bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation of squamous cell carcinoma defect with two‐piece hollow bulb obturator prosthesis – A case report
Authors: Kuttae Viswanathan Anitha , Ganapathy Dhanraj M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTwo‐piece hollow bulb obturator maxillofacial prosthesis for hemi‐maxillectomy defect is given after surgical resection due to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Maxillofacial prosthodontists play a pivotal role in construction of prosthesis. Unique choices are made in prosthesis design depending on the clinical representation. Improvement in function, phonetics and esthetics was appreciated.
Facile Synthesis of Carbon‐Sulfur Scaffold with Transition‐Metal Sulfides and Oxides as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Tzadikov Jonathan , Geva Rotem , Azoulay Adi , Shalom Menny 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTransition‐metal sulfides and oxides supported on carbon materials (MSOCs) are vastly explored as efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting, especially for the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, we show the facile, scalable bottom‐up synthesis of MSOCs using available low‐cost metal salts, pyrene, and elemental sulfur as reactants. Upon condensation at high temperature, the monomers form a stable molten‐state intermediate, directing the synthesis of MSOCs due to strong coordination between the metallic cation‐sulfur‐pyrene. These materials exhibit excellent activity towards OER achieving low overpotentials of 284 and 325 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm−2. The effect of the carbon support is demonstrated through high mass activity of the materials (∼300 A g−1) compared to the materials with no support.
Optimization of Slag Mobility of Biomass Fuels in a Pilot‐scale Entrained‐Flow Gasifier
Authors: Mielke Konrad , Wu Guixuan , Eberhard Mark , Kolb Thomas , Müller Michael 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe bioliq® process, developed at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, aims at the production of synthetic fuels and chemicals from biomass. The bioliq® technology is based on a two‐step process with decentral pyrolysis for the production of a transportable slurry from residual biomass and the central entrained‐flow gasification of the slurry by using biomass‐to‐liquid technology. This study is focused on the slag, which is formed by melting the inorganic ash components during gasification. To operate the gasifier smoothly, a range of desired viscosity has to be defined. A structure‐based viscosity model was used to predict the viscosity of the slags at the gasifier outlet. A good agreement between experimental and calculated viscosities is achieved for fully liquid slag systems.
Transmembrane Transport of Bicarbonate Unravelled
Authors: Martínez‐Crespo Luis , Hewitt Sarah H. , De Simone Nicola Alessandro , Šindelář Vladimír , Davis Anthony P. , Butler Stephen , Valkenier Hennie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue are Dr. Stephen Butler, Dr. Hennie Valkenier and co‐workers at Université Libre de Bruxelles, Loughborough University, Masaryk University, and the University of Bristol. The image depicts the transport of bicarbonate anions versus the spontaneous diffusion of CO2 across the lipid bilayer of a liposome. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202100491.
Sheathless microflow cytometer utilizing two bulk standing acoustic waves
Authors: Wang Ce , Ma Yuting , Chen Zhongxiang , Wu Yunliang , Song Feifei , Qiu Jianping , Shi Mengdie , Wu Xiaodong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn recent years, microflow cytometry has become a popular research field because of its potential to provide low‐cost and disposable chips for complex cell analyses. Herein, we demonstrate a sheathless microflow cytometer which integrates a bulk standing acoustic wave based microchip capable of three dimensional cell focusing. Flow cytometry was successfully demonstrated using this system with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.16% with standard calibration beads. The sensitivities calibrated by rainbow beads are 518 MEFL in fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) channel and 264 MEPE in P‐phycoerythrin (PE) channels, respectively. The linearities are more than 99% in both channels. The capability of the proposed microflow cytometer is further demonstrated by immunologically labeled leukocytes differentiation in blood. This acoustic‐based microflow cytometer did not require any sheath flows or complex structures and can be mass produced. Because of the simple fluid channel, the chip can be easily made pipeless, disposable for applications requiring no cross contamination. Moreover, with the gentle and bio‐compatible acoustic waves used, this technique is expected to maintain the viability of cells and other bioparticles.
