bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a New cryo-S(T)EM Technique Allowing Simultaneous STEM and SEM Imaging and its Application to Biological Samples
Authors: Usukura Jiro , Narita Akihiro , Matsumoto Tomoharu , Usukura Eiji , Sunaoshi Takeshi , Watanabe Syunya , Tamba Yusuke , Nagakubo Yasuhira , Mizuo Takashi , Azuma Junzo , Osumi Masako , Nimura Kazutaka , Tamochi Ryuichiro , Ose Yoichi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A new type of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-S(T)EM) technique made possible by installing a new cryo-transfer holder and an anti-contamination trap on a scanning electron microscope (Hitachi SU9000) allowed simultaneous collection of both transmission (transmission electron microscopy, TEM) images and surface (scanning electron microscopy, SEM) images at -180°C. The ultimate temperatures of the cryo-transfer holder and the anti-contamination trap reached − 190°C and − 210°C, respectively, by applying a liquid nitrogen slush. The TEM images obtained by the new cryo-S(T)EM method showed quality equal or superior to that of images obtained by conventional 100 kV TEM, although the resolution did not improve at -180°C due to slight drifting of the sample stage. Cryo-S(T)EM also had the unexpected advantage of enabling observations of intracellular structures in thick frozen cells by accelerating the sublimation of ice surrounding the specimens. The spatial architecture of the cytoskeleton, poly-ribosome-chains, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, etc., became visible in thick frozen cells via sufficient (deep) sublimation of ice in combination with the unroofing method. In particular, it should be noted that the ER appeared as a wide and flat structure beneath the cell membrane while forming a large spatial network together with tubular ER.
Growth in Ever-Increasing Acidity Condition Enhanced the Adaption and Bioleaching of Leptospirlium Ferriphilum
Authors: Liu Ronghui , Zhou Hongbo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Low pH could eliminate the jarosite accumulation and improve the interfacial reaction rate during bioleaching process. However, a great challenge existed between microbial activity and bioleaching ability in low pH conditions. This study demonstrated that the adaption and bioleaching of Leptospirilum ferriphilum could be improved after long term adaptive evolution under acidity condition. It was found that the acidity adapted strain showed robust activity in wider pH, high concentration of ferrous iron and lower temperature. Although the enhancement for heavy metal tolerance was limited, the tolerance for MgSO4, Na2SO4 and organic matter was great. More importantly, both pyrite and printed circuit boards bioleaching revealed the higher bioleaching ability of the acid-resistant strain. These adaptation and bioleaching details provided an available approach for the improvement of bioleaching techniques.
Berberine Promotes TREM2-Dependent Phagocytosis of Amyloid-β By Microglia
Authors: Wang Yang-Yang , Huang Zhen-Ting , Zou Qian , Pu Yin-Shuang , Yuan Ming-Hao , Jing Feng , Wang Sheng-Yuan , Cai Zhiyou 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The production and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) is the most important pathological feature of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and the deficiency of Aβ clearance contributes to the progression of AD. TREM2-dependent microglial activation may be the key to Aβ clearance. BBR plays the neuroprotective role in the progression of AD by inhibiting Aβ production and promoting Aβ degradation. However, the specific relationship between BBR and microglial activation remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether BBR can inhibit the pathological progression of Aβ in AD by changing the phenotype of microglia.Methods: Western blot and Immunofluorescence staining were applied to detect the effects of BBR on the transformation of resting microglia to different phenotypes. ELISA, Immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence were used to detect the effect of BBR on microglial phagocytosis of Aβ. Morris water maze (MWM) test was applied to test the effect of BBR on the spatial learning and memory of experimental animals.Results: Firstly, BBR promoted the phagocytosis of Aβ1-42 by BV2 cells. Secondly, BBR promoted the changes of microglia to phenotypes M2 and DAM in vivo and in vitro, which were in close proximity to Aβ and reduced Aβ aggregation. Finally, BBR ameliorated spatial learning and memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice.Conclusion: BBR could enhance the phagocytosis of microglia, which decreased Aβ level and improved the spatial learning and memory of APP/PS1 mice.
Chlorophyll derivative activated with sunlight for malaria vector control: a small-scale field study
Authors: Abdelkader Mahmoud , El-Tayeb Tarek 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease transmitted through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito; hence, it could be prevented by a proper vector control. To date, this could be achieved by controlling adult mosquitoes using synthetic chemicals such as DDT for indoor residual spraying (IRS) and pyrethroid-treated bed nets. These approaches possess potential toxicities; therefore, a new ecologically safe technology for vector control was developed in this study.
Methods

