bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra-low binder content 3D printed calcium phosphate graphene scaffolds as resorbable, osteoinductive matrices that support bone formation in vivo
Authors: Daneshmandi Leila , Holt Brian D. , Arnold Anne M. , Laurencin Cato T. , Sydlik Stefanie A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBone regenerative engineering could replace autografts; however, no synthetic material fulfills all design criteria. Nanocarbons incorporated into three-dimensional printed (3DP) matrices can improve properties, but incorporation is constrained to low wt%. Further, unmodified nanocarbons have limited osteogenic potential. Functionalization to calcium phosphate graphene (CaPG) imparts osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity, but loading into matrices remained limited. This work presents ultra-high content (90%), 3DP-CaPG matrices. 3DP-CaPG matrices are highly porous (95%), moderately stiff (3 MPa), and mechanically robust. In vitro, they are cytocompatible and induce osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), indicated by alkaline phosphatase, mineralization, and COL1α1 expression. In vivo, bone regeneration was studied using a transgenic fluorescent-reporter mouse non-union calvarial defect model. 3DP-CaPG stimulates cellular ingrowth, retains donor cells, and induces osteogenic differentiation. Histology shows TRAP staining around struts, suggesting potential osteoclast activity. Apparent resorption of 3DP-CaPG was observed and presented no toxicity. 3DP-CaPG represents an advancement towards a synthetic bone regeneration matrix.
Dopamine influences attentional rate modulation in Macaque posterior parietal cortex
Authors: van Kempen Jochem , Brandt Christian , Distler Claudia , Bellgrove Mark A. , Thiele Alexander 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCognitive neuroscience has made great strides in understanding the neural substrates of attention, but our understanding of its neuropharmacology remains incomplete. Although dopamine has historically been studied in relation to frontal functioning, emerging evidence suggests important dopaminergic influences in parietal cortex. We recorded single- and multi-unit activity whilst iontophoretically administering dopaminergic agonists and antagonists while rhesus macaques performed a spatial attention task. Out of 88 units, 50 revealed activity modulation by drug administration. Dopamine inhibited firing rates according to an inverted-U shaped dose–response curve and increased gain variability. D1 receptor antagonists diminished firing rates according to a monotonic function and interacted with attention modulating gain variability. Finally, both drugs decreased the pupil light reflex. These data show that dopamine shapes neuronal responses and modulates aspects of attentional processing in parietal cortex.
Body size variability across habitats in the Brachionus plicatilis cryptic species complex
Authors: Walczyńska Aleksandra , Serra Manuel 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe body size response to temperature is one of the most recognizable but still poorly understood ecological phenomena. Other covarying environmental factors are frequently invoked as either affecting the strength of that response or even driving this pattern. We tested the body size response in five species representing the Brachionus plicatilis cryptic species complex, inhabiting 10 brackish ponds with different environmental characteristics. Principal Component Analysis selected salinity and oxygen concentration as the most important factors, while temperature and pH were less influential in explaining variation of limnological parameters. Path analysis showed a positive interclonal effect of pH on body size. At the interspecific level, the size response was species- and factor-dependent. Under the lack of a natural thermo-oxygenic relationship, the negative response of size to temperature, expected according to ‘size-to-temperature response’ rules, disappeared, but a positive response of size to oxygen, expected according to predictions selecting oxygen as a factor actually driving these rules, remained. Our results confirm the crucial role of oxygen in determining the size-to-temperature patterns observed in the field.
Effects of rice straw biochar on microbial community structure and metabolic function during anaerobic digestion
Authors: Wang Su , Shi Fengmei , Li Pengfei , Yang Fengshan , Pei Zhanjiang , Yu Qiuyue , Zuo Xin , Liu Jie 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAnaerobic digestion technology mitigates agricultural organic waste pollution, thereby alleviating the energy crisis. Biochar materials increase the utilisation rate of biomass resources and promote the enrichment and growth of microorganisms. Biochar is an effective exogenous additive that stabilises the anaerobic digestion, improves anaerobic digestion efficiency and gas production. Herein, biochar materials were prepared from rice straw utilising the sequencing batch anaerobic digestion process. The biochar microstructure was characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and microbial succession and metabolic pathways were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing to reveal the molecular mechanisms. Rice straw biochar addition increased gas production during anaerobic fermentation. SEM revealed that numerous cocci and microbacteria became agglomerated and attached to the surface and pores of biochar, which was revealed by BET analysis to be a good habitat for microorganisms. After anaerobic digestion, the specific surface area and total pore volume of biochar decreased. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that biochar affected the abundance of certain bacteria and archaea. Biochar had no obvious effect on the function of bacterial flora but inhibited carbohydrate metabolism by bacteria and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism by archaea in the anaerobic fermentation system while promoting lipid metabolism by archaea. Biochar addition inhibited acetic acid production in the anaerobic fermentation system and promoted methane production based on hydrogen and carbon dioxide levels.
Interaction of human CRX and NRL in live HEK293T cells measured using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)
Authors: Zhuo Xinming , Knox Barry E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCRX and NRL are retina-specific transcription factors that control rod photoreceptor differentiation and synergistically activate rod phototransduction gene expression. Previous experiments showed they interact in vitro and in yeast two-hybrid assays. Here, we examined CRX-NRL interaction in live HEK293T cells using two fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approaches: confocal microscopy and flow cytometry (FC-FRET). FC-FRET can provide measurements from many cells having wide donor–acceptor expression ranges. FRET efficiencies were calibrated with a series of donor (EGFP)-acceptor (mCherry) fusion proteins separated with linkers between 6–45 amino acids. CRX and NRL were fused at either terminus with EGFP or mCherry to create fluorescent proteins, and all combinations were tested in transiently transfected cells. FRET signals between CRX or NRL homo-pairs were highest with both fluorophores fused to the DNA binding domains (DBD), lower with both fused to the activation domains (AD), and not significant when fused on opposite termini. NRL had stronger FRET signals than CRX. A significant FRET signal between CRX and NRL hetero-pairs was detected when donor was fused to the CRX DNA binding domain and the acceptor fused to the NRL activation domain. FRET signals increased with CRX or NRL expression levels at a rate much higher than expected for collisional FRET alone. Together, our results show the formation of CRX-NRL complexes in live HEK293T cells that are close enough for FRET.
Circulating microRNA profiling is altered in the acute respiratory distress syndrome related to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Garcia-Giralt Natalia , Du Juan , Marin-Corral Judith , Bódalo-Torruella Marta , Blasco-Hernando Fabiola , Muñoz-Bermúdez Rosana , Clarós Miquel , Nonell Lara , Perera-Bel Julia , Fernandez-González Marta , Nogues Xavier , Sorli-Redó Luisa , Güerri-Fernández Robert 
Published: April 2022

AbstractOne of the hallmarks of SARS-CoV-2 infection is an induced immune dysregulation, in some cases resulting in cytokine storm syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Several physiological parameters are altered as a result of infection and cytokine storm. Among them, microRNAs (miRNAs) might reflect this poor condition since they play a significant role in immune cellular performance including inflammatory responses. Circulating miRNAs in patients who underwent ARDS and needed mechanical ventilation (MV+; n = 15) were analyzed by next generation sequencing in comparison with patients who had COVID-19 poor symptoms but without intensive care unit requirement (MV−; n = 13). A comprehensive in silico analysis by integration with public gene expression dataset and pathway enrichment was performed. Whole miRNA sequencing identified 170 differentially expressed miRNAs between patient groups. After the validation step by qPCR in an independent sample set (MV+  = 10 vs. MV− = 10), the miR-369-3p was found significantly decreased in MV+ patients (Fold change − 2.7). After integrating with gene expression results from COVID-19 patients, the most significant GO enriched pathways were acute inflammatory response, regulation of transmembrane receptor protein Ser/Thr, fat cell differentiation, and regulation of biomineralization and ossification. In conclusion, miR-369-3p was altered in patients with mechanical ventilation requirement in comparison with COVID-19 patients without this requirement. This miRNA is involved in inflammatory response which it can be considered as a prognosis factor for ARDS in COVID-19 patients.
Airway epithelial interferon response to SARS-CoV-2 is inferior to rhinovirus and heterologous rhinovirus infection suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication
Authors: Vanderwall Elizabeth R. , Barrow Kaitlyn A. , Rich Lucille M. , Read David F. , Trapnell Cole , Okoloko Oghenemega , Ziegler Steven F. , Hallstrand Teal S. , White Maria P. , Debley Jason S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCommon alphacoronaviruses and human rhinoviruses (HRV) induce type I and III interferon (IFN) responses important to limiting viral replication in the airway epithelium. In contrast, highly pathogenic betacoronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 may evade or antagonize RNA-induced IFN I/III responses. In airway epithelial cells (AECs) from children and older adults we compared IFN I/III responses to SARS-CoV-2 and HRV-16, and assessed whether pre-infection with HRV-16, or pretreatment with recombinant IFN-β or IFN-λ, modified SARS-CoV-2 replication. Bronchial AECs from children (ages 6–18 years) and older adults (ages 60–75 years) were differentiated ex vivo to generate organotypic cultures. In a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facility, cultures were infected with SARS-CoV-2 or HRV-16, and RNA and protein was harvested from cell lysates 96 h. following infection and supernatant was collected 48 and 96 h. following infection. In additional experiments cultures were pre-infected with HRV-16, or pre-treated with recombinant IFN-β1 or IFN-λ2 before SARS-CoV-2 infection. In a subset of experiments a range of infectious concentrations of HRV-16, SARS-CoV-2 WA-01, SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, and SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant were studied. Despite significant between-donor heterogeneity SARS-CoV-2 replicated 100 times more efficiently than HRV-16. IFNB1, INFL2, and CXCL10 gene expression and protein production following HRV-16 infection was significantly greater than following SARS-CoV-2. IFN gene expression and protein production were inversely correlated with SARS-CoV-2 replication. Treatment of cultures with recombinant IFNβ1 or IFNλ2, or pre-infection of cultures with HRV-16, markedly reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication. In addition to marked between-donor heterogeneity in IFN responses and viral replication, SARS-CoV-2 (WA-01, Delta, and Omicron variants) elicits a less robust IFN response in primary AEC cultures than does rhinovirus, and heterologous rhinovirus infection, or treatment with recombinant IFN-β1 or IFN-λ2, reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication, although to a lesser degree for the Delta and Omicron variants.
High-flow nasal cannula improves respiratory impedance evaluated by impulse oscillometry in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kuo Yen-Liang , Chien Chen-Lin , Ko Hsin-Kuo , Lai Hsin-Chih , Lin Tzu-Lung , Lee Li-Na , Chang Chih-Yueh , Shen Hsiang-Shi , Lu Chia-Chen 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNon-pharmacological treatment with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) may play a vital role in treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To evaluate the efficacy of HFNC, impulse oscillation system (IOS) is a new noninvasive technique in measuring the impedance of different portions of lungs. It shows higher sensitivity in contrast to conventional pulmonary function tests (PFT). However, whether IOS is an appropriate technique to evaluate the efficacy of HFNC in improving the impedance of small airways or peripheral lung in patients with COPD is still unclear. We enrolled 26 stable COPD participants randomised into two groups receiving HFNC or nasal cannula (NC) for 10 min followed by a 4-week washout period and crossover alternatively. IOS was used to detect the difference of respiratory impedance after HFNC or NC interventions. IOS parameters, PFT results, transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide, peripheral oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, and blood pressure at the time of pre-HFNC, post-HFNC, pre-NC, and post-NC, were collected and analysed using SPSS (version 25.0, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The IOS measurement indicated that HFNC significantly improved R5, R5% predicted, R5–R20, X5-predicted, and Fres compared with NC, whereas no significant difference was observed through the PFT measurement. The beneficial effect of HFNC in improving small airway resistance and peripheral lung reactance compared with that of NC in patients with stable COPD was confirmed through IOS measurement.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05130112 22/11/2021.
Interictal plasma glutamate levels are elevated in individuals with episodic and chronic migraine
Authors: Park Chae Gyu , Chu Min Kyung 
Published: April 2022

AbstractGlutamate is implicated in migraine pathogenesis including central sensitization and pain transmission. Altered plasma glutamate levels has been noted in migraine. Chronic migraine (CM) presented a higher degree of central sensitization and pain transmission than episodic migraine (EM). However, no study has evaluated plasma glutamate levels separately in EM and CM. This study aimed to assess plasma glutamate levels in EM and CM compared to controls. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess plasma glutamate levels in females with EM (n = 98) and CM (n = 92) as well as controls (n = 50). Plasma glutamate levels in participants with EM (median and interquartile range, 49.73 [40.82–66.12] μmol/L, p < 0.001) and CM (58.70 [44.64–72.46] μmol/L, p < 0.001) were significantly higher than those in controls (38.79 [29.50–53.60] μmol/L). Glutamate levels were not significantly different between participants with EM and CM (p = 0.075). There was no significant association of plasma glutamate levels with headache frequency (exponential and 95% confidence interval, 1.285 [0.941–1.755]) and intensity (mild, 59.95 [59.95–59.95] μmol/L vs. moderate, 52.76 [40.83–106.89] μmol/L vs. severe, 55.16 [42.34–68.03] μmol/L, p = 0.472). The plasma glutamate level is a potential indicator for EM and CM.
Forced convection flow of water conveying AA7072 and AA7075 alloys-nanomaterials on variable thickness object experiencing Dufour and Soret effects
Authors: Khan Umair , Zaib A. , Abu Bakar Sakhinah , Ishak Anuar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHybrid nanofluids containing titanium alloy particles have a large class of applications in industrial plastics and soaps, microsensors, aerospace material designs, optical filters, nanowires, surgical implants, and a variety of biological applications. This paper presents a mathematical analysis of Soret and Dufour impacts on the radiative flow through a thin moving needle of binary hybrid alloys nanoparticles. The transformed ordinary differential equations are solved numerically using the built-in function, bvp4c, in MATLAB software. The influences of all relevant parameters are shown in figures and tables. Two outcomes are developed for a precise range of the velocity ratio parameter. In particular, dual solutions are obtained when the needle and the fluid move in the opposite directions, while the solution is unique when they move in the same direction. The outcomes disclose that addition of nanoparticles into the base fluid upsurges the shear stress and the Nusselt number while decreasing the Sherwood number. Meanwhile, an upsurge in the needle size results in an uplift of the temperature and the concentration for the upper branch solution, whereas the velocity declines.
Evaluation of corneal nerves and dendritic cells by in vivo confocal microscopy after Descemet’s membrane keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy
Authors: Shimizu Toshiki , Hayashi Takahiko , Ishida Atsuyuki , Kobayashi Akira , Yamaguchi Takefumi , Mizuki Nobuhisa , Yuda Kenji , Yamagami Satoru 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study evaluated changes in corneal nerves and the number of dendritic cells (DCs) in corneal basal epithelium following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery for bullous keratopathy (BK). Twenty-three eyes from 16 consecutive patients that underwent DMEK for BK were included. Eyes of age-matched patients that underwent pre-cataract surgery (12 eyes) were used as controls. In vivo confocal microscopy was performed pre- and postoperatively at 6, 12, and 24 months. Corneal nerve length, corneal nerve trunks, number of branches, and the number of DCs were determined. The total corneal nerve length of 1634.7 ± 1389.1 μm/mm2 before surgery was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner to 4485.8 ± 1403.7 μm/mm2, 6949.5 ± 1477.1 μm/mm2, and 9389.2 ± 2302.2 μm/mm2 at 6, 12, and 24 months after DMEK surgery, respectively. The DC density in BK cornea pre- and postoperatively at 6 months was significantly higher than in the controls, and decreased postoperatively at 12 and 24 months and was significantly lower than that at 6 months postoperatively. Thus, our results suggest that DMEK can repair and normalize the corneal environment.
Bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis caused by metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kim Sungwon , Kim Jin Hyoung , Ko Gi-Young , Gwon Dong Il , Shin Ji Hoon , Yoon Hyun-Ki 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBecause of its extremely rare incidence, the safety and efficacy of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) for the treatment of hemoptysis caused by pulmonary metastasis from HCC are not well known. We therefore evaluated the safety and efficacy of BAE in these patients. Data from 18 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pulmonary metastasis who received BAE for the treatment of hemoptysis between 2003 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Technical and clinical success were achieved in 100% and 94% of patients, respectively. Of the 18 embolization procedures, six were performed using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles only, five were performed using gelfoam only, three were performed using gelfoam plus microcoils, one was performed using PVA plus microcoils, one was performed using embospheres, one was performed using lipiodol plus PVA and gelfoam, and one was performed using hystoacryl with microballoon protection. In eight patients for whom CT just before BAE and at follow-up were available, the mean size of the largest metastatic tumor decreased from 5.1 to 3.7 cm (P = 0.035). Hemoptysis recurred in three patients (17%) during follow-up. The median overall and hemoptysis-free survival periods were 149 days and 132 days, respectively. BAE is an effective and safe option for the treatment of hemoptysis in patients with pulmonary metastasis from HCC, with a favorable clinical success rate and a low rate of hemoptysis recurrence. In addition, we also observed BAE to have a positive antitumor effect on pulmonary metastases from HCC, but this requires confirmation in a future study.
The bryophyte community as bioindicator of heavy metals in a waterfall outflow
Authors: Printarakul Narin , Meeinkuirt Weeradej 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe species diversity and heavy metal accumulation in bryophytes were determined in Huay Pah Lahd stream in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand. Eight bryophytes from two major taxonomic groupings (epilithic mosses and liverworts) were investigated. Of these, Fissidens crispulus var. crispulus was the most dominant taxon with an importance value (IV) of 28.98%, while Ectropothecium zollingeri, Claopodium prionophyllum, and Hyophila involuta were also dominant taxa with IV ≥ 10%. Scopelophila cataractae, a rare moss species with the lowest IV (0.91%) had the greatest capacity to accumulate metals in tissue, particularly Fe, Zn, Cd and Cu in protonemata (8026.7, 1187.2, 16.9 and 530.1 mg kg−1, respectively). The highest enrichment factors (EFs) of Zn, Cd and Cu (5.3, 2.4 and 0.9, respectively) were also found in S. cataractae, while the highest EFMn (1.1) was found in H. involuta. Enrichment factors of most heavy metals were < 5 from the study bryophytes, which suggests that natural processes were the key source of heavy metals. Dilution effects caused by increased water volume during the rainy season may be responsible for low pollutant loads and the maintenance of good water quality in this waterfall stream, which is favorable for biota and general environmental health.
Urodynamic study findings and related influential factors in pediatric spastic cerebral palsy
Authors: Jiang Wenbin , Sun Huizhen , Gu Baojun , Zhan Qijia , Wei Min , Li Sen , Chen Fang , Xiao Bo 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTo investigate the urodynamic study (UDS) result in pediatric patients suffering from spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Medical records of patients diagnosed CP having pre-operative UDS results underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) from Jan. 2020 to May. 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-seven cases diagnosed spastic CP were included in the study (mean age, 6.73 ± 2.84 years), among which, 46 were ambulatory and 11 non-ambulatory. Average gross motor function measure-66 (GMFM-66) score was 62.16 ± 11.39. Reduced bladder capacity was seen in 49.12% of these cases and cases with lower GMFM-66 score possessed a higher incidence rate of having low bladder capacity (p < 0.01). Detrusor overactivity (DO) was shown in 33.33% of the patients. Cases with younger age presented a higher prevalence of DO (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, more non-ambulant patients suffered from DO (p < 0.05). Increased post-voiding residual (PVR) was seen in 21.05% of the cases. Those with higher average threshold in sphincter-associated input spinal nerve roots (rootlets) witnessed a higher rate of having abnormal PVR (p < 0.05). Abnormal UDS results were prevalent in pediatric patients suffering from CP. Motor function, age and threshold of their sphincter-associated spinal nerve roots laid corresponding effect on the abnormal UDS results.