bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis on characteristics of two activated partial thromboplastin time reagents
Authors: Yasui Yutaro , Ishii Toshiaki , Tatebe Junko , Morita Toshisuke 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundFor the lack of standardized activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), it has been pointed out that there are differences in values among several reagents. Recently, we have performed a parallel measurement on two reagents, Thrombocheck APTT‐SLA and Coagpia APTT‐n, and resulted with some dissociated samples. The purpose of this study is to clarify the possible factors related to ΔAPTT, the difference in measured values between the two reagents.Materials and MethodsIn order to clarify the factors related to ΔAPTT, multiple regression analysis was performed on 8324 samples, using clinical laboratory data of all test items requested simultaneously with APTT. To confirm the items extracted from the multiple regression analysis, the target substance was spiked to pooled plasma and measured with two APTT reagents. Additionally, by spiking phospholipids, the effect on APTT measurement system was assessed.ResultMultiple regression analysis detected albumin–globulin ratio (AGR), C‐reactive protein (CRP), hematocrit, and prothrombin time as factors related to ΔAPTT (p < 0.001). Results revealed no significant differences when albumin was added to change the AGR. Whereas with the addition of CRP, prolongation of APTT was observed in Coagpia APTT‐n compared to Thrombocheck APTT‐SLA (p < 0.001). This prolongation was canceled by the addition of phospholipids, suggesting the interaction of CRP with phospholipids leads to the pseudo‐prolongation.ConclusionIt is considered that the pseudo‐prolongation of APTT is triggered by the interaction of CRP on the phospholipid in Coagpia APTT‐n, which contributed to the APTT dissociation.
Sphingomyelinase activity promotes atrophy and attenuates force in human muscle fibres and is elevated in heart failure patients
Authors: Olsson Karl , Cheng Arthur J. , Al‐Ameri Mamdoh , Tardif Nicolas , Melin Michael , Rooyackers Olav , Lanner Johanna T. , Westerblad Håkan , Gustafsson Thomas , Bruton Joseph D. , Rullman Eric 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundActivation of sphingomyelinase (SMase) as a result of a general inflammatory response has been implicated as a mechanism underlying disease‐related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function in several clinical conditions including heart failure. Here, for the first time, we characterize the effects of SMase activity on human muscle fibre contractile function and assess skeletal muscle SMase activity in heart failure patients.MethodsThe effects of SMase on force production and intracellular Ca2+ handling were investigated in single intact human muscle fibres. Additional mechanistic studies were performed in single mouse toe muscle fibres. RNA sequencing was performed in human muscle bundles exposed to SMase. Intramuscular SMase activity was measured from heart failure patients (n = 61, age 69 ± 0.8 years, NYHA III‐IV, ejection fraction 25 ± 1.0%, peak VO2 14.4 ± 0.6 mL × kg × min) and healthy age‐matched control subjects (n = 10, age 71 ± 2.2 years, ejection fraction 60 ± 1.2%, peak VO2 25.8 ± 1.1 mL × kg × min). SMase activity was related to circulatory factors known to be associated with progression and disease severity in heart failure.ResultsSphingomyelinase reduced muscle fibre force production (−30%, P < 0.05) by impairing sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release (P < 0.05) and reducing myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity. In human muscle bundles exposed to SMase, RNA sequencing analysis revealed 180 and 291 genes as up‐regulated and down‐regulated, respectively, at a FDR of 1%. Gene‐set enrichment analysis identified ‘proteasome degradation’ as an up‐regulated pathway (average fold‐change 1.1, P = 0.008), while the pathway ‘cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins’ (average fold‐change 0.8, P < 0.0001) and factors involving proliferation of muscle cells (average fold‐change 0.8, P = 0.0002) where identified as down‐regulated. Intramuscular SMase activity was ~20% higher (P < 0.05) in human heart failure patients than in age‐matched healthy controls and was positively correlated with markers of disease severity and progression, and with several circulating inflammatory proteins, including TNF‐receptor 1 and 2. In a longitudinal cohort of heart failure patients (n = 6, mean follow‐up time 2.5 ± 0.2 years), SMase activity was demonstrated to increase by 30% (P < 0.05) with duration of disease.ConclusionsThe present findings implicate activation of skeletal muscle SMase as a mechanism underlying human heart failure‐related loss of muscle mass and function. Moreover, our findings strengthen the idea that SMase activation may underpin disease‐related loss of muscle mass and function in other clinical conditions, acting as a common patophysiological mechanism for the myopathy often reported in diseases associated with a systemic inflammatory response.
