bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiologic-Pathologic Analysis of Increased Ethanol Localization and Ablative Extent Achieved by Ethyl Cellulose
Authors: Chelales Erika , Morhard Robert , Nief Corrine , Crouch Brian , Sag Alan , Ramanujam Nirmala 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
PurposeEthanol provides a rapid, low-cost ablative solution for liver tumors with a small technological footprint but suffers from uncontrolled diffusion in target tissue, limiting treatment precision and accuracy. The authors demonstrate that incorporating the gel-forming polymer ethyl cellulose to ethanol localizes the distribution. This therapy may have a low barrier of entry for cancer care in low- and middle- income countries.Materials and MethodsThe relationship of radiodensity to ethanol concentration was characterized with water-ethanol surrogates. Ex vivo EC-ethanol ablations were performed to optimize the formulation (n=6). In vivo ablations were performed to compare the optimal EC-ethanol formulation to pure ethanol (n=6). Ablations were monitored with CT and ethanol distribution volume was quantified. Livers were explanted, sectioned and stained with NADH-diaphorase to determine the ablative extent.ResultsCT imaging of ethanol-water surrogates demonstrated the ethanol concentration-radiodensity relationship is approximately linear. A concentration of 12% EC in ethanol created the largest distribution volume, more than 8-fold that of pure ethanol, ex vivo. In vivo, 12% EC-ethanol was superior to pure ethanol, yielding a distribution volume 3 times greater and an ablation zone 6 times greater than pure ethanol.Conclusions EC-ethanol, a novel gel formulation injectable ablative injectate, safely increases distribution and necrosis compared to pure ethanol.
PHAIR&nbsp;– A Biosensor for pH&nbsp;Measurement in Air-liquid Interface
Authors: Dabaghi Mohammadhossein , Saraei Neda , Xu Gang , Chandiramohan Abiram , Yeung Jonas , Nguyen Jenny , Vukmirovic Milica , Selvaganapathy Ponnambalam Ravi , Hirota Jeremy 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In many biological systems, pH can be used as a parameter to understand and study cell dynamics. However, measuring pH in live cell culture is limited by the sensor ion specificity, proximity to the cell surface, and scalability. Commercially available pH sensors are difficult to integrate into a small-scale cell culture system due to their size and are not cost-effective for disposable use. We made PHAIR - a new pH sensor that uses a micro-wire format to measure pH in vitro human airway cell culture. Tungsten micro-wires were used as the working electrodes, and silver micro-wires with a silver/silver chloride coating were used as a pseudo reference electrode. pH sensitivity, in a wide and narrow range, and stability of these sensors were tested in common standard buffer solutions as well as in culture media of human airway epithelial cells grown at the air-liquid interface in a 24 well cell culture plate. When measuring the pH of cells grown under basal and challenging conditions using PHAIR, cell viability and cytokine responses were not affected. Our results confirm that micro-wires-based sensors have the capacity for miniaturization, and detection of diverse ions while maintaining sensitivity. This suggests the broad application of PHAIR in various biological experimental settings.
Unravelling the Differential Expression of Potential microRNAs&nbsp;in Bacterial Wilt-resistant and Susceptible Ginger Species
Authors: Snigdha M , Prasath D 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been shown to regulate plant pathogen interaction, by silencing genes, destructing or blocking of the translation of mRNA. However, their role in bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in ginger, has not been studied. In the present study, we utilized the transcriptome data from ginger-Ralstonia solanacearum interactions to characterize miRNAs from bacterial wilt-susceptible ginger (Zingiber officinale) and resistant mango ginger (Curcuma amada). The assembled mRNAs were utilized to generate miRNA targets and miRNAs. Considering the alignment results, we located a total of 2926 potential miRNA targets out of which 1551 were upregulated and 1419 were downregulated in ginger. In case of mango ginger, out of 2145 potential miRNA targets, 1506 were upregulated and 1594 were downregulated. In the resistance interactions with mango ginger, 1068 unique target genes were upregulated when compared to control. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of differentially expressed target genes showed highest enrichment in response to cold, chloroplast and ATP binding in biological, cellular and molecular functions respectively. Nine target genes and their corresponding miRNAs were experimentally validated, which shows significant difference in expression with ginger-Ralstonia solanacearum interactions. The results will be very useful to disease resistant varieties of ginger.
