bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional connectivity drove bidirectional transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Middle East during travel restrictions
Authors: Parker Edyth , Anderson Catelyn , Zeller Mark , Tibi Ahmad , Havens Jennifer L. , Laroche Geneviève , Benlarbi Mehdi , Ariana Ardeshir , Robles-Sikisaka Refugio , Latif Alaa Abdel , Watts Alexander , Awidi Abdalla , Jaradat Saied A. , Gangavarapu Karthik , Ramesh Karthik , Kurzban Ezra , Matteson Nathaniel L. , Han Alvin X. , Hughes Laura D. , McGraw Michelle , Spencer Emily , Nicholson Laura , Khan Kamran , Suchard Marc A. , Wertheim Joel O. , Wohl Shirlee , Côté Marceline , Abdelnour Amid , Andersen Kristian G. , Abu-Dayyeh Issa 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRegional connectivity and land travel have been identified as important drivers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, the generalizability of this finding is understudied outside of well-sampled, highly connected regions. In this study, we investigated the relative contributions of regional and intercontinental connectivity to the source-sink dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 for Jordan and the Middle East. By integrating genomic, epidemiological and travel data we show that the source of introductions into Jordan was dynamic across 2020, shifting from intercontinental seeding in the early pandemic to more regional seeding for the travel restrictions period. We show that land travel, particularly freight transport, drove introduction risk during the travel restrictions period. High regional connectivity and land travel also drove Jordan’s export risk. Our findings emphasize regional connectedness and land travel as drivers of transmission in the Middle East.
FVC, but not FEV1, is associated with clinical outcomes of asthma-COPD overlap
Authors: An Tai Joon , Rhee Chin Kook , Park Yong Bum , Yoo Kwang-Ha , Yoon Hyoung Kyu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe effects of forced vital capacity (FVC) on clinical outcomes of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases overlap (ACO) are still unknown. We conducted this study to examine the association of FVC on clinical outcomes in ACO. Data from the Korean COPD Subgroup Study cohort were analyzed. Patients who fulfilled the ACO criteria were included and grouped according to FVC changes, such as FVC-incline and FVC-decline. No significant differences were observed between the FVC-incline and FVC-decline groups in baseline clinical characteristics. In a year after, FVC-decline group experienced more moderate (47.1% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.02) and moderate-to-severe (49.8% vs. 39.6%, p = 0.03) acute exacerbations (AEs), compared to FVC-incline group. The frequency of moderate AEs (1.3 ± 2.1 vs. 0.9 ± 1.7, p = 0.03) and moderate-to-severe AEs (1.5 ± 2.5 vs. 1.1 ± 1.9, p = 0.04) were higher in the FVC-decline group than in the FVC-incline groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, FVC-decline group was associated with moderate AEs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–2.44; p = 0.04), and moderate-to-severe AEs (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.01–2.41; p < 0.05) in ACO patients, which was not seen in FEV1 changes. FVC changes are associated with clinical outcomes in ACO.
