bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managing the delivery of venous leg ulcer services: A willingness to pay study
Authors: Wickramasekera Nyantara , Palfreyman Simon , Lumley Elizabeth , Dosanjh Arvind , Shackley Phil 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsThere is widespread variation in venous leg ulcer (VLU) wound care contributing to inadequate service provision resulting in poor outcomes to patients. Little has been published on the perspectives of where treatments should be carried out. The aim of the study was to quantify respondents' preferences for the preferred place of treatment for VLU.MethodsA UK general population sample was interviewed to elicit preferences for clinic or home care treatment using the willingness to pay elicitation method. Participants were presented with two vignettes describing clinic or home care of VLU, and were asked to select the treatment process that they preferred and provide a detailed explanation for selecting that choice. Then they were asked to state their maximum hypothetical amounts that they were willing to pay for the treatment processes.ResultsOne hundred fifty‐four participants completed the interviews. Respondents were willing to pay £498.96 to receive VLU treatment at a clinic and £505.60 to receive care at home. This difference between the clinic compared to home care was not statistically significant. Advantages of clinic care include being able to book an appointment allowing participants to plan events around the booking and for home care the convenience for those with impaired mobility who may have difficulty traveling.ConclusionsThe results show that respondents placed an equal valuation on the place of treatment suggesting no strong preference for either home or clinic care. However, qualitative findings emphasized that impaired mobility may be a barrier to accessing VLU services for some therefore, individuals should be given the choice to select their preferred setting to receive treatment where possible.
Experimenter identity: An invisible, lurking variable in developmental research
Authors: St. Pierre Thomas , White Katherine S. , Johnson Elizabeth K. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDevelopmental researchers are well aware that children behave differently around different people. Nevertheless, researchers rarely consider (and report on) who is running their studies. Indeed, in a survey of articles published in the last 3 years in 4 top developmental journals, we find that the vast majority of studies fail to report any information about experimenter identity, despite the fact that child–adult interactions may be strongly influenced by the social inferences that individuals draw from one another. We argue that developmental researchers need to acknowledge how experimenter identity could be acting as an invisible, lurking variable, influencing the outcome and generalizability of studies. We provide simple suggestions for how researchers and journals can begin to address this issue, thereby improving the quality and depth of the work in our field.
Gallium‐based liquid metals for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Bin‐Wei , Ren Long , Wang Yun‐Xiao , Xu Xun , Du Yi , Dou Shi‐Xue 
Published: June 2022

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are one of the most exciting inventions of the 20th century and have been widely employed in modern society. LIBs have powered many of our electronics, such as laptop computers, smartphones, and even large‐scale energy storage systems. With the development of modern technology, next‐generation LIBs with higher energy density are in demand. A number of electrode materials with high theoretical capacity, including Sn, Si, Li metal anode, and S cathode materials, have been explored. Nevertheless, they usually suffer from structural or interface failure during cycling, limiting their practical application. Ga‐based liquid metals (LMs) possess self‐healing capability, fluidity, and metallic advantages so they have been employed as self‐healing skeletons or interfacial protective layers to minimize the negative impact of volume expansion or dendritic growth on the electrode materials. Herein, the features of Ga‐based LMs are briefly discussed to indicate their potential for battery systems. In addition, recent developments on Ga‐based LMs applied in LIBs have been summarized, including from the aspects of anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes. Finally, future opportunities and challenges for the development of Ga‐based LMs in LIBs are highlighted.
