bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enriched environment enhances NK cell maturation through hypothalamic BDNF in male mice
Authors: Mansour Anthony G. , Xiao Run , Bergin Stephen M. , Huang Wei , Chrislip Logan A. , Zhang Jianying , Ali Seemaab , Queen Nicholas J. , Caligiuri Michael A. , Cao Lei 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMacroenvironmental factors, including a patient's physical and social environment, play a role in cancer risk and progression. Our previous preclinical studies have shown that the enriched environment (EE) confers anti‐obesity and anti‐cancer phenotypes that are associated with enhanced adaptive immunity and are mediated by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Natural killer (NK) cells have anti‐cancer and anti‐viral properties, and their absence or depletion is associated with inferior clinical outcomes. In this study, we investigated the effects of EE on NK cell maturation following their depletion. Mice living in EE displayed a higher proportion of NK cells in the spleen, bone marrow, and blood, compared to those living in the standard environment (SE). EE enhanced NK cell maturation in the spleen and was associated with upregulation of BDNF expression in the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic BDNF overexpression reproduced the EE effects on NK cell maturation in secondary lymphoid tissues. Conversely, hypothalamic BDNF knockdown blocked the EE modulation on NK cell maturation. Our results demonstrate that a bio‐behavior intervention enhanced NK cell maturation and was mediated at least in part by hypothalamic BDNF.
Evaluation of the anticancer activity and fatty acids composition of “Handal” (Citrullus colocynthis L.) seed oil, a desert plant from south Jordan
Authors: Al‐Hwaiti Mohammad S. , Alsbou Eid M. , Abu Sheikha Ghassan , Bakchiche Boulanouar , Pham Thu Huong , Thomas Raymond H. , Bardaweel Sanaa K. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe chemical composition of Handal (Citrullus colocynthis L.) seed oil cultivated in Jordan deserts was characterized, and its bioactivity was evaluated.MethodsThe oil was extracted from the grinded seeds in 500 ml Soxhlet extractor for 24 hr using n‐hexane, and the recovered fatty acids were methylated with methanolic‐HCL. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) composition was analyzed using GC‐MS and GC‐FID. The anticancer activity associated with the oil was assessed against colon cancer cell lines (Caco‐2 and HCT‐116) and compared to its cytotoxicity on the human skin fibroblast. Multivariate analysis was used to determine relationship of the fatty acid composition with that of the anticancer activity.ResultsThe results demonstrated that fatty acid composition of Citrullus colocynthis seed oil chiefly contains Linoleic acid, denoted as C18:2n6 (75%), followed by Palmitic acid C16:0 (8%), Stearic acid C18:0 (5%), and Oleic acid C18:1n9 (9%). It is demonstrated as an excellent source of essential fatty acids omega‐6 (e.g., Linoleic acid), whereas omega‐3 (e.g., α‐Linolenic acid) and hydroxy polyunsaturated fatty acids are found at small level. Interestingly, the oil exhibited reasonable anticancer effects against colorectal cancer cell lines with IC50 values varying between 4 and 7 mg/ml. The correlation test revealed a relationship between the fatty acid composition and the effectiveness on treatments.ConclusionsHandal plant from Jordan appears to have very high level of Linoleic acid compared to other oils measured in different geographic locations and that there appears to be some anticancer activities associated with the fatty acid content of Handal seed oil.
Microstructural alterations in medial forebrain bundle are associated with interindividual pain sensitivity
Authors: Geisler Maria , Rizzoni Elizabeth , Makris Nikolaos , Pasternak Ofer , Rathi Yogesh , Bouix Sylvain , Herbsleb Marco , Bär Karl‐Jürgen , Weiss Thomas , Kikinis Zora 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe perception of pain to noxious stimuli, also known as pain sensitivity, varies among individuals. The comprised brain structures and their white matter pathways are complex and elusive. Here, we aimed to investigate whether variation of microstructure of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), a tract connecting the basal forebrain with the brain stem, is associated with interindividual pain sensitivity. We assessed interindividual pain sensitivity as a rating of pain intensity to heat stimuli (45, 47, and 48.9°C) in 38 healthy men (age: 27.05 ± 5.7 years). We also reconstructed the MFB using multitensor tractography from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and calculated free‐water corrected dMRI measures of fractional anisotropy (FAt), radial diffusivity (RDt), and axial diffusivity (ADt). Lower ratings of interindividual pain intensity correlated with higher FAt and lower RDt of the MFB. As changes in FAt and RDt may reflect abnormalities in myelination, the results might be interpreted as that a lower pain rating is associated with higher degree of myelination of the MFB and could represent an inhibitory pathway of pain. Our results suggest that alteration of microstructure in the MFB contributes to the interindividual variation of pain perception.
