bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiplexed Determination of Fertility‐related Hormones in Saliva Using Amperometric Immunosensing
Authors: Arévalo Beatriz , Serafín Verónica , Campuzano Susana , Yáñez‐Sedeño Paloma , Pingarrón José M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper reports a dual immunosensor for the simultaneous determination of two important fertility‐related hormones: 17β‐estradiol, E2, and follicle‐stimulating hormone, FSH. The implemented method involves direct competitive (E2) or sandwich‐type (FSH) immunoassays carried out on magnetic microparticles (MBs) and amperometric detection at screen‐printed dual carbon electrodes (SPdCEs) involving the hydroquinone (HQ)/H2O2 system. The developed immune platform demonstrates LOD values of 6.88 pg mL−1 and 0.11 mIU mL−1 for E2 and FSH standards, respectively and usefulness for the determination in saliva samples collected from different volunteers, giving results in agreement with the conventional ELISA methodologies.
Provable secure dynamic lightweight group communication in VANETs
Authors: Naresh Vankamamidi Srinivasa , Reddi Sivaranjani , Allavarpu VVL Divakar 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe advent of group‐oriented communication applications in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) has trigger research on lightweight privacy‐preserving Secure Group Communication (SGC) in VANETs. In view of this, many researchers proposed privacy‐preserving, authentication, and key agreements schemes. However, these schemes need to address the dynamic nature, heavier processing loads, massive storage, and higher communication. In this direction, we proposed a framework for lightweight dynamic SGC with privacy‐preserving and authentication in VANETs, encompassing (i) A lightweight Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)‐based two‐party key agreement and its extension to a Dynamic Group Key Agreement, in which fixed Road Side Unit (RSU) acts as Group Controller (GC) with superior computational ability than the On‐Board Unit equipped on the vehicles. (ii) An identify‐based authentication and privacy‐preserving schemes using only two lightweight operations XOR and hashing. (iii) A lightweight encryption and decryption with Exclusive Or (XOR) and hashing only. And (iv) a formal security model for SGC in VANETs. The security analysis shows that the proposed system provides confidentiality of session key, anonymity, secure session key enhancement, and immune to password guessing attack, replay attack, insider attack based on an assumption of the computational G‐ECDDH problem. The experimentation is done for authentication, group key agreement, encryption, and decryption times by a varying number of vehicles in the group to 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 and shown that the proposed technique is taking considerably less computation than other techniques. So the proposed technique is highly desirable in VANETs.
Magnitude of radial forearm free flaps and factors associated with loss of volume in oral cancer reconstructive surgery: Prospective study
Authors: Wang Si‐Min , Yin Shou‐Cheng , Su Xing‐Zhou , Xu Qiang , Liu Yi‐Hao , Xu Zhong‐Fei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAdequate flap volume is key to maintaining oral function after oral cancer surgery. This study aimed to evaluate changes in radial forearm free flap (RFFF) volumes after 1 year of follow‐up following ablative tumor surgery in the head and neck.MethodsA prospective study that recorded the clinical data of 20 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent RFFF reconstruction. Magnetic resonance (MR) and Mimics Research 19.0 software were used to measure the RFFF volumes at 1, 3, 6, and 12 postoperative months.ResultsCompared with one postoperative month, the RFFF volume decreased by 15.5%, 29.4%, and 42.0% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, after surgery. A significant positive correlation between postoperative radiotherapy and RFFF volume changes was detected.ConclusionThe volume of RFFF decreases with time. It is recommended to use overcorrection, with a 40% increase in RFFF volume, to reconstruct head and neck tumor‐related defects.
Culture and performance appraisal in multinational enterprises: Implementing French headquarters' practices inMiddle East and North Africasubsidiaries
Authors: Yahiaoui Dorra , Nakhle Samer F. , Farndale Elaine 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPerformance appraisal requires interactions between managers and employees and as such can be highly sensitive to differences in cultural values. This can be challenging when multinational enterprises (MNEs) are active across different institutional contexts, particularly when operating in the culturally complex Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In this qualitative study, we apply institutional theory to explore how performance appraisal practices are implemented and internalized in MNE subsidiaries in the MENA region through manager–employee interactions. A total of 117 interviews were conducted with different headquarter and subsidiary stakeholders (managers and employees) of four French MNEs operating in Lebanon and Tunisia. The findings indicate that, during implementation, performance appraisal criteria, evaluation, and feedback were adapted based on socio‐cultural values to achieve internalization. Such values include the emotional relationship between managers and employees, the fear of losing face, high power distance, the desire to avoid confrontation, and high‐context communication. Insights for future research are presented regarding the viability of MNEs operating in the MENA region implementing corporate performance appraisal practices.
