bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cuffless blood pressure monitoring from a wristband with calibration-free algorithms for sensing location based on bio-impedance sensor array and autoencoder
Authors: Ibrahim Bassem , Jafari Roozbeh 
Published: January 2022

AbstractContinuous monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is essential for the prediction and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Cuffless BP methods based on non-invasive sensors integrated into wearable devices can translate blood pulsatile activity into continuous BP data. However, local blood pulsatile sensors from wearable devices suffer from inaccurate pulsatile activity measurement based on superficial capillaries, large form-factor devices and BP variation with sensor location which degrade the accuracy of BP estimation and the device wearability. This study presents a cuffless BP monitoring method based on a novel bio-impedance (Bio-Z) sensor array built in a flexible wristband with small-form factor that provides a robust blood pulsatile sensing and BP estimation without calibration methods for the sensing location. We use a convolutional neural network (CNN) autoencoder that reconstructs an accurate estimate of the arterial pulse signal independent of sensing location from a group of six Bio-Z sensors within the sensor array. We rely on an Adaptive Boosting regression model which maps the features of the estimated arterial pulse signal to systolic and diastolic BP readings. BP was accurately estimated with average error and correlation coefficient of 0.5 ± 5.0 mmHg and 0.80 for diastolic BP, and 0.2 ± 6.5 mmHg and 0.79 for systolic BP, respectively.
Structural characterization of human importin alpha 7 in its cargo-free form at 2.5 Å resolution
Authors: Tsimbalyuk S. , Donnelly C. M. , Forwood J. K. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractShuttling of macromolecules between nucleus and cytoplasm is a tightly regulated process mediated through specific interactions between cargo and nuclear transport proteins. In the classical nuclear import pathway, importin alpha recognizes cargo exhibiting a nuclear localization signal, and this complex is transported through the nuclear pore complex by importin beta. Humans possess seven importin alpha isoforms that can be grouped into three subfamilies, with many cargoes displaying specificity towards these importin alpha isoforms. The cargo binding sites within importin alpha isoforms are highly conserved in sequence, suggesting that specificity potentially relies on structural differences. Structures of some importin alpha isoforms, both in cargo-bound and free states, have been previously solved. However, there are currently no known structures of cargo free importin alpha isoforms within subfamily 3 (importin alpha 5, 6, 7). Here, we present the first crystal structure of human importin alpha 7 lacking the IBB domain solved at 2.5 Å resolution. The structure reveals a typical importin alpha architecture comprised of ten armadillo repeats and is most structurally conserved with importin alpha 5. Very little difference in structure was observed between the cargo-bound and free states, implying that importin alpha 7 does not undergo conformational change when binding cargo. These structural insights provide a strong platform for further evaluation of structure–function relationships and understanding how isoform specificity within the importin alpha family plays a role in nuclear transport in health and disease.
Microwave versus radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of liver malignancies: a randomized controlled phase 2 trial
Authors: Radosevic Aleksandar , Quesada Rita , Serlavos Clara , Sánchez Juan , Zugazaga Ander , Sierra Ana , Coll Susana , Busto Marcos , Aguilar Guadalupe , Flores Daniel , Arce Javier , Maiques José María , Garcia-Retortillo Montserrat , Carrion José Antonio , Visa Laura , Villamonte María , Pueyo Eva , Berjano Enrique , Trujillo Macarena , Sánchez-Velázquez Patricia , Grande Luís , Burdio Fernando 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMicrowave (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are main ablative techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis (MT). This randomized phase 2 clinical trial compares the effectiveness of MWA and RFA as well as morphology of corresponding ablation zones. HCC and MT patients with 1.5–4 cm tumors, suitable for ablation, were randomized into MWA or RFA Groups. The primary endpoint was short-to-long diameter ratio of ablation zone (SLR). Primary technical success (TS) and a cumulative local tumor progression (LTP) after a median 2-year follow-up were compared. Between June 2015 and April 2020, 82 patients were randomly assigned (41 patients per group). For the per-protocol analysis, five patients were excluded. MWA created larger ablation zones than RFA (p = 0.036) although without differences in SLR (0.5 for both groups, p = 0.229). The TS was achieved in 98% (46/47) and 90% (45/50) (p = 0.108), and LTP was observed in 21% (10/47) vs. 12% (6/50) (OR 1.9 [95% CI 0.66–5.3], p = 0.238) of tumors in MWA vs. RFA Group, respectively. Major complications were found in 5 cases (11%) vs. 2 cases (4%), without statistical significance. MWA and RFA show similar SLR, effectiveness and safety in liver tumors between 1.5 and 4 cm.
