bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angiogenic stem cell delivery platform to augment post-infarction neovasculature and reverse ventricular remodeling
Authors: Shin Hye Sook , Thakore Akshara , Tada Yuko , Pedroza Albert J. , Ikeda Gentaro , Chen Ian Y. , Chan Doreen , Jaatinen Kevin J. , Yajima Shin , Pfrender Eric M. , Kawamura Masashi , Yang Phillip C. , Wu Joseph C. , Appel Eric A. , Fischbein Michael P. , Woo YJoseph , Shudo Yasuhiro 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMany cell-based therapies are challenged by the poor localization of introduced cells and the use of biomaterial scaffolds with questionable biocompatibility or bio-functionality. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), a popular cell type used in cell-based therapies due to their robust angiogenic potential, are limited in their therapeutic capacity to develop into mature vasculature. Here, we demonstrate a joint delivery of human-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) as a scaffold-free, bi-level cell sheet platform to improve ventricular remodeling and function in an athymic rat model of myocardial infarction. The transplanted bi-level cell sheet on the ischemic heart provides a biomimetic microenvironment and improved cell–cell communication, enhancing cell engraftment and angiogenesis, thereby improving ventricular remodeling. Notably, the increased density of vessel-like structures and upregulation of biological adhesion and vasculature developmental genes, such as Cxcl12 and Notch3, particularly in the ischemic border zone myocardium, were observed following cell sheet transplantation. We provide compelling evidence that this SMC-EPC bi-level cell sheet construct can be a promising therapy to repair ischemic cardiomyopathy.
The nephroprotective action of Passiflora edulis in streptozotocin-induced diabetes
Authors: Araújo Galdino Ony , de Souza Gomes Iago , Ferreira de Almeida Júnior Renato , Conceição Ferreira de Carvalho Maria Imaculada , Abreu Bento João , Abbott Galvão Ururahy Marcela , Cabral Barbara , Zucolotto Langassner Silvana Maria , Costa de Souza Karla Simone , Augusto de Rezende Adriana 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn the present study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel aqueous (AFA) extract as an adjuvant to insulin to confer nephroprotection against streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups based on treatment received for 60 days: diabetic (DB), control (CTL), insulin (INS), and insulin + AFA extract (INS + AFA). mRNA and protein expression levels of podocyte (nephrin, podocin, and WT1) and tubular (megalin) proteins were measured in kidney tissue specimens and urine. Biochemical parameters and kidney histopathology were also examined. Herein, the INS + AFA group showed superior glycemic control, which resulted in the reduction of urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, maintenance of baseline levels of Nphs1, Nphs2, Wt1, and Lrp2 mRNA expression, prevention of protein loss from the kidney tissue into the urinary space, along with the maintenance of glomerular basement membrane thickness, hyalinization, glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis at values approximating those of the CTL group and significantly lower than those in the DB group. Therefore, these results suggest that, as an anti-diabetic agent, the AFA extract adjuvant to insulin could reduce and potentially prevent diabetic kidney disease.
Tactile facilitation during actual and mere expectation of object reception
Authors: Manzone Damian M. , Tremblay Luc , Chua Romeo 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDuring reaching and grasping movements tactile processing is typically suppressed. However, during a reception or catching task, the object can still be acquired but without suppressive processes related to movement execution. Rather, tactile information may be facilitated as the object approaches in anticipation of object contact and the utilization of tactile feedback. Therefore, the current study investigated tactile processing during a reception task. Participants sat with their upper limb still as an object travelled to and contacted their fingers. At different points along the object’s trajectory and prior to contact, participants were asked to detect tactile stimuli delivered to their index finger. To understand if the expectation of object contact contributed to any modulation in tactile processing, the object stopped prematurely on 20% of trials. Compared to a pre-object movement baseline, relative perceptual thresholds were decreased throughout the object’s trajectory, and even when the object stopped prematurely. Further, there was no evidence for modulation when the stimulus was presented shortly before object contact. The former results suggest that tactile processing is facilitated as an object approaches an individual’s hand. As well, we purport that the expectation of tactile feedback drives this modulation. Finally, the latter results suggest that peripheral masking may have reduced/abolished any facilitation.
