bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of heart disease in patients with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy
Authors: Scott Binder M. , Roda Ricardo H. , Corse Andrea M. , Sidhu Sunjeet , Stewart Sarah , Barth Andreas S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveMitochondrial DNA mutations are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Whether an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease is present in patients presenting with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy remains unknown. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of cardiac conduction disease and structural heart disease in patients presenting with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of 103 patients with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy who were referred for evaluation of muscle weakness at a single tertiary care referral center from 2012 to 2018. Of these patients, 59 (57.3%) had an electrocardiogram available and were evaluated for the presence of conduction disease. An echocardiogram was available in 43 patients (42%) who were evaluated for the presence of structural heart disease. The prevalence of cardiac disease was compared to control cohort populations (Framingham and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, ARIC cohorts).ResultsMitochondrial abnormalities associated with cardiac conduction disease (defined as QRS duration ≥ 120 msec) were present in 8.9%, versus 2.0% (p < 0.001) in the Framingham population and 2.6% (p = 0.003) in the ARIC cohort. LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF ≤ 50%) was present in 11.6%, versus 3.6% (p < 0.01) in the Framingham and 3% (p < 0.01) in the ARIC populations. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 28.6%, versus 13.6% (p < 0.02) in the Framingham and 10.4% (p < 0.001) in the ARIC populations.InterpretationGiven the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, patients with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy should undergo routine cardiac screening with physical exam, electrocardiography, and cardiac imaging.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Hydroalkynylation of Vinylaziridines
Authors: Biletskyi Bohdan , Kong Lingyu , Tenaglia Alphonse , Clavier Hervé 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTransition metal‐catalyzed hydroalkynylation reactions are efficient transformations allowing the straightforward formation of functionalized alkynes. Therein, we disclose the cobalt‐catalyzed hydroalkynylation of vinylaziridines giving rise to both linear and branched enynes. The optimization of the reaction conditions allowed to determine the key parameters of the cobalt‐based catalytic system. The scope investigation showed that the cobalt‐catalyzed hydroalkynylation is mainly limited to phenylacetylene derivatives. In most cases branched and linear enynes were isolated in equimolar proportions (20 examples). Additional experiments allowed us to propose a plausible mechanism. Finally, the hydroalkynylation products were further subjected to an iodocyclization affording a 2,3‐dihydropyrrole derivative and a platinum‐catalyzed cycloisomerization.magnified image
Crop responses to topsoil replacement within eroded landscapes
Authors: Schneider Sharon K. , Cavers Curtis G. , Duke Sara E. , Schumacher Joseph A. , Schumacher Thomas E. , Lobb David A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractApproaches to restore productivity to eroded soils are urgently needed to sustain food security. We evaluated plant response to soil‐landscape rehabilitation, in which approximately 15 cm of topsoil was moved from depositional landscape positions to the eroded upper slope. Crop response was monitored for 6 yr of a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation at a severely eroded site and for 4 yr of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–soybean rotation at a moderately eroded site. Experiments were conducted in years with relatively wet springs and droughty summers. In the severely eroded landscape, addition of 15 cm of soil increased crop biomass by 25–95% on a kg ha–1 basis and increased grain yields by 20–49% (corn) and 12–59% (soybean), with the largest yield increases recorded in the most eroded landscape positions. Soil addition increased corn grain protein and test weight. No significant differences were observed in crop emergence rate or stand establishment. In the moderately eroded landscape, soil addition significantly increased crop biomass, but not grain yield. In both landscapes, yields were lower in areas of soil removal than in adjacent areas from which no soil was removed, which is likely at least partially an artifact of the plot design. While more research is needed to evaluate long‐term impacts, the results of these studies show that soil‐landscape rehabilitation may help alleviate the effects of past erosion and provide immediate benefits to the productivity of severely eroded soils.
Childhood prevalence of achondroplasia in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Authors: Tofts Louise , Armstrong Jennifer , Pacey Verity 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the childhood prevalence of achondroplasia, trends over time in birth prevalence, and age at diagnosis in Australia. Children born between 1990 and 2019 with a clinical and radiological and/or molecular diagnosis of achondroplasia were identified from a tertiary hospital servicing New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and compared with population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Childhood prevalence of achondroplasia, based on children ≤19 years of age and resident in NSW/ACT on June 30, 2019 (n = 109), was 5.2 per 100,000. A total of 127 individuals with achondroplasia were born in 1990–2019 in NSW/ACT. Birth prevalence rates increased across birth decades, from 3.3 per 100,000 live births in 1990–1999 to 5.3 per 100,000 in 2010–2019 (p < 0.0001). Median age at diagnosis decreased to 17 days in 2010–2019 compared with 30 days in 1990–1999 (p = 0.035), although the overall decreasing trend across consecutive decades did not reach statistical significance. This is the first study to show a rising birth prevalence rate for achondroplasia in Australia with a concurrent decreasing age at diagnosis, both of which were statistically significant after 2 decades.
