bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of balance functions using temporo-spatial gait analysis parameters in patients with brain lesions
Authors: Lee Byung Joo , Joo Na-Young , Kim Sung Hyun , Kim Chung Reen , Yang Dongseok , Park Donghwi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to compare gait analysis and balance function measurements, such as the Berg balance scale (BBS) score to seek specific measurements that can represent the balance functions of patients with brain lesions. Additionally, we also compared other different gait function scale scores with gait analysis measurements. This study included 77 patients with brain lesions admitted to our institution between January 2017 and August 2020. Their gait analysis parameters and clinical data, including personal data; clinical diagnosis; duration of the disease; cognition, ambulation, and stair-climbing sub-scores of the modified Barthel index (MBI); manual muscle test (MMT) findings of both lower extremities; functional ambulation category (FAC); and BBS score, were retrospectively analyzed. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the gait analysis parameters that would significantly correlate with the balance function and other physical performances. In the results, the BBS scores were significantly correlated with the gait speed and step width/height2. However, the other gait function measurements, such as the FAC and ambulation and stair-climbing sub-scores of the MBI, were correlated only with the gait speed. Additionally, both the summations of the lower extremity MMT findings and anti-gravity lower extremity MMT findings were correlated with the average swing phase time. Therefore, in the gait analysis, the gait speed may be an important factor in determining the balance and gait functions of the patients with brain lesions. Moreover, the step width/height2 may be a significant factor in determining their balance function. However, further studies with larger sample sizes should be performed to confirm this relationship.
Marker-assisted selection complements phenotypic screening at seedling stage to identify cassava mosaic disease-resistant genotypes in African cassava populations
Authors: Olasanmi Bunmi , Kyallo Martina , Yao Nasser 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a serious threat to cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of genomic-assisted selection at the seedling trial stage would help to reduce the time for release, breeding cost, and resources used, hence increase selection efficiency in cassava breeding programs. Five cassava populations were screened for resistance to CMD during the seedling evaluation trial at 1, 3, and 5 months after planting using a scale of 1–5. The genotypes in the five populations were also screened using six molecular markers linked to the CMD2 gene. The correlation between the phenotypic and marker data was estimated. Based on Cassava Mosaic Disease Severity Score (CMDSS), between 53 and 82% of the progenies were resistant across the populations with an average of 70.5%. About 70% of the progenies were identified to be resistant to the disease across the populations with a range of 62–80% using the marker data. With both marker data and CMDSS combined, 40–60% of the progenies in each population, with an average of 52%, were identified to be resistant to CMD. There was a fairly significant correlation between the marker data and CMDSS in each cassava population with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.2024 to 0.3460 suggesting that novel genes not associated to the markers used might be involved in the resistance to CMD. The resistant genotypes identified in this study with potential for other desirable traits were selected for evaluation at the advanced trial stage thereby shortening the period required for the breeding program.
Estrogen induces shift in abundances of specific groups of the coral microbiome
Authors: Vilela Caren L. S. , Villela Helena D. M. , Duarte Gustavo A. S. , Santoro Erika P. , Rachid Caio T. C. C. , Peixoto Raquel S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSynthetic estrogens such as ethinylestradiol (EE2) are persistent micropollutants that are not effectively removed from wastewater by conventional treatments. These contaminants are released into waterbodies, where they disrupt endocrine systems of organisms and cause harmful effects such as feminization, infertility, reproduction problems and genital malformations. The consequences of this pollution for key marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and their associated microbiomes are underexplored. We evaluated the effects of EE2 concentrations of 100 ng L−1 and 100 µg L−1 on the coral metaorganism Mussismilia harttii. The results indicated no effects on visible bleaching or Fv/Fm ratios in the corals during a 17-day microcosm experiment. However, next-generation sequencing of 16S rDNA revealed a statistically significant effect of high EE2 concentrations on OTU richness, and shifts in specific microbial groups after treatments with or without EE2. These groups might be bioindicators of early shifts in the metaorganism composition caused by EE2 contamination.
