bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Balbiani body formation and cytoplasmic zonation during early oocyte development in two Clupeiform fishes
Authors: Charitonidou Katerina , Panteris Emmanuel , Ganias Kostas 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Balbiani body (Bb) was examined in primary growth phase oocytes for the first time in two clupeoid fish species, the Mediterranean sardine, Sardina pilchardus, and the European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, which belong to different families, Clupeidae and Engraulidae, respectively. Cytoplasmic morphological changes of early secondary growth oocytes were also investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy, light and transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural observations showed that the two species develop a distinct spherical Bb. However, differences in the cytoplasm, mainly in the perinuclear area, were observed. Briefly, in sardine the Bb coexists with a thick perinuclear ring containing mitochondria, nuage, endoplasmic reticulum and small vesicles, while in anchovy this perinuclear ring is thinner, consisting of complexes of nuage and mitochondria. After the disassembly of the Bb, a prominent cytoplasmic zonation develops in the secondary growth oocytes of sardine and anchovy, although with different organelle distribution between the two species. Sardine oocytes exhibit a thick zone of endoplasmic reticulum around the nucleus, whereas in those of anchovy, a thick mitochondria‐rich ring surrounding the nucleus was observed. The cytoplasmic characteristics, such as the perinuclear ring in primary oocytes in sardine and the mitochondria‐rich ring of early secondary oocytes in anchovy, are also discernible in histological sections by standard procedures and could thus be used as indicators of maturity or imminent spawning period in routine light microscopy observations, providing a valuable tool for applied fisheries biology.
3‐Mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase represses tumour progression and predicts prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Meng , Song Xin , Jin Qi , Chen Yishu , Zhang Jie , Gao Jianguo , Cen Li , Lin Yiming , Xu Chengfu , He Xinjue , Li Youming , Yu Chaohui 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackground andAimsThe prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains dismal, and its molecular pathogenesis has not been completely defined. The enzyme 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST) regulates endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) biosynthesis. However, the role of MPST in HCC has never been intensively investigated.MethodsMPST protein expression was analysed in HCC tumour tissues and matched adjacent tissues. The effect of MPST on HCC progression was studied in vitro and in vivo.ResultsThe mRNA and protein expression of MPST was significantly downregulated in HCC samples compared with their paired nontumour counterparts. A low MPST expression was associated with larger tumour size and a worse overall survival. Overexpression of MPST in HCC cells inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. MPST overexpression also significantly suppressed the growth of tumour xenografts in nude mice, whereas silencing MPST by intratumour delivery of siRNA substantially promoted tumour growth. Moreover, diethylnitrosamine‐induced mouse HCC was aggravated by MPST gene knockout. Mechanistically, MPST suppressed the cell cycle associated with H2S production and inhibition of the AKT/FOXO3a/Rb signalling pathway in HCC development. In addition, MPST expression negatively correlated with that of pRb in HCC specimens and the combination of these two parameters is a more powerful predictor of poor prognosis.ConclusionsMPST may function as a tumour suppressor gene that plays an essential role in HCC proliferation and liver tumorigenesis. It is a candidate predictor of clinical outcome in patients with HCC and may be used as a biomarker and intervention target for new therapeutic strategies.
Reliability of step vergence method for assessing fusional vergence in intermittent exotropia
Authors: Ma Martin Ming‐Leung , Kang Ying , Scheiman Mitchell , Chen Qiwen , Ye Xuelian , Chen Xiang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the reliability of the step vergence method in measuring fusional vergence in subjects with intermittent exotropia.MethodsThirty‐two Chinese participants aged 7–20 years with intermittent exotropia (excluding the convergence insufficiency type) were enrolled in this prospective study. At the eligibility screening, visual acuity, cover test and the Office Control Score were performed. For eligible participants at study visit 1, negative and positive fusional vergence at distance and near, eye dominance and the fusion maintenance test were performed. All eligible participants returned for study visit 2 on the same day (2–4 h later), and the testing was repeated. The primary outcome measures were the intra‐class correlation coefficient, coefficient of repeatability and smallest detectable change in the break and recovery points of negative and positive fusional vergence between the two study visits.ResultsThe intra‐class correlation coefficient for different vergence parameters ranged from 0.64 to 0.87. The coefficient of repeatability and the smallest detectable change for the distance positive fusional vergence break point were ±20.5 and 13.1 ∆, respectively. There was no significant difference in any vergence parameter between the first and second visits. The coefficient of repeatability and the smallest detectable change in all distance vergence parameters were high when compared to the mean value. The association between distance vergence parameters and the Office Control Score was significant only when including subjects who failed to fuse at the beginning of the test.ConclusionThe data demonstrate that measurement of fusional vergence with a prism bar has low repeatability in subjects with intermittent exotropia. In these individuals, convergence ability at distance is compromised, whereas other vergence parameters are not adversely affected. While the step vergence method is a valuable test in daily practice, caution is warranted when using it in clinical research.
