bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissecting the interaction between HSP70 and vascular contraction: role of $$\hbox{Ca}^{2+}$$ handling mechanisms
Authors: de Oliveira Amanda A. , Priviero Fernanda , Tostes Rita C. , Webb R. Clinton , Nunes Kenia P. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHeat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a ubiquitously expressed molecular chaperone with various biological functions. Recently, we demonstrated that HSP70 is key for adequate vascular reactivity. However, the specific mechanisms targeted by HSP70 to assist in this process remain elusive. Since there is a wealth of evidence connecting HSP70 to calcium ($$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

), a master regulator of contraction, we designed this study to investigate whether blockade of HSP70 disrupts vascular contraction via impairment of $${\text{Ca}}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

handling mechanisms. We performed functional studies in aortas isolated from male Sprague Dawley rats in the presence or absence of exogenous $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

, and we determined the effects of VER155008, an inhibitor of HSP70, on $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

handling as well as key mechanisms that regulate vascular contraction. Changes in the intracellular concentration of $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

were measured with a biochemical assay kit. We report that blockade of HSP70 leads to $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

mishandling in aorta stimulated with phenylephrine, decreasing both phasic and tonic contractions. Importantly, in $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

free Krebs’ solution, inhibition of HSP70 only reduced the $$\hbox {E}_{\mathrm{max}}$$

E
max

of the phasic contraction if the protein was blocked before IP3r-mediated $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

release, suggesting that HSP70 has a positive effect towards this receptor. Corroborating this statement, VER155008 did not potentiate an IP3r inhibitor’s outcomes, even with partial blockade. In another set of experiments, the inhibition of HSP70 attenuated the amplitude of the tonic contraction independently of the moment VER155008 was added to the chamber (i.e., whether it was before or after IP3r-mediated phasic contraction). More compelling, following re-addition of $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

, VER155008 amplified the inhibitory effects of a voltage-dependent $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

channel blocker, but not of a voltage-independent $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

channel inhibitor, indicating that HSP70 has a positive impact on the latter. Lastly, the mechanism by which HSP70 modulates vascular contraction does not involve the $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$

Ca

2
+

sensitizer protein, Rho-kinase, nor the SERCA pump, as blockade of these proteins in the presence of VER155008 almost abolished contraction. In summary, our findings shed light on the processes targeted by HSP70 during vascular contraction and open research avenues for potential new mechanisms in vascular diseases.
The impact of delayed surgical intervention following high velocity maxillofacial injuries
Authors: Oren Daniel , Dror Amiel A. , Zoabi Adeeb , Kasem Adi , Tzadok Lior , Kablan Fares , Morozov Nicole G. , Safory Enssaf , Sela Eyal , Srouji Samer 
Published: January 2021

