bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcription, Reverse Transcription, and Amplification of Backbone‐Modified Nucleic Acids with Laboratory‐Evolved Thermophilic DNA Polymerases
Authors: Song Ping , Zhang Rujie , He Chuanping , Chen Tingjian 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackbone‐modified nucleic acids are usually more stable enzymatically than their natural counterparts, enabling their broad application as potential diagnostic or therapeutic agents. Moreover, the development of nucleic acids with unnatural backbones has expanded the pool of genetic information carriers and paved the way toward synthetic xenobiology. However, synthesizing these molecules remains very challenging due to the requirement for harsh reaction conditions and the low coupling efficiency during their traditional solid‐phase synthesis. Although enzymatic synthesis provides an attractive alternative that also allows the replication and artificial evolution of these molecules, it is crucially dependent on the availability of polymerases capable of synthesizing these backbone‐modified nucleotides. Previously, a series of thermostable polymerases that can efficiently synthesize or even amplify backbone‐modified DNA or RNA have been evolved through a polymerase evolution method based on phage display. Herein we summarize protocols to use these evolved polymerase mutants to transcribe, reverse transcribe, and PCR amplify backbone‐modified nucleic acids. We also outline the polymerase chain transcription method, developed later for the rapid production of RNA or backbone‐modified RNA with one of these evolved polymerases, SFM4‐3. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Transcription/synthesis of modified DNA/RNA from DNA templates with evolved polymerases SFM4‐3 or SFM4‐6Basic Protocol 2: Reverse transcription of modified DNA/RNA with evolved polymerase SFM4‐9Basic Protocol 3: PCR amplification of modified DNA with evolved polymerase SFM4‐3Basic Protocol 4: Polymerase chain transcription for the production of RNA/modified RNA oligonucleotides with evolved polymerase SFM4‐3
Time point‐dependent concordance and prognostic significance of flow cytometry and real time quantitative PCR for measurable/minimal residual disease detection in acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21)(q22;q22.1)
Authors: Shang Lei , Cai Xiaojin , Sun Wanchen , Cheng Qingnian , Mi Yingchang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundFlow cytometry (FCM) and PCR are reliable methods for assessing minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21)(q22;q22.1). The aim of this study was to analyze the concordant rate of these two methods and their prognostic significance.MethodsPCR and FCM were simultaneously used for MRD analysis at four different time points on 450 BM samples from 124 patients with AML with t(8;21)(q22;q22.1). The four monitoring time points included post‐induction (first), after the first consolidation (second) and the second consolidation (third), and at the end of chemotherapy or before Allo/Auto stem cell transplantation (fourth).ResultsThe concordant rates of the two methods were 33.06%, 25.81%, 49.59%, and 75.31%, respectively, and the main discordant cases were FCM‐/PCR+ cases. At all monitoring time points, the MRD level ≥ 10−4 by FCM indicated a poor 3‐year Relapse‐Free Survival (RFS) (p < 0.001). More than 2‐log MRD reduction by PCR after induction and more than 3‐log reduction by PCR after the first consolidation remained the significant predictors of better RFS (p < 0.001). After the second consolidation, the negative MRD by PCR (<10–5) was also associated with improved RFS (p = 0.002). A > 1‐log increase in PCR can effectively predict recurrence after molecular remission (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, MRD≥0.01% by.FCM and less than 2‐log MRD reduction by PCR after induction remained the significant predictors of poor RFS (p < 0.05).ConclusionsFCM+ always indicates a poor prognosis. Sequential monitoring by PCR is of significance for evaluating prognosis. Our findings suggest a complementary role of two analyses in optimizing risk stratification in clinical practice.
