bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low molecular weight polysialic acid prevents lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory dopaminergic neurodegeneration in humanized SIGLEC11 transgenic mice
Authors: Liao Huan , Winkler Jonas , Wißfeld Jannis , Shahraz Anahita , Klaus Christine , Neumann Harald 
Published: August 2021

AbstractParkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly population, with a pathophysiology linked to neuroinflammation, complement activation, and oxidative damage. Soluble polysialic acid with an average degree of polymerization 20 (polySia avDP20) prevents inflammation and oxidative burst in human macrophages via sialic acid‐binding immunoglobulin like lectin‐11 (SIGLEC11) receptor and interferes with alternative complement activation. Here, we confirmed the anti‐inflammatory capacity of polySia avDP20 on cultured murine embryonic stem cell‐derived microglia and analyzed the effect of polySia avDP20 in a lipopolysaccharide‐triggered animal model of Parkinson's disease. We demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of intraperitoneally applied polySia avDP20 in humanized SIGLEC11 transgenic mice after repeated systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharide. Pathway enrichment analysis of the brain transcriptome on day 19 after disease initiation showed that intraperitoneal application of 10 μg/g body weight polySia avDP20 prevented excessive inflammation. In line with these data, polySia avDP20 attenuated the lipopolysaccharide‐triggered increase in mRNA levels of immune‐related genes (Il1b, Cd14, Myd88, Fcer1g, Itgam, C4, Cybb, Iba1 and Cd68) and cell death‐related genes (Casp8, Ripk1 and Ripk3) in the brains of SIGLEC11 transgenic mice on day 19, but not on day 5. Moreover, immunohistochemistry demonstrated that polySia avDP20 reduced the lipopolysaccharide‐induced increase in immunoreactivity of IBA1 and CD68 in the substantia nigra pars reticulata in SIGLEC11 transgenic and wild type mice on day 19. Furthermore, treatment with polySia avDP20 prevented the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta induced by lipopolysaccharide challenge in both SIGLEC11 transgenic and wild type mice on day 19. Thus, our data demonstrate that polySia avDP20 ameliorates inflammatory dopaminergic neurodegeneration and therefore is a promising drug candidate to prevent Parkinson's disease‐related inflammation and neurodegeneration.
Cardiac biomarkers, cardiac injury, and comorbidities associated with severe illness and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19): A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhu Zhengchuan , Wang Miaoran , Lin Wei , Cai Qiaoyan , Zhang Ling , Chen Daxin , Liu Fei , Xiong Xiaoman , Chu Jianfeng , Peng Jun , Chen Keji 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimsTo explore the correlation between cardiac‐related comorbidities, cardiac biomarkers, acute myocardial injury, and severity level, outcomes in COVID‐19 patients.MethodPubmed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Cochrane Library databases, medRxiv, and Sinomed were reviewed systemically. Various types of clinical research reporting cardiac‐related comorbidities, cardiac biomarkers including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin I (TnI), high sensitivity troponin I (hs‐TnI), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase–MB (CK‐MB), myoglobin (Myo), N‐terminal pro‐b‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and acute cardiac injury grouped by severity of COVID‐19 were included. Outcome measures were events and total sample size for comorbidities, acute cardiac injury, and laboratory parameters of these biomarkers. The study was performed with Stata version 15.1.ResultsSeventy studies, with a total of 15,354 cases were identified. The results showed that COVID‐19's severity was related to cardiovascular disease. Similar odds ratios (ORs) were achieved in hypertension except for severe versus critical group (OR = 1.406; 95% CI, 0.942–2.097; p = .095). The relative risk (RR) of acute cardiac injury is 7.01 (95% CI, 5.64–8.71) in non‐survivor cases. When compared with the different severity of cardiac biomarkers, the pool OR of CK, CK‐MB, TnI, Myo and LDH were 2.683 (95% CI, 0.83–8.671; p = .106; I2 = 0%), 2.263 (95% CI, 0.939–5.457; p = .069), 1.242 (95% CI, 0.628–2.457; p = .534), 1.756 (95% CI, 0.608–5.071; p = .298; I2 = 42.3%), 1.387 (95% CI, 0.707–2.721; p = .341; I2 = 0%) in the critical versus severe group, whose trends were not similar to other groups. The standard mean differences (SMD) of CK and TnI in the critical versus severe group were 0.09 (95% CI, −0.33 to 0.50; p = .685; I2 = 65.2%), 0.478 (95% CI, −0.183 to 1.138; p = .156; I2 = 76.7%), which means no difference was observed in the serum level of these indicators.ConclusionMost of the findings clearly indicate that hypertension, cardiovascular disease, acute cardiac injury, and related laboratory indicators are associated with the severity of COVID‐19. What is now needed are cross‐national prospectively designed observational or clinical trials that will help improve the certainty of the available evidence and treatment decisions for patients.
