bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Malaria risk assessment and mapping using satellite imagery and boosted regression trees in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Solano-Villarreal Elisa , Valdivia Walter , Pearcy Morgan , Linard Catherine , Pasapera-Gonzales José , Moreno-Gutierrez Diamantina , Lejeune Philippe , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Speybroeck Niko , Hayette Marie-Pierre , Rosas-Aguirre Angel 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis is the first study to assess the risk of co-endemic Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum transmission in the Peruvian Amazon using boosted regression tree (BRT) models based on social and environmental predictors derived from satellite imagery and data. Yearly cross-validated BRT models were created to discriminate high-risk (annual parasite index API > 10 cases/1000 people) and very-high-risk for malaria (API > 50 cases/1000 people) in 2766 georeferenced villages of Loreto department, between 2010–2017 as other parts in the article (graphs, tables, and texts). Predictors were cumulative annual rainfall, forest coverage, annual forest loss, annual mean land surface temperature, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), shortest distance to rivers, time to populated villages, and population density. BRT models built with predictor data of a given year efficiently discriminated the malaria risk for that year in villages (area under the ROC curve (AUC) > 0.80), and most models also effectively predicted malaria risk in the following year. Cumulative rainfall, population density and time to populated villages were consistently the top three predictors for both P. vivax and P. falciparum incidence. Maps created using the BRT models characterize the spatial distribution of the malaria incidence in Loreto and should contribute to malaria-related decision making in the area.
Patterns of human social contact and contact with animals in Shanghai, China
Authors: Zhang Juanjuan , Klepac Petra , Read Jonathan M. , Rosello Alicia , Wang Xiling , Lai Shengjie , Li Meng , Song Yujian , Wei Qingzhen , Jiang Hao , Yang Juan , Lynn Henry , Flasche Stefan , Jit Mark , Yu Hongjie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEast Asia is as a principal hotspot for emerging zoonotic infections. Understanding the likely pathways for their emergence and spread requires knowledge on human-human and human-animal contacts, but such studies are rare. We used self-completed and interviewer-completed contact diaries to quantify patterns of these contacts for 965 individuals in 2017/2018 in a high-income densely-populated area of China, Shanghai City. Interviewer-completed diaries recorded more social contacts (19.3 vs. 18.0) and longer social contact duration (35.0 vs. 29.1 hours) than self-reporting. Strong age-assortativity was observed in all age groups especially among young participants (aged 7–20) and middle aged participants (25–55 years). 17.7% of participants reported touching animals (15.3% (pets), 0.0% (poultry) and 0.1% (livestock)). Human-human contact was very frequent but contact with animals (especially poultry) was rare although associated with frequent human-human contact. Hence, this densely populated area is more likely to act as an accelerator for human-human spread but less likely to be at the source of a zoonosis outbreak. We also propose that telephone interview at the end of reporting day is a potential improvement of the design of future contact surveys.
Morphological prediction of glaucoma by quantitative analyses of ocular shape and volume using 3-dimensional T2-weighted MR images
Authors: Tatewaki Yasuko , Mutoh Tatsushi , Omodaka Kazuko , Thyreau Benjamin , Matsudaira Izumi , Furukawa Hiroaki , Yamada Keiji , Kunitoki Keiko , Kawashima Ryuta , Nakazawa Toru , Taki Yasuyuki 
Published: October 2019

AbstractElongated axial length of the eye increases the morbidity of glaucoma. Myopia also associates with elongated axial length, and such ellipsoid shape of the eyeball strongly contributes its pathogenesis. Morphological features of the eyeballs, which could be important factors for developing glaucoma, have not been well described. The aim of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) topographic features of glaucomatous eyeballs with/without myopia to evaluate the potential of those features for predicting glaucoma. Using a 3.0-tesla MRI, volume-isotropic turbo-spin-echo acquisition T2-weighted images were obtained from 55 patients with glaucoma and 22 controls to delineate the eyeballs. Eyeball volumes, axial lengths and transverse lengths were semi-automatically calculated and compared between four groups: normal, myopia, glaucoma, and glaucoma with myopia. Both glaucoma and myopia increased the eyeball volume compared to the normal eyes. An increased anisotropy ratio (axial/transversus length) was observed in myopic eyes compared to normal, whereas in the glaucomatous eyes, with or without myopia, no increase in anisotropy ratio was observed. Increasing volume of eyes can be caused by myopia and glaucoma. Myopic eyes were ellipsoid in shape, but there was less anisotropy and a near-spherical shape in glaucomatous eyes, even in glaucomatous myopic eyes.