Quantification of enamel decussation in gracile and robust capuchins (Cebus, Sapajus, Cebidae, Platyrrhini)
Authors: Hogg Russell T. , Elokda Abdallah 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMultiple behavioral and biomechanical analyses have demonstrated that capuchin monkeys (Cebus and Sapajus) are specialized for breaking down hard‐object foods as compared to other cebid monkeys. In addition to a complex suite of craniodental adaptations, it has specifically been demonstrated that capuchins possess highly complex dental enamel, with extensive Hunter–Schreger banding and other decussation, that likely serve as an adaptation to resist crack propagation during hard‐object feeding. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that robust capuchins (Sapajus spp., formerly Cebus apella) demonstrate further adaptation for hard‐object feeding than other capuchins, routinely breaking down extremely mechanically challenging foods. However, there has been no comparison of dental enamel complexity in robust versus gracile capuchins, to assess whether the dental enamel in Sapajus follows this same pattern of further specialization. Therefore, this study compares dental enamel complexity in images of dental thin sections from a sample of robust versus gracile capuchins using image compression ratio (ICR) analysis. ICR is a variable that correlates with enamel complexity, such that higher ICR values are indicative of increased complexity in the form of enamel decussation. We found no significant difference between robust and gracile capuchins when assessing all teeth in our sample together, however, we did find that robust capuchins have significantly higher ICR values than gracile capuchins for canine teeth, specifically. Our results support prior studies suggesting that robust capuchins are specialized to generate increased masticatory loads with their anterior dentition, specifically, as compared to gracile species.
Fabrication and characterization of chitosan/kefiran electrospun nanofibers for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Shokraei Shabnam , Mirzaei Esmaeil , Shokraei Nasim , Derakhshan Mohammad Ali , Ghanbari Hossein , Faridi‐Majidi Reza 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChitosan (CS)‐based nanofibrous scaffolds are very promising in tissue engineering applications. However, electrospinning of CS is not possible unless using toxic solvents such as trifluoroacetic acid or by blending with other polymers. In the present study, we investigated CS‐based nanofibers' fabrication by blending it with kefiran as a natural polysaccharide. A series of solutions with various CS to kefiran ratios were prepared and underwent electrospinning. The effects of main process parameters, including applied voltage and needle tip‐to‐collector distance on nanofibers' diameter and morphology, were also studied. Nanofibers containing 80% CS and 20% Kefiran with an average diameter of 81 ± 17 nm were successfully electrospun. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated the presence of both polymers in blend nanofibers. The diameter of CS/kefiran nanofibers increased with enhanced applied voltage, while needle tip‐to‐collector distance did not significantly affect the mean diameters. Appropriate viability of l929 cells on the obtained scaffolds was demonstrated utilizing Alamar blue assay. Also, cell attachment onto the fiber surface was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated that CS/kefiran nanofibrous scaffolds would be promising for tissue engineering applications.
Novel Ti3C2Tx MXene/epoxy intumescent fire‐retardant coatings for ancient wooden architectures
Authors: Huang Shan , Wang Lei , Li Yuchen , Liang Chaobo , Zhang Junliang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMost of the ancient buildings are made of inflammable wooden structures, which have serious potential safety hazards. Applying fire‐retardant coating is one of the simplest and most effective means of fire prevention in ancient wooden buildings. In this work, we have demonstrated that the Ti3C2Tx transition metal carbide/carbonitride (MXene) was applied as the synergetic agent, waterborne epoxy resin as the film‐forming agent, ammonium polyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, and melamine (P‐C‐N system) as the intumescent fire‐retardant system to prepare Ti3C2Tx/epoxy intumescent fire‐retardant coating (TEIFC). The results showed that MXene has significantly improved the fire‐retardant performance of the coating. By incorporating 3 wt% Ti3C2Tx (TEIFC‐3, with 62 wt% P‐C‐N system), the coating displayed UL‐94 V‐0 rating with the limiting oxygen index value of 38%. In addition, the combination of Ti3C2Tx and P‐C‐N system enhanced the Shore hardness of the coating to 95 SHD (TEIFC‐3). Furthermore, TEIFC‐3 presented high thermal stability with the THRI of 177.0°C and Tdmax of 380.5°C. This work provides a novel strategy for the design and preparation of intumescent fire‐retardant coating, which will greatly broaden the industrial applications of MXene‐based polymer composites in the field of fire prevention of ancient buildings.
