bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multimodal imaging of skin lesions by using methylene blue as cancer biomarker
Authors: Malik Sadia , Andleeb Farah , Ullah Hafeez 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study aimed the optical imaging of malignant and normal skin tissues with multimodal wide‐field fluorescence polarization imaging (WF) technique, by using methylene blue as fluorescence dye. We present optical imaging of skin tissues by different techniques, including reflectance, fluorescence, and polarization imaging for early detection of skin cancer. We collected the reflectance confocal images at 390 and 500 nm. For wide‐field fluorescence images, specimens were stimulated at 640 nm and images were collected between 670 and 710 nm. The correlation of the regarded optical modalities with histopathology (H&E), their potentials, capabilities, and limitations to detect skin lesions are discussed. The advantages of multimodal imaging of skin tissues are analyzed to divulge possibilities for precise tumor boundary detection and their classification for malignant and nonmalignant skin tissues. Prior to imaging, the cells were stained in aqueous MB (a dye approved by FDA).
Exposure to prenatal PCBs shifts the timing of neurogenesis in the hypothalamus of developing rats
Authors: Hernandez Scudder Morgan E. , Kunkel Marcela Nicole , Gore Andrea C. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe developing brain is highly sensitive to the hormonal milieu, with gonadal steroid hormones involved in neurogenesis, neural survival, and brain organization. Limited available evidence suggests that endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may perturb these developmental processes. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Aroclor 1221, would disrupt the normal timing of neurogenesis in two hypothalamic regions: the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and the preoptic area (POA). These regions were selected because of their important roles in the control of sociosexual behaviors that are perturbed in adulthood by prenatal EDC exposure. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to PCBs from Embryonic Day 8 (E8) to E18, encompassing the period of neurogenesis of all hypothalamic neurons. To determine the birth dates of neurons, bromo‐2‐deoxy‐5‐uridine (BrdU) was administered to dams on E12, E14, or E16. On the day after birth, male and female pups were perfused, brains immunolabeled for BrdU, and numbers of cells counted. In the VMN, exposure to PCBs significantly advanced the timing of neurogenesis compared to vehicle‐treated pups, without changing the total number of BrdU+ cells. In the POA, PCBs did not change the timing of neurogenesis nor the total number of cells born. This is the first study to show that PCBs can shift the timing of neurogenesis in the hypothalamus, specifically in the VMN but not the POA. This result has implications for functions controlled by the VMN, especially sociosexual behaviors, as well as for sexual selection more generally.
Beyond corticosterone: The acute stress response increases DNA damage in house sparrows
Authors: Gormally Brenna M. G. , Estrada Rodolfo , McVey Mitch , Romero L. Michael 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAlthough corticosterone (Cort) has been the predominant metric used to assess acute stress in birds, it does not always accurately reflect how an animal copes with a stressor. Downstream measurements may be more reliable. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that acute increases in DNA damage could be used to assess stressor exposure. Studies have shown DNA damage increases in response to stress‐related hormones in vitro; however, this has not yet been thoroughly applied in wild animals. We exposed house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to a 30‐ or 120‐min restraint stressor and took blood samples at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min to measure Cort, DNA damage, and uric acid. Both treatments increased DNA damage and Cort, and decreased uric acid. It thus appears that DNA damage can reflect acute stressor exposure. To improve the usability of DNA damage as a metric for stress, we also tested the impacts of sample storage on DNA damage. Leaving red blood cells on ice for up to 24 hr, only slightly influenced DNA damage. Freezing blood samples for 1–4 weeks substantially increased DNA damage. These findings emphasize the importance of reducing variation between samples by assaying them together whenever possible. Overall, these results indicate that assessing DNA damage is a valid method of assessing acute stressor exposure that is suitable for both laboratory‐ and field‐based studies; however, additional research is needed on the molecular dynamics of nucleated red blood cells, including whether and how their DNA is repaired.
