bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tonotopic differentiation of presynaptic neurotransmitter‐releasing machinery in the auditory brainstem during the prehearing period and its selective deficits in Fmr1 knockout mice
Authors: Yu Xiaoyan , Wang Yuan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTonotopic organization is a fundamental feature of the auditory system. In the developing auditory brainstem, the ontogeny and maturation of neurotransmission progress from high to low frequencies along the tonotopic axis. To explore the underlying mechanism of this tonotopic development, we aim to determine whether the presynaptic machinery responsible for neurotransmitter release is tonotopically differentiated during development. In the current study, we examined vesicular neurotransmitter transporters and calcium sensors, two central players responsible for loading neurotransmitter into synaptic vesicles and for triggering neurotransmitter release in a calcium‐dependent manner, respectively. Using immunocytochemistry, we characterized the distribution patterns of vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) 1 and 2, vesicular gamma‐aminobutyric acid transporter (VGAT), and calcium sensor synaptotagmin (Syt) 1 and 2 in the developing mouse medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). We identified tonotopic gradients of VGLUT1, VGAT, Syt1, and Syt2 in the first postnatal week, with higher protein densities in the more medial (high‐frequency) portion of the MNTB. These gradients gradually flattened before the onset of hearing. In contrast, VGLUT2 was distributed relatively uniformly along the tonotopic axis during this prehearing period. In mice lacking Fragile X mental retardation protein, an mRNA‐binding protein that regulates synaptic development and plasticity, progress to achieve the mature‐like organization was altered for VGLUT1, Syt1, and Syt2, but not for VGAT. Together, our results identified novel organization patterns of selective presynaptic proteins in immature auditory synapses, providing a potential mechanism that may contribute to tonotopic differentiation of neurotransmission during normal and abnormal development.
Evaluation of Human Spermatozoa Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Using the JC‐1 Dye
Authors: Carrageta David F. , Freire‐Brito Laís , Oliveira Pedro F. , Alves Marco G. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMitochondria are fundamental for human spermatozoa motility and fertilizing ability. Mitochondria participate not only in ATP production, but also in reactive oxygen species production, redox equilibrium, and calcium regulation, all of which are central for human spermatozoa motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and ultimately, oocyte fertilization. Mitochondrial membrane potential is a key indicator of mitochondrial health and activity. Most commonly used methods for the study of mitochondrial membrane potential, however, cannot be applied to human spermatozoa due to their unique characteristics, including high motility and time‐dependent decay of quality, limiting the study of this important parameter in these cells. Here, we describe an easy, fast, and cheap protocol for the quantitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential, using the fluorescent cationic dye 5,5,6,6′‐tetrachloro‐1,1′,3,3′‐tetraethylbenzimi‐dazoylcarbocyanine iodide (JC‐1). JC‐1 is a sensitive marker for mitochondrial membrane potential, exhibiting a potential‐dependent accumulation in the mitochondria. At high mitochondrial membrane potential, JC‐1 forms J‐aggregates, which emit red fluorescence, whereas at low mitochondrial membrane potential, JC‐1 remains at its monomer state, which emits green fluorescence. We first describe how to evaluate human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using JC‐1 and a fluorescence plate reader, for high‐throughput studies. The calculation of the JC‐1 ratio (indicative of the J‐aggregates/monomers ratio) is then used to quantitatively evaluate mitochondrial health and activity. In addition, we describe an imaging protocol for the qualitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using a fluorescence microscope. This allows for a visual analysis of the results that can complement the quantitative data. These protocols can be used to study the effects of spermatozoa exposure to compounds of interest, and alterations due to diseases or different conditions. While these protocols are illustrated with human spermatozoa, they can be adapted and used on spermatozoa of different species. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Quantitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using the JC‐1 dye and a fluorescence plate readerBasic Protocol 2: Qualitative evaluation of human spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential using the JC‐1 dye and fluorescence microscopySupport Protocol: Preparation of the JC‐1 working solution