Comparison of the inhibitory effect of tocilizumab and etanercept on the progression of joint erosion in rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Authors: Hayashi Shinya , Matsubara Tsukasa , Maeda Toshihisa , Fukuda Koji , Funahashi Keiko , Hashimoto Marowa , Tsumiyama Ken , Kamenaga Tomoyuki , Takashima Yoshinori , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Tachibana Shotaro , Kuroda Ryosuke 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe compared the efficacy of tocilizumab and etanercept in inhibiting radiographic progression of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Overall, 187 patients treated with etanercept or tocilizumab were selected. To adjust for baseline patient characteristics between the tocilizumab and etanercept treatment groups, a propensity score matching was performed. Radiographic progression of joint destruction was compared between patients treated with tocilizumab or etanercept. Clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and modified health assessment questionnaire (mHAQ) scores at the administration of biologic treatment and after 12 months of tocilizumab and etanercept therapy were measured and compared to radiographical parameters between the groups. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), CDAI, and mHAQ scores improved after 12 months of treatment in the two groups. Proportion of patients with no Sharp erosion score progression was significantly higher with tocilizumab treatment than with etanercept treatment (p = 0.032). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Sharp erosion score was significantly associated with baseline CDAI (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.003–1.099, p = 0.037). Tocilizumab treatment suppressed joint erosion progression compared to etanercept, and the progression correlated with baseline CDAI.
Seismic velocity changes in the Groningen reservoir associated with distant drilling
Authors: Zhou Wen , Paulssen Hanneke 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this study, we show that passively recorded data of nearby passing trains by a deep borehole geophone array could be linked to fluctuations of the gas-water contact in the Groningen reservoir in The Netherlands. During a period of 1.5 months, changes of inter-geophone P-wave travel times were detected by deconvolution interferometry of the recorded train signals. P-to-S converted waves, obtained by deconvolution of the horizontal component by the vertical component at individual geophones, showed simultaneous variations. The observed travel-time changes could be related to fluctuations of the gas-water contact in the observation well caused by pressure variations at a well drilling 4.5 km away. The $$\sim$$
∼
3.5 day delay between drilling in the reservoir and the seismic response yields a hydraulic diffusivity of approximately 5 m$$^2$$

2

/s and suggests that the pressure front is effectively propagated over such a long distance. Our observations illustrate that downhole geophone arrays can be used to monitor changes in the subsurface if repeating noise sources are available, and that unexpected effects may occur due to drilling.
Clinical characteristics of children and guardians possessing CBP-positive Streptococcus mutans strains: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Otsugu Masatoshi , Mikasa Yusuke , Kitamura Takahiro , Suehiro Yuto , Matayoshi Saaya , Nomura Ryota , Nakano Kazuhiko 
Published: October 2022

AbstractStreptococcus mutans is a major etiological agent for dental caries. We previously demonstrated that S. mutans strains expressing collagen-binding proteins (CBPs) were related to the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. However, their acquisition and colonization remain unknown. Here, we investigated the detection rates of CBP-positive S. mutans strains in children and their guardians to clarify the background for the acquisition and colonization in children. Saliva samples were collected from children and their mothers, and detection of S. mutans and collagen-binding genes (cnm, cbm) was performed by PCR after DNA extraction. The oral status of each child was examined, and their mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire. The isolation rate of Cnm-positive S. mutans was significantly higher in mothers than in children. Notably, the possession rates of CBP-positive strains in children were significantly higher in children whose mothers had CBP-positive strains than in children whose mothers did not have these strains. Furthermore, children with CBP-positive strains had a significantly shorter breastfeeding period than children without these strains. The present results suggest that nutritional feeding habits in infancy are one of the factors involved in the acquisition and colonization of CBP-positive S. mutans strains.
Investigation of mixing viscoplastic fluid with a modified anchor impeller inside a cylindrical stirred vessel using Casson–Papanastasiou model
Authors: Benhanifia Kada , Redouane Fares , Lakhdar Rahmani , Brahim Mebarki , Al-Farhany Khaled , Jamshed Wasim , Eid Mohamed R. , El Din Sayed M. , Raizah Zehba 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn process engineering as chemical and biotechnological industry, agitated vessels are commonly used for various applications; mechanical agitation and mixing are performed to enhance heat transfer and improve specific Physico-chemical characteristics inside a heated tank. The research subject of this work is a numerical investigation of the thermo-hydrodynamic behavior of viscoplastic fluid (Casson–Papanastasiou model) in a stirred tank, with introducing a new anchor impeller design by conducting some modifications to the standard anchor impeller shape. Four geometry cases have been presented for achieving the mixing process inside the stirred vessel, CAI; classical anchor impeller, AI1; anchor impeller with added horizontal arm blade, AI2 and AI3 anchor impeller with two and three added arm blades, respectively. The investigation is focused on the effect of inertia and plasticity on the thermo-hydrodynamic behavior (flow pattern, power consumption, and heat transfer) by varying the Reynolds number (Re = 1, 10, 100, 200), Bingham number (Bn = 1, 10, 50), in addition to the effect of geometry design in the overall stirred system parameters. The findings revealed an excellent enhancement of flow pattern and heat transfer in the stirred system relatively to the increase of inertia values. Also, an energy reduction has been remarked and the effect of anchor impeller shape. AI3 geometry design significantly improves the flow pattern and enhances heat transfer by an increased rate of 10.46% over the other cases.
