bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benzalkonium chloride-induced myofibroblastic transdifferentiation of Tenon’s capsule fibroblasts is inhibited by coculture with corneal epithelial cells or by interleukin-10
Authors: Yamashiro Chiemi , Tokuda Kazuhiro , Kobayashi Yuka , Higashijima Fumiaki , Yoshimoto Takuya , Ota Manami , Ogata Tadahiko , Ashimori Atsushige , Kobayashi Masaaki , Hatano Makoto , Uchi Sho-Hei , Wakuta Makiko , Teranishi Shinichiro , Kimura Kazuhiro 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBenzalkonium chloride (BAC) is used as a preservative in eyedrops but induces subconjunctival fibrosis that can result in failure of glaucoma surgery. Tenon’s capsule fibroblasts in subconjunctival tissue interact with the corneal epithelium through tear fluid. With the use of a coculture system, we have now investigated the effect of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells on myofibroblastic transdifferentiation of human Tenon fibroblasts (HTFs) induced by BAC (5 × 10−6%). Immunofluorescence and immunoblot analyses revealed that the BAC-induced expression of α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in HTFs was suppressed by coculture of these cells with HCE cells (p < 0.01). The concentration of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in culture supernatants of BAC-treated HTFs was increased by coculture with HCE cells (17.26-fold, vs. coculure, p < 0.001). Immunofluorescence and immunoblot analyses also showed that exogenous IL-10 (300 pg/ml) suppressed the BAC-induced expression of αSMA by 43.65% (p < 0.05) as well as the nuclear translocation of myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A) by 39.32% (p < 0.01) in HTFs cultured alone. Our findings suggest that corneal epithelial cells may protect against subconjunctival fibrosis by maintaining IL-10 levels and preventing the MRTF-A-dependent transdifferentiation of HTFs into myofibroblasts.
From individual to population level: Temperature and snow cover modulate fledging success through breeding phenology in greylag geese (Anser anser)
Authors: Frigerio Didone , Sumasgutner Petra , Kotrschal Kurt , Kleindorfer Sonia , Hemetsberger Josef 
Published: August 2021

AbstractLocal weather conditions may be used as environmental cues by animals to optimize their breeding behaviour, and could be affected by climate change. We measured associations between climate, breeding phenology, and reproductive output in greylag geese (Anser anser) across 29 years (1990–2018). The birds are individually marked, which allows accurate long-term monitoring of life-history parameters for all pairs within the flock. We had three aims: (1) identify climate patterns at a local scale in Upper Austria, (2) measure the association between climate and greylag goose breeding phenology, and (3) measure the relationship between climate and both clutch size and fledging success. Ambient temperature increased 2 °C across the 29-years study period, and higher winter temperature was associated with earlier onset of egg-laying. Using the hatch-fledge ratio, average annual temperature was the strongest predictor for the proportion of fledged goslings per season. There is evidence for an optimum time window for egg-laying (the earliest and latest eggs laid had the lowest fledging success). These findings broaden our understanding of environmental effects and population-level shifts which could be associated with increased ambient temperature and can thus inform future research about the ecological consequences of climate changes and reproductive output in avian systems.
Brain solute transport is more rapid in periarterial than perivenous spaces
Authors: Vinje Vegard , Bakker Erik N. T. P. , Rognes Marie E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFluid flow in perivascular spaces is recognized as a key component underlying brain transport and clearance. An important open question is how and to what extent differences in vessel type or geometry affect perivascular fluid flow and transport. Using computational modelling in both idealized and image-based geometries, we study and compare fluid flow and solute transport in pial (surface) periarterial and perivenous spaces. Our findings demonstrate that differences in geometry between arterial and venous pial perivascular spaces (PVSs) lead to higher net CSF flow, more rapid tracer transport and earlier arrival times of injected tracers in periarterial spaces compared to perivenous spaces. These findings can explain the experimentally observed rapid appearance of tracers around arteries, and the delayed appearance around veins without the need of a circulation through the parenchyma, but rather by direct transport along the PVSs.
