bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LRRK2 Quantification in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes
Authors: Mancini Andrea , Stoops Erik , Demeyer Leentje , Bellomo Giovanni , Paolini Paoletti Federico , Gaetani Lorenzo , Di Filippo Massimiliano , Parnetti Lucilla 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe alteration of leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) kinase activity is thought to be involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis beyond familiar cases, and LRRK2 inhibitors are currently under investigation. Preliminary data suggest a relationship between LRRK2 alteration and cognitive impairment in PD.ObjectiveTo investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) LRRK2 levels in PD and other parkinsonian disorders, also correlating them with cognitive impairment.MethodsIn this study, we retrospectively investigated by means of a novel highly sensitive immunoassay the levels of total and phosphorylated (pS1292) LRRK2 in CSF of cognitively unimpaired PD (n = 55), PD with mild cognitive impairment (n = 49), PD with dementia (n = 18), dementia with Lewy bodies (n = 12), atypical parkinsonian syndromes (n = 35), and neurological controls (n = 30).ResultsTotal and pS1292 LRRK2 levels were significantly higher in PD with dementia with respect to PD with mild cognitive impairment and PD, and also showed a correlation with cognitive performances.ConclusionsThe tested immunoassay may represent a reliable method for assessing CSF LRRK2 levels. The results appear to confirm an association of LRRK2 alteration with cognitive impairment in PD. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Altered Spinal Cord Functional Connectivity Associated with Parkinson's Disease Progression
Authors: Landelle Caroline , Dahlberg Linda Solstrand , Lungu Ovidiu , Misic Bratislav , De Leener Benjamin , Doyon Julien 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) has traditionally been viewed as an α‐synucleinopathy brain pathology. Yet evidence based on postmortem human and animal experimental models indicates that the spinal cord may also be affected.ObjectiveFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) seems to be a promising candidate to better characterize spinal cord functional organization in PD patients.MethodsResting‐state spinal fMRI was performed in 70 PD patients and 24 age‐matched healthy controls, the patients being divided into three groups based on their motor symptom severity: PDlow (n = 24), PDmed (n = 22), and PDadv (n = 24) groups. A combination of independent component analysis (ICA) and a seed‐based approach was applied.ResultsWhen pooling all participants, the ICA revealed distinct ventral and dorsal components distributed along the rostro‐caudal axis. This organization was highly reproducible within subgroups of patients and controls. PD severity, assessed by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores, was associated with a decrease in spinal functional connectivity (FC). Notably, we observed a reduced intersegmental correlation in PD as compared to controls, the latter being negatively associated with patients' upper‐limb UPDRS scores (P = 0.0085). This negative association between FC and upper‐limb UPDRS scores was significant between adjacent C4–C5 (P = 0.015) and C5–C6 (P = 0.20) cervical segments, levels associated with upper‐limb functions.ConclusionsThe present study provides the first evidence of spinal cord FC changes in PD and opens new avenues for the effective diagnosis and therapeutic strategies in PD. This underscores how spinal cord fMRI can serve as a powerful tool to characterize, in vivo, spinal circuits for a variety of neurological diseases. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Atrophin‐1 Function and Dysfunction in Dentatorubral–Pallidoluysian Atrophy
Authors: Nowak Bartosz , Kozlowska Emilia , Pawlik Weronika , Fiszer Agnieszka 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDentatorubral–pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a rare, incurable genetic disease that belongs to the group of polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases. DRPLA is the most common in the Japanese population; however, its global prevalence is also increasing due to better clinical recognition. It is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, myoclonus, epilepsy, dementia, and chorea. DRPLA is caused by dynamic mutation of CAG repeat expansion in ATN1 gene encoding the atrophin‐1 protein. In the cascade of molecular disturbances, the pathological form of atrophin‐1 is the initial factor, which has not been precisely characterized so far. Reports indicate that DRPLA is associated with disrupted protein–protein interactions (in which an expanded polyQ tract plays a crucial role), as well as gene expression deregulation. There is a great need to design efficient therapy that would address the underlying neurodegenerative process and thus prevent or alleviate DRPLA symptoms. An in‐depth understanding of the normal atrophin‐1 function and mutant atrophin‐1 dysfunction is crucial for this purpose. © 2024 Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Genetic mutations in ribosomal biogenesis gene TCOF1 identified in human neural tube defects