Reduced renal elimination of larger molecules is a strong predictor for mortality
Authors: Herou Erik , Grubb Anders , Dardashti Alain , Nozohoor Shahab , Zindovic Igor , Ederoth Per , Bjursten Henrik 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRenal dysfunction is a major risk factor for premature death and has been studied extensively. A new renal syndrome, shrunken pore syndrome (SPS), confers higher mortality in all studied populations. SPS is a condition in which cystatin C-based estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcystatin C) is ≥ 60% than creatinine-based estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcreatinine). We aimed to study the impact of SPS on mortality in a cohort of patients with follow up of up to 10 years. This was a retrospective single centre cohort study. We enrolled 3993 consecutive patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Outcome was evaluated using Kaplan Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regression. 1-, 5- and 10-year survival for patients with SPS was 90%, 59% and 45%, and without SPS 98%, 88% and 80% (p < 0.001). SPS was found to be an independent predictor for mortality with an HR of 1.96 (95% CI 1.63–2.36). SPS negatively affected survival regardless of pre-operative renal function. SPS is an independent predictor for mortality after elective cardiac surgery, equal to or greater than risk factors such as diabetes, impaired left ventricular function or renal dysfunction. SPS affected mortality even in patients with normal eGFR.Clinical registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT04141072.
Determination of antimicrobial agents and their transformation products in an agricultural water-soil system modified with manure
Authors: Stando Klaudia , Korzeniewska Ewa , Felis Ewa , Harnisz Monika , Buta-Hubeny Martyna , Bajkacz Sylwia 
Published: October 2022

AbstractManure fertilization is the primary source of veterinary antimicrobials in the water-soil system. The research gap is the fate of antimicrobials after their release into the environment. This study aimed to provide a detailed and multi-faceted examination of fertilized cultivated fields using two types of manure (poultry and bovine) enriched with selected antimicrobials. The research focused on assessing the mobility and stability of antimicrobials in the water-soil system. Additionally, transformation products of antimicrobials in the environment were identified. The extraction (solid-phase extraction and/or solid–liquid extraction) and LC–MS/MS analysis procedures were developed to determine 14 antimicrobials in the soil and pore water samples. Ten out of fourteen antimicrobials were detected in manure-amended soil and pore water samples. The highest concentration in the soil was 109.1 ng g−1(doxycycline), while in pore water, it was 186.6 ng L−1(ciprofloxacin). Sixteen transformation products of antimicrobials were identified in the soil and soil-related pore water. The same transformation products were detected in both soil and soil pore water extracts, with significantly higher signal intensities observed in soil extracts than in water. Transformation products were formed in oxidation, carbonylation, and ring-opening reactions.
Heterogeneous graph neural network for lncRNA-disease association prediction
Authors: Shi Hong , Zhang Xiaomeng , Tang Lin , Liu Lin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIdentifying lncRNA-disease associations is conducive to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. Due to the expensive and time-consuming methods verified by biological experiments, prediction methods based on computational models have gradually become an important means of lncRNA-disease associations discovery. However, existing methods still have challenges to make full use of network topology information to identify potential associations between lncRNA and disease in multi-source data. In this study, we propose a novel method called HGNNLDA for lncRNA-disease association prediction. First, HGNNLDA constructs a heterogeneous network composed of lncRNA similarity network, lncRNA-disease association network and lncRNA-miRNA association network; Then, on this heterogeneous network, various types of strong correlation neighbors with fixed size are sampled for each node by restart random walk; Next, the embedding information of lncRNA and disease in each lncRNA-disease association pair is obtained by the method of type-based neighbor aggregation and all types combination though heterogeneous graph neural network, in which attention mechanism is introduced considering that different types of neighbors will make different contributions to the prediction of lncRNA-disease association. As a result, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPR) under fivefold cross-validation (5FCV) are 0.9786 and 0.8891, respectively. Compared with five state-of-art prediction models, HGNNLDA has better prediction performance. In addition, in two types of case studies, it is further verified that our method can effectively predict the potential lncRNA-disease associations, and have ability to predict new diseases without any known lncRNAs.
Usefulness of hand grip strength to estimate other physical fitness parameters in older adults
Authors: Kim Su Hyun , Kim Taegyu , Park Jong-Chul , Kim Young Hoon 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to reveal the status of physical fitness (PF) levels and determine whether hand grip strength (HGS) could be used to estimate other PF parameters in older adults from large population data. A total of 46,269 participants aged ≥ 65 years who participated in the 2019 National Fitness Award Project in South Korea were included in the analysis. Of the participants, 6.8% had the highest level of overall physical fitness, while 48.9% had the lowest level. The proportion of overall PF levels differed significantly according to age groups. Significant associations between HGS and other PF parameters (30-s chair stand test, 2-min or 6-min walk test, sit-and-reach test, 3-m backwards walk test, and Figure-of-8 walk test) were noted and the group with low HGS (< 28 kg for men and < 18 kg for women) had significantly higher odds of having the lowest level of overall PF (odds ratio: 5.232 in men and 6.351 in women), after adjusting for age and body mass index. HGS could estimate muscular strength and endurance, aerobic fitness, flexibility, balance skills, and coordination skills, as well as overall PF level in older adults, and could be used as a substitute test for their PF level in limited situations.
