bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical presentations and long term prognosis of childhood onset polyarteritis nodosa in single centre of Korea
Authors: Lee Jeong-Seon , Kim Joong-Gon , Lee Soyoung 
Published: April 2021

AbstractChildhood-onset polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare and systemic necrotising vasculitis in children affecting small- to medium-sized arteries. To date, there have been only a few reports because of its rarity. Thus, we aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment, and long-term outcomes in patients with childhood-onset PAN and to evaluate the usefulness of the paediatric vasculitis activity score (PVAS). We retrospectively analysed the data of nine patients with childhood-onset PAN from March 2003 to February 2020. The median ages at symptom onset, diagnosis, and follow-up duration were 7.6 (3–17.5), 7.7 (3.5–17.6), and 7.0 (1.6–16.3) years, respectively. All patients had constitutional symptoms and skin manifestations, while five exhibited Raynaud’s phenomenon. Organ involvement was observed in one patient. The median PVAS at diagnosis was 7 (range: 2–32). Prednisolone was initially used for induction in all patients, and other drugs were added in cases refractory to prednisolone. All patients survived, but three patients with high PVAS at diagnosis experienced irreversible sequelae, including intracranial haemorrhage and digital amputation. In conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment may minimise sequelae in patients with childhood-onset PAN. This study suggests that high PVAS score at diagnosis may be associated with poor prognosis.
Reconcile the debate over protective effects of BCG vaccine against COVID-19
Authors: Fu Wei , Ho Pei-Chuan , Liu Chia-Lun , Tzeng Kai-Teh , Nayeem Nawar , Moore Jonni S. , Wang Li-San , Chou Shin-Yi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWhile awaiting the COVID-19 vaccines, researchers have been actively exploring the effectiveness of existing vaccines against the new virus, among which the BCG vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) receives the most attention. While many reports suggest a potential role for BCG immunization in ameliorating SARS-CoV-2 infection, these findings remain controversial. With country-level COVID-19 outbreak data from Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, and BCG program data from World Atlas of BCG Policies and Practices and WHO/UNICE, we estimated a dynamic model to investigate the effect of BCG vaccination across time during the pandemic. Our results reconcile these varying reports regarding protection by BCG against COVID-19 in a variety of clinical scenarios and model specifications. We observe a notable protective effect of the BCG vaccine during the early stage of the pandemic. However, we do not see any strong evidence for protection during the later stages. We also see that a higher proportion of vaccinated young population may confer some level of communal protection against the virus in the early pandemic period, even when the proportion of vaccination in the older population is low. Our results highlight that while BCG may offer some protection against COVID-19, we should be cautious in interpreting the estimated effectiveness as it may vary over time and depend on the age structure of the vaccinated population.
Subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) associated with Asian lineage Zika virus identified in three species of Ugandan bats (family Pteropodidae)
Authors: Fagre Anna C. , Lewis Juliette , Miller Megan R. , Mossel Eric C. , Lutwama Julius J. , Nyakarahuka Luke , Nakayiki Teddy , Kityo Robert , Nalikka Betty , Towner Jonathan S. , Amman Brian R. , Sealy Tara K. , Foy Brian , Schountz Tony , Anderson John , Kading Rebekah C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSerological cross-reactivity among flaviviruses makes determining the prior arbovirus exposure of animals challenging in areas where multiple flavivirus strains are circulating. We hypothesized that prior infection with ZIKV could be confirmed through the presence of subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR), which persists in tissues due to XRN-1 stalling during RNA decay. We amplified ZIKV sfRNA but not NS5 from three experimentally-infected Jamaican fruit bats, supporting the hypothesis of sfRNA tissue persistence. Applying this approach to 198 field samples from Uganda, we confirmed presence of ZIKV sfRNA, but not NS5, in four bats representing three species: Eidolon helvum (n = 2), Epomophorus labiatus (n = 1), and Rousettus aegyptiacus (n = 1). Amplified sequence was most closely related to Asian lineage ZIKV. Our results support the use of sfRNA as a means of identifying previous flavivirus infection and describe the first detection of ZIKV RNA in East African bats.
Electrically turning periodic structures in cholesteric layer with conical–planar boundary conditions
Authors: Prishchepa Oxana , Krakhalev Mikhail , Rudyak Vladimir , Sutormin Vitaly , Zyryanov Victor 
Published: April 2021