AbstractOur study compares the number of postoperative complications of Syrian patients admitted to the Galilee Medical Center (GMC) over a 5-year period (May 2013–May 2018) for treatment after initial high-velocity maxillofacial injuries sustained during the Syrian civil war. Specifically, we evaluated complication rates of patients arriving “early,” within 24 h, to the GMC versus those who arrived “late,” or 14–28 days following high-velocity maxillofacial injuries. Both groups of patients received definitive surgical treatment within 48 h of admission to our hospital with a total of 60 patients included in this study. The mean age was 26 ± 8 years (range: 9–50) and all except one were male. Postoperative complications in the early group were found to be significantly higher compared to the delayed arrival group (p = 0.006). We found that unintentionally delayed treatment may have contributed to a critical revascularization period resulting in improved healing and decreased postoperative morbidity and complications. We discuss potential mechanisms for complication rate variations, including critical vascularization periods. Our study may add to a growing body of work demonstrating the potential benefit of delayed surgical treatment for high-velocity maxillofacial injuries.
A novel CO2 utilization technology for the synergistic co-production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and syngas
Authors: Challiwala Mohamed S. , Choudhury Hanif A. , Wang Dingdi , El-Halwagi Mahmoud M. , Weitz Eric , Elbashir Nimir O. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDry reforming of methane (DRM) is a well-known process in which CH4 and CO2 catalytically react to produce syngas. Solid carbon is a well-known byproduct of the DRM but is undesirable as it leads to catalyst deactivation. However, converting CO2 and CH4 into solid carbon serves as a promising carbon capture and sequestration technique that has been demonstrated in this study by two patented processes. In the first process, known as CARGEN technology (CARbon GENerator), a novel concept of two reactors in series is developed that separately convert the greenhouse gases (GHGs) into multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and syngas. CARGEN enables at least a 50% reduction in energy requirement with at least 65% CO2 conversion compared to the DRM process. The second process presents an alternative pathway for the regeneration/reactivation of the spent DRM/CARGEN catalyst using CO2. Provided herein is the first report on an experimental demonstration of a 'switching' technology in which CO2 is utilized in both the operation and the regeneration cycles and thus, finally contributing to the overall goal of CO2 fixation. The following studies support all the results in this work: physisorption, chemisorption, XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, TGA, ICP, and Raman analysis.
Classification of malignant tumours in breast ultrasound using unsupervised machine learning approaches
Authors: Shia Wei-Chung , Lin Li-Sheng , Chen Dar-Ren 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTraditional computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) processes include feature extraction, selection, and classification. Effective feature extraction in CAD is important in improving the classification’s performance. We introduce a machine-learning method and have designed an analysis procedure of benign and malignant breast tumour classification in ultrasound (US) images without a need for a priori tumour region-selection processing, thereby decreasing clinical diagnosis efforts while maintaining high classification performance. Our dataset constituted 677 US images (benign: 312, malignant: 365). Regarding two-dimensional US images, the oriented gradient descriptors’ histogram pyramid was extracted and utilised to obtain feature vectors. The correlation-based feature selection method was used to evaluate and select significant feature sets for further classification. Sequential minimal optimisation—combining local weight learning—was utilised for classification and performance enhancement. The image dataset’s classification performance showed an 81.64% sensitivity and 87.76% specificity for malignant images (area under the curve = 0.847). The positive and negative predictive values were 84.1 and 85.8%, respectively. Here, a new workflow, utilising machine learning to recognise malignant US images was proposed. Comparison of physician diagnoses and the automatic classifications made using machine learning yielded similar outcomes. This indicates the potential applicability of machine learning in clinical diagnoses.
Estimation of stride-by-stride spatial gait parameters using inertial measurement unit attached to the shank with inverted pendulum model
Authors: Mao Yufeng , Ogata Taiki , Ora Hiroki , Tanaka Naoto , Miyake Yoshihiro 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInertial measurement unit (IMU)-based gait analysis systems have become popular in clinical environments because of their low cost and quantitative measurement capability. When a shank is selected as the IMU mounting position, an inverted pendulum model (IPM) can accurately estimate its spatial gait parameters. However, the stride-by-stride estimation of gait parameters using one IMU on each shank and the IPMs has not been validated. This study validated a spatial gait parameter estimation method using a shank-based IMU system. Spatial parameters were estimated via the double integration of the linear acceleration transformed by the IMU orientation information. To reduce the integral drift error, an IPM, applied with a linear error model, was introduced at the mid-stance to estimate the update velocity. the gait data of 16 healthy participants that walked normally and slowly were used. The results were validated by comparison with those extracted from an optical motion-capture system; the results showed strong correlation ($$r>0.9$$

