bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial disparities in provider recommendation for esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Merritt Robert E. , Abdel‐Rasoul Mahmoud , D'Souza Desmond M. , Kneuertz Peter J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundRacial disparities currently exist for the utilization rate of esophagectomy for Black patients with operable esophageal carcinoma.MethodsA total of 37 271 cases with the American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical stage I, II, and III esophageal carcinoma that were reported to the National Cancer Database were analyzed between 2004 and 2016. A multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression model was used to evaluate differences in the odds ratio of esophagectomy not being recommended based on race. Kaplan–Meier curves and log‐rank tests were used to evaluate differences in overall survival. Propensity score methodology with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance baseline differences in patient demographics.ResultsAfter IPTW adjustment, we identified 30 552 White patients and 3529 Black patients with clinical stage I–III esophageal carcinoma. Black patients had three times greater odds of not being recommended for esophagectomy (odds ratio: 3.03, 95% confidence interval: 2.67–3.43, p < 0.0001) compared to White patients. Black patients demonstrated significantly worse 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival rates compared to White patients (log‐rank p < 0.0001).ConclusionBlack patients with clinical stage I–III esophageal cancer were significantly less likely to be recommended for esophagectomy even after adjusting for baseline demographic covariates compared to White patients.
Hiding in plain sight: The secret contribution of the solitary ascidian Herdmania grandis to temperate reef nitrous oxide production
Authors: Kelly Katie M. , Carlson‐Perret Natasha L. , Glaze Thomas D. , Erler Dirk V. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLarge solitary ascidians, like Herdmania grandis (Heller), can dominate the benthic substrates of subtropical and temperate reefs; however, their influence on nitrogen cycling, particularly nitrous oxide (N2O) production, is unknown. Here, we incubated individual H. grandis and compared fluxes of dissolved inorganic and gaseous nitrogen species to fluxes from reef sediments. Nitrous oxide production rates per individual ascidian (21 ± 8 nmol ind h−1) are the highest reported for any marine invertebrate. An individual ascidian produced more N2O than 1 m2 of inter‐reef sediment (1.7 ± 1.7 nmol m−2 h−1). Ascidian mediated N2O production was found to occur under nutrient depleted conditions. The addition of 15N labeled organic material showed that the microbiota associated with H. grandis is capable of both nitrification and denitrification, but the contribution of these pathways to N2O production could not be ascertained. As the ecology of temperate reefs change, any range expansion of H. grandis will increase coastal N2O production.
CMTM4 regulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition and PD‐L1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Hao , Liu Yuan‐Tong , Chen Lei , Zhou Jun‐Jie , Chen De‐Run , Li Shu‐Jin , Sun Zhi‐Jun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a pivotal step involved in cancer recurrence and metastasis. In addition, the activation of the EMT program can induce a cancer stem cell (CSC)‐like phenotype and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The CMTM family has reported as an important regulator in this process. Here, we investigated the role of CMTM4 in HNSCC. We indicated that CMTM4 was overexpressed in human and mouse HNSCC samples and in HNSCC cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. A high expression level of CMTM4 was correlated with advanced lymph node metastasis and a negative prognosis. CMTM4‐knockdown by small interfering RNA downregulated the EMT process and inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of tumor cells. Moreover, knockdown of CMTM4 decreased CSC‐associated markers via the protein kinase B pathway. Notably, CMTM4‐knockdown inhibited the expression of interferon‐γ induced PD‐L1 in HNSCC cells. A positive correlation was found between CMTM4 expression and CD8+ and PD‐1+ cell density in the stroma. Our findings indicated that CMTM4 may play an important role in regulating EMT/CSC phenotypes and PD‐L1 expression. This study may reinforce the interest in CMTM4 as a potential target for the prognosis and treatment of HNSCC.
