bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum concentrations of adiponectin and characterization of adiponectin protein complexes in dogs
Authors: Brunson Brandon L. , Zhong Qiao , Clarke Kristen J. , Bedi Deepa , Braden Tim D. , van Santen Edzard , Judd Robert L. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Objective—To assess serum concentrations of adiponectin and characterize adiponectin protein complexes in healthy dogs.
Animals—11 healthy dogs.
Procedures—Sera collected from 10 dogs were evaluated via velocity sedimentation and ultracentrifugation, SDS-PAGE, western immunoblotting, and radioimmunoassay. Visceral adipose tissue (approx 90 g) was collected from the falciform ligament of a healthy dog undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy, and adiponectin gene expression was assessed via a real-time PCR procedure.
Results—Adiponectin gene expression was detected in visceral adipose tissue. Serum adiponectin concentrations ranged from 0.85 to 1.5 μg/mL (mean concentration, 1.22 μg/mL). In canine serum, adiponectin was present as a multimer, consisting of a low–molecular-weight complex (180 kd); as 3 (180-, 90-, and 60-kd) complexes under denaturing conditions; as 2 (90- and 60-kd) complexes under reducing conditions; and as a dimer, a monomer, and globular head region (60, 30, and 28 kd, respectively) under reducing-denaturing conditions. It is likely that adiponectin also circulates as a high–molecular-weight (360- to 540-kd) complex in canine serum, but resolution of this complex was not possible via SDS-PAGE.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—After exposure to identical experimental conditions, adiponectin protein complexes in canine serum were similar to those detected in human and rodent sera. Circulating adiponectin concentrations in canine serum were slightly lower than concentrations in human serum. Adiponectin gene expression was identified in canine visceral adipose tissue. Results suggest that adiponectin could be used as an early clinical marker for metabolic derangements, including obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus in dogs.
Evaluation of fecal samples from mares as a source of Rhodococcus equi for their foals by use of quantitative bacteriologic culture and colony immunoblot analyses
Authors: Grimm Michael B. , Cohen Noah D. , Slovis Nathan M. , Mundy George D. , Harrington Jessica R. , Libal Melissa C. , Takai Shinji , Martens Ronald J. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether mares are a clinically important source of Rhodococcus equi for their foals.
Sample Population—171 mares and 171 foals from a farm in Kentucky (evaluated during 2004 and 2005).
Procedures—At 4 time points (2 before and 2 after parturition), the total concentration of R equi and concentration of virulent R equi were determined in fecal specimens from mares by use of quantitative bacteriologic culture and a colony immunoblot technique, respectively. These concentrations for mares of foals that developed R equi–associated pneumonia and for mares with unaffected foals were compared. Data for each year were analyzed separately.
Results—R equi–associated pneumonia developed in 53 of 171 (31%) foals. Fecal shedding of virulent R equi was detected in at least 1 time point for every mare; bacteriologic culture results were positive for 62 of 171 (36%) mares at all time points. However, compared with dams of unaffected foals, fecal concentrations of total or virulent R equi in dams of foals with R equi–associated pneumonia were not significantly different.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicate that dams of foals with R equi–associated pneumonia did not shed more R equi in feces than dams of unaffected foals; therefore, R equi infection in foals was not associated with comparatively greater fecal shedding by their dams. However, detection of virulent R equi in the feces of all mares during at least 1 time point suggests that mares can be an important source of R equi for the surrounding environment.
Antibiotic Receipt for Pediatric Telemedicine Visits With Primary Care vs Direct-to-Consumer Vendors
Authors: Wittman Samuel R. , Hoberman Alejandro , Mehrotra Ateev , Sabik Lindsay M. , Yabes Jonathan G. , Ray Kristin N. 