Increased TRIM31 gene expression is positively correlated with SARS-CoV-2 associated genes TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4 in gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Temena Mehmet Arda , Acar Ahmet 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBesides typical respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 patients also have gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies focusing on the gastrointestinal tumors derived from gastrointestinal tissues have raised a question whether these tumors might express higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 associated genes and therefore patients diagnosed with GI cancers may be more susceptible to the infection. In this study, we have analyzed the expression of SARS-CoV-2 associated genes and their co-expressions in gastrointestinal solid tumors, cancer cell lines and patient-derived organoids relative to their normal counterparts. Moreover, we have found increased co-expression of TMPRSS2-TMPRSS4 in gastrointestinal cancers suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 viral infection known to be mediated by this protease pair might facilitate the effects of viral infection in GI cancer patients. Further, our findings also demonstrate that TRIM31 expression is upregulated in gastrointestinal tumors, while the inhibition of TRIM31 significantly altered viral replication and viral processes associated with cellular pathways in gastrointestinal cancer samples. Taken together, these findings indicate that in addition to the co-expression of TMPRSS2-TMPRSS4 protease pair in GI cancers, TRIM31 expression is positively correlated with this pair and TRIM31 may play a role in providing an increased susceptibility in GI cancer patients to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Establishment of a system evaluating the contractile force of electrically stimulated myotubes from wrinkles formed on elastic substrate
Authors: Hamaguchi Hiroki , Matsui Tsubasa S. , Deguchi Shinji , Furuichi Yasuro , Fujii Nobuharu L. , Manabe Yasuko 
Published: August 2022

AbstractMuscle weakness is detrimental not only to quality of life but also life expectancy. However, effective drugs have still not been developed to improve and prevent muscle weakness associated with aging or diseases. One reason for the delay in drug discovery is that no suitable in vitro screening system has been established to test whether drugs improve muscle strength. Here, we used a specific deformable silicone gel substrate to effectively and sensitively evaluate the contractile force generated by myotubes from wrinkles formed on the substrate. Using this system, it was found that the contractile force generated by an atrophic phenotype of myotubes induced by dexamethasone or cancer cell-conditioned medium treatment significantly decreased while that generated by hypertrophic myotubes induced by insulin-like growth factor-1 significantly increased. Notably, it was found that changes in the index related to contractile force can detect atrophic or hypertrophic phenotypes more sensitively than changes in myotube diameter or myosin heavy chain expression, both commonly used to evaluate myotube function. These results suggest that our proposed system will be an effective tool for assessing the contractile force-related state of myotubes, which are available for the development of drugs to prevent and/or treat muscle weakness.
Efficient genome editing in wild strains of mice using the i-GONAD method
Authors: Imai Yuji , Tanave Akira , Matsuyama Makoto , Koide Tsuyoshi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWild mouse strains have been used for many research studies, because of the high level of inter-strain genetic and phenotypic variations in them, in addition to the characteristic phenotype maintained from wild mice. However, since application of the current genetic engineering method on wild strains is not easy, there are limited studies that have attempted to apply gene modification techniques in wild strains. Recently, i-GONAD, a new method for genome editing that does not involve any ex vivo manipulation of unfertilized or fertilized eggs has been reported. We applied i-GONAD method for genome editing on a series of wild strains and showed that genome editing is efficiently possible using this method. We successfully made genetically engineered mice in seven out of the nine wild strains. Moreover, we believe that it is still possible to apply milder conditions and improve the efficiencies for the remaining two strains. These results will open avenues for studying the genetic basis of various phenotypes that are characteristic to wild strains. Furthermore, applying i-GONAD will be also useful for other mouse resources in which genetic manipulation is difficult using the method of microinjection into fertilized eggs.
Fitness tracking reveals task-specific associations between memory, mental health, and physical activity
Authors: Manning Jeremy R. , Notaro Gina M. , Chen Esme , Fitzpatrick Paxton C. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPhysical activity can benefit both physical and mental well-being. Different forms of exercise (e.g., aerobic versus anaerobic; running versus walking, swimming, or yoga; high-intensity interval training versus endurance workouts; etc.) impact physical fitness in different ways. For example, running may substantially impact leg and heart strength but only moderately impact arm strength. We hypothesized that the mental benefits of physical activity might be similarly differentiated. We focused specifically on how different intensities of physical activity might relate to different aspects of memory and mental health. To test our hypothesis, we collected (in aggregate) roughly a century’s worth of fitness data. We then asked participants to fill out surveys asking them to self-report on different aspects of their mental health. We also asked participants to engage in a battery of memory tasks that tested their short and long term episodic, semantic, and spatial memory performance. We found that participants with similar physical activity habits and fitness profiles tended to also exhibit similar mental health and task performance profiles. These effects were task-specific in that different physical activity patterns or fitness characteristics varied with different aspects of memory, on different tasks. Taken together, these findings provide foundational work for designing physical activity interventions that target specific components of cognitive performance and mental health by leveraging low-cost fitness tracking devices.