Effects of elevated corticosterone on humoral innate and antibody‐mediated immunity in southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) tadpoles
Authors: Billig Samuel T. , Weber Rachael N. , Zimmerman Laura M. , Wilcoxen Travis E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAs a free‐living larval stage of a vertebrate, tadpoles are good subjects for the study of the development of physiological systems and the study of evolutionarily conserved, context‐dependent responses to variable environments. While the basic components of innate and adaptive immune defenses in tadpoles are known, the impact of glucocorticoids on immune defenses in tadpoles is not well‐studied. We completed four experiments to assess effects of elevation of corticosterone on humoral innate defenses and antibody‐mediated immunity in southern leopard frog tadpoles (Lithobates sphenocephalus). To test humoral innate defense within the tadpoles exposed to short‐term and long‐term elevation of glucocorticoids, we exposed tadpoles to exogenous corticosterone for different lengths of time in each experiment (0–84 days). We used bacterial killing assays to assess humoral innate immune defense. To test antibody‐mediated immune responses, we again exposed tadpoles to exogenous corticosterone, while also exposing them toAeromonas hydrophila. We usedA. hydrophilaELISA comparing IgM and IgY responses among groups. Plasma from corticosterone‐dosed tadpoles killed moreA. hydrophilathan control tadpoles each following a short‐term (14 day) and long‐term (56 day) exposure to exogenous corticosterone. Conversely, corticosterone‐dosed tadpoles had significantly lower IgM and IgY againstA. hydrophilaafter 12 weeks. Our fourth experiment revealed that the lower IgY response is a product of weaker, delayed isotype switching compared with controls. These results show that elevated corticosterone has differential effects on innate and acquired immunity in larval southern leopard frogs, consistent with patterns in more derived vertebrates and in adult frogs.
The evolution and development of coloniality in hydrozoans
Authors: Cartwright Paulyn , Travert Matthew K. , Sanders Steven M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHydrozoan colonies display a variety of shapes and sizes including encrusting, upright, and pelagic forms. Phylogenetic patterns reveal a complex evolutionary history of these distinct colony forms, as well as colony loss. Within a species, phenotypic variation in colonies as a response to changing environmental cues and resources has been documented. The patterns of branching of colony specific tissue, called stolons in encrusting colonies and stalks in upright colonies, are likely under the control of signaling mechanisms whose changing expression in evolution and development are responsible for the diversity of hydrozoan colony forms. Although mechanisms of polyp development have been well studied, little research has focused on colony development and patterning. In the few studies that investigated mechanisms governing colony patterning, the Wnt signaling pathway has been implicated. The diversity of colony form, evolutionary patterns, and mechanisms of colony variation in Hydrozoa are reviewed here.
Cellular and molecular outcomes of glutamine supplementation in the brain of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase‐deficient mice
Authors: Brown Madalyn N. , Gibson K. Michael , Schmidt Michelle A. , Walters Dana C. , Arning Erland , Bottiglieri Teodoro , Roullet Jean‐Baptiste 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSuccinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) manifests with low levels of glutamine in the brain, suggesting that central glutamine deficiency contributes to pathogenesis. Recently, we attempted to rescue the disease phenotype of aldh5a1−/− mice, a murine model of SSADHD with dietary glutamine supplementation. No clinical rescue and no central glutamine improvement were observed. Here, we report the results of follow‐up studies of the cellular and molecular basis of the resistance of the brain to glutamine supplementation. We first determined if the expression of genes involved in glutamine metabolism was impacted by glutamine feeding. We then searched for changes of brain histology in response to glutamine supplementation, with a focus on astrocytes, known regulators of glutamine synthesis in the brain. Glutamine supplementation significantly modified the expression of glutaminase (gls) (0.6‐fold down), glutamine synthetase (glul) (1.5‐fold up), and glutamine transporters (solute carrier family 7, member 5 [slc7a5], 2.5‐fold up; slc38a2, 0.6‐fold down). The number of GLUL‐labeled cells was greater in the glutamine‐supplemented group than in controls (P < .05). Reactive astrogliosis, a hallmark of brain inflammation in SSADHD, was confirmed. We observed a 2‐fold stronger astrocyte staining in mutants than in wild‐type controls (optical density/cell were 1.8 ± 0.08 in aldh5a1−/− and 0.99 ± 0.06 in aldh5a1+/+; P < .0001), and a 3‐fold higher expression of gfap and vimentin. However, glutamine supplementation did not improve the histological and molecular signature of astrogliosis. Thus, glutamine supplementation impacts genes implicated in central glutamine homeostasis without improving reactive astrogliosis. The mechanisms underlying glutamine deficiency and its contribution to SSADHD pathogenesis remain unknown and should be the focus of future investigations.