Echocardiographic measure of dynamic arterial elastance predict pressure response during norepinephrine weaning: an observational study
Authors: Nguyen Maxime , Abou-Arab Osama , Bar Stéphane , Dupont Hervé , Bouhemad Bélaïd , Guinot Pierre-Grégoire 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine whether dynamic elastance EAdyn derived from echocardiographic measurements of stroke volume variations can predict the success of a one-step decrease of norepinephrine dose. In this prospective single-center study, 39 patients with vasoplegic syndrome treated with norepinephrine and for whom the attending physician had decided to decrease norepinephrine dose and monitored by thermodilution were analyzed. EAdyn is the ratio of pulse pressure variation to stroke volume variation and was calculated from echocardiography stroke volume variations and from transpulmonary thermodilution. Pulse pressure variation was obtained from invasive arterial monitoring. Responders were defined by a decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 10% following norepinephrine decrease. The median decrease in norepinephrine was of 0.04 [0.03–0.05] µg kg−1 min−1. Twelve patients (31%) were classified as pressure responders with a median decrease in MAP of 13% [12–15%]. EAdyn was lower in pressure responders (0.40 [0.24–0.57] vs 0.95 [0.77–1.09], p < 0.01). EAdyn was able to discriminate between pressure responders and non-responders with an area under the curve of 0.86 (CI95% [0.71 to1.0], p < 0.05). The optimal cut-off was 0.8. EAdyn calculated from the echocardiographic estimation of the stroke volume variation and the invasive arterial pulse pressure variation can be used to discriminate pressure response to norepinephrine weaning. Agreement between EAdyn calculated from echocardiography and thermodilution was poor. Echocardiographic EAdyn might be used at bedside to optimize hemodynamic treatment.
Emergence of network effects and predictability in the judicial system
Authors: Mones Enys , Sapieżyński Piotr , Thordal Simon , Olsen Henrik Palmer , Lehmann Sune 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs courts strive to simultaneously remain self-consistent and adapt to new legal challenges, a complex network of of citations between decided cases is established. Using network science methods to analyze the underlying patterns of citations between cases can help us understand the large-scale mechanisms which shape the judicial system. Here, we use the case-to-case citation structure of the Court of Justice of the European Union to examine this question. Using a link-prediction model, we show that over time the complex network of citations evolves in a way which improves our ability to predict new citations. Investigating the factors which enable prediction over time, we find that the content of the case documents plays a decreasing role, whereas both the predictive power and significance of the citation network structure itself show a consistent increase over time. Finally, our analysis enables us to validate existing citations and recommend potential citations for future cases within the court.
Intensity of metastasis screening and survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Cheun Jong-Ho , Jung Jigwang , Lee Eun-Shin , Rhu Jiyoung , Lee Han-Byoel , Lee Kyung-Hun , Kim Tae-Yong , Han Wonshink , Im Seock-Ah , Noh Dong-Young , Moon Hyeong-Gon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPrevious randomized trials, performed decades ago, showed no survival benefit of intensive screening for distant metastasis in breast cancer. However, recent improvements in targeted therapies and diagnostic accuracy of imaging have again raised the question of the clinical benefit of screening for distant metastasis. Therefore, we investigated the association between the use of modern imaging and survival of patients with breast cancer who eventually developed distant metastasis. We retrospectively reviewed data of 398 patients who developed distant metastasis after their initial curative treatment between January 2000 and December 2015. Patients in the less-intensive surveillance group (LSG) had significantly longer relapse-free survival than did patients in the intensive surveillance group (ISG) (8.7 vs. 22.8 months; p = 0.002). While the ISG showed worse overall survival than the LSG did (50.2 vs. 59.9 months; p = 0.015), the difference was insignificant after adjusting for other prognostic factors. Among the 225 asymptomatic patients whose metastases were detected on imaging, the intensity of screening did not affect overall survival. A small subgroup of patients showed poor survival outcomes when they underwent intensive screening. Patients with HR-/HER2 + tumors and patients who developed lung metastasis in the LSG had better overall survival than those in the ISG did. Highly intensive screening for distant metastasis in disease-free patients with breast cancer was not associated with significant survival benefits, despite the recent improvements in therapeutic options and diagnostic techniques.
