as a nanofiller into Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrix using solution intercalation technique to get PVA/Gd 2 O 3 @ZnO nanocomposite film. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to investigate the structural, morphological, glass transition temperature and optical properties of synthesized nanocomposites respectively. The optical propertiesof PVA/Gd 2 O 3 @ZnO film shows the interaction of –OH groups in PVA and dopant. From DSC, it is clear that Tg of prepared nano composites increases with increasing in dopant concentration. XRD analysis showed that the crystalline characteristics of the nanocomposites increases with increase in dopant concentration. The UV-Visible spectra reveals that there is decrease in indirect band gap of PVA from 4.94 eV to 3.12 eV and direct band gap from 4.90eV to 3.03 eV compared to pristine PVA Gd 2 O 3 @ZnO doped nanocomposite films showed multifold enhancement in optical characteristics such as refractive index of PVA doped nanocomposites compared pristine PVA, optical conductivity, finess coefficient, extinction coefficient on increasing in dopant concentration (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8wt%). The optical characteristics of PVA/Gd 2 O 3 @ZnO nanocomposite films show excellent UV-blocking behaviour suggesting that, they are promising materials for optical devices.
High clonal diversity and spatial genetic admixture in early prostate cancer and surrounding normal tissue
Authors: Crosetto Nicola , Zhang Ning , Harbers Luuk , Simonetti Michele , Longo Gabriel , Berrino Enrico , Schultz Niklas , Tarish Firas , Su Peng , Han Bo , Wang Wanzhong , Onorato Sofia , Yang Qifeng , Helleday Thomas , Roukos Vassilis , Marchiò Caterina , Bienko Magda 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Copy number alterations (CNAs) are pervasive in advanced human cancers, but their prevalence in early-stage, localized tumors and their surrounding normal tissues is poorly characterized. To investigate this phenomenon, here we developed a method for spatially resolved single-cell CNA profiling and applied it to characterize the CNA landscape in 10,007 nuclei extracted from 70 tumor and normal tissue regions (~125 mm3 tissue cubes) from prostatectomies performed in six patients with localized prostate cancer. We identified two distinct groups of cells with abnormal karyotype, one mainly consisting of sparse alterations (‘pseudo-diploid’ cells) and the other characterized by genome-wide karyotypic changes (‘monster’ cells). Pseudo-diploid cells displayed high clonal diversity and formed numerous small sized clones ranging from highly spatially localized to broadly spread clones, whereas monster cells were singular events detected throughout the prostate. We observed a remarkable correlation between the fraction of the genome affected by CNAs and the number of tissue regions in which pseudo-diploid cells were found. Highly localized pseudo-diploid clones were enriched in tumor regions and carried deletions of known or putative tumor suppressors, including APC, CDKN1B, FOXO1, FOXP1, and RB1. Spatially resolved targeted deep sequencing of 523 cancer genes detected non-synonymous mutations in both normal and tumor regions, including mutations in FOXA1, FOXP1, and SPOP genes previously implicated in prostate cancer. Strikingly, in two regions in which targeted deep sequencing detected a point mutation affecting the DNA-binding activity of the FOXA1 transcription factor, we also found a co-deletion of FOXO1 and FOXO3 genes in cells from two different pseudo-diploid clones, implicating combinatorial perturbations of Forkhead transcription factors as an early driver of prostate carcinogenesis. Our study reveals that CNAs and mutations are widespread across normal and tumor regions in the prostate glands of patients with localized prostate cancer and suggests that a subset of alterations—most likely small deletions causing the loss of key tumor suppressors—confer a fitness advantage and channel cells towards tumorigenesis.
Imaging sensory transmission and neuronal plasticity in primary sensory neurons with a positively tuned voltage indicator
Authors: Kim Yu Shin , Zhang Yan , Shannonhouse John , Gomez Ruben , Son Hyeonwi , Ishida Hirotake , Evans Stephen , Zhang Guofeng , Lin Michael 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Detection of somatosensory inputs requires conversion of external stimuli into electrical signals by activation of primary sensory neurons. The mechanisms by which heterogeneous primary sensory neurons encode different somatosensory inputs remains unclear. In vivo dorsal root ganglia (DRG) imaging using genetically-encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) is currently the best technique for this purpose mapping neuronal function in DRG circuits by providing an unprecedented spatial and populational resolution. It permits the simultaneous imaging of >1800 neurons/DRG in live mice. However, this approach is not ideal given that Ca2+ is a second messenger and has inherently slow response kinetics. In contrast, genetically-encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) have the potential to track voltage changes in multiple neurons in real time but often lack the brightness and dynamic range required for in vivo use. Here, we used soma-targeted ASAP4.4-Kv, a novel positively tuned GEVI, to dissect the temporal dynamics of noxious and non-noxious neuronal signals during mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimulation in DRG neurons of live mice. ASAP4.4-Kv is sufficiently bright and fast enough to optically characterize individual neuron coding dynamics. Notably, using ASAP4.4-Kv, we uncovered cell-to-cell electrical synchronization between adjacent DRG neurons and robust dynamic transformations in sensory coding following tissue injury. Finally, we found that a combination of GEVI and GECI imaging empowered in vivo optical studies of sensory signal processing and integration mechanisms with optimal spatiotemporal analysis.