bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zac1 and the Imprinted Gene Network program juvenile NAFLD in response to maternal metabolic syndrome
Authors: Baptissart Marine , Bradish Christine M. , Jones Brie S. , Walsh Evan , Tehrani Jesse , Marrero‐Colon Vicmarie , Mehta Sanya , Jima Dereje D. , Oh Seh Hoon , Diehl Anna Mae , Fougeray Tiffany , Guillou Hervé , Cowley Michael 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
Within the next decade, NAFLD is predicted to become the most prevalent cause of childhood liver failure in developed countries. Predisposition to juvenile NAFLD can be programmed during early life in response to maternal metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that imprinted genes, defined by expression from a single parental allele, play a key role in maternal MetS‐induced NAFLD, due to their susceptibility to environmental stressors and their functions in liver homeostasis. We aimed to test this hypothesis and determine the critical periods of susceptibility to maternal MetS.

Approach and Results
We established a mouse model to compare the effects of MetS during prenatal and postnatal development on NAFLD. Postnatal but not prenatal MetS exposure is associated with histological, biochemical, and molecular signatures of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in juvenile mice. Using RNA sequencing, we show that the Imprinted Gene Network (IGN), including its regulator Zac1, is up‐regulated and overrepresented among differentially expressed genes, consistent with a role in maternal MetS‐induced NAFLD. In support of this, activation of the IGN in cultured hepatoma cells by overexpressing Zac1 is sufficient to induce signatures of profibrogenic transformation. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we demonstrate that Zac1 binds the TGF‐β1 and COL6A2 promoters, forming a direct pathway between imprinted genes and well‐characterized pathophysiological mechanisms of NAFLD. Finally, we show that hepatocyte‐specific overexpression of Zac1 is sufficient to drive fibrosis in vivo.

Conclusions
Our findings identify a pathway linking maternal MetS exposure during postnatal development to the programming of juvenile NAFLD, and provide support for the hypothesis that imprinted genes play a central role in metabolic disease programming.
Natural acoustic stimuli evoke selective responses in the hippocampus of passive listening bats
Authors: Yu Chao , Moss Cynthia F. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA growing body of research details spatial representation in bat hippocampus, and experiments have yet to explore hippocampal neuron responses to sonar signals in animals that rely on echolocation for spatial navigation. To bridge this gap, we investigated bat hippocampal responses to natural echolocation sounds in a non‐spatial context. In this experiment, we recorded from CA1 of the hippocampus of three awake bats that listened passively to single echolocation calls, call‐echo pairs, or natural echolocation sequences. Our data analysis identified a subset of neurons showing response selectivity to the duration of single echolocation calls. However, the sampled population of CA1 neurons did not respond selectively to call‐echo delay, a stimulus dimension posited to simulate target distance in recordings from auditory brain regions of bats. A population analysis revealed ensemble coding of call duration and sequence identity. These findings open the door to many new investigations of auditory coding in the mammalian hippocampus.
Patient‐individual phenotypes of glioblastoma stem cells are conserved in culture and associate with radioresistance, brain infiltration and patient prognosis
Authors: Ganser Katrin , Eckert Franziska , Riedel Andreas , Stransky Nicolai , Paulsen Frank , Noell Susan , Krueger Marcel , Schittenhelm Jens , Beck‐Wödl Stefanie , Zips Daniel , Ruth Peter , Huber Stephan M. , Klumpp Lukas 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIdentification of prognostic or predictive molecular markers in glioblastoma resection specimens may lead to strategies for therapy stratification and personalized treatment planning. Here, we analyzed in primary glioblastoma stem cell (pGSC) cultures the mRNA abundances of seven stem cell (MSI1, Notch1, nestin, Sox2, Oct4, FABP7 and ALDH1A3), and three radioresistance or invasion markers (CXCR4, IKCa and BKCa). From these abundances, an mRNA signature was deduced which describes the mesenchymal‐to‐proneural expression profile of an individual GSC culture. To assess its functional significance, we associated the GSC mRNA signature with the clonogenic survival after irradiation with 4 Gy and the fibrin matrix invasion of the GSC cells. In addition, we compared the molecular pGSC mRNA signature with the tumor recurrence pattern and the overall survival of the glioblastoma patients from whom the pGSC cultures were derived. As a result, the molecular pGSC mRNA signature correlated positively with the pGSC radioresistance and matrix invasion capability in vitro. Moreover, patients with a mesenchymal (>median) mRNA signature in their pGSC cultures exhibited predominantly a multifocal tumor recurrence and a significantly (univariate log rank test) shorter overall survival than patients with proneural (≤median mRNA signature) pGSCs. The tumors of the latter recurred predominately unifocally. We conclude that our pGSC cultures induce/select those cell subpopulations of the heterogeneous brain tumor that determine disease progression and therapy outcome. In addition, we further postulate a clinically relevant prognostic/predictive value for the 10 mRNAs‐based mesenchymal‐to‐proneural signature of the GSC subpopulations in glioblastoma.
Perfecting hysterosalpingography: Limitations to the use of disposable balloon catheter and its solution
Authors: Youssef Youssef , Raju Rubin , Sanya Rahima , Abuzeid Omar , Hebert John , Abuzeid Mostafa 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo revive the use of the Kahn Uterine Trigger Cannula to overcome limitations associated with technical difficulties during hysterosalpingography (HSG) using the disposable balloon HSG catheter.MethodA case series was conducted of 17 patients who encountered technically difficult or incomplete HSG study while using a disposable HSG balloon catheter, also leading to false‐positive findings. Nine patients underwent a repeat HSG using a Kahn Uterine Trigger Cannula (Group 1). Eight patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and tubal perfusion testing using a Kahn Uterine Trigger Cannula (Group 2). The findings for each group in comparison to their initial HSG results using the disposable balloon HSG catheter are described.ResultsAll patients were noted to have patent fallopian tubes using a Kahn Uterine Trigger Cannula on repeat HSG or tubal perfusion testing during laparoscopy.ConclusionProviders who perform HSG studies should be familiar with the value of a Kahn Uterine Trigger Cannula when the traditional use of disposable HSG balloon catheter fails due to technical difficulty or incomplete study. The use of the Kahn Uterine Trigger Cannula in such situations can prevent inaccurate assessment and unnecessary interventions.
Lack of defined apheresis collection criteria in publicly available CAR‐T cell clinical trial descriptions: Comprehensive review of over 600 studies
Authors: Thibodeaux Suzanne R. , Aqui Nicole A. , Park Yara A. , Schneiderman Jennifer , Su Leon L. , Winters Jeffrey L. , Zubair Abba C. , Schwartz Joseph , Liu Hien D. ,   the Immune Effector Cell Therapy Subcommittee, Clinical Applications Committee, American Society for Apheresis
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundChimeric antigen receptor T (CAR‐T) cell successes have encouraged continued clinical study. Apheresis collection of starting material for CAR‐T cell therapy product manufacturing is critical but described approaches suggest variability and clinical guidelines are currently lacking. The goal of this study was to gather and assess variability in apheresis collection descriptions in publicly available CAR T‐cell therapy clinical trials.Study designWe searched clinicaltrials.gov (a publicly available clinical trial database) for “chimeric antigen receptor T cells” on July 01, 2020 and studies accessed July 30, 2020‐August 15, 2020. Data collected included date posted, study characteristics, apheresis mentions (number, location, and context), laboratory parameters and transfusion allowances. Apheresis context was analyzed using a qualitative inductive approach of grounded theory method with open coding. Text was classified into 37 context codes, grouped into 12 categories, and then consolidated into patient, procedure, product, and miscellaneous themes.ResultsApheresis was mentioned 1044 times in 322 (51.9%) of 621 total studies. Laboratory parameters mentioned included white blood cells (100 studies), absolute neutrophil count (220 studies), absolute lymphocyte count (102 studies), CD3+ cell (38 studies), hemoglobin (233 studies, 54 studies specified transfusion allowance), and platelet (269 studies, 48 studies specified transfusion allowance).ConclusionsApheresis collection of CAR‐T cell products is not well‐defined in clinical study descriptions and the context is inconsistent. Laboratory parameters useful for apheresis collection are variably present and do not consistently align with current practices. Further exploration, and clinical guideline development will encourage alignment of apheresis collections for CAR‐T cell products.
Synthesis, quantum chemical, and molecular modeling investigations of 1,2,3‐triazole fused dicarboxylate bioorganic derivative as angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor
Authors: Chandrasekaran RaviKumar , Murugavel Saminathan , Silambarasan Tamilselvan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this present work, we report structural and computational studies of 1,2,3‐triazole fused dicarboxylate derivative (TMND), which is investigated as an angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor for antihypertension treatment. The crystal structure of TMND is solved by single‐crystal XRD method and correlated with density functional B3LYP/6–311++ method. We performed Hirshfeld surface analysis to examine the strength of hydrogen bonds and to measure the intercontacts and enrichment ratio. The enrichment ratio of OH contact in TMND crystal validates (EOH = 1.20) that the OC and O═C bonds produce four weak hydrogen bonds of the type O…HC as evident in the supramolecular crystal packing. The enrichment ratio of CH contacts (ECH = 1.02) represent CH…π interactions with aromatic rings present in TMND crystal structure similar to XRD data. By using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP/6–311++) method, frontier molecular orbital and molecular electrostatic potential map were computed and reactive regions were identified. In silico ACE inhibition nature of the TMND compound was evaluated using molecular docking method and followed by molecular dynamics simulation. Results reveals superior ACE inhibition ability of TMND compound over the native ligand and standard Food and Drug Administration approved antihypertensive drug lisinopril. Hence, it is concluded that our compound TMND could be considered for the antihypertensive drug design and development process.
Diagnostic value of color parametric imaging and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound in the differentiation of hepatocellular adenoma and well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yu‐Hui , Fan Zhi‐Hui , Yin Shan‐Shan , Yan Kun , Sun Li‐Qi , Jiang Bin‐Bin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the differential diagnostic value of computer‐aided color parametric imaging (CPI) and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) and well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (wHCC).MethodA total of 38 patients who underwent CEUS and were pathologically diagnosed with HCA (10 cases) and wHCC (28 cases) were reviewed retrospectively. The differences between the radiological features of HCA and wHCC were compared by two readers, blinded to the final diagnosis.Results(a) Sonographic features: on gray‐scale ultrasound, halo sign was more common in wHCC than in HCA (60.7% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.009). On CEUS, hyper‐ or isoenhancement was more common in HCA in the portal phase (90.0% vs. 50.0%; p = 0.022). On CPI mode, HCA was inclined toward centripetal enhancement (60.0% vs. 14.3% p = 0.010). HCA was characterized by the presence of pseudocapsule enhancement (50.0% vs. 14.3%; p = 0.036). Quantitative analysis showed that the arrival time of HCA was earlier than that of wHCC (12.4 ± 3.7 s vs. 15.9 ± 3.2 s; p = 0.006). (b) Interobserver agreement was improved by using CPI compared with CEUS. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the combination were 80.0%, 85.7%, and 84.2%, respectively.ConclusionsCEUS combined with CPI can provide effective information for the differential diagnosis of HCA and wHCC, especially for the non‐experienced radiologists.
Research experiences instrument: Validation evidence for an instrument to assess the research experiences of engineering PhD students' professional practice opportunities
Authors: Holloway Eric A. , Douglas Kerrie A. , Radcliffe David F. , Oakes William C. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThere are long‐held concerns about how graduate research programs prepare engineering PhD students for professional practice. Suitable instruments are lacking to effectively assess how research experiences contribute to the success of graduate students becoming professionals.PurposeThe purpose of this work is to examine evidence of internal reliability and validity of using the research experiences instrument (REI) scores as a measure of engineering PhD students' professional practice opportunities in their research experiences.MethodREI was constructed using an ontological framework. REI was administered twice to engineering PhD students, once to a single university (n = 236) and once to multiuniversities (n = 215). Psychometric analyses were conducted related to validity and reliability evidence, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and group score comparisons between genders, race/ethnicity, and engineering disciplines.ResultsResults of both factor analyses aligned with the theoretical five‐factor structure, with a second‐order Opportunity factor. Mean scores were the same between women and men, and for three engineering disciplines, but significantly lower for racially/ethnically minoritized groups. Factor scores indicate that students often lack opportunities to engage with professionals, a likely cause of students' professional practice struggles.ConclusionsEvidence of validity has been provided to justify the use of REI to assess the unique research experiences of engineering PhD students as these relate to preparedness for professional practice. REI scores can be used for gender and race/ethnicity comparisons and are generalizable across engineering disciplines. Where students' REI scores show a lack of opportunities, remedial strategies can be implemented.
Contributors to disparities in postpartum readmission rates between safety‐net and non‐safety‐net hospitals: A decomposition analysis
Authors: Reid Lawrence D. , Weiss Audrey J. , Fingar Kathryn R. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundSafety‐net hospitals (SNHs) treat more maternal patients with risk factors for postpartum readmission.ObjectiveTo assess how patient, hospital, and community characteristics explain the SNH/non‐SNH disparity in postpartum readmission rates.DesignA linear probability model assessed covariates associated with postpartum readmissions. Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition estimates quantified the contribution of covariates to the SNH/non‐SNH disparity in postpartum readmission rates.SettingHealthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2016–2018 State Inpatient Databases from 25 states.Participants3.5 million maternal delivery stays.MeasurementsThe outcome was inpatient readmission within 42 days of delivery. SNHs had a share of Medicaid/uninsured stays in the top quartile. A range of patient, hospital, and community characteristics was considered as covariates.ResultsThe unadjusted postpartum readmission rate was 4.2 per 1000 index deliveries higher at SNHs than at non‐SNHs (19.1 vs. 14.9, p < .001). Adjustment reduced the risk difference to 0.65 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: –0.14, 1.44). Patient (66%), hospital (14%), and community (4%) characteristics explained 84% of the disparity. The single largest contributors to the disparity were race/ethnicity (20%), hypertension (12%), hospital preterm delivery rate (10%), and preterm delivery (7%). Collectively, patient comorbidities explained 31% of the disparity.ConclusionHigher postpartum readmission rates at SNHs versus non‐SNHs were largely due to differences in the patient mix rather than hospital factors. Hospital initiatives are needed to reduce the risk of postpartum readmissions among SNH patients. Improving factors that contribute to the disparity, including underlying health conditions and health inequities associated with race, requires enduring investments in public health.
Identification of neurodegeneration indicators and disease progression in metachromatic leukodystrophy using quantitative NMR‐based urinary metabolomics
Authors: Laugwitz Lucia , Zizmare Laimdota , Santhanakumaran Vidiyaah , Cannet Claire , Böhringer Judith , Okun Jürgen G. , Spraul Manfred , Krägeloh‐Mann Ingeborg , Groeschel Samuel , Trautwein Christoph 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMetachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the arylsulfatase A (ARSA). ARSA deficiency leads to an accumulation of sulfatides primarily in the nervous system ultimately causing demyelination. With evolving therapeutic options, there is an increasing need for indicators to evaluate disease progression. Here, we report targeted metabolic urine profiling of 56 MLD patients including longitudinal sampling, using 1H (proton) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. 1H‐NMR urine spectra of 119 MLD samples and 323 healthy controls were analyzed by an in vitro diagnostics research (IVDr) tool, covering up to 50 endogenous and 100 disease‐related metabolites on a 600‐MHz IVDr NMR spectrometer. Quantitative data reports were analyzed regarding age of onset, clinical course, and therapeutic intervention. The NMR data reveal metabolome changes consistent with a multiorgan affection in MLD patients in comparison to controls. In the MLD cohort, N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) excretion in urine is elevated. Early onset MLD forms show a different metabolic profile suggesting a metabolic shift toward ketogenesis in comparison to late onset MLD and controls. In samples of juvenile MLD patients who stabilize clinically after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the macrophage activation marker neopterin is elevated. We were able to identify different metabolic patterns reflecting variable organ disturbances in MLD, including brain and energy metabolism and inflammatory processes. We suggest NAA in urine as a quantitative biomarker for neurodegeneration. Intriguingly, elevated neopterin after HSCT supports the hypothesis that competent donor macrophages are crucial for favorable outcome.
Two green chromatographic methods for the quantification of tamsulosin and solifenacin along with four of their impurities
Authors: Kamel Ebraam B. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractModern analytical procedures often include impurity profiling to verify the potency, safety, and effectiveness of new formulations. We had to develop techniques based on green analysis since the detrimental influence of solvents and chemicals on the environment has now become a serious concern. Two selective, sensitive, and green liquid chromatography methods were established and fully validated for quantitation of tamsulosin hydrochloride and solifenacin succinate along with four of their official and/or related impurities namely; tamsulosin sulfonic acid, tamsulosin impurity H, solifenacin impurity A and solifenacin impurity C. The first used high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography with silica gel 60 F254 plates as the stationary phase and an elution system of ethyl acetate:butanol:glacial acetic acid (10.0:0.4:0.1, by volume) and a scanning wavelength of 225.0 nm. The second method depended on HPLC with diode array detection. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on a Zorbax SB C18 (250 × 4.6 mm2, 5 μm) column utilizing a mixture of 10.0 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0, adjusted by o‐phosphoric acid) and methanol, at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min in a gradient elution mode and then the separated peaks were scanned at a wavelength of 225.0 nm. To assess the greenness profile, three distinct methodologies were applied.
Baseline and status of desertification in Central Asia
Authors: Cai Diwen , Wang Xunming , Hua Ting , Jiao Linlin , Geng Xin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBaseline determination is a prerequisite for desertification monitoring and assessment and also for the sustainable development of drylands. In this study based on long‐term remote sensing net primary production (NPP) data and combined with a local NPP scaling method, the desertification status in Central Asia is quantified, and NPP‐based objective baseline of desertification (potential NPP, NPPp), which could be more convenient and enables the desertification status measurable from local to global scales, is established by integrating space‐for‐time substitution, isolation forest (iForest) algorithm, and Monte Carlo simulations. More reliable than a fixed percentile‐based reference with subjective preference, the analyzed results show that across Central Asia over the past four decades, the NPPp ranged from 46.4 to 639.5 gC m−2 yr−1 with different land cover types and regions, and the general desertification status in the region was rated as a moderate degree with an average of 50.5%. From the 1980s to the 2000s in most regions of Central Asia, reversals of desertification occurred, but it intensified in the 2010s. This study may contribute to improving the existing framework of SDG Indicator 15.3.1.
Comparing the diagnostic accuracy of audiometric Weber test and tuning fork Weber test in patients with conductive hearing loss
Authors: Abdullah Siti Nazira , Zakaria Mohd Normani , Salim Rosdan , Md Daud Mohd Khairi , Nik Othman Nik Adilah 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectivesWeber test is typically conducted using tuning forks, but an audiometer can also be used for a similar purpose. Compared to the tuning fork Weber (TFW) test, performing the audiometric Weber (AW) test offers many advantages. Nevertheless, AW and TFW tests' performance compared to pure‐tone audiometry (PTA) has yet to be studied. The present study aimed to determine the accuracy and agreement between the AW and TFW tests compared to PTA.MethodsIn this observational cross‐sectional study, 74 participants (aged 12‐67 years) with unilateral conductive hearing loss (CHL) or bilateral asymmetrical CHL were enrolled. The TFW test was performed according to the established protocol at 256 and 512 Hz. For the AW test, the bone vibrator was placed in the middle of the forehead, where 250 and 500 Hz frequencies were tested. TF and AW test results were then compared with the expected lateralization from the respective PTA results.ResultsAt 256 Hz (or 250 Hz), the overall accuracy values of TFW and AW tests were 81.1% and 86.5%, respectively. At 512 Hz (or 500 Hz), the overall accuracy results of TFW and AW tests were 85.1% and 82.4%, respectively. In addition, the kappa statistics revealed substantial agreements between the two tests and PTA (k = .63‐.72).ConclusionBoth AW and TFW tests are reasonably accurate in assessing patients with CHL. It is recommended for audiologists to perform the simple AW test to verify incomplete or questionable audiograms that are commonly encountered in clinical practice.Level of evidenceLevel 3b.