Snow Supervision in Digital Pathology: Managing Imperfect Annotations for Segmentation in Deep Learning
Authors: Foucart Adrien , Debeir Olivier , Decaestecker Christine 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In digital pathology, image segmentation algorithms are usually ranked on clean, benchmark datasets. However, annotations in digital pathology are hard, time-consuming and by nature imperfect. We expand on the SNOW (Semi-, Noisy and/or Weak) supervision concept introduced in an earlier work to characterize such data supervision imperfections. We analyse the effects of SNOW supervision on typical DCNNs, and explore learning strategies to counteract those effects. We apply those lessons to the real-world task of artefact detection in whole-slide imaging. Our results show that SNOW supervision has an important impact on the performances of DCNNs and that relying on benchmarks and challenge datasets may not always be relevant for assessing algorithm performance. We show that a learning strategy adapted to SNOW supervision, such as “Generative Annotations", can greatly improve the results of DCNNs on real-world datasets.
Spatiotemporal Variations Dictate Stable and Resilient Microbiome Interactions in the Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Wang Hualong , Chen Feng , Zhang Chuanlun , Wang Min , Kan Jinjun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Annually reoccurring microbial populations with strong spatial and temporal variations have been identified in estuarine environments, especially in those with long residence time such as the Chesapeake Bay (CB). However, it is unclear how microbial taxa interact with each other (e.g., mutualistic and competitive interactions) and how these interactions respond to their surrounding environments. Specifically, there is a lack of understanding of how these interactions influence microbiome population dynamics, and its adaptability and resilience to estuarine gradients. Results: Here, we constructed co-occurrence networks on prokaryotic microbial communities in the Bay, which included seasonal samples from seven spatial stations along the salinity gradients for three consecutive years. Our results showed that spatiotemporal variations of planktonic microbiomes promoted differentiations of the characteristics and stability of prokaryotic microbial networks in the CB estuary. Prokaryotic microbial networks are more stable seasonally than spatially, and microbes were more strongly connected during warm season compared to the associations during cold season. In addition, microbial interactions were more stable in the lower Bay (ocean side) than those in the upper Bay (freshwater side). Interestingly, compared to the abundant groups, the rare taxa such as SAR116 clade, SAR11 clade III, and OM182 clade contributed greatly to the stability and resilience of prokaryotic microbial interactions in the Bay. Modularity and cluster structures of microbial networks varied spatiotemporally, which provided valuable insights into the ‘small world’ (a group of more interconnected species), network stability, and habitat partitioning/preferences. Multivariate regression tree (MRT) analysis and Piecewise structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that temperature, salinity and total suspended substances directly or indirectly (through nutrient availability, particulate carbon and Chl a) affected the distribution and associations of microbial groups, such as Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia.Conclusion: Our results shed light on how spatiotemporal variations alter the nature and stability of prokaryotic microbial networks in the estuarine ecosystem, as well as the ability of planktonic microbiomes and their interactions to resist future disturbances.
Acidified Pepsin Promotes Laryngeal Precancerosis by Upregulating H+/K+-ATPase and Activating Mitophagy in Laryngeal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Cheng Ke-Jia , Xu Qiong , Li Zhi-Mei , Zhou Shui hong , Bao Yang-Yang , Chen Zhe , Fan Jun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Although laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been implicated in various upper aerodigestive tract and laryngeal diseases, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the role of gastric acidified pepsin in laryngeal precancerosis. Methods: The in vitro and in vivo effects of acidified pepsin on H+/K+-ATPase expression and autophagy/mitophagy induction in mouse laryngeal epithelial cells were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, the levels of pepsin and H+/K+-ATPase α and β subunits in 31 human laryngeal mucosal specimens were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Acidified pepsin (pH=3) enhanced the growth and survival of mouse laryngeal epithelial cells in vitro and promoted laryngeal mucosal thickening and laryngeal epithelial cell growth in vivo. Furthermore, acidified pepsin promoted autophagy/mitophagy induction, accompanied by a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine abolished the ability of acidified pepsin to promote mitophagy and cell growth in laryngeal epithelial cells. Additionally, chloroquine promoted cell apoptosis and further reduced MMP in laryngeal epithelial cells treated with acidified pepsin. The expression levels of pepsin and H+/K+-ATPase α and β subunits in 31 human laryngeal mucosa specimens were 51.6%, 48.4%, and 48.4%, respectively. Importantly, the pepsin level was correlated with the H+/K+-ATPase β subunit level. H+/K+-ATPase upregulation in laryngeal epithelial cells in response to acidified pepsin was essential for the mitophagy-promoting effect of acidified pepsin. H+/K+-ATPase knockout or inhibition further reduced MMP in the presence of acidified pepsin. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that in an acidic environment, pepsin promotes laryngeal epithelial cell growth and survival by upregulating H+/K+-ATPase and activating mitophagy, potentially leading to laryngeal precancerosis.
The Clinical Value of Regional Lymphadenectomy for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Results of A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: YANG Facai , WU Changkang , CHEN Taian , DUAN Anqi , XU Jian , BO Zhiyuan , LI Jingdong , Qiu Yinghe , YI Bin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical value of lymph node dissection (LND) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods: Clinical and pathological data were collected from 147 ICC patients who attended two tertiary centers over the past 5 years. The patients were classified into two groups: the LND group (group A) and the no-performance LND (NLND) group (group B). Clinical and pathological parameters were compared between the two groups to analyze the impact of LND on the prognosis of ICC patients. Results: Of the 147 patients, 54.4% (80) received LND and 42.5% (34/80) of these were found to have lymph node metastasis (LNM) in postoperative pathological diagnosis. Patients undergoing LND usually have a larger surgical range, including hemihepatectomy and enlarged hemihepatectomy (P = 0.001). LND did not increase postoperative complications (27.5%, P = 0.354), but postoperative hospital stays were longer (12.2 ± 6.3 d, P = 0.005) in group A compared with group B (20.9%, 9.5 ± 3.5 d). The 5-year survival rates of groups A and B are almost similar (21% vs 29%, P=0.905). The overall survival rate of cN0 (diagnosis obtained by imaging) is better than pN1 (diagnosis obtained by histopathology), but lower than pN0. (all P < 0.05). Elevated CA19-9 level (HR = 1.764, 95% CI: 1.113 ~ 2.795 , P = 0.016), vascular invasion (HR = 2.697, 95% CI: 1.103 ~ 6.599, P = 0.030), and T staging (HR = 1.848, 95% CI: 1.059 ~ 3.224, P = 0.031) were independent risk factors for poor ICC prognosis (all P values > 0.05).Conclusion: ICC patients with cN0 may have LNM, and the prognosis of LNM patients is usually poor. Our data may support routine lymphadenectomy for ICC.
Association of Gravity Drainage and Complications Following Whipple: An Analysis of the ACS-NSQIP Targeted Database
Authors: BR Hall , Egr Zachary H , Krell Robert W , Padussis James C , Shostrom Valerie K , Are Chandrakanth , Reames Bradley N 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The optimal type of operative drainage following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains unclear. Our objective is to investigate risk associated with closed drainage techniques (passive [gravity] vs. suction) after PD.Methods: We assessed operative drainage techniques utilized in patients undergoing PD in the ACS-NSQIP Pancreas-Targeted database from 2016-2018. Using multivariable logistic regression to adjust for characteristics of the patient, procedure, and pancreas, we examined the association between use of gravity drainage and postoperative outcomes.Results: We identified 9,665 patients with drains following PD from 2016-2018, of which 12.7% received gravity drainage. 61.0% had a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma or pancreatitis, 26.5% had a duct <3 mm, and 43.5% had a soft or intermediate gland. After multivariable adjustment, gravity drainage was associated with decreased rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula (odds ratio [OR] 0.804, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.659-0.981, P= 0.031), delayed gastric emptying (OR 0.830, 95%CI 0.693-0.988, P= 0.036), superficial SSI (OR: 0.741, 95% CI: 0.572-0.959, P=0.023), organ space SSI (OR: 0.791, 95% CI: 0.658-0.951, P=0.012), and readmission (OR: 0.807, 95% CI: 0.679-0.958, P=0.014) following PD.Conclusions: Gravity drainage is independently associated with decreased rates of CR-POPF, DGE, SSI, and readmission following PD. Additional prospective research will help determine which method is preferred.
Feeding Ecology and Host Preferences of Mosquitoes in two Zoological Gardens in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hernandez-Colina Arturo , Gonzalez-Olvera Merit , Lomax Emily , Townsend Freya , Maddox Amber , Hesson Jenny C. , Sherlock Kenneth , Ward Dawn , Eckley Lindsay , Lopez Javier , Baylis Matthew 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Zoological gardens contain unique configurations of exotic and endemic animals and plants that create a diverse range of developing sites and potential sources of blood meals for local mosquitoes. This may imply unusual interspecific pathogen transmission risks involving zoo animals, like avian malaria to captive penguins. Understanding mosquito ecology and host preferences is necessary to improve mosquito control and disease prevention measures in these environments. Methods: Mosquito sampling took place in Chester Zoo for three years (2017 to 2019) and for one year in Flamingo Land (2017) using different trapping methods. Blood-fed mosquitoes were identified and their bloodmeal was amplified by PCR, sequenced, and blasted for host species identification.Results: In total, 640 blood-fed mosquitoes were collected (Culex pipiens (n = 497), Culiseta annulata (n = 81), Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (n = 7), An. claviger (n = 1) and unidentifiable (n = 55)). Successful identification of the host species was achieved from 159 of the 640 blood-fed mosquitoes. Mosquitoes fed on birds (n = 74), non-human mammals (n = 20) and humans (n = 71). There were mixed bloodmeals from two hosts (n = 6). The proportions of blood-fed mosquitoes varied across sampling seasons and sites within the zoos. The use of resting traps and aspiration of vegetation were more efficient techniques for capturing blood-fed mosquitoes than traps for host-seeking or gravid mosquitoes. By relating the locations of zoo animals to where fed mosquitoes were trapped, the minimum travelling distances were calculated (13.7 to 366.7 meters). Temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, proximity to zoo animal exhibits and vegetation level were found to be significantly associated with the proportion of captured blood-fed mosquitoes by generalized linear modelling.Conclusions: Mosquito feeding behaviour in zoos is influenced by environmental variables and host availability, which highlights the value of mosquito monitoring in complex settings to plan control strategies and potentially reduce inherent disease transmission risks for humans and threatened zoo animals.
Effects of Plyometric and Whole-body Vibration on Physical Performance in Collegiate Basketball Players: A Crossover Randomized Trial
Authors: Munshi Pratyakshi , Khan Moazzam Hussain , Nuhmani Shibili , Anwer Shahnawaz , Li Heng , Alghadir Ahmad H 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundWhile many studies suggested the effects of plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises on post-activation potentiation, few studies have compared the acute effects of plyometric and whole-body vibration on the occurrence of post-activation potentiation. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the acute effects of plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises on postactivation potentiation in collegiate basketball players.MethodsTwenty-four collegiate basketball players (Age 20.8 ± 2.02 Y, height 1.79 ± 0.7 m, weight 71.2 ± 7.6 kg, and body mass index 22.00 ± 1.49 kg/m2) participated in this randomized crossover study. Subjects were received both plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises after 48-hour washed-out period. Countermovement Jump height, sprint, and agility time were measured at baseline, 4- and 12-minute post-plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises. ResultsThe result suggests a positive effect of both the plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises on countermovement jump and agility time (p = 0.001). While the countermovement jump height and agility were higher in the plyometric group (mean difference 1.60 cm and 0.16 sec, respectively), the sprint performance was higher in the whole-body vibration group (mean difference 0.28 sec). However, these differences were statistically nonsignificant between the two groups (p > 0.05 ).ConclusionsThis study suggests that both plyometric and whole-body vibration exercises may improve postactivation potentiation, which leads to a better physical performance.Trial registrationCTRI/2019/05/019059. Registered with the Clinical trials registry, India on 10th May, 2019. http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advsearch.php
Echocardiographic Evaluation of the Effect of Poor Blood Glucose Control on Left Ventricular Function and Ascending Aorta Elasticity
Authors: Song Xiang-Ting , Fan Li , Yan Zi-Ning , Rui Yi-Fei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with high cardiovascular risk. Preclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and subclinical arterial stiffness have been documented in patients with T2DM. The aims of this study were to investigate whether there was any differences in LV function and ascending aorta elasticity between T2DM patients with controlled [defined as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <6.5%] and uncontrolled (HbA1c ≥6.5%) blood glucose.Methods: We studied 86 T2DM patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) whom be divided into two groups: 42 T2DM patients with controlled blood glucose (controlled T2DM group) and 44 T2DM patients with uncontrolled blood glucose (uncontrolled T2DM group), and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects as controls. They all underwent transthoracic echocardiography examination, LV systolic function was evaluated by global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured using three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. LV diastolic function was defined as the ratio of the early diastolic transmitral flow velocities (E) to average mitral annular velocity (ȇ), and E/ȇ >14 was determined as abnormal. Ascending aorta inner diameters and brachial blood pressure were measured to calculate ascending aorta elastic parameters: compliance (C), distensibility (D), strain (S), stiffness index (SI), Peterson’s elastic modulus (EM).Results: Compared to controls, patients with T2DM had reduced GLS, increased E/ȇ and impaired ascending aorta elasticity. Furthermore, LV function and ascending aorta elasticity were more severely damaged in uncontrolled T2DM group compared with controlled T2DM group. By Pearson correlation analysis, the level of HbA1c was independently associated with the parameters of the LV function and ascending aorta elasticity.Conclusions: T2DM can impair LV myocardial function and ascending aorta elastic properties. Poor blood glucose control can lead to further damage to LV function and elasticity of the ascending aorta.
Prenatal Transplantation of Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Could Improve Clinical Outcome of Type III&nbsp;Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Shaw Steven W. , Peng Shao-Yu , Liang Ching-Chung , Lin Tzu-Yi , Cheng Po-Jen , Hsieh T'sang-T'ang , Chuang Hao-Yu , Coppi Paolo De , David Anna L. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundType III spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a single gene disorder affecting motor function in uterus. Several types of stem cells were utilized to ameliorate SMA based on its capability of regeneration and differentiation. Amniotic fluid is an alternative source of stem cells and is safely sampled without ethical issues. Human amniotic fluid stem cell (hAFSC) shared common surface markers of mesenchymal stem cell. Therefore, this study aims to examine the therapeutic potential of hAFSC for SMA. MethodsOur SMA model mice were generated by deletion of exon 7 of Smn gene and knock-in of human SMN2. A total of 16 SMA model mice were injected with 1x105 hAFSC in uterus, and the other 16 mice served as the negative control. Motor function was analyzed by Rotarod maintenance test, tilting test and grasping test every two months. Twelve months after transplantation, all organs were extracted for post-mortem analysis. Engraftment of hAFSC in organs were assessed by flow cytometry and RNA scope. To observe the function of neuromuscular junction, frequency of myocytes, neurons and innervated receptors were estimated by H&E, methylene blue and immunocytochemistry staining. ResultsWith hAFSC transplantation, 15 fetuses from 5 dams survived (15 of 16, 93.75% survival) and showed better performance in all three motor function tests. Higher engraftment frequency in organs were observed in muscle and liver after hAFSC transplantation. Besides, the muscle of SMA mice with hAFSC transplantation expressed much laminin α and PAX-7. Significantly higher frequency of myocytes, neurons and innervated receptors were observed after hAFSC transplantation. ConclusionsIn our study, hAFSC engrafted on neuromuscular organs and improved cellular and behavioral outcomes of SMA model mice. This fetal therapy could preserve the time window and treat in the uterus to avoid irreversible damage.