bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of some quality properties of rice and its flour by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis
Authors: Fazeli Burestan Nasrollah , Afkari Sayyah Amir Hossein , Taghinezhad Ebrahim 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe measurement of different quality properties requires particular tools and chemical materials, most of which are time‐using. The present research was accomplished to survey the possibility of using NIRS (870–2450 nm) to predict the amylose content (AC), protein content (PC), breakdown (BDV), and setback viscosity (SBV) of white rice (Khazar variety) and its flour. Determination coefficients of calibration models to flour samples of AC, PC, BDV, and SBV generated by the partial least‐squares (PLS) regression were obtained as R2cal ≥ .85 and R2pre ≥ .80. Root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) was calculated as 0.393, 0.07, 2.55, and 1.33, respectively. Similarly to grain samples, were obtained as R2cal ≥ .88 and R2pre ≥ .71 for calibration and prediction. RMSEC was measured as 0.303, 0.27, 2.59, and 3.11, respectively. NIRS has the potential to be used as a quick technique for predicting the quality attributes of kernel specimens.
Subject‐specific segregation of functional territories based on deep phenotyping
Authors: Pinho Ana Luísa , Amadon Alexis , Fabre Murielle , Dohmatob Elvis , Denghien Isabelle , Torre Juan Jesús , Ginisty Chantal , Becuwe‐Desmidt Séverine , Roger Séverine , Laurier Laurence , Joly‐Testault Véronique , Médiouni‐Cloarec Gaëlle , Doublé Christine , Martins Bernadette , Pinel Philippe , Eger Evelyn , Varoquaux Gaël , Pallier Christophe , Dehaene Stanislas , Hertz‐Pannier Lucie , Thirion Bertrand 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has opened the possibility to investigate how brain activity is modulated by behavior. Most studies so far are bound to one single task, in which functional responses to a handful of contrasts are analyzed and reported as a group average brain map. Contrariwise, recent data‐collection efforts have started to target a systematic spatial representation of multiple mental functions. In this paper, we leverage the Individual Brain Charting (IBC) dataset—a high‐resolution task‐fMRI dataset acquired in a fixed environment—in order to study the feasibility of individual mapping. First, we verify that the IBC brain maps reproduce those obtained from previous, large‐scale datasets using the same tasks. Second, we confirm that the elementary spatial components, inferred across all tasks, are consistently mapped within and, to a lesser extent, across participants. Third, we demonstrate the relevance of the topographic information of the individual contrast maps, showing that contrasts from one task can be predicted by contrasts from other tasks. At last, we showcase the benefit of contrast accumulation for the fine functional characterization of brain regions within a prespecified network. To this end, we analyze the cognitive profile of functional territories pertaining to the language network and prove that these profiles generalize across participants.
Manipulation of focal Wnt activity via synthetic cells in a double‐humanized zebrafish model of tumorigenesis
Authors: Wang Lei , Long Jiang , Chen Huan , Sun Shaoyang , Lv Kunpeng , Li Qiang , Wang Xu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe canonical Wnt signaling pathway is activated in numerous contexts, including normal and cancerous tissues. Here, we describe a synthetic cell‐based therapeutic strategy that inhibits aberrant Wnt activity in specific focuses without interfering with the normal tissues in vivo. As a proof of principle, we generated a triple transgenic zebrafish liver cancer model that conditionally expressed human MET and induced ectopic Wnt signaling in hepatocytes. Then, we generated a customized synthetic Notch receptor (synNotch) cascade to express Wnt inhibitor DKK1 in Jurkat T cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after recognizing MET as antigen. After that, the synNotch PBMCs were sorted and microinjected into different tissues of the zebrafish model. In MET‐expressing cancerous liver tissues, the injected cells expressed DKK1 and inhibited the local proliferation and Wnt activity; while in the yolk sac without MET, the injected cells remained inactive. Overall, our studies revealed the use of synthetic cells with antigen receptors to improve the spatiotemporal accuracy of anti‐Wnt therapy, and proposed that the genetically humanized zebrafish model may serve as a small‐scale and highly optically accessible platform for the functional evaluation of human synthetic cells.