Paracrine effect of the stromal vascular fraction containing M2 macrophages on human chondrocytes through the Smad2/3 signaling pathway
Authors: Fujita Masahiro , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Hayashi Shinya , Hashimoto Shingo , Nakano Naoki , Maeda Toshihisa , Kuroda Yuichi , Takashima Yoshinori , Kikuchi Kenichi , Anjiki Kensuke , Ikuta Kemmei , Onoi Yuma , Tachibana Shotaro , Matsushita Takehiko , Iwaguro Hideki , Sobajima Satoshi , Hiranaka Takafumi , Kuroda Ryosuke 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe adipose‐derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is composed of a heterogeneous mix of adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs), macrophages, pericytes, fibroblasts, blood, and other cells. Previous studies have found that the paracrine effects of SVF cells may be therapeutic, but their role in osteoarthritis treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of SVF cells on chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were seeded on culture plates alone (control) or cocultured with SVF or ADSCs on cell culture inserts. After 48 h of coculture, chondrocyte collagen II, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases‐3 (TIMP‐3), and matrix metalloproteinases‐13 (MMP‐13) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were evaluated using reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) levels in the supernatant were measured using ELISA. Immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the macrophages in the SVF. These macrophages were characterized according to phenotype using the F4/80, CD86, and CD163 markers. To determine whether the Smad2/3 signaling pathways were involved, the chondrocytes were pre‑treated with a Smad2/3 phosphorylation inhibitor and stimulated with the SVF, and then Smad2/3 phosphorylation levels were analyzed using western blot. The mRNA expression levels of various paracrine factors and chondrocyte pellet size were also assessed. Collagen II and TIMP‐3 expression were higher in the SVF group than in the ADSC group and controls, while MMP‐13 expression was the highest in the ADSC group and the lowest in the controls. TGF‐β levels in the SVF group were also elevated. Immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry revealed that the macrophages in the SVF were of the anti‐inflammatory phenotype. Western blot analysis showed that the SVF increased Smad2/3 phosphorylation, while Smad2/3 inhibitors decreased phosphorylation. Smad2/3 inhibitors also reduced the expression of various other paracrine factors and decreased chondrocyte pellet size. These findings suggested that the paracrine effect of heterogeneous cells, such as anti‐inflammatory macrophages, in the SVF partly supports chondrocyte regeneration through TGF‐β‐induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation.
Could melatonin have a potential adjuvant role in the treatment of the lasting anosmia associated with COVID‐19? A review
Authors: Xerfan Ellen M. S. , Morelhao Priscila K. , Arakaki Felipe H. , Facina Anamaria da Silva , Tomimori Jane , Xavier Sandra D. , Tufik Sergio , Andersen Monica L. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntroductionAnosmia, the loss of the sense of smell, is usually associated with rhinopathies and has been reported as a common symptom of COVID‐19. There is no specific drug to treat this condition, although some evidence suggests that melatonin could promote the recovery of olfactory sensory neurons.MethodsWe set out to perform a narrative review to synthesize the current evidence in this area in respect of our hypothesis that melatonin may be linked with anosmia and play a part in oxidative stress and the regulation of inflammation. The main electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane) were searched.ResultsThe search produced 26 articles related to our hypothesis. Some studies examined issues related to melatonin's effects and its use as adjuvant therapy for COVID‐19. Despite some studies suggesting that melatonin may have potential in the treatment of COVID‐19, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no trials that have used it to treat anosmia associated with the disease. Few articles identified proposed that melatonin might have an effect on olfactory cells.DiscussionFurther experimental and clinical research on the role of circadian melatonin in the olfactory system is warranted. This will provide evidence of the use of melatonin in the management of anosmia. A number of identified studies suggest that the imbalanced release of melatonin by the pineal gland associated with sleep disturbance may play a role in anosmia, although the specific pathway is not yet entirely clear. This may be a base for further research into the potential role of melatonin as adjuvant treatment of anosmia.