Intraoperative perfusion assessment of the proximal colon by a visual grading system for safe anastomosis after resection in left-sided colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Ryu Hyo Seon , Lim Seok-Byung , Choi Eu-Tteum , Song Inho , Lee Jong Lyul , Kim Chan Wook , Yoon Yong Sik , Park In Ja , Yu Chang Sik , Kim Jin Cheon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate the clinical feasibility of a new visual grading system. We included 50 patients who underwent resection of primary colorectal cancer. Before anastomosis, the marginal vessel was cut and the perfusion status was assessed by a visual grading system. The visual grading system is comprised of five grades according to the bleeding from the marginal vessel and is categorized into 4 groups: good (grade A and B), moderate (grade C), poor (grade D) and none (grade E). Colorectal anastomosis was performed only in the good and moderate groups. We compared postoperative outcomes between the good and moderate groups and analysed the factors affecting the perfusion grade. Among the patients, 48% were grade A, 12% were grade B, and 40% were grade C. There was no anastomotic leakage. Only one patient with grade C showed ischemic colitis and needed reoperation. Age was the only factor correlated with perfusion grade in multivariate analysis (OR 1.080, 95% CI 1.006–1.159, p = 0.034). The perfusion grades were significantly different between > 65 and < 65 year-old patients (> 65, A 29.2% B 12.5% C 58.3% vs. < 65, A 65.4% B 11.5% C 23.1%, p = 0.006). Our intraoperative perfusion assessment that uses a cutting method and a visual grading system is simple and useful for performing a safe anastomosis after colorectal resection. If the perfusion grade is better than grade C, an anastomosis can be performed safely. Age was found to be an important factor affecting the perfusion grade.
Transcriptomic responses of Aspergillus flavus to temperature and oxidative stresses during aflatoxin production
Authors: Tian Fei , Lee Sang Yoo , Woo So Young , Choi Hwa Young , Heo Seongeun , Nah Gyoungju , Chun Hyang Sook 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAflatoxin is a group of polyketide-derived carcinogenic and mutagenic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus that negatively impact global food security and threaten the health of both humans and livestock. Aflatoxin biosynthesis is strongly affected by the fungal developmental stage, cultivation conditions, and environmental stress. In this study, a novel float culture method was used to examine the direct responses of the A. flavus transcriptome to temperature stress, oxidative stress, and their dual effects during the aflatoxin production stage. The transcriptomic response of A. flavus illustrated that the co-regulation of different secondary metabolic pathways likely contributes to maintaining cellular homeostasis and promoting cell survival under stress conditions. In particular, aflatoxin biosynthetic gene expression was downregulated, while genes encoding secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties, such as kojic acid and imizoquins, were upregulated under stress conditions. Multiple mitochondrial function-related genes, including those encoding NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, ubiquinol-cytochrome C reductase, and alternative oxidase, were differentially expressed. These data can provide insights into the important mechanisms through which secondary metabolism in A. flavus is co-regulated and facilitate the deployment of various approaches for the effective control and prevention of aflatoxin contamination in food crops.
Sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-ATPase inhibition paradoxically upregulates murine skeletal muscle Nav1.4 function
Authors: Liu Sean X. , Matthews Hugh R. , Huang Christopher L.-H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSkeletal muscle Na+ channels possess Ca2+- and calmodulin-binding sites implicated in Nav1.4 current (INa) downregulation following ryanodine receptor (RyR1) activation produced by exchange protein directly activated by cyclic AMP or caffeine challenge, effects abrogated by the RyR1-antagonist dantrolene which itself increased INa. These findings were attributed to actions of consequently altered cytosolic Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, on Nav1.4. We extend the latter hypothesis employing cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) challenge, which similarly increases [Ca2+]i, but through contrastingly inhibiting sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) Ca2+-ATPase. Loose patch clamping determined Na+ current (INa) families in intact native murine gastrocnemius skeletal myocytes, minimising artefactual [Ca2+]i perturbations. A bespoke flow system permitted continuous INa comparisons through graded depolarizing steps in identical stable membrane patches before and following solution change. In contrast to the previous studies modifying RyR1 activity, and imposing control solution changes, CPA (0.1 and 1 µM) produced persistent increases in INa within 1–4 min of introduction. CPA pre-treatment additionally abrogated previously reported reductions in INa produced by 0.5 mM caffeine. Plots of peak current against voltage excursion demonstrated that 1 µM CPA increased maximum INa by ~ 30%. It only slightly decreased half-maximal activating voltages (V0.5) and steepness factors (k), by 2 mV and 0.7, in contrast to the V0.5 and k shifts reported with direct RyR1 modification. These paradoxical findings complement previously reported downregulatory effects on Nav1.4 of RyR1-agonist mediated increases in bulk cytosolic [Ca2+]. They implicate possible local tubule-sarcoplasmic triadic domains containing reduced [Ca2+]TSR in the observed upregulation of Nav1.4 function following CPA-induced SR Ca2+ depletion.