Dental sedation—Airing a concept
Authors: Chasma Farida , Chasma Tasneem , Irshad Hinna 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimTo establish current practices and experiences of dental practitioners, who are carrying out procedures under sedation in primary care, relating to assessment and management of the airway. We also review current recommendations and consider a need for further clinical guidance to standardise practice.MaterialsThe survey was created using Survey Monkey and distributed through social media channels such as WhatsApp, Facebook and via emailing a local sedation group.MethodsA service evaluation was carried out in the form of an online survey. This was distributed via social media and by emailing previous and current attendees of Dental Sedation Courses. This link remained active for 3 months with a minimum target of 50 completed responses. During this period, a total of 64 responses were received.Results51 of 64 respondents stated they complete airway assessments, of which, less than half used a pro‐forma for this purpose. Within this cohort, 21.9% of respondents acknowledged a compromised airway incident requiring initial management, with the most favoured adjunct/manoeuvre being a head tilt chin lift of the patient.ConclusionAs sedation operators, dentists carry the responsibility for the provision of dental treatment alongside the management of the airway. Conscious intravenous sedation is usually carried out using midazolam, a short acting and amnesic benzodiazepine. Whilst this is widely used, risks such as respiratory depression or loss of the airway remain. To prevent this, it is vital for an airway assessment to be carried out pre‐operatively as echoed by the Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry (IACSD) and Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP). This article highlights the need for guidance to support general dental practitioners in the pre‐operative assessment of airways to further streamline and improve patient care.
Safety of propranolol for infantile hemangioma in infants less than five weeks corrected age
Authors: Gatts Jorie E. , Rush Marie C. , Check Jennifer F. , Samelak Diane M. , McLean Thomas W. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesPropranolol is used to treat problematic infantile hemangiomas (IHs), but its safety in infants <5 weeks corrected age has not been established. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of propranolol for treatment of IH in infants <5 weeks corrected age, or 45 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA).MethodsWe performed a single institution, retrospective review of patients treated with propranolol prior to the age of 6 months between 2017 and 2021. Patient characteristics, location of hemangioma(s), weight at initiation of treatment, dosing information, side effects, response, and duration of treatment were documented.ResultsOf 200 patients with IH treated with propranolol, 24 started treatment prior to 45 weeks CGA. Mean CGA at initiation of treatment was 42 weeks. Sixty‐seven percent were female and 75% were white, non‐Hispanic. Mean duration of treatment was 255 days. Twenty‐two patients (92%) had clear benefit from treatment at a dose of 1–3 mg/kg/day. The most common side effects were sleep disturbance (21%), irritability (17%), and cool hands/feet (13%). There were no serious adverse events.ConclusionsIn this cohort of 24 patients with corrected age <5 weeks (CGA <45 weeks), propranolol was safe and effective for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas. Larger, prospective studies are indicated to investigate propranolol in this age group.
Time of delivery among low‐risk women at 37–42 weeks of gestation and risks of stillbirth and infant mortality, and long‐term neurological morbidity
Authors: Razaz Neda , Muraca Giulia M. , Fink Katharina , Boutin Amélie , John Sid , Lisonkova Sarka , Stephansson Olof , Cnattingius Sven , Joseph K. S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe most important knowledge gap in connection with obstetric management for time of delivery in term low‐risk pregnancies relates to the absence of information on long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes.ObjectivesWe examined risks of stillbirth, infant mortality, cerebral palsy (CP) and epilepsy among low‐risk pregnancies.MethodsIn this population‐based Swedish study, we identified, from 1998 to 2019, 1,773,269 singleton infants born between 37 and 42 completed weeks in women with low‐risk pregnancies. Poisson log‐linear regression models were used to examine the association between gestational age at delivery and stillbirth, infant mortality, CP and epilepsy. Adjusted rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals expressing the effect of birth at a particular gestational week compared with birth at a later gestational week were estimated.ResultsCompared with those born at a later gestation, RRs for stillbirth and infant mortality were higher among births at 37 weeks' and 38 weeks' gestation. The RRs for infant mortality were approximately 20% and 25% lower among births at 40 or 41 weeks compared with those born at later gestation, respectively. Infants born at 37 and 38 weeks also had higher RRs for CP (vs infants born at ≥38 and ≥39 weeks, respectively), while those born at 39 gestation had similar RRs (vs infants born at ≥40 weeks); infants born at 40 and 41 weeks had lower RRs of CP (vs those born at ≥41 and 42 weeks, respectively). The RRs for epilepsy were higher in those born at 37 and 38 weeks compared with those born at later gestation.ConclusionsAmong low‐risk pregnancies, birth at 37 or 38 completed weeks' gestation is associated with increased risks of stillbirth, infant mortality and neurological morbidity, while birth at 39–40 completed weeks is associated with reduced risks compared with births at later gestation.