AbstractElectro-optical cell based on the cholesteric liquid crystal is studied with unique combination of the boundary conditions: conical anchoring on the one substrate and planar anchoring on another one. Periodic structures in cholesteric layer and their transformation under applied electric field are considered by polarizing optical microscopy, the experimental findings are supported by the data of the calculations performed using the extended Frank elastic continuum approach. Such structures are the set of alternating over- and under-twisted defect lines whose azimuthal director angles differ by $$180^\circ$$

180
∘

. The $$U^+$$

U
+

and $$U^-$$

U
-

-defects of periodicity, which are the smooth transition between the defect lines, are observed at the edge of electrode area. The growth direction of defect lines forming a diffraction grating can be controlled by applying a voltage in the range of $$0\le \, V \le 1.3$$

0
≤

V
≤
1.3

V during the process. Resulting orientation and distance between the lines don’t change under voltage. However, at $$V>1.3$$

V
>
1.3

V $$U^+$$

U
+

-defects move along the defect lines away from the electrode edges, and, finally, the grating lines collapse at the cell’s center. These results open a way for the use of such cholesteric material in applications with periodic defect structures where a periodicity, orientation, and configuration of defects should be adjusted.
ILDR2 stabilization is regulated by its interaction with GRP78
Authors: Watanabe Kazuhisa , Nakayama Kazuhiro , Ohta Satoshi , Matsumoto Ayumi , Tsuda Hidetoshi , Iwamoto Sadahiko 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIldr2 was initially identified as a genetic modifier of diabetes susceptibility in B6.DBA Lepob congenic mice, and was associated with decreased β-cell replication rates, reduced β-cell mass, and persistent mild hypoinsulinemic hyperglycemia. However, the molecular mechanisms of how the ILDR2 protein is involved in these effects are largely unknown. We sought to identify ILDR2-interacting proteins to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning ILDR2 function in pancreatic β-cells. Using TAP tag technology, we purified proteins interacting with ILDR2 in the pancreatic β-cell line MIN6, and identified the endoplasmic reticulum resident chaperones, GRP78 and PDIA1, as novel proteins interacting with ILDR2. We demonstrated that GRP78 interacted with ILDR2 and was possibly involved in ILDR2 stabilization by inhibiting ubiquitin–proteasome degradation. Additionally, adenoviral ILDR2 knockdown led to reduced glucose-responsive insulin secretion in MIN6 β-cells, suggesting ILDR2 may be implicated in a new pathway in hypoinsulinemic hyperglycemia. These data provide evidence for a novel association between GRP78 and ILDR2, and suggest GPR78-ILDR2 may a novel target for diabetic therapeutic modulation in decreased insulin secretion.
Red and blue wavelengths affect the morphology, energy use efficiency and nutritional content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Chen Xiao-li , Li You-li , Wang Li-chun , Guo Wen-zhong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSince red (R) and blue (B) LED light has different quantum efficiency and photoelectric conversion efficiency, mixed RB with different proportions of R and B results in varied energy consumption. In order to improve the energy use efficiency of the closed-type plant production systems, the effects of R and B proportions on the electric use efficiency (EUE), light use efficiency (LUE) as well as the quality of butter leaf lettuce were evaluated in this study. Lettuce seedlings were cultivated in a plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL) and subjected to eleven combinations of R and B (100%R, 90%R, 80%R, 70%R, 60%R, 50%R, 40%R, 30%R, 20%R, 10%R, 0%R; the rest of the photons in each treatment were B) with the same total photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and photoperiod (200 ± 3 μmol·m−2·s−1, 16 h) for 35 days. The results showed that palpable petiole distortion appeared when R proportion was more than 70% and the distortion was aggravated with the increase of R proportion. The highest EUE and LUE were both detected in lettuce under 90%R treatment, which were respectively 3.64% and 1.20%. The least number of photons and the least electricity amount required to produce 1 g dry weight of lettuce was respectively 2.92 mol and 1.67 MJ, which were both detected in lettuce treated with 90%R. The sucrose content in lettuce treated with more than 50%R was significantly higher than those treated with less than 50%R (50%R included). Lettuce treated with 80%R possessed the highest soluble sugar content as well as the lowest crude fiber and nitrate content (not significantly different with the minimum values). R proportion exceeding 50% in mixed RB light was beneficial to the accumulation of hexose and sucrose, as well as the decomposition of nitrate in lettuce. The vitamin C content in lettuce treated with 100%R was significantly higher than that in lettuce under other treatments in the study. On the whole, the study indicated that the proportions of R and B affected the energy use efficiency and quality of lettuce in closed plant factory, however the responses of plants to the proportions of R and B varied according to different indexes. Thus, some indexes of top priority should be determined before choosing the optimal proportions of R and B.
Cortical and subcortical gray matter changes in patients with chronic tinnitus sustaining after vestibular schwannoma surgery