Small-scale field studies were performed in the swamp with anopheline larvae from different sub-saharan countries, such as Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia. Photodynamic control of anopheles larvae was employed using a chlorophyll derivative, pheophorbide-a (Ph-a) as a photosensitizer and sunlight as a light source. This could interrupt the life cycle of the Anopheles mosquitoes from the larval stage, which induces the interruption of the malaria disease cycle.
Results

Ph-a accumulates in the larval body and upon sunlight exposure, it induces oxidative stress, which causes 85 to 100% larval death 24 hours after treatment with Ph-a. This photosensitizer’s effect persisted up to 21 days in the new generations in the same breeding site (residual effect). It is a target selective formula that has shown no effect on the other beneficial organisms in the breeding site.
Conclusions

This technique was found to be both effective and highly selective. It achieved a high mortality rate of mosquito larvae, while maintaining the highest levels of human safety and environmental friendliness.
Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy in female-to-male transsexual: does testosterone induce anatomopatological changes? A retrospective study
Authors: Pereda Marina Martin , Vergara Maria Amores , Morente Lorena Sabonet , Mesa Ernesto Gonzalez , Reina Pilar Espejo , Lopez Jesus S. Jimenez 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Testosterone replacement treatment as part of gender reassignment therapy has repercussions on the final pathological result of the hysterectomies that are performed. The objective of this review is to analyze the surgical pieces of hysterectomies performed on FTM patients (female-to-male) and to describe possible changes related to testosterone. There are few studies and with a low number of patients where this possible repercussion is addressed.
Methods

A retrospective study was carried out, which included 117 patients between the ages of 21 and 56, operated on between 2010 and 2019, with at least an average duration of treatment of 5 years before gender reassignment surgery. Main outcome measure were changes in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizin hormone (LH), testosterone (TST) and estradiol in blood, both preoperatively and postoperatively. Also the differente types of endometrium and ovaries found in histerectomy pieces.
Results

the pathological study revealed that 95 (80.3%) cases showed an atrophic endometrium, 7 (6%) cases an endometrium with secretory-type changes, and 15 (13.7%) cases with weakly proliferating endometrium.
Conclusions

