bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiologic biomechanics enhance reproducible contractile development in a stem cell derived cardiac muscle platform
Authors: Tsan Yao-Chang , DePalma Samuel J. , Zhao Yan-Ting , Capilnasiu Adela , Wu Yu-Wei , Elder Brynn , Panse Isabella , Ufford Kathryn , Matera Daniel L. , Friedline Sabrina , O’Leary Thomas S. , Wubshet Nadab , Ho Kenneth K. Y. , Previs Michael J. , Nordsletten David , Isom Lori L. , Baker Brendon M. , Liu Allen P. , Helms Adam S. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHuman pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) allow investigations in a human cardiac model system, but disorganized mechanics and immaturity of hPSC-CMs on standard two-dimensional surfaces have been hurdles. Here, we developed a platform of micron-scale cardiac muscle bundles to control biomechanics in arrays of thousands of purified, independently contracting cardiac muscle strips on two-dimensional elastomer substrates with far greater throughput than single cell methods. By defining geometry and workload in this reductionist platform, we show that myofibrillar alignment and auxotonic contractions at physiologic workload drive maturation of contractile function, calcium handling, and electrophysiology. Using transcriptomics, reporter hPSC-CMs, and quantitative immunofluorescence, these cardiac muscle bundles can be used to parse orthogonal cues in early development, including contractile force, calcium load, and metabolic signals. Additionally, the resultant organized biomechanics facilitates automated extraction of contractile kinetics from brightfield microscopy imaging, increasing the accessibility, reproducibility, and throughput of pharmacologic testing and cardiomyopathy disease modeling.
A highly sensitive and selective thiosemicarbazone chemosensor for detection of Co2+ in aqueous environments using RSM and TD/DFT approaches
Authors: Ismail Hakimah , Ahmad Mohammad Norazmi , Normaya Erna 
Published: October 2021

AbstractChemosensor using organic based compound offering superior alternative method in recognizing metal ion in environmental water. The optimization process strongly affected the performance of the designed sensor. In this study, a highly sensitive and selective colorimetric sensor system utilizing an organic compound, namely thiosemicarbazone-linked acetylpyrazine (TLA), to recognize Co2+ ions in different environmental water samples was successfully developed using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach. The developed model was optimized successfully and had statistically significant independent variables (p < 0.05), with optimum recognition occurring in 8:2 v/v DMSO/water at a pH of 5.3, a 100:70 µM TLA/Co2+ concentration, and 15 min of reaction time. Under optimum conditions, the TLA sensor recognized Co2+ ions at concentrations as low as 1.637 µM, which is lower than the detection limit of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). Theoretical approaches supported the experimental data as well as characterized and predicted the mechanistic non-covalent interactions of TLA-Co2+ within the chemosensing system. Finally, all the positive results produced in this study point to TLA as an alternative and comparable probe for recognizing Co2+ pollution in water that is cost effective, movable and easy-to-handle, requires no special training and ecofriendly.
Numerical investigation of nanofluid flow using CFD and fuzzy-based particle swarm optimization
Authors: Syah Rahmad , Elveny Marischa , Nasution Mahyuddin K. M. , Ponkratov Vadim V. , Kuznetsova Mariya Yurievna , Poltarykhin Andrey Leonidovich , Babanezhad Meisam 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper is focused on the application and performance of artificial intelligence in the numerical modeling of nanofluid flows. Suspension of metallic nanoparticles in the fluids has shown potential in heat transfer enhancement of the based fluids. There are many numerical studies for the investigation of thermal and hydrodynamic characteristics of nanofluids. However, the optimization of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm is not considered in any study. The CFD is a powerful technique from an accuracy point of view. However, it could be time and cost-consuming, especially in large-scale and complicated problems. It is expected that the machine learning technique of the AI algorithms could improve such CFD drawbacks by patterning the CFD data. Once the AI finds the CFD pattern intelligently, there is no need for CFD calculations. The particle swarm optimization-based fuzzy inference system (PSOFIS) is considered in this study to predict the velocity profile of Al2O3/water turbulent flow in a heated pipe. One of the challenging problems in CFD modeling is the lost data for a specific boundary condition. For example, the CFD data are available for wall heat fluxes of 75, 85, 105, and 125 w/m2, but there is no data for the wall heat flux of 95 w/m2. So, the PSOFIS learns the available CFD data, and it predicts the velocity profile for where the data is not available (i.e., wall heat flux of 95 w/m2). The intelligence of PSOFIS is checked by the coefficient of determination (R2 pattern) for different values of accept ratio (AR) and inertia weight damping ratio (IWDR). The best intelligence is obtained for the AR and IWDR of 0.7 and 0.99, respectively. At this condition, the velocity profile predicted by both CFD and PSOFIS is compatible. As the performance of the PSOFIS, for learning time of 268 s, the prediction of the CFD data lost was negligible (~ 1 s). In contrast, the CFD calculation takes around 600 s for each simulation.
Fatigue in patients with chronic disease: results from the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study
Authors: Goërtz Yvonne M. J. , Braamse Annemarie M. J. , Spruit Martijn A. , Janssen Daisy J. A. , Ebadi Zjala , Van Herck Maarten , Burtin Chris , Peters Jeannette B. , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Lamers Femke , Twisk Jos W. R. , Thong Melissa S. Y. , Vercoulen Jan H. , Geerlings Suzanne E. , Vaes Anouk W. , Beijers Rosanne J. H. C. G. , van Beers Martijn , Schols Annemie M. W. J. , Rosmalen Judith G. M. , Knoop Hans 
Published: October 2021

