bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic systems for the analysis of blood‐derived molecular biomarkers
Authors: Chavez‐Pineda Oriana G. , Rodriguez‐Moncayo Roberto , Cedillo‐Alcantar Diana F. , Guevara‐Pantoja Pablo E. , Amador‐Hernandez Josue U. , Garcia‐Cordero Jose L. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBiomarkers are relevant indicators of the physiological state of an individual. Although biomarkers can be found in diseased tissue and different biofluids, sampling from blood plasma is relatively easy and less invasive. Among the molecular biomarkers that can be found circulating in plasma are proteins, metabolites, nucleic acids, and exosomes. Some of these plasma‐circulating biomarkers are now employed for patient stratification in a broad range of diseases with high sensitivity and specificity and are useful in early diagnosis, initial risk assessment, and therapy selection. However, there is a pressing need to develop novel approaches for biomarker analysis that can be translated into clinical or other settings without complex methodologies or instrumentation. Microfluidics has been touted as a promising technology to carry out this task because it offers high‐throughput, automation, multiplexed detection, and portability, possibly overcoming the bottleneck that prevent the translation of novel biomarkers to the point‐of‐care (POC). Here, we provide a review of the microfluidic systems that have been engineered to detect circulating molecular biomarkers in blood plasma. We also review the different microfluidic approaches for plasma enrichment, which are now being integrated with microfluidic‐based biomarker analyzers. Such integration should lead to cost‐effective solutions in in vitro diagnostics, with special relevance to POC platforms.
Instrument reading recognition by deep learning of capsules network model for digitalization in Industrial Internet of Things
Authors: Li Dazhou , Hou Jingfei , Gao Wei 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUsing the intelligent image recognition method to recognize the reading of the unintelligent manual reading meter is an important approach to expand the sensing means and reduce the cost of transformation of the Industrial Internet of Things. Traditional methods based on morphology and back propagation neural networks are difficult to solve the problems of shadow, deflection, and dimness in the industrial environment. In this article, the deep learning‐based capsule networks for pointer instruments and digital display instruments were proposed to implement unintelligent manual reading meter recognition using. Due to the complex structure and a large number of parameters, the basic capsule network is difficult to run on devices with low computing resources. To overcome this issue, the improved capsule network model was designed to reduce the parameters of the model. The experimental results show that the improved capsule network improves the recognition accuracy by 13% and reduces the parameters by 23%.
Control for population stratification in genetic association studies based on GWAS summary statistics
Authors: Yan Shijia , Sha Qiuying , Zhang Shuanglin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOver the past years, genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have generated a wealth of new information. Summary data from many GWAS are now publicly available, promoting the development of many statistical methods for association studies based on GWAS summary statistics, which avoids the increasing challenges associated with individual‐level genotype and phenotype data sharing. However, for population‐based association studies such as GWAS, it has been long recognized that population stratification can seriously confound association results. For large GWAS, it is very likely that there exist population stratification and cryptic relatedness, which will result in inflated Type I error in association testing. Although many methods have been developed to control for population stratification, only two of these approaches can be used to control population stratification without individual‐level data: one is based on genomic control (GC) and the other one is based on linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). However, the performance of these two approaches is currently unknown. In this study, we use extensive simulation studies including populations with subpopulations, spatially structured populations, and populations with cryptic relatedness to compare the performance of these two approaches to control for population stratification using only GWAS summary statistics without individual‐level data. Data sets from the genetic analysis workshop 19 and UK Biobank are also used to evaluate these two approaches. We demonstrate that the intercept of LDSC can be used as a more accurate correction factor than GC. The results from this study will provide very useful information for researchers using GWAS summary statistics while trying to control for population stratification.
Magnetoencephalography can reveal deep brain network activities linked to memory processes
Authors: López‐Madrona Víctor J. , Medina Villalon Samuel , Badier Jean‐Michel , Trébuchon Agnès , Jayabal Velmurugan , Bartolomei Fabrice , Carron Romain , Barborica Andrei , Vulliémoz Serge , Alario F.‐Xavier , Bénar Christian G. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRecording from deep neural structures such as hippocampus noninvasively and yet with high temporal resolution remains a major challenge for human neuroscience. Although it has been proposed that deep neuronal activity might be recordable during cognitive tasks using magnetoencephalography (MEG), this remains to be demonstrated as the contribution of deep structures to MEG recordings may be too small to be detected or might be eclipsed by the activity of large‐scale neocortical networks. In the present study, we disentangled mesial activity and large‐scale networks from the MEG signals thanks to blind source separation (BSS). We then validated the MEG BSS components using intracerebral EEG signals recorded simultaneously in patients during their presurgical evaluation of epilepsy. In the MEG signals obtained during a memory task involving the recognition of old and new images, we identified with BSS a putative mesial component, which was present in all patients and all control subjects. The time course of the component selectively correlated with stereo‐electroencephalography signals recorded from hippocampus and rhinal cortex, thus confirming its mesial origin. This finding complements previous studies with epileptic activity and opens new possibilities for using MEG to study deep brain structures in cognition and in brain disorders.
Augmenting inter‐rater concordance of radiologic extranodal extension in HPV‐positive oropharyngeal carcinoma: A multicenter study
Authors: Hoebers Frank , Yu Eugene , O'Sullivan Brian , Postma Alida A. , Palm Walter M. , Bartlett Eric , Lee Jonathan , Stock Sarah , Koyfman Shlomo , Su Jie , Xu Wei , Huang Shao Hui 
Published: June 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo assess intra‐ and inter‐institutional concordance and identify methods to increase precision in radiologic extranodal extension (rENE) ascertainment in HPV+ oropharyngeal carcinoma.MethodsSix radiologists, blinded to clinical outcomes, from three centers assessed rENE in two phases: Phase‐I (20 cases) utilized each individual's a priori appreciation of the literature. Phase‐II (30 additional cases) was performed after deliberating experience and consolidating operating definitions. Intra‐ and inter‐institutional Kappa were calculated at >50% and >75% certainty levels, respectively.ResultsThe Phase‐I intra‐institutional kappa was 0.76, 0.32, and 0.44 at >50% certainty and improved to 0.89, 0.61, and 0.66 at >75% certainty. Inter‐institutional Fleiss' kappa also improved with higher certainty (from 0.40 to 0.57, p = 0.039). The Phase‐II inter‐rater kappa was significantly higher than Phase‐I at the same certainty level (both p < 0.001).ConclusionA learning curve exists for rENE assessment. Strategies to augment reliability include high certainty for declaration, consolidated operating definitions, and sharing experience among radiologists.
Statin use and risk of progression to liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B independent of conventional risk factors: A nationwide study
Authors: Yun Byungyoon , Ahn Sang Hoon , Yoon Jin‐Ha , Kim Beom Kyung 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Many studies have elucidated the protective associations of statin use with liver cancer or mortality, but studies examining statin's effect on the risk of progression to liver cirrhosis considering medical/metabolic conditions or lifestyle factors are lacking. We aimed to assess statin's benefit independent of conventional risk factors. We identified 25,033 pairs of statin users (using statins for ≥90 days) and nonusers among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the Republic of Korea's National Health Insurance Service database from 2010 to 2018. The primary endpoint was progression to cirrhosis from an inactive carrier or simple CHB. The cumulative probability was plotted using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. During a 218,472 person‐year follow‐up, 2210 incident cases of progression to cirrhosis occurred. The 5‐year cumulative risks were 4.0% and 6.3% in statin users and nonusers, respectively (p < 0.001). Statin use was significantly associated with a decreased risk of progression to cirrhosis (aHR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.55–0.65; p < 0.001), after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, antiviral therapy, aspirin use, metformin use, nonstatin medication for dyslipidemia, smoking, drinking, obesity, exercise, and liver dysfunction. This protective association was still significant in a dose–response manner and with different time lags for outcomes. Conclusion: Statin use is associated with a decreased risk of progression to cirrhosis among patients with CHB, independent of metabolic and lifestyle factors. Future studies are required to validate this observation.
Impact of a single‐session psychosocial counseling intervention for women with vulvodynia
Authors: Moravek Molly B. , Legocki Laurie J. , Piper Claudia Kraus , Bernard Katie , Reed Barbara D. , Haefner Hope K. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a single session of psychosocial counseling on patients with vulvodynia.MethodsPatients diagnosed with vulvodynia at a vulvovaginal specialty clinic were randomly assigned to receive either a one‐on‐one 30‐ to 45‐min psychosocial counseling session with a psychosexual counselor plus written educational materials (intervention group) or written materials alone (control group). They completed a survey before and 6 weeks after randomization that included demographic information and validated measures of sexual function and illness perception.ResultsThirty‐one of 38 (81.6%) women approached chose to participate; 26 of the 31 (83.9%) completed the 6‐week follow‐up survey. Only the intervention group showed improvement in knowledge about vulvovaginal and sexual health, as well as in most measures of improvement in illness perception, as measured by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (P < 0.05). When compared directly with those in the control group, patients in the intervention group reported increased understanding of their vulvar symptoms (P < 0.005) and lessened emotional impact of these symptoms (P = 0.035).ConclusionPatients receiving one session of the one‐on‐one psychosocial counseling intervention reported improved understanding and lessened emotional impact of their vulvar symptoms, compared with the control group. This study suggests that improvement may occur following minimal intervention and supports the need for further study.
Quantification method to objectively evaluate the fibrous structural status of tendons based on polarization‐sensitive OCT
Authors: Lee Yong‐Jae , Park Eunwoo , Park Kwan Seob , Lim Jun‐Hyuk , Kim Sungmin , Kim Myung‐Sun , Eom Tae Joong 
Published: June 2022

AbstractHistological analysis is widely used to evaluate injured tendons; however, it has the limitation of being semi‐quantitative. Hence, we developed a quantification method to objectively evaluate the fibrous structure of tendons, exhibiting the optical property of birefringence, using polarization‐sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS‐OCT). We used a partial‐rupture rat model in which the middle 0.75 cm of the Achilles tendon was cut with a blade. Rats were sacrificed at 2, 4 or 6 weeks after the injury, and PS‐OCT and histological analyzes were performed. The PS‐OCT phase retardation images and score well represented the structural changes of the injured tendon according to the wound healing state. Therefore, the proposed novel quantification method using PS‐OCT can be used to evaluate the fibrous structural status of tendons.
Hyaluronic acid/gelatin microcapsule functionalized with carbon nanotube through laccase‐catalyzed crosslinking for fabrication of cardiac microtissue
Authors: Sharifisistani Maryam , Khanmohammadi Mehdi , Badali Elham , Ghasemi Pouya , Hassanzadeh Sajad , Bahiraie Nafiseh , Lotfibakhshaiesh Nasrin , Ai Jafar 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCarbon nanotube (CNT) and gelatin (Gela) molecules are effective substrates in promoting engineered cardiac tissue functions. This study developed a microfluidic‐based encapsulation process for biomimetic hydrogel microcapsule fabrication. The hydrogel microcapsule was produced through a coaxial double orifice microfluidic technique and a water‐in‐oil emulsion system in two sequential processes. The phenol (Ph) substituted Gela (Gela‐Ph) and CNT (CNT‐Ph), respectively as cell‐adhesive and electrically conductive substrates were incorporated in hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based hydrogel through laccase‐mediated crosslinking. The Cardiomyocyte‐enclosing microcapsule fabricated and cellular survival, function, and possible difference in the biological activity of encapsulated cells within micro vehicles were investigated. The coaxial microfluidic method and Lac‐mediated crosslinking reaction resulted in spherical vehicle production in 183 μm diameter at 500 capsules/min speed. The encapsulation process did not affect cellular viability and harvested cells from microcapsule proliferated well likewise subcultured cells in tissue culture plate. The biophysical properties of the designed hydrogel, including mechanical strength, swelling, biodegradability and electroconductivity upregulated significantly for hydrogels decorated covalently with Gela‐Ph and CNT‐Ph. The tendency of the microcapsule for the spheroid formation of cardiomyocytes inside the proposed microcapsule occurred 3 days after encapsulation. Interestingly, immobilized Gela‐Ph and CNT‐Ph promote cellular growth and specific cardiac markers. Overall, the microfluidic‐based encapsulation technology and synthesized biomimetic substrates with electroconductive properties demonstrate desirable cellular adhesion, proliferation, and cardiac functions for engineering cardiac tissue.
Solid‐State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SSNMR) Characterization of Osteoblasts From Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Differentiation to Osteoblast Mineralization
Authors: Lin Jing‐Yu , Sun Ming‐Hui , Zhang Jing , Hu Meng , Zeng Yu‐Teng , Yi Qian‐Qian , Wang Jian , Bai Yun , Zhang Yifeng , Lu Jun‐Xia 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTSolid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR), a technique capable of studying solid or semisolid biological samples, was first applied to study the cell differentiation and mineralization using the whole‐cell sample. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with multipotent differentiation capacity were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts. The whole differentiation process, osteoblast mineralization and the mineral maturation, was investigated using SSNMR, providing intact, atomic level information on the cellular mineral structural transformation. Our research indicated the extent of osteoblast mineralization could vary significantly for different cell populations whereas the difference was not easily shown by other means of characterization. The SSNMR spectra revealed hydroxylapatite (or hydroxyapatite [HAP]) formation around 2 to 4 weeks after osteogenic induction for MSCs with a high differentiation potency. The early mineral phase deposit before HAP formation contained a high amount of HPO42−. The structures of minerals in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of osteoblasts could evolve for a period of time, even after the incubation of cells has been stopped. This observation was only possible by studying the sample in an intact state, where ECM was not disturbed. These findings improved our understanding of MSCs, which had wide applications in bone regeneration and tissue engineering. Meanwhile, this work demonstrated the advantage of studying these cellular systems as a whole without any mineral extraction, which had been largely overlooked. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Rapid detection of the irinotecan‐related UGT1A1*28 polymorphism by asymmetric PCR melting curve analysis using one fluorescent probe
Authors: Kong Xiaomu , Xu Ye , Gao Peng , Liu Yi , Wang Xuran , Zhao Meimei , Jiang Yongwei , Yang Hui , Cao Yongtong , Ma Liang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundDetermination of UGT1A1 (TA)n polymorphism prior to irinotecan therapy is necessary to avoid severe adverse drug effects. Thus, accurate and reliable genotyping methods for (TA)n polymorphism are highly desired. Here, we present a new method for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) melting curve analysis using one fluorescent probe to discriminate the UGT1A1*1 [(TA)6] and *28 [(TA)7] genotypes.MethodsAfter protocol optimization, this technique was applied for genotyping of 64 patients (including 23 with UGT1A1*1/*1, 22 with *1/*28, and 19 with *28/*28) recruited between 2016 and 2021 in China‐Japan Friendship Hospital. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparing the results with those of direct sequencing and fragment analysis. The intra‐ and inter‐run precision of the melting temperatures (Tms) were calculated to assess the reliability, and the limit of detection was examined to assess the sensitivity.ResultsAll genotypes were correctly identified with the new method, and its accuracy was higher than that of fragment analysis. The intra‐ and inter‐run coefficients of variation for the Tms were both ≤0.27%, with standard deviations ≤0.14°C. The limit of detection was 0.2 ng of input genomic DNA.ConclusionThe developed PCR melting curve analysis using one fluorescent probe can provide accurate, reliable, rapid, simple, and low‐cost detection of UGT1A1 (TA)n polymorphism, and its use can be easily generalized in clinical laboratories with a fluorescent PCR platform.
Extrahepatic approach for taping the common trunk of the middle and left hepatic veins or the left hepatic vein alone in laparoscopic hepatectomy (with videos)
Authors: Nakano Yutaka , Abe Yuta , Kitago Minoru , Yagi Hiroshi , Hasegawa Yasushi , Hori Shutaro , Koizumi Wataru , Ojima Hidenori , Imanishi Nobuaki , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundOutflow control is difficult, and techniques required for effectively handling intraoperative hemorrhage during laparoscopic hepatectomy have not previously been adequately reported.MethodsSixteen patients underwent surgery, of which 15 underwent laparoscopic left hepatectomy and one underwent laparoscopic partial hepatectomy of the caudate lobe. Encircling and taping of the common trunk of the middle (MHV) and left hepatic veins (LHV) was performed in 12 patients, and that of the LHV alone in four patients. Surgical techniques based on anatomical landmarks and histological findings are presented with videos. Histological confirmation of the anatomical landmarks for these procedures was performed in fresh cadavers to understand the anatomical structures and layers involved.ResultsThe median procedure duration was 15 (6‐25) minutes. All procedures were performed safely with no major bleeding. Histological findings showed fibrous connective tissue between the tunica adventitia of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the Laennec’s capsule of the liver. The layer of dissection was along the tunica adventitia of the IVC.ConclusionsThe surgical techniques for encircling and taping of the common trunk of the MHV and LHV and the LHV alone based on anatomical landmarks were feasible and could allow for efficient outflow control in laparoscopic hepatectomy.
An innovative fluorometric bioanalysis strategy towards recognition of DNA methylation using opto‐active polymer: A new platform for DNA damage studies by genosensor technology
Authors: Adampourezare Mina , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Dehghan Gholamreza , Hosseinpourefeizi Mohammad‐Ali , Seidi Farzad 
Published: June 2022

AbstractEfficient pharmacotherapy of cancer is related to accurate recognition of genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations in the early‐stage diagnosis. In the present study, a novel optical genosensor based on toluidine blue as photonic probe was developed to detection of DNA methylation using hybridization of pDNA with cDNA. Biomedical analysis was performed using UV‐vis and fluorometric methods. For the first time, this strategy was applied for the distinction of methylated DNA from unmethylated‐DNA‐based on the interaction of optical probe with methylated‐DNA and unmethylated DNA. Fluorescence spectroscopic data showed that poly‐toluidine blue could be bind to DNA sequences and lead to different fluorescence patterns and could be used as an efficient geno‐platform for the sensitive bioassay of mutation. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 580 and 630 nm, respectively. Non‐binding of mismatch sequences with the optical probe was used as negative control. Under optimal conditions, linear range was 1 zM to 0.2 pm and the lower limit of quantitation was obtained as target concentrations ranging 1 zM. The designed genosensor showed high capability to distinct methylation from un‐methylated. Therefore, the designed DNA‐based bioassay could detect DNA methylation significantly. Finally, bioanalysis of real samples showed that the designed genosensor could use to detect DNA methylation which is a new platform for point of care analysis.