bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracellular matrix sheet modified with VEGF-loaded nanoparticles for bladder regeneration
Authors: Wang Ying , Chen Jiasheng , Duan Meng , Zhao Weixin , Cheng Hui , Yang Ming , Liu Meng , Huang Jianwen , Gao Guo , Fu Qiang 
Published: December 2022

AbstractExtracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds have been widely studied to repair bladder tissue defects; however, insufficient angiogenesis and weak mechanical strength limit their applicability for tissue regeneration. In this work, ECM bioscaffolds were derived from decellularized sheets and then modified with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NP–VEGF) to promote angiogenesis. Electrospun silk fibroin (SF) is a natural biocompatible protein with excellent mechanical properties. To further improve the mechanical properties of ECM bioscaffolds, SF was added to the Fe3O4 NP–VEGF-modified ECM bioscaffolds to develop a biomimetic ECM-like proangiogenic scaffold. In vitro characterization with endothelial cells revealed that the proangiogenic scaffold supports cell adhesion and proliferation. Furthermore, the biomimetic proangiogenic scaffold significantly accelerated vascularization in vivo in a rat bladder augmentation model. Importantly, these improvements in vascularization promoted urothelium and smooth muscle regeneration. These findings demonstrate that the developed biomimetic proangiogenic scaffold possesses great potential for bladder regeneration applications.
Direct on-swab metabolic profiling of vaginal microbiome host interactions during pregnancy and preterm birth
Authors: Pruski Pamela , Correia Gonçalo D. S. , Lewis Holly V. , Capuccini Katia , Inglese Paolo , Chan Denise , Brown Richard G. , Kindinger Lindsay , Lee Yun S. , Smith Ann , Marchesi Julian , McDonald Julie A. K. , Cameron Simon , Alexander-Hardiman Kate , David Anna L. , Stock Sarah J. , Norman Jane E. , Terzidou Vasso , Teoh T. G. , Sykes Lynne , Bennett Phillip R. , Takats Zoltan , MacIntyre David A. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe pregnancy vaginal microbiome contributes to risk of preterm birth, the primary cause of death in children under 5 years of age. Here we describe direct on-swab metabolic profiling by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS) for sample preparation-free characterisation of the cervicovaginal metabolome in two independent pregnancy cohorts (VMET, n = 160; 455 swabs; VMET II, n = 205; 573 swabs). By integrating metataxonomics and immune profiling data from matched samples, we show that specific metabolome signatures can be used to robustly predict simultaneously both the composition of the vaginal microbiome and host inflammatory status. In these patients, vaginal microbiota instability and innate immune activation, as predicted using DESI-MS, associated with preterm birth, including in women receiving cervical cerclage for preterm birth prevention. These findings highlight direct on-swab metabolic profiling by DESI-MS as an innovative approach for preterm birth risk stratification through rapid assessment of vaginal microbiota-host dynamics.
Extending resolution within a single imaging frame
Authors: Torres-García Esley , Pinto-Cámara Raúl , Linares Alejandro , Martínez Damián , Abonza Víctor , Brito-Alarcón Eduardo , Calcines-Cruz Carlos , Valdés-Galindo Gustavo , Torres David , Jabloñski Martina , Torres-Martínez Héctor H. , Martínez José L. , Hernández Haydee O. , Ocelotl-Oviedo José P. , Garcés Yasel , Barchi Marco , D’Antuono Rocco , Bošković Ana , Dubrovsky Joseph G. , Darszon Alberto , Buffone Mariano G. , Morales Roberto Rodríguez , Rendon-Mancha Juan Manuel , Wood Christopher D. , Hernández-García Armando , Krapf Diego , Crevenna Álvaro H. , Guerrero Adán 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe resolution of fluorescence microscopy images is limited by the physical properties of light. In the last decade, numerous super-resolution microscopy (SRM) approaches have been proposed to deal with such hindrance. Here we present Mean-Shift Super Resolution (MSSR), a new SRM algorithm based on the Mean Shift theory, which extends spatial resolution of single fluorescence images beyond the diffraction limit of light. MSSR works on low and high fluorophore densities, is not limited by the architecture of the optical setup and is applicable to single images as well as temporal series. The theoretical limit of spatial resolution, based on optimized real-world imaging conditions and analysis of temporal image stacks, has been measured to be 40 nm. Furthermore, MSSR has denoising capabilities that outperform other SRM approaches. Along with its wide accessibility, MSSR is a powerful, flexible, and generic tool for multidimensional and live cell imaging applications.