Abstract(1) To evaluate the prevalence of severe and chronic fatigue in subjects with and without chronic disease; (2) to assess to which extent multi-morbidity contributes to severe and chronic fatigue; and (3) to identify predisposing and associated factors for severe and chronic fatigue and whether these are disease-specific, trans-diagnostic, or generic. The Dutch Lifelines cohort was used, including 78,363 subjects with (n = 31,039, 53 ± 12 years, 33% male) and without (n = 47,324, 48 ± 12 years, 46% male) ≥ 1 of 23 chronic diseases. Fatigue was assessed with the Checklist Individual Strength-Fatigue. Compared to participants without a chronic disease, a higher proportion of participants with ≥ 1 chronic disease were severely (23% versus 15%, p < 0.001) and chronically (17% versus 10%, p < 0.001) fatigued. The odds of having severe fatigue (OR [95% CI]) increased from 1.6 [1.5–1.7] with one chronic disease to 5.5 [4.5–6.7] with four chronic diseases; for chronic fatigue from 1.5 [1.5–1.6] to 4.9 [3.9–6.1]. Multiple trans-diagnostic predisposing and associated factors of fatigue were found, explaining 26% of variance in fatigue in chronic disease. Severe and chronic fatigue are highly prevalent in chronic diseases. Multi-morbidity increases the odds of having severe and chronic fatigue. Several trans-diagnostic factors were associated with fatigue, providing a rationale for a trans-diagnostic approach.
Measurement properties of the box and block test in children with unilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: Liang Kai-Jie , Chen Hao-Ling , Shieh Jeng-Yi , Wang Tien-Ni 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the reliabilities (test–retest reliability and measurement error), construct validity, and the interpretability (minimal clinically important difference) of the Box and Block Test (BBT) to interpret test scores precisely for children with UCP. A total of 100 children with UCP were recruited and 50 children from the whole sample assessed the BBT twice within 2-week interval. The BBT, the Melbourne Assessment 2, the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd Edition, and the Pediatric Motor Activity Log Revised were measured before and immediately after a 36-h intensive neurorehabilitation intervention. Measurement properties of the BBT were performed according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist. The test–retest reliability of the BBT was high (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98). The measurement error estimated by the MDC95 value was 5.95. Construct validity was considered good that 4 of 4 (100%) hypotheses were confirmed. The interpretability estimated by the MCID ranged from 5.29 to 6.46. The BBT is a reliable and valid tool for children with UCP. For research and clinical applications, an improvement of seven blocks on the BBT is recommended as an indicator of statistically significant and clinically important change.
Interglobular dentine attributed to vitamin D deficiency visible in cremated human teeth
Authors: Veselka Barbara , Snoeck Christophe 
Published: October 2021