Our data revealed that the most frequent histology after chronic administration of parenteral testosterone was such compatible with atrophic endometrium, coinciding with what has been published in the literature up to now. More long-term studies on the effects of parenteral testosterone are still needed.
Natural Radiation Exposure and Carotid Intima-media Thickness Among Women in Karunagappally, Kerala, India.
Authors: Nandakumar Athira , Sreeku Ananthakrishnakurup , Nair Abhilash N , Amma Jayalekshmi Padmavathy , Ahammed Riyaz , Nair Rekha A , Nair Raghu Ram K , Koriyama Chihaya , Sasaki Michiya , Akiba Suminori , Nakamura Seiichi , Konishi Junji , Endo Keigo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between natural radiation exposure and intima-media thickness (IMT), an atherosclerosis indicator, among female residents in Karunagappally, Kerala, South India, which is known to have areas with high natural background radiation (HNBR) derived mainly from thorium.Methods: Cumulative radiation doses received during childhood, adulthood, and entire life were estimated on the basis of annual indoor and outdoor radiation doses and hours spent indoors and outdoors. In 2013-2014, IMT of the carotid artery was measured with ultrasonography among 400 women aged 29-60 years in Karunagappally. Since there were three subjects with outlying maximum IMT values, corrected IMT values excluding those outliers were calculated. For statistical analysis, raw and corrected IMT values were used. Results: The regression analysis adjusting for age and religion showed a statistically significant association of mean and maximum IMT with radiation. The most strongly related radiation dose was with the adult dose. Its association with IMT became stronger when paediatric dose was also taken into account. When adjusted for fasting blood sugar and HbA1c, adult dose was statistically significantly related to raw mean IMT (P=0.008) and corrected mean IMT (P=0.018). Maximum IMT values were also related to adult doses but the association was not statistically significant (raw maximum IMT, P=0.061 and corrected maximum IMT, P=0.138). Conclusions: Among female residents in the HNBR areas in south India, mean IMT statistically significantly increased in relation to the adult dose. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the causal association of the observation.
Are Employees in Oil and Gas Companies More Vulnerable to Hypertension Than the General Population of Working Age? Evidence From Men and Women in Northwest of China
Authors: Liang Ying , Che Tianle , Kyriacou Kyriacos , Liu Siming , Zhang Haiyue , Li Ling , Mi Hai , Shang Lei , Tan Zhijun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective To examine whether the employees of an oil and gas company in Shaanxi Province are more vulnerable to hypertension than the general residents, aged 18-60, living in the same geographical region. Design Cross-sectional analysis of the hypertension prevalence of two different population by using propensity score matching (PSM). Participants Employees of Changqing Oil Field Filiale took part in Health Risk Factors Survey (2013) and residents took part in the National Health Service Survey (2013) in Shaanxi Province, China. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was hypertention which was defined as systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, or self-reported antihypertensive medication use in the previous 2 weeks, or self-reported history of hypertention. Results Changqing employees were much younger, with a higher proportion of men, and their lifestyle was less healthy, with higher BMI, more drinkers and smokers. Before PSM, hypertension prevalence of Changqing employees was slightly lower than Shaanxi residents (5.8% vs 7.6%). After PSM, the results of the adjusted logistic model showed that Changqing employees were more likely to be hypertensive (OR =1.10, 95% CI =1.02-1.19, P =0.01). Among the male samples, Changqing employees were more likely to be hypertensive (OR =1.43, 95% CI =1.31-1.58, P <0.01), while the opposite was true for the female samples (OR=0.64, 95%CI=0.56-0.73, P<0.01). Conclusion Changqing’s employees, as a whole, and male employees in particular, were more vulnerable to hypertension than the general residents of the region. However, the reverse was found for female employees.
Differential Phenotype of Primary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia and Other Bilateral Adrenal Lesions With Associated Subclinical Hypercortisolism. Study of 98 Patients.