Maladaptive trained immunity and clonal hematopoiesis as potential mechanistic links between periodontitis and inflammatory comorbidities
Authors: Hajishengallis George , Li Xiaofei , Divaris Kimon , Chavakis Triantafyllos 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPeriodontitis is bidirectionally associated with systemic inflammatory disorders. The prevalence and severity of this oral disease and linked comorbidities increases with aging. Here, we review two newly emerged concepts, trained innate immunity (TII) and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which together support a potential hypothesis on how periodontitis affects and is affected by comorbidities and why the susceptibility to periodontitis and comorbidities increases with aging. Given that chronic diseases are largely triggered by the action of inflammatory immune cells, modulation of their bone marrow precursors, the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), may affect multiple disorders that emerge as comorbidities. Such alterations in HSPCs can be mediated by TII and/or CHIP, two non‐mutually exclusive processes sharing a bias for enhanced myelopoiesis and production of innate immune cells with heightened proinflammatory potential. TII is a state of elevated immune responsiveness based on innate immune (epigenetic) memory. Systemic inflammation can initiate TII in the bone marrow via sustained rewiring of HSPCs, which thereby display a skewing toward the myeloid lineage, resulting in generation of hyper‐reactive or “trained” myeloid cells. CHIP arises from aging‐related somatic mutations in HSPCs, which confer a survival and proliferation advantage to the mutant HSPCs and give rise to an outsized fraction of hyper‐inflammatory mutant myeloid cells in the circulation and tissues. This review discusses emerging evidence that supports the notion that TII and CHIP may underlie a causal and age‐related association between periodontitis and comorbidities. A holistic mechanistic understanding of the periodontitis‐systemic disease connection may offer novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for treating inflammatory comorbidities.
Association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Parsegian Karo , Randall David , Curtis Mike , Ioannidou Effie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPeriodontitis and chronic kidney disease are chronic conditions with high community prevalence across the world. Patients with chronic kidney disease have been noted to have a high burden of periodontitis, and several shared risk factors have been associated with the prevalence and severity of both conditions. However, the precise relationship between the two conditions, and the extent to which each may contribute to the development of the other, remains a matter of debate. The goals of the present work were to: (a) provide the most current and relevant literature overview of the association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease; (b) explore mechanisms underlying this association; and (c) determine if evidence exists for an independent association between these conditions. We also assessed whether improved oral hygiene and periodontal treatment could reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease and, if so, what protocols these strategies involve. Finally, we aimed to reveal gaps in our current knowledge to delineate the directions of future research. Although the exact relationship between these two conditions has not yet been defined, we highlight the importance of the interprofessional interaction between dental practitioners and the nephrology team and the importance of oral health assessment in the management of chronic kidney disease.
Improved immunologic response to COVID‐19 vaccine with prolonged dosing interval in haemodialysis patients
Authors: Haarhaus Mathias , Duhanes Monica , Leševic Nataša , Matei Bogdan , Ramsauer Bernd , Da Silva Rodrigues Rui , Su Jun , Haase Michael , Santos‐ Araújo Carla , Macario Fernando 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVaccination against 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) can reduce disease incidence and severity. Dialysis patients demonstrate a delayed immunologic response to vaccines. We determined factors affecting the immunologic response to COVID‐19 vaccines in haemodialysis patients. All patients within a Swedish haemodialysis network, vaccinated with two doses of COVID‐19 vaccine 2‐8 weeks before inclusion, were eligible for this cross‐sectional study. Severe adult respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike protein antibody levels were determined by EliA SARS‐CoV‐2‐Sp1 IgG test (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Phadia AB) and related to clinical and demographic parameters. Eighty‐nine patients were included. Patients were vaccinated with two doses of Comirnaty (BNT162b2, 73%) or Spikevax (mRNA‐1273, 23,6%). Three patients received combinations of different vaccines. Response rate (antibody titres >7 U/mL) was 89.9%, while 39.3% developed high antibody titres (>204 U/mL), 47 (43‐50) days after the second dose. A previous COVID‐19 infection associated with higher antibody titres (median (25th‐75th percentile) 1558.5 (814.5‐3,763.8) U/mL vs 87 (26‐268) U/mL, P = .002), while time between vaccine doses did not differ between groups (P = .7). Increasing SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody titres were independently associated with increasing time between vaccine doses (B 0.241, P = .02), decreasing serum calcium levels (B −0.233, P = .007) and previous COVID‐19 (B 1.078, P < .001). In conclusion, a longer interval between COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine doses, lower calcium and a previous COVID‐19 infection were independently associated with a stronger immunologic vaccination response in haemodialysis patients. While the response rate was good, only a minority developed high antibody titres, 47 (43‐50) days after the second vaccine dose.