Loss of Nexmif results in the expression of phenotypic variability and loss of genomic integrity
Authors: Stekelenburg Caroline , Blouin Jean-Louis , Santoni Federico , Zaghloul Norann , O’Hare Elisabeth A. , Dusaulcy Rodolphe , Maechler Pierre , Schwitzgebel Valerie M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe identified two NEXMIF variants in two unrelated individuals with non-autoimmune diabetes and autistic traits, and investigated the expression of Nexmif in mouse and human pancreas and its function in pancreatic beta cells in vitro and in vivo. In insulin-secreting INS-1E cells, Nexmif expression increased strongly in response to oxidative stress. CRISPR Cas9-generated Nexmif knockout mice exhibited a reduced number of proliferating beta cells in pancreatic islets. RNA sequencing of pancreatic islets showed that the downregulated genes in Nexmif mutant islets are involved in stress response and the deposition of epigenetic marks. They include H3f3b, encoding histone H3.3, which is associated with the regulation of beta-cell proliferation and maintains genomic integrity by silencing transposable elements, particularly LINE1 elements. LINE1 activity has been associated with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders in which patients share characteristics with NEXMIF patients, and can cause genomic instability and genetic variation through retrotransposition. Nexmif knockout mice exhibited various other phenotypes. Mortality and phenotypic abnormalities increased in each generation in both Nexmif mutant and non-mutant littermates. In Nexmif mutant mice, LINE1 element expression was upregulated in the pancreas, brain, and testis, possibly inducing genomic instability in Nexmif mutant mice and causing phenotypic variability in their progeny.
Classification of early age facial growth pattern and identification of the genetic basis in two Korean populations
Authors: Cha Mi-Yeon , Hong Yu-Jin , Choi Ja-Eun , Kwon Tae-Song , Kim Ig-Jae , Hong Kyung-Won 
Published: August 2022

AbstractChildhood to adolescence is an accelerated growth period, and genetic features can influence differences of individual growth patterns. In this study, we examined the genetic basis of early age facial growth (EAFG) patterns. Facial shape phenotypes were defined using facial landmark distances, identifying five growth patterns: continued-decrease, decrease-to-increase, constant, increase-to-decrease, and continued-increase. We conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 10 horizontal and 11 vertical phenotypes. The most significant association for horizontal phenotypes was rs610831 (TRIM29; β = 0.92, p-value = 1.9 × 10−9) and for vertical phenotypes was rs6898746 (ZSWIM6; β = 0.1103, p-value = 2.5 × 10−8). It is highly correlated with genes already reported for facial growth. This study is the first to classify and characterize facial growth patterns and related genetic polymorphisms.
Hemostatic powders for gastrointestinal bleeding: a review of old, new, and emerging agents in a rapidly advancing field
Authors: Jiang Shirley X. , Chahal Daljeet , Ali-Mohamad Nabil , Kastrup Christian , Donnellan Fergal 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background and study aims Hemostatic powders are increasingly used to address limitations in conventional endoscopic techniques for gastrointestinal bleeding. Various agents exist with different compositions, characteristics, efficacy, and adverse events (AEs). We sought to review existing hemostatic powders, from preclinical to established agents.
Methods A literature review on hemostatic powders for gastrointestinal bleeding was undertaken through a MEDLINE search from 2000–2021 and hand searching of articles. Relevant literature was critically appraised and reviewed for mechanism of action, hemostasis and rebleeding rate, factors associated with hemostatic failure, and AEs.
Results The most established agents are TC-325 (Hemospray), EndoClot, and Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS). These agents have been successfully applied to a variety of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding etiologies, in the form of primary, combination, salvage, and bridging therapy. Few AEs have been reported, including visceral perforation, venous embolism, and self-limited abdominal pain. Newer agents include CEGP-003 and UI-EWD, which have shown results similar to those for the older agents in initial clinical studies. All aforementioned powders have high immediate hemostasis rates, particularly in scenarios not amenable to conventional endoscopic methods, but are limited by significant rates of rebleeding. Other treatments include TDM-621 (PuraStat) consisting of a liquid hemostatic agent newly applied to endoscopy and self-propelling thrombin powder (CounterFlow Powder), a preclinical but promising agent.
