bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autophagy related gene expression status in patients diagnosed with azoospermia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Asgari Rezvan , Bakhtiari Mitra , Rezazadeh Davood , Vaisi‐Raygani Asad , Mansouri Kamran 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAutophagy affects various aspects of the male reproductive system. Any defects in this process may lead to azoospermia. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of the autophagy pathway have remained largely obscure. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate levels of autophagy pathway gene expression (i.e. Lc3B, Beclin1, ATG5 and Bcl2) in azoospermic patients.MethodsThe levels of Lc3B, Beclin1, ATG5 and Bcl2 mRNA expression in azoospermic patients and fertile males were evaluated by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction technique. In addition, diagnostic evaluation based on the receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed.ResultsThe results obtained showed the decreased expression of Lc3B, Beclin1 and ATG5 genes in infertile patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas Bcl2 expression was increased in samples (p < 0.05). A diagnostic evaluation by ROC curve and calculation of the area under the curve showed that, using a cut‐off relative quantification of 4.550, 0.052, 0.056 and 0.012, the sensitivity of Lc3B, Beclin1, ATG5 and Bcl2 genes was 87.5%, 93.8%, 93.8% and 90%, respectively. In addition, a specificity of 76.7%, 76.7%, 93.3% and 81.2%, respectively, was observed.ConclusionsAs a first study, the current research suggests that an alteration in the expression of autophagy pathway genes may be associated with male infertility. Based on our finding, the increased expression of Bcl2 and formation of Becline1/Bcl2 complex, which inhibits Beclin1 recruitment, may lead to a decrease of the autophagy process in azoospermic patients. Accordingly, upon further investigation, the autophagy could be considered as an important aspect during spermatogenesis.
Role of positron emission tomography‐contrast enhanced computed tomography in locally advanced gallbladder cancer
Authors: Patkar Shraddha , Chaturvedi Aditi , Goel Mahesh , Rangarajan Venkatesh , Sharma Ashutosh , Engineer Reena 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionThis study aims to define the role of flurodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) positron emission tomography‐contrast enhanced computed tomography (PETCECT) scan in upstaging disease in patients with locally advanced gallbladder cancer (LAGBC).MethodsAn analysis of a prospectively maintained database of gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients was performed. Patients found to have locally advanced (T3 and/or T4 or N+) but non‐metastatic disease on initial imaging, either a contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, underwent an additional PETCECT for staging and the results impacting treatment decision were recorded.ResultsOne hundred and three patients of LAGBC underwent CECT/MRI and PETCECT. 48/103 (46.6%) were found to be upstaged to stage IV after PETCECT. The most common metastatic site was non‐regional retroperitoneal lymph nodes (12 patients, 11.7%) followed by satellite lesions in liver (11, 10.7%). Fourteen (13.6%) patients had equivocal findings on PET scan that required confirmation by tissue sampling out of which 10 (71.4%) were subsequently found to have metastatic disease. The only statistically significant factor predicting distant spread on PETCECT was the presence of loco‐regional nodes on CT scan (odds ratio 6.15, P = .006).ConclusionPETCECT is a valuable tool to rule out metastatic disease in patients presenting with LAGBC.
Practical Approaches to Bone Marrow Fat Fraction Quantification Across Magnetic Resonance Imaging Platforms
Authors: Bainbridge Alan , Bray Timothy J.P. , Sengupta Raj , Hall‐Craggs Margaret A. 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundQuantification of fat by proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measurements may be valuable for the quantification and follow‐up of pathology in multicenter clinical trials and routine practice. However, many centers do not have access to specialist methods (such as chemical shift imaging) for PDFF measurement. This is a barrier to more widespread trial implementation.Purpose/HypothesisTo determine the agreement between fat fraction (FF) measurements derived from 1) basic vendor‐supplied sequences, 2) basic sequences with offline correction, and 3) specialist vendor‐supplied methods.Study TypeProspective.PopulationTwo substudies with ten and five healthy volunteers.Field Strength/SequenceSite A: mDixon Quant (Philips 3T Ingenia); Site B: IDEAL and FLEX (GE 1.5T Optima MR450W); Site C: DIXON, with additional 5‐echo gradient echo acquisition for offline correction (Siemens 3T Skyra); Site D: DIXON, with additional VIBE acquisitions for offline correction (Siemens 1.5T Avanto). The specialist method at site A was used as a standard to compare to the basic methods at sites B, C, and D.AssessmentRegions of interest were placed on areas of subchondral bone on FF maps from the various methods in each volunteer.Statistical TestsRelationships between FF measurements from the various sites and Dixon methods were assessed using Bland–Altman analysis and linear regression.ResultsBasic methods consisting of IDEAL, LAVA FLEX, and DIXON produced FF values that were linearly related to reference FF values (P < 0.0001), but produced mean biases of up to 10%. Offline correction produced a significant reduction in bias in both substudies (P < 0.001).Data ConclusionFF measurements derived using basic vendor‐supplied methods are strongly linearly related with those derived using specialist methods but produce a bias of up to 10%. A simple offline correction that is accessible even when the scanner has only basic sequence options can significantly reduce bias.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy Stage: 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:298–306.