A versatile microfluidic device for highly inclined thin illumination microscopy in the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Kozgunova Elena , Goshima Gohta 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHigh-resolution microscopy is a valuable tool for studying cellular processes, such as signalling, membrane trafficking, or cytoskeleton remodelling. Several techniques of inclined illumination microscopy allow imaging at a near single molecular level; however, the application of these methods to plant cells is limited, owing to thick cell walls as well as the necessity to excise a part of the tissue for sample preparation. In this study, we utilised a simple, easy-to-use microfluidic device for highly inclined and laminated optical sheet (HILO) microscopy using a model plant Physcomitrella patens. We demonstrated that the shallow microfluidic device can be used for long-term culture of living cells and enables high-resolution HILO imaging of microtubules without perturbing their dynamics. In addition, our microdevice allows the supply and robust washout of compounds during HILO microscopy imaging, for example, to perform a microtubule regrowth assay. Furthermore, we tested long-term (48 h) HILO imaging using a microdevice and visualised the developmental changes in the microtubule dynamics during tissue regeneration. These novel applications of the microfluidic device provide a valuable resource for studying molecular dynamics in living plant cells.
Corroboration and efficacy of Magneto-Fluorescent (NiZnFe/CdS) Nanostructures Prepared using Differently Processed Core
Authors: Rawat Dipti , Barman P. B. , Singh Ragini Raj 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe selected and controlled preparation of core@shell nanostructures, which unite the multiple functions of ferromagnetic Ni-Zn ferrite core and CdS shell in a single material with tuneable fluorescence and magnetic properties, have been proposed by the seed mediated aqueous growth process. The shell particle thickness and core of nanostructures were precisely tuned. Current work exhibits the comparative study of core@shell multifunctional nanostructures where core being annealed at two different temperatures. The core@shell nanostructure formation was confirmed by complementary structural, elemental, optical, magnetic and IR measurements. Optical and magnetic characterizations were performed to study elaborative effects of different structural combinations of core@shell nanostructures to achieve best configuration with high-luminescence and magnetic outcomes. The interface of magnetic/nonmagnetic NiZnFe2O4/CdS nanostructures was inspected. Unexpectedly, in some of the core@shell nanostructures presence of substantial exchange-bias was observed in spite of the non-magnetic nature of CdS QDs which is clearly an “optically-active” and “magnetically-inactive” material. Presence of “exchange-bias” was confirmed by the change in “magnetic-anisotropy” as well as shift in susceptibility derivative. Finally, successful formulation of stable and efficient core@shell nanostructures achieved, which shows no exchange-bias and shift. Current findings suggest that these magneto-fluorescent nanostructures can be used in spintronics; and drug delivery-diagnosis-imaging applications in nanomedicine field.
Need for speed: Short lifespan selects for increased learning ability
Authors: Liedtke Jannis , Fromhage Lutz 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIt is generally assumed that an investment into cognitive abilities and their associated cost is particularly beneficial for long-lived species, as a prolonged lifespan allows to recoup the initial investment. However, ephemeral organisms possess astonishing cognitive abilities too. Invertebrates, for example, are capable of simple associative learning, reversal learning, and planning. How can this discrepancy between theory and evidence be explained? Using a simulation, we show that short lives can actually select for an increase in learning abilities. The rationale behind this is that when learning is needed to exploit otherwise inaccessible resources, one needs to learn fast in order to utilize the resources when constrained by short lifespans. And thus, increased cognitive abilities may evolve, not despite short lifespan, but because of it.