Authors: Rojano Nuria Bengoa , Fernández-Argüeso María , Botella-Carretero Jose Ignacio , Pascual-Corrales Eider , Araujo-Castro Marta 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) with subclinical hypercortisolism. Also to analyse the differential phenotype of patients with PBMAH compared to other bilateral adrenal lesions which do not meet PBMAH definition.Methods: Retrospective study of patients with AIs diagnosed in our centre between 2013 and 2019 (n=730). Patients with bilateral disease and associated subclinical hypercortisolism (possible ACS or ACS) were included (n=98). Possible ACS and ACS were defined as a cortisol post-1mg-dexamethasone suppression test (DST)>1.8µg/dl but ≤5.0µg/dl and >5.0µg/dl. without specific clinical signs of Cushing´s syndrome, respectively. PBMAH diagnosis was established in patients with subclinical hypercortisolism, hyperplasia and bilateral adrenal nodules >1cm.Results: PBMAH was confirmed in 31.6% of bilateral AIs with subclinical hypercortisolism. Patients with PBMAH presented a higher prevalence of ACS than non-PBMHA (OR 4.1, 95%CI 1.38-12.09, P=0.010), but differences disappeared after adjusting by tumour size and total adenomatous mass (adjusted OR 2.3, 95%CI=0.65-8.27 and 2.3, 95%CI 0.47-11.21, respectively). However, no significant differences in the cardiometabolic profile of both groups were observed. Tumour size and total adenomatous mass were significantly higher in PBMAH (30.2±12.16 vs 24.3±8.47, P=0.010 and 53.9±20.8 vs 43.3±14.62, P=0.023).Conclusion: PBMAH is common in patients with incidentally detected bilateral adrenals lesions with associated subclinical hypercortisolism. The higher prevalence of ACS in PBMAH compared to non-PBMAH is associated with a higher tumour size and total adenomatous mass in PBMHA, but no differences in the cardiometabolic profile were observed between both groups.
Trichoderma Koningiopsis (Hypocreaceae) has the Smallest Mitogenome of the Genus Trichoderma
Authors: Castrillo María Lorena , Bich Gustavo Angel , Zapata Pedro Dario , Saparrat Mario Carlos Nazareno , Villalba Laura Lidia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma koningiopsis was determined using the Illumina next-generation sequencing technology. We used data from our recent Illumina NGS-based project of T. koningiopsis genome sequencing to study its mitochondrial genome. The mitogenome was assembled, annotated, and compared with other mitogenomes. Trichoderma koningiopsis strain POS7 mitogenome is a circular molecule of 27,560 bp long with a GC content of 27.70%. It harbours the whole complement of the 14 conserved mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCG) such as atp6, atp8, atp9, cox1, cox2, cox3, cob, nad1, nad2, nad3, nad4, nad4L, nad5, and nad6, also found in other Hypocreales. The mitogenome also contains two ribosomal RNA genes and 26 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 5 of them with more than one copy. Other genes also present in the assembled mitochondrial genome are a small rRNA subunit and a large rRNA subunit containing ribosomal protein S3 gene. A phylogenetic analysis was done using the 14 PCGs genes of T. koningiopsis strain POS7 mitogenome to compare them with those from other fungi of the Subphyla Pezizomycotina and Saccharomycotina. T. koningiopsis strain POS7 was clustered together with other representatives of Trichoderma lineage, within the Hypocreales group, which is also supported by previous phylogenetic studies based on nuclear markers. The characterization of mitochondrial genome of T. koningiopsis contributes to the understanding of phylogeny and evolution of Hypocreales.
Medical Costs of Children Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: the Role and Possible Economic Impact of WES in Early Diagnosis
Authors: Keizer R.A.C.M. Olde , Marouane A. , Deden A.C. , Zelst-Stams W.A.G. van , de Boode W.P. , Keusters W.R. , Henneman L. , Amstel J.K. Ploos van , Frederix Gerardus , Vissers L.E.L.M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study is to provide an overview of average healthcare costs for patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to assess possible impact of implementing Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) on these total healthcare costs.Methods: We retrospectively collected postnatal healthcare data of all patients admitted to the level IV NICU at the Radboudumc (October 2013-October 2015) and linked unit costs to these healthcare consumptions. Average healthcare costs were calculated and a distinction between patients was made based on performance of genetic tests and the presence of congenital anomalies (CAs).Results: Overall, €26,627 was spend per patient. Genetic costs accounted for 2.3% of all costs. Healthcare costs were higher for patients with CAs compared to patients without CAs. Patients with genetic diagnostics were also more expensive then patients without genetic diagnostics. When performing trio-WES for all patients instead of current diagnostics, overall healthcare costs will increase with 22.2%. In case only patients with CAs receive trio-WES, average per patient healthcare costs will increase with 5.3%. Performing trio-WES only for patients with multiple CAs did not result in any cost changes.Conclusions: Genetic diagnostic testing accounted for a small fraction of total costs. By implementing trio-WES as genetic diagnostic test for all patients with CAs there is a limited increase in overall healthcare budget. Not only the diagnostic yield of this cohort will increase, but implementing trio-WES for all patients with CAs may also allow for improved personalized treatments options guided by the diagnoses made.
Involvement of subventricular zone shortened the survival of pediatric glioblastoma
Authors: Jiao Yang , Wang Meng , Liu Xueyou , Wang Juankuan , Wang Zeming , Luo Wenzheng , Yu Yang , Sun Hongwei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
PURPOSE