Molecular and clinicopathological analysis of three cases of gastric juvenile polyposis
Authors: Yamashiro Yuya , Yanai Yuka , Takeda Tsutomu , Hayashi Takuo , Akazawa Yoichi , Yatagai Noboru , Ueyama Hiroya , Eguchi Hidetaka , Nagahara Akihito , Yao Takashi , Saito Tsuyoshi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackground and AimJuvenile polyposis (JP) is a rare disease known to be associated with mutations either in SMAD4/BMPR1A. JP is known to often develop into malignant tumors, with a reported probability of 9–50%. However, the mechanisms of its carcinogenesis are not fully understood. We tried to elucidate the mechanisms of malignant transformation underlying this condition in three cases of gastric JP.MethodsWe selected polyps from each patient displaying varying degrees of atypia and their nearby normal polyps and compared them using immunohistochemistry, Sanger sequencing, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis of SMAD4, BMPR1A, and TP53.ResultsTwo of the three cases were suspected of having germline SMAD4 mutations based on their familial medical histories; the remaining case was found to have a SMAD4 germline mutation following preoperative genetic testing. All three cases were shown to present with both SMAD4 positive and negative areas across each lesion, with the neoplastic lesions tending to show stronger nuclear SMAD4 expression. This expression was closely associated with the SMAD4 LOH status; however, we also noted paradoxical SMAD4 expression in the neoplastic lesions despite the biallelic inactivation of SMAD4 revealed in the genetic evaluation.ConclusionsThese data suggest that strong nuclear expression of SMAD4, even when seemingly paradoxical, seems to be closely associated with dysplastic polyps in JP. Complete inactivation of SMAD4 was not shown to be essential for the development of dysplastic polyps in gastric JP, and other pathways seemed to be involved in the acquisition of the malignant phenotype.
SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF10 antagonizes STING‐dependent interferon activation and autophagy
Authors: Han Lulu , Zheng Yi , Deng Jian , Nan Mei‐Ling , Xiao Yang , Zhuang Meng‐Wei , Zhang Jing , Wang Wei , Gao Chengjiang , Wang Pei‐Hui 
Published: June 2022

AbstractA characteristic feature of COVID‐19, the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, is the dysregulated immune response with impaired type I and III interferon (IFN) expression and an overwhelming inflammatory cytokine storm. RIG‐I‐like receptors (RLRs) and cGAS–STING signaling pathways are responsible for sensing viral infection and inducing IFN production to combat invading viruses. Multiple proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2 have been reported to modulate the RLR signaling pathways to achieve immune evasion. Although SARS‐CoV‐2 infection also activates the cGAS–STING signaling by stimulating micronuclei formation during the process of syncytia, whether SARS‐CoV‐2 modulates the cGAS–STING pathway requires further investigation. Here, we screened 29 SARS‐CoV‐2‐encoded viral proteins to explore the viral proteins that affect the cGAS–STING signaling pathway and found that SARS‐CoV‐2 open reading frame 10 (ORF10) targets STING to antagonize IFN activation. Overexpression of ORF10 inhibits cGAS–STING‐induced interferon regulatory factor 3 phosphorylation, translocation, and subsequent IFN induction. Mechanistically, ORF10 interacts with STING, attenuates the STING–TBK1 association, and impairs STING oligomerization and aggregation and STING‐mediated autophagy; ORF10 also prevents the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐to‐Golgi trafficking of STING by anchoring STING in the ER. Taken together, these findings suggest that SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF10 impairs the cGAS–STING signaling by blocking the translocation of STING and the interaction between STING and TBK1 to antagonize innate antiviral immunity.
Workforce management in the post‐pandemic era: Evidence from multinational companies using grounded theory
Authors: Khor Lay Kheng , Tan Cheng Ling 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe COVID‐19 outbreak has significantly altered the conditions of the workforce in operation on an unprecedented scale with companies being pressured to operate digitally and remotely under volatile and unpredictable circumstances. This qualitative study aims to ascertain the (i) key determinants derived from workforce management post‐COVID and (ii) the organizational potentialities and barriers among Malaysian multinational corporations (MNCs) for a holistic understanding of the local workforce post‐pandemic. Four themes (business disruption and operational changes, technology, work from home or WFH, and organizational support) were highlighted using thematic analysis. The current research has offered pivotal insights into and recommendations on operations management opportunities and future study avenues.