AbstractVitamin D deficiency has hugely impacted the health of past societies. Its identification in skeletal remains provides insights into the daily activities, cultural habits, and the disease load of past populations. However, up till now, this approach remained impossible in cremated bones, because temperatures reached during cremations destroyed all macroscopic evidence of vitamin D deficiency. This precluded the analyses of a large fraction of the archaeological record, as cremation was an important burial ritual from the Late Neolithic until the Early Medieval period in Europe. Here, the identification of interglobular dentine (IGD), a dental mineralisation defect attributed to vitamin D deficiency, in experimentally burnt teeth, demonstrates this deficiency to be observable in human teeth burned to temperatures as high as 900 °C. In most cases, it becomes even possible to assess the ages-of-occurrence as well as the severity of the IGD and possibly vitamin D deficiency intensity. This study represents a major step forward in the fields of biological anthropology, archaeology, and palaeopathology by opening up a variety of new possibilities for the study of health and activities related to sunlight exposure of numerous past populations that practiced cremation as their funerary ritual.
Functional composition of ant assemblages in habitat islands is driven by habitat factors and landscape composition
Authors: Deák Balázs , Báthori Ferenc , Lőrinczi Gábor , Végvári Zsolt , Nagy Dávid D. , Mizser Szabolcs , Torma Attila , Valkó Orsolya , Tóthmérész Béla 
Published: October 2021

AbstractFragmented natural habitats within human-transformed landscapes play a key role in preserving biodiversity. Ants as keystone species are essential elements of terrestrial ecosystems; thus, it is important to understand the factors influencing their presence. In a large-scale multi-site study, we surveyed ant assemblages using sweep netting and D-vac sampling on 158 ancient burial mounds preserving grassland habitats in agricultural landscapes in East-Hungary. We asked the following questions: (1) How do habitat factors and landscape composition affect species richness and functional diversity of ants? (2) Which ant traits are affected by habitat factors and landscape composition? Despite their small sizes, mounds as permanent and relatively undisturbed landscape elements could provide safe havens for diverse ant assemblages even in transformed agricultural landscapes. The complex habitat structure of wooded mounds supported high species and functional diversity of ant assemblages. Ant species on wooded mounds had small or medium-sized colonies, enabling the co-existence of more species. The effect of landscape composition on ant assemblages was mediated by habitat factors: steep slopes buffered the negative effect of the cropland matrix and enabled higher ant diversity.
Riluzole-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma is mediated through Yes-associated protein upon phosphorylation by c-Abl Kinase
Authors: Raghubir Marian , Azeem Syeda M. , Hasnat Rifat , Rahman Chowdhury N. , Wong Linda , Yan Salina , Huang Yu Qi , Zhagui Raquel , Blyufer Angelina , Tariq Iffat , Tam Cassey , Lhamo Sonam , Cecilio Lucas , Chowdhury Yesmin , ChandThakuri Shraddha , Mahajan Shahana S. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOur lab has previously demonstrated Riluzole to be an effective drug in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in both human and mouse osteosarcoma. Yes-associated protein is a transcription co-activator, known to be involved in cell proliferation or apoptosis depending on its protein partner. In the present study we investigated the role of YAP in apoptosis in osteosarcoma, we hypothesized that YAP may be activated by Riluzole to induce apoptosis in osteosarcoma. By knocking down the expression of YAP, we have demonstrated that Riluzole failed to induce apoptosis in YAP deficient osteosarcoma cells. Riluzole caused translocation of YAP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, indicating YAP’s role in apoptosis. Both Riluzole-induced phosphorylation of YAP at tyrosine 357 and Riluzole-induced apoptosis were blocked by inhibitors of c-Abl kinase. In addition, knockdown of c-Abl kinase prevented Riluzole-induced apoptosis in LM7 cells. We further demonstrated that Riluzole promoted interaction between YAP and p73, while c-Abl kinase inhibitors abolished the interaction. Subsequently, we demonstrated that Riluzole enhanced activity of the Bax promoter in a luciferase reporter assay and enhanced YAP/p73 binding on endogenous Bax promoter in a ChIP assay. Our data supports a novel mechanism in which Riluzole activates c-Abl kinase to regulate pro-apoptotic activity of YAP in osteosarcoma.
Automated urine sediment analyzers underestimate the severity of hematuria in glomerular diseases
Authors: Yang Won Seok 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHematuria, either glomerular or extraglomerular, is defined as 3 or more red blood cells (RBCs)/high power field. Currently, urinalyses are commonly performed using automated urine sediment analyzers. To assess whether RBC counting by automated urine sediment analyzers is reliable for defining hematuria in glomerular disease, random specimen urinalyses of men with nephritic glomerular disease (7674 urinalyses) and bladder cancer (12,510 urinalyses) were retrospectively reviewed. Urine RBCs were counted by an automated urine sediment analyzer based on flow cytometry (UF-1000i, Sysmex Corporation) or digital image analysis (Cobas 6500, Roche Diagnostics GmbH). In about 20% of urine specimens, the specific gravity was less than 1.010, making the RBC counts unreliable. In the urine specimens with specific gravity ≥ 1.010, RBC counts measured using either UF-1000i or Cobas 6500 were well correlated with the positive grades in the dipstick blood test. However, at a trace, 1+, or higher positive dipstick tests for blood, RBC counts were graded significantly lower in glomerular disease than in bladder cancer. The findings suggest that RBC counting by UF-1000i or Cobas 6500 underestimates the severity of hematuria in glomerular disease, possibly because dysmorphic RBCs in glomerular disease are susceptible to hemolysis and/or fail to be properly recognized.
Toxic element levels in ingredients and commercial pet foods
Authors: Zafalon Rafael Vessecchi Amorim , Pedreira Raquel Silveira , Vendramini Thiago Henrique Annibale , Rentas Mariana Fragoso , Pedrinelli Vivian , Rodrigues Roberta Bueno Aires , Risolia Larissa Wunsche , Perini Mariana Pamplona , Amaral Andressa Rodrigues , de Carvalho Balieiro Júlio Cesar , Pontieri Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira , Brunetto Marcio Antonio 
Published: October 2021

