bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biphasic effect of mechanical stress on lymphocyte activation
Authors: Yassouf Mhd Yousuf , Zhang Xu , Huang Zisheng , Zhai Da , Sekiya Reiko , Kawabata Tsuyoshi , Li Tao‐Sheng 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMechanical forces can modulate the immune response, mostly described as promoting the activation of immune cells, but the role and mechanism of pathological levels of mechanical stress in lymphocyte activation have not been focused on before. By an ex vivo experimental approach, we observed that mechanical stressing of murine spleen lymphocytes with 50 mmHg for 3 h induced the nuclear localization of NFAT1, increased C‐Jun, and increased the expression of early activation marker CD69 in resting CD8+ cells. Interestingly, 50 mmHg mechanical stressing induced the nuclear localization of NFAT1; but conversely decreased C‐Jun and inhibited the expression of CD69 in lymphocytes under lipopolysaccharide or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate/ionomycin stimulation. Additionally, we observed similar changes trends when comparing RNA‐seq data of hypertensive and normotensive COVID‐19 patients. Our results indicate a biphasic effect of mechanical stress on lymphocyte activation, which provides insight into the variety of immune responses in pathologies involving elevated mechanical stress.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives as anticancer agents and potential EGFR inhibitors
Authors: Osmaniye Derya , Görgülü Şennur , Sağlık Begüm Nurpelin , Levent Serkan , Özkay Yusuf , Kaplancıklı Zafer Asım 
Published: November 2021

AbstractEGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) tyrosine kinases are frequently used in recent years, especially in small cell lung cancer. As with all other anticancer drugs, problems such as high side‐effect profiles and resistance to anticancer drugs call for new antiproliferative compounds. In the light of the above information, novel quinoxalin‐oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized as EGFR inhibitors in this study. Synthesis of compounds (3a–3j) was performed according to the literature methods. Their structures were elucidated by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and HRMS spectroscopic methods. Structure elucidation was performed for compound 3e using 2D NMR technique. MTT test was performed to assess the cell proliferation effects of the different compounds on lung and mammary cell lines (A549, MCF7). In addition, obtained compounds (3a–3j) were screened against healthy CCD19‐Lu cell line (human lung fibroblast normal cells) to determine selectivity of the cytotoxic activities. Among the tested compounds, 3e and 3j showed significant cytotoxic activity against A549 cancer cell. Moreover, compound 3g and 3h displayed good activity. And the compounds 3e and 3j performed significant EGFR inhibition. Interaction modes of the compounds 3e, 3j were investigated against EGFR tyrosine kinase by means of docking studies. As a result of the studies, the importance of the quinoxaline ring and the NO2 substituent has been understood. In future studies, it is planned to make modifications by keeping these two structures constant. The activity can be contributed by using other heterocyclic rings instead of the oxadizaole ring.
Investigation of Effects of Gadolinium‐Based Contrast Agents on Uterine Contractility Using Isolated Rat Myometrium
Authors: Dinç Gülseren , Salihoğlu Arif K. , Ozgoren Burak , Akkaya Selçuk , Ayar Ahmet 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundDespite concerns about safety, gadolinium‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) are still used for abdominal and pelvic imaging during pregnancy. Researchers have mainly focused on teratogenicity, while very little is known about their possible direct effects on uterine contractility, yet free gadolinium potentially impacts contractility through interaction with calcium channels.PurposeTo investigate possible effects of selected GBCAs (namely gadoteridol, gadoversetamide, gadobutrol, gadoterate meglumine, and gadoxetic acid) on the contractility of rat myometrium.Study TypeIn vitro organ bath study.Animal ModelMyometria were isolated from adult (10–12 weeks old) Sprague Dawley rats, both pregnant (N = 8) and nonpregnant (N = 36).Field Strength/SequenceNA.AssessmentMyometrial strips were suspended in tissue bath containing physiological saline and isometric contractions were recorded. GBCAs were added to the tissue bath cumulatively, and their effects on contractility parameters (quantified by amplitude, frequency, and area under contractility curve [AUC]) were evaluated by 10‐minute intervals.Statistical TestsNormality data, checked by Shapiro–Wilk test, were transformed by arcsine when needed. One‐ or two‐way analysis of variance was performed, where appropriate, followed by Student–Newman–Keuls test. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsAll of the assayed GBCAs elicited some alterations in the myometrial contractility in a concentration‐dependent manner. Gadoterate meglumine, gadoxetic acid, and gadoversetamide caused a concentration‐dependent significant attenuation in AUC (oxytocin‐induced, from 100% during control period to 45.1 ± 9.0% (nonpregnant) and 59.9 ± 8.5% (pregnant), for 90 μM gadoterate meglumine; respectively), and frequency of the spontaneous and oxytocin‐induced contractions. Gadobutrol and gadoteridol at highest dose significantly attenuated mean AUC and frequency of oxytocin‐induced contractions of nonpregnant myometrium.Data ConclusionResults from this in vitro study indicate that GBCAs elicit modulation of myometrial contractions at clinically relevant concentrations. These effects may account, at least partially, for the known potential side effects (rare cases of miscarriages and elective abortion) of these agents.Level of Evidence1Technical EfficacyStage 5
Nanobioremediation of heavy metals: Perspectives and challenges
Authors:   Sunanda , Misra Modhurima , Ghosh Sachan Shashwati 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSustainable agriculture and humanity's civilization rest upon valuable natural resources such as earth and water, which have gone maximal exploitation and have been deteriorated by human activities. Heavy metals are natural components and one of the major pollutants of our environment, with a high atomic number and five times the density of water. The conventional physicochemical treatments for metal removal being cost‐intensive, have naturally paved the way for bioremediation, which is an attractive and economical alternative. Over the last few years, bionanotechnology has emerged as a useful tool in the remediation of heavy metals. The elimination of heavy metals continues to be a burning issue in research, and nanomaterials provide a particular affinity as well as high surface area for heavy metal adsorption. A chemically engineered nanoparticle can be expensive and also requires the use of toxic agents which may be undesirable for the environment. To cut the cost and produce clean, ecofriendly nanoparticles, biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles can be accomplished with the help of different microorganisms as well as plants, which can be further exploited for heavy metal remediation.
Evolution of South China Sea and East Asian monsoon from spring to summer by the progression of daily weather types
Authors: Qian Jian‐Hua , Lu Mong‐Ming , Sui Chung‐Hsiung 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe monsoon development in the early rainy season in East Asia is analysed by the evolution of daily weather types (WTs). The WTs are classified by a k‐means clustering analysis based on 850 hPa winds from April 1 to July 31 in the 40‐year period of 1979–2018. Five WTs are identified, typifying the progression of weather regimes in the monsoonal evolution. WTs 1 and 2, with easterly winds in the South China Sea (SCS), occurs mostly in April and early May, corresponding to typical WTs before the SCS monsoon onset. In WT3, winds in the SCS turns westerly, and a rain band emerges in South China, extending east‐northeastward to the Pacific Ocean south of Japan, which signifies the May–June Mei‐yu in South China. Then, with the rain band moved to Yangtze River Valley (YRV) in WT4, this WT corresponds to the June–July Mei‐Yu in central and eastern China along the YRV. Finally, WT5 occurs more frequently towards the end of July, and corresponds to the post‐Mei‐Yu WT, indicating the ending of the early summer rainfall season in East Asia. The evolution of the WTs is gradual but intermittent, representing the weather‐within‐climate information. Each WT likely persists to itself. But WT1 and WT2 also progress to each other. The long persistence of WT3 and WT4 up to several weeks indicates the quasi‐stationary Mei‐Yu in South China and the YRV, respectively. The year‐to‐year variability of the WTs is also evident in the WTs. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impact on the precipitation in the East Asian region is analysed for three types of ENSO: Eastern Pacific, Central Pacific, and mixed El Niño and La Niña. The seasonal mean precipitation anomalies can be interpreted by the frequencies of the daily WTs under different ENSO conditions.
Didaktik: Kugeln, Bilder oder Augmented Reality?
Authors: Przywarra Tobias , Risch Björn 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIm Chemieunterricht gilt der Übergang von der makroskopischen auf die (sub)mikroskopische Ebene als Schlüsselstelle. Anschauungsmodelle unterstützen diese Reise ins Diskontinuum. Doch welche Modelltypen eignen sich dazu, Experimente auf der Teilchenebene zu deuten? Ein Vergleich an einem Versuch zu Lösevorgängen.
A case of cholesteatoma in a medieval Hispano‐Mudejar population (13th–14th centuries ad)
Authors: Dorado Enrique , Aso José , Sebastián Cristina , Ramírez Ildefonso , Carrillo Manuel F. , Murillo‐González Jorge 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe case presented includes a left temporal bone from an individual exhumed from the Hispano‐Mudejar necropolis in Uceda (Guadalajara, Spain) dated between the 13th and 14th centuries bc. External examination and computed tomography images show lesions in the external acoustic canal, in the form of diffuse widening, suggestive of a cholesteatoma originating in this canal, with invasion of the middle ear through the tympanic membrane. The difficulties with examining the internal elements of the ear are discussed, which causes the underestimation of these diseases in paleopathology studies.
ArthroRad trial: multicentric prospective and randomized single-blinded trial on the effect of low-dose radiotherapy for painful osteoarthritis depending on the dose—results after 3 months’ follow-up
Authors: Niewald Marcus , Müller Lara Natalie , Hautmann Matthias G. , Dzierma Yvonne , Melchior Patrick , Gräber Stefan , Rübe Christian , Fleckenstein Jochen ,   working group “Benign diseases” of the DEGRO (German Society for Radiation Oncology)
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Randomized comparison of the effect of radiotherapy on painful osteoarthritis (OA) applying a standard-dose vs. a very-low-dose regime