An overview of the state of the regulatory and preclinical requirements for nanomaterials including medical devices
Authors: Rehman Naheed , Moore Simon 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Nanomaterials when exposed to biological systems may produce oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity, as nanoparticle toxicity is speculated to be different from larger particles of the same chemical composition due to the change of their physical properties from their smaller size and resultant higher surface area. Regulatory frameworks have become established to address the influx of nanomaterials to assess the potential benefit to human health but also where there is a risk to both human health and the environment. This article focuses on these regulatory frameworks, including the risk from inhalation, where these changes have already been implemented and reflected in the revised Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD 412 and OECD 413 guidelines as additional investigations and endpoints have been added to determine the risk posed by this novel group of materials. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1098–1104. © 2021 SETAC
KEY POINTS
Nanomaterials are used in a broad range of applications, including their use in medicine as nanomedicines. Nanoparticle toxicity is speculated to be different from larger particles of the same chemical composition due to the change of their physical properties from their smaller size and resultant higher surface area. This article describes the evolution of global regulatory frameworks to assess the risk of nanomaterials to human health, focusing on the risk from inhalation, which has led to changes to OECD guideline studies to determine the risk of nanomaterials.
A blocking peptide stabilizes lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 and promotes lysophosphatidic acid‐induced cellular responses
Authors: Taleb Sarah J , Wei Jianxin , Mialki Rachel K , Dong Su , Li Yanhui , Zhao Jing , Zhao Yutong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractG protein‐coupled receptors regulate a variety of cellular responses and have been considered as therapeutic targets for human diseases. Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) is a receptor for bioactive lysophospholipid, LPA. LPA/LPA1‐mediated signaling contributes to inflammatory and fibrotic responses in lung diseases; thus understanding regulation of LPA1 stability is important for modulating LPA/LPA1 signaling. Our previous study has shown that LPA1 is degraded in the Nedd4 like (Nedd4L) E3 ubiquitin ligase‐mediated ubiquitin‐proteasome system. In the current study, we attempt to identify a peptide that stabilizes LPA1 through disrupting LPA1 association with Nedd4L. LPA treatment induces both endogenous and overexpressed LPA1 degradation, which is attenuated by a proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that LPA1 is degraded in the proteasome. LPA increases phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and I‐κB kinase in lung epithelial cells, and this effect is promoted by overexpression of a peptide (P1) that mimics C‐terminal of LPA1. P1, not a control peptide, attenuates LPA‐induced LPA1 ubiquitination and degradation, suggesting that P1 stabilizes LPA1. Further, P1 diminishes Nedd4L‐mediated degradation of LPA1 and Nedd4L/LPA1 association. In addition to increasing LPA1 signaling, P1 enhances LPA‐induced cell migration and gene expression of Elafin, matrix metallopeptidase 1, and serpin family B member 2 in lung epithelial cells. These data suggest that disruption of LPA1 interaction with Nedd4L by P1 increases LPA1 stability and LPA/LPA1 signaling.
Explicit Baranyai partitions for quadruples, Part I: Quadrupling constructions
Authors: Chee Yeow Meng , Etzion Tuvi , Kiah Han Mao , Vardy Alexander , Wang Chengmin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIt is well known that, whenever divides , the complete ‐uniform hypergraph on vertices can be partitioned into disjoint perfect matchings. Equivalently, the set of ‐subsets of n‐set can be partitioned into parallel classes so that each parallel class is a partition of the ‐set. This result is known as Baranyai's theorem, which guarantees the existence of Baranyai partitions. Unfortunately, the proof of Baranyai's theorem uses network flow arguments, making this result nonexplicit. In particular, there is no known method to produce Baranyai partitions in time and space that scale linearly with the number of hyperedges in the hypergraph. It is desirable for certain applications to have an explicit construction that generates Baranyai partitions in linear time. Such an efficient construction is known for and 3. In this paper, we present an explicit recursive quadrupling construction for and , where . In a follow‐up paper (Part II), the other values of , namely, , will be considered.
Cellular immune responses in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia
Authors: Miller Derek , Motomura Kenichiro , Galaz Jose , Gershater Meyer , Lee Eun D , Romero Roberto , Gomez-Lopez Nardhy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPreeclampsia, defined as new-onset hypertension accompanied by proteinuria occurring at 20 weeks of gestation or later, is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pathophysiology of this major multi-systemic syndrome includes defective deep placentation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, the presence of an anti-angiogenic state, and intravascular inflammation, among others. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the cellular immune responses involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Specifically, we summarize the role of innate and adaptive immune cells in the maternal circulation, reproductive tissues, and at the maternal-fetal interface of women affected by this pregnancy complication. The major cellular subsets involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia are regulatory T cells, effector T cells, NK cells, monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. We also summarize the literature on those immune cells that have been less characterized in this clinical condition, such as γδ T cells, invariant natural killer T cells, dendritic cells, mast cells, and B cells. Moreover, we discuss in vivo studies utilizing a variety of animal models of preeclampsia to further support the role of immune cells in this disease. Finally, we highlight the existing gaps in knowledge of the immunobiology of preeclampsia that require further investigation. The goal of this review is to promote translational research leading to clinically relevant strategies that can improve adverse perinatal outcomes resulting from the obstetrical syndrome of preeclampsia.