Deciphering clinical abbreviations with a privacy protecting machine learning system
Authors: Rajkomar Alvin , Loreaux Eric , Liu Yuchen , Kemp Jonas , Li Benny , Chen Ming-Jun , Zhang Yi , Mohiuddin Afroz , Gottweis Juraj 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPhysicians write clinical notes with abbreviations and shorthand that are difficult to decipher. Abbreviations can be clinical jargon (writing “HIT” for “heparin induced thrombocytopenia”), ambiguous terms that require expertise to disambiguate (using “MS” for “multiple sclerosis” or “mental status”), or domain-specific vernacular (“cb” for “complicated by”). Here we train machine learning models on public web data to decode such text by replacing abbreviations with their meanings. We report a single translation model that simultaneously detects and expands thousands of abbreviations in real clinical notes with accuracies ranging from 92.1%-97.1% on multiple external test datasets. The model equals or exceeds the performance of board-certified physicians (97.6% vs 88.7% total accuracy). Our results demonstrate a general method to contextually decipher abbreviations and shorthand that is built without any privacy-compromising data.
Discrete LAT condensates encode antigen information from single pMHC:TCR binding events
Authors: McAffee Darren B. , O’Dair Mark K. , Lin Jenny J. , Low-Nam Shalini T. , Wilhelm Kiera B. , Kim Sungi , Morita Shumpei , Groves Jay T. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLAT assembly into a two-dimensional protein condensate is a prominent feature of antigen discrimination by T cells. Here, we use single-molecule imaging techniques to resolve the spatial position and temporal duration of each pMHC:TCR molecular binding event while simultaneously monitoring LAT condensation at the membrane. An individual binding event is sufficient to trigger a LAT condensate, which is self-limiting, and neither its size nor lifetime is correlated with the duration of the originating pMHC:TCR binding event. Only the probability of the LAT condensate forming is related to the pMHC:TCR binding dwell time. LAT condenses abruptly, but after an extended delay from the originating binding event. A LAT mutation that facilitates phosphorylation at the PLC-γ1 recruitment site shortens the delay time to LAT condensation and alters T cell antigen specificity. These results identify a function for the LAT protein condensation phase transition in setting antigen discrimination thresholds in T cells.
Turing patterns with high-resolution formed without chemical reaction in thin-film solution of organic semiconductors
Authors: Xiang Zezhong , Li Jin , You Peng , Han Linbo , Qiu Mingxia , Chen Gengliang , He Yu , Liang Songqiang , Xiang Boyuan , Su Yaorong , An Hongyu , Li Shunpu 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRegular patterns can form spontaneously in chemical reaction-diffusion systems under non-equilibrium conditions as proposed by Alan Turing. Here, we found that regular patterns can be generated in uphill-diffusion solution systems without a chemical reaction process through both in-situ and ex-situ observations. Organic semiconductor solution is confined between two parallel plates with controlled micron/submicron-meter distance to minimize convection of the liquid and avoid spinodal precipitation at equilibrium. The solvent evaporation concentrates the solution gradually into an oversaturated non-equilibrium condition, under which a phase-transition occurs and ordered concentration-waves are generated. By proper tuning of the experimental parameter, multiple regular patterns with micro/nano-meter scaled features (line, square-grid, zig-zag, and fence-like patterns etc.) were observed. We explain the observed phenomenon as Turing-pattern generation resulted from uphill-diffusion and solution oversaturation. The generated patterns in the solutions can be condensed onto substrates to form structured micro/nanomaterials. We have fabricated organic semiconductor devices with such patterned materials to demonstrate the potential applications. Our observation may serve as a milestone in the progress towards a fundamental understanding of pattern formation in nature, like in biosystem, and pave a new avenue in developing self-assembling techniques of micro/nano structured materials.
