bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of sildenafil in term and preterm infants with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Rhee Su-jin , Shin Seung Han , Oh Jaeseong , Jung Young Hwa , Choi Chang Won , Kim Han-Suk , Yu Kyung-Sang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSildenafil is widely used off-label in pediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study was conducted to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of sildenafil in term and preterm neonates with PAH, by developing a population PK model, and to suggest appropriate doses to achieve clinically effective concentrations. A population PK modelling analysis was performed using sildenafil and its metabolite N-desmethyl sildenafil (DMS) concentration data from 19 neonates with PAH, whose gestational ages ranged 24–41 weeks. They received sildenafil orally at a dose of 0.5–0.75 mg/kg, four times a day. To investigate the appropriate sildenafil dose, simulations were conducted according to body weight which was significant covariate for sildenafil clearance. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption adequately described the PKs of sildenafil and DMS. Sildenafil clearance was expected to increase rapidly with increasing body weight. In the simulation, sildenafil doses > 1 mg/kg was required to achieve and maintain target concentrations of sildenafil and to expect timely clinical effects in term and preterm infants. These results could be utilized for the safer and more effective use of sildenafil in term and preterm infants.
The influence of friction on the determination of rock fracture toughness
Authors: Xie Qin , Zeng Yuan , Li Shengxiang , Liu Xiling , Du Kun 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe accurate determination of fracture toughness (KIc) in rock is of great significance to the study of rock fracture characteristics. However, the effect of contact friction in the loading process on the test results of fracture toughness is rarely considered, and the testedKIcin previous studies is generally higher than the inherentKIcof the material. Based on the ABAQUS software, the influence of friction on the test results ofKIcwas investigated under different material elastic moduli, loading conditions and specimen sizes by the finite element analysis in this study. The results show that for the specimen with the notch semi-circular bend configuration, if the presence of friction is considered, the changes of load level, the span of roller support and the specimen size can significantly affect the test results of fracture toughness, except the elastic modulus of the material; if the influence of friction is not considered, there will be a large deviation in the research results of the size effect of fracture toughness in rock. As the friction coefficient increases, the estimated value of the fracture energy increases, while the fracture process zone length decreases for the specimen with an infinite size.
Biophysical studies of cancer cells’ traverse-vessel behaviors under different pressures revealed cells’ motion state transition
Authors: Li Xiao , Shi Jialin , Gao Ziqing , Xu Jian , Wang Shujing , Li Xin , Ouyang Qi , Luo Chunxiong 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCirculating tumor cells (CTCs) survive in the bloodstream and then seed and invade to foster tumor metastasis. The arrest of cancer cells is favored by permissive flow forces and geometrical constraints. Through the use of high-throughput microfluidic devices designed to mimic capillary-sized vessels, we applied pressure differences to cancer cells (MCF-7 cell line) and recorded the cell traverse-vessel behaviors. Our results showed that cancer cells transform from a Newtonian droplet state to an adhesion/migration state when cancer cells traverse artificial vessels. To explain these phenomena, a modified Newtonian droplet model was also proposed. These phenomena and the modified model may reveal how CTCs in the blood seed and invade vessels under suitable conditions.