Detection of retinal and blood Aβ oligomers with nanobodies
Authors: Habiba Umma , Descallar Joseph , Kreilaus Fabian , Adhikari Utpal K. , Kumar Sachin , Morley John W , Bui Bang V , Koronyo‐Hamaoui Maya , Tayebi Mourad 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionAbnormal retinal changes are increasingly recognized as an early pathological change in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although amyloid beta oligomers (Aβo) have been shown to accumulate in the blood and retina of AD patients and animals, it is not known whether the early Aβo deposition precedes their accumulation in brain.Methods and resultsUsing nanobodies targeting Aβ1‐40and Aβ1‐42oligomers we were able to detect Aβ oligomers in the retina and blood but not in the brain of 3‐month‐old APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, Aβ plaques were detected in the brain but not the retina of 3‐month‐old APP/PS1 mice.ConclusionThese results suggest that retinal accumulation of Aβo originates from peripheral blood and precedes cognitive decline and Aβo deposition in the brain. This provides a very strong basis to develop and implement an “eye test” for early detection of AD using nanobodies targeting retinal Aβ.
Fractal geometry applied to the analysis of cervix biopsy
Authors: Rodríguez‐Velásquez Javier Oswaldo , Barrios‐Arroyave Freddy Andrés , Correa‐Herrera Sandra Catalina , Grisales‐Gutiérrez Carlos Evelio , Prieto‐Bohórquez Signed Esperanza , Jattin‐Balcázar Jairo Javier , Ruiz‐Morales Jhon Jairo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundthe measurement of the spaces of occupation of irregular objects in the context of fractal geometry has had some applications at a cellular morphometric level, where characterizations of normality and disease have been established. The objective of the present study is to apply a fractal methodology to characterize images from cervical colposcopy.Materials and methodsa mathematical and geometrical characterization of 67 cell samples was performed by measuring cellular fractal characteristics through the Box‐Counting method, being nine normal, eight low‐intraepithelial lesions, 16 high‐intraepithelial lesions, eight carcinomas in situ, 20 squamous cell carcinomas and six endocervical carcinomas.Resultsthe values of fractal dimension of the nuclear and cytoplasmic borders with respect to the totality varied between 0.719 to 1128 and 0.81 to 1024 while the occupation spaces in the 2 pixels grid were between 293 to 1606 and 64 to 693 respectively and in the 4 pixels grid oscillated between 153 to 894 and 36 to 361, respectively. Exocervical cells values had sensitivities between 78.3% to 100% in order to differentiate them from different types of cervical lesions.Conclusionsaccording to the results obtained, the mathematical values found are suggestive of being able to differentiate between normality and some colposcopy‐guided cervical biopsy lesions.
Molecular approaches reveal weak sibship aggregation and a high dispersal propensity in a non‐native fish parasite
Authors: Prunier Jérôme G. , Saint‐Pé Keoni , Blanchet Simon , Loot Géraldine , Rey Olivier 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInferring parameters related to the aggregation pattern of parasites and to their dispersal propensity are important for predicting their ecological consequences and evolutionary potential. Nonetheless, it is notoriously difficult to infer these parameters from wildlife parasites given the difficulty in tracking these organisms. Molecular‐based inferences constitute a promising approach that has yet rarely been applied in the wild. Here, we combined several population genetic analyses including sibship reconstruction to document the genetic structure, patterns of sibship aggregation, and the dispersal dynamics of a non‐native parasite of fish, the freshwater copepod ectoparasite Tracheliastes polycolpus. We collected parasites according to a hierarchical sampling design, with the sampling of all parasites from all host individuals captured in eight sites spread along an upstream–downstream river gradient. Individual multilocus genotypes were obtained from 14 microsatellite markers, and used to assign parasites to full‐sib families and to investigate the genetic structure of T. polycolpus among both hosts and sampling sites. The distribution of full‐sibs obtained among the sampling sites was used to estimate individual dispersal distances within families. Our results showed that T. polycolpus sibs tend to be aggregated within sites but not within host individuals. We detected important upstream‐to‐downstream dispersal events of T. polycolpus between sites (modal distance: 25.4 km; 95% CI [22.9, 27.7]), becoming scarcer as the geographic distance from their family core location increases. Such a dispersal pattern likely contributes to the strong isolation‐by‐distance observed at the river scale. We also detected some downstream‐to‐upstream dispersal events (modal distance: 2.6 km; 95% CI [2.2–23.3]) that likely result from movements of infected hosts. Within each site, the dispersal of free‐living infective larvae among hosts likely contributes to increasing genetic diversity on hosts, possibly fostering the evolutionary potential of T. polycolpus.
