bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Response of Gli1+ Suture Stem Cells to Mechanical Force Upon Suture Expansion
Authors: Jing Dian , Chen Zexi , Men Yi , Yi Yating , Wang Yuhong , Wang Jun , Yi Jianru , Wan Lingyun , Shen Bo , Feng Jian Q , Zhao Zhihe , Zhao Hu , Li Chaoyuan 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
Normal development of craniofacial sutures is crucial for cranial and facial growth in all three dimensions. These sutures provide a unique niche for suture stem cells (SuSCs), which are indispensable for homeostasis, damage repair, as well as stress balance. Expansion appliances are now routinely used to treat underdevelopment of the skull and maxilla, stimulating the craniofacial sutures through distraction osteogenesis. However, various treatment challenges exist due to a lack of full understanding of the mechanism through which mechanical forces stimulate suture and bone remodeling. To address this issue, we first identified crucial steps in the cycle of suture and bone remodeling based on the established standard suture expansion model. Observed spatiotemporal morphological changes revealed that the remodeling cycle is approximately 3 to 4 weeks, with collagen restoration proceeding more rapidly. Next, we traced the fate of the Gli1+ SuSCs lineage upon application of tensile force in three dimensions. SuSCs were rapidly activated and greatly contributed to bone remodeling within 1 month. Furthermore, we confirmed the presence of Wnt activity within Gli1+ SuSCs based on the high co-expression ratio of Gli1+ cells and Axin2+ cells, which also indicated the homogeneity and heterogeneity of two cell groups. Because Wnt signaling in the sutures is highly upregulated upon tensile force loading, conditional knockout of β-catenin largely restricted the activation of Gli1+ SuSCs and suppressed bone remodeling under physiological and expansion conditions. Thus, we concluded that Gli1+ SuSCs play essential roles in suture and bone remodeling stimulated by mechanical force and that Wnt signaling is crucial to this process. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Linear and nonlinear optical properties of novel Schiff‐base modified calix[4]arene: Synthesis and characterization
Authors: Shokrzadeh Majid , Dilmaghani Karim Akbari 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLinear and nonlinear optical properties of upper rim Schiff‐base calix[4]arenes are described in this article. Calix[4]arene Schiff‐base derivatives were obtained by reacting tetrakis‐para‐formylcalix[4]arene with appropriate aryl amines (aniline and para‐amino phenol as electrons donor) to extend and to delocalize π electrons system. In this work, the newly synthesized Schiff‐base compounds were characterized by using FT‐IR, 1H, and 13C‐NMR and mass. Linear optical properties of synthesized compounds (2–5) were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy and their nonlinear optical properties (NLO) were obtained by the Z‐scan method in ethanol solvent. Results indicated that the synthesized Schiff‐base compounds have a good refractive index (n2) and satisfactory nonlinear absorption index (β), which are suitable for use as well as development of nonlinear materials and nonlinear optical microscopy.
Chromosomal microarray in postnatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies and neurodevelopmental disorders in Serbian patients
Authors: Perovic Dijana , Damnjanovic Tatjana , Jekic Biljana , Dusanovic‐Pjevic Marija , Grk Milka , Djuranovic Ana , Rasic Milica , Novakovic Ivana , Maksimovic Nela 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundArray‐based genomic analysis is a gold standard for the detection of copy number variations (CNVs) as an important source of benign as well as pathogenic variations in humans. The introduction of chromosomal microarray (CMA) has led to a significant leap in diagnostics of genetically caused congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders, with an average diagnostic yield of 15%. Here, we present our experience from a single laboratory perspective in four years’ postnatal clinical CMA application.MethodsDNA samples of 430 patients with congenital anomalies and/or neurodevelopmental disorders were analyzed by comparative genome hybridization using oligonucleotide‐based microarray platforms. Interpretation of detected CNVs was performed according to current guidelines. The detection rate (DR) of clinically significant findings (pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNVs) was calculated for the whole cohort and isolated or combined phenotypic categories.ResultsA total of 140 non‐benign CNVs were detected in 113/430 patients (26.5%). In 70 patients at least one CNV was considered clinically significant thus reaching a diagnostic yield of 16.3%. The more complex the phenotype, including developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID) as a prevailing feature, the higher the DR of clinically significant CNVs is obtained. Isolated congenital anomalies had the lowest, while the “dysmorphism plus” category had the highest diagnostic yield.ConclusionIn our study, CMA proved to be a very useful method in the diagnosis of genetically caused congenital anomalies and neurodevelopmental disorders. DD/ID and dysmorphism stand out as important phenotypic features that significantly increase the diagnostic yield of the analysis.