Oral administration of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila strains from humans improves atopic dermatitis symptoms in DNCB induced NC/Nga mice
Authors: Lee Yoonmi , Byeon Hye Rim , Jang Seo-Yul , Hong Moon-Gi , Kim Dohak , Lee Dokyung , Shin Joo-Hyun , Kim Yesol , Kang Seung-Goo , Seo Jae-Gu 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease, and its pathogenesis is closely associated with microbial homeostasis in the gut, namely the gut-skin axis. Particularly, recent metagenomics studies revealed that the abundance of two major bacterial species in the gut, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila, may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AD, but the effect of these species in AD has not yet been elucidated. To evaluate the potential beneficial effect of F. prausnitzii or A. muciniphila in AD, we conducted an animal model study where F. prausnitzii EB-FPDK11 or A. muciniphila EB-AMDK19, isolated from humans, was orally administered to 2,5-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD models using NC/Nga mice at a daily dose of 108 CFUs/mouse for six weeks. As a result, the administration of each strain of F. prausnitzii and A. muciniphila improved AD-related markers, such as dermatitis score, scratching behavior, and serum immunoglobulin E level. Also, the F. prausnitzii and A. muciniphila treatments decreased the level of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), triggering the production of T helper (Th) 2 cytokines, and improved the imbalance between the Th1 and Th2 immune responses induced by DNCB. Meanwhile, the oral administration of the bacteria enhanced the production of filaggrin in the skin and ZO-1 in the gut barrier, leading to the recovery of functions. Taken together, our findings suggest that F. prausnitzii EB-FPDK11 and A. muciniphila EB-AMDK19 have a therapeutic potential in AD, which should be verified in humans.
Activation of cannabinoid receptors in breast cancer cells improves osteoblast viability in cancer-bone interaction model while reducing breast cancer cell survival and migration
Authors: Khunluck Tueanjai , Lertsuwan Kornkamon , Chutoe Chartinun , Sooksawanwit Supagarn , Inson Ingon , Teerapornpuntakit Jarinthorn , Tohtong Rutaiwan , Charoenphandhu Narattaphol 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe endocannabinoid system has been postulated to help restrict cancer progression and maintain osteoblastic function during bone metastasis. Herein, the effects of cannabinoid receptor (CB) type 1 and 2 activation on breast cancer cell and osteoblast interaction were investigated by using ACEA and GW405833 as CB1 and CB2 agonists, respectively. Our results showed that breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231)-derived conditioned media markedly decreased osteoblast-like UMR-106 cell viability. In contrast, media from MDA-MB-231 cells pre-treated with GW405833 improved UMR-106 cell viability. MDA-MB-231 cells were apparently more susceptible to both CB agonists than UMR-106 cells. Thereafter, we sought to answer the question as to how CB agonists reduced MDA-MB-231 cell virulence. Present data showed that co-activation of CB1 and CB2 exerted cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB-231 cells by increasing apoptotic cell death through suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway in an ROS-independent mechanism. ACEA or GW405833 alone or in combination also inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell migration. Thus, it can be concluded that the endocannabinoid system is able to provide protection during breast cancer bone metastasis by interfering cancer and bone cell interaction as well as by the direct suppression of cancer cell growth and migration.
Multisensory mental representation in covid-19 patients and the possibility of long-lasting gustatory and olfactory dysfunction in the CNS
Authors: Tomasino Barbara , Pellitteri Gaia , Bax Francesco , Marini Alessandro , Surcinelli Andrea , Gigli Gian Luigi , Valente Mariarosaria 
Published: May 2022

AbstractGustatory (GD) and olfactory (OD) dysfunctions are the most frequent neurological manifestations of COVID-19. We used mental imagery as an experimental psychological paradigm to access olfactory and gustatory brain representations in 80 Italian COVID-19 adult patients (68.75% reported both OD and GD). COVID-19 patients with OD + GD have a significantly and selectively decreased vividness of odor and taste imagery, indicating that COVID-19 has an effect on their chemosensory mental representations. OD + GD length and type influenced the status of mental chemosensory representations. OD + GD were become all COVID-19 negative at the time of testing. Data suggest that patients are not explicitly aware of long-term altered chemosensory processing. However, differences emerge when their chemosensory function is implicitly assessed using self-ratings. Among patients developing OD + GD, self-ratings of chemosensory function (taste, flavor) were significantly lower as compared to those who did not. At the level of mental representation, such differences can be further detected, in terms of a reduced ability to mentally activate an odor or taste mental image. Our study shows that COVID-19 infection not only frequently causes hyposmia and dysgeusia, but that may also alter the mental representations responsible for olfactory and gustatory perception.