Long non-coding RNAs as novel therapeutic targets in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Hofmans Mattias , Lammens Tim , Depreter Barbara , Wu Ying , Erlacher Miriam , Caye Aurélie , Cavé Hélène , Flotho Christian , de Haas Valerie , Niemeyer Charlotte M. , Stary Jan , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Deforce Dieter , Van Loocke Wouter , Van Vlierberghe Pieter , Philippé Jan , De Moerloose Barbara 
Published: February 2021

AbstractJuvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) treatment primarily relies on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and results in long-term overall survival of 50–60%, demonstrating a need to develop novel treatments. Dysregulation of the non-coding RNA transcriptome has been demonstrated before in this rare and unique disorder of early childhood. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting overexpressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in JMML. Total RNA sequencing of bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations from 19 untreated JMML patients and three healthy children revealed 185 differentially expressed lncRNA genes (131 up- and 54 downregulated). LNA GapmeRs were designed for 10 overexpressed and validated lncRNAs. Molecular knockdown (≥ 70% compared to mock control) after 24 h of incubation was observed with two or more independent GapmeRs in 6 of them. For three lncRNAs (lnc-THADA-4, lnc-ACOT9-1 and NRIR) knockdown resulted in a significant decrease of cell viability after 72 h of incubation in primary cultures of JMML mononuclear cells, respectively. Importantly, the extent of cellular damage correlated with the expression level of the lncRNA of interest. In conclusion, we demonstrated in primary JMML cell cultures that knockdown of overexpressed lncRNAs such as lnc-THADA-4, lnc-ACOT9-1 and NRIR may be a feasible therapeutic strategy.
Metal-free graphene-based nanoelectrodes for the electrochemical determination of ascorbic acid (AA) andp-nitrophenol (p-NP): implication towards biosensing and environmental monitoring
Authors: Sapner Vijay S. , Sathe Bhaskar R. 
Published: February 2021

Herein, tyramine functionalized graphene oxide electrocatalyst is used for the electrochemical determination of ascorbic acid and p-nitrophenol in 1 M phosphate buffer solution at pH-7 with long term current/potential stability and reproducibility.
Ego‐lane index‐aware vehicular localisation using the DeepRoad Network for urban environments
Authors: Lee Soomok , Choi Jinwoo , Seo Seung‐Woo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAccurate real‐time localisation is crucial for various autonomous driving applications. Numerous methods for localization, combining various kinds of input such as data from environmental sensors, inertial measurement units, and the Global Positioning System, have been proposed. Given the present state of affairs with regards to map compactness and sensor affordability, lane map‐matching‐based methods with cameras used as environmental sensors have been widely proposed. In previous methods, however, lanes detected by cameras could falsely correspond to other lanes in a map. This would result in inaccuracies such as a two‐lane or three‐lane deviation from the actual pose. This paper proposes a localisation method integrating the ego‐lane index to avoid lane deviations during lane map matching. A novel ego‐lane index identification algorithm and methodology to integrate the ego‐lane index information into the lane‐based map‐matching function is presented. It is demonstrated that incorporating ego‐lane index information improves the accuracy of map‐matching localisation. The efficacy of our approach in diverse environments, including complex urban scenarios, was successfully demonstrated.