Authors: Wang Fang , Cheng Haiqin , Zhang Qin , Guo Jin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundRare mutations in multiple genes have been associated with human neural tube defects (NTDs), but their causative roles in NTDs disease are poorly understood. Insufficiency of the ribosomal biogenesis gene treacle ribosome biogenesis factor 1(Tcof1) results in cranial NTDs and craniofacial malformations in mice. Here, we aimed to identify genetic association of TCOF1 with human NTDs.MethodsHigh‐throughput sequencing targeted on TCOF1 was performed on samples from 355 human cases affected by NTDs and 225 controls from a Han Chinese population.ResultsFour novel missense variants were found in the NTD cohort. Cell‐based assays indicated that the p.(A491G) variant carried by an individual, who shows anencephaly and single‐nostril abnormality, attenuates production of total proteins, suggesting a loss‐of‐function mutation in ribosomal biogenesis. Importantly, this variant promotes nucleolar disruption and stabilizes p53 protein, highlighting an unbalancing effect on cell apoptosis.ConclusionsThis study explored the functional impact of a missense variant in TCOF1, implicating a set of novel causative biological factors involved in the pathogenicity of human NTDs, particularly whom combined with craniofacial abnormality.
A reconfigurable dual‐polarized cavity‐backed annular slot antenna for wireless internet of things applications
Authors: Kwon Na‐Rae , Lee Wang‐Sang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this letter, a cavity‐backed annular slot antenna with a reconfigurable dual‐linear polarization of ∓45° employing two PIN diodes for wireless internet of things (IoT) applications was proposed to address issues such as bulky size, circuit complexity, and structural stability. The front‐to‐back ratio and gain enhancements of the proposed antenna with an overall size of 0.44 λ0 × 0.44 λ0 × 0.17 λ0 at 2.545 GHz were designed and accomplished utilizing a cavity‐backed reflector. The impedance bandwidth based on the 10 dB return loss and the peak gain of the proposed antenna are approximately 18.8% (2.26–2.73 GHz) and 7.42 dBi, respectively.
A model for gastrointestinal tract motility in a 4D imaging phantom of human anatomy
Authors: Subashi Ergys , Segars Paul , Veeraraghavan Harini , Deasy Joseph , Tyagi Neelam 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundGastrointestinal (GI) tract motility is one of the main sources for intra/inter‐fraction variability and uncertainty in radiation therapy for abdominal targets. Models for GI motility can improve the assessment of delivered dose and contribute to the development, testing, and validation of deformable image registration (DIR) and dose‐accumulation algorithms.PurposeTo implement GI tract motion in the 4D extended cardiac‐torso (XCAT) digital phantom of human anatomy.Materials and MethodsMotility modes that exhibit large amplitude changes in the diameter of the GI tract and may persist over timescales comparable to online adaptive planning and radiotherapy delivery were identified based on literature research. Search criteria included amplitude changes larger than planning risk volume expansions and durations of the order of tens of minutes. The following modes were identified: peristalsis, rhythmic segmentation, high amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs), and tonic contractions. Peristalsis and rhythmic segmentations were modeled by traveling and standing sinusoidal waves. HAPCs and tonic contractions were modeled by traveling and stationary Gaussian waves. Wave dispersion in the temporal and spatial domain was implemented by linear, exponential, and inverse power law functions. Modeling functions were applied to the control points of the nonuniform rational B‐spline surfaces defined in the reference XCAT library. GI motility was combined with the cardiac and respiratory motions available in the standard 4D‐XCAT phantom. Default model parameters were estimated based on the analysis of cine MRI acquisitions in 10 patients treated in a 1.5T MR‐linac.ResultsWe demonstrate the ability to generate realistic 4D multimodal images that simulate GI motility combined with respiratory and cardiac motion. All modes of motility, except tonic contractions, were observed in the analysis of our cine MRI acquisitions. Peristalsis was the most common. Default parameters estimated from cine MRI were used as initial values for simulation experiments. It is shown that in patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy for abdominal targets, the effects of GI motility can be comparable or larger than the effects of respiratory motion.ConclusionThe digital phantom provides realistic models to aid in medical imaging and radiation therapy research. The addition of GI motility will further contribute to the development, testing, and validation of DIR and dose accumulation algorithms for MR‐guided radiotherapy.
