bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxytocin receptor antagonists as a novel pharmacological agent for reducing smooth muscle tone in the human prostate
Authors: Lee Sophie N. , Kraska Jenna , Papargiris Melissa , Teng Linda , Niranjan Birunthi , Hammar Johanna , Ryan Andrew , Frydenberg Mark , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Middendorff Ralf , Ellem Stuart J. , Whittaker Michael , Risbridger Gail P. , Exintaris Betty 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPharmacotherapies for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) are targeted at reducing cellular proliferation (static component) or reducing smooth muscle tone (dynamic component), but response is unpredictable and many patients fail to respond. An impediment to identifying novel pharmacotherapies is the incomplete understanding of paracrine signalling. Oxytocin has been highlighted as a potential paracrine mediator of BPH. To better understand oxytocin signalling, we investigated the effects of exogenous oxytocin on both stromal cell proliferation, and inherent spontaneous prostate contractions using primary models derived from human prostate tissue. We show that the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) is widely expressed in the human prostate, and co-localises to contractile cells within the prostate stroma. Exogenous oxytocin did not modulate prostatic fibroblast proliferation, but did significantly (p < 0.05) upregulate the frequency of spontaneous contractions in prostate tissue, indicating a role in generating smooth muscle tone. Application of atosiban, an OXTR antagonist, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced spontaneous contractions. Individual tissue responsiveness to both exogenous oxytocin (R2 = 0.697, p < 0.01) and atosiban (R2 = 0.472, p < 0.05) was greater in tissue collected from older men. Overall, our data suggest that oxytocin is a key regulator of inherent spontaneous prostate contractions, and targeting of the OXTR and associated downstream signalling is an attractive prospect in the development of novel BPH pharmacotherapies.
Streptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis: clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes
Authors: Chen Kuan-Jen , Chong Ying-Jiun , Sun Ming-Hui , Chen Hung-Chi , Liu Laura , Chen Yen-Po , Wu Wei-Chi , Kang Eugene Yu-Chuan , Lai Chi-Chun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae endophthalmitis is clinically more severe, more difficult to treat, and carry a higher risk of vision loss, evisceration, or enucleation. This study is to investigate the clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibility, and visual outcomes of S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis was diagnosed in 38 eyes of 38 patients. The main clinical features were postcataract endophthalmitis (n = 13, 34%) and endophthalmitis associated with corneal ulcer (n = 12, 32%), trauma (n = 6, 16%), endogenous etiology (n = 4, 11%), trabeculectomy (n = 2, 5%), and pterygium excision-related scleral ulcer (n = 1, 3%). Presenting visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to no light perception. Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics was performed in 17 eyes (39%) in primary or secondary treatments. S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (38/38, 100%), penicillin (37/38, 97%), ceftriaxone (37/38, 97%), cefuroxime (12/15, 80%), levofloxacin (13/15 ,87%), and moxifloxacin (15/17, 88%). Final visual acuity was better than 20/400 in 3 of 38 eyes (8%), 5/200 to hand motions in 3 eyes (8%), and light perception to no light perception in 32 eyes (84%). Ten eyes (26%) underwent evisceration or enucleation. Although S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis had a very poor visual prognosis.