Incidence of hip fracture in underweight individuals: a nationwide population‐based cohort study in Korea
Authors: Han Sangsoo , Park Jiwon , Jang Hae‐Dong , Nah Sangun , Boo Joonhyeok , Han Kyungdo , Hong Jae‐Young 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundHip fracture is a major public health problem worldwide and being underweight is a risk factor for fractures. Few studies have investigated the association between being underweight and hip fracture in the general population. The present study investigated the incidence of hip fracture in a large population cohort based on detailed information about the degree of underweight.MethodsA nationwide retrospective cohort study of adults ≥40 years of age included 962,533 subjects who were not overweight or obese in 2009. The incidence and risk of hip fracture occurring between 2010 and 2018 was assessed based on the degree of underweight. Based on body mass index (BMI), the study population was categorized into normal (18.50–22.99 kg/m2), mild (17.00–18.49 kg/m2), moderate (16.00–16.99 kg/m2), and severe underweight (<16.00 kg/m2) groups. Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) for the hip fracture based on the degree of underweight in reference to the normal weight.ResultsCompared with subjects who were normal weight, those who were classified as mild underweight (1.03/1000 person‐years (PY) increase in incidence rate (IR); adjusted HR (aHR) 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48–1.76), moderate underweight (2.04/1000 PY increase in IR; aHR 1.85; 95% CI 1.65–2.08), or severe underweight (4.58/1000 PY increase in IR; aHR 2.33; 95% CI 2.03–2.66) were at significantly increased risk of hip fracture.ConclusionsThe severity of underweight was significantly associated with risk of hip fracture. The subdivision of underweight helps to estimate fracture risk more accurately.
Novel matrix strategies for improved ionization and spatial resolution using IR‐MALDESI mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Kibbe Russell R. , Mellinger Allyson L. , Muddiman David C. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) applications of infrared matrix‐assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (IR‐MALDESI), an exogenous ice layer is the gold standard for an energy‐absorbing matrix. However, the formation of the ice matrix requires additional time and instrument hardware, so glycerol was investigated herein as an alternative to the ice matrix to potentially improve spatial resolution and ionization, while decreasing experiment time. Glycerol solutions of varying concentrations were sprayed over top of rat liver tissue sections for analysis by IR‐MALDESI and compared to the typical ice matrix condition. Additionally, we tested if combining the ice matrix and glycerol matrix would further improve analyses. Matrix conditions were evaluated by comparing ion abundance of six lipid species, the laser ablation spot diameter, and number of METASPACE annotations. The ion abundances were also normalized to the volume of tissue ablated to correct for lower abundance values due to less ablated tissue. It was observed that utilizing a 50% glycerol matrix without ice provides improved spatial resolution with lipid abundances and annotations comparable to the ice matrix standard, while decreasing the time required to complete an IR‐MALDESI tissue imaging experiment.