Torsional vibration analysis of shaft with multi inertias
Authors: Peng Tao , Yan Qun 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAn analytical method is proposed to investigate the torsional vibration of the uniform circular shaft with multiple concentrated inertias. The governing equation is established based on the Hamiltonian principle and verified by the dynamical method. The theoretical solutions of frequencies and mode shapes under different boundary conditions are obtained using the separation variable method and integral transformation. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparison with existing literature. Considering the change of the magnitudes/positions/number of concentrated inertias, and different boundary conditions, the natural frequencies and mode shapes are discussed. Several general rules are obtained. Moreover, some interesting phenomena have been found and explained. The analytical method has applications in the design of shafting with multiple concentrated inertias and the reliability checking of the “approximate” solutions.
A long-tailed marine reptile from China provides new insights into the Middle Triassic pachypleurosaur radiation
Authors: Xu Guang-Hui , Ren Yi , Zhao Li-Jun , Liao Jun-Ling , Feng Dong-Hao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPachypleurosaurs (Pachypleurosauroidea) are a group of small to medium-sized, lizard-like marine reptiles in the Early to Middle Triassic, including Pachypleurosauridae, Keichousauridae and closely related taxa. The group is generally considered as a sauropterygian radiation, but its phylogenetic interrelationships remain highly debated. Here, we present a new pachypleurosaurid,Honghesaurus longicaudalisgen. et sp. nov., from the early Middle Triassic (Anisian, ~ 244 Ma) marine deposits in Luxi, Yunnan, China. The discovery documents the first really long-tailed pachypleurosaur with totally 121 (69 caudal) vertebrae, providing new evidence for the vertebral multiplication and ecological adaption of this group. The long trunk associated with an incredibly long tail could provideHonghesaurusthe advantage of maneuverability and energy efficiency for lateral undulatory swimming.Honghesaurus, although possessing a series of autapomorphies, fills the morphological gap betweenQianxisaurusfrom the Ladinian Xingyi Biota andWumengosaurusfrom the Anisian Panxian Biota. Phylogenetic studies unite these three pachypleurosaurids as a monophyletic clade above European pachypleurosaurid clades and provide new insights into the interrelationships of this group. Our scenario of pachypleurosaurian phylogeny combined with the stratigraphic data imply that the Tethys Ocean was a west–east corridor for dispersal of pachypleurosaurids from Europe into South China.
Evaluation of the Chinese version of the constipation scoring system in Chinese women with pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Liu Yanhua , Tan Man , Tan Cheng , Yang Xin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDefecation disorder is one of the main symptoms in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) patients. Our study aims to translate the Chinese version of the constipation scoring system (CSS) questionnaire and test the reliability and validity of its application in Chinese POP women. We recruited 140 women suffering prolapse with stage II or above POP who reported at least one abnormal defecation symptom. We chose CRADI-8 as the criterion validity. Cronbach's α coefficient of the total score of CSS was 0.721, the ICC and Kappa coefficient of CSS total score were 0.877 and 0.424, respectively. The total score of CSS was significantly correlated with the CRADI-8 score (p < 0.001), and Spearman's coefficient was 0.491. The total score of CSS in the women with constipation (according to Rome III criteria) was greater than that of patients without constipation (p < 0.001), and the total score of CSS was significantly different before and after surgery (p < 0.001), which was consistent with the change of CRADI-8. The median of the preoperative group was 6(3,10), and the median of the postoperative group was 3(0,7). These data demonstrate that the Chinese version of the CSS questionnaire has great internal consistency, retest reliability, and construct validity. It may be widely used to evaluate constipation symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse in China.