Published: March 2024

ImportancePrior research found that pediatric direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine visits are associated with more antibiotic prescribing than in-person primary care visits. It is unclear whether this difference is associated with modality of care (telemedicine vs in-person) or with the context of telemedicine care (primary care vs not primary care).ObjectiveTo compare antibiotic management during telemedicine visits with primary care practitioners (PCPs) vs commercial direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine companies for pediatric acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs).Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective, cross-sectional study of visits for ARTIs by commercially insured children 17 years of age or younger analyzed deidentified medical and pharmacy claims in OptumLabs Data Warehouse data, a national sample of commercial enrollees, between January 1 and December 31, 2022.ExposureSetting of telemedicine visit as PCP vs DTC.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was percentage of visits with antibiotic receipt. Secondary outcomes were the percentages of visits with diagnoses for which prescription of an antibiotic was potentially appropriate, guideline-concordant antibiotic management, and follow-up ARTI visits within the ensuing 1 to 2 days and 3 to 14 days. The ARTI telemedicine visits with PCP vs DTC telemedicine companies were matched on child demographic characteristics. Generalized estimated equation log-binomial regression models were used to compute marginal outcomes.ResultsIn total, data from 27 686 children (mean [SD] age, 8.9 [5.0] years; 13 893 [50.2%] male) were included in this study. There were 14 202 PCP telemedicine index visits matched to 14 627 DTC telemedicine index visits. The percentage of visits involving receipt of an antibiotic was lower for PCP (28.9% [95% CI, 28.1%-29.7%]) than for DTC (37.2% [95% CI, 36.0%-38.5%]) telemedicine visits. Additionally, fewer PCP telemedicine visits involved receipt of a diagnosis in which the use of antibiotics may be appropriate (19.0% [95% CI, 18.4%-19.7%] vs 28.4% [95% CI, 27.3%-29.6%]), but no differences were observed in receipt of nonguideline-concordant antibiotic management based on a given diagnosis between PCP (20.2% [95% CI, 19.5%-20.9%]) and DTC (20.1% [95% CI, 19.1%-21.0%]) telemedicine visits. Fewer PCP telemedicine visits involved a follow-up visit within the ensuing 1 to 2 days (5.0% [95% CI, 4.7%-5.4%] vs 8.0% [95% CI, 7.3%-8.7%]) and 3 to 14 days (8.2% [95% CI, 7.8%-8.7%] vs 9.6% [95% CI, 8.8%-10.3%]).Conclusions and RelevanceCompared with virtual-only DTC telemedicine companies, telemedicine integrated within primary care was associated with lower rates of antibiotic receipt and follow-up care. Supporting use of telemedicine integrated within pediatric primary care may be one strategy to reduce antibiotic receipt through telemedicine visits.
Unveiling the Impact of Hemodynamics on Endothelial Inflammation‐Mediated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis Using a Biomimetic Vascular Flow Model
Authors: He Jia , Duan Peiyan , Liu Yi , Feng Tang , Wang Shuo , Lin Xinyi , Xie Jing , Liu Xiaoheng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) hematogenous dissemination is a leading cause of HCC‐related deaths. The inflammatory facilitates this process by promoting the adhesion and invasion of tumor cells in the circulatory system. But the contribution of hemodynamics to this process remains poorly understood due to the lack of a suitable vascular flow model for investigation. This study develops a vascular flow model to examine the impact of hemodynamics on endothelial inflammation‐mediated HCC metastasis. This work finds the increasing shear stress will reduce the recruitment of HCC cells by disturbing adhesion forces between endothelium and HCC cells. However, this reduction will be restored by the inflammation. When applying high FSS (4–6 dyn cm−2) to the inflammatory endothelium, there will be a 4.8‐fold increase in HCC cell adhesions compared to normal condition. Nevertheless, the increase fold of cell adhesions is inapparent, around 1.5‐fold, with low and medium FSS. This effect can be attributed to the FSS‐induced upregulation of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 of the inflammatory endothelium, which serve to strengthen cell binding forces. These findings indicate that hemodynamics plays a key role in HCC metastasis during endothelial inflammation by regulating the expression of adhesion‐related factors.