Authors: Trakolis Leonidas , Bender Benjamin , Ebner Florian H. , Ernemann Ulrike , Tatagiba Marcos , Naros Georgios 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTinnitus is attributed to partial sensory deafferentation resulting in a central maladaptive neuroplasticity. Unfortunately, the agent of deafferentation is usually unknown or irreversible. In patients with unilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS), however, the auditory nerve is affected by a benign tumor. Hence, removal of the tumor can cease the tinnitus. In turn, sustaining complaints after surgery indicate cortical neuroplasticity. The present study is a cross sectional study which aims to track cortical structural changes by surface-based morphometry in 46 VS patients with sustained (i.e. centralized) or ceased (i.e. peripheral) tinnitus after surgery. A volumetric analysis of cortical and subcortical gray matter (GM) anatomy was performed on preoperative high-resolution MRI and related to the presence of hearing impairment, pre- and/or postoperative tinnitus. Patients with sustained (i.e. chronic) tinnitus showed an increased GM volume of the bilateral caudate nucleus, the contralateral superior colliculus, the middle frontal and middle temporal gyrus, the fusiform gyrus as well as the ipsilateral pars orbitalis when compared to those patients in whom tinnitus ceased postoperatively. Chronic tinnitus in VS patients is associated with characteristic structural changes in frontal, temporal and subcortical areas. Notably, a significant GM change of the caudate nucleus was detected providing further support for the striatal gaiting model of tinnitus.
Threshold voltage instability and polyimide charging effects of LTPS TFTs for flexible displays
Authors: Kim Hyojung , Park Jongwoo , Khim Taeyoung , Bak Sora , Song Jangkun , Choi Byoungdeog 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the Vth shift of p-type LTPS TFTs fabricated on a polyimide (PI) and glass substrate considering charging phenomena. The Vth of the LTPS TFTs with a PI substrate positively shift after a bias temperature stress test. However, the Vth with a glass substrate rarely changed even with increasing stress. Such a positive Vth shift results from the negative charging of fluorine stemmed from the PI under the gate bias. In fact, the C–V characterization on the metal–insulator-metal capacitor reveals that charging at the SiO2/PI interface depends on the applied gate bias and the PI material, which agrees well with the TCAD simulation and SIMS analyses. As a result, the charging at the SiO2/PI interface contributes to the Vth shift of the LTPS TFTs leading to image sticking.
Isolation and characterisation of lymphatic endothelial cells from lung tissues affected by lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Authors: Nishino Koichi , Yoshimatsu Yasuhiro , Muramatsu Tomoki , Sekimoto Yasuhito , Mitani Keiko , Kobayashi Etsuko , Okamoto Shouichi , Ebana Hiroki , Okada Yoshinori , Kurihara Masatoshi , Suzuki Kenji , Inazawa Johji , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Watabe Tetsuro , Seyama Kuniaki 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare pulmonary disease characterised by the proliferation of smooth muscle-like cells (LAM cells), and an abundance of lymphatic vessels in LAM lesions. Studies reported that vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) secreted by LAM cells contributes to LAM-associated lymphangiogenesis, however, the precise mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis and characteristics of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in LAM lesions have not yet been elucidated. In this study, human primary-cultured LECs were obtained both from LAM-affected lung tissues (LAM-LECs) and normal lung tissues (control LECs) using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). We found that LAM-LECs had significantly higher ability of proliferation and migration compared to control LECs. VEGF-D significantly promoted migration of LECs but not proliferation of LECs in vitro. cDNA microarray and FACS analysis revealed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3 and integrin α9 were elevated in LAM-LECs. Inhibition of VEGFR-3 suppressed proliferation and migration of LECs, and blockade of integrin α9 reduced VEGF-D-induced migration of LECs. Our data uncovered the distinct features of LAM-associated LECs, increased proliferation and migration, which may be due to higher expression of VEGFR-3 and integrin α9. Furthermore, we also found VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 and VEGF-D/ integrin α9 signaling play an important role in LAM-associated lymphangiogenesis.
Dirac fermion metagratings in graphene
Authors: Wan Pengcheng , Ren Yinghui , Wang Qianjing , Huang Di , Zhou Ling , Guo Haiqin , Du Junjie 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe theoretically demonstrate a Dirac fermion metagrating which is an artificially engineered material in graphene. Although its physics mechanism is different from that of optical metagrating, both of them can deliver waves to one desired diffraction order. Here we design the metagrating as a linear array of bias-tunable quantum dots to engineer electron beams to travel along the -1st-order transmission direction with unity efficiency. Equivalently, electron waves are deflected by an arbitrary large-angle ranging from 90° to 180° by controlling the bias. The propagation direction changes abruptly without the necessity of a large transition distance. This effect is irrelevant to complete band gaps and thus the advantages of graphene with high mobility are not destroyed. This can be attributed to the whispering-gallery modes, which evolve with the angle of incidence to completely suppress the other diffraction orders supported by the metagrating and produce unity-efficiency beam deflection by enhancing the -1st transmitted diffraction order. The concept of Dirac fermion metagratings opens up a new paradigm in electron beam steering and could be applied to achieve two-dimensional electronic holography.
Evidence for SO2 latitudinal variations below the clouds of Venus
Authors: Marcq E. , Amine I. , Duquesnoy M. , Bézard B. 
Published: April 2021