Lewis Base‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Heterocyclic Alkenes with 2,2,2‐Trifluorodiazoethane (CF3CHN2): Access to Trifluoromethylated Pyrazolines and Pyrazoles
Authors: Cao Tingting , Yang Zhen , Sun Yunfang , Zhao Nannan , Lu Shan , Zhang Jing , Wang Lei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAn efficient Lewis base catalytic protocol to biologically important trifluoromethylated pyrazolines and pyrazoles is developed through triazene‐heterocyclic alkene cycloaddition reactions of an array of oxa‐/aza‐benzonorbornadienes and coumarins with CF3CHN2. This triazene‐ heterobicyclic alkene cycloaddition procedure features good functional group tolerance, scaffold diversity, and feasible late‐stage functionalization of some representative natural products.
A comparative study of CE‐SDS, SDS‐PAGE, and Simple Western—Precision, repeatability, and apparent molecular mass shifts by glycosylation
Authors: Scheller Christin , Krebs Finja , Wiesner Rebecca , Wätzig Hermann , Oltmann‐Norden Imke 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSDS gel electrophoresis is a commonly used approach for monitoring purity and apparent molecular mass (Mr) of proteins, especially in the field of quality control of biopharmaceutical proteins. The technological installation of CE‐SDS as the replacement of the slab gel technique (SDS‐PAGE) is still in progress, leading to a continuous improvement of CE‐SDS instruments. Various CE‐SDS instruments, namely Maurice (CE‐SDS/CE‐SDS PLUS) and Wes by ProteinSimple as well as the microchip gel electrophoresis system LabChip® GXII Touch™ HT by PerkinElmer were tested for precision and repeatability compared to SDS‐PAGE (Bio‐Rad). For assessing these quality control parameters, standard model proteins with minor post‐translational modifications were used. Overall, it can be concluded that the CE‐SDS‐based methods are similar to SDS‐PAGE with respect to these parameters. Quality characteristics of test systems gain more significance by testing proteins that do not behave like model proteins. Therefore, glycosylated proteins were analyzed to comparatively investigate the influence of glycosylation on Mr determination in the different instruments. In some cases, high deviations were found both among the methods and with regard to reference values. This article provides possible explanations for these findings.
Concentration‐ and time‐dependent induction of Cyp1a and DNA damage response by benzo(a)pyrene in LMH three‐dimensional spheroids
Authors: Sharin Tasnia , Gyasi Helina , Jones Stephanie P. , Crump Doug , O'Brien Jason M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn vitro liver toxicity tests performed using cell lines cultured as two‐dimensional (2D) monolayer have limited CYP450 activity and may be inadequate for screening chemicals that require activation to exert toxicity. Metabolic competence is greatly improved using three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture. In this study, Cyp1a induction, and subsequent DNA damage response induced by benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were compared in 2D monolayer cells and 3D spheroids of the chicken hepatic cell line, LMH. Cells were exposed to BaP (0.1–100 μM) for different durations: 8, 24, 35, or 48 hr. Cyp1a activity, mRNA expression of Cyp1a and DNA damage response (DDR) genes, and phosphorylation of H2AX (γH2AX) were determined using the EROD assay, a customized PCR array, and flow cytometry, respectively. EROD activity was induced at 8 hr and achieved maximal induction at 24 hr in spheroids; earlier time points than for monolayer cells. In spheroids, BaP exposure resulted in a concentration‐dependent increase in Cyp1a4 mRNA expression at 8 hr followed by upregulation of DDR genes at 24 hr, whereas Cyp1a4 mRNA induction was only observed at 48 hr in monolayer cells. Cyp1a5 mRNA was induced at 8 hr in monolayer cells but maximum induction was greater in spheroids. An increase in γH2AX was observed at 24 hr in spheroids; this endpoint was not evaluated in monolayer cells. These results suggest that BaP metabolism precedes the DNA damage response and occurs earlier in 3D spheroids. This study demonstrates that LMH 3D spheroids could be a suitable metabolically‐competent in vitro model to measure genotoxicity of chemicals that require metabolic activation by Cyp1a.