Learning Stiffness Tensors in Self‐Activated Solids via a Local Rule
Authors: Tang Yuxuan , Ye Wenjing , Jia Jingjing , Chen Yangyang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMechanical metamaterials are often designed with particular properties for specific load‐bearing functions. Alternatively, this study aims to create a class of active lattice metamaterials, dubbed self‐activated solids, that can learn desired stiffness tensors from the elastic deformations they experienced, a crucial feature to improve the performance, efficiency, and functionality of materials. Artificial adaptive matters that combine sensory, control, and actuation elements can offer appealing solutions. However, challenges still remain: The designs will rely on accurate off‐line and global computations, as well as intricate coordination among individual elements. Here, a simple online and local learning strategy is initiated based on contrastive Hebbian learning to gradually guide self‐activated solids to possess sought‐after stiffness tensors autonomously and reversibly. During learning, the bond stiffness of the active lattice varies depending only on its local strain. The numerical tests show that the self‐activated solid can not only achieve the desired bulk, shear, and coupling moduli but also manifest uni‐mode and bi‐mode extremal materials by itself after experiencing the corresponding elastic deformations. Further, the self‐activated solid can also achieve the desired time‐varying moduli when exposed to temporally different loads. The design is applicable to any lattice geometries and is resistant to damage and instabilities. The material design approach and the physical learning strategy suggested can benefit the design of autonomous materials, physical learning machines, and adaptive robots.
Highly Bioadaptable Hybrid Conduits with Spatially Bidirectional Structure for Precision Nerve Fiber Regeneration via Gene Therapy
Authors: Zhao Renliang , Deng Xiangtian , Dong Jizhao , Liang Chen , Yang Xiaozhong , Tang Yunfeng , Du Juan , Ge Zilu , Wang Dong , Shen Yifan , Jiang Lianghua , Lin Wei , Zhu Tonghe , Wang Guanglin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPeripheral nerve deficits give rise to motor and sensory impairments within the limb. The clinical restoration of extensive segmental nerve defects through autologous nerve transplantation often encounters challenges such as axonal mismatch and suboptimal functional recovery. These issues may stem from the limited regenerative capacity of proximal axons and the subsequent Wallerian degeneration of distal axons. To achieve the integration of sensory and motor functions, a spatially differential plasmid DNA (pDNA) dual‐delivery nanohydrogel conduit scaffold is devised. This innovative scaffold facilitates the localized administration of the transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) gene in the proximal region to accelerate nerve regeneration, while simultaneously delivering nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2) to the distal region to mitigate Wallerian degeneration. By promoting autonomous and selective alignment of nerve fiber gap sutures via structure design, the approach aims to achieve a harmonious unification of nerve regeneration, neuromotor function, and sensory recovery. It is anticipated that this groundbreaking technology will establish a robust platform for gene delivery in tissue engineering.
Macroscale Superlubricity on Nanoscale Graphene Moiré Structure‐Assembled Surface via Counterface Hydrogen Modulation
Authors: Wang Yongfu , Yang Xing , Liang Huiting , Zhao Jun , Zhang Junyan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractInterlayer incommensurateness slippage is an excellent pathway to realize superlubricity of van der Waals materials; however, it is instable and heavily depends on twisted angle and super‐smooth substrate which pose great challenges for the practical application of superlubricity. Here, macroscale superlubricity (0.001) is reported on countless nanoscale graphene moiré structure (GMS)‐assembled surface via counterface hydrogen (H) modulation. The GMS‐assembled surface is formed on grinding balls via sphere‐triggered strain engineering. By the H modulation of counterface diamond‐like carbon (25 at.% H), the wear of GMS‐assembled surface is significantly reduced and a steadily superlubric sliding interface between them is achieved, based on assembly face charge depletion and H‐induced assembly edge weakening. Furthermore, the superlubricity between GMS‐assembled and DLC25 surfaces holds true in wide ranges of normal load (7–11 N), sliding velocity (0.5–27 cm −1s), contact area (0.4×104–3.7×104 µm2), and contact pressure (0.19–1.82 GPa). Atomistic simulations confirm the preferential formation of GMS on a sphere, and demonstrate the superlubricity on GMS‐assembled surface via counterface H modulation. The results provide an efficient tribo‐pairing strategy to achieve robust superlubricity, which is of significance for the engineering application of superlubricity.