Integrins in cardiac hypertrophy: lessons learned from culture systems
Authors: Bildyug Natalya 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHeart growth and pathological changes are accompanied by extracellular matrix‐dependent alterations in integrins and integrin‐associated proteins, suggesting their role in heart development and disease. Most of our knowledge on the involvement of integrins in heart pathology is provided by the in vivo experiments, including cardiac hypertrophy models. However, in vivo studies are limited by the complex organization of heart tissue and fail to discern cell types and particular integrins implicated in hypertrophic signalling. This problem is being addressed by isolated cardiomyocyte primary cultures, which have been successfully used in different in vitro disease models. This review aimed to analyse the general approaches to studying integrins and integrin‐associated signalling pathways in cardiac hypertrophy focusing on the in vitro systems. The lessons learned from culture experiments on the models of hypertrophy induced by stretch, stimulating factors, and/or extracellular matrix components are summarized, demonstrating the major involvement of integrin‐mediated signalling in cardiac hypertrophic response and its apparent crosstalk with signal pathways induced by stretch or hypertrophy stimulating factors. The benefits and perspectives of using cardiomyocyte primary culture as a hypertrophy model are discussed.
O‐Isopropylferrocenesulfonate: Synthesis of Polysubstituted Derivatives and Electrochemical Study
Authors: Erb William , Wen Min , Pierre Hurvois Jean , Mongin Florence , Halauko Yury S. , Ivashkevich Oleg A. , Matulis Vadim E. , Roisnel Thierry 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFew studies have been reported on the synthesis of ferrocenesulfonates up to now. Here, we describe the use of ortho‐deprotometalation and “halogen dance” reactions to easily reach original derivatives. Further functionalizations using cross‐coupling and metal/halogen exchange were also performed from iodinated derivatives. Finally, while the electrochemical properties of selected ferrocenesulfonates were evaluated and compared with the corresponding sulfonamide derivatives, halogen bonds were observed at the solid state for iodinated derivatives of ferrocenesulfonates.
Rapid assessment of integrated nuclear cogeneration projects using multi‐criteria indices
Authors: Bhattacharyya Rupsha , Khalid Farrukh 
Published: July 2021

SummaryNuclear power plants provide clean, carbon free, stable, reliable electricity and can offer nonelectric products and services via cogeneration operations to multiple sectors. This contributes to decarbonization of the current energy and industrial systems, supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and ensures sustainable development over the long term, according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) framework and the provisions of the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) Paris Agreement, 2015. This work surveys the potential role of nuclear cogeneration projects in meeting these objectives based on the current technological landscape. It focuses on nuclear assisted desalination for freshwater production and electrolytic hydrogen production as the use cases and suggests an assessment framework for their holistic evaluation. New integrated metrics and multi‐criteria performance indicators beyond the levelized cost of production are developed to quantify the likely multi‐dimensional impacts of such projects. The use of these for screening alternatives illustrates the fact that depending on weightage given to different criteria, different technologies may appear to be better suited to deployment under given set of conditions. These metrics are expected to be useful for creation of a decision support system for deployment of nuclear cogeneration projects.
Structure of ruthenium nanocatalysts of bismuth, investigation of its effect on hydrolysis performance and kinetic studies
Authors: Avci Hansu Tulin , Caglar Aykut , Demir Kivrak Hilal , Sahin Omer 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this study, a new nanocatalyst, RuBi/carbon nanotube, was synthesized to be used in the hydrolysis reaction of sodium boron hydride. The sodium boron hydride hydrolysis performance was investigated by adding bismuth to the structure of ruthenium nanocatalysts. Hydrolysis experiments were carried out by adding bismuth at different atomic proportions to ruthenium. The best atomic ratio was determined to be 90:10. These catalysts are characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The parameters affecting hydrolysis such as temperature, catalyst amount, sodium hydroxide concentration, and sodium borohydride concentration were examined. The reusability of the catalyst was tested five times. In the calculations, the reaction order was calculated as n, 0.73, and activation energy Ea, 49657 kJ/mol.