Patients and methods
Patients with OA of the hand and knee joints were included. Further inclusion criteria: symptoms for more than 3 months, favorable general health status, age above 40 years. Patients with prior local radiotherapy, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, or vascular diseases were excluded. After randomization (every joint was randomized separately), the following protocols were applied: standard arm: total dose 3.0 Gy, single fractions of 0.5 Gy twice weekly; experimental arm: total dose 0.3 Gy, single fractions of 0.05 Gy twice weekly. The dosage was not known to the patients. The patients were examined 3 and 12 months after radiotherapy. Scores like VAS (visual analogue scale), KOOS-SF (the knee injugy and osteoarthritis outcome score), SF-SACRAH (short form score for the assessment and quantification of chronic rheumatic affections of the hands), and SF-12 (short form 12) were used.

Results
A total of 64 knees and 172 hands were randomized. 3.0 Gy was applied to 87 hands and 34 knees, 0.3 Gy was given to 85 hands and 30 knees. After 3 months, we observed good pain relief after 3 Gy and after 0.3 Gy, there was no statistically significant difference. Side effects were not recorded. The trial was closed prematurely due to slow recruitment.

Conclusion
We found favorable pain relief and a limited response in the functional and quality of life scores in both arms. The effect of low doses such as 0.3 Gy on pain is widely unknown. Further trials are necessary to compare a conventional dose to placebo and to further explore the effect of low doses on inflammatory disorders.
The value of brachytherapy in the age of advanced external beam radiotherapy: a review of the literature in terms of dosimetry
Authors: Major Tibor , Fröhlich Georgina , Ágoston Péter , Polgár Csaba , Takácsi-Nagy Zoltán 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBrachytherapy (BT) has long been used for successful treatment of various tumour entities, including prostate, breast and gynaecological cancer. However, particularly due to advances in modern external beam techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volume modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), there are concerns about its future. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this article aims to summarize the role of BT in cancer treatment and highlight its particular dosimetric advantages. The authors conclude that image-guided BT supported by inverse dose planning will successfully compete with high-tech EBRT in the future and continue to serve as a valuable modality for cancer treatment.
The birth of piRNAs: how mammalian piRNAs are produced, originated, and evolved
Authors: Sun Yu H. , Lee Brent , Li Xin Zhiguo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small noncoding RNAs 24–35 nucleotides long, are essential for animal fertility. They play critical roles in a range of functions, including transposable element suppression, gene expression regulation, imprinting, and viral defense. In mammals, piRNAs are the most abundant small RNAs in adult testes and the only small RNAs that direct epigenetic modification of chromatin in the nucleus. The production of piRNAs is a complex process from transcription to post-transcription, requiring unique machinery often distinct from the biogenesis of other RNAs. In mice, piRNA biogenesis occurs in specialized subcellular locations, involves dynamic developmental regulation, and displays sexual dimorphism. Furthermore, the genomic loci and sequences of piRNAs evolve much more rapidly than most of the genomic regions. Understanding piRNA biogenesis should reveal novel RNA regulations recognizing and processing piRNA precursors and the forces driving the gain and loss of piRNAs during animal evolution. Such findings may provide the basis for the development of engineered piRNAs capable of modulating epigenetic regulation, thereby offering possible single-dose RNA therapy without changing the genomic DNA. In this review, we focus on the biogenesis of piRNAs in mammalian adult testes that are derived from long non-coding RNAs. Although piRNA biogenesis is believed to be evolutionarily conserved from fruit flies to humans, recent studies argue for the existence of diverse, mammalian-specific RNA-processing pathways that convert precursor RNAs into piRNAs, perhaps associated with the unique features of mammalian piRNAs or germ cell development. We end with the discussion of major questions in the field, including substrate recognition and the birth of new piRNAs.
An ABAQUS® plug-in for generating virtual data required for inverse analysis of unidirectional composites using artificial neural networks
Authors: Ismail Yaser , Wan Lei , Chen Jiayun , Ye Jianqiao , Yang Dongmin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a robust ABAQUS® plug-in called Virtual Data Generator (VDGen) for generating virtual data for identifying the uncertain material properties in unidirectional lamina through artificial neural networks (ANNs). The plug-in supports the 3D finite element models of unit cells with square and hexagonal fibre arrays, uses Latin-Hypercube sampling methods and robustly imposes periodic boundary conditions. Using the data generated from the plug-in, ANN is demonstrated to explicitly and accurately parameterise the relationship between fibre mechanical properties and fibre/matrix interphase parameters at microscale and the mechanical properties of a UD lamina at macroscale. The plug-in tool is applicable to general unidirectional lamina and enables easy establishment of high-fidelity micromechanical finite element models with identified material properties.
Varicella zoster virus-induced neurological disease after COVID-19 vaccination: a retrospective monocentric study
Authors: Abu-Rumeileh Samir , Mayer Benjamin , Still Veronika , Tumani Hayrettin , Otto Markus , Senel Makbule 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe description of every possible adverse effect or event related to vaccines is mandatory during the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 vaccination program. Although cases of cutaneous varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation after COVID-19 vaccination have been increasingly reported in literature and database sets, a description of VZV-induced neurological disease (VZV-ND) is still lacking. In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated patients admitted to our clinic and diagnosed with VZV-ND during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign (January–April 2021) and in the same months in the previous two years. We identified three patients with VZV-ND after COVID-19 vaccination and 19 unvaccinated VZV-ND cases as controls. In the case–control analysis, the two groups showed no difference in clinical features, results of diagnostic investigations, and outcome. Thus, VZV reactivation with neurological involvement might be a possible event triggered by COVID-19 vaccination, but the benefit following COVID-19 vaccination overcomes significantly the potential risk associated with a VZV reactivation.
GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells for the treatment of refractory and/or recurrent neuroblastoma in pediatric patients
Authors: Yu Lihua , Huang Lulu , Lin Danna , Lai Xiaorong , Wu Li , Liao Xu , Liu Jiale , Zeng Yinghua , Liang Lichan , Zhang Guanmei , Wang Bin , Wu Zhu , Tao Shaohua , Liu Yuchen , Jiao Cheng , Chang Lung-Ji , Yang Lihua 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) disialoganglioside 2 (GD2)-specific (4SCAR-GD2) T cells for treatment of refractory and/or recurrent neuroblastoma (NB) in pediatric patients.