Consumer acceptance and valuation of quality‐improved food products derived by genome editing technology. A case study of rice in Vietnam
Authors: Hao Nguyen Thi , Ben Taieb Seifeddine , Moritaka Masahiro , Fukuda Susumu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractUnlike genetic modification, genome editing (GE) technologies can be used to yield transgene‐free outcomes, which is an important aspect in promoting consumer acceptance of GE foods. In addition, with the advent of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system, which is known to be exceptional among genome editing tools, GE has numerous potential applications in plant breeding technology to create diverse desirable traits, especially consumer‐targeted traits such as improved product quality and nutrition. It is expected that the GE foods market will overtake that of genetically modified (GM) foods. Although few GE products have been introduced to the market, some studies have already evaluated consumer acceptance and valuation of GE foods in comparison with GM and conventional foods. However, these studies mainly focused on traits relevant to cultivation efficiency and ignored consumer preferences for desirable traits. Further, it has been shown that consumers evaluate GE foods somewhat higher than GM foods; yet, as observed for GM foods, consumers expect a discounted price for GE foods. GE application for consumer‐targeted traits could, however, have a potentially positive effect on consumer acceptance. This study was conducted to evaluate consumer acceptance and valuation of quality‐improved consumer‐targeted GE products. We defined the determinants and estimated the willingness to pay a price premium for GE rice compared to GM and conventional rice by using the double‐bounded contingent valuation method under different information treatments. The survey was conducted in Vietnam, where consumers have not been exposed to information regarding GE via social media that could lead to a biased perspective. This context is ideal for investigating the effect of information provision during the introductory stage of GE products to the market. Our main findings suggest that consumers will widely accept quality‐improved GE foods targeted at consumer preferences, as well as the positive influence of in‐depth information provision on potential consumer acceptance. [EconLit Citations: Q10: Agriculture: General].
Complementary Weaknesses: A Win‐Win Approach for rGO/CdS to Improve the Energy Conversion Performance of Integrated Photorechargeable Li−S Batteries
Authors: Yang Tianzhen , Mao Haoning , Zhang Qianqian , Xu Chao , Gao Qiongzhi , Cai Xin , Zhang Shengsen , Fang Yueping , Zhou Xiaosong , Peng Feng , Yang Siyuan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntegrating solar energy into rechargeable battery systems represents a significant advancement towards sustainable energy storage solutions. Herein, we propose a win‐win solution to reduce the shuttle effect of polysulfide and improve the photocorrosion stability of CdS, thereby enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of rGO/CdS‐based photorechargeable integrated lithium‐sulfur batteries (PRLSBs). Experimental results show that CdS can effectively anchor polysulfide under sunlight irradiation for 20 minutes. Under a high current density (1 C), the discharge‐specific capacity of the PRLSBs increased to 971.30 mAh g−1, which is 113.3 % enhancement compared to that of under dark condition (857.49 mAh g−1). Remarkably, without an electrical power supply, the PRLSBs can maintain a 21 hours discharge process following merely 1.5 hours of light irradiation, achieving a breakthrough solar‐to‐electrical energy conversion efficiency of up to 5.04 %. Ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and in situ Raman analysis corroborate the effectiveness of this complementary weakness approach in bolstering redox kinetics and curtailing polysulfide dissolution in PRLSBs. This work showcases a feasible strategy to develop PRLSBs with potential dual‐functional metal sulfide photoelectrodes, which will be of great interest in future‐oriented off‐grid photocell systems.