Poly(butyl acrylate) polymer enhanced phase segregation and morphology of organic semiconductor for solution‐processed thin film transistors
Authors: Sun Yeqing , Zhang Ziyang , Asare‐Yeboah Kyeiwaa , Bi Sheng , He Zhengran 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe phase segregation as a result of mixing organic semiconductors with polymeric additives has been reported as an intriguing avenue to optimize semiconductor crystal microstructure, active layer composition and charge carrier transport. In this work, we report the mixing of organic semiconductor 6,13‐bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene) with poly(butylacrylate) as a polymer additive to control the semiconductor crystal growth and morphology. The incorporation of poly(butylacrylate) induces a vertical phase segregation but a more predominant lateral phase segregation with TIPS pentacene. Along with a solvent vapor annealing technique, poly(butylacrylate) evenly distributes the semiconductor nuclei on the polymer matrix, and results in organic crystal with enlarged grain width. In addition, the randomized crystal growth of TIPS pentacene has been significantly reduced, giving rise to a 25‐fold decrease in misorientation angle. The bottom‐gate, top‐contact thin film transistors with the poly(butylacrylate)/TIPS pentacene mixture as the active layer demonstrated an improved hole mobility of 0.11 cm2/Vs. We believe the phase segregation induced by the poly(butylacrylate) polymer as well as the solvent vapor annealing method as reported in this work can be facilely replicated on other organic semiconductors to realize high performance organic electronic device applications.
Utilizing bacteriophage to define the minimum residence time within a plug flow reactor
Authors: Brown Matthew R. , Orozco Raquel 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs part of a viral mitigating strategy for continuous bioprocessing, that utilizes a plug flow reactor (PFR) for continuous viral inactivation (CVI), understanding the minimum residence time as a function of reactor scale and operational conditions is critical. An empirical‐based model was utilized to calculate the minimum duration a virus particle experiences within a plug flow reactor as a function of reactor design and operational conditions. This empirical model's calculations were challenged by pulse injecting the bacteriophage ΦX‐174 in non‐inactivating conditions and monitoring the discharge of the PFR with infectivity assays. The initial proposed empirical model, with the constraint of requiring an operational Dean number of >100, proved to be effective at calculating first breakthrough of ΦX‐174 but only for the appropriate Dean number conditions. With the knowledge gained from the first empirical model, a second was generated to eliminate the Dean number constraint. This second modified empirical model proved to be successful at calculating the first breakthrough at all Dean number's tested, however CVI operation at the lower Dean's number will lead to an increased asymmetry (i.e., increased tailing) in the residence time distribution.
Therapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders: A meta‐analysis
Authors: von Känel Roland , Kasper Siegfried , Bondolfi Guido , Holsboer‐Trachsler Edith , Hättenschwiler Josef , Hatzinger Martin , Imboden Christian , Heitlinger Ellen , Seifritz Erich 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA meta‐analysis was performed to examine therapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms, including insomnia/fatigue, and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders. Five randomized, placebo‐controlled trials were included in this analysis: The efficacy of Silexan (80 mg/day) was investigated in patients with subthreshold anxiety disorders (three trials) and in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (two trials). Silexan was superior to placebo in terms of the mean change from baseline in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) subscore somatic anxiety at week 10 with a standardized mean difference of −0.31 [95% Cl: −0.52 to −0.10, p = .004]. Treatment effects of silexan on somatic anxiety were independent of gender and age. Statistically significant differences were also shown for single HAMA items somatic muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and genitourinary symptoms, indicating clinical relevance with small to medium effects of Silexan. Similar clinically meaningful effects of Silexan on SF‐36 physical health, including reduced bodily pain and improved general health, and on insomnia complaints and fatigue, were demonstrated. In this meta‐analysis including all placebo‐controlled clinical trials in patients with anxiety disorders to date, statistically significant and clinically meaningful advantages of Silexan over placebo treatment were found in improving somatic symptoms and physical health.
A phase I trial of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced malignancies
Authors: Trivedi Neel D. , Armstrong Samantha , Wang Hongkun , Hartley Marion , Deeken John , Ruth He A. , Subramaniam Deepa , Melville Heather , Albanese Chris , Marshall John L. , Hwang Jimmy , Pishvaian Michael J. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundTemsirolimus is an mTOR antagonist with proven anticancer efficacy. Preclinical data suggest greater anticancer effect when mTOR inhibitors are combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy. We performed a Phase I assessment of the combination of temsirolimus and capecitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors.MethodsPatients were enrolled in an alternating dose escalation of temsirolimus (at 15 or 25 mg IV weekly) and capecitabine (at 750, 1000, and 1250 mg/m2 twice daily) in separate Q2‐week and Q3‐week cohorts. At the recommended Phase II doses (RP2Ds) of temsirolimus and capecitabine (Q2), seven patients were also treated with oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2, day 1) to determine triplet combination safety and efficacy.ResultsForty‐five patients were enrolled and 41 were evaluable for dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs). The most common adverse events (AEs) were mucositis, fatigue, and thrombocytopenia. The most common grade 3/4 AEs were hypophosphatemia and anemia. Five patients had DLTs, including hypophosphatemia, mucositis, and thrombocytopenia. The RP2Ds were temsirolimus 25 mg +capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 (Q2); and temsirolimus 25 mg +capecitabine 750 mg/m2 (Q3). Of the 38 patients evaluable for response, one had a partial response (PR) and 19 had stable disease (SD). The overall disease control rate was 52%. Five of the 20 patients with SD/PR maintained disease control for >6 months.ConclusionsThe combination of temsirolimus and capecitabine is safe on both a Q2‐week and a Q3‐week schedule. The combination demonstrated promising evidence of disease control in this highly refractory population and could be considered for testing in disease‐specific phase II trials.