Ending a diagnostic odyssey: Moving from exome to genome to identify cockayne syndrome
Authors: Friedman Jennifer , Bird Lynne M. , Haas Richard , Robbins Shira L. , Nahas Shareef A. , Dimmock David P. , Yousefzadeh Matthew J. , Witt Mariah A. , Niedernhofer Laura J. , Chowdhury Shimul 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundCockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by growth failure and multisystemic degeneration. Excision repair cross‐complementation group 6 (ERCC6 OMIM: *609413) is the gene most frequently mutated in CS.MethodsA child with pre and postnatal growth failure and progressive neurologic deterioration with multisystem involvement, and with nondiagnostic whole‐exome sequencing, was screened for causal variants with whole‐genome sequencing (WGS).ResultsWGS identified biallelic ERCC6 variants, including a previously unreported intronic variant. Pathogenicity of these variants was established by demonstrating reduced levels of ERCC6 mRNA and protein expression, normal unscheduled DNA synthesis, and impaired recovery of RNA synthesis in patient fibroblasts following UV‐irradiation.ConclusionThe study confirms the pathogenicity of a previously undescribed upstream intronic variant, highlighting the power of genome sequencing to identify noncoding variants. In addition, this report provides evidence for the utility of a combination approach of genome sequencing plus functional studies to provide diagnosis in a child for whom a lengthy diagnostic odyssey, including exome sequencing, was previously unrevealing.
An extended superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap transfer for a relatively‐small breast reconstruction after total mastectomy
Authors: Yamamoto Takumi , Yamamoto Nana 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSuperficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) perforator (SCIP) flap has been applied in various reconstructions. Unlike traditional groin flap, SCIP flap has a longer pedicle and can be used as a chimeric flap for complex reconstruction. By utilizing both the superficial and the deep branches of the SCIA, a SCIP flap can be raised as an extended large bulky flap. Although there are many articles reporting usefulness of SCIP flap, there is no case reporting a large SCIP flap transfer for breast reconstruction after total mastectomy. We applied a free extended SCIP flap for a case of post‐total‐mastectomy breast reconstruction. A 51‐year‐old female who had undergone total mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy was referred for autologous tissue breast reconstruction. Physical exam revealed that the iliac and lower abdominal regions were suitable for a donor site. As the patient desired to preserve a similar donor site for possible future contralateral breast reconstruction, the iliac region was selected as a donor site. A 23 × 15 cm SCIP flap was elevated based on the superficial and the deep branches of the SCIA, and was transferred to the recipient site. The SCIA and concomitant vein were anastomosed to the lateral thoracic artery and vein in an end‐to‐end fashion. Postoperative course was uneventful. The reconstructed breast shape and texture were similar to the contralateral breast with no donor site complication, and the patient was very satisfied with functionally and esthetically pleasing results. Extended SCIP flap may be an option for relatively‐small breast reconstruction.
Diosgenin Protects Against Kidney Injury and Mitochondrial Apoptosis Induced by 3‐MCPD Through the Regulation of ER Stress, Ca2+ Homeostasis, and Bcl2 Expression
Authors: Zhong Yujie , Jin Chengni , Han Jiahui , Zhu Jiachang , Liu Qi , Sun Dianjun , Xia Xiaodong , Zhang Yu , Peng Xiaoli 
Published: June 2021

ScopeDiosgenin (DIO) is a natural steroid sapogenin presented in various plants. It exerts anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐diabetic nephropathy properties. The present study evaluates the intervention effect of DIO on nephrotoxicity induced by food contaminant 3‐chloro‐1, 2‐propanediol (3‐MCPD) in vivo and in vitro.Methods and ResultsTreatment with DIO (15 mg kg−1 d−1) in Sprague‐Dawley rats for 4‐week relieves kidney injury induced by 3‐MCPD (30 mg kg−1 d−1). In vitro, DIO (2, 6, and 8 µM) alleviates cell injury and apoptosis effectively in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. DIO realizes its protective function via the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Blockage of ER stress by 4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐PBA), a specific ER stress antagonist, inhibits mitochondrial apoptosis, suggesting a connection between mitochondrial apoptosis and ER stress. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis and Bcl2 expression, two main targets of ER stress, contributes to the protection role of DIO on mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis. In addition, DIO relieves the impairment of oxidative phosphorylation.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that DIO exerts protective effect against kidney injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis through the inhibition of ER stress and the further maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis and Bcl2 expression.