Conclusions Rapid development of hemostatic powders and growing clinical expertise has established these agents as a valuable strategy in gastrointestinal bleeding. Further research will continue to refine the efficacy and applicability of these agents.
Identifying factors associated with detection of sessile gastric polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Mankaney Gautam N. , Cruise Michael , Sarvepalli Shashank , Bhatt Amit , Liska David , Burke Carol A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background and study aims Gastric cancer (GC) is increasingly reported and a leading cause of death in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Identifying features in patients with FAP who harbor sessile gastric polyps, likely precursors to GC, may lead to alterations in endoscopic surveillance in those patients and allow endoscopic intervention to decrease the risk of GC. The aim of this study was to identify demographic and clinical factors in patients with FAP who harbor sessile gastric polyps.
Patients and methods We retrospectively compared demographic, clinical, and endoscopic features in consecutive adult patients with FAP who presented for a surveillance endoscopy at a tertiary-care center with a FAP registry who harbor sessile gastric polyps to those without them. Sessile gastric polyps included pyloric gland adenomas, gastric adenomas, hyperplastic polyps, and fundic gland polyps with high-grade dysplasia. We also display the location of germline APC pathogenic variants in patients with and without sessile gastric polyps.
Results Eighty patients with FAP were included. Their average age was 48 years and 70 % were male. Nineteen (24 %) had sessile gastric polyps. They were older (P < 0.03), more likely to have a family history of GC (P < 0.05), white mucosal patches in the proximal stomach (P < 0.001), and antral polyps (P < 0.026) compared to patients without a gastric neoplasm. No difference in Spigelman stage, extra-intestinal manifestations, or surgical history was note. 89 % of patients with a gastric neoplasm had an APC pathogenic variant 5’ to codon 1309.
Conclusions Specific demographic, endoscopic, and genotypic features are associated with patients with FAP who harbor sessile gastric polyps. We recommend heightened awareness of these factors when performing endoscopic surveillance of the stomach with resection of gastric neoplasia when identified.
Non-cardia early gastric cancer in Central Vietnam: noticeable uncommon background mucosa and results of endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Tran Van Huy , Tran Quang Trung , Nguyen Thi Huyen Thuong , Dang Cong Thuan , Lerch Markus M. , Aghdassi Ali A. , Miayahara Ryoji 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background and study aims Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of malignancy-related death in Vietnam, with increasing incidence of non-cardia early gastric cancer (N-EGC). Data on accurate diagnosis of EGC and treatment by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in Vietnam are very sparse. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of N-EGC and evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of ESD in Central Vietnam.
Patients and methods We prospectively enrolled patients with N-EGC detected by magnified chromoendoscopy from December 2013 to August, 2018 in Central Vietnam. Selected cases of N-EGC received standardized ESD technique and have been following up carefully as in protocol.
Results Among 606 GC patients, 46 had N-GEC and underwent ESD. The depth of invasion was pT1a in 33 (71.7 %), pT1b1 in 10 (21.7 %), and pT1b2 in three cases (6.6 %). Mild chronic atrophic gastritis, most being C2 (63 %), and gastritis-like EGC that did not appear malignant was the predominant type. ESD achieved a 97.8 % en bloc resection rate; the mean procedure time was 76 ± 22 minutes (range 24–155), and mean endoscopic tumor size was 23 ± 5 mm (range 13–52) and ESD sample size was 28 ± 7 mm (range 16.5–60). Complications consisted of two patients with bleeding and one with a minor perforation, all of which were successfully managed by endoscopy. The longest and the mean follow-up times were 84 and 64 months, respectively, with no recurrence.