Preoperative platelet distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio combined with serum thyroglobulin may be objective and popularizable indicators in predicting papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Jin Jin , Wu Guihua , Ruan Chengwei , Ling Hongwei , Zheng Xueman , Ying Changjiang , Zhang Ying 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectivesThe incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has increased more rapidly than that of any other cancer type in China. Early indicators with high sensitivity and specificity during diagnosis are required. To date, there has been a paucity of studies investigating the relationship between preoperative platelet distribution width‐to‐platelet count ratio (PPR) and PTC. This study thus aimed to assess the diagnostic value of PPR combined with serum thyroglobulin (Tg) in patients with PTC.MethodsA total of 1001 participants were included in our study. 876 patients who underwent surgery for nodular goiter were divided into the PTC group or benign thyroid nodule (BTN) group according to pathology reports, and 125 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Preoperative hemogram parameters and serum Tg levels were compared among three groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of PPR combined with serum Tg for diagnosing PTC.ResultsPlatelet distribution width (PDW) and PPR levels were higher in the PTC group than in the BTN and HC groups (both p < 0.05) but did not significantly differ between the BTN and HC groups. PDW and PPR levels significantly differed in the presence/absence of lymph node metastasis, the presence/absence of capsule invasion (p = 0.005), and TNM stages (p < 0.001). Multivariable analyses indicated that high serum Tg levels [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.007; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.004–1.009; p < 0.001], high neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR,adjusted OR, 1.928; 95% CI, 1.619–2.295; p < 0.001), and high PPR (adjusted OR, 1.378; 95% CI, 1.268–1.497; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for PTC. In ROC analysis, the areas under the curves (AUCs) of serum Tg, PDW, PPR, and NLR for predicting PTC were 0.603, 0.610, 0.706, and 0.685, respectively. PPR combined with serum Tg (PPR + Tg) had a higher diagnostic value (AUC, 0.738; sensitivity, 60%; specificity, 74.7%) compared with PDW + Tg (AUC, 0.656; sensitivity, 64.4%; specificity, 59.9%) and NLR + Tg (AUC, 0.714; sensitivity, 61.6%; specificity, 71.1%).ConclusionsPreoperative PPR combined with serum Tg may be objective and popularizable indicators for effective predicting PTC.
Application of online learning combined with case‐based discussion in oral medicine education
Authors: Wu Shujie , Yang Zaiwu , Wu Tong , Tao Xiaoan , Hong Yun , Cheng Bin , Xia Juan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundDuring the past decades, the rapid development of modern teaching tools and methods has been observed, and the new teaching module constructed through digitization or networking has been widely used in the field of medical education. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of the online learning combined with case‐based discussion (CBD) approach in oral medicine education.MethodsSixty senior students majoring in stomatology were randomly divided into two groups. One group (new module‐based teaching group [NG], n = 30) watched an online teaching video and discussed clinical cases in groups. The control group (traditional lecture‐based group [TG], n = 30) was assigned to the traditional lecture‐based teaching. Subsequently, a theory assessment was conducted on the topics taught, and the scores of both groups were compared. Feedback about this teaching model was obtained from the NG.ResultsThe results showed that students in the NG had significantly better performance in terms of mastering professional knowledge than did students in the TG. Moreover, most students in the NG had a high degree of satisfaction with this new teaching method, as they agreed that it can mobilize their learning enthusiasm and promote their engagement, interaction, and cooperation in the learning of oral medicine.ConclusionsOur findings indicate the effectiveness and high satisfaction of CBD combined with online learning in the teaching of oral medicine. This study is expected to provide new ideas for improving the dental teaching quality.