Therapeutic implications of immune‐profiling and EGFR expression in salivary gland carcinoma
Authors: Guazzo Emily , Cooper Caroline , Wilkinson Lisa , Feng Sophie , King Brigid , Simpson Fiona , Porceddu Sandro , Panizza Benedict , Coward Jermaine I. G. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundData relating to the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) is gradually evolving with responses varying among different histotypes. To address these disparities, this retrospective analysis examined the prevalence of recognized biomarkers of response to ICI; namely programmed death‐1 (PD‐1), programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), combined positive score (CPS), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and microsatellite instability (MSI) in patients with SGC with an aim to determine any prognostic or survival benefits and stratify the use of ICI in this disease.Patients and methodsOf 52 patients with primary SGC eligible for this study, the most common histological types were adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 17, 33%), salivary duct carcinoma (n = 14, 27%), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 11, 21%), and acinic cell carcinoma (n = 6, 11%). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using the Ventana Discovery Ultra auto‐staining platform for EGFR, PD‐1, PD‐L1, and mismatch repair (MMR) proteins. CPS ≥1 defined PD‐L1 positive cases and log‐rank testing was performed to examine the relationship between PD‐L1 expression status and disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsCPS positivity was seen in 9 (17.3%) patients, none of which were adenoid cystic carcinoma. All 52 (100%) cases expressed retained MMR proteins inferring microsatellite stability (MSS) and EGFR expression was identified in 45 of 52 (86.5%) patients. CPS positivity (score ≥1) was significantly associated with advanced pathological T status (P = .021), advanced pathological N status (P = .006), high histological tumor grade (P = .045), and positive histological margin (P = .023). Patients with PD‐L1 positivity in tumor cells did not have an inferior 3‐year OS (P = .93).ConclusionThe data from this retrospective study highlighting the uniform microsatellite stability alongside the low prevalence of CPS positivity suggests that only a minority of SGC patients may benefit from ICI therapy alone. The high rates of EGFR expression in SGC may be a target to augment immune checkpoint therapy response.
Enhanced dissolution rate of magnesium hydroxide via magnesia/ammonium acetate hydration system: statistical optimization and possible mechanism
Authors: Tang Xiao‐Jia , Du Zhong‐Yuan , Chuang Heng‐chao , Zhu Yi‐Min , Ji Yang‐yuan , Li Xiao‐Yi , Zhao Yu‐Zhe , Kuang Hai‐Bo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe dissolubility of magnesium hydroxide is often the main factor limiting its application effect in the environmental field, and the dissolution rate of magnesium hydroxide during its synthesis is also worthy of attention. In this paper, response surface methodology was used to synthesize magnesium hydroxide with different dissolution rates through a magnesium oxide/ammonium acetate hydration system, and the possible formation mechanism as well as dissolution performance is discussed.RESULTSCompared with the hydration temperature and time, the concentration of ammonium acetate has a more significant effect on the dissolution rate of hydrated magnesium hydroxide. A maximum dissolution rate of 43.8 ± 0.3 mmol min−1 mol−1 magnesium hydroxide could be obtained when the working factors were ammonium acetate concentration 15 g L–1, hydration temperature 75.5 °C and time 112 min.CONCLUSIONThe correlation study between structural characterization and the dissolution test shows that the complexation and replacement of acetate, in situ generation and release of ammonia appear to have some critical effects on magnesium hydroxide crystallization behaviour and induce the formation of thin, curved and defective structures. Crystals with such structures have been reported to have a higher dissolution activity. The results of this study provide an indication for screening hydration synthetic agents of high‐dissolution‐rate magnesium hydroxide. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Modeling of eccentric nanoneedle in trolling‐mode atomic force microscope
Authors: Chahari Mahmood , Sajjadi Mohammadreza 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLimitations on installation of a standard TR‐AFM nanoneedle can have unpredictable effects on dynamics of system. Therefore, it is crucial to pay close attention to the position and geometry of mounted nanoneedle when deriving the mathematical model. During TR‐AFM fabrication process, the nanoneedle may not always deposit precisely at the middle of AFM tip, which would result in coupled bending‐torsion modes in the dynamical operation of system. In this paper, we investigate the effect of eccentric nanoneedle in dynamic response of TR‐AFM. To address this issue, a continuous mathematical model is developed. This model accounts for eccentric nanoneedle which can address the couplings in nonlinear vibration. Hamilton's principle is used to derive equations of motion and then assumed mode method (AMM) is utilized. This model is capable of simulating the cantilever dynamics under complicated nanoneedle tip–sample interactions. Displacements of different components of system for various eccentricity are determined. It is found that nanoneedle eccentricity has noticeable effects on microbeam torsion angle and out of plane nanoneedle tip displacement.
A new insight into the vibrational modeling of contact mode for atomic force microscope beams in various immersion ambiances
Authors: Gholizadeh Pasha Ali Hossein , Sadeghi Ali 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this article, the vibrations of V‐shaped beam as the most usable atomic force microscope (AFM) beam in contact mode has been modeled using finite element method. This work is a fundamental issue for contact resonance AFM. We have considered carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), methanol, acetone, water, and vacuum the immersion ambiences. For modeling of the beam dynamics, both of the Timoshenko and Euler–Bernoulli beam principles have been used. For presenting the best theoretical model all specifications for AFM beam and sample surface has been assumed. The outcomes show that by raising the interaction force between AFM beam and sample surface, the resonant frequency increases. By diluting the liquid surroundings, the resonant frequency and amplitude of frequency response functions (FRF) of vertical movement increase. The amplitude of FRF increases by raising the beam thickness and rectangular part breadth, but reduces by increasing the rectangular and tapered part lengths. The resonant frequency reduces by boosting the rectangular and tapered parts lengths and rectangular part width, but raises by increasing the beam thickness. Theoretical model in attendance and lack of tip–sample interaction force have been evaluated with experimental works for vacuum and water as the immersion ambiances. Results show good agreement.
Digital Otoscopy Videos Versus Composite Images: A Reader Study to Compare the Accuracy of ENT Physicians
Authors: Binol Hamidullah , Niazi Muhammad Khalid Khan , Essig Garth , Shah Jay , Mattingly Jameson K. , Harris Michael S. , Elmaraghy Charles , Teknos Theodoros , Taj‐Schaal Nazhat , Yu Lianbo , Gurcan Metin N. , Moberly Aaron C. 