Accumulation and toxicity of biologically produced gold nanoparticles in different types of specialized mammalian cells
Authors: Pourali Parastoo , Svoboda Milan , Neuhöferová Eva , Dzmitruk Volha , Benson Veronika 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe biologically produced gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are novel carriers with promising use in targeted tumor therapy. Still, there are no studies regarding the efficacy of nanoparticle internalization by cancer and noncancer cells. In this study, AuNPs were produced by Fusarium oxysporum and analyzed by spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Zetasizer. Obtained AuNPs were about 15 nm in size with a zeta potential of –35.8 mV. The AuNPs were added to cancer cells (4T1), noncancer cells (NIH/3T3), and macrophages (RAW264.7). The viability decreased in 4T1 (77 ± 3.74%) in contrast to NIH/3T3 and RAW264.7 cells (89 ± 4.9% and 90 ± 3.5%, respectively). The 4T1 cancer cells also showed the highest uptake and accumulation of Au (∼80% of AuNPs was internalized) as determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. The lowest amount of AuNPs was internalized by the NIH/3T3 cells (∼30%). The NIH/3T3 cells exhibited prominent reorganization of F‐actin filaments as examined by confocal microscopy. In RAW264.7, we analyzed the release of proinflammatory cytokines by flow cytometry and we found the AuNP interaction triggered transient secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ). In summary, we proved the biologically produced AuNPs entered all the tested cell types and triggered cell‐specific responses. High AuNP uptake by tumor cells was related to decreased cell viability, while low nanoparticle uptake by fibroblasts triggered F‐actin reorganization without remarkable toxicity. Thus, the biologically produced AuNPs hold promising potential as cancer drug carriers and likely require proper surface functionalization to shield phagocytizing cells.
Morphological Transformations of SARS‐CoV‐2 Nucleocapsid Protein Biocondensates Mediated by Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Campanile Marco , Kurtul Emine Dila , Dec Robert , Möbitz Simone , Del Vecchio Pompea , Petraccone Luigi , Tatzelt Jörg , Oliva Rosario , Winter Roland 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRecently, the discovery of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as excellent candidates for overcoming antibiotic resistance has attracted significant attention. AMPs are short peptides active against bacteria, cancer cells, and viruses. It has been shown that the SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein (N−P) undergoes liquid‐liquid phase separation in the presence of RNA, resulting in biocondensate formation. These biocondensates are crucial for viral replication as they concentrate the viral RNA with the host cell‘s protein machinery required for viral protein expression. Thus, N−P biocondensates are promising targets to block or slow down viral RNA transcription and consequently virion assembly. We investigated the ability of three AMPs to interfere with N−P/RNA condensates. Using microscopy techniques, supported by biophysical characterization, we found that the AMP LL–III partitions into the condensate, leading to clustering. Instead, the AMP CrACP1 partitions into the droplets without affecting their morphology but reducing their dynamics. Conversely, GKY20 leads to the formation of fibrillar structures after partitioning. It can be expected that such morphological transformation severely impairs the normal functionality of the N−P droplets and thus virion assembly. These results could pave the way for the development of a new class of AMP‐based antiviral agents targeting biocondensates.
Energy‐efficient reliability‐aware offloading for delay‐sensitive tasks in collaborative edge computing
Authors: Li Zengpeng , Yu Huiqun , Fan Guisheng , Zhang Jiayin , Xu Jin 
Published: March 2024

SummaryAs a burgeoning paradigm, collaborative mobile edge computing (C‐MEC) can cater to growing computation demand of mobile devices (MDs). However, there are great challenges for joint task offloading and resource allocation. In addition, failures on both MDs and edge servers greatly affect reliable task execution. This paper investigates the joint optimization problem of offloading decision, power allocation, and computation resource allocation in the multi‐user C‐MEC system, where nondivisible tasks may be executed locally, offloaded to nearby collaborative devices, or processed by the edge server. We aim at minimizing the total energy consumption of MDs while satisfying the reliability and delay constraints, and the replication technique is adopted to enhance task execution reliability. To tackle this problem, we first transform it into a bi‐level optimization problem, and then propose an iterative algorithm named JOC. Specifically, the offloading decision is constructed in the upper level on the basis of ant colony system (ACS), and the allocation of working power, transmission power, and computation resources is optimized in the lower level by using the monotonic optimization approach. Simulation experimental results reveal that the proposed algorithm saves more energy and achieves a higher task success rate in comparison with baseline schemes.