Glutaminolysis is involved in the activation of mTORC1 in in vitro‐produced porcine embryos
Authors: Chen Paula R. , Lucas Caroline G. , Spate Lee D. , Prather Randall S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGlutamine supplementation to porcine embryo culture medium improves development, increases leucine consumption, and enhances mitochondrial activity. In cancer cells, glutamine has been implicated in the activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) to support rapid proliferation. The objective of this study was to determine if glutamine metabolism, known as glutaminolysis, was involved in mTORC1 activation in porcine embryos. Culture with 3.75 mM GlutaMAX improved development to the blastocyst stage compared to culture with 1 mM GlutaMAX, and culture with 0 mM GlutaMAX decreased development compared to all groups with GlutaMAX. Ratios of phosphorylated to total MTOR were increased when embryos were cultured with 3.75 or 10 mM GlutaMAX, which was enhanced by the absence of leucine, but ratios for RPS6K were unchanged. As another indicator of mTORC1 activation, colocalization of MTOR and a lysosomal marker was increased in embryos cultured with 3.75 or 10 mM GlutaMAX in the absence of leucine. Culturing embryos with glutaminase inhibitors decreased development and the ratio of phosphorylated to total MTOR, indicating reduced activation of the complex. Therefore, glutaminolysis is involved in the activation of mTORC1 in porcine embryos, but further studies are needed to characterize downstream effects on development.
Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption properties of collagen and attapulgite‐filled copolymer biocomposites: Batch and column studies
Authors: Choudhury Swastika , Ray Samit Kumar 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSeveral biocomposites were synthesized by copolymerizing hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and itaconic acid (IA) at varied molar ratios in the presence of different wt% of collagen (CLG) and attapulgite (APG) clay. The structure and properties of the biocomposite adsorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared apectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, X‐ray photo electron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transfer electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, differential thermal analysis–thermogravimetric analysis, point zero charge analysis, mechanical properties, and pH reversibility tests. The synthesis variables were optimized with a central composite design of response surface methodology (RSM). The biocomposite prepared with an optimized composition of 1.5 wt% CLG, 1.7 wt% APG, and 5:1 molar ratio of HEMA:IA showed an adsorption capacity (Qe, mg/g) of 674.4/602.4 for methylene blue (MB)/Rose Bengal (RB) dye from a feed containing 200 mg/L of MB + RB dye mixture in batch mode. In a fixed bed in column mode, the optimized biocomposite showed a removal% of 82.8/71.3 for 100 mg/L inlet concentration, 20 ml/min flow rate, and 20 mm bed height with a breakthrough time of 23/31 min and a mass transfer coefficient (kmtc × 105 cm/s) of 8.36/7.67 for MB/RB as single dye solution.
Synthesis of Polyetheramine Based Bonding Agents and Their Effect on Mechanical Properties of an AP/CL‐20/GAP Formulation
Authors: Xu Shuang , Pang Ai‐Min , Wu Zhuo , Li Hai‐Tao , Li Wei , Kong Jie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTwo types of bonding agents were synthesized based on polyetheramines (PEAs), which aim to increase the strain of AP/CL‐20/GAP formulation. The PEAs, terminated with cyano (CTPEA) and Schiff base (SBPEA) groups, were applied in the AP/CL‐20/GAP formulation, respectively. The results showed that the bonding agents TCN‐403 (CTPEA) and TBA‐403 (SBPEA), which were prepared from trifunctional PEA named as T‐403, could significantly increase the maximum elongation ratio of the formulation. The differences between the TCN‐403 and TBA‐403 were analyzed by DMA of the formulations, SEM of the coated fillers, and in‐situ tensile test, indicating that the Schiff base bonding agents can effectively inhibit the dewetting of the binder from the solid particles in the formulations.