AbstractNowadays, there is a growing concern about contamination of toxic metals (TM) in pet food due to the great potential for health risks of these elements. TM concentrations in commercial pet foods (n = 100) as well as in ingredients used in their composition (n = 100) were analyzed and compared to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maximum tolerable level (MTL), and the TM concentrations found in the different sources of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were compared. The TM concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Concentrations above the MTL for aluminum, mercury, lead, uranium, and vanadium were observed in both dog and cat foods, and the percentage of dog foods that exceeded the MTL of these TM were: 31.9%; 100%; 80.55%; 95.83%; and 75%, respectively, and in cat foods: 10.71%; 100%; 32.14%; 85.71%; 28.57%, respectively. The MTL values of these TMs and the mean values in dog foods (mg/kg dry matter basis) (MTL [mean ± standard deviation]) were: aluminum: 200 (269.17 ± 393.74); mercury: 0.27 (2.51 ± 1.31); lead: 10 (12.55 ± 4.30); uranium: 10 (76.82 ± 28.09); vanadium: 1 (1.35 ± 0.69), while in cat foods were: aluminum: 200 (135.51 ± 143.95); mercury: 0.27 (3.47 ± 4.31); lead: 10 (9.13 ± 5.42); uranium: 10 (49.83 ± 29.18); vanadium: 1 (0.81 ± 0.77). Dry foods presented higher concentrations of most TM (P < 0.05) than wet foods (P < 0.05). Among the carbohydrate sources, there were the highest levels of all TM except cobalt, mercury, and nickel in wheat bran (P < 0.05), while among the protein sources, in general, animal by-products had higher TM concentrations than plant-based ingredients. Pork fat had higher concentrations of arsenic, mercury, and antimony than fish oil and poultry fat. It was concluded that the pet foods evaluated in this study presented high concentrations of the following TM: aluminum, mercury, lead, uranium, and vanadium.
LINC00963/miR-4458 regulates the effect of oxaliplatin in gastric cancer by mediating autophagic flux through targeting of ATG16L1
Authors: Hou Meng , Li Chao , Dong Shunbin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOxaliplatin resistance is the greatest obstacle to the management of local recurrence in gastric cancer patients after surgery. Accumulating evidence has suggested that inhibiting autophagy may be a novel approach for reversing resistance to oxaliplatin treatment. In this manuscript, we aimed to investigate the role of LINC00963 in regulating autophagy and oxaliplatin resistance. qRT-PCR, immunochemistry staining, and western blotting were used to detect gene expression. Plasmids were used to up- and downregulate the expression of LINC00963 and miR-4458. A caspase 3/7 activity kit and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptosis rate. CCK8 and Transwell assays were used to test cell proliferation and migration, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and a dual fluorescent lentivirus autophagy system were used to evaluate autophagic flux. Dual luciferase reporter gene assays and RNA pulldown assays were used to evaluate the potential crosstalk. LINC00963 was highly expressed in gastric cancer patients and cell lines. In addition, high LINC00963 expression was found to be associated with poor prognosis and local recurrence in gastric cancer patients, indicating that LINC00963 might be involved in oxaliplatin resistance. Moreover, we found that LINC00963 was aberrantly highly expressed in oxaliplatin-resistant SGC-7901 (SGC-7901-R) cells and promoted proliferation and migration and reduced the apoptosis rate in SGC-7901-R cells. Furthermore, among all potential target microRNAs, miR-4458 was found to be negatively regulated by LINC00963 both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, miR-4458 overexpression led to impaired proliferation and migration and enhanced cell apoptosis and G1 arrest in SGC-7901-R cells. Further RNA pulldown and dual luciferase reporter gene assays indicated the interaction between LINC00963 and miR-4458. Moreover, we found enhanced autophagic