Approach‐avoidance responses and categorical perception of ambiguous facial expressions
Authors: Ikeda Shinnosuke 
Published: August 2021

Emotion perception of facial expressions involves two processes: quick approach‐avoidance responses and subsequent sorting into emotional categories (i.e., happiness, anger), considering the context. Sorting of morphed ambiguous facial expressions is known to occur categorically, but the occurrence of approach‐avoidance responses for morphed facial expressions is yet to be investigated. The present study used morphed angry and fearful facial expressions and measured approach‐avoidance responses among Japanese university students (Experiment 1, n = 29). Similar experiments with linguistic load (Experiment 2, n = 28) and visual load (Experiment 3, n = 29) were conducted. The results indicated categorical perception in the sorting of facial expressions but no approach‐avoidance response for morphed expressions. Furthermore, linguistic load affected the categorisation of facial expressions, but neither linguistic load nor visual load affected the approach‐avoidance response. These results support the idea that the non‐linguistic approach‐avoidance response and the linguistic categorisation of facial expressions are two different processes. The nature of the emotional perception process is also discussed.
The first Chinese case of Vici syndrome with novel compound heterozygous sequence variants in EPG5
Authors: Dong Liping , Li Liangshan , Zhang Xiao , Xu Xin , Han Mengmeng , Liu Shiguo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundVici syndrome (VICIS) refers to a clinical spectrum of multiple organ systems characterized by corpus callosum agenesis, hypopigmentation, cataracts, cardiomyopathy and immunodeficiency. The aims of this study were to describe detailed clinical and molecular features of two Chinese female siblings and to review several previous findings.MethodsTargeted sequencing panel involving all known disease‐causing genes of monogenic disorders combined with Sanger sequencing validation were performed to identify the likely pathogenic sequence variants of the proband with VICIS.ResultsThe proband diagnosed as VICIS presented with neonatal pneumonia, myocardial damage, hypotonia, maxillofacial malformations, hearing impairment, failure to thrive and died 40 days after birth. Two novel missense variants in ectopic P‐granules autophagy protein 5 homologue (EPG5, NM_020964.3) were identified in this proband. The two likely pathogenic variants c.1609G > A (p.(E537K)) and c.5764C>G (p.(P1922A)) were assessed as damaging by bioinformatic analysis. As these variants were absent in 150 unrelated Chinese normal controls and inherited from asymptomatic parents in the co‐segregation analysis, the compound heterozygous EPG5 variants were responsible for the clinical features of this patient. Finally, she was genetically diagnosed with VICIS.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first Chinese case of VICIS. Our report identified novel compound heterozygous EPG5 sequence variants in the proband with VICIS, highlighting the rarity and high mortality rate of VICIS and emphasizing on the importance of high‐throughput sequencing in confirmed diagnosis of monogenic diseases, which could further facilitate the development of genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis.
Efficacy of Nd:YAG laser‐assisted periodontal therapy for the management of periodontitis: A double‐blind split‐mouth randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Dortaj Dorara , Bassir Seyed Hossein , Hakimiha Neda , Hong Houlin , Aslroosta Hoori , Fekrazad Reza , Moslemi Neda 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to explore the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser‐assisted periodontal therapy for management of patients with stage II‐IV periodontitis.MethodsPatients who presented with residual periodontal pockets were enrolled. After non‐surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), test sites received Nd:YAG laser (first entrance to pocket: 3 W, 100 μs, 20 Hz; second entrance: 4 W, 600 μs, 20 Hz) and control sites received placebo (laser off). Periodontal probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) were recorded at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6‐month visits.ResultsTwenty patients completed the 6‐month period. Significant reductions in PPD, CAL, BOP, and PI values and a significant increase in GR at all follow‐up visits compared to the baseline (all P < 0.001) were revealed in both groups. Test sites showed significantly greater improvement in PPD (P = 0.0002) and greater increase in GR (P < 0.0001) compared to the control sites at 6‐month visit. There was no difference between two groups regarding CAL gain through the study period (P = 0.23).ConclusionNSPT+Nd:YAG laser with the current protocol results in greater PPD reduction compared to NSPT alone. However, this reduction is likely because of greater GR rather than attachment gain. Therefore, the adjunction of Nd:YAG laser (with the current setting) to the NSPT for the treatment of residual periodontal pockets did not ameliorate the clinical outcomes (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03365167).