TRB sequences targeting ORF1a/b are associated with disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Authors: Assmann Jorn LJC , Kolijn P Martijn , Schrijver Benjamin , van Gammeren Adriaan J , Loth Daan W , Ermens Ton AAM , Dik Willem A , van der Velden Vincent HJ , Langerak Anton W 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe potential protective or pathogenic role of the adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been vigorously debated. While COVID-19 patients consistently generate a T lymphocyte response to SARS-CoV-2 antigens, evidence of significant immune dysregulation in these patients continues to accumulate. In this study, next generation sequencing of the T cell receptor beta chain (TRB) repertoire was conducted in hospitalized COVID-19 patients to determine if immunogenetic differences of the TRB repertoire contribute to disease course severity. Clustering of highly similar TRB CDR3 amino acid sequences across COVID-19 patients yielded 781 shared TRB sequences. The TRB sequences were then filtered for known associations with common diseases such as EBV and CMV. The remaining sequences were cross-referenced to a publicly accessible dataset that mapped COVID-19 specific TCRs to the SARS-CoV-2 genome. We identified 158 SARS-CoV-2 specific TRB sequences belonging to 134 clusters in our COVID-19 patients. Next, we investigated 113 SARS-CoV-2 specific clusters binding only one peptide target in relation to disease course. Distinct skewing of SARS-CoV-2 specific TRB sequences toward the nonstructural proteins (NSPs) encoded within ORF1a/b of the SARS-CoV-2 genome was observed in clusters associated with critical disease course when compared to COVID-19 clusters associated with a severe disease course. These data imply that T-lymphocyte reactivity towards peptides from NSPs of SARS-CoV-2 may not constitute an effective adaptive immune response and thus may negatively affect disease severity.
Prevalence and genotype distribution of high‐risk HPV infection among women in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyan , Wang Yaxuan , Lv Zhi , Su Jianrong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCervical cancer (CC) is highly associated with high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and genotype distribution of high‐risk HPV (HR‐HPV) infection varies greatly in different regions. Clinical specimens were collected from 46 365 patients at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2017 to December 2020. HPV DNA genotype testing was performed using real‐time PCR. The infection rates based on disease group were compared using the χ
2 test. The linear‐by‐linear association test and gamma value were used to assess the changes in HPV prevalence over calendar year and age group. A total of 10 514 women were infected with HR‐HPV, with an overall positive rate of 22.7%. The most prevalent HR‐HPV types were HPV52, 58, 16, 51, and 66, and HPV59 had a higher prevalence except for HPV16, 58, and 52 in the CC group. Single infection of HR‐HPV was dominant among different disease groups. The infection rate of HR‐HPV decreased first and then increased from below 20 years old to over 60 years old. There were significant differences in the HR‐HPV infection rates among the age and disease groups. Our findings demonstrate that the genotype distribution of HR‐HPV varied with age and diseases. The HR‐HPV genotypes prevalence was found to be directly useful for local governments to promote HPV targeted vaccination in the study region.
Tillage erosion as an important driver of in‐field biomass patterns in an intensively used hummocky landscape
Authors: Öttl Lena Katharina , Wilken Florian , Auerswald Karl , Sommer Michael , Wehrhan Marc , Fiener Peter 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTillage erosion causes substantial soil redistribution that can exceed water erosion especially in hummocky landscapes under highly mechanized large field agriculture. Consequently, truncated soil profiles can be found on hill shoulders and top slopes, whereas colluvial material is accumulated at footslopes, in depressions, and along downslope field borders. We tested the hypothesis that soil erosion substantially affects in‐field patterns of the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) of different crop types on landscape scale. The interrelation between the EVI (RAPIDEYE satellite data; 5 m spatial resolution) as a proxy for crop biomass and modeled total soil erosion (tillage and water erosion modeled using SPEROS‐C) was analyzed for the Quillow catchment (size: 196 km2) in Northeast Germany in a wet versus normal year for four crop types (winter wheat, maize, winter rapeseed, winter barley). Our findings clearly indicate that eroded areas had the lowest EVI values, while the highest EVI values were found in depositional areas. The differences in the EVI between erosional and depositional sites are more pronounced in the analyzed normal year. The net effect of total erosion on the EVI compared to areas without pronounced erosion or deposition ranged from −10.2% for maize in the normal year to +3.7% for winter barley in the wet year. Tillage erosion has been identified as an important driver of soil degradation affecting in‐field crop biomass patterns in a hummocky ground moraine landscape. While soil erosion estimates are to be made, more attention should be given toward tillage erosion.