Dietary protein restriction throughout intrauterine and postnatal life results in potentially beneficial myocardial tissue remodeling in the adult mouse heart
Authors: Hennig Maria , Ewering Lea , Pyschny Simon , Shimoyama Shinya , Olecka Maja , Ewald Dominik , Magarin Manuela , Uebing Anselm , Thierfelder Ludwig , Jux Christian , Drenckhahn Jörg-Detlef 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDiet composition impacts metabolic and cardiovascular health with high caloric diets contributing to obesity related disorders. Dietary interventions such as caloric restriction exert beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system, but alteration of which specific nutrient is responsible is less clear. This study investigates the effects of a low protein diet (LPD) on morphology, tissue composition and function of the neonatal and adult mouse heart. Mice were subjected to LPD (8.8% protein) or standard protein diet (SPD, 22% protein) throughout intrauterine and postnatal life. At birth LPD female but not male offspring exhibit reduced body weight whereas heart weight was unchanged in both sexes. Cardiomyocyte cross sectional area was increased in newborn LPD females compared to SPD, whereas proliferation, cellular tissue composition and vascularization were unaffected. Adult female mice on LPD exhibit reduced body weight but normal heart weight compared to SPD controls. Echocardiography revealed normal left ventricular contractility in LPD animals. Histology showed reduced interstitial fibrosis, lower cardiomyocyte volume and elevated numbers of cardiomyocyte and non-myocyte nuclei per tissue area in adult LPD versus SPD myocardium. Furthermore, capillary density was increased in LPD hearts. In conclusion, pre- and postnatal dietary protein restriction in mice causes a potentially beneficial myocardial remodeling.
Relationship of the blood metabolome to subsequent carcass traits at slaughter in feedlot Wagyu crossbred steers
Authors: Connolly Samantha , Dona Anthony , Wilkinson-White Lorna , Hamblin Darren , D’Occhio Michael , González Luciano A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine the relationships between the blood metabolome and (1) carcass traits with a focus on intramuscular fat (marbling), and (2) the length of time cattle consumed a high-starch diet in feedlot cattle. Blood samples were obtained from 181 Wagyu-crossbred steers between 300–400 days before slaughter when carcass data was collected. 1H NMR spectroscopy identified 35 metabolites with 7 positively associated with marbling (3-hydroxybutyrate, propionate, acetate, creatine, histidine, valine, and isoleucine; P ≤ 0.05). Subcutaneous rump fat thickness was positively associated with glucose, leucine and lipids (P ≤ 0.05) and negatively associated with anserine and arabinose (P ≤ 0.05). Carcass weight and growth rate were negatively associated with 3-hydroxybutyrate (P < 0.05), and growth rate was negatively associated with creatine (P < 0.05) and positively associated with aspartate (P < 0.05). Glucose and arginine showed a significant interaction between marbling and number of days animals consumed a high-starch diet (P < 0.05). Sire was the single variable with the largest effect on the relative concentration of metabolites and carcass and production traits. Blood metabolomics helps understand fat and muscle metabolism, and is associated with genotype, and carcass and production traits in cattle offering potential biomarkers suitable to select animals for management and genetic improvement.
Evaluation needs and temporal performance differences of gridded precipitation products in peripheral mountain regions
Authors: Zandler Harald , Haag Isabell , Samimi Cyrus 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGridded datasets are of paramount importance to globally derive precipitation quantities for a multitude of scientific and practical applications. However, as most studies do not consider the impacts of temporal and spatial variations of included measurements in the utilized datasets, we conducted a quantitative assessment of the ability of several state of the art gridded precipitation products (CRU, GPCC Full Data Product, GPCC Monitoring Product, ERA-interim, ERA5, MERRA-2, MERRA-2 bias corrected, PERSIANN-CDR) to reproduce monthly precipitation values at climate stations in the Pamir mountains during two 15 year periods (1980–1994, 1998–2012) that are characterized by considerable differences in incorporated observation data. Results regarding the GPCC products illustrated a substantial and significant performance decrease with up to four times higher errors during periods with low observation inputs (1998–2012 with 2 stations on average per 124,000 km2) compared to periods with high quantities of regionally incorporated station data (1980–1994 with 14 stations on average per 124,000 km2). If independent stations were considered, the coefficient of efficiency indicated that only three of the gridded datasets (MERRA–2 bias corrected, GPCC, GPCC MP) performed better than the long term station mean for characterizing surface precipitation. Error patterns and magnitudes show that in complex terrain, evaluation of temporal and spatial variations of included observations is a prerequisite for using gridded precipitation products for scientific applications and to avoid overly optimistic performance assessments.