Pretreatment intranetwork connectivity can predict the outcomes in idiopathic tinnitus patients treated with sound therapy
Authors: Chen Qian , Lv Han , Wang Zhaodi , Wei Xuan , Liu Jiao , Zhao Pengfei , Yang Zhenghan , Gong Shusheng , Wang Zhenchang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPrevious studies demonstrated that brain morphological differences and distinct patterns of neural activation exist in tinnitus patients with different prognoses after sound therapy. This study aimed to explore possible differences in intrinsic network‐level functional connectivity (FC) in patients with different outcomes after sound therapy (narrow band noise). We examined intrinsic FC using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging in 78 idiopathic tinnitus patients (including 35 effectively treated and 43 ineffectively treated) and 52 healthy controls (HCs) via independent component analysis. We also investigated the associations between the differences in FC and clinical variables. Analyses revealed significantly altered intranetwork connectivity in the auditory network (AUN) and some nonauditory‐related networks in the EG/IG patients compared to HCs; compared with EG patients, IG patients showed decreased intranetwork connectivity in the anterior default mode network (aDMN) and AUN. Meanwhile, robust differences were also evident in internetwork connectivity between some nonauditory‐related networks (salience network and executive control network; posterior default mode network and dorsal attention network) in the EG relative to IG patients. We combined intranetwork connectivity in the aDMN and AUN as an imaging indicator to evaluate patient outcomes and screen patients before treatment; this approach reached a sensitivity of 94.3% and a specificity of 76.7%. Our study suggests that tinnitus patients with different outcomes show distinct network‐level functional reorganization patterns. Intranetwork connectivity in the aDMN and AUN may be indicators that can be used to predict prognoses in patients with idiopathic tinnitus and screen patients before sound therapy.
Automated Measurements of Body Composition in Abdominal CT Scans Using Artificial Intelligence Can Predict Mortality in Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Zou Winnie Y. , Enchakalody Binu E. , Zhang Peng , Shah Nidhi , Saini Sameer D. , Wang Nicholas C. , Wang Stewart C. , Su Grace L. 
Published: July 2021

Body composition measures derived from already available electronic medical records (computed tomography [CT] scans) can have significant value, but automation of measurements is needed for clinical implementation. We sought to use artificial intelligence to develop an automated method to measure body composition and test the algorithm on a clinical cohort to predict mortality. We constructed a deep learning algorithm using Google’s DeepLabv3+ on a cohort of de‐identified CT scans (n = 12,067). To test for the accuracy and clinical usefulness of the algorithm, we used a unique cohort of prospectively followed patients with cirrhosis (n = 238) who had CT scans performed. To assess model performance, we used the confusion matrix and calculated the mean accuracy of 0.977 ± 0.02 (0.975 ± 0.018 for the training and test sets, respectively). To assess for spatial overlap, we measured the mean intersection over union and mean boundary contour scores and found excellent overlap between the manual and automated methods with mean scores of 0.954 ± 0.030, 0.987 ± 0.009, and 0.948 ± 0.039 (0.983 ± 0.013 for the training and test set, respectively). Using these automated measurements, we found that body composition features were predictive of mortality in patients with cirrhosis. On multivariate analysis, the addition of body composition measures significantly improved prediction of mortality for patients with cirrhosis over Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease alone (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The measurement of body composition can be automated using artificial intelligence and add significant value for incidental CTs performed for other clinical indications. This is proof of concept that this methodology could allow for wider implementation into the clinical arena.
Conflicts of interest in oncology expanded access studies
Authors: Borysowski Jan , Lewis Anna C. F. , Górski Andrzej 
Published: July 2021

AbstractExpanded access is a treatment use of investigational drugs, biologicals or medical devices outside of clinical trials. The purpose of our study was to assess self‐reported conflicts of interest (COIs) in oncology expanded access studies. One hundred fifty‐eight oncology expanded access studies published from 2013 through 2020 were included. The pharmaceutical industry funded either completely or in part 94 studies (59.49%). The authors disclosed mostly financial COIs, while the number of the reported nonfinancial conflicts was relatively small (3528 and 57 COIs, respectively). The number of articles in which at least one author had a financial COI was 118 (74.68%). The most common financial COI types included advisory board membership/consulting (1471 COIs; 41.7%), followed by honoraria (570 COIs; 16.16%) and research funding (441 COIs; 12.5%). Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of disclosing financial COIs and positive study's conclusions. On univariate analysis, financial COIs were more likely to occur in studies with at least one center located in the United States (odds ratio [OR], 5.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57‐35.98; P = .02). We also found that positive conclusions about the studied treatments were less likely in studies without industry funding (OR, 0.26; CI, 0.08‐0.77; P = .01). Most of the research on COIs in oncology performed to date focused on other types of studies, especially clinical trials. To our knowledge, our study is the first to evaluate COIs in oncology expanded access studies.