Raman activity of the longitudinal optical phonons of the LiNbO3 crystal: Experimental determination and quantum mechanical simulation
Authors: A. Nogueira Bernardo , Rérat Michel , Fausto Rui , Castiglioni Chiara , Dovesi Roberto 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this study, the
and the two equivalent
/
polarized Raman spectra of a LiNbO3 single crystal have been recorded and used as a benchmark test for the density functional theory (DFT) calculation of the longitudinal modes and of their Raman activity. The theoretical approach, based on periodic boundary conditions and a linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO), provides excellent predictions of phonon wavenumbers and relative bands intensities for both A1 and E Longitudinal Optical (LO) modes and complements a previous paper limited to the study of Transverse Optical (TO) modes. Overall, the present investigation demonstrates that the LCAO approach, as implemented in the CRYSTAL software, gives results of similar accuracy for the TO and the LO phonons features. By means of a band deconvolution scheme applied to the experimental spectra, we present, for the first time, a quantitative comparison between experimental and theoretically predicted polarized Raman band intensities of LiNbO3 LO modes. This analysis highlights the role of the suitable determination of the static and high‐frequency dielectric matrices that are needed for the prediction of the TO/LO frequency split but also the first nonlinear electric susceptibility tensor for an accurate description of the Raman intensity pattern.
Tyrosinase covalently immobilized on carboxyl functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for fishing of the enzyme's ligands from Prunellae Spica
Authors: Zhao Yan , Yuan Li , Bai Xiao‐Lin , Jiang Xin‐Xin , Zhang Yi , Fang Qiong , Zhang Qin , Liao Xun 
Published: July 2022

In this study, tyrosinase was immobilized on carboxyl functionalized silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles for the first time to be used for fishing of tyrosinase's ligands present in complex plant extract. The immobilized tyrosinase was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo‐gravimetric analyzer, and atomic force microscopy. The reusability and thermostability of the immobilized tyrosinase were found significantly superior to its free counterpart. Two tyrosinase's ligands, that is, caffeic acid (1) and rosmarinic acid (2), were fished out from extract of the traditional Chinese medicine Prunellae Spica by the immobilized tyrosinase. Compound 1 was found to be an activator of the enzyme with the half maximal effective concentration value of 0.27 ± 0.06 mM, while compound 2 was an inhibitor with the half maximal inhibitory concentration value of 0.14 ± 0.03 mM. Taking advantage of the convenience of magnetic separation and specific extraction ability of ligand fishing, the proposed method exhibited great potential for screening of bioactive compounds from complex matrices.
Patients of stage I oral cancer with pathologically low‐risk feature managed by primary tumor resection alone: Impact of depth of invasion and a nomogram analysis
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Hsien , Huang Hui‐Shan , Chuang Hui‐Ching , Lin Yu‐Tsai , Yang Kun‐Lin , Lu Hui , Chien Chih‐Yen 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the importance of depth of invasion (DOI) in patients with pathologically low‐risk feature stage I oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) managed by primary tumor resection alone.MethodsPatients with stage I OSCC, at pathologically low risk, underwent primary tumor resection without neck dissection were enrolled retrospectively between 2007 and 2015. Low risk was defined as the absence of positive or close margins, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, worst pattern of invasion‐5, and poor differentiation in histologic grade. The primary endpoints included overall survival (OS), cancer specific survival (CSS), local recurrence free survival (LRFS), and regional recurrence free survival (RRFS). A nomogram based on the DOI was established for predicting RRFS.ResultsA total of 198 patients were enrolled in this study. DOI was the only prognosticator to achieve statistical significance in all primary endpoints according to univariate analysis. Patients with DOI <3 mm tumor showed better five‐year OS, CSS, LRFS, and RRFS than those with DOI ≥3 mm tumor. The concordance index of the nomogram model without DOI was 0.684, which could increase to 0.733 when DOI was included in the calculation.ConclusionPatients with pathologically low‐risk stage I OSCC correlate with a higher chance in occult neck metastasis if increasing DOI (≥3 mm) is noticed. Indeed, the chance of occult neck metastasis is significantly higher in this group (14% vs. 2%) than in those with DOI <3 mm. Elective neck dissection is advised if DOI is ≥3 mm to achieve better clinical outcomes.Level of Evidence4.