Assessing the potential of a Trichoderma-based compost activator to hasten the decomposition of incorporated rice straw
Authors: Organo Nolissa D. , Granada Shaira Mhel Joy M. , Pineda Honey Grace S. , Sandro Joseph M. , Nguyen Van Hung , Gummert Martin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe potential for a Trichoderma-based compost activator was tested for in-situ rice straw decomposition, under both laboratory and field conditions. Inoculation of Trichoderma caused a 50% reduction in the indigenous fungal population after 2 weeks of incubation for both laboratory and field experiments. However, the Trichoderma population declined during the latter part of the incubation. Despite the significant reduction in fungal population during the first 2 weeks of incubation, inoculated samples were found to have higher indigenous and total fungal population at the end of the experiments with as much as a 300% increase in the laboratory experiment and 50% during day-21 and day-28 samplings in the field experiment. The laboratory incubation experiment revealed that inoculated samples released an average of 16% higher amounts of CO2 compared to uninoculated straw in sterile soil samples. Unsterile soil inoculated with Trichoderma released the highest amount of CO2 in the laboratory experiment. In the field experiment, improved decomposition was observed in samples inoculated with Trichoderma and placed below ground (WTBG). From the initial value of around 35%, the C content in WTBG was down to 28.63% after 42 days of incubation and was the lowest among treatments. This is significantly lower compared with NTBG (No Trichoderma placed below ground, 31.1% C), WTSS (With Trichoderma placed on soil surface, 33.83% C), and NTSS (No Trichoderma placed on soil surface, 34.30% carbon). The WTBG treatment also had the highest N content of 1.1%. The C:N ratio of WTBG was only 26.27, 39.51% lower than the C:N ratio of NTBG, which is 43.43. These results prove that the Trichoderma-based inoculant has the potential to hasten the decomposition of incorporated rice straw.
Efficacy and safety of 3D printing-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy in complex renal calculi
Authors: Cui Dong , Yan Fengqi , Yi JiangPu , He Dali , Zhang Yichen , Zhang Zekai , Chen Yuntao , Jiao Yong , Zhang Bo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 3D printing technology combined with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of complex renal calculi. Ninety patients with complex renal calculi were randomly divided into a 3D printing group (45 patients) and a control group (45 patients). In the 3D printing group, a patient-specific 1:1 3D printing model was established based on the patient's thin-layer CT scanning data. A 3D printing model was used for preoperative communication between doctors and patients. Preoperative puncture training, channel design, residual stone prediction, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy were performed under the guidance of a 3D printing model and B-ultrasound. The control group was treated with the conventional B-ultrasound-guided puncture method. Results suggest that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The overall score of the doctor-patient communication objects in the 3D printing group was 19.32 ± 1.57 points, and in the control group, it was 14.51 ± 2.13 points. The operation time of the 3D printing group was 103.21 ± 13.49 min, and that of the control group was 126.12 ± 25.87 min. The calculi clearance rate of the 3D printing group was 96%, while that of the control group was 80%. The incidence of postoperative complications was 6.67% in the 3D printing group and 22.22% in the control group. Compared with traditional percutaneous nephrolithotomy, 3D printing technology combined with percutaneous nephrolithotomy can significantly enhance the effectiveness of doctor–patient communication, shorten operation time, reduce operation bleeding, improve the stone clearance rate, reduce the incidence of complications and shorten the length of hospital stay. The proposed method is thus a safe and effective method to treat complex renal calculi.