Tracing the Maps of Our Lives: A Review of Apple (Skin to the Core)
Authors: Sheahan Annmarie 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSearing in content and ambitious in form, Eric Gansworth’s (2020) multimodal memoir, Apple (Skin to the Core), compels practitioners to widen the voices that students encounter in school and to position students as critical consumers of multimodal texts. Laced with images, prose, and repurposed pop cultural allusions, Gansworth’s memoir provides a model by which students can honor their own stories. This review highlights the importance of centering diverse Indigenous voices in school and community spaces while arguing for artistic creation as both an act and declaration of survival.
Efficient electrosorption of uranyl ions by a homemade amidoxime‐modified carbon paper‐based electrode in acidic aqueous condition
Authors: Pan Meng , Zhang Dongxiang , Xu Xiyan , Reda Alemtsehay Tesfay , Li Jinying 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDElectrosorption efficiency for uranyl ion (UO22+) capture is low in acid solution due to the adverse effect caused by protons. This requires novel electrodes effective at acid conditions for UO22+ electrosorption in highly acidic industrial effluents such as spent nuclear fuel treatment.RESULTSIn the current study, UO22+ electrosorption was conducted using an amidoxime‐modified carbon paper (CP‐AO) electrode. The effects of voltage and frequency, pH, UO22+ initial concentration, and competing ions on UO22+ electrosorption were investigated. The reusability and electrochemical properties of the CP‐AO electrode were studied. The experimental results showed that the current CP‐AO electrode worked well in acidic conditiona (pH = 3) with a square wave periodic voltage (SWPV, −4 V, 1000 Hz), and outperformed a previously used carbon felt‐based electrode. The CP‐AO electrode showed considerable selectivity toward UO22+ in the presence of competitive ions. After seven rounds of continuous electrosorption–desorption, the CP‐AO electrode still showed good UO22+ uptake efficiency. The electrosorption mechanisms were studied in‐depth based on experimental and characterization results. The electrosorption of UO22+ by the CP‐AO electrode was due mainly to the electric field force moving UO22+ to the surface of the electrode, leading to electrodeposition of uranium compounds and the formation of electrically neutral substances.CONCLUSIONSThe results indicated that based on SWPV electrosorption the CP‐AO could be a desirable treatment approach for acidic uranium‐containing wastewater with promising practical applications.
Management of systemic risk factors ahead of dental implant therapy: A beard well lathered is half shaved
Authors: Yu Hui , Zhou Anqi , Liu Jiayi , Tang Yufei , Yuan Quan , Man Yi , Xiang Lin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAs the most successful therapy for missing teeth, dental implant has become increasingly prevalent around the world. A lot of papers have reported diverse local risk factors affecting the success and survival rate of dental implants, either for a short or a long period. However, there are also many types of systemic disorders or relatively administrated medicine that may jeopardize the security and success of dental implant treatment. Additionally, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic also poses a challenge to dental implant clinicians. Some of these risk factors are clinically common but to some extent unfamiliar to dentists, thus optimal measurements are often lacking when they occur in dental clinics. In this review, we analyze potential systemic risk factors that may affect the success rate of dental implants. Some of them may affect bone mineral density or enhance the likelihood of local infection, thus impeding osseointegration. Others may even systemically increase the risk of the surgery and threaten patients’ life. In order to help novices receive high-risk patients who need to get dental implant treatment in a more reasonable way, we accordingly review recent research results and clinical experiments to discuss promising precautions, such as stopping drugs that impact bone mineral density or the operation, and addressing any perturbations on vital signs.