Numerical Study on the Use of Emergency Cooling During the Process of Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway
Authors: Yuqi Huang , Kangbo Yang , Yinghao Wu , Binghe Liu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The thermal runaway process limits the development and wide application of lithium-ion batteries. More and more researchers are paying attention to how to suppress thermal runaway caused by thermal, electrical, mechanical, and other abuse conditions. Temperature is an important indicator in the process of battery thermal runaway. Using large heat dissipation flow to cool the battery to a safe temperature range can achieve a good thermal runaway suppression effect. This paper discusses the influence of heat dissipation flow on the thermal runaway through combining simulation and experiment. First, a simulation model is established and shows good agreement with the experiment. Both the simulated and experimental results found that an application with a short duration and large heat dissipation flow can achieve a better cooling effect at a suitable battery temperature. Then, we discussed the minimum heat dissipation coefficient required to suppress battery thermal runaway by applying emergency cooling at different battery temperatures. When the trigger temperature rises from 166 °C to 178 °C, the minimum heat dissipation flow required increases from 72 W/m2 to 1391 W/m2. At last, the relationship between trigger temperature and minimum heat dissipation flow was obtained. This provides a reference for emergency cooling of battery thermal runaway.
Shoulder Kinesio Taping Does Not Change Biomechanical Deficits Associated With Scapular Dyskinesis
Authors: Yeşilyaprak Sevgi Sevi , Yüksel Ertuğrul , Kalaycı Melike Gizem , Karabay Nuri , Michener Lori A. 
Published: March 2022

Observable scapular dyskinesis is associated with biomechanical deficits. Preventative interventions aimed at correcting these deficits may aid in preventing the development and resolution of shoulder pain. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of kinesio taping (KT) on common biomechanical deficits associated with scapular dyskinesis and shoulder pain. Participants (n = 51) with observable scapular dyskinesis, and without shoulder pain were randomized to KT, KT-placebo, or a no-treatment control group. Measurements taken before, immediately after taping, and 3 days later included pectoralis minor muscle length, lower trapezius muscle strength, scapular upward rotation angle at 0° to 120° in scapular plane humeral elevation and acromiohumeral distance. There were no changes in scapular upward rotation, lower trapezius strength, and acromiohumeral distance immediately after taping or 3 days later compared to baseline (P > .05). The pectoralis minor increased in length in the KT group on day 3 compared to directly after taping (P = .03), but no difference between groups or interaction between time and group were determined (P > .05). Scapular dyskinesis prevalence did not change over time in any group (P > .05). In people with scapular dyskinesis free from shoulder pain, KT applied to the shoulder cannot be recommended to ameliorate the biomechanical deficits associated with shoulder pain.
First trimester plasma microRNAs levels predict Matsuda Index-estimated insulin sensitivity between 24th and 29th week of pregnancy
Authors: Légaré Cécilia , Desgagné Véronique , Poirier Cédrik , Thibeault Kathrine , White Frédérique , Clément Andrée-Anne , Scott Michelle S , Jacques Pierre-Étienne , Perron Patrice , Guérin Renée , Hivert Marie-France , Bouchard Luigi 
Published: March 2022

IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a consequence of an imbalance between insulin sensitivity (IS) and secretion during pregnancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and secreted RNA molecules stable in blood and known to regulate physiological processes including glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study was to identify plasmatic miRNAs detectable in early pregnancy predicting IS at 24th-29th week of pregnancy.Research design and methodsWe quantified circulating miRNAs in 421 women in plasma collected at 9.6±2.2 weeks of pregnancy using next-generation sequencing.Resultswe detected 2170 miRNAs: 39 (35 positively and 4 negatively) were associated with IS as estimated by the Matsuda Index at 26.4±1.0 weeks of pregnancy. Lasso regression identified 18 miRNAs independently predicting Matsuda Index-estimated IS. Together with gestational age, maternal age and body mass index at first trimester, they explain 36% of IS variance in late second trimester of pregnancy. These miRNAs regulate fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism among other pathways.ConclusionsIn summary, we have identified first trimester plasmatic miRNAs predictive of Matsuda Index-estimated IS in late second trimester of pregnancy. These miRNAs could also contribute to initiate and support IS adaptation to pregnancy potentially through lipid metabolism regulation.