A novel univariate dimension‐reduction based interval finite element method for static response prediction of uncertain structures
Authors: Zhao Heng , Li Feng , Xu Qianhui , Pei Chunyan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTo eliminate the errors caused by the conventional interval perturbation finite element method due to classic interval arithmetic and neglect of higher‐order terms, we propose a novel univariate dimension‐reduction based interval finite element method to predict the static response bounds of structures with uncertain but bounded parameters. First, a univariate dimension‐reduction algorithm is derived using the generalized Taylor expansion. The global stiffness matrix is expressed as the sum of the median and the univariate disturbance radius. Compared with Taylor expansion approximation, the univariate dimension‐reduction approximation has higher accuracy and does not increase the amount of calculation. Then the inverse of the interval global stiffness matrix is approximated as an improved Neumann series. Higher‐ order terms are included by summing up the geometric terms in the Neumann series. Finally, the improved interval algorithm is used to solve the upper and lower bounds of the structural displacement response and the element stress response. The dependence between the interval parameters is accounted in comparison with the classic interval algorithm. The accuracy and effectiveness of the new method are validated by numerical cases on 2D truss, 3D frame and truck frame with multiple interval parameters.
Distinct strategy for the improvement of conductivity and electromagnetic shielding properties of MWCNTs/PLA/PBS composites: Synergistic effects of double percolation structure and UV aging
Authors: Jia Shikui , Yan Zongying , Zhu Yan , Zhang Qifeng , Zhang Xiangyang , Coates Phil , Liu Wei , Zhao Zhongguo 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTo reveal a relationship among crystallization, conductivity and electromagnetic shielding properties of full biodegradable polymer after ultraviolet (UV) aging, polybutylene succinate (PBS)‐based composites with different weight ratios of multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polylactic acid (PLA) /PBS masterbatch were processed via melt‐compounding approach. Morphology of the MWCNTs/PLA/PBS masterbatch prepared by Pickering emulsion method was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. Comprehensive effects of different content of masterbatch and UV aging time on the morphology, crystallization, and electrical and electromagnetic shielding properties of MWCNTs/PLA/PBS composites were shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), SEM, wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), polarizing microscope (POM), ultra‐depth of field optical microscope, resistance tester, and vector network analyzer. Compared with PBS composite with 0.1 wt% MWCNTs, the electrical conductivity of PBS composite with the MWCNTs/PLA/PBS masterbatch increased by two orders of magnitude, and dispersed morphology for the composite showed double percolation structure. After UV aging, both MWCNTs/PBS composites and the PBS composites with the MWCNTs/PLA/PBS masterbatch, their surface presented burnt yellow and parts of flaws, while both their electrical conductivity and total electromagnetic shielding effectiveness gradually increased. Moreover, with the increasing of UV aging time, not only crystal size of these PBS‐based composites became large, but also their crystal interface became clearer. Furthermore, when UV aging time reached 528 h, the tensile strength of 0.6 M/PLA/PBS composite decreased by 12.6%, while its total electromagnetic shielding effectiveness increased by 39.8%, compared with the composite without UV aging.
Linking soil health to human health: Arbuscular mycorrhizae play a key role in plant uptake of the antioxidant ergothioneine from soils
Authors: Carrara Joseph E. , Lehotay Steven J. , Lightfield Alan R. , Sun Dongxiao , Richie John P. , Smith Andrew H. , Heller Wade P. 