flux in SGC-7901-R cells compared with SGC-7901 cells; in addition, an inhibitor of autophagy induced apoptosis in SGC-7901-R cells. Then, we found that downregulation of LINC00963 expression and upregulation of miR-4458 expression significantly suppressed autophagic flux in SGC-7901-R cells. Based on starBase V3.0 and dual luciferase reporter gene assays, we predicted and confirmed that ATG16L1 might be the target of miR-4458 to regulate autophagy. In conclusion, LINC00963 and miR-4458 are potential biomarkers for predicting the overall survival of gastric cancer patients. Moreover, targeting LINC00963 to inhibit autophagic flux sensitizes gastric cancer cells to oxaliplatin treatment, suggesting that it is a potential novel therapeutic target for improving oxaliplatin sensitivity.
Psychological and physiological evidence for an initial ‘Rough Sketch’ calculation of personal space
Authors: Tootell Roger B. H. , Zapetis Sarah L. , Babadi Baktash , Nasiriavanaki Zahra , Hughes Dylan E. , Mueser Kim , Otto Michael , Pace-Schott Ed , Holt Daphne J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPersonal space has been defined as “the area individuals maintain around themselves into which others cannot intrude without arousing discomfort”. However, the precise relationship between discomfort (or arousal) responses as a function of distance from an observer remains incompletely understood. Also the mechanisms involved in recognizing conspecifics and distinguishing them from other objects within personal space have not been identified. Accordingly, here we measured personal space preferences in response to real humans and human-like avatars (in virtual reality), using well-validated “stop distance” procedures. Based on threshold measurements of personal space, we examined within-subject variations in discomfort-related responses across multiple distances (spanning inside and outside each individual’s personal space boundary), as reflected by psychological (ratings) and physiological (skin conductance) responses to both humans and avatars. We found that the discomfort-by-distance functions for both humans and avatars were closely fit by a power law. These results suggest that the brain computation of visually-defined personal space begins with a ‘rough sketch’ stage, which generates responses to a broad range of human-like stimuli, in addition to humans. Analogous processing mechanisms may underlie other brain functions which respond similarly to both real and simulated human body parts.
Crystalline and magnetic properties of CoO nanoparticles locally investigated by using radioactive indium tracer
Authors: Santos Renata V. , Cabrera-Pasca Gabriel A. , Costa Cleidilane S. , Bosch-Santos Brianna , Otubo Larissa , Pereira Luciano F. D. , Correa Bruno S. , Effenberger Fernando B. , Burimova Anastasia , Freitas Rafael S. , Carbonari Artur W. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe herein report a comprehensive investigation on the magnetic, structural, and electric properties of CoO nanoparticles with different sizes by local inspection through hyperfine interactions measured in a wide range of temperatures (10–670 K) by using radioactive $$^{111}$$

111

In($$^{111}$$

111

Cd) tracers with the perturbed angular correlations technique. Small cobalt oxide nanoparticles with the characteristic size of 6.5 nm have been prepared by the wet chemical route that turned out to be essential to incorporate radioactivity tracers during nucleation and growth of the particles. Nanocrystalline samples with 22.1 nm size were obtained by thermal treatments under low pressure of helium at 670 K. The hyperfine data were correlated with X-ray diffraction, ZFC–FC magnetic measurements, and transmission electron microscopy to describe the structure, magnetic properties, size, and shape of samples. An analysis of the temperature evolution of hyperfine parameters revealed that the structural distortion and the magnetic disorder in the core and on the surface layer play an important role in the magnetic behavior of CoO nanoparticles.