Serial lung ultrasounds in pediatric pneumonia in Mozambique and Pakistan
Authors: Ginsburg Amy Sarah , Nisar Imran , Madrid Lola , Lenahan Jennifer L. , Balouch Benazir , Vitorino Pio , Hwang Jun , Lamorte Alessandro , Kanth Neel , Bila Rubao , Valente Marta , Varo Rosauro , May Susanne , Bassat Quique , Jehan Fyezah , Volpicelli Giovanni 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising point-of-care imaging technology for diagnosing and managing pneumonia. We sought to explore serial LUS examinations in children with chest-indrawing pneumonia in resource-constrained settings and compare their clinical and LUS imaging courses longitudinally. We conducted a prospective, observational study among children aged 2 through 23 months with World Health Organization Integrated Management of Childhood Illness chest-indrawing pneumonia and among children without fast breathing, chest indrawing or fever (no pneumonia cohort) at 2 district hospitals in Mozambique and Pakistan. We assessed serial LUS at enrollment, 2, 6, and 14 days, and performed a secondary analysis of enrolled children’s longitudinal clinical and imaging courses. By Day 14, the majority of children with chest-indrawing pneumonia and consolidation on enrollment LUS showed improvement on follow-up LUS (100% in Mozambique, 85.4% in Pakistan) and were clinically cured (100% in Mozambique, 78.0% in Pakistan). In our cohort of children with chest-indrawing pneumonia, LUS imaging often reflected the clinical course; however, it is unclear how serial LUS would inform the routine management of non-severe chest-indrawing pneumonia.
Novel magnetically retrievable In2O3/MoS2/Fe3O4 nanocomposite materials for enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Raha Sauvik , Ahmaruzzaman Md. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe current work involves synthesis of hybrid nanomaterial of In2O3/MoS2/Fe3O4 and their applications as photocatalysts for disintegration of esomeprazole under visible light illumination. The data emerged from various analyses testified to the successful construction of the desired nano-scaled hybrid photocatalyst. Tauc plot gave the band gap of In2O3/MoS2/Fe3O4 to be ~ 2.15 eV. Synergistic effects of the integrant components enabled efficacious photocatalytic performances of the nanocomposite. The nanohybrid photocatalyst In2O3/MoS2/Fe3O4 showed photodecomposition up to ~ 92.92% within 50 min. The current work realizes its objective of constructing metal oxide based hybrid nano-photocatalyst supported on MoS2 sheets for activity in the visible spectrum, which displayed remarkable capacity of disintegrating emerging persistent organic contaminants and are magnetically recoverable.
Germline masculinization by Phf7 in D. melanogaster requires its evolutionarily novel C-terminus and the HP1-family protein HP1D3csd
Authors: Yang Shu Yuan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGerm cells in Drosophila melanogaster need intrinsic factors along with somatic signals to activate proper sexual programs. A key factor for male germline sex determination is PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7), a histone reader expressed in the male germline that can trigger sex reversal in female germ cells and is also important for efficient spermatogenesis. Here we find that the evolutionarily novel C-terminus in Phf7 is necessary to turn on the complete male program in the early germline of D. melanogaster, suggesting that this domain may have been uniquely acquired to regulate sexual differentiation. We further looked for genes regulated by Phf7 related to sex determination in the embryonic germline by transcriptome profiling of FACS-purified embryonic gonads. One of the genes positively-regulated by Phf7 in the embryonic germline was an HP1family member, Heterochromatin Protein 1D3 chromoshadow domain (HP1D3csd). We find that this gene is needed for Phf7 to induce male-like development in the female germline, indicating that HP1D3csd is an important factor acting downstream of Phf7 to regulate germline masculinization.
Studies on the deposition of copper in lithium-ion batteries during the deep discharge process
Authors: Langner Thomas , Sieber Tim , Acker Jörg 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEnd-of-life lithium-ion batteries represent an important secondary raw material source for nickel, cobalt, manganese and lithium compounds in order to obtain starting materials for the production of new cathode material. Each process step in recycling must be performed in such a way contamination products on the cathode material are avoided or reduced. This paper is dedicated to the first step of each recycling process, the deep discharge of lithium-ion batteries, as a prerequisite for the safe opening and disassembling. If pouch cells with different states of charge are connected in series and deep-discharged together, copper deposition occurs preferably in the cell with the lower charge capacity. The current forced through the cell with a low charge capacity leads, after lithium depletion in the anode and the collapse of the solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) to a polarity reversal in which the copper collector of the anode is dissolved and copper is deposited on the cathode surface. Based on measurements of the temperature, voltage drop and copper concentration in the electrolyte at the cell with the originally lower charge capacity, the point of dissolution and incipient deposition of copper could be identified and a model of the processes during deep discharge could be developed.
Enhanced interactions of Kuroshio Extension with tropical Pacific in a changing climate
Authors: Joh Youngji , Di Lorenzo Emanuele , Siqueira Leo , Kirtman Benjamin P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractQuasi-decadal climate of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) is pivotal to understanding the North Pacific coupled ocean–atmosphere dynamics and their predictability. Recent observational studies suggest that extratropical-tropical coupling between the KE and the central tropical Pacific El Niño Southern Oscillation (CP-ENSO) leads to the observed preferred decadal time-scale of Pacific climate variability. By combining reanalysis data with numerical simulations from a high-resolution climate model and a linear inverse model (LIM), we confirm that KE and CP-ENSO dynamics are linked through extratropical-tropical teleconnections. Specifically, the atmospheric response to the KE excites Meridional Modes that energize the CP-ENSO (extratropicstropics), and in turn, CP-ENSO teleconnections energize the extratropical atmospheric forcing of the KE (tropicsextratropics). However, both observations and the model show that the KE/CP-ENSO coupling is non-stationary and has intensified in recent decades after the mid-1980. Given the short length of the observational and climate model record, it is difficult to attribute this shift to anthropogenic forcing. However, using a large-ensemble of the LIM we show that the intensification in the KE/CP-ENSO coupling after the mid-1980 is significant and linked to changes in the KE atmospheric downstream response, which exhibit a stronger imprint on the subtropical winds that excite the Pacific Meridional modes and CP-ENSO.
Comprehensive analysis of mutational and clinicopathologic characteristics of poorly differentiated colorectal neuroendocrine carcinomas
Authors: Lee Sun Mi , Sung Chang Ohk 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPoorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a rare subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate clinicopathologic characteristics of colorectal NECs and elucidate genomic differences and similarities between colorectal NECs and colorectal adenocarcinomas (ACs). A total of 30 colorectal NECs were screened for frequently identified CRC oncogenic driver genes by targeted next-generation sequencing of 382 genes. The median age of the patients was 67 years (range, 44 to 88 years). NECs occurred predominantly in the rectum (47%) and exhibited multiple adverse prognostic pathologic factors, including frequent lymphatic and vascular invasions, high rates of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis and advanced TNM stage. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of NEC patients were 46.7%, 36.4%, and 32.7%, respectively, with a median overall survival period of 11.5 months. In a molecular analysis, NECs showed high rates of BRAF mutation (23%), predominantly p.V600E (71%), and alterations in RB1 (47%), particularly deletion (57%). The frequencies and distributions of other genes, such as KRAS, APC, SMAD4, and PIK3CA, and microsatellite instability status were similar to those of ACs. These findings provide beneficial information for selecting therapeutic options, including targeted therapy, and a better understanding of the histogenesis of this tumour.
Karonudib has potent anti-tumor effects in preclinical models of B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Oksvold Morten P. , Berglund Ulrika Warpman , Gad Helge , Bai Baoyan , Stokke Trond , Rein Idun Dale , Pham Therese , Sanjiv Kumar , Øy Geir Frode , Norum Jens Henrik , Smeland Erlend B. , Myklebust June H. , Helleday Thomas , Våtsveen Thea Kristin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractChemo-immunotherapy has improved survival in B-cell lymphoma patients, but refractory/relapsed diseases still represent a major challenge, urging for development of new therapeutics. Karonudib (TH1579) was developed to inhibit MTH1, an enzyme preventing oxidized dNTP-incorporation in DNA. MTH1 is highly upregulated in tumor biopsies from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma, hence confirming a rationale for targeting MTH1. Here, we tested the efficacy of karonudib in vitro and in preclinical B-cell lymphoma models. Using a range of B-cell lymphoma cell lines, karonudib strongly reduced viability at concentrations well tolerated by activated normal B cells. In B-cell lymphoma cells, karonudib increased incorporation of 8-oxo-dGTP into DNA, and prominently induced prometaphase arrest and apoptosis due to failure in spindle assembly. MTH1 knockout cell lines were less sensitive to karonudib-induced apoptosis, but were displaying cell cycle arrest phenotype similar to the wild type cells, indicating a dual inhibitory role of the drug. Karonudib was highly potent as single agent in two different lymphoma xenograft models, including an ABC DLBCL patient derived xenograft, leading to prolonged survival and fully controlled tumor growth. Together, our preclinical findings provide a rationale for further clinical testing of karonudib in B-cell lymphoma.
Prediction of anemia at delivery
Authors: Yefet Enav , Yossef Avishag , Nachum Zohar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe aimed to assess risk factors for anemia at delivery by conducting a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study database including 1527 women who delivered vaginally ≥ 36 gestational weeks. Anemia (Hemoglobin (Hb) < 10.5 g/dL) was assessed at delivery. A complete blood count results during pregnancy as well as maternal and obstetrical characteristics were collected. The primary endpoint was to determine the Hb cutoff between 24 and 30 gestational weeks that is predictive of anemia at delivery by using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve. Independent risk factors for anemia at delivery were assessed using stepwise multivariable logistic regression. Hb and infrequent iron supplement treatment were independent risk factors for anemia at delivery (OR 0.3 95%CI [0.2–0.4] and OR 2.4 95%CI [1.2–4.8], respectively; C statistics 83%). Hb 10.6 g/dL was an accurate cutoff to predict anemia at delivery (AUC 80% 95%CI 75–84%; sensitivity 75% and specificity 74%). Iron supplement was beneficial to prevent anemia regardless of Hb value. Altogether, Hb should be routinely tested between 24 and 30 gestational weeks to screen for anemia. A flow chart for anemia screening and treatment during pregnancy is proposed in the manuscript.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02434653.
Xeno-free cryopreservation of adherent retinal pigmented epithelium yields viable and functional cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Pennington Britney O. , Bailey Jeffrey K. , Faynus Mohamed A. , Hinman Cassidy , Hee Mitchell N. , Ritts Rory , Nadar Vignesh , Zhu Danhong , Mitra Debbie , Martinez-Camarillo Juan Carlos , Lin Tai-Chi , Thomas Biju B. , Hinton David R. , Humayun Mark S. , Lebkowski Jane , Johnson Lincoln V. , Clegg Dennis O. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of blindness in adults over 60 years of age, and clinical trials are currently assessing the therapeutic potential of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cell monolayers on implantable scaffolds to treat this disease. However, challenges related to the culture, long-term storage, and long-distance transport of such implants currently limit the widespread use of adherent RPE cells as therapeutics. Here we report a xeno-free protocol to cryopreserve a confluent monolayer of clinical-grade, human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cells on a parylene scaffold (REPS) that yields viable, polarized, and functional RPE cells post-thaw. Thawed cells exhibit ≥ 95% viability, have morphology, pigmentation, and gene expression characteristic of mature RPE cells, and secrete the neuroprotective protein, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). Stability under liquid nitrogen (LN2) storage has been confirmed through one year. REPS were administered immediately post-thaw into the subretinal space of a mammalian model, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS)/nude rat. Implanted REPS were assessed at 30, 60, and 90 days post-implantation, and thawed cells demonstrate survival as an intact monolayer on the parylene scaffold. Furthermore, immunoreactivity for the maturation marker, RPE65, significantly increased over the post-implantation period in vivo, and cells demonstrated functional attributes similar to non-cryopreserved controls. The capacity to cryopreserve adherent cellular therapeutics permits extended storage and stable transport to surgical sites, enabling broad distribution for the treatment of prevalent diseases such as AMD.
Optimum protein requirement of juvenile orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)
Authors: Yan Xiaobo , Yang Junjiang , Dong Xiaohui , Tan Beiping , Zhang Shuang , Chi Shuyan , QihuiYang  , Liu Hongyu , Yang Yuanzhi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe purpose of subject was to explore the optimum protein requirement of juvenile grouper (Epinephelus coioides). In the test, 450 juveniles with an average weight (10.02 ± 0.22) g were randomly divided into six groups with triplicate, and were fed with 350, 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 g/kg iso-lipid test diet twice 1 day for 8 weeks, respectively. The results showed that: (1) With the increase of protein level, the body weight gain rate and specific growth rate first increased and then reduced, while the feed coefficient rate first decreased and then increased, while the protein efficiency significantly decreased (P < 0.05). (2) With the increase of protein level, the condition factor, hepaticsomatic index and visceralsomatic index significantly reduced (P < 0.05). (3) With the increase of protein level, the crude protein content of whole fish and muscle gradually increased, while the crude lipid content gradually decreased. (4) High-protein diet (550–600 g/kg) significantly increased the plasma total protein content and decreased the triglyceride content of orange-spotted grouper (P < 0.05). (5) Compared with the 350 g/kg group, 500, 550, 600 g/kg groups significantly increased the activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in liver (P < 0.05). (6) With the increase of protein level, the protease activity of intestine first increased and then decreased, and reached the maximum at the protein level of 500 g/kg, while lipase and amylase decreased significantly (P < 0.05). (7) The activities of acid phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme in liver increased first and then decreased with the increase of protein level, and reached the maximum in the 400 g/kg protein group. According to the analysis specific growth rate, the optimum protein level of juvenile orange-spotted grouper is 521.84 g/kg.
Enhanced catalytic ozonation of ibuprofen using a 3D structured catalyst with MnO2 nanosheets on carbon microfibers
Authors: Ponnusamy Guhankumar , Farzaneh Hajar , Tong Yongfeng , Lawler Jenny , Liu Zhaoyang , Saththasivam Jayaprakash 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHeterogeneous catalytic ozonation is an effective approach to degrade refractory organic pollutants in water. However, ozonation catalysts with combined merits of high activity, good reusability and low cost for practical industrial applications are still rare. This study aims to develop an efficient, stable and economic ozonation catalyst for the degradation of Ibuprofen, a pharmaceutical compound frequently detected as a refractory pollutant in treated wastewaters. The novel three-dimensional network-structured catalyst, comprising of δ-MnO2 nanosheets grown on woven carbon microfibers (MnO2 nanosheets/carbon microfiber), was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal approach. Catalytic ozonation performance of Ibuprofen removal in water using the new catalyst proves a significant enhancement, where Ibuprofen removal efficiency of close to 90% was achieved with a catalyst loading of 1% (w/v). In contrast, conventional ozonation was only able to achieve 65% removal efficiency under the same operating condition. The enhanced performance with the new catalyst could be attributed to its significantly increased available surface active sites and improved mass transfer of reaction media, as a result of the special surface and structure properties of this new three-dimensional network-structured catalyst. Moreover, the new catalyst displays excellent stability and reusability for ibuprofen degradation over successive reaction cycles. The facile synthesis method and low-cost materials render the new catalyst high potential for industrial scaling up. With the combined advantages of high efficiency, high stability, and low cost, this study sheds new light for industrial applications of ozonation catalysts.
Radical pairs may play a role in xenon-induced general anesthesia
Authors: Smith Jordan , Zadeh Haghighi Hadi , Salahub Dennis , Simon Christoph 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying general anesthesia would be a key step towards understanding consciousness. The process of xenon-induced general anesthesia has been shown to involve electron transfer, and the potency of xenon as a general anesthetic exhibits isotopic dependence. We propose that these observations can be explained by a mechanism in which the xenon nuclear spin influences the recombination dynamics of a naturally occurring radical pair of electrons. We develop a simple model inspired by the body of work on the radical-pair mechanism in cryptochrome in the context of avian magnetoreception, and we show that our model can reproduce the observed isotopic dependence of the general anesthetic potency of xenon in mice. Our results are consistent with the idea that radical pairs of electrons with entangled spins could be important for consciousness.