Lactoferrin could alleviate liver injury caused by Maillard reaction products with furan ring through regulating necroptosis pathway
Authors: Fan Linlin , Wang Fengen , Yao Qianqian , Wu Haoming , Wen Fang , Wang Jiaqi , Li Huiying , Zheng Nan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAs classical MRPs, the toxic effects of furosine, pyralline, and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) in liver tissue are evaluated and the related mechanism is investigated here, and the protective effects of lactoferrin on liver injury caused by Maillard reaction products (MRPs) with furan ring are proved in vitro and in vivo. First, we detect the concentrations of furosine, pyralline, and 5‐HMF in several foods using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Then, the effects of the three MRPs on liver cells (HL‐7702) viability, as well as liver tissue, are performed and evaluated. Furthermore, the regulations of three MRPs on necroptosis‐related pathway in liver cells are investigated. Additionally, the effects of lactoferrin in alleviating liver injury, as well as regulating necroptosis pathway, were evaluated. Results elucidate that lactoferrin protects liver injury caused by MRPs with furan ring structure through activating RIPK1/RIPK3/p‐MLKL necroptosis pathway and downstream inflammatory reaction.
Effect of garlic powder supplementation on blood pressure and hs‐C‐reactive protein among nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Soleimani Davood , Parisa Moosavian Seyedeh , Zolfaghari Hamid , Paknahad Zamzam 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBased on the anti‐inflammatory and antihypertensive properties of garlic, the current study was designed to evaluate the garlic powder effects on blood pressure and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) among Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease patients (NAFLD). This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial study was conducted on 110 patients with NAFLD. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, receiving two tablets of either 400 mg garlic or placebo daily for 15 weeks. At baseline and the end of the study, blood pressure and hs‐CRP were determined. Of 110 patients enrolled in the trial, 98 subjects were included in the final analysis. After the intervention, systolic blood pressures (SBP) (mean: −7.89; 95%CI:‒11.39 to −4.39 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (mean: −5.38; 95%CI: −7.77 to −3 mm Hg), and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) (mean: −6:95%CI: −8.4 to −3.6 mm Hg) decreased significantly in the garlic group as compared to the placebo group. Also, the percentage of reduced hs‐CRP was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group (mean: −16.1; 95%CI: −32.7 to −0.53; p = .035). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the percentage change in hs‐CRP and percentage changes in SBP (r = 0.221; p = .029), DBP (r = 0.166; p = .012), and MAP (r = 0.210; p = .038). Garlic supplementation can be a safe and potentially adjunct treatment to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disorders in patients with NAFLD.
Distinct effects of prematurity on MRI metrics of brain functional connectivity, activity, and structure: Univariate and multivariate analyses
Authors: Chiarelli Antonio M. , Sestieri Carlo , Navarra Riccardo , Wise Richard G. , Caulo Massimo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPremature birth affects the developmental trajectory of the brain during a period of intense maturation with possible lifelong consequences. To better understand the effect of prematurity on brain structure and function, we performed blood‐oxygen‐level dependent (BOLD) and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 40 weeks of postmenstrual age on 88 newborns with variable gestational age (GA) at birth and no evident radiological alterations. We extracted measures of resting‐state functional connectivity and activity in a set of 90 cortical and subcortical brain regions through the evaluation of BOLD correlations between regions and of fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (fALFF) within regions, respectively. Anatomical information was acquired through the assessment of regional volumes. We performed univariate analyses on each metric to examine the association with GA at birth, the spatial distribution of the effects, and the consistency across metrics. Moreover, a data‐driven multivariate analysis (i.e., Machine Learning) framework exploited the high dimensionality of the data to assess the sensitivity of each metric to the effect of premature birth. Prematurity was associated with bidirectional alterations of functional connectivity and regional volume and, to a lesser extent, of fALFF. Notably, the effects of prematurity on functional connectivity were spatially diffuse, mainly within cortical regions, whereas effects on regional volume and fALFF were more focal, involving subcortical structures. While the two analytical approaches delivered consistent results, the multivariate analysis was more sensitive in capturing the complex pattern of prematurity effects. Future studies might apply multivariate frameworks to identify premature infants at risk of a negative neurodevelopmental outcome.