CREB signaling activity correlates with differentiation and survival in medulloblastoma
Authors: Armandari Inna , Zomerman Walderik W. , Plasschaert Sabine L. A. , Smit Marlinde J. , Martini Tosca. E. I. , de Camargo Magalhães Eduardo S. , Hogeling Shanna M. , Rozema-Huizinga Geesina C. , Lourens Harm J. , Meeuwsen-de Boer Tiny G. J. , Scherpen Frank J. G. , de Bont Eveline S. J. M. , Bruggeman Sophia W. M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWhile there has been significant progress in the molecular characterization of the childhood brain cancer medulloblastoma, the tumor proteome remains less explored. However, it is important to obtain a complete understanding of medulloblastoma protein biology, since interactions between proteins represent potential new drug targets. Using previously generated phosphoprotein signaling-profiles of a large cohort of primary medulloblastoma, we discovered that phosphorylation of transcription factor CREB strongly correlates with medulloblastoma survival and associates with a differentiation phenotype. We further found that during normal cerebellar development, phosphorylated CREB was selectively expressed in differentiating cerebellar granule neuron progenitor (CGNP) cells. In line, we observed increased differentiation in CGNPs treated with Forskolin, Bmp6 and Bmp12 (Gdf7), which induce CREB phosphorylation. Lastly, we demonstrated that inducing CREB activation via PKA-mediated CREB signaling, but not Bmp/MEK/ERK mediated signalling, enhances medulloblastoma cell sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Nickel phthalocyanine@graphene oxide/TiO2 as an efficient degradation catalyst of formic acid toward hydrogen production
Authors: Keshipour Sajjad , Mohammad-Alizadeh Shima 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA new photocatalytic system was introduced to degrade formic acid toward hydrogen production using nickel(II) phthalocyanine (NiPc)@graphene oxide (GO)/TiO2as the catalyst. Synthesis of NiPc was performed in the presence of GO leading to a homogeneous distribution of NiPc on GO. While TiO2promoted the reaction using each of NiPc and GO under visible light, the reaction was carried out with superior rate using NiPc@GO/TiO2. In this reaction, GO minimized the band gap of TiO2through contributing its Fermi levels and NiPc escalated the photocatalytic reaction rate as a sensitizing agent. The reaction released hydrogen with the rate of 1.38 mmol h−1and TOF = 77 h−1.
Effects of resistance training on gait velocity and knee adduction moment in knee osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Shuoqi , Ng Wei Hui , Abujaber Sumayeh , Shaharudin Shazlin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe systematic review aimed to analyze the effects of resistance training in knee osteoarthritis (OA) rehabilitation from a biomechanical perspective. A meta-analysis was performed to determine the potential benefits of resistance training on patients with knee OA. Relevant studies based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from CENTRAL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases inception to August 2020. Outcome measures included gait velocity and knee adduction moment (KAM). The mean differences of the data with a 95% confidence interval were analyzed using STATA 15.1 software The search identified eight studies that satisfied all the inclusion criteria, in which 164 patients were involved in gait velocity studies and another 122 patients were part of KAM studies. Analysis of the pooled data showed that resistance training significantly improved the gait velocity in patients with knee OA (p < 0.01, z = 2.73), ES (95% CI) = 0.03 (0.01, 0.06) m/s. However, resistance training had no significant effect on improving KAM in patients with knee OA (p = 0.98, z = 0.03), ES (95% CI) = 0.00 (− 0.16, 0.16) percentage of body weight × height (%BW × Ht). Therefore, resistance training may enhance gait velocity but not KAM in knee OA patients. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020204897).