The role of angiopoietin‐2 and surfactant protein‐D levels in SARS‐CoV‐2‐related lung injury: A prospective, observational, cohort study
Authors: Alay Handan , Laloglu Esra 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionCoronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) is a respiratory disease whose clinical manifestation ranges from asymptomatic to severe respiratory failure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the place of serum surfactant‐D (SP‐D) and angiopoetin‐2 (Ang‐2) levels in predicting severity of disease in patients diagnosed with COVID‐19.MethodsSixty‐four patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 between September 2020 and February 2021, 50 patients diagnosed with community‐acquired pneumonia and a 50‐member healthy control group were included in the study. Plasma samples and clinical data were collected within 72 h after admission, during hospital stay. Serum SP‐D and Ang‐2 concentrations were measured using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsSP‐D and Ang‐2 levels were significantly higher in the mild–moderate pneumonia and severe/critical patient groups compared to the asymptomatic and noncomplicated COVID‐19 patients (p < 0.001 for all groups). Serum SP‐D and Ang‐2 levels of severe‐critical COVID‐19 patients were significantly higher than CAP patients (p < 0.001). Powerful correlation was present between clinical severity of COVID‐19 and SP‐D and Ang‐2 levels (r = 0.885 p < 0.001 and r = 0.913 p < 0.001, respectively). Cut‐off values of 37.7 ng/ml (AUC = 0.763, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.667–0.860) for SP‐D and 4208.3 pg/ml (AUC = 0.659, p = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.554–0.763) for Ang‐2 were identified as predictors of COVID‐19 disease at receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ConclusionSP‐D and Ang‐2 are predictive factors in differentiating COVID‐19 patients and determining severity of disease. These data may be important for the initiation of treatment in the early stage of the disease in patients with COVID‐19.
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study: Combined 595‐nm Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment and Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Topical Cream Superior to Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Cream for Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
Authors: Sodha Pooja , Suggs Amanda , Munavalli Girish S. , Friedman Paul M. 
Published: July 2021

Background and ObjectivesWe evaluated if oxymetazoline therapy combined with 595‐nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) will be more beneficial than topical oxymetazoline alone for the improvement of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.Study Design/Materials and MethodsThis was a randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial approved by an independent Institutional Review Board, which enrolled 34 patients with moderate to severe clinical erythema (CEA) into a two‐arm study of PDL with concomitant oxymetazoline cream (Arm 1) and oxymetazoline cream alone (Arm 2). Patients in Arm 1 were treated with 3 monthly laser sessions, which were started after 1 month of topical oxymetazoline cream. Thirty subjects continued with the study, and 25 subjects (Arm 1: 14, Arm 2: 11) completed the 6‐month follow‐up. With photographic comparison to baseline images, efficacy endpoints were based on clinical on‐site grading by both the investigator and the patient, using the grading tools for CEA, Global Aesthetic Improvement (GAI) assessment, vessel size improvement, and subject self‐assessment. These scales were assessed at baseline and/or at each clinical follow‐up at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. Subject satisfaction as well as post‐treatment immediate response and treatment‐associated pain scores were also evaluated.ResultsStatistically significant improvement in CEA was seen in both arms at the 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month post‐baseline visits (P < 0.01). Only Arm 1 presented statistically significant improvement in CEA (P < 0.001) at 6 months post baseline with a mean score of 1.6 (almost clear‐mild) compared with 3.2 at baseline. Arm 1 showed significantly greater mean vessel size improvement at 3 months (P < 0.01) and 6 months (P < 0.05) post baseline compared to Arm 2. Significantly greater improvement (P < 0.05) in the investigator GAI score was reported at the 2‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups compared with Arm 2. Subject GAI scores showed statistically significant greater improvement in Arm 1 compared with Arm 2 at both the 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups (P < 0.01). There were no complications or long‐term effects associated with PDL or topical oxymetazoline treatments.ConclusionThe prospective trial verifies a safe, enhanced clinical outcome with the combination of PDL therapy and topical oxymetazoline for the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.