Brachial artery transposition versus catheters as tertiary vascular access for maintenance hemodialysis: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Soma Yu , Murakami Masaaki , Nakatani Eiji , Sato Yoko , Tanaka Satoshi , Mori Kiyoshi , Sugawara Akira 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSome hemodialysis patients are not suitable for creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG). However, they can receive a tunneled cuffed central venous catheter (tcCVC), but this carries risks of infection and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of brachial artery transposition (BAT) versus those of tcCVC. This retrospective study evaluated hemodialysis patients who underwent BAT or tcCVC placement because of severe heart failure, hand ischemia, central venous stenosis or occlusion, inadequate vessels for creating standard arteriovenous access, or limited life expectancy. The primary outcome was whole access circuit patency. Thirty-eight patients who underwent BAT and 25 who underwent tcCVC placement were included. One-year patency rates for the whole access circuit were 84.6% and 44.9% in the BAT and tcCVC groups, respectively. The BAT group was more likely to maintain patency (unadjusted hazard ratio: 0.17, 95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.60, p = 0.006). The two groups did not have significantly different overall survival (log-rank p = 0.146), although severe complications were less common in the BAT group (3% vs. 28%, p = 0.005). Relative to tcCVC placement, BAT is safe and effective with acceptable patency in hemodialysis patients not suitable for AVF or AVG creation.
Simple questionnaires outperform behavioral tasks to measure socio-emotional skills in students
Authors: Boon-Falleur Mélusine , Bouguen Adrien , Charpentier Axelle , Algan Yann , Huillery Élise , Chevallier Coralie 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRecent empirical research has shown that improving socio-emotional skills such as grit, conscientiousness and self-control leads to higher academic achievement and better life outcomes. However, both theoretical and empirical works have raised concerns about the reliability of the different methods used to measure socio-emotional skills. We compared the reliability and validity of the three leading measurements methods—a student-reported questionnaire, a teacher-reported questionnaire, and a behavioral task—in a sample of 3997 French students. Before analyzing the data, we polled 114 international researchers in cognitive development and education economics; most researchers in both fields predicted that the behavioral task would be the best method. We found instead that the teacher questionnaire was more predictive of students’ behavioral outcomes and of their grade progression, while the behavioral task was the least predictive. This work suggests that researchers may not be using optimal tools to measure socio-emotional skills in children.
Breath biomarkers of insulin resistance in pre-diabetic Hispanic adolescents with obesity
Authors: Khan Mohammad S. , Cuda Suzanne , Karere Genesio M. , Cox Laura A. , Bishop Andrew C. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractInsulin resistance (IR) affects a quarter of the world’s adult population and is a major factor in the pathogenesis of cardio-metabolic disease. In this pilot study, we implemented a non-invasive breathomics approach, combined with random forest machine learning, to investigate metabolic markers from obese pre-diabetic Hispanic adolescents as indicators of abnormal metabolic regulation. Using the ReCIVA breathalyzer device for breath collection, we have identified a signature of 10 breath metabolites (breath-IR model), which correlates with Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (R = 0.95,p < 0.001). A strong correlation was also observed between the breath-IR model and the blood glycemic profile (fasting insulin R = 0.91,p < 0.001 and fasting glucose R = 0.80,p < 0.001). Among tentatively identified metabolites, limonene, undecane, and 2,7-dimethyl-undecane, significantly cluster individuals based on HOMA-IR (p = 0.003,p = 0.002, andp < 0.001, respectively). Our breath-IR model differentiates between adolescents with and without IR with an AUC-ROC curve of 0.87, after cross-validation. Identification of a breath signature indicative of IR shows utility of exhaled breath metabolomics for assessing systemic metabolic dysregulation. A simple and non-invasive breath-based test has potential as a diagnostic tool for monitoring IR progression, allowing for earlier detection of IR and implementation of early interventions to prevent onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
RNAseq reveals extensive metabolic disruptions in the sensitive SF-295 cell line treated with schweinfurthins
Authors: Weissenrieder J. S. , Weissenkampen J. D. , Reed J. L. , Green M. V. , Zheng C. , Neighbors J. D. , Liu D. J. , Hohl Raymond J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe schweinfurthin family of natural compounds exhibit a unique and potent differential cytotoxicity against a number of cancer cell lines and may reduce tumor growth in vivo. In some cell lines, such as SF-295 glioma cells, schweinfurthins elicit cytotoxicity at nanomolar concentrations. However, other cell lines, like A549 lung cancer cells, are resistant to schweinfurthin treatment up to micromolar concentrations. At this time, the precise mechanism of action and target for these compounds is unknown. Here, we employ RNA sequencing of cells treated with 50 nM schweinfurthin analog TTI-3066 for 6 and 24 h to elucidate potential mechanisms and pathways which may contribute to schweinfurthin sensitivity and resistance. The data was analyzed via an interaction model to observe differential behaviors between sensitive SF-295 and resistant A549 cell lines. We show that metabolic and stress-response pathways were differentially regulated in the sensitive SF-295 cell line as compared with the resistant A549 cell line. In contrast, A549 cell had significant alterations in response genes involved in translation and protein metabolism. Overall, there was a significant interaction effect for translational proteins, RNA metabolism, protein metabolism, and metabolic genes. Members of the Hedgehog pathway were differentially regulated in the resistant A549 cell line at both early and late time points, suggesting a potential mechanism of resistance. Indeed, when cotreated with the Smoothened inhibitor cyclopamine, A549 cells became more sensitive to schweinfurthin treatment. This study therefore identifies a key interplay with the Hedgehog pathway that modulates sensitivity to the schweinfurthin class of compounds.