Horizontal semicircular canal jam: Two new cases and possible mechanisms
Authors: Schubert Michael C. , Helminski Janet , Zee David S. , Cristiano Elisabetta , Giannone Antonio , Tortoriello Giuseppe , Marcelli Vincenzo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionBenign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) of the horizontal semicircular canal (hSCC) can present with otoconia blocking its lumen (canalith jam), with signs and symptoms that make it difficult to distinguish from central nervous system pathology.ObjectiveHere we report two cases of canalith jam affecting the hSCC and offer a theoretical mechanism based on known vestibular neurophysiology.MethodsWe use video‐oculography to document the canalith jam and show the moment the otoconia loosen.ResultsCanalith jam is a rare form of BPPV remedied with repositioning maneuvers.ConclusionClinicians should consider canalith jam as a mechanism for BPPV when the nystagmus is (a) Direction fixed with fixation removed and during positional testing; (b) Velocity dependent on supine head position; (c) Converts to geotropic directional changing nystagmus.
High‐temperature corrosion behaviors of typical nickel alloy coatings in a simulated boiler coal ash/gas environment in the Zhundong region
Authors: Wu Jun , Wu Xiaojiang , Cheng Peize , Dai Nianwei , Li Jin , Jiang Yiming 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe high‐temperature corrosion behaviors of five nickel alloy coatings used in coal‐fired boilers in the Zhundong region (Xinjiang province) were investigated in simulated coal ash and coal‐combusted flue gas environment at 650°C for 250 and 500 hr. The samples were analyzed by weight gain experiment, X‐ray diffraction test, and scanning electron microscopy technique with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy. The results indicated that the corrosion level is in the order of NiCrMo13 ≈ Hastelloy C‐276 (276) > NiCrBSi > Inconel 718 (718) > 45CT. The compositions of the corrosion scale in five nickel alloy coatings mainly consist of NiO, Ni3S2, and Cr2O3. The enrichment of Cr in the corrosion scale in 45CT, 718, and NiCrBSi coatings inhibits the formation of oxide and sulfide on the coating surface. The presence of W and Mo in nickel alloy coatings accelerates the formation of corrosion products, thus weakening the corrosion resistance of NiCrMo13 and 276 in simulated coal ash and coal‐combusted flue gas environment.
Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis and 3D Similarity Perspective Applied to Analyze Comprehensively the Selectivity of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Inhibitors
Authors: Crisan Luminita , Avram Sorin , Kurunczi Ludovic , Pacureanu Liliana 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe current work was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of two conceptually distinct in silico ligand‐based tools: Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS‐DA) and 3D similarity, including shape, physico‐chemical and electrostatics to classify target‐specific pharmacophores with enrichment power for selective GSK‐3 inhibitors against the phylogenetically related CDK‐2, CDK‐4, CDK‐5 and PKC. All virtual screens were performed on four data sets of targets matched pairwise, including selective and nonselective inhibitors for GSK‐3. The classification method PLS‐DA results revealed that all obtained models are statistically robust according to the cross‐validation and response permutation tests. Regarding selective GSK‐3 inhibitors differentiation in terms of selectivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and accuracy (ACC), the PLS‐DA models for CDK‐4/GSK‐3, and PKC/GSK‐3 datasets are highly efficient discriminative. 3D similarity searches for CDK‐4/GSK‐3, PKC/GSK‐3, and CDK‐2/GSK‐3 datasets using the most selective reference molecules lead to highest enrichments of selective GSK‐3 inhibitors. EON yields excellent early and overall enrichments for ET_ST and ET_combo for most selective query for CDK‐4/GSK‐3. CDK‐5/GSK‐3 dataset didn't show consistent statistically significant enrichments for 3D similarity virtual screening. The current methodology is reliable and could be used as a powerful tool for the detection of potentially selective molecules targeting GSK‐3.
Compartment syndrome: Neuromuscular complications and electrodiagnosis
Authors: Broadhurst Peter Kaas , Robinson Lawrence R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCompartment syndrome (CS) is a treatable condition characterized by elevated intracompartmental pressure and may be acute or chronic in nature. Sustained elevated compartment pressure can lead to ischemia and necrosis of muscle as well as injury to peripheral nerves, creating a deficit that may be neuropathic, myopathic, or mixed. While electrodiagnostic assessments are of limited utility in the diagnosis of acute/traumatic CS, they can assist with prognosticating return of function after surgical fasciotomy or in clarifying the injury pattern in cases in which a traumatic injury results in subsequent neuromuscular deficits. They can also be used to rule out conditions that mimic chronic exertional CS. During electrodiagnostic assessment, clinicians should be aware of patterns associated with muscle fibrosis vs denervation and use this information to assist with prognostication and appropriate counseling for patients regarding any interventional or adaptive treatments that may help restore function.