Building a pharmacy workforce from the ground up to support the COVID‐19 vaccine rollout: lessons learned and recommendations
Authors: Patanwala Asad E. , Burke Rosemary , McNamara Alexander , Aslani Parisa , McLachlan Andrew J. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has required an unprecedented surge in the pharmacy workforce to support mass vaccination hubs. This review discusses the challenges faced while training and credentialing a surge pharmacy workforce and how these challenges were overcome. The process used for training and credentialing new employees has been described and recommendations and insights have been provided based on the lessons learned at two COVID‐19 mass vaccination hubs in New South Wales. Operationalising one of the largest mass vaccination hubs in Australia required efficient training and credentialing of the pharmacy workforce. This process included the use of pharmacist‐extenders such as students, assistants, and those from other healthcare and non‐healthcare backgrounds. Training was optimised by using a flipped classroom model, so that the vaccine preparation process was provided via asynchronous online videos. The videos covered each step of vaccine dose preparation with visual cues to guide appropriate technique. On‐site training involved use of simulation and checklists for credentialing. Many factors contributed to the success of this process, including the use of triaging and the re‐allocation of personnel based on skill level, collaboration with the Sydney Pharmacy School to train and support a surge workforce involving students, initial on‐site information technology support in the form of pharmacy superusers, the use of checklists and guides for troubleshooting, and assigned pharmacy educators to train new employees. The public health response to the COVID‐19 pandemic forced us to rapidly adapt to build a pharmacy workforce in record time to support mass vaccination hubs. The recommendations and insights provided from our experience can guide future surges. Some of these concepts may also be applied to pharmacy practice in hospitals when resources are constrained.
Inhibition of U‐II/UT signaling ameliorates cystitis‐associated bladder hyperactivity by targeting the RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway
Authors: Liu Qian , Lu Qu‐Dong , Sun Bi‐Shao , Zhao Jiang , He Fan , Zhu Jing‐Zhen 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUrotensin II (U‐II) and its receptor (UT) are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases; however, their association with the development of cystitis has not been elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the functional role of U‐II/UT signaling in cyclophosphamide (CYP)‐induced cystitis. A total of 60 female rats were randomly divided into the control and CYP‐treated groups. Intraperitoneal injection of CYP successfully induced cystitis in rats of the CYP‐treated group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of U‐II and UT were significantly enhanced in rat bladder tissues of the CYP‐treated group. Furthermore, the results of the immunofluorescence staining analysis demonstrated that CYP treatment apparently increased the expression levels of UT in the urothelium layer, detrusor smooth muscle, and bladder interstitial Cajal‐like cells. The selective antagonist of UT, SB657510 (10 μm), significantly suppressed the CYP‐induced increase in the spontaneous contractions of muscle strips and ameliorated the bladder hyperactivity of CYP‐treated rats. Moreover, CYP treatment significantly increased the protein expression levels of Ras homolog family member (Rho) A and Rho‐associated protein kinase 2 in rat bladder tissues. Following pretreatment with the Rho‐kinase inhibitor Y‐27632 (10 μm), the inhibitory effects of SB657510 (10 μm) on the spontaneous contractions of muscle strips were eliminated. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that activation of U‐II/UT signaling promoted the development of cystitis‐associated‐bladder hyperactivity by targeting the RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway, indicating that the U‐II/UT signaling could serve as a novel target for the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.
Fabrication of a Tailored, Hybrid Extracellular Matrix Composite
Authors: Setiawati Agustina , Jeong Sungwoo , Brilian Albertus Ivan , Lee Sang Ho , Shim Jin‐Gon , Jung Kwang‐Hwan , Shin Kwanwoo 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe extracellular matrix (ECM) is a network of connective fibers that supports cells living in their surroundings. Native ECM, generated by the secretory products of each tissue's resident cells, has a unique architecture with different protein composition depending on the tissue. Therefore, it is very difficult to artificially design in vivo architecture in tissue engineering. In this study, a hybrid ECM scaffold from the basic structure of fibroblast‐derived cellular ECMs is fabricated by adding major ECM components of fibronectin (FN) and collagen (COL I) externally. It is confirmed that while maintaining the basic structure of the native ECM, major protein components can be regulated. Then, decellularization is performed to prepare hybrid ECM scaffolds with various protein compositions and it is demonstrated that a liver‐mimicking fibronectin (FN)‐rich hybrid ECM promoted successful settling of H4IIE rat hepatoma cells. The authors believe that their method holds promise for the fabrication of scaffolds that provide a tailored cellular microenvironment for specific organs and serve as novel pathways for the replacement or regeneration of specific organ tissues.