Published: February 2023

Societal Impact StatementEvidence has emerged that the antioxidant ergothioneine may be important in preventing many inflammatory diseases in humans. However, ergothioneine is not produced by humans or plants and is only made by fungi and some bacteria in soils. As such, humans get ergothioneine from eating fungi (mushrooms) or plants that take it up from the soil. In this study, we found that growing plants with beneficial fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased the amount of ergothioneine in plant tissues. This suggests that promoting agricultural practices that maintain healthy populations of beneficial soil fungi may improve the nutritional quality of crops.Summary

The amino acid ergothioneine (ERGO) has recently gained attention as an antioxidant that benefits human health. ERGO is produced by fungi and mycobacteria in soils and is acquired only from diet. The mechanism by which ERGO is transferred from soil to plant is unknown. Recent work has shown that tillage reduces the amount of ERGO in crops. As tillage also reduces arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) populations, we examined the relationship between AMF and plant ERGO uptake.
We grew asparagus, black beans, wheat, and oats with a variety of single and mixed species AMF inocula and compared ERGO levels of these plants to plants that were uninoculated.
Mycorrhizal inoculation enhanced ERGO content across all plants. There was a positive correlation between AMF colonization level and plant ERGO content.
AMF appear to be important mediators of plant ERGO uptake. Future research is needed to identify the mechanism that leads to higher ERGO in plants colonized by AMF in order to promote farming practices that enhance AMF populations and increase crop ERGO concentration in field settings.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from patients with small cell lung cancers
Authors: Vu Hung M. , Mohammad Hazara Begum , Nguyen Thy N. C. , Lee Jun Hyung , Do Yeji , Sung Ji‐Youn , Lee Seung Hyeun , Kim Min‐Sik 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurposeSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the malignant cancers with aggressive progression and poor prognosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) has been arising recently as a potential source of biomarkers for lung cancers. In this study, we performed quantitative BALF proteomic analysis to identify potential biomarkers for SCLC.Experimental designBALF were collected from tumor‐bearing lungs and non‐tumor lungs of five SCLC patients. Then, BALF proteomes were prepared for a TMT‐based quantitative mass spectrometry analysis. Differentially expressed proteins (DEP) were identified when considering individual variation. Potential SCLC biomarker candidates were validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). A public database of multiple SCLC cell lines was used to evaluate the correlation of these markers with SCLC subtypes and chemo‐drug responses.ResultsWe identified 460 BALF proteins in SCLC patients and observed considerable individual variation among the patients. Immunohistochemical analysis and bioinformatics resulted in the identification of CNDP2 and RNPEP as potential subtype markers for ASCL1 and NEUROD1, respectively. In addition, CNDP2 was found to be positively correlated with responses to etoposide, carboplatin, and irinotecan.Conclusions and clinical relevanceBALF is an emerging source of biomarkers, making it useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancers. We characterized the proteomes of paired BALF samples collected from tumor‐bearing and non‐tumor lungs of SCLC patients. Several proteins were found elevated in tumor‐bearing BALF, and especially CNDP2 and RNPEP appeared to be potential indicators for ASLC1‐high and NEUROD1‐high subtypes of SCLC, respectively. The positive correlation of CNDP2 with chemo‐drug responses would help to make decisions for treatment of SCLC patients. These putative biomarkers could be comprehensively investigated for a clinical use towards precision medicine.
Timosaponin BII inhibits TGF‐β mediated epithelial‐mesenchymal transition through Smad‐dependent pathway during pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ding Dali , Shen Xuebin , Yu Lizhen , Zheng Yueyue , Liu Yao , Wang Wei , Liu Li , Zhao Zitong , Nian Sihui , Liu Limin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial lung disease with limited therapeutic options at present, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is recognized as a major cause of lung fibrosis. Our previous work has confirmed that total extract of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge [Asparagaceae] exerted the effect of anti‐PF. As a main constituent of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge [Asparagaceae], the effect of timosaponin BII (TS BII) on drug‐induced EMT process in PF animals and alveolar epithelial cells remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of TS BII on bleomycin (BLM)‐induced PF. The results showed that TS BII could restore the structure of lung architecture and MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 balance in fibrotic rat lung and inhibit collagen deposition. Moreover, we found that TS BII could reverse the abnormal expression of TGF‐β1 and EMT‐related marker proteins including E‐cadherin, vimentin, and α‐SMA. Besides, aberrant TGF‐β1 expression and phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 in BLM‐induced animal model and TGF‐β1‐induced cell model were downregulated by TS BII treatment, indicating that EMT in fibrosis was suppressed by inhibition of TGF‐β/Smad pathway both in vivo and in vitro. In summary, our study suggested that TS BII could be a promising candidate for PF treatment.