Context. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is highly variable above the clouds of Venus, yet no spatial or temporal variability below the clouds had been known until now.
Aims. In order to constrain Venus’s atmospheric circulation and chemistry (including possible volcanic outgassing), more accurate SO2 measurements below the clouds are therefore needed.
Methods. We used the high-resolution iSHELL spectrometer located at the NASA IRTF to record thermal night-side spectra, which we fitted using an updated forward radiative transfer model that was previously employed to process SpeX/IRTF and VIRTIS-H/Venus Express spectra.
Results. We report, for the first time, an increase in SO2 with increasing latitude (+30% between the minimum near 15°S and > 35°N). This is consistent with the interaction between the Hadley-cell circulation and a postulated vertical profile in SO2 estimated to increase between 30 and 40 km in altitude, as previously suggested by in situ ISAV measurements.
Conclusions. This SO2 variability challenges our current understanding of Venus’s tropospheric thermochemistry and underlines the high scientific return from high-resolution spectroscopy from, for example, future orbiters.
Immunsuppressiva von Zytostatika bis Kortison
Authors: Lang Eva 
Published: April 2021

SummaryBei Autoimmunerkrankungen kommen entsprechend der Ausprägung unterschiedliche hemmende Medikamente zur Anwendung, um eine irreversible Gewebeschädigung und unkontrollierte Immunreaktionen zu verhindern. Zu den gebräuchlichsten und im Artikel vorgestellten Immunsuppressiva zählen die Gruppen der Zytostatika, Kalzineurinhemmer, DMARD, Monoklonalen Antikörper und Glukokortikoide. Häufig wird eine fein justierte Wirkstoffkombination verordnet, was eine genaue Beobachtung von Nebenwirkungen sowie eine optimal dosierte Nährstoffsubstitution erfordert, insbesondere Folsäure, Zink, Selen, Vitamin D, Omega-3-Fettsäuren und B-Vitamine.
Darmgesundheit: Wichtiges Puzzleteil bei Heuschnupfen
Authors: Rössler Antje 
Published: April 2021