Experimental design
A phase I clinical study using 4SCAR-GD2 T cells for the treatment of NB in pediatric patients was conducted. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02765243). A lentiviral CAR with the signaling domains of CD28/4-1BB/CD3ζ-iCasp9 was transduced into activated T cells. The response to 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell treatment, and 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell expansion and persistence in patients were evaluated. Toxicities were determined based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03.

Results
Twelve patients were enrolled and finally ten patients were included in this clinical trial which started from January 1, 2016, to August 1, 2017. These patients had progressive disease (PD) before CAR T-cell infusion. After 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell treatment, 6 (6/10) had stable disease (SD) at 6 months, and 4 (4/10) remained SD at 1 year and alive after 3–4 years of follow-up. Six patients died due to disease progression by the end of July 1, 2020. The median overall survival (OS) time was 25 months (95% CI, 0.00–59.43), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 8 months (95% CI, 0.25–15.75). Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities were the common adverse events frequently occurred after fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (Flu/cy) chemotherapy. Grade 1–2 toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neuropathic pain were common, but were transient and mild.

Conclusions
The 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell therapy demonstrated antitumor effect and manageable toxicities, indicating its potential to benefit children with refractory and/or recurrent NB.
Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration via choledochotomy with primary closure for the management of acute cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones
Authors: Wang Yanjun , Huang Youbao , Shi Chunfeng , Wang Linpei , Liu Shengwei , Zhang Jiawei , Wang Wei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
T-tube drainage after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for patients with acute cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones (CBDSs). The outcomes after LCBDE with primary closure in patients with CBDS-related acute cholangitis are unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LCBDE with primary closure for the management of acute cholangitis caused by CBDSs.

Methods
Between June 2015 and June 2020, 368 consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) + LCBDE in our department, were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 193 patients with CBDS-related acute cholangitis underwent LC + LCBDE with primary closure of the CBD (PC group) and 62 patients underwent LC + LCBDE followed by T-tube placement (T-tube group). A total of 113 patients who did not have cholangitis were excluded. The clinical data were compared and analyzed.

Results
There was no mortality in either group. No significant differences were noted in morbidity, bile leakage rate, retained CBD stones, or readmission rate within 30 days between the two groups. Compared with the T-tube group, the PC group avoided T-tube-related complications and had a shorter operative time (121.12 min vs. 143.37 min) and length of postoperative hospital stay (6.59 days vs. 8.81 days). Moreover, the hospital expenses in the PC group were significantly lower than those in the T-tube group ($4844.47 vs. $5717.22). No biliary stricture occurred during a median follow-up of 18 months in any patient. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the rate of stone recurrence.

Conclusions
LCBDE with primary closure is a safe and effective treatment for cholangitis caused by CBDSs. LCBDE with primary closure is not inferior to T-tube drainage for the management of CBDS-related acute cholangitis in suitable patients.