Effect of liquid cooling on PCR performance with the parametric study of cross-section shapes of microchannels
Authors: Alihosseini Yousef , Azaddel Mohammad Reza , Moslemi Sahel , Mohammadi Mehdi , Pormohammad Ali , Targhi Mohammad Zabetian , Heyhat Mohammad Mahdi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn recent years, PCR-based methods as a rapid and high accurate technique in the industry and medical fields have been expanded rapidly. Where we are faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity of a rapid diagnosis has felt more than ever. In the current interdisciplinary study, we have proposed, developed, and characterized a state-of-the-art liquid cooling design to accelerate the PCR procedure. A numerical simulation approach is utilized to evaluate 15 different cross-sections of the microchannel heat sink and select the best shape to achieve this goal. Also, crucial heat sink parameters are characterized, e.g., heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, performance evaluation criteria, and fluid flow. The achieved result showed that the circular cross-section is the most efficient shape for the microchannel heat sink, which has a maximum heat transfer enhancement of 25% compared to the square shape at the Reynolds number of 1150. In the next phase of the study, the circular cross-section microchannel is located below the PCR device to evaluate the cooling rate of the PCR. Also, the results demonstrate that it takes 16.5 s to cool saliva samples in the PCR well, which saves up to 157.5 s for the whole amplification procedure compared to the conventional air fans. Another advantage of using the microchannel heat sink is that it takes up a little space compared to other common cooling methods.
In vivo exploration of synaptic projections in frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Salmon Eric , Bahri Mohamed Ali , Plenevaux Alain , Becker Guillaume , Seret Alain , Delhaye Emma , Degueldre Christian , Balteau Evelyne , Lemaire Christian , Luxen André , Bastin Christine 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this exploratory research is to provide data on synaptopathy in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Twelve patients with probable bvFTD were compared to 12 control participants and 12 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Loss of synaptic projections was assessed with [18F]UCBH-PET. Total distribution volume was obtained with Logan method using carotid artery derived input function. Neuroimages were analyzed with SPM12. Verbal fluency, episodic memory and awareness of cognitive impairment were equally impaired in patients groups. Compared to controls, [18F]UCBH uptake tended to decrease in the right anterior parahippocampal gyrus of bvFTD patients. Loss of synaptic projections was observed in the right hippocampus of AD participants, but there was no significant difference in [18F]UCBH brain uptake between patients groups. Anosognosia for clinical disorder was correlated with synaptic density in the caudate nucleus and the anteromedial prefrontal cortex. This study suggests that synaptopathy in bvFTD targets the temporal social brain and self-referential processes.
Release characteristics of Pb and BETX from in situ oil shale transformation on groundwater environment
Authors: Wang Han , Zhang Wenjing , Qiu Shuwei , Liang Xiujuan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOil shale has received attention as an alternative energy source to petroleum because of its abundant reserves. Exploitation of oil shale can be divided into two types: ex situ and in situ exploitation. In situ transformation has been favoured because of its various advantages. Heating of oil shale leads to the production of oil and gas. To explore the influence of solid residue after pyrolysis of oil shale on the groundwater environment, we performed ultrapure water–rock interaction experiments. The results showed that Pb tended to accumulate in solid residues during pyrolysis. Additionally, the Pb concentration goes up in the immersion solution over time and as the pyrolysis temperature increased. In contrast, when we measured the soaking data of benzene series, the concentrations of benzene and toluene produced at temperatures over 350 ℃ were highest in the four oil shale pyrolysis samples after pyrolysis. The water–rock interaction experiment for 30 days led to benzene and toluene concentrations that were 104 and 1070-fold over the limit of China’s standards for groundwater quality. Over time, the content of benzene series was attenuated via biological actions. The results show that in situ oil shale mining can lead to continuous pollution in the groundwater environment.