The GEOMON network of Czech catchments provides long‐term insights into altered forest biogeochemistry: From acid atmospheric deposition to climate change
Authors: Oulehle Filip , Fischer Milan , Hruška Jakub , Chuman Tomáš , Krám Pavel , Navrátil Tomáš , Tesař Miroslav , Trnka Miroslav 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn 1994, a network of small catchments (GEOMON) was established in the Czech Republic to determine input–output element fluxes in semi‐natural forest ecosystems recovering from anthropogenic acidification. The network consists from 16 catchments and the primary observations of elements fluxes were complemented by monitoring of biomass stock, element pools in soil and vegetation, and the main water balance components. Over last three decades, reductions of SO2, NOx and NH3 emissions were followed by sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition reductions of 75% and 30%, respectively. Steeper declines of strong acid anion concentrations compared to cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K, NH4) in precipitation resulted in precipitation pH increase from 4.5 to 5.2 in bulk precipitation and from 4.0 to 5.1 in spruce throughfall. Stream chemistry responded to changes in deposition: S leaching declined. However at majority of catchments soils acted as a net source of S to runoff, delaying recovery. Stream pH increased at acidic streams (pH < 6) and aluminium concentration decreased. Stream nitrate (NO3) concentration declined by 60%, considerably more than N deposition. Stream NO3 concentration was tightly positively related to stream total dissolved nitrogen to total phosphorus (P) ratio, suggesting the role of P availability on N retention. Trends in dissolved organic carbon fluxes responded to both acidification recovery and to runoff temporal variation. An exceptional drought occurred between 2014 and 2019. Over this recent period, streamflow decreased by ≈ 40% on average compared to 1990s, due to the increases of soil evaporation and vegetation transpiration by ≈ 30% and declines in precipitation by ≈ 15% on average across the elevational gradient. Sharp decreases of stream runoff at catchments <650 m a.s.l. corresponded to areas of recent forest decline caused by bark beetle infestation on drought stressed spruce forests. Understanding of the interactions among legacies of acidification and eutrophication, drought effects on the water cycle and forest disturbance dynamics is requisite for effective management of forested ecosystems under anthropogenic influence.
The prognostic value of weight and body composition changes in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab
Authors: Degens Juliette H.R.J. , Dingemans Anne‐Marie C. , Willemsen Anna C.H. , Gietema Hester A. , Hurkmans Daan P. , Aerts Joachim G. , Hendriks Lizza E.L. , Schols Annemie M.W.J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundIt is not well known to what extent effectiveness of treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors in stage IV non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is influenced by weight loss and changes in body composition. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate body composition changes in relation to early weight change and overall survival (OS) in stage IV NSCLC patients treated with second‐line nivolumab.MethodsAll patients with stage IV NSCLC, who were treated with second‐line nivolumab between June 2015 and December 2018 at Maastricht University Medical Center, were evaluated. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were assessed at the first lumbar level on computed tomography images obtained before initiation of nivolumab and at week 6 of treatment. The contribution of changes in body weight (defined as >2% loss), SMM, VAT, and SAT to OS was analysed by Kaplan–Meier method and adjusted for clinical confounders in a Cox regression analysis. The results from the study cohort were validated in another Dutch cohort from Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam.ResultsOne hundred and six patients were included in the study cohort. Loss of body weight of >2% at week 6 was an independent predictor for poor OS (hazard ratio 2.39, 95% confidence interval 1.51–3.79, P < 0.001) when adjusted for gender, >1 organ with metastasis, pretreatment hypoalbumenaemia, and pretreatment elevated C‐reactive protein. The result was confirmed in the validation cohort (N = 62). Loss of SMM as a feature of cancer cachexia did not significantly predict OS in both cohorts. Significant (>2%) weight loss during treatment was reflected by a significant loss of VAT and SAT, while loss of SMM was comparable between weight‐stable and weight‐losing patients.ConclusionsWeight loss, characterized by loss of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, at week 6 of treatment with nivolumab, is a significant poor prognostic factor for survival in patients with Stage IV NSCLC.