Glioblastoma involved with subventricular zone (SVZ) predicted a worse outcome in adult, but we know less about it based on children population due to the rarity of pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM). We performed this study to probe into the clinical and prognostic features of glioblastoma involved with SVZ in children.
METHODS

We selected thirty-one patients diagnosed with pediatric supratentorial glioblastoma at our department between January 2015 and January 2020. Clinical data and prognostic results were reviewed retrospectively.
RESULTS

Involvement of SVZ was associated with larger tumor volume (p = 0.007), lower edema index (EI) (p = 0.010), passive adjuvant therapy (p = 0.029), worse progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001), it didn’t correlate to age, sex, preoperative KPS, extent of resection (EOR), tumor side, Ki-67, expression of P53 and ATRX and mutation of IDH1 and IDH2 genes. Independent of EOR and adjuvant therapies, involvement of SVZ was a prognostic factor of PFS and OS in pGBM.
CONCLUSION

Involvement of SVZ was an independent prognostic factor of PFS and OS in pGBM, and it associated with large volume, mild edema and passive adjuvant therapy. More research should be developed to optimize the treatment strategy of pGBM involved with SVZ.
Trunk Fat Estimation According To Gender In Childhood Through Basic Somatic Readings. An Opportunity for Improving Girl’S Evaluation
Authors: Moya Manuel , Pérez-Fernández Virginia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Easy appraisal of trunk fat and the eventual cardiometabolic risk of pediatric obesity is a present requirement. Its estimators Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) and Relative Fat Mass pediatric (RFMp, expressed as % of total fat content), can be a complement of widely accepted BMI.Methods: 472 children (39% boys), classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese (Nutritional groups, NG) according to BMI Z-score after their strictly obtained anthropometric initial data, with ad hoc exclusion criteria. Calculation of WHtR and RFMp was done for each nutritional group and sex, as associations through multiple linear regression (MLR) and differences among sexes (medians, IQR).Results: Age (mean (95% CI)), 10.8 y (10.1- 11.1). Estimators values in: All group WHtR 0.5 (0.49 – 0.51), RFMp% 32.3 (31.7 – 33.0); Underweight, WHtR 0.41 (0.40 – 0.41), RFMp (%) 22.8 (21.2 – 24.4); Normal weight, WHtR 0.46 (0.45 – 0.47), RFMp(%) 28.9 (28.1 – 29.7); Overweight, WHtR 0.51 (0.50 – 0.52), RFMp(%) 34.2 (33.3 – 35.1) and Obese WHtR 0.56 (0.55 – 0.57), RFMp(%) 37.8 (36.9 – 38.6). Associations (NG; independent variables): In NG adjusted R² values were between 0.74-0.78. In All group Beta coefficients were for RFMp 3.36 (P< 0.001) for girls; for waist circumference (WC 2.97 (P< 0.001) and for WHtR were respectively -0.01 (p< 0.001) and 0.03 (p< 0.001) Sex differences: BMI were in NG without gender differences (Mann-W’s U). Whereas WHtR (median IQR) differ (M vs F) respectively in: All group 0.49 (0.45 - 0.54) vs 0.52 (0.45 - 0.56), p<0.004; in Overweight 0.51 (0.48 – 0.53) vs 0.54 (0.51 – 0.55), p< 0.001; in Obese 0.55 (0.52 – 0.57) vs 0.57 (0.54 – 0.60), p< 0.004. RFMp (%): in All 29.21 (24.27 – 32.92) vs 36.63 (30.2 – 39.51), p< 0.001; in Overweight 31.24 (28.35 – 32.35) vs 37.95 (35.75 – 38.82), p<0.001 and in Obese 35.89 (32.05 – 36.15) vs 40.63 (38.27 – 42.42), p<0.001.Conclusions: WHtR and RFMp are simple and reliable indexes not requiring centile charts. Their values, including waist circumference, can estimate the different trunk fat component in boys and girls better than BMI, especially if overweight and obese. RFMp proved to be more reliable as it considers gender. Reasonably, both should be included in routine anthropometric readings.
Synthesis and Characterization of CSH/CS/n-HA Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Gong Chunhua , Tang Haixia , Wu Yanbo , Guo Juan , Guo Ruixue , bi yongguang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this paper, chitosan/hydroxyapatite (CS/n-HA) were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted precipitation combined with inverse crosslinking-emulsion method. In order to obtain a scaffold material with excellent properties, Calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) were combined with CS-HA obtained CSH/CS/n-HA composite scaffold via setting citric acid as solidifying liquid, which possessed better biodegradability, bioactivity, mechanical properties. The physicochemical, morphological properties of scaffolds were characterized by FTIR, XRD and TFSEM. In addition, explored were the mechanical, degradable, biocompatibility and iron release properties. The mechanical strength study indicated that the compressive strength of the porous composite scaffold was influenced by adding an appropriate amount of CS/n-HA composite microspheres. It was proved that the composite scaffold with 6% CS/n-HA content obtained the highest mechanical strength (17.46±1.29 MPa). The results illustrated that the composite scaffold possessed biodegradability and can form hydroxyapatite by dynamic balance of Ca and P elements. The hemolysis tests demonstrate that materials are non-hemolytic and have good blood compatibility. Therefore, the developed composite scaffolds are safe medical inorganic materials, which can potentially be applied in bone tissue engineering.