Single vesicle analysis of aqueous humor in pediatric ocular diseases reveals eye specific CD63‐dominant subpopulations
Authors: Peng Chen‐Ching , Im Deborah , Sirivolu Shreya , Reiser Bibiana , Nagiel Aaron , Neviani Paolo , Xu Liya , Berry Jesse L. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAqueous humor (AH), the clear fluid in front of the eye, maintains the pressure and vitality of ocular tissues. This fluid is accessible via the clear cornea which enables use of AH as a liquid biopsy source of biomarkers for intraocular disease. Extracellular vesicles are detectable in the AH and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are present in the AH from adults. However, EVs in AH from pediatric eyes in vivo have never previously been explored. We know very little about the heterogeneity of AH EV populations in ocular disease. Twenty‐seven processing‐free AH samples from 19 patients across four different pediatric ocular diseases were subjected to Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Single Particle‐Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (SP‐IRIS) analysis. NTA demonstrated the concentration of AH EV/EPs is 3.11 × 109–1.38 × 1010 particles/ml; the majority sized 76.8–103 nm. SP‐IRIS revealed distinct patterns of tetraspanin expression of AH sEVs. An enriched mono‐CD63+ sEV subpopulation identified in AH indicates this is a potential AH‐specific biomarker. In the setting of retinoblastoma there was a more heterogeneous population of sEVs which normalized with treatment. This suggests a potential clinical application of direct measurement of sEV subpopulations in AH samples to monitor successful tumor response to therapy.
Serum extracellular vesicles profiling is associated with COVID‐19 progression and immune responses
Authors: Yim Kevin Ho Wai , Borgoni Simone , Chahwan Richard 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has transformed very quickly into a world pandemic with severe and unexpected consequences on human health. Concerted efforts to generate better diagnostic and prognostic tools have been ongoing. Research, thus far, has primarily focused on the virus itself or the direct immune response to it. Here, we propose extracellular vesicles (EVs) from serum liquid biopsies as a new and unique modality to unify diagnostic and prognostic tools for COVID‐19 analyses. EVs are a novel player in intercellular signalling particularly influencing immune responses. We herein show that innate and adaptive immune EVs profiling, together with SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike S1+ EVs provide a novel signature for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. It also provides a unique ability to associate the co‐existence of viral and host cell signatures to monitor affected tissues and severity of the disease progression. And provide a phenotypic insight into COVID‐associated EVs.