A computational framework for modeling functional protein‐protein interactions
Authors: Pal Abantika , Pal Debnath , Mitra Pralay 
Published: June 2021

AbstractProtein interactions and their assemblies assist in understanding the cellular mechanisms through the knowledge of interactome. Despite recent advances, a vast number of interacting protein complexes is not annotated by three‐dimensional structures. Therefore, a computational framework is a suitable alternative to fill the large gap between identified interactions and the interactions with known structures. In this work, we develop an automated computational framework for modeling functionally related protein‐complex structures utilizing GO‐based semantic similarity technique and co‐evolutionary information of the interaction sites. The framework can consider protein sequence and structure information as input and employ both rigid‐body docking and template‐based modeling exploiting the existing structural templates and sequence homology information from the PDB. Our framework combines geometric as well as physicochemical features for re‐ranking the docking decoys. The proposed framework has an 83% success rate when tested on a benchmark dataset while considering Top1 models for template‐based modeling and Top10 models for the docking pipeline. We believe that our computational framework can be used for any pair of proteins with higher confidence to identify the functional protein‐protein interactions.
Functional recovery from eccentric injury is maintained in sarcopenic mouse muscle
Authors: Valencia Ana P. , Samuelson Ashton T. , Stuppard Rudolph , Marcinek David J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundEccentric contractions induce muscle damage (EIMD) that compromises muscle function. Poor recovery from EIMD has been suggested to be a contributor to the decline in muscle function evident in sarcopenia, but it is unclear which aspects of muscle function are more susceptible to disruption by EIMD in old versus young muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of impairment in contractile function (force, fatigue, tetanus and twitch kinetics) during the recovery from EIMD in VO mice compared to young adult (YA).MethodsMale CB6F1 were obtained from National Institure of Aging colony. VO mice were 29–31 months of age, and YA mice were 7–9 months of age. The plantarflexor muscles were subjected to 20 eccentric contractions in vivo to induce injury (EIMD). Changes in tetanic force and kinetics were assessed before EIMD, immediately after EIMD and 3 days after EIMD (3d‐EIMD). Force–frequency and rates of fatigue were assessed 3d‐EIMD and compared with baseline. Histological analysis was conducted in injured and non‐injured contralateral gastrocnemius muscle.ResultsThere was a greater loss in isometric tetanic force immediately following EIMD in VO compared with YA (−31.6% ± 10.4 vs. −21.7% ± 6.0, P < 0.05). At 3d‐EIMD, the rate of contraction of tetanus began to recover in VO, but not in YA (20.8% vs. −6.8%, P < 0.05), whereas the extent of recovery of force tended to be greater in VO than YA (39.3% vs. 17.1%, P = 0.08) when compared with tetanic function immediately after injury. Compared with function pre‐injury (baseline), VO and YA had similar deficits in tetanic force (−7.3% ± 5.3 vs. ‐9.2% ± 6.0, respectively) and kinetics at Day 3. Twitch kinetics (rate of relaxation) recovered faster in VO compared with YA. The rate of muscle fatigue was similar to baseline values, with VO continuing to be more fatigue resistant than YA 3d‐EIMD. There were no detectable differences in muscle mass or myofibre cross‐sectional area despite continued deficits in force following EIMD in either age group.ConclusionsDespite clear functional deficits and greater susceptibility to injury, aged sarcopenic muscle exhibited a similar ability to recover contractile function to younger muscle following EIMD. In addition, neither age group showed accelerated muscle fatigue in the recovery phase after EIMD; thus, sarcopenic mouse muscles do not appear to be more susceptible to long‐term functional impairment than young healthy muscles.
Suboptimal reduced control of unknown nonlinear singularly perturbed systems via reinforcement learning
Authors: Liu Xiaomin , Yang Chunyu , Zhou Linna , Fu Jun , Dai Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a suboptimal reduced control method is proposed for a class of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems (SPSs) with unknown dynamics. By using singular perturbation theory, the original system is reduced to a reduced system, by which a policy iterative method is proposed to solve the corresponding reduced Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation with convergence guaranteed. A reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm is proposed to implement the policy iterative method without using any knowledge of the system dynamics. In the RL algorithm, the unmeasurable state of the virtual reduced system is reconstructed by the slow state measurements of the original system, the controller and cost function are approximated by actor‐critic neural networks (NNs) and the method of weighted residuals is utilized to update the NN weights. The influence introduced by state reconstruction error and NN function approximation on the convergence, suboptimality of the reduced controller and stability of the closed‐loop SPSs are rigorously analyzed. Finally, the effectiveness of our proposed method is illustrated by examples.