r
>
0.9

) and good agreement with the gait metrics (stride length, stride velocity, and shank vertical displacement). In addition, the biases of the stride length and stride velocity extracted using the motion capture system were smaller in the IPM than those in the previous method using the zero-velocity-update. The error variabilities of the gait metrics were smaller in the IPM than those in the previous method. These results indicated that the reconstructed shank trajectory achieved a greater accuracy and precision than that of previous methods. This was attributed to the IPM, which demonstrates that shank-based IMU systems with IPMs can accurately reflect many spatial gait parameters including stride velocity.
ExoFiT trial at the Atacama Desert (Chile): Raman detection of biomarkers by representative prototypes of the ExoMars/Raman Laser Spectrometer
Authors: Veneranda Marco , Lopez-Reyes Guillermo , Saiz Jesus , Manrique-Martinez Jose Antonio , Sanz-Arranz Aurelio , Medina Jesús , Moral Andoni , Seoane Laura , Ibarmia Sergio , Rull Fernando 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this work, the analytical research performed by the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) team during the ExoFiT trial is presented. During this test, an emulator of the Rosalind Franklin rover was remotely operated at the Atacama Desert in a Mars-like sequence of scientific operations that ended with the collection and the analysis of two drilled cores. The in-situ Raman characterization of the samples was performed through a portable technology demonstrator of RLS (RAD1 system). The results were later complemented in the laboratory using a bench top RLS operation simulator and a X-Ray diffractometer (XRD). By simulating the operational and analytical constraints of the ExoMars mission, the two RLS representative instruments effectively disclosed the mineralogical composition of the drilled cores (k-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, muscovite and rutile as main components), reaching the detection of minor phases (e.g., additional phyllosilicate and calcite) whose concentration was below the detection limit of XRD. Furthermore, Raman systems detected many organic functional groups (–C≡N, –NH2 and C–(NO2)), suggesting the presence of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the samples. The Raman detection of organic material in the subsurface of a Martian analogue site presenting representative environmental conditions (high UV radiation, extreme aridity), supports the idea that the RLS could play a key role in the fulfilment of the ExoMars main mission objective: to search for signs of life on Mars.
The nationwide retrospective cohort study by Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service proves that asthma management decreases the exacerbation risk of asthma
Authors: Kim Nam-Eun , Lee Sanghun , Kim Bo Yeon , Hwang Ae Gi , Shin Ji Hyeon , Yang Hyeon-Jong , Won Sungho 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMedical costs have recently increased in South Korea due to the rising rate of asthma. Primary clinics serve an important role in asthma management, as they are the first stop for patients presenting with symptoms. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) in South Korea has assessed asthma-management quality since 2013, but studies are lacking on whether these assessments have been performed properly and contribute toward reducing asthma exacerbations. Therefore, we investigated whether the HIRA’s quality assessments have decreased asthma exacerbations using national health insurance claims data from 2013 to 2017 of 83,375 primary-clinic and 15,931 tertiary-hospital patients with asthma. These patients were classified into four groups based on disease severity according to the monthly prescribed amount of asthma medication using K-means clustering. The associations between HIRA assessments and asthma exacerbation were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation. Our results showed that exacerbation odds gradually decreased as the HIRA assessments progressed, especially in the mild-severity group, and that exacerbation risk among patients with asthma decreased in the order of assessment grades: “Unsatisfactory,” “Satisfactory,” and “Tertiary.” Therefore, we may conclude that asthma exacerbations may decrease with high quality asthma management; appropriate quality assessment could be helpful in reducing asthma exacerbations.
Profiling Mannheimia haemolytica infection in dairy calves using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and multivariate analysis (MVA)