CRISPR/Cas9‐enhanced Targetron Insertion for Delivery of Heterologous Sequences into the Genome of Gram‐Negative Bacteria
Authors: Velázquez Elena , Al‐Ramahi Yamal , de Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTargetron technology, a gene‐editing approach based on the use of mobile group II introns, is particularly useful for bacterial strains deficient in homologous recombination. Specifically, the Ll.LtrB intron from Lactococcus lactis can be used in a wide range of species and can be easily retargeted, that is, modified for integration into any locus of interest. Targetron technology is thus a powerful tool for generating genomic insertions in a broad range of genetic backgrounds, mainly when no other techniques can be efficiently employed. Notably, the approach can be coupled to CRISPR/Cas9 counterselection of wildtype DNA sequences to decrease the population of unmodified cells and ultimately improve Ll.LtrB insertion efficiency. Here, we describe a step‐by‐step protocol for delivering exogenous sequences into the genome of Gram‐negative bacteria by means of targetron technology and CRISPR/Cas9 counterselection using Pseudomonas putida as a model. We describe the retargeting of the Ll.LtrB intron to the locus selected for insertion, the design of specific spacers for eliminating unmutated cells through CRISPR/Cas9 counterselection, and the cloning of exogenous sequences into Ll.LtrB. We also provide a protocol for delivering a specific cargo to the locus of choice once all necessary components of the system are ready. Lastly, we describe a general protocol for curing the engineered strain of all plasmids. CRISPR/Cas9‐enhanced Ll.LtrB insertion can be an efficient alternative for overcoming low recombination‐based editing efficiency and can be used in numerous bacterial species. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Retargeting the Ll.LtrB intron to the target locusSupport Protocol 1: Preparation of competent E. coliBasic Protocol 2: Design and cloning of CRISPR spacers to counterselect Ll.LtrB insertionsSupport Protocol 2: Interference assay to check efficiency of selected spacersBasic Protocol 3: Cloning cargos into Ll.LtrBBasic Protocol 4: Ll.LtrB/CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated insertionBasic Protocol 5: Curing the engineered strain of plasmids
Analysis, design, and minimum phase selection of high power interleaved DC–DC converter
Authors: Yedukondalu Guttula , Samanta Susovon , Joshi Mahendra 
Published: September 2022

SummaryThe primary use of interleaved bidirectional DC–DC converters (IBC) is for high current applications due to the inherent property of ripple cancellation, high redundancy, and improved efficiency. Proper analysis and design are required to improve the power density and reduce the cost of the ‐phase IBC. Ripple current analysis plays a vital role in choosing the inductor and filter capacitors to minimize the size of an IBC. This paper presents the simple and generalized formulas for the current ripple minimization of ‐phase IBC. Also, the inductor is designed with two different core materials, namely, Ferrite and Sendust. It is observed that the area product and weight of the magnetics have been reduced by 22% and 23%, respectively, for Sendust core in comparison with the Ferrite core. Furthermore, a discussion regarding the thermal analysis of IGBT modules to select an appropriate heat sink is stated. Moreover, the minimum phase selection has been proposed by considering several constraints such as area product of the core, discrete components size based on ripple analysis, cost of all components, and converter efficiency. The prototype of the selected minimum phase IBC has been developed and tested for a 7.5 kW power level using TMS320F28335.
Ultrahigh step‐up DC‐DC converter consisting quadratic boost converter, multiplier cell, and three windings coupled inductor
Authors: Abbasi Vahid , Mohammadi Tanha Kambiz , Rezaie Milad 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis paper presents an ultrahigh step‐up converter with combination of a quadratic boost converter, a multiplier cell, and a three windings coupled inductor. Main advantages of the converter include its high voltage gain, low voltage stress on the switch and most of the diodes, continuity of input current with low ripple, and existence of a common ground between the source and load. Furthermore, requiring small inductors leads to high efficiency performance of the converter. To confirm superiority of the proposed converter, it has been compared with the converters consisting coupled inductors. Analysis of the converter has been performed for its main operation modes to validate its quality and quantity factors. A prototype is built in order to experiment its performance per different conditions and evaluate the analysis. Rated values per the experiments are 25, 500, and 200 W for the input voltage, output voltage, and output power, respectively.