Published: November 2020

Objectives/HypothesisWith the increasing emphasis on developing effective telemedicine approaches in Otolaryngology, this study explored whether a single composite image stitched from a digital otoscopy video provides acceptable diagnostic information to make an accurate diagnosis, as compared with that provided by the full video.Study DesignDiagnostic survey analysis.MethodsFive Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physicians reviewed the same set of 78 digital otoscope eardrum videos from four eardrum conditions: normal, effusion, retraction, and tympanosclerosis, along with the composite images generated by a SelectStitch method that selectively uses video frames with computer‐assisted selection, as well as a Stitch method that incorporates all the video frames. Participants provided a diagnosis for each item along with a rating of diagnostic confidence. Diagnostic accuracy for each pathology of SelectStitch was compared with accuracy when reviewing the entire video clip and when reviewing the Stitch image.ResultsThere were no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy for physicians reviewing SelectStitch images and full video clips, but both provided better diagnostic accuracy than Stitch images. The inter‐reader agreement was moderate.ConclusionsEqual to using full video clips, composite images of eardrums generated by SelectStitch provided sufficient information for ENTs to make the correct diagnoses for most pathologies. These findings suggest that use of a composite eardrum image may be sufficient for telemedicine approaches to ear diagnosis, eliminating the need for storage and transmission of large video files, along with future applications for improved documentation in electronic medical record systems, patient/family counseling, and clinical training.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1668–E1676, 2021
Meta‐analysis of the effects of venous super‐drainage in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps for breast reconstruction
Authors: Pignatti Marco , Pinto Valentina , Giorgini Federico A. , Lozano Miralles Maria Elisa , Cannamela Giacomo , D'Arpa Salvatore , Cipriani Riccardo , De Santis Giorgio 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionVenous congestion is the most common vascular complication of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flaps. Adding a second venous drainage by anastomosing a flap vein and a recipient vein (super‐drainage) is considered the solution of choice. Evidence to support this procedure, had not yet been confirmed by an analysis of the literature. We aimed to provide this evidence.Materials and methodsWe searched the literature (MedLine, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar), for studies discussing venous congestion and venous super‐drainage in DIEP flap for breast reconstruction. Thirteen of the 35 articles compared results between one or two venous anastomoses. Meta‐analysis was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Pooled risk ratio (RRs) for congestion, fat necrosis, partial necrosis, and total necrosis with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a fixed‐effect model with the Mantel–Haenszel method. The need to return to surgery (95% CI) was estimated with a random effect model using the DerSimonian and Liard method.ResultsWe showed a statistically significant advantage of super‐drainage to reduce the venous congestion of the flap (RR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04–0.34, p‐value <.001), partial flap necrosis (RR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.30–0.84, p‐value .008), total flap necrosis (RR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.85, p‐value .023), and the need to take the patient back to surgery for perfusion‐related complications (RR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.21–0.99, p value .048).ConclusionsPerforming a second venous anastomosis between the SIEV and a recipient vein (venous superdrainage) reduces venous congestion and related complications in DIEP flaps for breast reconstruction.
Evaluation of multislice inputs to convolutional neural networks for medical image segmentation
Authors: Vu Minh H. , Grimbergen Guus , Nyholm Tufve , Löfstedt Tommy 
Published: November 2020

PurposeWhen using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for segmentation of organs and lesions in medical images, the conventional approach is to work with inputs and outputs either as single slice [two‐dimensional (2D)] or whole volumes [three‐dimensional (3D)]. One common alternative, in this study denoted as pseudo‐3D, is to use a stack of adjacent slices as input and produce a prediction for at least the central slice. This approach gives the network the possibility to capture 3D spatial information, with only a minor additional computational cost.MethodsIn this study, we systematically evaluate the segmentation performance and computational costs of this pseudo‐3D approach as a function of the number of input slices, and compare the results to conventional end‐to‐end 2D and 3D CNNs, and to triplanar orthogonal 2D CNNs. The standard pseudo‐3D method regards the neighboring slices as multiple input image channels. We additionally design and evaluate a novel, simple approach where the input stack is a volumetric input that is repeatably convolved in 3D to obtain a 2D feature map. This 2D map is in turn fed into a standard 2D network. We conducted experiments using two different CNN backbone architectures and on eight diverse data sets covering different anatomical regions, imaging modalities, and segmentation tasks.ResultsWe found that while both pseudo‐3D methods can process a large number of slices at once and still be computationally much more efficient than fully 3D CNNs, a significant improvement over a regular 2D CNN was only observed with two of the eight data sets. triplanar networks had the poorest performance of all the evaluated models. An analysis of the structural properties of the segmentation masks revealed no relations to the segmentation performance with respect to the number of input slices. A post hoc rank sum test which combined all metrics and data sets yielded that only our newly proposed pseudo‐3D method with an input size of 13 slices outperformed almost all methods.ConclusionIn the general case, multislice inputs appear not to improve segmentation results over using 2D or 3D CNNs. For the particular case of 13 input slices, the proposed novel pseudo‐3D method does appear to have a slight advantage across all data sets compared to all other methods evaluated in this work.