Authors: Santos-Rivera Mariana , Woolums Amelia , Thoresen Merrilee , Blair Ellianna , Jefferson Victoria , Meyer Florencia , Vance Carrie K. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBovine respiratory disease (BRD) linked with Mannheimia haemolytica is the principal cause of pneumonia in cattle. Diagnosis of BRD traditionally relies on visual assessment, which can be untimely, insensitive, and nonspecific leading to inadequate treatment and further spread of disease. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a rapid acquisition vibrational spectroscopy that can profile changes in biofluids, and when used in combination with multivariate analysis, has potential for disease diagnosis. This study characterizes the NIR spectral profile of blood plasma from dairy calves infected with M. haemolytica and validates the spectral biochemistry using standardized clinical and hematological reference parameters. Blood samples were collected for four days prior to (baseline), and 23 days after, a controlled intrabronchial challenge. NIR spectral profiles of blood plasma discriminated and predicted Baseline and Infected states of animal disease progression with accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity ≥ 90% using PCA–LDA models. These results show that physiological and biochemical changes occurring in the bloodstream of dairy calves during M. haemolytica infection are reflected in the NIR spectral profiles, demonstrating the potential of NIRS as a diagnostic and monitoring tool of BRD over time.
Integrating Narcissus-derived galanthamine production into traditional upland farming systems
Authors: Fraser M. D. , Vallin H. E. , Davies J. R. T. , Rowlands G. E. , Chang X. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a disorder associated with progressive degeneration of memory and cognitive function. Galantamine is a licenced treatment for AD but supplies of the plant alkaloid that it is produced from, galanthamine, are limited. This three-year system study tested the potential to combineNarcissus-derived galanthamine production with grassland-based ruminant production. Replicate plots of permanent pasture were prepared with and without bulbs ofNarcissus pseudonarcissussown as lines into the sward. Two different fertiliser regimes were imposed. The above-ground green biomass ofN. pseudonarcissuswas harvested in early spring and the galanthamine yield determined. In the second harvest year a split-plot design was implemented with lines ofN. pseudonarcissuscut annually and biennially. All plots were subsequently grazed by ewes and lambs and animal performance recorded. Incorporation ofN. pseudonarcissusinto grazed permanent pasture had no detrimental effects on the health or performance of the sheep which subsequently grazed the pasture. There was no consistency to the effects of fertiliser rates on galanthamine yields. There was no difference in overall galanthamine yield ifN. pseudonarcissuswas cut biennially (1.64 vs. 1.75 kg galanthamine/ha for annual combined vs biennial cuts respectively; s.e.d = 0.117 kg galanthamine/ha; ns). This study verified the feasibility of a dual cropping approach to producing plant-derived galanthamine.
Microstructure and pore structure of polymer-cement composite joint sealants
Authors: Lou Chuanxin , Xu Jinyu , Wang Tengjiao , Ren Weibo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUtilizing methods such as scanning electron microscopy observation and mercury intrusion porosimetry, this paper investigates the basic microstructure and pore structure properties of polymer-cement composite joint sealants for pavements, and analyzes the effects and rules of various material types, ratio parameters and processing conditions. Further, the fractal characteristics and variation rules of pore size distribution are investigated for the joint sealants by introducing the fractal theory. The results show that changes in material type, ratio parameter and processing condition produce insignificant effects on the basic microstructure properties and configuration of joint sealants, with effects reflected primarily in the change of sealant pore structure. Measures like increasing the powder-liquid ratio and cement ratio, blending with sulphoaluminate cement or mica powder, adding latex powder or coupling agent, cold drawing and hot pressing, as well as ultraviolet irradiation treatment are all capable of reducing the total pore volume of joint sealants and refining their pore structure. In contrast, opposite effects are yielded when low-grade cement is used, styrene-acrylic emulsion is blended, or plasticizer is added. Additionally, after blending with talc powder or adding carbon fiber additive, the total pore volume of joint sealants remains basically unchanged or reduced, despite the coarsened pore structure. The total pore volume of joint sealants increases after wet–dry cycling treatment, while no obvious change in the pore size distribution is observed. Pore size distribution of the studied joint sealants presents distinct fractal characteristics, and the corresponding fractal dimension of pore surface area ranges between 2.6 and 2.8.