Analysis and comparison of high step‐up converters based on Greinacher voltage multiplier cells
Authors: Andres Bernardo , Faistel Tiago M. K. , Andrade António M. S. S. , Roggia Leandro , Schuch Luciano 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHigh step‐up converters are often used in photovoltaic applications due to low voltage of photovoltaic modules. In this paper, two new topologies, obtained with the insertion of voltage multiplier cells on secondary side of isolated SEPIC, are proposed. They have the advantages of continuous input current, isolation, high efficiency, and high voltage gain, being suitable for low power applications. To perform this study, theoretical and comparative analyses are accomplished. They include a description of each converter, tables, and curves with relevant information, such as voltage gain, total voltage stress, and total current stress. Moreover, the identification of the use of coupled inductor or transformer based on the analysis of DC magnetizing current is presented. Theoretical analysis and experimental results on 37.4/400 V, 50 kHz, and 200 W prototypes of selected isolated SEPIC with voltage doubler cell and voltage quadrupler cell are presented to validate the proposed topology and concept, where the maximum efficiency obtained for the converter with doubler cell is 96.85%, while for the converter with quadrupler cell is 97.75%.
Myocarditis following COVID‐19 vaccine: incidence, presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, therapy, and outcomes put into perspective. A clinical consensus document supported by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases
Authors: Heidecker Bettina , Dagan Noa , Balicer Ran , Eriksson Urs , Rosano Giuseppe , Coats Andrew , Tschöpe Carsten , Kelle Sebastian , Poland Gregory A. , Frustaci Andrea , Klingel Karin , Martin Pilar , Hare Joshua M. , Cooper Leslie T. , Pantazis Antonis , Imazio Massimo , Prasad Sanjay , Lüscher Thomas F. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractOver 10 million doses of COVID‐19 vaccines based on RNA technology, viral vectors, recombinant protein, and inactivated virus have been administered worldwide. Although generally very safe, post‐vaccine myocarditis can result from adaptive humoral and cellular, cardiac‐specific inflammation within days and weeks of vaccination. Rates of vaccine‐associated myocarditis vary by age and sex with the highest rates in males between 12 and 39 years. The clinical course is generally mild with rare cases of left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure and arrhythmias. Mild cases are likely underdiagnosed as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is not commonly performed even in suspected cases and not at all in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients. Hospitalization of symptomatic patients with electrocardiographic changes and increased plasma troponin levels is considered necessary in the acute phase to monitor for arrhythmias and potential decline in left ventricular function. In addition to evaluation for symptoms, electrocardiographic changes and elevated troponin levels, CMR is the best non‐invasive diagnostic tool with endomyocardial biopsy being restricted to severe cases with heart failure and/or arrhythmias. The management beyondguideline‐directed treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias includes non‐specific measures to control pain. Anti‐inflammatory drugs such as non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids have been used in more severe cases, with only anecdotal evidence for their effectiveness. In all age groups studied, the overall risks of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection‐related hospitalization and death are hugely greater than the risks from post‐vaccine myocarditis. This consensus statement serves as a practical resource for physicians in their clinical practice, to understand, diagnose, and manage affected patients. Furthermore, it is intended to stimulate research in this area.
The antiretroviral agents azidothymidine, stavudine, and didanosine have the identical mutational fingerprint in the rpoB region of Escherichia coli
Authors: Yaramada Lekha , Singh Sunjum , Ge Zoe , Shin Jeana , Mashiach Daniel , Miller Jeffrey H. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe looked at the mutational fingerprints of three antiretroviral (anti‐HIV) agents, azidothymidine (AZT), stavudine (STAV), and didanosine (DIDA) in the rpoB system of Escherichia coli and compared them with each other and with the fingerprints of trimethoprim and of spontaneous mutations in a wild‐type and a mutT background. All three agents gave virtually identical fingerprints in the wild‐type background, causing only A:T→C:G changes at 3 of the 12 A:T→C:G possible sites among the total of 92 possible base substitution mutations, even though AZT and STAV are thymidine analogs but DIDA is an adenosine analog. As all three agents are reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and act as chain blockers, the common fingerprint may be a property of chain blocking agents.