Conclusions A significant proportion patients with N-EGC have a background mucosa of mild chronic atrophic gastritis. Our results 7 years after starting ESD demonstrate early promising outcomes with the procedure.
A feasibility study comparing gel immersion endoscopic resection and underwater endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors
Authors: Miyakawa Akihiro , Kuwai Toshio , Sakuma Yukie , Kubota Manabu , Nakamura Akira , Itobayashi Ei , Shimura Haruhisa , Suzuki Yoshio , Shimura Kenji 
Published: August 2022

Background Although gel immersion endoscopic resection (GIER) is a potential alternative to underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs), comparisons between the two are currently insufficient.
Methods 40 consecutive procedures performed in 35 patients were retrospectively reviewed; the primary outcome was procedure time, and the secondary outcomes were en bloc and R0 resection rates, tumor and specimen size, and adverse events.
Results Lesions were divided into GIER (n = 22) and UEMR groups (n = 18). The median (range) procedure time was significantly shorter in the GIER group than in the UEMR group (2.75 [1–3.5] minutes vs. 3 2
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10 minutes; P = 0.01). The en bloc resection rate was 100 % in the GIER group, but only 83.3 % in the UEMR group. The R0 resection rate was significantly higher in the GIER group than in the UEMR group (95.5 % vs. 66.7 %; P = 0.03). The median specimen size was larger in the GIER group than in the UEMR group (14 mm vs. 7.5 mm; P < 0.001). The tumor size was not significantly different between the groups and no adverse events were observed.
Conclusions GIER is efficacious and safe to treat SNADETs, although additional studies are needed.
Mechanism of nonequilibrium plasma-enhanced ignition in the event of dual-pulse laser energy deposition
Authors: Mahamud Rajib 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A two-dimensional (2D) and three-temperature mathematical model for dual-pulse laser (DPL) ignition was applied to study the mechanism of the nonequilibrium plasma (NEQP) process during DPL energy deposition. The 2D model could predict the influence of the reaction kinetics and nonequilibrium effects on the ignition delay time and kernel dynamics. As the plasma reaction rates were extremely fast compared with the combustion reaction rates, it can be predicted that the variability of the plasma lifetime will directly influence the ignition delay time and reaction kinetics. The results suggested that the energy relaxation rate from the electronic state was rapid compared to that from the vibrational state due to the short lifetime of the plasma state. However, the relatively slower energy relaxation from the vibrational state provided long-term thermalization of the ignition kernel. For the same level of energy deposition, the NEQP system predicted a higher rate of vorticity generation, signifying a higher level of mixing and baroclinicity production. The results also suggested that ignition in a premixed fuel airflow required a higher degree of energy deposition, due to a higher rate of radical and thermal losses.
Manganese silicide nanowires via metallic flux nanonucleation: growth mechanism and temperature-dependent resistivity
Authors: Cruz Alexsandro S E , Campanelli Raul B , Puydinger dos Santos Marcos V , Fabris Fernando , Bettini Jefferson , Pagliuso Pascoal G , Pirota Kleber R 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Mn5Si3 nanowires are believed to be the building blocks of the newest trends of flexible and stretchable devices in nanoelectronics. In this context , growing Mn5Si3 nanowires, as well as characterizing their electronic transport properties provide insight into their phenomenology. In this work, we report on the growth mechanism of Mn5Si3 nanowires produced by the metallic flux nanonucleation method, as well as the resistivity measurements of these nanostructures. Our calculation allows us, by using the Washburn equation for pore infiltration, to give a guess on why we obtain Mn-rich nanowires. In addition, some morphological aspects of the diameter-modulated Mn5Si3 nanowires were discussed based on the classical nucleation theory. From the resistivity measurements for the smallest diameter among the nanowires, we observed a significant reduction of around 37% of the phonons characteristic temperature by fitting the Bloch–Grünesein formula with other sources of scattering. Our results lead to a better understanding on the recent metallic flux nanonucleation growth method, as well as going a step further into the electronic transport properties of the Mn5Si3 nanowires.