Anal incontinence after a prolonged second stage of labor in primiparous women
Authors: Bergendahl Sandra , Sandström Anna , Spasojevic Alexandra , Brismar Wendel Sophia 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe objective was to investigate the effect of delivery mode on anal incontinence 1–2 years after delivery in primiparous women with prolonged second stage of labor. This population-based cohort and questionnaire study performed in Stockholm Region, Sweden, included 1302 primiparous women with a second stage ≥ 3 h from December 1st, 2017 through November 30th, 2018. Background characteristics and outcome data were retrieved from computerized records. Questionnaires based on Wexner score were distributed 1–2 years after delivery. Risk of anal incontinence, defined as Wexner score ≥ 2, was calculated using logistic regression and presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR and aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Compared with cesarean section, vacuum extraction was associated with anal incontinence (aOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.21–4.18) while spontaneous delivery was not (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 0.85–2.84). Anal incontinence was independently associated with obstetric anal sphincter injuries (aOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.17–3.5) and 2nd degree perineal tears (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03–1.81) compared with no or 1st degree perineal tear. Obstetric anal sphincter injury at vacuum extraction inferred the highest risk of anal incontinence (aOR 4.06, 95% CI 1.80–9.14), compared with cesarean section. Increasing duration of the prolonged second stage did not affect the risk.
Hydroclimate response of spring ecosystems to a two-stage Younger Dryas event in western North America
Authors: Pigati Jeffrey S. , Springer Kathleen B. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe Younger Dryas (YD) climate event is the preeminent example of abrupt climate change in the recent geologic past. Climate conditions during the YD were spatially complex, and high-resolution sediment cores in the North Atlantic, western Europe, and East Asia have revealed it unfolded in two distinct stages, including an initial stable climatic period between ~ 12.9 and 12.2 ka associated with a weakened Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and a second phase characterized by variable conditions until 11.7 ka as the AMOC recovered. Decades of investigations into the climate of western North America during the YD have failed to identify this stepped phenomenon. Here we present hydroclimate data from paleospring deposits in Death Valley National Park (California, USA) that demonstrate unequivocal evidence of two-stage partitioning within the YD event. High groundwater levels supported persistent and long-lived spring ecosystems between ~ 13.0 and 12.2 ka, which were immediately replaced by alternating wet and dry environments until ~ 11.8 ka. These results establish the mid-YD climate transition extended into western North America at approximately the same time it was recorded by hydrologic systems elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere and show that even short-lived changes in the AMOC can have profound consequences for ecosystems worldwide.
Realizing quasi-monochromatic switchable thermal emission from electro-optically induced topological phase transitions
Authors: Gupta Nitish Kumar , Srinivasu Sapireddy , Tiwari Anjani Kumar , Wanare Harshawardhan , Ramakrishna S. Anantha 
Published: May 2022

AbstractExplorations into the photonic analogs of topological materials have garnered significant research interest due to their application potential. Particularly in planar systems, the prospects of engendering extinguishable topological states can have wide-ranging implications. With an objective of employing these concepts for thermal emission engineering, here, we design and numerically investigate a quasi-monochromatic highly directional mid-infrared source elicited from inversion symmetry-protected topological interface states. Notably, by relying on the architecture of electro-optic effect-induced topological phase transitions, we introduce the possibility of ultrafast switching of thermal radiation. These reversible phase transitions, being free from carrier transport are inherently fast and evoke thermal emission modulation with a modulation depth upto 0.99. Specifically, our platform exhibits a near-perfect extinguishable spectral emission peak at $$4~\mu$$

4

μ

m with a quality factor of over 18500, displaying negligible parasitic emissions. Furthermore, the optimized interface state manifests itself for only one of the polarization modes, resulting in polarized emission under resonance conditions. To establish a methodical approach to parameter optimization, we also model our platform as a leaky mode resonator using the framework of temporal coupled-mode theory. We believe, our findings can provide a way forward in establishing complete control over the optical characteristics of the infrared thermal emitters.
Systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with white matter hyperintensity volume
Authors: Nam Ki-Woong , Kwon Hyung-Min , Jeong Han-Yeong , Park Jin-Ho , Kwon Hyuktae 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSystemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel inflammatory marker based on the composition ratio of blood cell counts. In this study, we evaluated the association between the SII and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in health check-up participants. We evaluated participants from our health check-up registry between 2006 and 2013. The SII was calculated using the following formula: SII = (platelet count × neutrophil count)/lymphocyte count. cSVD was assessed by considering white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, lacunes, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). A total of 3187 participants were assessed. In multivariable linear regression analysis, the SII was significantly related to WMH volume [β = 0.120, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.050–0.189]. However, lacunes and CMBs showed no statistical significance with the SII. In the subgroup analysis by age, the SII was significantly associated with WMH volume only in participants aged ≥ 60 years (β = 0.225, 95% CI 0.068–0.381). In conclusion, a high SII was associated with cSVD. Since this association was more pronounced in WMH than in lacunes or CMBs, WMH might be closer to the inflammation-related pathological mechanisms.