Fermentability of select polyphenol‐rich substrates in the canine faecal inoculum and their interaction with a canine‐origin probiotic: anin vitroappraisal
Authors: Ashwin Kandathil , Pattanaik Ashok K , Paladan Varsha , Singh Asmita , Sahoo Jatin K , Jose Tony , Jadhav Sunil E , Dutta Narayan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThisin vitrostudy aimed to compare the hindgut fermentability and digestibility of four different sources of polyphenols, namely orange (Citrus sinensis) peel (ORP), pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel (PMP), Indian blackberry (Syzygium cumini) pulp (IBP), and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) tuber (JAT), and their influence on the viability of a canine‐origin probiotic,Lactobacillus johnsoniiCPN23.RESULTSAnin vitrogas production test carried out using the four substrates for a period of 72 h with dog faecal inoculum indicated that the total gas production, dry matter, and organic matter digestibility were significantly (P < 0.001) higher with JAT, whereas they were lowest for PMP. Short‐chain fatty acids production was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with ORP and JAT, with the least values recorded for PMP. The ammonia‐nitrogen production was significantly (P < 0.001) higher with JAT than with ORP, IBP, and PMP, and a lower (P < 0.001) pH was evident with ORP, JAT, and IBP than with PMP. Viability ofL. johnsoniiCPN23 was tested in the presence of the polyphenol‐rich extract from each of the four sources at varying doses (50, 500, 1000, 2500, and 5000 μg mL−1). PMP extract showed the highest inhibitory effect on the probiotic bacteria's growth in a dose‑ and time‐dependent manner (P < 0.001). ORP and IBP extracts were stimulatory at the optimum dosage, whereas JAT reduced probiotic activity significantly at all doses tested.CONCLUSIONOverall, the results indicate a higher hindgut fermentability of JAT, ORP, and IBP, suggesting their potential beneficial effects for gut health application. An interaction study between polyphenol extract andL. johnsoniiCPN23 showed a stimulatory effect of polyphenolic extracts from ORP and IBP on probiotic growth at optimal dosage. Consistent with the fermentation study findings, PMP extract reduced the growth ofL. johnsoniiCPN23 irrespective of the doses tested. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A survey of surgical management of the sentinel node positive melanoma patient in the post‐MSLT2 era
Authors: Downs Jennifer S. , Subramaniam Suren , Henderson Michael A. , Paton Elizabeth , Spillane Andrew J. , Mathy Jon A. , Gyorki David E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe evidence‐based management of melanoma patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has undergone a dramatic shift following publication of practice‐changing surgical trials demonstrating no melanoma‐specific survival advantage for completion lymph node dissection (CLND) in this scenario. We aimed to survey how surgeons' clinical practice had shifted in response to new evidence from these trials, and at a time when there was starting to become available systemic adjuvant treatments for AJCC Stage III melanoma patients.MethodsA web‐based survey consisting of practice‐based questions and hypothetical clinical scenarios about current melanoma practice with regard to positive sentinel node biopsy was developed and sent to the surgical members of a Melanoma and Skin Cancer (MASC) Trials group in December 2018. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics.ResultsThere were 212 invitations sent and 65 respondents (31%). Respondents were from 17 countries, 94% of whom practice in specialist melanoma centres or at referral centres. Of these 97% were familiar with the MSLT2 and DeCOG‐SLT clinical trials. At survey, 5% of respondents reported routinely recommending CLND and 55% recommend CLND in selected cases. Respondents were most likely to recommend CLND when multiple SLNs were positive. Important factors for surgical decision‐making mentioned included size of SLN deposit, number of positive SLNs and likely compliance with the recommended surveillance regimen.ConclusionIn line with rapid adoption of published evidence, surgical management of Stage III melanoma has altered significantly, with few surgeons within the cohort now performing routine CLNDs after positive SLNB.
Deep learning based synthetic‐CT generation in radiotherapy and PET: A review
Authors: Spadea Maria Francesca , Maspero Matteo , Zaffino Paolo , Seco Joao 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRecently,deep learning (DL)‐based methods for the generation of synthetic computed tomography (sCT) have received significant research attention as an alternative to classical ones. We present here a systematic review of these methods by grouping them into three categories, according to their clinical applications: (i) to replace computed tomography in magnetic resonance (MR) based treatment planning, (ii) facilitate cone‐beam computed tomography based image‐guided adaptive radiotherapy, and (iii) derive attenuation maps for the correction of positron emission tomography. Appropriate database searching was performed on journal articles published between January 2014 and December 2020. The DL methods' key characteristics were extracted from each eligible study, and a comprehensive comparison among network architectures and metrics was reported. A detailed review of each category was given, highlighting essential contributions, identifying specific challenges, and summarizing the achievements. Lastly, the statistics of all the cited works from various aspects were analyzed, revealing the popularity and future trends and the potential of DL‐based sCT generation. The current status of DL‐based sCT generation was evaluated, assessing the clinical readiness of the presented methods.