SummaryDie Manifestation eines Heuschnupfens oder anderer Allergien lässt sich nicht allein über eine Erhöhung von lgE-Antikörpern erklären. Ätiologisch relevant ist die sogenannte Kausalitätstriade. Faktoren der Kausalitätstriade sind unter anderem eine immunologisch nicht abgearbeitete virale, bakterielle oder parasitäre Infektion, Allergene und ein Umweltreizstoff. Der Darmschleimhaut kommt bei der Regulation von überschießenden Immunreaktionen eine Schlüsselrolle zu. Deswegen ist es sinnvoll, sie bei der Diagnostik und Behandlung von Heuschnupfen und anderen Allergien zu berücksichtigen.
Irritative Kontaktdermatitis auf Minoxidil-Präparate bei Stimulation der Hautbarrierepenetration durch Okklusion
Authors: Zouboulis C. C. 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungEine Patientin mit androgenetischer Alopezie (female pattern) wurde zunächst mit Minoxidil 2 %-Lösung behandelt, wobei sie innerhalb von 15 Tagen ein juckendes Kopfhauterythem entwickelte. Die Epikutantestung zeigte eine polyvalente Kontaktsensibilisierung, wobei sie auf die Bestandteile der Minoxidil-Präparate Propylenglycol, Butylhydroxytoluol (E321), Cetylalkohol und Stearylalkohol sowie auf die offene Epikutantestung auf Minoxidil 5 %- und 2 %-Lösung, Minoxidil 5 %-Schaum und Flupredniden 21-acetat/Östradiol-Lösung negativ war. Allerdings fiel eine protrahierte, 48-stündige Okklusion mit Minoxidil 5 %- und 2 %-Lösung positiv aus, während eine Reaktion auf Minoxidil 5 %-Schaum und Flupredniden 21-acetat/Östradiol-Lösung nicht beobachtet wurde. Der Lymphozyten-Transformations-Test auf Minoxidil war negativ. Eine Therapie mit Minoxidil 5 %-Schaum und Flupredniden 21-acetat/Östradiol-Lösung konnte für die Dauer von 15 Monaten fortgeführt werden, anschließend wurde die Therapie aufgrund einer erneuten lokalen Reaktion beendet.
A Detailed View on the Proanthocyanidins in Ginkgo Extract EGb 761
Authors: Kulić Žarko , Germer Stefan , Ritter Thomas , Röck Birgit , Elsäßer Jens , Schneider Heike 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe Ginkgo extract EGb 761® manufactured with leaves of Ginkgo biloba has been continuously produced over decades at a large scale and is used as a clinically proven remedy for, among other things, the improvement of age-associated cognitive impairment and quality of life in patients with mild dementia. It belongs to the class of extracts addressed as quantified extracts according to the European Pharmacopeia. Accordingly, several compounds (e.g., flavone glycosides and terpene trilactones) are acknowledged to contribute to its clinical efficacy. Covering only about 30% of the mass balance, these characterized compounds are accompanied by a larger fraction of additional compounds, which might also contribute to the clinical efficacy and safety of the extract. As part of our systematic research to fully characterize the constituents of Ginkgo extract EGb 761, we focus on the structural class of proanthocyanidins in the present study. Structural insights
into the proanthocyanidins present in EGb 761 and a quantitative method for their determination using HPLC are shown. The proanthocyanidins were found to be of oligomeric to polymeric structure, which yield delphinidin and cyanidin as main building blocks after acidic hydrolysis. A validated HPLC method for quantification of the anthocyanidins was developed in which delphinidin and cyanidin were detected after hydrolysis of the proanthocyanidins. The content of proanthocyanidins in Ginkgo extract EGb 761 was found to be approximately 7%.