The ant Lasius niger is a new source of bacterial enzymes with biotechnological potential for bleaching dye
Authors: Díez-Méndez Alexandra , García-Fraile Paula , Solano Francisco , Rivas Raúl 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIndustrial synthetic dyes cause health and environmental problems. This work describes the isolation of 84 bacterial strains from the midgut of the Lasius niger ant and the evaluation of their potential application in dye bioremediation. Strains were identified and classified as judged by rRNA 16S. The most abundant isolates were found to belong to Actinobacteria (49%) and Firmicutes (47.2%). We analyzed the content in laccase, azoreductase and peroxidase activities and their ability to degrade three known dyes (azo, thiazine and anthraquinone) with different chemical structures. Strain Ln26 (identified as Brevibacterium permense) strongly decolorized the three dyes tested at different conditions. Strain Ln78 (Streptomyces ambofaciens) exhibited a high level of activity in the presence of Toluidine Blue (TB). It was determined that 8.5 was the optimal pH for these two strains, the optimal temperature conditions ranged between 22 and 37 °C, and acidic pHs and temperatures around 50 °C caused enzyme inactivation. Finally, the genome of the most promising candidate (Ln26, approximately 4.2 Mb in size) was sequenced. Genes coding for two DyP-type peroxidases, one laccase and one azoreductase were identified and account for the ability of this strain to effectively oxidize a variety of dyes with different chemical structures.
Elevated preoperative platelet distribution width predicts poor prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Song Qian , Wu Jun-zhou , Wang Sheng , Chen Wen-hu 
Published: October 2019

AbstractActivated platelets play a multifaceted role in tumorigenesis and progression. Platelet distribution width (PDW) is generally applied platelet parameters from routine blood test. Preoperative PDW has been considered a prognostic factor in many cancers. Nevertheless, the prognostic value of PDW in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unknown. The study aimed to investigate whether preoperative PDW could serve as a prognostic factor in patients with ESCC. A total of 495 patients with ESCC undergoing curative surgery were enrolled. The relationship between PDW and clinical features in ESCC was analyzed using chi-square tests. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) stratified by PDW were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic effect of PDW. Of the 495 patients, elevated PDW was observed in 241(48.7%) of the patients, respectively. An elevated PDW was correlated with depth of tumor (T stage, P = 0.031), nerve infiltration (P = 0.016), hospital time after operation (P = 0.020), platelet (P < 0.001), red cell distribution width (P < 0.001), and aspartate transaminase (P = 0.001). Moreover, elevated PDW (PDW ≥ 13.4 fL) predicted a worse OS and DFS in patients with ESCC (both P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that PDW was independently associated with OS (hazard ratios 1.194; 95% confidence interval 1.120–1.273; P < 0.001) and DFS (hazard ratios 2.562; 95% confidence interval 1.733–3.786; P < 0.001). Our findings indicated that elevated PDW could serve as an independent worse survival in ESCC.
The “MYOCYTER” – Convert cellular and cardiac contractions into numbers with ImageJ
Authors: Grune Tilman , Ott Christiane , Häseli Steffen , Höhn Annika , Jung Tobias 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMeasurement and quantification of cardiomyocyte or cardiac contractions as important (patho) physiologic parameters require highly specialized and expensive setups of fully integrated hard- and software that may be very difficult to use and may also depend on highly sophisticated methods of further data evaluation. With MYOCYTER (MC) we present a complete and highly customizable open-source macro for ImageJ, enabling fast, reliable user-friendly large scale analysis extracting an extensive amount of parameters from (even multiple) video recorded contracting cells or whole hearts, gained from a very competitive experimental setup. The extracted parameters enable extensive further (statistical) analysis to identify and quantify the effects of pathologic changes or drugs. Using videos following known mathematical functions, we were able to demonstrate the accuracy of MYOCYTER’s data extraction, also successfully applied the software to both cellular and animal models, introducing innovations like dynamic thresholding, automatic multi-cell recognition, “masked” evaluation and change of applied parameters even after evaluation.