Total enzymatic synthesis of cis-α-irone from a simple carbon source
Authors: Chen Xixian , T Rehka , Esque Jérémy , Zhang Congqiang , Shukal Sudha , Lim Chin Chin , Ong Leonard , Smith Derek , André Isabelle 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMetabolic engineering has become an attractive method for the efficient production of natural products. However, one important pre-requisite is to establish the biosynthetic pathways. Many commercially interesting molecules cannot be biosynthesized as their native biochemical pathways are not fully elucidated. Cis-α-irone, a top-end perfumery molecule, is an example. Retrobiosynthetic pathway design by employing promiscuous enzymes provides an alternative solution to this challenge. In this work, we design a synthetic pathway to produce cis-α-irone with a promiscuous methyltransferase (pMT). Using structure-guided enzyme engineering strategies, we improve pMT activity and specificity towards cis-α-irone by >10,000-fold and >1000-fold, respectively. By incorporating the optimized methyltransferase into our engineered microbial cells, ~86 mg l−1 cis-α-irone is produced from glucose in a 5 l bioreactor. Our work illustrates that integrated retrobiosynthetic pathway design and enzyme engineering can offer opportunities to expand the scope of natural molecules that can be biosynthesized.
Ice phenology dataset reconstructed from remote sensing and modelling for lakes over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wu Yanhong , Guo Linan , Zhang Bing , Zheng Hongxing , Fan Lanxin , Chi Haojing , Li Junsheng , Wang Shenglei 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe Tibetan Plateau (TP) is a region sensitive to global climate change and has been experiencing substantial environmental changes in the past decades. Lake ice phenology (LIP) is a perceptible indicator reflecting changes of lake thermodynamics in response to global warming. Lake ice phenology over the Tibetan Plateau is however rarely observed and recorded. This research presents a dataset containing 39-year (1978–2016) lake ice phenology data of 132 lakes (each with area >40 km2) over the Tibetan Plateau by combining the strengths of both remote sensing (MOD11A2, MOD10A1) and numerical modelling (air2water). Data validation shows that the ice phenology data derived by our method is highly consistent with that based on existing approaches (with R2 > 0.75 for all phenology index and RMSE < 5d). The dataset is valuable to investigate the lake-atmosphere interactions and long-term hydrothermal change of lakes across the Tibetan Plateau.
Polyphenol-rich açaí seed extract exhibits reno-protective and anti-fibrotic activities in renal tubular cells and mice with kidney failure
Authors: Monteiro Elisa Bernardes , Borges Natalia Alvarenga , Monteiro Mariana , de Castro Resende Ângela , Daleprane Julio Beltrame , Soulage Christophe Olivier 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe main goal of this study was to evaluate the reno-protective effects of a phenolic-rich Açaí seed extract (ASE) in mice with kidney failure. Kidney failure was induced chemically with an adenine-rich diet (0.25% w/w for 4 weeks) in male CD1 Swiss mice. Mice were then provided daily with ASE (at a dose of ~ 350 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 4 weeks. Adenine mice exhibited renal dysfunction evidenced by increased proteinuria, increased uremia, extensive tubular atrophy and kidney fibrosis associated with overexpression of pro-fibrotic genes (collagen 1a1, transforming growth factor β1, TGF-β1) and markers of tubular injury (such as Kidney injury molecule-1, KIM-1). ASE was able to beneficially counteract all these effects. ASE improved oxidative damage and fibrosis by decreasing carbonylated protein and MDA concentrations, as well as collagen deposition in renal tissue. ASE decreased the expression of TGF-β1 gene and the abundance of protein TGF-β1 in kidneys. It further decreased both expression and urinary excretion of tubular injury biomarkers, e.g., KIM-1 and Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. CKD ASE-treated mice exhibited higher polyphenol content and total antioxidant capacity compared to control mice. ASE further prevented the expression of profibrotic genes in HK2 human tubular cells exposed to uremic toxins. Taken together, these findings suggest that ASE exerted potent reno-protective and anti-fibrotic effects through its antioxidant activity and the modulation of the TGF-β1 pathway.