Examination of the predicted prevalence of Gitelman syndrome by ethnicity based on genome databases
Authors: Kondo Atsushi , Nagano China , Ishiko Shinya , Omori Takashi , Aoto Yuya , Rossanti Rini , Sakakibara Nana , Horinouchi Tomoko , Yamamura Tomohiko , Nagai Sadayuki , Okada Eri , Shima Yuko , Nakanishi Koichi , Ninchoji Takeshi , Kaito Hiroshi , Takeda Hiroki , Nagase Hiroaki , Morisada Naoya , Iijima Kazumoto , Nozu Kandai 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive inherited salt-losing tubulopathy. It has a prevalence of around 1 in 40,000 people, and heterozygous carriers are estimated at approximately 1%, although the exact prevalence is unknown. We estimated the predicted prevalence of Gitelman syndrome based on multiple genome databases, HGVD and jMorp for the Japanese population and gnomAD for other ethnicities, and included all 274 pathogenic missense or nonsense variants registered in HGMD Professional. The frequencies of all these alleles were summed to calculate the total variant allele frequency in SLC12A3. The carrier frequency and the disease prevalence were assumed to be twice and the square of the total allele frequency, respectively, according to the Hardy–Weinberg principle. In the Japanese population, the total carrier frequencies were 0.0948 (9.5%) and 0.0868 (8.7%) and the calculated prevalence was 0.00225 (2.3 in 1000 people) and 0.00188 (1.9 in 1000 people) in HGVD and jMorp, respectively. Other ethnicities showed a prevalence varying from 0.000012 to 0.00083. These findings indicate that the prevalence of Gitelman syndrome in the Japanese population is higher than expected and that some other ethnicities also have a higher prevalence than has previously been considered.
Delayed vitreous prolapse after cataract surgery: clinical features and surgical outcomes
Authors: Kim Tae Young , Kang Hyun Goo , Kim Chan Yun , Koh Hyoung Jun , Kim Sung Soo , Kim Min 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the etiology and clinical features of delayed vitreous prolapse after cataract surgery and evaluates the long-term surgical and visual outcomes. Consecutive patients with vitreous prolapse into the anterior chamber occurring ≥ 3 months after cataract surgery at two hospitals between December 2006 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was associated ophthalmological events that triggered delayed vitreous prolapse. Secondary outcomes included long-term visual and subjective symptom changes after treatment. Among 20 eyes (20 patients), all had visual symptoms, the most common being blurry vision (12 patients; 60%). Five (25%) were detected after YAG laser capsulotomy, three (15%) had a history of intraocular lens(IOL) implantation in sulcus due to intraoperative posterior capsular tears, three (15%) had prolapsed vitreous alongside dislocated IOLs, and three (15%) were aphakic after previous cataract surgeries. After surgical treatment, the mean corrected distance visual acuity improved from 20/50 to 20/31(P = 0.02) and the mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) that was 26.4 mmHg decreased to 15.6 mmHg, remaining stable until the last follow-up. All reported symptoms were relieved. YAG laser capsulotomy or a history of defective posterior capsule from iatrogenic causes may trigger delayed vitreous prolapse. The long-term outcomes were favorable, particularly after posterior vitrectomy, with improved IOP control and symptom resolution.
Unraveling the electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of neutral and negatively charged perylene tetraethylesters
Authors: Wiebeler Christian , Vollbrecht Joachim , Neuba Adam , Kitzerow Heinz-Siegfried , Schumacher Stefan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA detailed investigation of the energy levels of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic tetraethylester as a representative compound for the whole family of perylene esters was performed. It was revealed via electrochemical measurements that one oxidation and two reductions take place. The bandgaps determined via the electrochemical approach are in good agreement with the optical bandgap obtained from the absorption spectra via a Tauc plot. In addition, absorption spectra in dependence of the electrochemical potential were the basis for extensive quantum-chemical calculations of the neutral, monoanionic, and dianionic molecules. For this purpose, calculations based on density functional theory were compared with post-Hartree–Fock methods and the CAM-B3LYP functional proved to be the most reliable choice for the calculation of absorption spectra. Furthermore, spectral features found experimentally could be reproduced with vibronic calculations and allowed to understand their origins. In particular, the two lowest energy absorption bands of the anion are not caused by absorption of two distinct electronic states, which might have been expected from vertical excitation calculations, but both states exhibit a strong vibronic progression resulting in contributions to both bands.