In-Liquid Lateral Force Microscopy of Micropatterned Surfaces in a Fatty Acid Solution under Boundary Lubrication
Authors: Tsuchiko Masaki , Aoki Saiko 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the influence of surface morphology on boundary-lubricated friction in a stearic acid solution. The surface morphology was controlled by fabricating submicrometer line-and-space patterns on Si(100) surface via photolithography. The boundary-lubricated friction on the patterns was measured by in-liquid lateral force microscopy for both transverse and longitudinal ridges, with respect to the sliding direction; the highest friction was observed on longitudinal ridges and grooves, which is in agreement with the tendency observed in our previous friction studies on steel surfaces. To further investigate this phenomenon, some additional patterns having different submicrometer morphologies were prepared and their friction characteristics were investigated. On the patterns not allowing the fluid to flow along the grooves, the frictional forces were equivalent for transverse and longitudinal grooves and ridges. Therefore, the high friction observed on the longitudinal ridges was caused by flowing out of fluid along the grooves, and it was possible to conclude that the fluidity around the submicrometer ridges and grooves influences the friction-reducing effect of stearic acid in boundary lubrication regime.
The anti-inflammatory agent bindarit acts as a modulator of fatty acid-binding protein 4 in human monocytic cells
Authors: Oddi Sergio , Scipioni Lucia , Totaro Antonio , Angelucci Clotilde , Dufrusine Beatrice , Sabatucci Annalaura , Tortolani Daniel , Coletta Isabella , Alisi Maria Alessandra , Polenzani Lorenzo , Assfalg Michael , Caltagirone Carlo , Dainese Enrico , Maccarrone Mauro 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which bindarit, a small indazolic derivative with prominent anti-inflammatory effects, exerts its immunoregulatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated human monocytic cells. We found that bindarit differentially regulates the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), enhancing the release of IL-8 and reducing that of MCP-1. These effects specifically required a functional interaction between bindarit and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), a lipid chaperone that couples intracellular lipid mediators to their biological targets and signaling pathways. We further demonstrated that bindarit can directly interact with FABP4 by increasing its expression and nuclear localization, thus impacting on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and LPS-dependent kinase signaling. Taken together, these findings suggest a potential key-role of FABP4 in the immunomodulatory activity of bindarit, and extend the spectrum of its possible therapeutic applications to FABP4 modulation.
Treatment outcomes in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis who have cirrhosis
Authors: Kim Jihye , Kang Ho Suk , Kim Jeoung Woo , Kim Seok Woo , Oh Jae-Keun , Kim Young-Woo , Park Moon Soo , Kim Tae-Hwan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEarly diagnosis and proper treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) in patients with cirrhosis is challenging to clinicians, and the mortality rate is expected to be high. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the treatment outcome in PVO patients with cirrhosis and to identify the predictors of their mortality. Mortality was divided into two categories, 30-day and 90-day mortality. A stepwise multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of mortality. Eighty-five patients were identified after initial exclusion. The patients’ mean age was 60.5 years, and 50 patients were male. The early mortality rates within 30 and 90 days were 17.6% and 36.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that increased age, CTP class C, and bacteremia at the time of PVO diagnosis were predictors of 30-day mortality, while higher MELD score, presence of combined infection, and multiple spinal lesions were predictors of 90-day mortality. Attention should be paid to the high mortality between 30 and 90 days after PVO diagnosis (18.8%), which was higher than the 30-day mortality. Liver function was consistently a strong predictor of mortality in PVO patients with cirrhosis. The high-risk patients should be targeted for an aggressive diagnostic approach, using spinal MRI and intensive monitoring and treatment strategies.