Opioid use by cancer status and time since diagnosis among older adults enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian screening trial in the United States
Authors: Durham Danielle D. , Strassels Scott A. , Pinsky Paul F. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundDosing limits in opioid clinical practice guidelines in the United States are likely misapplied to cancer patients, however, opioid use may be difficult to ascertain as they are largely excluded from opioid use studies.MethodsThe primary objective was to determine whether cancer patients were more likely to be chronic opioid users after diagnosis. We described prescription opioid use among U.S. older adult cancer patients during two time periods, within 2 years of diagnosis (short‐term) and at least 2 years beyond diagnosis (long‐term), compared to those without cancer (controls). Among participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) screening trial with linkages to Medicare Part D data during 2011–2015, we used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association between cancer diagnosis and opioid use outcomes controlling for demographics. The primary outcome of opioid use was measured with the following metrics: Any opioid use, chronic use (90 consecutive days supply of opioid use while allowing for a 7‐day gap between refills), high use (average daily morphine equivalent (MME) ≥120 mg for any 90‐day period), and total MME dose above 2,000 mg (MME2000).ResultsThe short‐term cohort included 1,491 cancer patients and 24,930 controls. Any use in the 2‐year post‐diagnosis period was higher among cancer patients OR 3.3 (95% CI: 3.0–3.7). Chronic use rates were similar by cancer status (4.6% vs. 3.8% for cases and controls, respectively). The long‐term cohort included 4,377 cancer patients and 27,545 controls. Rates of any use were similar among cancer patients and controls (63% vs. 59%).ConclusionsAny opioid use was similar among long‐term cancer survivors compared to controls, but differed among short‐term survivors for any opioid use and marginally for chronic opioid use.
Light chain Amyloidosis (AL) associated with multiple myeloma revealed by peripheral bilateral polyarthritis: a case report
Authors: Randrianarisoa Rova Malala Fandresena , Rafanomezantsoa Efrasie , Razafindrazaka Hitsy Andraina , Raberahona Mihaja , Andriananja Volatiana , Andriamiharisoa Stéphanie Norotiana , Ralison Fidiarivony , Vololontiana Hanta Marie Danielle , Randria Mamy Jean de Dieu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn chronic polyarthritis, the presence of macroglossia with absence of rheumatoid factor and anti‐CCP antibodies may be suggestive of amyloid arthopathy. Clinical evaluation takes precedence over classification criteria.
Rejoinder: “Statistical disease mapping for heterogeneous neuroimaging studies”
Authors: Liu Rongjie , Zhu Hongtu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe thank all the discussants for sharing their valuable viewpoints on the proposed statistical disease mapping (SDM) framework. In our article, we addressed the issue of imaging heterogeneity at both the global and local scales by efficiently borrowing common information shared among a large number of diseased and normal subjects. Understanding such imaging heterogeneity is critical in the development of urgently needed analytic approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of many diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, brain cancer, and lung cancer), as well as precision medicine broadly. The discussants emphasized improvements to disease mapping by introducing some alternative modelling strategies and many possible future directions in this research topic. The sections of this rejoinder are organized by discussant to address each of their comments separately.
A Heterogeneous Nanoscale Covalent Organic Framework Fluorescence Probe for Sensitive Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide
Authors: Ge Xuan , Zhang Houyong , Zhang Chengxiao , Du Mingyue 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNew strategies for highly selective and sensitive detection of highly toxic environmental pollutants are still a pressing need. Here, through Cu2+ metalated porous nanoscale covalent organic framework (NCOF), a novel heterogeneous NCOF fluorescence probe has been synthesized for sensitive and selectivity detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Upon H2S addition, the Cu2+ released from the CuCOF, accompanied by the fluorescence recovered of COF. As far as we know, NCOF has not been reported as fluorescence probe for H2S detection. The as‐prepared nano CuCOF displays an excellent sensitive response to H2S with a detection limit of 10 nM. In addition, such heterogeneous fluorescence probe exhibited high selectivity towards to H2S relative to other thiols and anionic species. Moreover, the detection of H2S was achieved successfully in different actual water samples.