More than 50 long-term effects of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lopez-Leon Sandra , Wegman-Ostrosky Talia , Perelman Carol , Sepulveda Rosalinda , Rebolledo Paulina A. , Cuapio Angelica , Villapol Sonia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 can involve persistence, sequelae, and other medical complications that last weeks to months after initial recovery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify studies assessing the long-term effects of COVID-19. LitCOVID and Embase were searched to identify articles with original data published before the 1st of January 2021, with a minimum of 100 patients. For effects reported in two or more studies, meta-analyses using a random-effects model were performed using the MetaXL software to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% CI. PRISMA guidelines were followed. A total of 18,251 publications were identified, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of 55 long-term effects was estimated, 21 meta-analyses were performed, and 47,910 patients were included (age 17–87 years). The included studies defined long-COVID as ranging from 14 to 110 days post-viral infection. It was estimated that 80% of the infected patients with SARS-CoV-2 developed one or more long-term symptoms. The five most common symptoms were fatigue (58%), headache (44%), attention disorder (27%), hair loss (25%), and dyspnea (24%). Multi-disciplinary teams are crucial to developing preventive measures, rehabilitation techniques, and clinical management strategies with whole-patient perspectives designed to address long COVID-19 care.
Non-volatile artificial synapse based on a vortex nano-oscillator
Authors: Martins Leandro , Jenkins Alex S. , Alvarez Lara San Emeterio , Borme Jérôme , Böhnert Tim , Ventura João , Freitas Paulo P. , Ferreira Ricardo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this work, a new mechanism to combine a non-volatile behaviour with the spin diode detection of a vortex-based spin torque nano-oscillator (STVO) is presented. Experimentally, it is observed that the spin diode response of the oscillator depends on the vortex chirality. Consequently, fixing the frequency of the incoming signal and switching the vortex chirality results in a different rectified voltage. In this way, the chirality can be deterministically controlled via the application of electrical signals injected locally in the device, resulting in a non-volatile control of the output voltage for a given input frequency. Micromagnetic simulations corroborate the experimental results and show the main contribution of the Oersted field created by the input RF current density in defining two distinct spin diode detections for different chiralities. By using two non-identical STVOs, we show how these devices can be used as programmable non-volatile synapses in artificial neural networks.
Tunable heat shock protein-mediated NK cell responses are orchestrated by STAT1 in Antigen Presenting Cells
Authors: Sedlacek Abigail L. , Kinner-Bibeau Lauren B. , Wang Yifei , Mizes Alicia P. , Binder Robert J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe release of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) from aberrant cells can initiate immune responses following engagement of the HSPs with antigen presenting cells (APCs). This is an important mechanism for cancer immunosurveillance and can also be modeled by vaccination with HSPs through various routes, targeting specific APCs expressing the HSP receptor CD91. Immunological outcomes can be varied as a result of the broad expression of CD91 in different dendritic cell and macrophage populations. We investigated the cellular response of different APCs to the prototypical immunogenic HSP, gp96, in the context of Th1 immunity. Although APCs generally express similar levels of the HSP receptor CD91, we uncovered APC-distinct, downstream signaling pathways activating STAT1, and differential STAT1 induced genes. As a result of this differential and unique signaling we determined that gp96-activated macrophages, but not DCs are capable of activating NK cells to produce IFN-$$\gamma$$γ. These data demonstrate that different APC subsets elicit unique intracellular signaling responses to HSPs which result in different patterns of downstream cellular activation and immune responses. Collectively this provides a novel tunable and autochthonous immune response to extracellular HSPs which has important implications on the development of immunity to cancer and infectious disease, as well as homeostasis.