Mass spectrometry in the discovery of peptides involved in intercellular communication: From targeted to untargeted peptidomics approaches
Authors: Fan Kai‐Ting , Hsu Chia‐Wei , Chen Yet‐Ran 
Published: June 2022

AbstractEndogenous peptide hormones represent an essential class of biomolecules, which regulate cell–cell communications in diverse physiological processes of organisms. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been developed to be a powerful technology for identifying and quantifying peptides in a highly efficient manner. However, it is difficult to directly identify these peptide hormones due to their diverse characteristics, dynamic regulations, low abundance, and existence in a complicated biological matrix. Here, we summarize and discuss the roles of targeted and untargeted MS in discovering peptide hormones using bioassay‐guided purification, bioinformatics screening, or the peptidomics‐based approach. Although the peptidomics approach is expected to discover novel peptide hormones unbiasedly, only a limited number of successful cases have been reported. The critical challenges and corresponding measures for peptidomics from the steps of sample preparation, peptide extraction, and separation to the MS data acquisition and analysis are also discussed. We also identify emerging technologies and methods that can be integrated into the discovery platform toward the comprehensive study of endogenous peptide hormones.
Anatomical validation of automatic respiratory motion correction for coronary 18F‐sodium fluoride positron emission tomography by expert measurements from four‐dimensional computed tomography
Authors: Lassen Martin Lyngby , Tzolos Evangelos , Pan Tinsu , Kwiecinski Jacek , Cadet Sebastien , Dey Damini , Berman Daniel , Slomka Piotr 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory motion correction is of importance in studies of coronary plaques employing 18F‐NaF; however, the validation of motion correction techniques mainly relies on indirect measures such as test–retest repeatability assessments. In this study, we aim to compare and, thus, validate the respiratory motion vector fields obtained from the positron emission tomography (PET) images directly to the respiratory motion observed during four‐dimensional cine‐computed tomography (CT) by an expert observer.PurposeTo investigate the accuracy of the motion correction employed in a software (FusionQuant) used for evaluation of 18F‐NaF PET studies by comparing the respiratory motion of the coronary plaques observed in PET to the respiratory motion observed in 4D cine‐CT images.MethodsThis study included 23 patients who undertook thoracic PET scans for the assessment of coronary plaques using 18F‐sodium fluoride (18F‐NaF). All patients underwent a 5‐s cine‐CT (4D‐CT), a coronary CT angiography (CTA), and 18F‐NaF PET. The 4D‐CT and PET scan were reconstructed into 10 phases. Respiratory motion was estimated for the non‐contrast visible coronary plaques using diffeomorphic registrations (PET) and compared to respiratory motion observed on 4D‐CT. We report the PET motion vector fields obtained in the three principal axes in addition to the 3D motion. Statistical differences were examined using paired t‐tests. Signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNR) are reported for the single‐phase images (end‐expiratory phase) and for the motion‐corrected image‐series (employing the motion vector fields extracted during the diffeomorphic registrations).ResultsIn total, 19 coronary plaques were identified in 16 patients. No statistical differences were observed for the maximum respiratory motion observed in x, y, and the 3D motion fields (magnitude and direction) between the CT and PET (X direction: 4D CT = 2.5 ± 1.5 mm, PET = 2.4 ± 3.2 mm; Y direction: 4D CT = 2.3 ± 1.9 mm, PET = 0.7 ± 2.9 mm, 3D motion: 4D CT = 6.6 ± 3.1 mm, PET = 5.7 ± 2.6 mm, all p ≥ 0.05). Significant differences in respiratory motion were observed in the systems’ Z direction: 4D CT = 4.9 ± 3.4 mm, PET = 2.3 ± 3.2 mm, p = 0.04. Significantly improved SNR is reported for the motion corrected images compared to the end‐expiratory phase images (end‐expiratory phase = 6.8±4.8, motion corrected = 12.2±4.5, p = 0.001).ConclusionSimilar respiratory motion was observed in two directions and 3D for coronary plaques on 4D CT as detected by automatic respiratory motion correction of coronary PET using FusionQuant. The respiratory motion correction technique significantly improved the SNR in the images.