High-efficiency retention of ultrafine aerosols by electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Salkovskiy Yury , Fadeev Aleksandr 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe versatility of nanofibrous polymeric materials makes them attractive for developing respiratory protective equipment. Ultrafine nanofibers effectively trap the most penetrating aerosols and exhibit consistent performance compared to conventional electret filters. Advanced nanofiber manufacturing technologies such as electrospinning can functionalize filter materials, enhancing them with unique antibacterial, catalytic, sensory, and other properties. Much of the current research in nanofibrous air filtration focuses on using nanofibers for lightweight personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators, but their use for higher levels of respiratory protection required for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection has not yet been comprehensively explored. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that electrospun filters could provide the particle filtration efficiency and breathing resistance required by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Standard for CBRN air-purifying respirators. Our manufactured nanofibrous filters demonstrated submicron aerosol retention efficiency of > 99.999999%, which is four orders of magnitude better than the requirements of the CBRN standard. They also had a breathing resistance of ~ 26 mmH2O, which is more than twofold lower than the maximum allowable limit. Although the filter material from the gas mask cartridge currently in service with the U.S. military demonstrated a higher quality factor than electrospun filters, the comparative analysis of filter morphology suggested ways of improving nanofibrous filter performance by tuning nanofiber diameter distribution.
How axon and dendrite branching are guided by time, energy, and spatial constraints
Authors: Desai-Chowdhry Paheli , Brummer Alexander B. , Savage Van M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNeurons are connected by complex branching processes—axons and dendrites—that process information for organisms to respond to their environment. Classifying neurons according to differences in structure or function is a fundamental part of neuroscience. Here, by constructing biophysical theory and testing against empirical measures of branching structure, we develop a general model that establishes a correspondence between neuron structure and function as mediated by principles such as time or power minimization for information processing as well as spatial constraints for forming connections. We test our predictions for radius scale factors against those extracted from neuronal images, measured for species that range from insects to whales, including data from light and electron microscopy studies. Notably, our findings reveal that the branching of axons and peripheral nervous system neurons is mainly determined by time minimization, while dendritic branching is determined by power minimization. Our model also predicts a quarter-power scaling relationship between conduction time delay and body size.
Responsiveness of electromyographically assessed skeletal muscle inactivity: methodological exploration and implications for health benefits
Authors: Pesola A. J. , Gao Y. , Finni T. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractProlonged sedentary behaviour is detrimental to health due to low contractile activity in large lower extremity muscle groups. This muscle inactivity can be measured with electromyography (EMG), but it is unknown how methodological factors affect responsiveness longitudinally. This study ranks 16 different EMG inactivity thresholds based on their responsiveness (absolute and standardized effect size, responsiveness) using data from a randomized controlled trial targeted at reducing and breaking up sedentary time (InPact, ISRCTN28668090). EMG inactivity duration and usual EMG inactivity bout duration (weighted median of bout lengths) were measured from large lower extremity muscle groups (quadriceps, hamstring) with EMG-sensing shorts. The results showed that the EMG inactivity threshold above signal baseline (3 μV) provided overall the best responsiveness indices. At baseline, EMG inactivity duration of 66.8 ± 9.6% was accumulated through 73.9 ± 36.0 s usual EMG inactivity bout duration, both of which were reduced following the intervention (−4.8 percentage points, −34.3 s). The proposed methodology can reduce variability in longitudinal designs and the detailed results can be used for sample size calculations. Reducing EMG inactivity duration and accumulating EMG inactivity in shorter bouts has a potential influence on muscle physiology and health.
Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Prosopis laevigata
Authors: Nava-Solis Uriel , Rodriguez-Canales Mario , Hernandez-Hernandez Ana Bertha , Velasco-Melgoza David Arturo , Moreno-Guzman Brenda Paola , Rodriguez-Monroy Marco Aurelio , Canales-Martinez María Margarita 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe appearance of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has highlighted the need to search for new compounds that can effectively combat infectious diseases. A potential source of these compounds are the secondary metabolites of species that have been reported as effective traditional treatments of such diseases.Prosopis laevigatais a medicinal plant, and its chemical constituents have shown potential antimicrobial activity. In this study, the antimicrobial activities of the methanolic extract of the leaves ofProsopis laevigataagainst different bacterial and fungal strains of medical and agronomic interest were investigated in vitro. In addition, the chemical composition of this extract was investigated by HPLC–DAD, GC‒MS, and HPLC‒MS. The methanolic leaf extract contained 67 mg of GAE/g of total phenols (6.7%), 2.6 mg of QE/g of flavonoids (0.26%), and 11.87 mg of AE/g of total alkaloids (1.18%). Phenolic acids and catechol were the compounds identified by HPLC–DAD. The methanolic extract had strong antimicrobial activity, especially againstStaphylococcus aureus(MIC = 0.62 mg/mL),Escherichia coli(MIC = 0.62 mg/mL),Candida tropicalis(MIC = 0.08 mg/mL) andFusarium moniliforme(MIC = 4.62 mg/mL). These results suggest that the extract ofP. laevigataleaves could be a source of antimicrobial molecules. However, it is necessary to delve into its chemical composition.
Correlation analysis of flow parameters in the olfactory cleft and olfactory function
Authors: Wu Shuo , Wang Peiji , Xie Dielai , Jian Feitong 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe olfaction is related to flow in the olfactory cleft. However, There is a lack of studies on the relationship between flow characteristics of the olfactory cleft and olfactory function. In this study, the anatomical structure of the olfactory cleft was reconstructed in three dimensions using the raw data obtained from the CT scans of sinuses of 32 enrolled volunteers. The Sniffin’ Sticks test was used to examine the olfaction. We investigated the correlation between airflow parameters and olfactory function of the olfactory cleft in healthy adults by the computational fluid dynamics method. We found that three parameters, airflow, airflow velocity, and airflow ratio, were highly positively correlated with olfactory function. The mean pressure was not correlated with the olfactory function. Furthermore, there is the strongest correlation between air flow through the olfactory cleft and olfactory function. The correlation between the mean velocity in the anterior olfactory cleft region and olfaction was relatively poor, while the airflow velocity at the posterior olfactory cleft region was enhanced gradually. The correlation between the airflow ratio and olfaction was optimal in the initial position of superior turbinate. The flow parameters in the posterior olfactory cleft area were more stable.
Assessment of the relationship between serum xanthine oxidase levels and type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hasan Mahmudul , Fariha Khandaker Atkia , Barman Zitu , Mou Ananya Dutta , Miah Rakib , Habib Ahsan , Tuba Humaira Rashid , Ali Nurshad 
Published: December 2022

AbstractXanthine oxidase (XO) is an enzyme associated with purine metabolism. The relationship between XO levels and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is not clear yet or little is known so far. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the association of XO levels with T2D in a Bangladeshi adult cohort. A total of 325 participants (234 males and 91 females) were enrolled in the study. The participants were divided into three groups; diabetic (n = 173), prediabetic (n = 35), and non-diabetic control (n = 117). Serum levels of XO were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and other biochemical parameters including fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum uric acid (SUA), and lipid profile markers measured by colorimetric methods. Participants with T2D were confirmed according to the definition of the American Diabetic Association. The association between serum XO levels and T2D was determined by logistic regression models. The mean level of serum XO was significantly higher in females (6.0 ± 3.7 U/L) compared to male (4.0 ± 2.8 U/L) participants (p < 0.001). In contrast, males had a higher mean level of SUA (6.1 ± 1.9 mg/dL) than female (4.4 ± 1.9 mg/dL) participants (p < 0.001). The mean level of XO was significantly higher in the diabetic group (5.8 ± 3.6 U/L) compared to the prediabetic (3.7 ± 1.9 U/L) and control (2.9 ± 1.8 U/L) groups (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the mean SUA concentration was significantly lower in the diabetic group than in the other two groups (p < 0.001). A significant increasing trend was observed for FBG levels across the XO quartiles (p < 0.001). A decreasing trend was found for SUA levels in the XO quartiles (p < 0.001). Serum levels of XO and SUA showed a positive and negative correlation with FBG, respectively. In regression analysis, serum XO levels showed an independent association with T2D. In conclusion, this study reports a positive and independent association between XO levels and T2D in Bangladeshi adults. Monitoring serum levels of XO may be useful in reducing the risk of T2D. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms of the association between elevated XO levels and T2D.