Marrow Fat Content and Composition in β‐Thalassemia: A Study using 1H‐MRS
Authors: Ismail Umi Nabilah , Azlan Che Ahmad , Khairullah Shasha , Azman Raja Rizal , Omar Nur Farhayu , Md Shah Mohammad Nazri , Yeong Chai Hong , Jackson Nicholas , Ng Kwan Hoong 
Published: August 2020

Backgroundβ‐thalassemia is a genetic disease that causes abnormal production of red blood cells (ineffective erythropoiesis, IE). IE is a condition known to change bone marrow composition.PurposeTo evaluate the effect of IE on the marrow fat content and fat unsaturation levels in the proximal femur using 1H‐MRS.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsTwenty‐three subjects were included in this study, seven control and 16 β‐thalassemia subjects.Field Strength/Sequence3.0T; stimulated echo acquisition Mode (STEAM); magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) sequence.AssessmentMultiecho MRS scans were performed in four regions of the proximal left femur of each subject, that is, diaphysis, femoral neck, femoral head, and greater trochanter. The examined regions were grouped into red (diaphysis and femoral neck) and yellow marrow regions (femoral head and greater trochanter).Statistical TestsThe Jonckheere–Terpstra test was used to evaluate the impact of increasing disease severity on bone marrow fat fraction (BMFF), marrow conversion index, and fat unsaturation index (UI). Pairwise comparison analysis was performed when a significant trend (P < 0.05) was found. K‐means clustering analysis was used to examine the clusters observed when BMFF in the red and yellow regions were studied (diaphysis against greater trochanter).ResultsBMFF showed a significant decreasing trend with increasing disease severity in both red (TJT = 109.00, z = –4.414, P < 0.05) and yellow marrow regions (TJT = 108.00, z = –4.438, P < 0.05). The opposite trend was observed in UI in both bone marrow regions (red marrow: TJT = 180.5, z = 3.515, P < 0.05; yellow marrow: TJT = 155.0, z = 2.282, P = 0.05). Three distinct forms of marrow adipogenesis were found when plotting BMFF diaphysis against BMFF greater trochanter: 1) normal (centroid: 80.4%, 66.6%), 2) partial disruption (centroid: 51.1%, 16.6%), and 3) total disruption (centroid: 2.6%, 1.6%).Data Conclusionβ‐thalassemia is associated with decreased marrow fat, and increased marrow fat unsaturation level.Level of Evidence2Technical Efficacy Stage3
Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The Utility of Myocardial Strain Based on Cardiac MR Tissue Tracking
Authors: She Jia‐qi , Guo Jia‐jun , Yu Yun‐fei , Zhao Shi‐hai , Chen Yin‐yin , Ge Mei‐ying , Zeng Meng‐su , Jin Hang 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundMyocardial strain for assessment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is of importance and may play a role in identifying obstruction in HCM patients.PurposeTo evaluate the utility of myocardial strain for detecting left ventricular (LV) outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in HCM patients based on magnetic resonance tissue tracking.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationIn all, 44 adult HCM patients with LVOT obstruction and 108 adult HCM patients without LVOT obstruction.Field Strength/Sequence1.5 T; Steady‐state free‐precession cine sequence; phase‐sensitive inversion‐prepared segmented gradient echo sequence for late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging.AssessmentStrain parameters including the local and global levels of LV myocardium and the subtraction (Sub) of myocardial strain variables between interventricular septal segments (IVSS) and noninterventricular septal segments (NIVSS) were measured for differentiating HCM with obstruction from nonobstruction. Average and maximum LV wall thickness (Average and Maximum LVWT) were also analyzed.Statistical TestsUnivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), intraclass correlation coefficient.ResultsIn multivariate analysis, Average LVWT, Maximum LVWT, and the subtraction of radial peak strain (Sub Radial PS) between NIVSS and IVSS were independently associated with LVOT obstruction. The AUCs were 0.731, 0.840, and 0.890 for Average LVWT, Maximum LVWT, and Sub Radial PS, respectively. Sub Radial PS (cutoff value: 8.1%) demonstrated the highest sensitivity of 75.0% and a high specificity of 87.9% for identifying LVOT; Maximum LVWT (cutoff value: 22.9 mm) showed good sensitivity (72.7%) and specificity (83.3%). Combining Maximum LVWT >22.9 mm and Sub Radial PS > 8.1% achieved a better diagnostic performance (specificity 95.4%, sensitivity 70.5%).Data ConclusionCombining Maximum LVWT >22.9 mm and Sub Radial PS >8.1% holds promise for objectively evaluating LVOT obstruction in HCM patients with very high specificity and acceptable sensitivity.Level of Evidence3Technical Efficacy Stage2