A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of a brief motivational intervention to promote breastfeeding in postpartum depression
Authors: Franco-Antonio C. , Santano-Mogena E. , Chimento-Díaz S. , Sánchez-García P. , Cordovilla-Guardia S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPostpartum depression (PPD) is the most frequent psychiatric complication during the postnatal period. According to existing evidence, an association exists between the development of PPD and the maintenance of breastfeeding. A brief motivational intervention (bMI), based on the motivational interview, seems effective in promoting breastfeeding. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of a bMI aiming to promote breastfeeding on the development of PPD and explore the mediating/moderating roles of breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy in the effect of the intervention on developing PPD. Eighty-eight women who gave birth by vaginal delivery and started breastfeeding during the immediate postpartum period were randomly assigned to the intervention group (bMI) or control group (breastfeeding education). Randomisation by minimisation was carried out. The breastfeeding duration was longer in the intervention group (11.06 (± 2.94) weeks vs 9.02 (± 4.44), p = 0.013). The bMI was associated with a lower score on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, with a regression β coefficient of − 2.12 (95% CI − 3.82; − 0.41). A part of this effect was mediated by the effect of the intervention on the duration of breastfeeding (mediation/moderation index β = − 0.57 (95% CI − 1.30; − 0.04)). These findings suggest that a bMI aiming to promote breastfeeding has a positive impact preventing PPD mainly due to its effectiveness in increasing the duration of breastfeeding.
Characterization of cisplatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles and rituximab-linked surfaces as target-specific injectable nano-formulations for combating cancer
Authors: Sultan Muhammad H. , Moni Sivakumar S. , Madkhali Osama A. , Bakkari Mohammed Ali , Alshahrani Saeed , Alqahtani Saad S. , Alhakamy Nabil A. , Mohan Syam , Ghazwani Mohammed , Bukhary Haitham A. , Almoshari Yosif , Salawi Ahmad , Alshamrani Meshal 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe present study was carried out to develop cisplatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CCNP) and cisplatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticle surface linked to rituximab (mAbCCNP) as targeted delivery formulations. The two formulations (CCNP and mAbCCNP) exhibited significant physicochemical properties. The zetapotential (ZP) values of CCNP and mAbCCNP were 30.50 ± 5.64 and 26.90 ± 9.09 mV, respectively; while their particle sizes were 308.10 ± 1.10 and 349.40 ± 3.20 z.d.nm, respectively. The poly dispersity index (PDI) of CCNP was 0.257 ± 0.030 (66.6% PDI), while that of mAbCCNP was 0.444 ± 0.007 (57.60% PDI). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that CCNP had endothermic peaks at temperatures ranging from 135.50 to 157.69 °C. A sharp exothermic peak was observed at 95.79 °C, and an endothermic peak was observed at 166.60 °C. The XRD study on CCNP and mAbCCNP revealed distinct peaks at 2θ. Four peaks at 35.38°, 37.47°, 49.29°, and 59.94° corresponded to CCNP, while three distinct peaks at 36.6°, 49.12°, and 55.08° corresponded to mAbCCNP. The in vitro release of cisplatin from nanoparticles followed zero order kinetics in both CCNP and mAbCCNP. The profile for CCNP showed 43.80% release of cisplatin in 6 h (R2 = 0.9322), indicating linearity of release with minimal deviation. However, the release profile of mAbCCNP showed 22.52% release in 4 h (R2 = 0.9416), indicating linearity with sustained release. In vitro cytotoxicity studies on MCF-7 ATCC human breast cancer cell line showed that CCNP exerted good cytotoxicity, with IC50 of 4.085 ± 0.065 µg/mL. However, mAbCCNP did not elicit any cytotoxic effect. At a dose of 4.00 µg/mL cisplatin induced early apoptosis and late apoptosis, chromatin condensation, while it produced secondary necrosis at a dose of 8.00 µg/mL. Potential delivery system for cisplatin CCNP and mAbCCNP were successfully formulated. The results indicated that CCNP was a more successful formulation than mAbCCNP due to lack of specificity of rituximab against MCF-7 ATCC human breast cancer cells.