Prediction of 15N chemical shifts by machine learning
Authors: Gerrard Will , Yiu Calvin , Butts Craig P. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe demonstrate the potential for machine learning systems to predict three‐dimensional (3D)‐relevant NMR properties beyond traditional 1H‐ and 13C‐based data, with comparable accuracy to density functional theory (DFT) (but orders of magnitude faster). Predictions of DFT‐calculated 15N chemical shifts for 3D molecular structures can be achieved using a machine learning system—IMPRESSION (Intelligent Machine PREdiction of Shift and Scalar information Of Nuclei), with an accuracy of 6.12‐ppm mean absolute error (∼1% of the δ15N chemical shift range) and an error of less than 20 ppm for 95% of the chemical shifts. It provides less accurate raw predictions of experimental chemical shifts, due to the limited size and chemical space diversity of the training dataset used in its creation, coupled with the limitations of the underlying DFT methodology in reproducing experiment.
Experiences of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A study at Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Authors: Kudjawu Senam , Agyeman‐Yeboah Joana 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimThe study explored the experiences of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy at Ho Teaching Hospital.DesignA qualitative design which was exploratory and descriptive in nature was employed.MethodsPurposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were collected using a semi‐structured interview guide. Saturation of data was reached after the eighth participant was interviewed. The interviews were audio‐recorded and lasted between 30–70 min, and the data were analysed concurrently with data collection using content analysis. Three major themes emerged.ResultsParticipants experienced hair loss, changes in skin and nail pigmentation and social isolation. The study further revealed that inadequate access to information from healthcare providers and lack of resources coupled with financial constraints were among the major challenges participants faced. However, varied supports from significant others were of much help which enabled participants to go through their chemotherapy successfully.
Immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 in children: A review of the current knowledge
Authors: Filippatos Filippos , Tatsi Elizabeth‐Barbara , Michos Athanasios 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTHost immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), especially in children, are still under investigation. Children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) constitute a significant study group of immune responses as they rarely present with severe clinical manifestations, require hospitalization, or develop complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The deciphering of children’s immune responses during COVID‐19 infection will provide information about the protective mechanisms, while new potential targets for future therapies are likely to be revealed. Despite the limited immunological studies in children with COVID‐19, this review compares data between adults and children in terms of innate and adaptive immunity to SARS‐CoV‐2, discusses the possible reasons why children are mostly asymptomatic, and highlights unanswered or unclear immunological issues. Current evidence suggests that the activity of innate immunity seems to be crucial to the early phases of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and adaptive memory immunity is vital to prevent reinfection.
De novo design of metal‐binding cleft in a Trp‐Trp stapled thermostable β‐hairpin peptide
Authors: Lella Muralikrishna , Mahalakshmi Radhakrishnan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMetals are important molecules in protein biochemistry, as they are involved in various essential biochemical processes. Inspired by the coordination chemistry of metal‐binding proteins, and to improvise the stability of recognition motifs, here we present the design of hyperstable stapled β‐hairpin with a defined metal‐binding cleft. We achieved this by establishing Trp‐Trp covalent cross‐linking in a long‐chain 16‐residue β‐hairpin scaffold, and incorporating a stereospecific Cys2‐His2 tetrad as the metal‐binding cleft. This water‐soluble peptide showed broad metal‐binding properties, with Cu2+ specificity. Importance of the Cys‐His tetrad in metal ion selectivity was established with Asp/Glu substitutions. We propose that such predefined hyperstable β‐hairpins with recognition motifs are useful versatile tools for developing peptide‐based catalysts, and in biomarker design.
Investigate the interaction of testosterone/progesterone with ionic liquids on varying the anion to combat COVID‐19: Density functional theory calculations and molecular docking approach
Authors: Kumari Kamlesh , Kumar Ajay , Bahadur Indra , Singh Prashant 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHormones like testosterone and progesterone in the humans play significant role in the regulation of various biological processes like the body growth, reproduction, and others. In last two decades, researchers are using ionic liquids (ILs) extensively in different areas of sciences, and they are a novel class of compounds as well as their polarity can be tuned. ILs are multidisciplinary in nature and can be used in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and environmental science. Further, ILs are being explored to increase the solubility of drugs or biological potential molecules. Testosterone and progesterone are found to be not very polar in nature; therefore, the authors attempt to increase the solubility of testosterone and progesterone via interaction with ILs. It was studied with density functional theory calculations using Gaussian, and an increase in the value of dipole moment is observed for the complex of testosterone/progesterone with the ILs in comparison of individual one. The optimization energy and other thermodynamic energies of the ILs (IL1‐IL3), testosterone (T), testosterone‐IL (T‐IL1 to T‐IL3), progesterone (P), and progesterone‐ILs (P‐IL1 to P‐IL3) are found to be negative. Further, the change in free energy for the formation of complexes at room temperature is calculated. Further, the authors have investigated the synergistic effect of testosterone and progesterone against the main protease of new coronavirus using molecular docking. It is observed that the testosterone‐IL1 {IL1‐3‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium 2,4,6‐trinitrophenolate} is found to be prominent against the main protease of SARS‐CoV‐2.