Hepatitis C virus antigen detection is an appropriate test for screening and early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection in at‐risk populations and immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Chan Kwai Peng , Ekstrom Victoria Sze Min , Wong Judith Chui Ching , Lim Kun Lee , Ng Wee Ching , Woo Shi Min , Chan Kian Sing , Thangaraju Sobhana , Kee Terence Yi Shern , Gan Sheryl Shien Wen , Foo Marjorie Wai Yin , Oon Lynette Lin Ean , Chow Wan Cheng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEarly diagnosis remains key for effective prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, current screening with anti‐hepatitis C virus antibody (anti‐HCV Ab) test may have limited utility in the diagnosis of HCV infection and reinfection. This is of special concern to at‐risk population, such as immunocompromised hosts and end‐stage renal failure patients on hemodialysis. HCV antigen (Ag) could be useful in identifying the ongoing infection in such clinical scenarios. Hence, we aimed to study the utility of HCV Ag testing for the diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis C. Of 89 samples studied, 19 were from acute hepatitis C patients who were immunocompromised or were on hemodialysis, 43 were from active chronic hepatitis C patients and 27 were from patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. All samples were tested for HCV Ag using the Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag assay. HCV Ag was reactive in 19/19 samples from acute hepatitis C patients and 42/43 samples from active chronic hepatitis C patients. It was nonreactive in all samples from treated patients. The test showed a sensitivity and specificity of 98.4% and 100.0%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100.0% and 96.4%, respectively. The HCV antigen test has high clinical sensitivity and specificity and is useful for the diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis C infection in at‐risk and immunocompromised patients. Its short turnaround time and relatively low cost are advantageous for use in patients on hemodialysis and other at‐risk patients who require monitoring of HCV infection and reinfection.
When the going gets tough: Employee reactions to large‐scale organizational change and the role of employee Machiavellianism
Authors: Belschak Frank D. , Jacobs Gabriele , Giessner Steffen R. , Horton Kate E. , Bayerl P. Saskia 
Published: August 2020

SummaryLarge‐scale, long‐term change initiatives take time to unfold, which can be a source of uncertainty and strain. Investigating the initial 19 months of a large‐scale change, we argue that during these stages, employees' change‐related beliefs become more negative over time, which negatively affects their work engagement and, ultimately, increases their turnover intentions. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of a trait, Machiavellianism, on change reactions and propose that employees high in Machiavellianism react more negatively during change processes as they are especially susceptible to uncertainty and stress. We test our (cross‐level) moderated mediation model in a three‐wave longitudinal study among employees undergoing a large‐scale change (T1: n = 1,602; T2: n = 1,113; T3: n = 759). We find that employees' beliefs about the impact and value of the change are indeed negatively related to change duration and that decreases in these perceptions come with a decline in engagement and increases in turnover intentions. Moreover, employees high in Machiavellianism react more strongly to a deterioration in change‐related beliefs, showing stronger reductions in engagement and stronger increases in turnover intentions than employees low in Machiavellianism. Our study offers explanations for the negative effects of large‐scale changes including an explanatory factor for disparate employee reactions to change over time.