Highly Integrated Dual‐Modality Microwave Frequency Identification System
Authors: Yao Yuhan , Zhao Yuhe , Wei Yanxian , Zhou Feng , Chen Daigao , Zhang Yuguang , Xiao Xi , Li Ming , Dong Jianji , Yu Shaohua , Zhang Xinliang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPhotonic‐assisted microwave frequency identification systems have been extensively explored and widely applied for civil and defense applications. Full integration of this system is a promising candidate in attempts to meet the requirements of reduction in size, weight, and power. Although many integrated photonic chips have been reported in different technologies, none has monolithically integrated all the main active and passive optoelectronic components. Furthermore, previous approaches could identify either a single frequency signal instantaneously or multiple frequency signals statistically, but not both, hindering the practical applications. Here, a highly integrated dual‐modality microwave frequency identification system on a single chip is reported. All critical components including a modulator, a sweeping‐frequency filter, a frequency‐selected filter, an amplitude comparison function, and parallel photodetectors, are monolithically integrated on the silicon‐on‐insulator platform. Thanks to the dual‐modality scheme, the chip is able to identify different types of microwave signals, including single‐frequency, multiple‐frequency, chirped, and frequency‐hopping microwave signals, as well as discriminate instantaneous frequency variation among the frequency‐modulated signals. This demonstration exhibits a highly integrated solution and fully functional microwave frequency identification, which can meet the requirements in reduction of size, weight, and power for future advanced microwave photonic processor.
Accounting for Temperature Effects When Predicting Molecular Weight and Composition Distribution for Gas‐Phase Polyethylene Produced using a Multisite Catalyst
Authors: Gibson Lauren A. , Aiello Jennifer P. , Jiang Yan , Boller Timothy , McAuley Kimberley B. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractA dynamic model is developed for gas‐phase ethylene/1‐hexene polymerization with a three‐site hafnocene catalyst. The model accurately predicts molecular weight and comonomer composition distributions for 15 lab‐scale copolymerization runs performed at different temperatures. The experimental runs used to fit this model are performed at temperatures between 60 and 85 °C. Gas‐phase concentrations are measured every 2.7 min throughout each run. Predicted chain‐length distributions are discretized to aid model development, keeping the number of ordinary differential equations manageable. Kinetic parameters at the reference temperature of 81 °C and activation energies are estimated. Using parameter subset selection techniques, it is determined that 53 of the 60 model parameters should be estimated using the product characterization and reactor data. An additional data set obtained at 85 °C is used for model validation, confirming the predictive power of the model. The proposed model and its parameter estimates can aid selection of operating conditions to achieve targeted polymer properties.
Intermediate and Expanded HTT Alleles and the Risk for α‐Synucleinopathies
Authors: Pérez‐Oliveira Sergio , Álvarez Ignacio , Rosas Irene , Menendez‐González Manuel , Blázquez‐Estrada Marta , Aguilar Miquel , Corte Daniela , Buongiorno Mariateresa , Molina‐Porcel Laura , Aldecoa Iban , Martí María J. , Sánchez‐Juan Pascual , Infante Jon , González‐Aramburu Isabel , García‐González Pablo , Rosende‐Roca Maitée , Boada Mercè , Ruiz Agustín , Periñán María Teresa , Macías‐García Daniel , Muñoz‐Delgado Laura , Gómez‐Garre Pilar , Mir Pablo , Clarimón Jordi , Lleo Alberto , Alcolea Daniel , De la Casa‐Fages Beatriz , Duarte Israel , Álvarez Victoria , Pastor Pau 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies suggest a link between CAG repeat number in the HTT gene and non‐Huntington neurodegenerative diseases.ObjectiveThe aim is to analyze whether expanded HTT CAG alleles and/or their size are associated with the risk for developing α‐synucleinopathies or their behavior as modulators of the phenotype.MethodsWe genotyped the HTT gene CAG repeat number and APOE‐Ɛ isoforms in a case‐control series including patients with either clinical or neuropathological diagnosis of α‐synucleinopathy.ResultsWe identified three Parkinson's disease (PD) patients (0.30%) and two healthy controls (0.19%) carrying