Antiretroviral drug exposure in lymph nodes is heterogeneous and drug dependent
Authors: Rosen Elias P. , Deleage Claire , White Nicole , Sykes Craig , Brands Catherine , Adamson Lourdes , Luciw Paul , Estes Jacob D. , Kashuba Angela D. M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionHIV reservoirs and infected cells may persist in tissues with low concentrations of antiretrovirals (ARVs). Traditional pharmacology methods cannot assess variability in ARV concentrations within morphologically complex tissues, such as lymph nodes (LNs). We evaluated the distribution of six ARVs into LNs and the proximity of these ARVs to CD4+ T cells and cell‐associated RT‐SHIV viral RNA.MethodsBetween December 2014 and April 2017, RT‐SHIV infected (SHIV+; N = 6) and healthy (SHIV–; N = 6) male rhesus macaques received two selected four‐drug combinations of six ARVs over 10 days to attain steady‐state conditions. Serial cryosections of axillary LN were analysed by a multimodal imaging approach that combined mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for ARV disposition, RNAscope in situ hybridization for viral RNA (vRNA) and immunohistochemistry for CD4+ T cell and collagen expression. Spatial relationships across these four imaging domains were investigated by nearest neighbour search on co‐registered images using MATLAB.ResultsThrough MSI, ARV‐dependent, heterogeneous concentrations were observed in different morphological LN regions, such as the follicles and medullary sinuses. After 5–6 weeks of infection, more limited ARV penetration into LN tissue relative to the blood marker heme was found in SHIV+ animals (SHIV+: 0.7 [0.2–1.4] mm; SHIV–: 1.3 [0.5–1.7] mm), suggesting alterations in the microcirculation. However, we found no detectable increase in collagen deposition. Regimen‐wide maps of composite ARV distribution indicated that up to 27% of SHIV+ LN tissue area was not exposed to detectable ARVs. Regions associated with B cell follicles had median 1.15 [0.94–2.69] ‐fold reduction in areas with measurable drug, though differences were only statistically significant for tenofovir (p = 0.03). Median co‐localization of drug with CD4+ target cells and vRNA varied widely by ARV (5.1–100%), but nearest neighbour analysis indicated that up to 10% of target cells and cell‐associated vRNA were not directly contiguous to at least one drug at concentrations greater than the IC50 value.ConclusionsOur investigation of the spatial distributions of drug, virus and target cells underscores the influence of location and microenvironment within LN, where a small population of T cells may remain vulnerable to infection and low‐level viral replication during suppressive ART.
Identification of illicit street drugs with swept‐source Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Kay Kemberly X. E. , Atabaki Amir H. , Ng Wei Bo , Li Zheng , Singh Gajendra P. , Tan Stella W. L. , Ram Rajeev J. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe identification of the illicit substances in low‐purity seized drugs with Raman spectroscopy is an outstanding problem. The low concentration of the target molecule demands high sensitivity and the presence of impurities produces a strong fluorescence background that makes identification challenging. Although Raman analyzers with 785 and 830 nm excitation wavelengths provide high sensitivity, the longer 1064 nm wavelength produces lower fluorescence. In this work, we demonstrate a Raman spectrometer that simultaneously achieves both high sensitivity and low background fluorescence. We utilize swept‐source Raman spectroscopy in which the spectrometer is replaced by a single high‐collection spectral channel, and the Raman spectrum is swept using a tunable laser. By eliminating the spectrometer and its slit, the optical throughput and sensitivity are improved. Moreover, our swept‐source system requires a single uncooled silicon photodiode that provides higher quantum efficiency at longer wavelengths compared with CCDs. This allowed us to use excitation wavelengths in the 900 nm range to reduce background fluorescence without sacrificing sensitivity. We have demonstrated 6x background fluorescence reduction in colored seized drugs compared with 830 nm excitation. With lower background fluorescence and high sensitivity, we could identify heroin with only 1% purity in a seized sample. Besides forensics and security, the demonstrated swept‐source Raman spectroscopy approach can be a powerful technique in biomedical applications where strong background fluorescence limits detection capabilities.