Photobiomodulation Therapy on Myocardial Infarction in Rats: Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Implications to Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Feliciano Regiane dos Santos , Atum Allan Luís Barboza , Ruiz Érico Gustavo da Silva , Serra Andrey Jorge , Antônio Ednei Luiz , Manchini Martha Trindade , Silva Jairo Montemor Augusto , Tucci Paulo José Ferreira , Nathanson Lubov , Morris Mariana , Chavantes Maria Cristina , Silva Júnior José Antônio 
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives: Induction of myocardial infarction (MI) in rats by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery is an experimental model used in research to elucidate functional, structural, and molecular modifications associated with ischemic heart disease. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has become a therapeutic alternative by modulating various biological processes eliciting several effects, including anti‐inflammatory and pro‐proliferative actions. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of PBMT in the modulation of transcriptional and post‐transcriptional changes that occurred in myocardium signal transduction pathways after MI. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Continuous wave (CW) non‐thermal laser parameters were: 660 nm wavelength, power 15 mW, with a total energy of 0.9 J, fluence of 1.15 J/cm2, spot size of 0.785 cm2, and time of 60 seconds. Using in silico analysis, we selected and then, quantified the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) of 47 genes of 9 signaling pathways associated with MI (angiogenesis, cell survival, hypertrophy, oxidative stress, apoptosis, extracellular matrix, calcium kinetics, cell metabolism, and inflammation). Messenger RNA expression quantification was performed in myocardial samples by polymerase chain reaction real‐time array using TaqMan customized plates. Results: Our results evidenced that MI modified mRNA expression of several well‐known biomarkers related to detrimental cardiac activity in almost all signaling pathways analyzed. However, PBMT reverted most of these transcriptional changes. More expressively, PBMT provoked a robust decrease in mRNA expression of molecules that participate in post‐MI inflammation and ECM composition, such as IL‐6, TNF receptor, TGFb1, and collagen I and III. Global microRNA (miRNA) expression analysis revealed that PBMT decreased miR‐221, miR‐34c, and miR‐93 expressions post‐MI, which are related to deleterious effects in cardiac remodeling.
Conclusion: Thus, the identification of transcriptional and post‐transcriptional changes induced by PBMT may be used to interfere in the molecular dynamics of cardiac remodeling post‐MI.
Nonstandard solutions for a perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger system with small coupling coefficients
Authors: An Xiaoming , Wang Chunhua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the following weakly coupled nonlinear Schrödinger system
where , is a coupling constant, with if and if , V1 and V2 belong to .When and is suitably small, we show that the problem has a family of nonstandard solutions concentrating synchronously at the common local minimum of V1 and V2. All decay rates of are admissible and we can allow that is close to 0 in this paper. Moreover, the location of concentration points is given by local Pohozaev identities. Our proofs are based on variational methods and the penalized technique.
Isolation, chemistry, and biology of pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine natural products
Authors: Sakaine Guna , Ture Anastasija , Pedroni Julia , Smits Gints 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe isolation of the antitumor antibiotic anthramycin in the 1960s prompted extensive research into pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines (PBD) as potential therapeutics for the treatment of cancers. Since then, nearly 60 PBD natural products have been isolated and evaluated with regard to their biological activity. Synthetic studies and total syntheses have enabled access to PBD analogues, culminating in the development of highly potent anticancer agents. This review provides a summary of the occurrence and biological activity of PBD natural products and covers the strategies employed for their total syntheses.
A low‐profile high‐gain multi‐beam antenna based on 3D‐printed cylindrical Luneburg lens
Authors: Cao Yuanxi , Yan Sen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this article, a low‐profile and high‐gain multi‐beam antenna is proposed. The antenna consists of a cylindrical Luneburg lens based planar beamforming network, a folded double‐layer guided‐wave structure, and a leaky wave antenna (LWA) array. All the three parts are manufactured by 3D printing technology. The lens is realized by an n‐shaped gradual thickness unit to realize the refractive index variation of Luneburg lens in a parallel plate waveguide. The lens and the LWA array are folded into a double‐layer guided wave structure, which transforms the planar wave from the flat Luneburg lens to the LWA array to realize the antenna miniaturization. The antenna is excited by a radially placed microstrip antenna array at the focal plane of the lens. The proposed antenna has seven beams with minimum −2.5 dB crossover level, and the scanning range is ±29°. The broadside gain is 19.8 dB, and the gain variation in scan range is 2.7 dB. The proposed antenna is fabricated and tested, and the measured results agree well with the simulated ones. Due to the advantages including low‐profile, high aperture efficiency, high radiation efficiency, and low cost, the proposed design can find its applications in multi‐beam radar and communication systems.