Multi‐shot acquisitions for stimulus‐evoked spinal cord BOLD fMRI
Authors: Barry Robert L. , Conrad Benjamin N. , Maki Satoshi , Watchmaker Jennifer M. , McKeithan Lydia J. , Box Bailey A. , Weinberg Quinn R. , Smith Seth A. , Gore John C. 
Published: November 2020

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of 3D multi‐shot magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions for stimulus‐evoked blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the human spinal cord in vivo.MethodsTwo fMRI studies were performed at 3T. The first study was a hypercapnic gas challenge where data were acquired from healthy volunteers using a multi‐shot 3D fast field echo (FFE) sequence as well as single‐shot multi‐slice echo‐planar imaging (EPI). In the second study, another cohort of healthy volunteers performed an upper extremity motor task while fMRI data were acquired using a 3D multi‐shot acquisition.ResultsBoth 2D‐EPI and 3D‐FFE were shown to be sensitive to BOLD signal changes in the cervical spinal cord, and had comparable contrast‐to‐noise ratios in gray matter. FFE exhibited much less signal drop‐out and weaker geometric distortions compared to EPI. In the motor paradigm study, the mean number of active voxels was highest in the ventral gray matter horns ipsilateral to the side of the task and at the spinal level associated with innervation of finger extensors.ConclusionsHighly multi‐shot acquisition sequences such as 3D‐FFE are well suited for stimulus‐evoked spinal cord BOLD fMRI.
Perceived Constraints and Negotiations to Trout Fishing in Georgia Based on Angler Specialization Level
Authors: TenHarmsel Hailey J. , Boley B. Bynum , Irwin Brian J. , Jennings Cecil A. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Anglers face constraints that influence participation and dropout rates. Some recreational anglers may be able to negotiate constraints by altering the timing or frequency of participation, acquiring new skills, or modifying nonrecreational aspects such as family or work responsibilities. We consider data collected via a mail survey from Georgia-resident trout license holders to identify both perceived constraints and strategies used to negotiate them. To capture variation among anglers, survey responses were grouped by level of angler specialization using K-means cluster analysis, which resulted in a three-cluster solution of most, moderately, and least specialized anglers. Analyses of variance were used to detect potential differences among the three specialization clusters. Tests revealed that the least specialized anglers experienced constraints more intensely than the most or moderately specialized anglers. Likewise, least specialized anglers were less able to negotiate constraints when compared to the most or moderately specialized anglers. However, the least specialized anglers used negotiation strategies involving overcoming perceived lack of skill more intensely than their counterparts. The most intensely experienced constraints overall were lack of time due to work or family obligations and distance to Georgia’s trout waters from home. The most intensely used negotiation strategies overall were “learn to enjoy being outside and stress less about catching fish” and “encourage family or friends to go fishing with me.” This research benefits fishery managers by providing a method of identifying angling groups that perceive more constraints and are less likely to overcome these constraints through constraint negotiation strategies. With this information, managers may choose to tailor efforts towards reducing constraints for angling groups that have low participation and may drop out of the activity all together.
A multipoint stress mixed finite element method for elasticity on quadrilateral grids
Authors: Ambartsumyan Ilona , Khattatov Eldar , Nordbotten Jan Martin , Yotov Ivan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe develop a multipoint stress mixed finite element method for linear elasticity with weak stress symmetry on quadrilateral grids, which can be reduced to a symmetric and positive definite cell centered system. The method utilizes the lowest order Brezzi–Douglas–Marini finite element spaces for the stress and the trapezoidal quadrature rule in order to localize the interaction of degrees of freedom, which allows for local stress elimination around each vertex. We develop two variants of the method. The first uses a piecewise constant rotation and results in a cell‐centered system for displacement and rotation. The second uses a continuous piecewise bilinear rotation and trapezoidal quadrature rule for the asymmetry bilinear form. This allows for further elimination of the rotation, resulting in a cell‐centered system for the displacement only. Stability and error analysis is performed for both methods. First‐order convergence is established for all variables in their natural norms. A duality argument is employed to prove second order superconvergence of the displacement at the cell centers. Numerical results are presented in confirmation of the theory.