Fettabsaugungen im ambulanten Setting
Authors: Güven Asim , Schaffartzik Walter , Allert Sixtus 
Published: February 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Fettabsaugungen gehören weltweit zu den häufigsten plastisch-chirurgischen Eingriffen. Sie werden sowohl im ambulanten als auch im stationären Rahmen durchgeführt. Im ambulanten Setting wird zumeist Tumeszenzlösung unterschiedlicher Zusammensetzung eingesetzt. Vielfach besteht Unklarheit darüber, bis zu welcher Absaugmenge noch ambulant abgesaugt werden kann bzw. ab wann ein stationäres Setting geeigneter wäre. Zudem ist es unklar, welche Parameter in der Nachbeobachtungsphase eines ambulanten Eingriffes über welche Dauer überwacht werden sollen, um für die Patienten eine größtmögliche Sicherheit zu gewährleisten.
Material und Methoden Es wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche mit Hilfe der Datenbank MEDLINE der U.S.-amerikanischen National Library of Medicine (NLM) sowie der bibliografischen Suchmaschine Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com) des Unternehmens Google LLC durchgeführt. Dabei wurden die Schlagwörter „Liposuction Anesthesia“ und „Liposuction Guidelines“ verwendet. Es wurden alle aus der Suche resultierenden Arbeiten anhand des Titels und des Abstracts auf thematische Übereinstimmung geprüft. Die Arbeiten wurden gewichtet nach Evidenzgrad, Aussagekraft und Verfügbarkeit analysiert und entsprechend der Fachrichtung der Autoren in die Gruppe Chirurgie oder Anästhesie aufgeteilt.
Ergebnisse Nach der Literaturrecherche und Überprüfung wurden insgesamt 197 Arbeiten identifiziert und analysiert. Es konnten die Empfehlungen aus der internationalen und deutschsprachigen Literatur systematisch zusammengefasst werden.
Schlussfolgerung Die Tumeszenzlokalanästhesie im ambulanten Rahmen bietet diverse Vorteile für Behandler und Patienten, unter anderem eine Kostenreduktion und das Vermeiden der Risiken einer Intubationsnarkose. Das Verfahren zeigt allerdings Limitationen in Bezug auf die Liposuktionsmengen, die sicher entfernt werden können. Je größer die Absaugmenge, umso größer die verabreichte Lokalanästhetikadosis und damit umso länger die notwendige postoperative Beobachtungzeit. Aus unserer Sicht sollte die Tumeszenzlokalanästhesie für kleine und lokalisierte Liposuktionen vorbehalten werden. Die Liposuktion in Narkose bietet mehr Vorteile, vor allem bei steigendem Absaugvolumen.
Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic in German Trauma Centres and Geriatric Trauma Centres DGU
Authors: Schoeneberg Carsten , Eschbach Daphne-Asimenia , Friess Thomas , Lendemans Sven , Hoefer Christine , Ruchholtz Steffen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background The COVID 19 pandemic is a major challenge to all social systems, particularly the healthcare system. Within an international study, German Trauma Centres DGU and Geriatric Trauma Centres DGU have been questioned about their situation.
Method The questionnaire was translated from English into German and sent to all contacts. The evaluation was performed descriptively.
Results 71 of 692 centres participated in this study. Government instructions to avoid elective treatments have been adhered to by 68% of the hospitals, and the remaining performed only urgent elective treatments. There was also a decline in the number of traumatological patients. In more than 90% of the hospitals, only 0 – 4% of all patients treated for proximal femur fracture were tested positive for COVID-19. It appears that 84% of these hospitals have or will have financial deficits. Almost all hospitals were organised and ready to fight the pandemic with their personal and/or infrastructural resources they possess.
Conclusion Our questionnaire shows that the pandemic had an enormous effect on Trauma Centres DGU and Geriatric Trauma Centres DGU. The hospitals expect financial losses. Almost all the hospitals have provided personal and infrastructural resources to be used in the fight against the pandemic with a better outcome in Germany in comparison with international standards.