Coordination dynamics of multi-agent interaction in a musical ensemble
Authors: Proksch Shannon , Reeves Majerle , Spivey Michael , Balasubramaniam Ramesh 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHumans interact with other humans at a variety of timescales and in a variety of social contexts. We exhibit patterns of coordination that may differ depending on whether we are genuinely interacting as part of a coordinated group of individuals vs merely co-existing within the same physical space. Moreover, the local coordination dynamics of an interacting pair of individuals in an otherwise non-interacting group may spread, propagating change in the global coordination dynamics and interaction of an entire crowd. Dynamical systems analyses, such as Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA), can shed light on some of the underlying coordination dynamics of multi-agent human interaction. We used RQA to examine the coordination dynamics of a performance of “Welcome to the Imagination World”, composed for wind orchestra. This performance enacts a real-life simulation of the transition from uncoordinated, non-interacting individuals to a coordinated, interacting multi-agent group. Unlike previous studies of social interaction in musical performance which rely on different aspects of video and/or acoustic data recorded from each individual, this project analyzes group-level coordination patterns solely from the group-level acoustic data of an audio recording of the performance. Recurrence and stability measures extracted from the audio recording increased when musicians coordinated as an interacting group. Variability in these measures also increased, indicating that the interacting ensemble of musicians were able to explore a greater variety of behavior than when they performed as non-interacting individuals. As an orchestrated (non-emergent) example of coordination, we believe these analyses provide an indication of approximate expected distributions for recurrence patterns that may be measurable before and after truly emergent coordination.
PRMT3 inhibitor SGC707 reduces triglyceride levels and induces pruritus in Western-type diet-fed LDL receptor knockout mice
Authors: de Jong Laura M. , Zhang Zhengzheng , den Hartog Yvette , Sijsenaar Timothy J. P. , Martins Cardoso Renata , Manson Martijn L. , Hankemeier Thomas , Lindenburg Peter W. , Salvatori Daniela C. F. , Van Eck Miranda , Hoekstra Menno 
Published: January 2022

AbstractProtein arginine methyltransferase 3 (PRMT3) is a co-activator of liver X receptor capable of selectively modulating hepatic triglyceride synthesis. Here we investigated whether pharmacological PRMT3 inhibition can diminish the hepatic steatosis extent and lower plasma lipid levels and atherosclerosis susceptibility. Hereto, male hyperlipidemic low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice were fed an atherogenic Western-type diet and injected 3 times per week intraperitoneally with PRMT3 inhibitor SGC707 or solvent control. Three weeks into the study, SGC707-treated mice developed severe pruritus and scratching-associated skin lesions, leading to early study termination. SGC707-treated mice exhibited 50% lower liver triglyceride stores as well as 32% lower plasma triglyceride levels. Atherosclerotic lesions were virtually absent in all experimental mice. Plasma metabolite analysis revealed that levels of taurine-conjugated bile acids were ~ threefold increased (P < 0.001) in response to SGC707 treatment, which was paralleled by systemically higher bile acid receptor TGR5 signalling. In conclusion, we have shown that SGC707 treatment reduces hepatic steatosis and plasma triglyceride levels and induces pruritus in Western-type diet-fed LDL receptor knockout mice. These findings suggest that pharmacological PRMT3 inhibition can serve as therapeutic approach to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia/atherosclerosis, when unwanted effects on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism can be effectively tackled.