Peanut skin procyanidins ameliorate insulin resistance via modulation of gut microbiota and gut barrier in type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Liu Min , Huang Bijun , Wang Li , Lu Qun , Liu Rui 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDPeanut skin procyanidins (PSP) have been shown to possess antidiabetic activities. However, the mechanism remains poorly understood due to its low bioavailability. This study aims to investigate the preventive effect of PSP on type 2 diabetes (T2D) in mice through regulating gut microbiota and gut barrier in mice with streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced T2D. During the 30 consecutive days of the study, T2D mice were administered PSP intragastrically at 75, 150 and 300 mg kg−1 body weight d−1.RESULTSPSP treatment obviously alleviated glucolipid metabolism disorders, decreased the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin (IL)‐6 and myeloperoxidase(MPO), and increased that of IL‐10. PSP treatment enhanced the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Alloprevotella, Akkermansia and Faecalibaculum, and reduced that of Muribaculaceae. Some of these were associated with the production of short‐chain fatty acids and anti‐inflammatory effect, suggesting their important roles in T2D mice. More importantly, PSP improved the gut barrier integrality by restoring gut morphology and enhancing tight junction protein expression including ZO1, claudin1 and occludin in colon. Subsequently, PSP ameliorated insulin resistance by decreasing the LPS/Toll‐like receptor 4/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase inflammatory response, and enhancing insulin receptor substrate 1/ phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B insulin signaling pathways in the liver.CONCLUSIONPeanut skin procyanidins may alleviate the symptoms of T2D by mitigating inflammatory response, modulating gut microbiota and improving intestinal integrity. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
A Systematic Review of Eustachian Tube Procedures for Baro‐challenge Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Authors: Raymond Mallory J. , Shih Michael C. , Elvis Phillip Ryan , Nguyen Shaun A. , Brennan Emily , Meyer Ted A. , Lambert Paul R. 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of Eustachian tube procedures for the treatment of baro‐challenge Eustachian tube dysfunction.MethodsFollowing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, databases, including PubMed (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health), Scopus (Elsevier), and CINAHL (EBSCO), were searched for articles examining the effectiveness of Eustachian tube procedures for baro‐challenge Eustachian tube dysfunction. Outcome measures included symptom resolution, ability to return to work, equalization problems (EP) scores, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ‐7) scores, and pressure chamber testing parameters. Pooled meta‐analysis was performed for dichotomous measures and ETDQ‐7 scores.ResultsEleven articles with 81 patients were included. Seventy‐two patients from 10 articles underwent balloon Eustachian tube dilation; nine patients in 1 study underwent laser Eustachian tuboplasty (LET). All 81 patients were preoperatively symptomatic with barometric pressure change, and 26/30 (86.7%) were unable to work due to symptoms. On meta‐analysis, after balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty (BDET), 82.5% (n = 30 [95% confidence interval: 42%–100%]) had improvement in ability to valsalva, 79.1% (n = 16 [57.9%–94.1%]) in ability to return to work, and 84.3% (n = 69 [69.8%–94.7%]) in any symptom. Of 25 patients with individual ETDQ‐7 scores, 79.1% [51.4, 96.9] had improvements after BDET. For four case series with 36 patients, ETDQ‐7 scores decreased by 1.2 [0.7, 1.7] (p < 0.00001). Of 20 patients with preoperative ETDQ‐7 scores >2.0, there was a mean decrease of 2.1 [1.3, 2.8] (p < 0.00001).ConclusionFrom the available evidence, Eustachian tube procedures appear to be effective at improving symptoms of baro‐challenge Eustachian tube dysfunction. However, higher quality evidence is needed to support making definite recommendations for the use of balloon Eustachian tube dilation or LET for these patients. Laryngoscope, 132:2473–2483, 2022
The Birth of Fluorescence from Thermally Polymerized Glycine
Authors: Cossu Franca Lucia , Poddighe Matteo , Stagi Luigi , Anedda Roberto , Innocenzi Plinio 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThermal polymerization of glycine, the simplest amino acid bearing only one alfa carbon atom, is not an efficient process in mild conditions. Hydrothermal processing of glycine produces only small peptides, up to four units on average, with only a fraction of glycine that reacts. In the present work, boric acid is used as a catalyst to promote the formation of glycine polypeptides. The final product is characterized by an extended polymeric structure and an intense blue fluorescence characterizes the final product. A comparison with glycine reacted in hydrothermal conditions without the catalyst shows that boric acid plays a primary role in promoting the amidation reactions. The structure of the glycine polymers has been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and the optical properties by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. The full reaction of glycine promoted by boric acid catalysis produces a disordered structure with loss of molecular conformations and blue emission.