Brakerski‐Gentry‐Vaikuntanathan fully homomorphic encryption cryptography for privacy preserved data access in cloud assisted Internet of Things services using glow‐worm swarm optimization
Authors: Suma M. R. , Madhumathy P. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHealth monitoring sensors are widely available to monitor patients' health remotely. The collected sensor data are sent to cloud storage and processed in a remote health monitoring system. The Internet of Things (IoT) with cloud support offers a promising answer to data exploding concerns for the ability to constrain specific gadgets. However, IoT faces many security issues when sharing data between two users because of the cloud's leverage nature. In the case of a private cloud, simple encryption techniques can ensure security. But, in the case of a public cloud, maintaining data privacy is a significant issue. To overcome this concern, an optimized Brakerski‐Gentry‐Vaikuntanathan fully homomorphic encryption (BGV‐FHE) encryption method for secured data mutuality is proposed in this article. In this method, IoT medical data are initially acquired and then encrypted using two key schemes, and the data are stored in cloud storage. The main objective of these key schemes is to select optimal key parameters. Key parameters are chosen using the glow‐worm swarm optimization and used for the encryption phase. Storing data in the cloud using a public key provides access to requested users. Meanwhile, sensitive data are encrypted using a private key and cannot be accessed unless authenticated. This proposed approach has two levels of encryption, and thus it is an efficient data secured protocol for cloud resources. Implementing the optimized BGV‐FHE scheme based encryption scheme in Python, two datasets result in an accuracy level of 77% and 91%, respectively.
Cognitive decline and hippocampal functional connectivity within older Black adults
Authors: Han S. Duke , Fleischman Debra A. , Yu Lei , Poole Victoria , Lamar Melissa , Kim Namhee , Leurgans Sue E. , Bennett David A. , Arfanakis Konstantinos , Barnes Lisa L. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWhile there has been a proliferation of neuroimaging studies on cognitive decline in older non‐Hispanic White adults, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding neuroimaging correlates of cognitive decline in Black adults. Resting‐state functional neuroimaging approaches may be particularly sensitive to early cognitive decline, but there are no studies that we know of that apply this approach to examining associations of brain function to cognition in older Black adults. We investigated the association of cognitive decline with whole‐brain voxel‐wise functional connectivity to the hippocampus, a key brain region functionally implicated in early Alzheimer's dementia, in 132 older Black adults without dementia participating in the Minority Aging Research Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project, two longitudinal studies of aging that include harmonized annual cognitive assessments and magnetic resonance imaging brain imaging. In models adjusted for demographic factors (age, education, sex), global cognitive decline was associated with functional connectivity of the hippocampus to three clusters in the right and left frontal regions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In domain‐specific analyses, decline in semantic memory was associated with functional connectivity of the hippocampus to bilateral clusters in the precentral gyrus, and decline in perceptual speed was inversely associated with connectivity of the hippocampus to the bilateral intracalcarine cortex and the right fusiform gyrus. These findings elucidate neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive decline in older Black adults and may point to specific targets of intervention for Alzheimer's disease.