low‐penetrance HTT repeat expansions whereas none of the dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) or multisystem atrophy (MSA) patients carried pathogenic HTT expansions. In addition, a clear increase in the number of HTT CAG repeats was found among DLB and PD groups influenced by the male gender and also by the APOE4 allele among DLB patients. HTT intermediate alleles' (IAs) distribution frequency increased in the MSA group compared with controls (8.8% vs. 3.9%, respectively). These differences were indeed statistically significant in the MSA group with neuropathological confirmation. Two MSA HTT CAG IAs carriers with 32 HTT CAG repeats showed isolated polyQ inclusions in pons and basal nuclei, which are two critical structures in the neurodegeneration of MSA.ConclusionsOur results point to a link between HTT CAG number, HTT IAs, and expanded HTT CAG repeats with other non‐HD brain pathology and support the hypothesis that they can share common neurodegenerative pathways. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A multiscale LBM–TPM–PFM approach for modeling of multiphase fluid flow in fractured porous media
Authors: Chaaban Mohamad , Heider Yousef , Markert Bernd 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we present a reliable micro‐to‐macroscale framework to model multiphase fluid flow through fractured porous media. This is based on utilizing the capabilities of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) within the phase‐field modeling (PFM) of fractures in multiphase porous media. In this, we propose new physically motivated phase‐field‐dependent relationships for the residual saturation, the intrinsic as well as relative permeabilities. In addition, an anisotropic, phase‐field‐dependent intrinsic permeability tensor for the fractured porous domains is formulated, which relies on the single‐ and multiphasic LBM flow simulations. Based on these results, new relationships for the variation of the macroscopic theory of porous media (TPM)–PFM model parameters in the transition zone are proposed. Whereby, a multiscale concept for the coupling between the multiphasic flow through the crack on one hand and the porous ambient, on the other hand, is achieved. The hybrid model is numerically applied on a real microgeometry of fractured porous media, extracted via X‐ray microcomputed tomography data of fractured Berea Sandstone. Moreover, the model is utilized for the calculation of the fluid leak‐off from the crack to the intact zones. Additionally, the effects of the depth of the transition zone and the orientation of the crack channels on the amount of leakage flow rates are studied. The outcomes of the numerical model proved the reliability of the multiscale model to simulate multiphasic fluid flow through fractured porous media.
Measuring contact angles on hydrophilic porous scaffolds by implementing a novel raised platform approach: A technical note
Authors: Paxton Naomi C. , Woodruff Maria A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractContact angle (CA) analysis is a widely employed technique to assess the surface properties of solid samples, including in tissue engineering research where scaffolds are typically designed to be both porous and hydrophilic to enable cell and tissue infiltration. Paradoxically, the types of scaffolds that possess the most optimal hydrophilic surface properties for cell attachment are the most challenging surfaces to attain accurate CA measurements. Here, we propose the use of a small 3D printed platform to elevate samples above the CA measurement substrate and demonstrate reproducible and accurate CA measurements on a range of popular polymer scaffolds that had undergone 5 min plasma treatment to instigate hydrophilicity. Using four polycaprolactone or high‐density polyethylene scaffolds with porosity ranging from 35.8%–93.1%, 0° CAs were reproducibly observed by measuring the CA while the scaffolds were elevated on the 3D printed platform, compared to the highly variable false‐positive results when measuring the scaffolds while directly sitting on measurement substrates of various materials. This versatile, low‐cost modification to CA hardware overcomes the challenges associated with measuring the surface properties of porous, hydrophilic scaffolds and provides a simple tool for tissue engineering researchers to perform CA measurements for any biomaterial scaffolds to ascertain hydrophilicity which is used to infer the suitability of scaffold surfaces for cell attachment.