Association between ovarian and breast masses among Chinese women in Chongqing based on ultrasonography screening: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Shu , Li Hao , Tian Shen , Wu Juan , Chen Yu‐Ling , Xiao Jun , Wei Jia‐Ying , Liang Xin‐Yu , Ran Liang , Kong Ling‐Quan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo explore associations between breast and ovarian tumors among the general healthcare population.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional retrospective study that enrolled 47 951 consecutive Chinese women who took health check‐ups between January 2015 and July 2018 and accepted both breast and gynecologic ultrasound scans during one healthcare examination in The Quality Control Center of Health Examination in Chongqing (China). Prevalence of breast and ovarian tumors was addressed. Multivariable logistic regressions were applied to assess the association between breast and ovarian lesions after adjusting for age, height, and body mass index, using ultrasonographic reports.ResultsAmong participants, 8481 (17.7%) had breast masses (BM), and 2994 (6.2%) had ovarian masses (OM). After adjusting for age, height and body mass index (BMI), women with OM had an increased risk of BM (odds ratio [OR] 1.139, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.040–1.249, P = 0.005) than those without OM. Furthermore, subgroup analysis based on menopausal status revealed a positive association between the occurrence of OM and BM in premenopausal women (adjusted OR 1.155, 95% CI 1.052–1.269, P = 0.012) but this was not significant in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women. In subgroup analysis on BMI, positive correlations between OM and BM were found in women with an underweight BMI (OR 1.433, 95% CI 1.048–1.960, P = 0.024) and with a normal BMI (OR 1.130, 95% CI 1.018–1.253, P = 0.021), but this was not significant in overweight or obese cohorts.ConclusionA high prevalence of ultrasound‐revealed breast and ovarian tumors were found in Chinese women. Women with OM or BM have an increased prevalence of BM or OM, particularly among younger women and women with a lower BMI.
Evaluating in vitro fertilization outcomes of patients with low body mass index following frozen‐thawed embryo transfer
Authors: Oliva Margeaux , Nazem Taraneh G. , Lee Joseph A. , Copperman Alan B. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the relationship between patients with a low body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes following frozen‐thawed embryo transfer (FET).MethodsRetrospective cohort study including 12 618 women aged 20–46 years with an underweight (<18.5) or normal weight (18.5–24.9) BMI who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF in a private and academic IVF center between August 2002 and December 2019.ResultsAnti‐Müllerian hormone, peak estradiol levels, number of MII oocytes, and fertilized oocytes were greater in the underweight group compared with the normal weight group. The total required gonadotropin dose was lower in the underweight patients compared with the normal weight patients. MII, fertilization, blastulation, and euploid rates did not differ before and after adjusting for confounders between BMI groups. In a cohort of 316 patients who underwent preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and single euploid FET, pregnancy loss, pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates before and after controlling for covariates were similar between groups.ConclusionAlthough there are known fetal growth or obstetrical issues associated in patients with a low BMI, it is reassuring that these risks do not extend to embryologic or clinical outcomes from IVF treatment.
Not all mitochondrial DNAs are made equal and the nucleus knows it
Authors: Lechuga‐Vieco Ana Victoria , Justo‐Méndez Raquel , Enríquez José Antonio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system is the only structure in animal cells with components encoded by two genomes, maternally transmitted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and biparentally transmitted nuclear DNA (nDNA). MtDNA‐encoded genes have to physically assemble with their counterparts encoded in the nucleus to build together the functional respiratory complexes. Therefore, structural and functional matching requirements between the protein subunits of these molecular complexes are rigorous. The crosstalk between nDNA and mtDNA needs to overcome some challenges, as the nuclear‐encoded factors have to be imported into the mitochondria in a correct quantity and match the high number of organelles and genomes per mitochondria that encode and synthesize their own components locally. The cell is able to sense the mito‐nuclear match through changes in the activity of the OXPHOS system, modulation of the mitochondrial biogenesis, or reactive oxygen species production. This implies that a complex signaling cascade should optimize OXPHOS performance to the cellular‐specific requirements, which will depend on cell type, environmental conditions, and life stage. Therefore, the mitochondria would function as a cellular metabolic information hub integrating critical information that would feedback the nucleus for it to respond accordingly. Here, we review the current understanding of the complex interaction between mtDNA and nDNA.
Decreased serum exosomal miR‐29a expression and its clinical significance in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Wen Qiuting , Wang Yulou , Li Xingjiang , Jin Xiangguo , Wang Guimei 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundAberrant levels of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) diagnosis and therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum exosomal miR‐29a expression as a non‐invasive biomarker for PTC diagnosis and prognosis.MethodsQuantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was applied to measure serum exosomal miR‐29a expression levels in blood samples of 119 patients with PTC and 100 control subjects.ResultsSerum exosomal miR‐29a expression levels were significantly decreased in PTC cases. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed serum exosomal miR‐29a could well differentiate PTC from normal controls. Moreover, serum exosomal miR‐29a levels increased progressively and significantly 30 days and 90 days after surgery. Furthermore, PTC patients with lower serum exosomal miR‐29a expression had higher risk of recurrence. Decreased serum exosomal miR‐29a expression was significantly associated with worse clinical variables including tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, and TNM stage, as well as shorter survival. Finally, both univariate and multivariate identified serum exosomal miR‐29a as an independent prognostic indicator for overall survival.ConclusionThese results demonstrated that serum exosomal miR‐29a might serve as a potential biomarker for PTC diagnosis and prognosis.
TMEM173 protects against pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy by modulating autophagy
Authors: Jin Ya‐Ge , Zhou Heng , Fan Di , Che Yan , Wang Zhao‐Peng , Wang Sha‐Sha , Tang Qi‐Zhu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTMEM173 has been reported to participate in endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation and immunology, all of which closely involved with cardiac hypertrophy. But its role in autophagy is not fully figured out. In our research, Tmem173 global knockout (KO) mice manifested more deteriorated hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration and cardiac malfunction compared with wild type C57BL/6 mice after 6 weeks of transverse aortic constriction. And KO mice showed inhibited autophagosome degradation in myocardium observed under transmission electron microscope and in protein level. In in vitro experiments conducted in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes under phenylephrine treatment, the abundance of Tmem173 gene was negatively related to the abundance of LC3‐Ⅱ and the number of red and yellow fluorescent dots, of which reflected the capacity of autophagosome degradation. These results indicated that TMEM173 might be a promoter of autophagic flux and protected against pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy. It may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy in the future.
Microvascular anatomy of the urinary bladder in the adult African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis: A scanning electron microscope study of vascular casts
Authors: Lametschwandtner Alois , Minnich Bernd 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe studied urinary bladders of adult male and female Xenopus laevis using light microscopy of stained tissue sections and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of vascular corrosion casts (VCCs). Results showed that bilaterally a vesical artery branched off the femoral artery. At the dorso‐lateral serosal surface of the body of the bladder each artery splitted within a short distance into up to five smaller arteries that supplied body and neck regions. Arteries gave off short and long terminal arterioles, which fed the mucosal capillary meshwork. Long terminal arterioles followed dimensional changes of the bladder, while short ones anchored the capillary network to the arterial system. Capillary mesh sizes and shapes varied according to the filling state of the urinary bladder. In the highly to moderately distended (filled) bladder, capillaries were rather straight or undulated only slightly, in the contracted (emptied) bladder they undulated strongly and lay side by side. Postcapillary venules formed by two equally sized capillaries or from capillaries, which serially drained into a small postcapillary venule. Vesical venules formed a large dorsal vesical and a varying number of smaller lateral and ventral vesical veins. The dorsal vesical vein drained either directly or via the posterior hemorrhoidal vein into the common pelvic vein. Lateral and ventral vesical veins also drained into the latter. The vascular patterns found were discussed in respect to the bladder spatial movements during distention (filling) and relaxation (emptying). Furthermore, it was hypothesized that an extensively filled bladder could compress the overlaying abdominal vein forcing part of the blood otherwise drained towards the liver to be detoured via the renal portal veins to the kidneys.
Evidence of asymmetric change in diurnal temperature range in recent decades over different agro‐climatic zones of India
Authors: Mall Rajesh Kumar , Chaturvedi Manisha , Singh Nidhi , Bhatla Rajeev , Singh Ravi Shankar , Gupta Akhilesh , Niyogi Dev 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDiurnal temperature range (DTR) is an important indicator of climatic change and a critical thermal metric to assess the impact on agriculture and human health. This study investigates the seasonal, annual and decadal changes in the spatio‐temporal trend in DTR and air temperatures (maximum: Tmax and minimum: Tmin) during 1951–2016 and solar radiation (Srad) during 1984–2016 over 14 different agro‐climatic zones (ACZs) in India. The changes in the DTR trend between two time periods:1951–2016 and 1991–2016 (recent period) are also assessed. The results indicate an overall increasing trend in DTR (0.038°C/decade), Tmax (0.078°C/decade, significant), Tmin (0.049°C/decade) during 1951–2016 and Srad (0.10 MJ/m2/day/decade) during 1984–2016. However, a decreasing trend in DTR (−0.02°C/decade) and a significant increasing trend in Tmin (0.210°C/decade) was noted during 1991–2016. The decadal changes showed an evident decline in DTR during the recent period since 1991. The relative increase in Tmin (0.21°C/decade, significant) compared to Tmax (0.18°C/decade) resulted in a decreasing DTR trend. This was evident across the 5 out of the 14 agro‐climatic zones for the 1991–2016 period. The seasonal analysis showed a significant (95%) increasing trend in DTR during pre‐monsoon and monsoon (1951–2016), and a negative trend for the post‐monsoon and monsoon since 1991. There were also interesting spatial differences found with the ACZs in the north‐west, parts of Gangetic plain, north‐east, and central India exhibiting negative DTR trends. The effect of Srad is larger on Tmax than Tmin; therefore, the decrease in Srad in parts of Gangetic plain likely contributed to a smaller increase in Tmax relative to Tmin and led to a decreasing trend in DTR. At the same time, the west coast, east coast, and southern region show positive trends. The observational analysis finds a distinct increase in the Tmin and also highlights the need for future assessments to continue investigate the causes of these spatio‐temporal changes found in this study.
Measuring 3D growth plate shape: Methodology and application to cam morphology
Authors: Horenstein Rachel E. , Meslier Quentin , Spada Julia A. , Halverstadt Anne , Lewis Cara L. , Gimpel Mo , Birchall Richard , Wedatilake Thamindu , Fernquest Scott , Palmer Antony , Glyn‐Jones Siôn , Shefelbine Sandra J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPhyseal changes corresponding to cam morphology are currently measured using two‐dimensional (2D) methods. These methods are limited by definitions of the femoral neck axis and head center that are dependent on the radiographic plane of view. To address these limitations, we developed three‐dimensional (3D) methods for analyzing continuous growth plate shape using magnetic resonance imaging scans. These new methods rely on a single definition of the femoral neck axis and head center that are both nondependent on the radiographic plane of view and allow for analysis of growth plate shape across the growth plate surface (performed using statistical parametric mapping). Using our 3D method, we analyzed the position of the growth plate in the femoral head (relative to a plane tangent to the femoral head) and the curvature of the growth plate (relative to a plane through the center of the growth plate) in 9–16‐year‐old males at risk for cam morphology and their recreationally active peers (n = 17/cohort). These two measurements provide an avenue to separately analyze the effects of these variables in the overall growth plate shape. We detected differences in growth plate shape with age in recreationally active adolescents but did not detect differences between at risk and recreationally adolescents.
Why productive lakes are larger mercury sedimentary sinks than oligotrophic brown water lakes
Authors: Schütze Martin , Gatz Philipp , Gilfedder Benjamin‐Silas , Biester Harald 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMercury accumulation in lake sediments is a widespread environmental problem due to the biomagnification of Hg in the aquatic food chain. Soil Hg concentrations, catchment vegetation, erosion, and lake productivity are major factors controlling the accumulation of Hg in lakes. However, their influence on the Hg mass balance in lakes with different catchment characteristics and trophic state is poorly understood. In this multilake study, we decipher the effects of catchment vegetation (coniferous vs. deciduous forest), soil Hg content, and trophic state on Hg sedimentation at six lakes in Germany. We investigated Hg concentrations in leaves, soils, and the lake's water phase. Soils under coniferous stands show slightly higher Hg concentrations than under deciduous forest. Hg concentrations in the water phase were higher in the oligotrophic brown water lakes (8.1 ± 5.6 ng L−1 vs. 3.0 ± 1.9 ng L−1). Lower Hg concentrations in sediment trap material indicate dilution by algae organic matter in the mesotrophic lakes (0.12–0.17 μg g−1 vs. 0.57–0.89 μg g−1). However, Hg accumulation rates in sediment traps were up to 14‐fold higher in the mesotrophic lakes (113–443 μg m−2 yr−1) than in the brown water lakes (32–144 μg m−2 yr−1), which could not be explained by higher Hg fluxes to the productive lakes. Hg mass balance calculation reveals that water phase Hg scavenging by algae is the major reason for the intense Hg export to the sediments of productive lakes which makes them significantly larger sedimentary sinks than oligotrophic brown water lakes.
Innovative monochromatic x‐ray source for high‐quality and low‐dose medical imaging
Authors: Silver Eric H. , Shulman Seth D. , Rehani Madan M. 
Published: December 2020

PurposeAn estimated 377 million diagnostic and interventional radiological exams are performed annually in the United States and approximately 4 to 5 billion globally. All use x‐ray tubes that emit x‐rays over a broad energy band, a technology that is more than a century old. Only a small fraction of the radiation is useful for imaging while the remaining fraction either increases the radiation dose received by the patient or degrades the image. Monochromatic x‐rays can provide lower dose images in many of these radiological applications while maintaining or improving image quality. We report the development of the first monochromatic x‐ray source suitable for low‐dose, high‐quality imaging in the clinic and demonstrate its first application and performance with mammography phantoms.MethodsX‐ray fluorescence was used to generate monochromatic x‐rays with selectable energies from 18 to 60 keV. This patented technology was incorporated into a laboratory prototype of a monochromatic x‐ray mammography system. Image quality was evaluated as a function of radiation dose in standard breast phantoms using the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) measured for high and low contrast masses and microcalcifications. Spatial imaging properties were assessed from these images as well as from modulation transfer function (MTF) analysis. Measurements using an iodine contrast agent were also performed. The results were compared to those obtained using a commercially available, conventional x‐ray mammography system.ResultsOur prototype system reduced radiation dose by factors of five to ten times for the same SNRs as obtained from the conventional system. This performance was demonstrated in phantoms simulating a wide range of lesion sizes and microcalcifications in a variety of breast thicknesses. The high SNRs for very thick breast phantoms provide evidence that screening with less breast compression is possible while maintaining image quality. Contrast‐enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) with monochromatic x‐rays was shown to provide a simpler and more effective technique at substantially lower radiation dose. The MTF value at 20% was 9 lp/mm.ConclusionsThe monochromatic x‐ray system is more sensitive for imaging a wide range of breast sizes and compositions than conventional broadband mammography. High image quality and lower dose are its hallmarks. It also makes CEDM much more effective than current methods developed for use with conventional broadband mammography systems.