Borylation and Stannylation Reactions with Tuning of Lewis Acidity
Authors: Yoshida Hiroto 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA B(dan) moiety (dan=naphthalene‐1,8‐diaminato) of diminished boron‐Lewis acidity has efficiently been installed into organic frameworks by three‐component carboboration of alkenes under copper catalysis, where a Cu−B(dan) species, generated by chemoselective σ‐bond metathesis between a copper catalyst and an unsymmetrical diboron [(pin)B−B(dan)], acts as a key intermediate. The Cu−B(dan) species has also turned out to serve as a B(dan) nucleophile to afford various dan‐substituted organoboranes via borylative substitution of carbon electrophiles. Furthermore, borylation reactions with another Lewis acidity‐diminished boron unit, B(aam) (aam=anthranilamidato), have become feasible by use of (pin)B−B(aam) or H−B(aam). The resulting dan/aam‐substituted organoboranes have been demonstrated to undergo direct cross‐coupling without prior acidic deprotection, regardless of their diminished boron‐Lewis acidity. Synthesis of diverse organostannanes based upon copper‐catalyzed carbostannylation and borylstannylation, in which Lewis acidity increment of a tin center facilitates the progress in some cases, have also been described.
Cycloisomerization of π‐Coupled Heteroatom Nucleophiles by Gold Catalysis: En Route to Regiochemically Defined Heterocycles
Authors: Praveen Chandrasekar 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSince the dawn of millennium, catalytic gold chemistry is at the forefront to set off diverse organic reactions via unique activation of π‐bonded molecules. Within this purview, cycloisomerization of heteroatom nucleophiles linked to a π‐system is one of the well recognized chemistry for the construction of numerous heterocyclic cores. Though the rudimentary aspects of this transformation are reviewed by several groups in different timeline, a holistic view on regiochemistry of such reactions went largely overlooked. Hence, this account emphasizes the gold catalyzed regioselective cycloisomerization of structurally distinctive π‐connected hetero‐nucleophiles leading to different heterocycles documented in the last two decades. From an application perspective, this account also highlights those methodologies which find a role in the total synthesis of natural products. Wherever appropriate, mechanistic details and contributing factors for selectivity are also discussed.
Early risk stratification of patients with suspected chronic mesenteric ischaemia using a symptom and mesenteric artery calcium score based score chart
Authors: Terlouw Luke G. , van Noord Desirée , van Walsum Theo , van Dijk Louisa J. D. , Moelker Adriaan , Bruno Marco J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe mesenteric artery calcium score (MACS) identifies patients with possible chronic mesenteric ischaemia (CMI) using standard computed tomography (CT) imaging. The MACS does not necessitate a dedicated computed tomography angiography (CTA) which is required for evaluation of mesenteric artery patency. This study aimed to test the use of a symptom and MACS based score chart to facilitate the selection of patients with a low probability of CMI, in whom further diagnostic workup can be omitted, and to validate the CTA‐based score chart proposed by van Dijk et al. which guides treatment decisions in patients with suspected CMI.MethodsThis retrospective study included consecutive patients with suspected CMI. The Agatston definition was used to calculate the MACS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to create a MACS score chart, which was applied in all patients to determine its discriminative ability. The score chart by van Dijk et al. was validated in this independent external patient series.ResultsHundred‐ninety‐two patients were included, of whom 49 had CMI. The MACS score chart composed of the variables weight loss, postprandial abdominal pain, history of cardiovascular disease, and MACS, showed an excellent discriminative ability (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87). CMI risks were 2.1% in the low‐risk group (0–4 points) and 39.1% in the increased risk group (5–10 points); sensitivity (97.8%) and negative predictive value (NPV; 97.9%) were high. The CTA‐based score chart by van Dijk et al. showed an excellent discriminative ability (AUC 0.89).ConclusionThe MACS score chart shows promise for early risk stratification of patients with suspected CMI based on a near‐perfect NPV. It is complementary to the CTA‐based score chart by van Dijk et al., which showed excellent external validity and is well suited to guide subsequent (invasive) treatment decisions in patients with suspected CMI.