bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of hollow wall effect on the fluid dynamics in the orbitally shaken bioreactors
Authors: Zhu Likuan , Chen Weiqing , Zhao Chunyang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOrbitally shaking bioreactors (OSRs) have recently been increasingly applied in the biopharmaceutical industry because they can provide a suitable environment for mammalian cell growth and protein expression. Fluid dynamics information is crucial for analyzing or optimizing of different types of bioreactors. Considering that the structure has an important influence on the fluid dynamics in a bioreactor, it necessary to design or optimize its structure by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The aim of this study is to optimize the wall structure of a hollow cylinder OSR proposed in our previous work. Based on previous research, the influences of the hollow wall of the OSR on fluid dynamics and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient ($$k_{L}a$$

k
L

a

) were analysed by the established CFD model. The results showed that the mixing performance of OSR could be improved by decreasing the installation height of the hollow wall. An installation height of 30 mm was found to be most favourable for mixing. The reliability of the CFD model was verified by comparing the liquid wave height and liquid wave shape between the simulation and experiment. The shear stress in the hollow cylinder OSR was proven gentle for mammalian cell cultivation.
Atherogenic index of plasma is associated with epicardial adipose tissue volume assessed on coronary computed tomography angiography
Authors: Yuvaraj Jeremy , Isa Mourushi , Che Zhu Chung , Lim Egynne , Nerlekar Nitesh , Nicholls Stephen J. , Seneviratne Sujith , Lin Andrew , Dey Damini , Wong Dennis T. L. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a novel biomarker of atherogenic dyslipidaemia (AD), but its relationship with cardiac adipose tissue depots is unknown. We aimed to assess the association of AD with cardiac adipose tissue parameters on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We studied 161 patients who underwent CCTA between 2008 and 2011 (age 59.0 ± 14.0 years). AD was defined as triglyceride (TG) > 1.7 mmol/L and HDL < 1.0 mmol/L (n = 34). AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithmic ratio of TG to HDL. Plaque burden was assessed using the CT-Leaman score (CT-LeSc). We studied volume and attenuation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT-v and EAT-a) and pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT-v and PCAT-a) on CCTA using semi-automated software. Patients with AD had higher PCAT-v (p = 0.042) and EAT-v (p = 0.041). AIP was associated with EAT-v (p = 0.006), type II diabetes (p = 0.009) and male sex (p < 0.001) and correlated with CT-LeSc (p = 0.040). On multivariable analysis, AIP was associated with EAT-v ≥ 52.3 cm3, age, male sex and type II diabetes when corrected for traditional risk factors and plaque burden. AIP is associated with increased EAT volume, but not PCAT-a, after multivariable adjustment. These findings indicate AIP is associated with adverse adipose tissue changes which may increase coronary risk.
Deep ocean drivers better explain habitat preferences of sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus than beaked whales in the Bay of Biscay
Authors: Virgili Auriane , Teillard Valentin , Dorémus Ghislain , Dunn Timothy E. , Laran Sophie , Lewis Mark , Louzao Maite , Martínez-Cedeira José , Pettex Emeline , Ruiz Leire , Saavedra Camilo , Santos M. Begoña , Van Canneyt Olivier , Vázquez Bonales José Antonio , Ridoux Vincent 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSpecies Distribution Models are commonly used with surface dynamic environmental variables as proxies for prey distribution to characterise marine top predator habitats. For oceanic species that spend lot of time at depth, surface variables might not be relevant to predict deep-dwelling prey distributions. We hypothesised that descriptors of deep-water layers would better predict the deep-diving cetacean distributions than surface variables. We combined static variables and dynamic variables integrated over different depth classes of the water column into Generalised Additive Models to predict the distribution of sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus and beaked whales Ziphiidae in the Bay of Biscay, eastern North Atlantic. We identified which variables best predicted their distribution. Although the highest densities of both taxa were predicted near the continental slope and canyons, the most important variables for beaked whales appeared to be static variables and surface to subsurface dynamic variables, while for sperm whales only surface and deep-water variables were selected. This could suggest differences in foraging strategies and in the prey targeted between the two taxa. Increasing the use of variables describing the deep-water layers would provide a better understanding of the oceanic species distribution and better assist in the planning of human activities in these habitats.
Magnetic cryogels as a shape-selective and customizable platform for hyperthermia-mediated drug delivery
Authors: Perera Ayomi S. , Jackson Richard J. , Bristow Reece M. D. , White Chinyere A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCryogels consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and iron (II, III) oxide magnetic nanoparticles coated with a model drug—acetaminophen, were developed as a tunable platform for thermally triggered drug release, based on shape-selective heat transfer. Two different shapes of cryogels; discs and spherical caps, were formed via adding polymer-nanoparticle-drug mixtures into 3D printed molds, followed by freeze-thawing five times. No additional chemical crosslinking agents were used for gel formation and the iron oxide nanoparticles were coated with acetaminophen using only citric acid as a hydrogen-bonding linker. The two gel shapes displayed varying levels of acetaminophen release within 42–50 °C, which are ideal temperatures for hyperthermia induced drug delivery. The amount and time of drug-release were shown to be tunable by changing the temperature of the medium and the shape of the gels, while keeping all other factors (ex. gel volume, surface area, polymer/nanoparticle concentrations and drug-loading) constant. The discs displayed higher drug release at all temperatures while being particularly effective at lower temperatures (42–46 °C), in contrast to the spherical caps, which were more effective at higher temperatures (48–50 °C). Magnetic hyperthermia-mediated thermal imaging and temperature profiling studies revealed starkly different heat transfer behavior from the two shapes of gels. The disc gels retained their structural integrity up to 51 °C, while the spherical caps were stable up to 59 °C, demonstrating shape-dependent robustness. The highly customizable physicochemical features, facile synthesis, biocompatibility and tunable drug release ability of these cryogels offer potential for their application as a low cost, safe and effective platform for hyperthermia-mediated drug delivery, for external applications such as wound care/muscle repair or internal applications such as melanoma treatment.
miR-375 is cold exposure sensitive and drives thermogenesis in visceral adipose tissue derived stem cells
Authors: Seeliger Claudine , Krauss Tanja , Honecker Julius , Mengel Laura Aline , Buekens Lise , Mesas-Fernández Alberto , Skurk Thomas , Claussnitzer Melina , Hauner Hans 
Published: June 2022

AbstractActivation of brown adipose tissue may increase energy expenditure by non-shivering thermogenesis. Cold exposure is one of the options to activate brown adipocytes. To link changes in energy metabolism with microRNA expression (miRNAs), we analyzed 158 miRNAs in serum of 169 healthy individuals before and after cold exposure. Validating the results of a miRNA array, a significant down-regulation of miR-375 after cold exposure (P < 0.0001) was detected. These changes went along with a significant negative correlation between miR-375 and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass (P < 0.0001), implicating a specific function of miR-375 in this depot. Significantly higher expression levels of miR-375 were found in VAT in comparison to subcutaneous fat (SAT). Using in silico prediction, we identified putative miR-375 target genes involved in the thermogenesis pathway. Cold-stimulation of subcutaneous and visceral pre-adipocytes (PACs) led to significantly higher expression levels of FABP4, FGF21, PPARGC1A and PRDM16 in VC-PACs. Analyzing miR-375 knock down and cold stimulated VC-PACs revealed a significant up-regulation of thermogenesis associated genes PPARGC1A, ELOVL3 and PRDM16. In summary, our findings identified miR-375 as a potential adipogenic and thermogenesis-associated miRNA exclusively acting in visceral adipose tissue.
Effect of elastic constants on electrically induced transition in twisted radial cholesteric droplets
Authors: Rudyak Vladimir Yu. , Krakhalev Mikhail N. , Gardymova Anna P. , Abdullaev Abylgazy S. , Alekseev Andrey A. , Zyryanov Victor Ya. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this work, we investigated the behavior of cholesteric droplets with homeotropic boundary conditions experimentally and by computer simulations. Small droplets forming twisted radial structures were studied. We obtained two different paths of structural transformations under electric field in such droplets. The choice between these paths has probabilistic nature. The ratio between the two transition types was found to be sensitive to the elastic constants of LC forming the droplet. We suggest the principal approach forin situestimation of ratios between elastic constants in cholesteric LCs deposited in polymer-dispersed LC material and discuss its strong and weak sides.
Multi-modal and multi-scale clinical retinal imaging system with pupil and retinal tracking
Authors: Shirazi Muhammad Faizan , Andilla Jordi , Lefaudeux Nicolas , Valdes Claudia , Schwarzhans Florian , Durand Marine , Ntatsis Konstantinos , De Jesus Danilo Andrade , Sanchez Brea Luisa , Gocho Kiyoko , Gautier Josselin , Eckmann-Hansen Christina , Torm Marie Elise Wistrup , Amini Abdullah , Klein Stefan , Van Walsum Theo , Grieve Kate , Paques Michel , Larsen Michael , Loza-Alvarez Pablo , Levecq Xavier , Chateau Nicolas , Pircher Michael 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe present a compact multi-modal and multi-scale retinal imaging instrument with an angiographic functional extension for clinical use. The system integrates scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging modalities and provides multi-scale fields of view. For high resolution, and high lateral resolution in particular, cellular imaging correction of aberrations by adaptive optics (AO) is employed. The entire instrument has a compact design and the scanning head is mounted on motorized translation stages that enable 3D self-alignment with respect to the subject’s eye by tracking the pupil position. Retinal tracking, based on the information provided by SLO, is incorporated in the instrument to compensate for retinal motion during OCT imaging. The imaging capabilities of the multi-modal and multi-scale instrument were tested by imaging healthy volunteers and patients.
Individualized identification of sexual dysfunction of psychiatric patients with machine-learning
Authors: Liu Yang S. , Hankey Jeffrey R. , Chokka Stefani , Chokka Pratap R. , Cao Bo 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSexual dysfunction (SD) is prevalent in patients with mental health disorders and can significantly impair their quality of life. Early recognition of SD in a clinical setting may help patients and clinicians to optimize treatment options of SD and/or other primary diagnoses taking SD risk into account and may facilitate treatment compliance. SD identification is often overlooked in clinical practice; we seek to explore whether patients with a high risk of SD can be identified at the individual level by assessing known risk factors via a machine learning (ML) model. We assessed 135 subjects referred to a tertiary mental health clinic in a Western Canadian city using health records data, including age, sex, physician’s diagnoses, drug treatment, and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX). A ML model was fitted to the data, with SD status derived from the ASEX as target outcomes and all other variables as predicting variables. Our ML model was able to identify individual SD cases—achieving a balanced accuracy of 0.736, with a sensitivity of 0.750 and a specificity of 0.721—and identified major depressive disorder and female sex as risk factors, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a potential protective factor. This study highlights the utility of SD screening in a psychiatric clinical setting, demonstrating a proof-of-concept ML approach for SD screening in psychiatric patients, which has marked potential to improve their quality of life.
A new therapy against ulcerative colitis via the intestine and brain using the Si-based agent
Authors: Koyama Yoshihisa , Kobayashi Yuki , Hirota Ikuei , Sun Yuanjie , Ohtsu Iwao , Imai Hiroe , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Yanagawa Hiroto , Sumi Takuya , Kobayashi Hikaru , Shimada Shoichi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUlcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and erosions in the colonic mucosa and becomes chronic with cycles of amelioration and exacerbation. Because its exact etiology remains largely unclear, and the primary therapy is limited to symptomatic treatment, the development of new therapeutic agent for UC is highly desired. Because one of the disease pathogenesis is involvement of oxidative stress, it is likely that an appropriate antioxidant will be an effective therapeutic agent for UC. Our silicon (Si)-based agent, when ingested, allowed for stable and persistent generation of massive amounts of hydrogen in the gastrointestinal tract. We demonstrated the Si-based agent alleviated the mental symptom as well as the gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, and oxidation associated with dextran sodium sulfate-induced UC model through Hydrogen and antioxidant sulfur compounds. As the Si-based agent was effective in treating UC in the brain and large intestine of mice, it was considered to be capable of suppressing exacerbations and sustaining remission of UC.
Comparative screening the life-time composition and crystallinity variation in gilthead seabream otoliths Sparus aurata from different marine environments
Authors: Lazar Geza , Nekvapil Fran , Matić-Skoko Sanja , Firta Călin , Vrdoljak Dario , Uvanović Hana , Barbu-Tudoran Lucian , Suciu Maria , Glamuzina Luka , Glamuzina Branko , Mertz-Kraus Regina , Cinta Pinzaru Simona 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDifferences in crystallinity, structure and composition variation along the growing direction in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata otoliths that inhabited different environments were determined to evaluate the correlation of spectroscopic and chemical data with the lifetime development and movement pattern. The Raman spectroscopy signal provided the characteristic bands whose Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) were used to track the signal variability. The FWHM showed an initial increase in the core area, followed by a decrease depicting two minima coinciding growth rings. The crystal discontinuity linked to annual rings was confirmed. The FWHM pattern followed cycle in the individual’s activity. However, no significant correlation with FWHM and environmental factors although the slope of the FWHM variation distinguished aquaculture and costal groups from open sea and transitional, estuarine waters. Raman data were further correlated with morphological and elemental composition obtained via SEM–EDX and by LA-ICP-MS. SEM clearly confirmed CRM findings. Finally, multiparameter analysis of Ba/Ca concentrations obtained by LA-ICP-MS indicated the separation of groups associated with aquaculture and transitional waters due lowest variability in the elemental composition. Other groups are more variable possibly due to the water oligotrophic character and greater variability in prey availability in each environment. Results of the present study showed the additional potential of Raman spectroscopy as a complementary tool for inference of migration or origin of fish based on otolith composition and structure like other well-established technique.
Maximum depth sequencing reveals an ON/OFF replication slippage switch and apparent in vivo selection for bifidobacterial pilus expression
Authors: Penno Christophe , Motherway Mary O’Connell , Fu Yuan , Sharma Virag , Crispie Fiona , Cotter Paul D. , Houeix Benoit , Joshi Lokesh , Bottacini Francesca , O’Dwyer Aoife , Loughran Gary , Atkins John F. , van Sinderen Douwe 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe human gut microbiome, of which the genus Bifidobacterium is a prevalent and abundant member, is thought to sustain and enhance human health. Several surface-exposed structures, including so-called sortase-dependent pili, represent important bifidobacterial gut colonization factors. Here we show that expression of two sortase-dependent pilus clusters of the prototype Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 depends on replication slippage at an intragenic G-tract, equivalents of which are present in various members of the Bifidobacterium genus. The nature and extent of this slippage is modulated by the host environment. Involvement of such sortase-dependent pilus clusters in microbe-host interactions, including bacterial attachment to the gut epithelial cells, has been shown previously and is corroborated here for one case. Using a Maximum Depth Sequencing strategy aimed at excluding PCR and sequencing errors introduced by DNA polymerase reagents, specific G-tract sequences in B. breve UCC2003 reveal a range of G-tract lengths whose plasticity within the population is functionally utilized. Interestingly, replication slippage is shown to be modulated under in vivo conditions in a murine model. This in vivo modulation causes an enrichment of a G-tract length which appears to allow biosynthesis of these sortase-dependent pili. This work provides the first example of productive replication slippage influenced by in vivo conditions. It highlights the potential for microdiversity generation in “beneficial” gut commensals.
An alternative method for personalized tourniquet pressure in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized and controlled study
Authors: Wu Jun , Fu QiWei , Li HaoBo , Han YaGuang , Deng JianHua , Chen Yi , Qian QiRong 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTourniquet use always carries potential risks, which can range from mild transient functional impairments of thigh pain, skin blisters to severe permanent dysfunction of limb paralysis, nerve injuries or compartment syndrome. The ideal method for minimizing intraoperative tourniquet pressure (TP) for reducing postoperative complications remains controversial. In this prospective, randomized and controlled study, we reinvestigated an estimation formula for TP based on thigh circumferences and systolic blood pressure (SBP) with two traditional methods for TP determination in total knee arthroplasty (TKA): SBP plus 100 mmHg and a fixed value of 300 mmHg. TP values and postoperative thigh pain scores were compared among three groups. The intraoperative TP value of the formula-calculated group was lower than that of the traditional groups (14.7 mmHg, P = 0.3475 and 94.7 mmHg, P < 0.0001, respectively), while no differences of hemostatic effect at the surgical fields and wound complications were detected among groups. The thigh pain scores at the tourniquet site decreased gradually over time and the estimation group had the lowest scores at each timepoint after surgery. Estimation method for TP was easy and rapid, without relying on specific equipment. It could provide a practical low TP and comparable hemostatic effect in TKA using an inflating tourniquet.
Remdesivir for the treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 receiving supplemental oxygen: a targeted literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Beckerman Rachel , Gori Andrea , Jeyakumar Sushanth , Malin Jakob J. , Paredes Roger , Póvoa Pedro , Smith Nathaniel J. , Teixeira-Pinto Armando 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis network meta-analysis (NMA) assessed the efficacy of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 requiring supplemental oxygen. Randomized controlled trials of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, where patients were receiving supplemental oxygen at baseline and at least one arm received treatment with remdesivir, were identified. Outcomes included mortality, recovery, and no longer requiring supplemental oxygen. NMAs were performed for low-flow oxygen (LFO2); high-flow oxygen (HFO2), including NIV (non-invasive ventilation); or oxygen at any flow (AnyO2) at early (day 14/15) and late (day 28/29) time points. Six studies were included (N = 5245 patients) in the NMA. Remdesivir lowered early and late mortality among AnyO2 patients (risk ratio (RR) 0.52, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.34–0.79; RR 0.81, 95%CrI 0.69–0.95) and LFO2 patients (RR 0.21, 95%CrI 0.09–0.46; RR 0.24, 95%CrI 0.11–0.48); no improvement was observed among HFO2 patients. Improved early and late recovery was observed among LFO2 patients (RR 1.22, 95%CrI 1.09–1.38; RR 1.17, 95%CrI 1.09–1.28). Remdesivir also lowered the requirement for oxygen support among all patient subgroups. Among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 requiring supplemental oxygen at baseline, use of remdesivir compared to best supportive care is likely to improve the risk of mortality, recovery and need for oxygen support in AnyO2 and LFO2 patients.
E-textile based modular sEMG suit for large area level of effort analysis
Authors: Ohiri Korine A. , Pyles Connor O. , Hamilton Leslie H. , Baker Megan M. , McGuire Matthew T. , Nguyen Eric Q. , Osborn Luke E. , Rossick Katelyn M. , McDowell Emil G. , Strohsnitter Leah M. , Currano Luke J. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe present a novel design for an e-textile based surface electromyography (sEMG) suit that incorporates stretchable conductive textiles as electrodes and interconnects within an athletic compression garment. The fabrication and assembly approach is a facile combination of laser cutting and heat-press lamination that provides for rapid prototyping of designs in a typical research environment without need for any specialized textile or garment manufacturing equipment. The materials used are robust to wear, resilient to the high strains encountered in clothing, and can be machine laundered. The suit produces sEMG signal quality comparable to conventional adhesive electrodes, but with improved comfort, longevity, and reusability. The embedded electronics provide signal conditioning, amplification, digitization, and processing power to convert the raw EMG signals to a level-of-effort estimation for flexion and extension of the elbow and knee joints. The approach we detail herein is also expected to be extensible to a variety of other electrophysiological sensors.