Evaluation of the microperimetry in eyes with cuticular drusen
Authors: Nam Seung Wan , Lee Jung Hwa , Byun Zeeyoon , Ham Don-Il , Kong Mingui 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRetinal sensitivity may vary by subtypes of cuticular drusen. This retrospective study included 52 eyes of 32 patients with cuticular drusen. All the patients underwent assessment of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, and microperimetry. The area occupied by drusen was counted using microperimetry. The cuticular drusen subtype was classified into 3 groups based on the SD-OCT findings. Age, BCVA, pattern standard deviation, area occupied by drusen, pupil size, and the false-positive rate were not significantly different (p > 0.05) according to the cuticular drusen type. The mean retinal sensitivity (MRS) (p = 0.063) and mean deviation (MD) (p = 0.098) showed marginally significant differences among the groups. In the subgroup analyses, type 1 and type 3 cuticular drusen showed significant differences in the MD (− 1.8 ± 2.1 vs − 5.1 ± 5.3; p = 0.011) and MRS (25.1 ± 2.2 vs 21.3 ± 5.7; p = 0.016) without differences in age, BCVA, or the area occupied by drusen (p > 0.05). The results indicate that depending on the subtypes of cuticular drusen type, the deterioration of retinal sensitivity is more likely to occur than decreased vision.
Effect of a light-darkness cycle on the body weight gain of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Manuel , García Teodoro L. , Heredia Donají , Reséndiz Isaac , Cruz Lorena , Santiago Jacqueline , Rojas-Granados Adelina , Ubaldo-Reyes Laura , Pérez-Campos-Mayoral Laura , Pérez-Campos Eduardo , Vásquez Gervacio S. , Moguel Juan M. , Zarate Romeo , García Oscar , Sánchez Luisa , Torres Fernando , Paz Alberto , Elizarraras-Rivas Jesús , Hernández-Huerta María T. , Angeles-Castellanos Manuel 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe Continuous bright light conditions to which premature infants are subjected while hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) can have deleterious effects in terms of growth and development. This study evaluates the benefits of a light/darkness cycle (LDC) in weight and early hospital discharge from the NICU. Subjects were recruited from three participating institutions in Mexico. Eligible patients (n = 294) were premature infants who were hospitalized in the low-risk and high-risk neonatal units classified as stable. The subjects randomized to the experimental group (n = 150) were allocated to LDC conditions are as follows: light from 07:00 to 19:00 and darkness (25 lx) from 19:00 to 07:00. The control group (n = 144) was kept under normal room light conditions (CBL) 24 h a day. Main outcome was weight gain and the effect of reducing the intensity of nocturnal light in development of premature infants. Infants to the LDC gained weight earlier, compared with those randomized to CBL, and had a significant reduction in length of hospital stay. These results highlight those premature infants subjected to a LDC exhibit improvements in physiological development, favoring earlier weight gain and consequently a decrease in hospital stays. ClinicalTrials.gov; 02/09/2020 ID: NCT05230706.
Hepatic urea, creatinine and uric acid metabolism in dairy cows with divergent milk urea concentrations
Authors: Prahl Marie C. , Müller Carolin B. M. , Albrecht Dirk , Koch Franziska , Wimmers Klaus , Kuhla Björn 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMilk urea concentration is an indicator for dietary nitrogen (N)-supply and urinary N-excretion. Dairy cows with high (HMU) compared to low milk urea (LMU) concentration have greater plasma urea, creatinine and uric acid concentrations, but if the liver metabolism accounts for these differences is unknown. Eighteen HMU and 18 LMU cows were fed a diet with a low (LP) or normal (NP) crude protein concentration. A N balance study was performed and a 13C-urea bolus was administered to measure urea pool size. Liver samples were analyzed by 2D-gel-based proteomics and RT-qPCR. Although HMU cows had a greater urea pool, plasma urea, uric acid, and hippuric acid concentrations, these differences were not associated with altered expressions of genes related to urea cycling or N-metabolism. Instead, HMU cows had higher oxidative stress levels. Conclusively, other factors than hepatic urea metabolism account for milk urea concentrations. Despite higher plasma urea concentrations and argininosuccinate synthase 1 protein expression on the LP diet, urea cycle mRNA expressions were not affected, indicating that its activity is not controlled at transcriptional level. Feeding the LP diet resulted in increased expressions of enzymes catabolizing fatty acids, but the reason remains to be investigated in future studies.