Utilizing 3D head and neck specimen scanning for intraoperative margin discussions: Proof of concept of our novel approach
Authors: Saturno Michael P. , Brandwein‐Weber Margaret , Greenberg Lily , Silberzweig Alex , Buchbinder Daniel , Dowling Eric M. , Khan Mohemmed N. , Chai Raymond , Urken Mark L. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe current standard of documenting and communicating frozen section margin results is inefficient. We present a novel method of generating 3D digital models of gross tumor specimens to more clearly visualize histopathological margin results.MethodsFifty‐five head and neck specimens were scanned and virtually “inked” using 3D software. These 3D specimen maps were displayed in the operating room to provide the surgeon with a real‐time specimen‐to‐defect relationship by which further resections could be guided.ResultsMargin results were reported within an average of 34 min using the proposed workflow. The scanner rendered accurate models of specimens that exceeded 3.0 × 3.0 × 3.0 cm. Critical specimen features to consider were size, color, textural complexity, and the presence of discernible anatomic landmarks.ConclusionsOptical 3D scanning technology can improve the quality of head and neck margin documentation and the efficiency with which results are communicated between the pathologist and surgeon.
Superiority of metastatic lymph node ratio over number of node metastases and TNM/AJCC N classification in predicting cancer‐specific survival in medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Machens Andreas , Lorenz Kerstin , Weber Frank , Dralle Henning 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), it is unclear which nodal classification system, metastatic lymph node ratio (MLNR), number of node metastases, or TNM/AJCC N classification, predicts cancer‐specific survival best.MethodsKaplan–Maier analysis of cancer‐specific survival after operation at a tertiary center.ResultsIncluded were 505 MTC patients. The spread of the survival curves was greatest after stratification by MLNR (in 0.20 increments), followed by number of node metastases (in 10‐node and 20‐node increments) and TNM/AJCC classification (N0, N1a, N1b). After collapsing overlapping survival curves, all adjacent curves (MLNRs ≤0.20 vs. 0.21–0.60 vs. >0.60; 0 vs. 1–20 vs. >20 node metastases; and TNM/AJCC N classification N0/N1a vs. N1b) significantly differed between each other.ConclusionsIn MTC, MLNR, reflecting intensity of lymphatic spread, predicts cancer‐specific survival better than number of node metastases or TNM/AJCC N classification. The applicability of these findings to patients with limited neck dissection requires more research.
Which smokers enroll in a hospital based smoking cessation trial? Survey of smoking related behaviors, quit attempts, and motivation to quit
Authors: Gobarani Rukshar K. , Weeks Gregory R. , Abramson Michael J. , Bonevski Billie , Paul Eldho , Webb Ashley , Kirsa Sue , Smith Brian J. , Thomas Dennis , Perinpanathan Sharmilla , Parkinson Jacqueline , Meanger Darshana , Coward Lisa , Rofe Olivia , Lee Paula , George Johnson 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding smoking behaviors in hospital patients who smoke may improve inpatient cessation treatments. This study aimed to describe smoking‐related behaviors, past‐quit attempts, and self‐reported difficulties experienced in quitting among those who enrolled in a smoking cessation trial of varenicline.MethodsBaseline data were obtained from adult hospitalized smokers (average ≥ 10 cigarettes/day in 4‐weeks prior to hospitalization) who enrolled in a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of varenicline ± nicotine lozenges at five Australian public hospitals. A logistic regression model tested the association between participant characteristics and quitting in the previous 12 months.ResultsParticipants' (n = 320; 57% male, 52.5 ± 12.1 years old) motivation and confidence in quitting were high. A total of 120 participants (37.5%) had attempted quitting in the previous 12‐months. Prior hospitalization (P = .008) and employment status (P = .015) were significantly associated with past quit attempts. No statistically significant differences were noted in the reason for hospitalization or the level of nicotine dependence between participants who attempted quitting in the previous 12 months and their counterparts. Smoking cessation pharmacotherapy was used by 55% of those attempting to quit; nicotine replacement therapy (65.2%) and varenicline (16.7%) most common. Stress or anxiety, urges to smoke and a lack of motivation were the difficulties experienced in past quit attempts.ConclusionsThose who had a prior hospitalization and were unemployed had significantly greater odds of reporting past quit attempts. Further research is needed to investigate the degree of adherence among inpatient smokers with the smoke‐free hospital policies and the frequency of NRT provision and uptake on admission.