Robotic assisted kidney auto‐transplantation as a safe alternative for treatment of nutcracker syndrome and loin pain haematuria syndrome: A case series report
Authors: Mejia Alejandro , Barrera Gutierrez Juan Carlos , Vivian Elaina , Shah Jimmy , Dickerman Richard 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundDescribe the outcomes and safety of robotic‐assisted kidney auto‐transplantation (RAKAT) in the treatment of nutcracker syndrome (NCS) and loin pain haematuria syndrome (LPHS).MethodsThis retrospective study included 32 cases of NCS and LPHS seen during December 2016 to June 2021.ResultsThree (9%) patients had LPHS and 29 (91%) NCS. All were non‐Hispanic whites, and 31 (97%) women. The mean age was 32 years (SD = 10) and the BMI 22.8 (SD = 5). The RAKAT was completed in all patients, 63% had a total improvement of pain. According to the Clavien‐Dindo classification, 47% presented with type 1, and 9% with type 3 complications with a mean follow‐up of 10.9 months. The incidence of acute kidney injury in post‐procedure was 28%. No one required blood transfusions, and there were no deaths during the follow‐up.ConclusionRAKAT was a feasible procedure with a similar complication rate to those reported for other surgical techniques.
Single‐port laparoscopic versus single‐port robotic right hemicolectomy: Postoperative short‐term outcomes
Authors: Lim Ji Ha , Yun Seong Hyeon , Lee Woo Yong , Kim Hee Cheol , Cho Yong Beom , Huh Jung Wook , Park Yoon Ah , Shin Jung Kyong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to compare the short‐term postoperative outcomes of single‐port robotic (SPR) using da Vinci SP® system and single port laparoscopic (SPL) right hemicolectomy and determine whether the novel SPR system is safe and feasible.MethodsFrom January 2019 to December 2020, a total of 141 patients (41 patients for SPR and 100 patients for SPL) who electively underwent right hemicolectomy for colon cancer performed by a single surgeon were included in the study.ResultsThe time to the first bowel movement was 3 (range, 1–4) days after surgery in the SPR group and 3 (2–9, range) days in the SPL group (p = 0.017). However, there were no differences in pathologic outcomes or postoperative complications.ConclusionsSPR is a safe and feasible surgical technique and has an advantage in the time to first postoperative bowel movement over SPL with no other complications.
Design of a robust model predictive control for nonlinear switched systems: A low‐conservative and recursive feasibility strategy
Authors: Rahdan Ali , Abedi Mostafa 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis article proposes a robust H∞ based model predictive control scheme for Lipschitz nonlinear switched systems with persistent dwell time. In the developed method, the constraints corresponding to the recursive feasibility are included and the recursive feasibility is guaranteed. In this scheme, the existence of unstabilizable sub‐systems and exogenous disturbances are included which makes it possible to avoid considering an ideal and simplistic assumption about switched systems. By simultaneously designing the controller and the switching signal and using multiple Lyapunov functions, the unacceptable conservatism in methods involving common Lyapunov functions and arbitrary switching signals is avoided. In the proposed solution, a time‐varying prediction horizon is used for finite horizon cost functions, which in turn will be effective in reducing conservatism. In the suggested design strategy, the non‐convex control scheme is formulated as an optimization problem in the framework of linear matrix inequality. Finally, a numerical example is developed and the performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated.