bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methylseleninic acid induces apoptosis of human bladder cancer cells through the ROS‐mediated mitochondrial pathway
Authors: Chen Yi , Zhang Yan , Wang Xinsheng , Qiao Saifeng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAs the most common selenium derivative, methylseleninic acid (MSA) has attracted wide attention. Its apoptotic induction ability and the possible molecular mechanism in human bladder cancer (BC) J82 and T24 cells were investigated in the present study. We found that the survival of J82 and T24 cells were inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner after MSA treatment. Propidium iodide (PI) staining and Annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate/PI double staining clarified that MSA stocked cells at G2/M phase and caused apoptosis in J82 and T24 cells. Further, typical morphological features of apoptotic cells were also observed. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were also detected by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and Rhodamin123 staining. Meanwhile, pretreatment with N‐acetylcysteine, an ROS scavenging agent, found that the apoptosis of BC cells induced by MSA was related to the production of ROS. Western blot analysis results showed that MSA interrupted Bax/Bcl‐2 balance, stimulated cytochrome c release into the cytoplasm, activated caspase‐9 and caspase‐3, and finally induced the apoptosis of the BC cells. These findings demonstrated that MSA was able to induce apoptosis in J82 and T24 cells through ROS‐mediated mitochondrial apoptosis.
A novel exonuclease III‐based turn‐on fluorescent aptasensor for aflatoxin B1 detection
Authors: Qiao Mengxiang , Zhao Fei , Wang Xinwei , Liu Yong , Wei Min 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundAflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is strongly carcinogenic and has been classified as a class I carcinogenic compound by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. AFB1 is widely contaminated in wheat, peanuts, corn and other crops and their products, posing a great threat to human health.ObjectiveTo establish a rapid, safe and accurate fluorescent aptasensor for sensitive detection of AFB1 in food.MethodsIn this study, single‐stranded DNA (S1) labeled with black hole quencher BHQ1 and carboxyfluorescein FAM at both ends was used as a signal probe. Nucleic acid exonuclease III (EXO‐III) was introduced as a signal amplification strategy. The basic principle is to exploit the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) effect generated between FAM and BHQ1. The fluorescent signal change of FAM in the presence or absence of the target is used for the quantitative detection of AFB1. And on this basis, the factors affecting the sensitivity of the sensor are explored in depth.ResultsUnder optimal experimental conditions, the sensor showed a good linear relationship between LgCAFB1 and relative fluorescence intensity in the range of 0.05‐500 ng/mL. The detection limit was as low as 18.2 pg/mL. In particular, the best performance of the aptasensor was achieved when the ratio of cDNA to Apt was 1.2 and the amount of EXO‐III was 25 U.ConclusionsThe combination of MBs, dual‐labeled S1 probes and Exo‐III was used to develop an accurate and sensitive fluorescent aptasensor for AFB1 detection. The developed aptasensor has satisfied recovery and selectivity in AFB1 detection of corn flour and wine samples, indicating that the designed aptasensor has the potential to be used in detecting AFB1 of food samples.
Epilepsy panel testing criteria: A clinical assessment
Authors: Fazenbaker Andrew C. , Munro Christine D. , Carlson Jenna C. , Durst Andrea L. , Vento Jodie M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractEpilepsy is a common, and often genetic, neurological disorder. Few guidelines exist to help medical providers or insurance companies decide when to order or cover epilepsy panels for patients with epilepsy. The most recent guidelines were published by NSGC after this study's data collection. Since 2017, the Genetic Testing Stewardship Program (GTSP) at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP) has been utilizing a set of internally developed epilepsy panel (EP) testing criteria to facilitate appropriate EP ordering practices. The purpose of this study was to assess these testing criteria by determining their sensitivities and positive predictive values (PPV). Retrospective chart review of the electronic medical record (EMR) was performed for 1242 CHP Neurology patients that were evaluated for a primary diagnosis of epilepsy between 2016 and 2018. One hundred and nine patients had EPs at various testing laboratories. Of the patients that met criteria, 17 had diagnostic EPs and 54 had negative EPs. Criteria were organized into category groupings (C1‐C4), and analyzed alone for C1, in pairs for C2, etc. The highest sensitivity and PPV results in each category grouping were: C1 (64.7%, 60%); C2, (88%, 30.3%); C3, (94.1%, 27.1%); C4, (94.1%, 25.4%). Family history was crucial to increasing sensitivity. Confidence intervals (CIs) narrowed as category grouping level increased, though this was not statistically significant due to the considerable CI overlap across category groupings. The PPV from C4 was applied to the untested population cohort and predicted 121 patients with unidentified positive EPs. This study presents data supporting the predictive capabilities of EP testing criteria and suggests the addition of a family history criterion. This study impacts public health by encouraging the adoption of evidence‐driven insurance policies and by suggesting guidelines to ease EP ordering and coverage decisions, which could potentially improve patient access to EP testing.
Sudden cardiac death in the young: A qualitative study of experiences of family members with cardiogenetic evaluation
Authors: van den Heuvel Lieke , Do Judy , Yeates Laura , Burns Charlotte , Semsarian Chris , Ingles Jodie 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating event for the family and the community, especially when it occurs in a young person (<45 years). Genetic heart diseases, including cardiomyopathies and primary arrhythmia syndromes, are an important cause of SCD in the young. Although cardiogenetic evaluation, that is, clinical evaluation, genetic testing, and psychological support, is increasingly performed after SCD, it is unknown how suddenly bereaved family members experience the process. We aimed to explore the experiences of family members with cardiogenetic evaluation after SCD, and their perception of the process and care received. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 18 family members of young people (<45 years old) who died suddenly, including parents, siblings, and partners. The interviews were thematically analyzed by two researchers independently. In total, 18 interviews were conducted from 17 families. The following themes were identified: (1) Experiences with postmortem genetic testing including managing expectations and psychological impact, (2) appreciation of care such as access to genetic counseling and relief following cardiac evaluation of relatives, and (3) need for support including unmet psychological support needs and better coordination of care immediately after the death. Although participants appreciated the opportunity for cardiogenetic evaluation, they also experienced a lack of coordination of cardiogenetic and psychological care. Our findings stress the importance of access to expert multidisciplinary teams, including psychological care, to adequately support these families after a SCD in a young family member.
Insight into historical and future spring snow cover from satellite observation and model simulations over the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Guo Hui , Sun Hui , Meng Fanhao , Sa Chula , Luo Min 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAssessment of spring snow cover fraction (SCF) can be valuable for understanding the efficacy of certain Earth system models (ESMs) in simulating the energy exchange between land and atmosphere system, global hydrological cycle and future climate impacts. Here, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of simulated spring SCF from 23 and 20 ESMs participating CMIP5 and CMIP6, against satellite data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Climatic Data Center (NOAA/NCDC) and a long‐term Northern Hemisphere daily 5‐km snow cover extent product (JASMES) over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and its 13 subregions during the period of 1982–2005 and 2072–2095. Our results show that (a) no model performs consistently better in simulating spring SCF from all aspects (mean annual, long‐term trend and climatological monthly of spring SCF); (b) the mean annual of spring SCF that was simulated by CMIP5 and CMIP6 model simulations was underestimated in most of the NH and overestimated over the Tibetan Plateau and eastern Asia; (c) most of the model simulations showed a stronger reduction trend for mean annual of spring SCF; (d) the climatological monthly variation of spring SCF is reasonably captured by all model simulations, except for overestimation over the TIB and EAS regions, and there is underestimation in other regions; (e) compared to CMIP5, most of the model simulations in CMIP6 exhibit an improved ability to simulate spring SCF across all aspects; (f) we confirm that the multi‐model ensemble mean (MME) is a better way to represent the three aspects of spring SCF than most individual model simulations. Finally, the spring SCF values predicted by models with better simulation abilities over the NH and its 13 subregions under different scenarios show decreasing trends. Specifically, the highest decreasing trend of spring SCF was found under high emission scenarios (RCP8.5 and SSP5‐8.5).
A new approach for seasonal prediction using the coupled model CFSv2 with special emphasis on Indian Summer Monsoon
Authors: Fousiya T. S. , Gnanaseelan Chellappan , Halder Subrota , Kakatkar Rashmi , Chowdary Jasti S. , Darshana Patekar , Parekh Anant 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPredicting Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) is a challenging task due to its complexity and nonlinear interactions. Any improvement in the seasonal prediction skill of models would highly benefit a large population and the economy. In this context, three sets of hindcast experiments are carried out for 9 months each, for the period 1993–2019, using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐Climate Forecast System version 2 (NCEP‐CFSv2). The experiments differ from each other in the way they are initialized: one is initialized in February (FebIC), and the second in May (MayIC), whereas in the third one (Exp), ocean is initialized in February and allowed to evolve but the atmosphere reinitialized every month up to May. So, hindcasts of Exp are from the pre‐evolved ocean with realistic atmospheric initial conditions of May. The representation of mean tropical Indo‐Pacific Sea surface temperature (SST), Walker circulation, mean monsoon circulation and moisture transport to Indian landmass are better represented in Exp. The ISM rainfall prediction (interannual) skill improved in Exp as compared to FebIC and MayIC over central India, Indian land mass and extended monsoon region. The initialization strategy adopted in Exp reduces the model initial shocks especially in the upper ocean heat content and SST over the Indo‐Pacific region, thereby offering a cost‐effective alternative approach for reduction of the initial shock. The well‐known cold tongue SST bias over the equatorial Pacific in MayIC is reduced significantly in Exp with improved monsoon teleconnections and the overdependence of ISM rainfall on El Niño Southern Oscillation in MayIC is also reduced in Exp.
Cerclage augmentation of S1–S2 transsacral screw fixation in osteoporotic posterior pelvis ring injuries: A biomechanical feasibility study
Authors: Berk Till , Zderic Ivan , Schwarzenberg Peter , Halvachizadeh Sascha , Teuben Michel , Richards Geoff , Gueorguiev Boyko , Pape Hans‐Christoph 
Published: May 2023

AbstractInjuries of the posterior pelvic ring are predominantly associated with osteoporosis. Percutaneously placed screws transfixing the sacroiliac joint have become the gold standard for their treatment. However, screw cut‐out, backing‐out, and loosening are common complications. One promising option could be cerclage reinforcement of cannulated screw fixations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical feasibility of posterior pelvic ring injuries fixed with S1 and S2 transsacral screws augmented with cerclage. Twenty‐four composite osteoporotic pelvises with posterior sacroiliac joint dislocation were stratified into four groups for S1–S2 transsacral fixation using either (1) fully threaded screws, (2) fully threaded screws with cable cerclage, (3) fully threaded screws with wire cerclage, or (4) partially threaded screws with wire cerclage. All specimens were biomechanically tested under progressively increasing cyclic loading until failure. Intersegmental movements were monitored by motion tracking. The transsacral partially threaded screw fixation with wire cerclage augmentation resulted in significantly less combined angular intersegmental movement in the transverse and coronal plane versus its fully threaded counterpart (p = 0.032), as well as in significantly less flexion versus all other fixations (p ≤ 0.029). Additional cerclage augmentation could be performed intraoperatively to improve the stability of posterior pelvic ring injuries treated with S1–S2 transsacral screw fixation. Further investigations should follow to consolidate the current results on real bones and possibly consider execution of a clinical study.
Characterization of the gut microbiome in an osteosarcoma mouse model
Authors: Le David , Chambers MaKenzie M. , Mercado Kayla , Gutowski Christina J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCompelling evidence has mounted surrounding the relationship between the gut microbiome and many intestinal and extraintestinal cancers. Few studies exist investigating the relationship between the gut microbiome and sarcoma. We hypothesize that the presence of distant osteosarcoma induces change to the profile of flora within the mouse. Twelve mice were used for this experiment: six were sedated and received an injection of human osteosarcoma cells into the flank, while six served as controls. Baseline stool and weight were collected. Tumor size and mouse weight were recorded weekly, and stool samples were collected and stored. Fecal microbiomes of the mice were profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzed for alpha diversity, relative abundances of microbial taxa, and abundance of specific bacteria at different time points. Alpha diversity was increased in the osteosarcoma group compared with the control group. The family Lachnospiraceae had the second strongest negative net average change in relative abundance over time in the osteosarcoma group whereas it had a positive net average change in the control group. An increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio was observed in the osteosarcoma group relative to the control mice. These differences suggest that there may be an interplay between the gut microbiome and osteosarcoma. Clinical significance: Due to the paucity of literature available, our work can support novel research on this relationship and the development of new, personalized treatments for osteosarcoma.
Silk Fibroin/Wool Keratin Composite Scaffold with Hierarchical Fibrous and Porous Structure
Authors: Yang Jie , Wang Huan , Zhou Yuhang , Duan Lirong , Schneider Karl H , Zheng Zhaozhu , Han Fengxuan , Wang Xiaoqin , Li Gang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe present study describes a silk microfiber reinforced meniscus scaffold (SMRMS) with hierarchical fibrous and porous structure made from silk fibroin (SF) and wool keratin (WK) using electrospinning and freeze‐drying technology. This study focuses on the morphology, secondary structure, mechanical properties, and water absorption properties of the scaffold. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of SMRMS are assessed in vivo and in vitro. The scaffold shows hierarchical fibrous and porous structure, hierarchical pore size distribution (ranges from 50 to 650 µm), robust mechanical properties (compression strength can reach at 2.8 MPa), and stable biodegradability. A positive growth condition revealed by in vitro cytotoxicity testing indicates that the scaffold is not hazardous to cells. In vivo assessments of biocompatibility reveal that only a mild inflammatory reaction is present in implanted rat tissue. Meniscal scaffold made of SF/WK composite shows a potential application prospect in the meniscal repair engineering field with its development.
A Model of Mechanotransduction in Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Based Composite Hydrogels for Regulating Musculoskeletal Differentiation
Authors: Firoozi Mahtab , Entezam Mehdi , Ejeian Fatemeh , Masaeli Elahe 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn regenerative medicine, extracellular matrix (ECM)‐inspired materials are currently being explored to imitate mechanotransduction pathways and control cell fate. In musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, enhancing mechano‐biological signals require biomaterials that are both biocompatible and viscoelastic and can retain water content. Herein, based on these requirements, various polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based composite hydrogels, reinforced by polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) nanofibers, are proposed to differentiate equine adipose‐derived stem cells for musculoskeletal regeneration. To study the role of fiber embedding in improving scaffold properties, different nanofiber assemblies, including chopped short ones with random orientation (PVAS), single‐layer (PVAL1), and double‐layer membranes (PVAL2) are positioned into the PVA matrix. PHB reinforcements negatively affect swelling and positively enhanced phase transition temperatures and crystallinity of PVA hydrogel. According to mechanical analysis results, compositing with PHB nanofibrous layers strengthen the PVA matrix due to some restrictions on PVA chain mobility. Gene expression investigations also reveal that higher matrix stiffness after layering with two PHB membranes (PVAL2) promotes osteogenesis, while the random addition of short‐chapped fibers (PVAS) facilitate tenogenic differentiation. As a consequence of the findings, fiber placement is crucial to the mechanical properties of composite hydrogels that ultimately control musculoskeletal differentiation signals through mechanosensing pathways.
Mechanically Robust Shape‐Memory Organohydrogels Based on Silk Fibroin with Organogel Microinclusions of Various Sizes
Authors: Bas Yahya , Okay Oguz 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOrganohydrogels (OHGs) are soft materials with antagonistic hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains that have great interest for many different applications. This study presents the preparation of mechanically strong OHGs with shape‐memory function by incorporating semicrystalline organo‐microgels within the pores of silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds. In the first step, SF cryogels with various pore diameters between 26 ± 8 and 17 ± 4 µm are synthesized by cryogelation of aqueous SF solutions at concentrations between 5 and 20 w/v%. In the second step, the pores of SF scaffolds are filled with an organogel precursor solution containing n‐octadecyl acrylate (C18A), acrylic acid, N,N'‐methylene(bis)acrylamide, and an initiator. Once the free‐radical polymerization took place inside the pores, OHGs containing organo‐microgels of various sizes are obtained. The incorporation of the organogel component in the cryogels generates crystalline areas due to the side‐by‐side packed C18 side chains. OHGs' melting temperature and crystallinity level can be varied from 42 to 54 °C and from 2 to 16%, respectively. The stiffness of OHGs increases from 5.9 ± 0.5 to 18 ± 1 MPa with increasing SF concentration from 5 to 20 w/v%, which is attributed to the decreasing pore size of the cryogels and increasing thickness of the pore walls.
Improve the Crosslinking Reactivity of Nitrile: Design of Nitrile‐Functionalized Pyrazine and its Hydrogen Bond‐Assisted Nucleophilic Enhancement Study
Authors: He Xian , Wu Hao , Chen Menghao , Lv Jiangbo , Xiao Hang , Salas Maria Nieves López , Wu Baile , Liu Pengqing , Zeng Ke , Yang Gang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this study, molecular engineering and biomimetic principles are utilized to prepare highly effective nitrile‐functionalized pyrazine crosslinking units by exploiting pyrazine's unique nucleophilic strengthening mechanism and proton bonding ability. The curing behaviors of pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile and phthalonitrile are investigated through model curing systems and molecular simulation. The results indicate that pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile exhibits higher reactivity than phthalonitrile, promoted by amine. The cured products of pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile predominantly comprise thermally stable azaisoindoline and azaphthalocyanine. This novel type of highly effective crosslinking unit, and the comprehended mechanism of action of pyrazine at the molecular level, significantly expand the application of pyrazine in materials science.
A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Payne Thomas , Appleby Matthew , Buckley Ellen , van Gelder Linda M.A. , Mullish Benjamin H. , Sassani Matilde , Dunning Mark J. , Hernandez Dena , Scholz Sonja W. , McNeill Alisdair , Libri Vincenzo , Moll Sarah , Marchesi Julian R. , Taylor Rosie , Su Li , Mazzà Claudia , Jenkins Thomas M. , Foltynie Thomas , Bandmann Oliver 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundRescue of mitochondrial function is a promising neuroprotective strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has shown considerable promise as a mitochondrial rescue agent across a range of preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of PD.ObjectivesTo investigate the safety and tolerability of high‐dose UDCA in PD and determine midbrain target engagement.MethodsThe UP (UDCA in PD) study was a phase II, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of UDCA (30 mg/kg daily, 2:1 randomization UDCA vs. placebo) in 30 participants with PD for 48 weeks. The primary outcome was safety and tolerability. Secondary outcomes included 31‐phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) to explore target engagement of UDCA in PD midbrain and assessment of motor progression, applying both the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS‐UPDRS‐III) and objective, motion sensor‐based quantification of gait impairment.ResultsUDCA was safe and well tolerated, and only mild transient gastrointestinal adverse events were more frequent in the UDCA treatment group. Midbrain 31P‐MRS demonstrated an increase in both Gibbs free energy and inorganic phosphate levels in the UDCA treatment group compared to placebo, reflecting improved ATP hydrolysis. Sensor‐based gait analysis indicated a possible improvement of cadence (steps per minute) and other gait parameters in the UDCA group compared to placebo. In contrast, subjective assessment applying the MDS‐UPDRS‐III failed to detect a difference between treatment groups.ConclusionsHigh‐dose UDCA is safe and well tolerated in early PD. Larger trials are needed to further evaluate the disease‐modifying effect of UDCA in PD. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.