Action potentials induce biomagnetic fields in carnivorous Venus flytrap plants
Authors: Fabricant Anne , Iwata Geoffrey Z. , Scherzer Sönke , Bougas Lykourgos , Rolfs Katharina , Jodko-Władzińska Anna , Voigt Jens , Hedrich Rainer , Budker Dmitry 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUpon stimulation, plants elicit electrical signals that can travel within a cellular network analogous to the animal nervous system. It is well-known that in the human brain, voltage changes in certain regions result from concerted electrical activity which, in the form of action potentials (APs), travels within nerve-cell arrays. Electro- and magnetophysiological techniques like electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging are used to record this activity and to diagnose disorders. Here we demonstrate that APs in a multicellular plant system produce measurable magnetic fields. Using atomic optically pumped magnetometers, biomagnetism associated with electrical activity in the carnivorous Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, was recorded. Action potentials were induced by heat stimulation and detected both electrically and magnetically. Furthermore, the thermal properties of ion channels underlying the AP were studied. Beyond proof of principle, our findings pave the way to understanding the molecular basis of biomagnetism in living plants. In the future, magnetometry may be used to study long-distance electrical signaling in a variety of plant species, and to develop noninvasive diagnostics of plant stress and disease.
Freestanding bilayer plasmonic waveguide coupling mechanism for ultranarrow electromagnetic-induced transparency band generation
Authors: Yu Li , Liang Yuzhang , Chu Shuwen , Gao Huixuan , Wang Qiao , Peng Wei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStrong electromagnetic coupling among plasmonic nanostructures paves a new route toward efficient manipulation of photons. Particularly, plasmon-waveguide systems exhibit remarkable optical properties by simply tailoring the interaction among elementary elements. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a freestanding bilayer plasmonic-waveguide structure exhibiting an extremely narrow transmission peak with efficiency up to 92%, the linewidth of only 0.14 nm and an excellent out of band rejection. The unexpected optical behavior considering metal loss is consistent with that of electromagnetic induced transparency, arising from the destructive interference of super-radiative nanowire dipolar mode and transversal magnetic waveguide mode. Furthermore, for slow light application, the designed plasmonic-waveguide structure has a high group index of approximately 1.2 × 105 at the maximum of the transmission band. In sensing application, its lowest sensing figure of merit is achieved up to 8500 due to the ultra-narrow linewidth of the transmission band. This work provides a valuable photonics design for developing high performance nano-photonic devices.
A retrospective study of internal small bowel herniation following pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecologic carcinomas
Authors: Tanaka Yuji , Shimizu Yusuke , Ikki Ai , Okamoto Kota , Fusegi Atsushi , Nakabayashi Makoto , Omi Makiko , Kurita Tomoko , Tanigawa Terumi , Aoki Yoichi , Netsu Sachiho , Yunokawa Mayu , Nomura Hidetaka , Matoda Maki , Okamoto Sanshiro , Omatsu Kohei , Kanao Hiroyuki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAfter pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA), pelvic vessels, nerve, and ureter are skeletonized. Internal hernias beneath the skeletonized pelvic structure following pelvic lymphadenectomy (IBSPP) are a rare complication following PLA. To the best of our knowledge, only 12 IBSPP cases have been reported and clinical details on such hernias remain unknown.
The aim of the study was to investigate the incident and etiology of IBSPP. 1313 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy were identified from our database. A retrospective review was performed. Mean follow-up period was 33.9 months. A total of 12 patients had IBSPP. Multivariate analysis of laparoscopic surgeries group as compared to open surgeries group, para-aortic lymphadenectomy rate, number of dissected lymph nodes by PLA, antiadhesive material use rate, and blood loss were lower in laparoscopic surgeries group: odd ratio (OR) = 0.13 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08–0.19], and OR = 0.70 [95% CI 0.50–0.99], OR = 0.17 [95% CI 0.10–0.28], OR = 0.93 [95% CI 0.92–0.94]. However, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of IBSPP between laparoscopic surgery (1.0%) and open surgery (0.8%). All IBSPP occurred in the right pelvic space. These findings may contribute to the development of prevention methods for this disease.