Novel fold of rotavirus glycan-binding domain predicted by AlphaFold2 and determined by X-ray crystallography
Authors: Hu Liya , Salmen Wilhelm , Sankaran Banumathi , Lasanajak Yi , Smith David F. , Crawford Sue E. , Estes Mary K. , Prasad B. V. Venkataram 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe VP8* domain of spike protein VP4 in group A and C rotaviruses, which cause epidemic gastroenteritis in children, exhibits a conserved galectin-like fold for recognizing glycans during cell entry. In group B rotavirus, which causes significant diarrheal outbreaks in adults, the VP8* domain (VP8*B) surprisingly lacks sequence similarity with VP8* of group A or group C rotavirus. Here, by using the recently developed AlphaFold2 for ab initio structure prediction and validating the predicted model by determining a 1.3-Å crystal structure, we show that VP8*B exhibits a novel fold distinct from the galectin fold. This fold with a β-sheet clasping an α-helix represents a new fold for glycan recognition based on glycan array screening, which shows that VP8*B recognizes glycans containing N-acetyllactosamine moiety. Although uncommon, our study illustrates how evolution can incorporate structurally distinct folds with similar functionality in a homologous protein within the same virus genus.
Stabilized director buckling patterns in nematic elastomers and their dynamic optical effects
Authors: Ohzono Takuya , Minamikawa Hiroyuki , Terentjev Eugene M. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPearlescence and iridescence, which are a class of light diffusion effects that exhibit sharp viewing-angle-dependent brightness and colors, are important material properties for notification purposes and lighting devices. Here we report elastomeric materials with self-organized periodic birefringent patterns that exhibit these optical effects, with additional dynamic and reversible tunability. A stack of micron-thick layers, each of which has a nematic director tilted from the layer normal in a different direction, assembles a birefringence-pattern-based anisotropic diffuser in a nematic liquid-crystal elastomer. The periodic pattern is formed after buckling induced by the uniaxial thermal shrinkage, and the associated rotation of an initially uniform director state. The patterns can be stabilized by secondary crosslinking. Upon deformation or increasing the temperature, the light diffusion with viewing-angle-dependent colors reversibly fades owing to the diminishing of optical effects via strain-induced alignment or thermal randomization of birefringence, respectively. Such elastomers with tunable self-organized birefringence patterns can be used for reconfigurable optical elements and strain/temperature detection in the form of films, tapes, rods, and fibers.
A long non-coding RNA as a direct vitamin D target transcribed from the antisense strand of the human HSD17B2 locus
Authors: Kanemoto Yoshiaki , Nishimura Koichi , Hayakawa Akira , Sawada Takahiro , Amano Rei , Mori Jinichi , Kurokawa Tomohiro , Murakami Yoshinori , Kato Shigeaki 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Vitamin D (VD) exerts a wide variety of actions via gene regulation mediated by the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) under physiological and pathological settings. However, the known target genes of VDR appear unlikely to account for all VD actions. We used in silico and transcriptomic approaches in human cell lines to search for non-coding RNAs transcriptionally regulated by VD directly. Four long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), but no microRNAs (miRNAs), were found, supported by the presence of consensus VDR-binding motifs in the coding regions. One of these lncRNAs (AS-HSD17β2) is transcribed from the antisense strand of the HSD17β2 locus, which is also a direct VD target. AS-HSD17β2 attenuated HSD17β2 expression. Thus, AS-HSD17β2 represents a direct lncRNA target of VD.