An idealized protocol to assess the nesting procedure in regional climate modelling
Authors: Li Shan , Li Laurent , Le Treut Hervé 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNewtonian relaxation applied at boundaries of RCM (regional climate model) is a widely‐used technique for climate downscaling and regional weather forecasting. It allows RCM to be nested into GCM (global climate model) and to follow the evolution of the latter. An idealized framework to mimic this general practice is constructed with the LMDZ (Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Zoom) modelling platform and used to assess effects of the relaxation procedure. The assessment is on both synoptic variability and long‐term mean. LMDZ is a global atmospheric general circulation model that can be configured as a regional model when the outside domain is relaxed to a driver. It thus plays the role of both GCM and RCM. Same physical parameterization and identical dynamical configuration are used to ensure a rigorous comparison between the two models. The experimental set‐up that can be referred to as “Master (GCM) versus Slave (RCM)” considers GCM as the reference to assess the behaviour of RCM. In terms of mean climate, there are noticeable differences, not only in the border areas, but also within the domain. In terms of synoptic variability, there is a general spatial resemblance and temporal concomitance between the two models. But there is a dependence on variables, seasons, spatiotemporal scales and spatial modes of atmospheric circulation. Winter/Summer has the most/least resemblance between RCM and GCM. A better similarity occurs when atmospheric circulation manifests at large scales. Weak‐correlation cases are generally remarked when the dominant circulation of the region is at smaller scales. A further experiment with identical framework but RCM in a higher resolution allows isolating the effect of relaxation from that of mesh refinement.
National Survey of Pediatric Intestinal Rehabilitation Programs in the United States
Authors: Park Christine J. , Shaughnessy Matthew P. , Zhang Lucy , Armenia Sarah J. , Caty Michael G. , Cowles Robert A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundPediatric intestinal rehabilitation (PIR) programs are associated with improved outcomes in children with intestinal failure but remain heterogeneous nationally. This study characterizes PIR program components to aid those seeking to establish or expand a program.MethodsMembers of the Children's Hospital Association reporting a PIR program to the US News and World Report completed a 14‐item questionnaire using the Qualtrics Online Survey Software. Programs were categorized as small or large (≤50 vs >50 patients) and new or established (≤10 vs >10 years).ResultsSeventy‐one programs were identified and 61 surveys were returned for a response rate of 86%. Majority of programs had gastroenterology, surgery, nutrition, nursing, and social work services involved. Large programs (n = 34; 59%) were more likely to serve as referral centers; have greater participation by nursing, social work, and primary care; have more dedicated time by gastroenterology, surgery, nursing, nutrition, and social work; have more frequent meetings; and have various funding sources (P < .05).ConclusionCritical components of a PIR program include gastroenterology, surgery, and nutrition services with strong nursing and social work support. These data document the components of modern PIR programs, though further studies on the relationship between program structure and patient outcomes are warranted.
Left Ventricular Mass Index as Potential Surrogate of Muscularity in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis Without Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Molfino Alessio , Gasperini Maria Ludovica , Gigante Antonietta , Rosato Edoardo , Muscaritoli Maurizio 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc) may be associated with protein‐energy malnutrition. It was demonstrated that left ventricular mass (LVM) reflected poor nutrition status in SSc patients, and no data are available on LVM as a surrogate measure of muscularity. We aimed to evaluate, in SSc patients, the relationship between muscle mass and LVM as a novel indicator of muscularity in this setting.MethodsSSc patients and healthy controls (HCs) were considered and underwent echocardiography to assess LVM and LVM index (LVMI). Body composition, including fat‐free mass index (FFMI), phase angle (PhA), and body cell mass index (BCMI), was analyzed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis.ResultsSixty‐four SSc patients (aged 51 ± 13 years) and 30 HCs (aged 46 ± 13 years) were enrolled. BCMI and PhA were lower in SSc patients compared with HCs (P < .001). LVM and LVMI were not different between SSc patients and HCs (P = .068, P = .14, respectively). In SSc patients, a significant correlation was shown between LVMI and FFMI (τ = 0.192, P = .026); in multiple regression analysis, FFMI was significantly associated with the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (P < .0001), LVMI (P = .01), and disease severity scale (P = .02).ConclusionChanges in body composition were present in SSc patients, particularly in terms of BMCI and PhA. A correlation between LVMI and FFMI as indexes of muscularity exists in this cohort, suggesting that cardiac mass might be used as a surrogate of nutrition status in this setting.