Use of Underwater Videography to Quantify Conditions Utilized by Endangered Moapa Dace While Spawning
Authors: Ruggirello Jack E. , Bonar Scott A. , Feuerbacher Olin G. , Simons Lee H. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Advances in underwater camera technology provide an affordable means to quantify the environmental conditions under which fish spawn. This information is important for investigating spawning ecology, managing habitat, or providing information for captive breeding programs. We deployed 12 modified security cameras underwater to identify environmental conditions related to the spawning behavior of the critically endangered Moapa Dace Moapa coriacea, a Mojave Desert stream-dwelling cyprinid that had never been observed spawning and that had fallen to a low of 459 individual fish 4 years prior to this study. Camera sites were selected systematically along the stream to represent the variety of conditions available. We divided the field of view in front of each camera into a grid, and we estimated both the available environment and the habitat over which Moapa Dace showed spawning behavior. From over 4,000 10-min video clips that were randomly selected for analysis, 13 spawning events were identified. Using nonparametric contingency table analyses, we found that Moapa Dace selected depths between 30 and 34 cm, water velocities between 0.11 and 0.17 m/s, cobble substrate, and overhead instream cover. Although the recorded sample size of spawning events was small (13), our sample represents a large proportion of events given that the world's entire population of Moapa Dace at the time was approximately 650 fish distributed over multiple kilometers of stream length. Environmental conditions identified by this study were replicated in laboratory facilities to successfully propagate Moapa Dace for the first time in captivity. These propagation methods are now used in a management setting by the Nevada Department of Wildlife to maintain a captive population of this rare fish. Camera methods can be effective in helping to identify spawning conditions where water clarity is sufficient.
Clinical impact of post‐induction resolution of pulmonary lesions in metastatic Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Halalsheh Hadeel , Kaste Sue C. , Krasin Matthew J. , Sykes April , Sahr Natasha , Spunt Sheri L. , Federico Sara M. , Bishop Michael W. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundPatients with metastatic Ewing sarcoma experience poor outcomes despite intensive systemic and local therapy. Early chemotherapy response of pulmonary metastases has been associated with prognosis in other pediatric malignancies. We reviewed the outcomes of patients with Ewing sarcoma and pulmonary metastases treated at our institution based on therapy received and early pulmonary response.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients with newly diagnosed Ewing sarcoma and pulmonary metastases at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1979 and 2015. Data obtained included demographic and treatment characteristics including chemotherapy, local control measures, whole lung irradiation (WLI) administration, autologous stem cell transplantation, and outcomes. Patients were evaluated for radiographic post‐induction pulmonary complete response (CR). We estimated event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) and used Cox proportional hazards regression to examine the effects of clinical and treatment factors on outcomes.ResultsFifty‐four patients (median age, 12.9 years) were evaluated. Post‐induction pulmonary CR was observed in 33 (61%) patients. WLI was delivered to 16 patients (4/33 with pulmonary CR and 12/21 with non‐CR). At median 3.6 years follow‐up, five‐year EFS and OS were 30.8% ± 6.4% and 49.6% ± 7.1%, respectively. Post‐induction pulmonary CR was associated with prolonged EFS (P < 0.001) but not improved OS (P = 0.065). Post‐induction pulmonary CR was associated with a lower incidence of lung failure (P = 0.031).ConclusionsPost‐induction pulmonary CR is associated with improved EFS in patients with Ewing sarcoma who present with pulmonary metastases.
Divergent phenotypic response of rice accessions to transient heat stress during early seed development
Authors: Paul Puneet , Dhatt Balpreet K. , Sandhu Jaspreet , Hussain Waseem , Irvin Larissa , Morota Gota , Staswick Paul , Walia Harkamal 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIncreasing global surface temperatures is posing a major food security challenge. Part of the solution to address this problem is to improve crop heat resilience, especially during grain development, along with agronomic decisions such as shift in planting time and increasing crop diversification. Rice is a major food crop consumed by more than 3 billion people. For rice, thermal sensitivity of reproductive development and grain filling is well‐documented, while knowledge concerning the impact of heat stress (HS) on early seed development is limited. Here, we aim to study the phenotypic variation in a set of diverse rice accessions for elucidating the HS response during early seed development. To explore the variation in HS sensitivity, we investigated aus (1), indica (2), temperate japonica (2), and tropical japonica (4) accessions for their HS (39/35°C) response during early seed development that accounts for transition of endosperm from syncytial to cellularization, which broadly corresponds to 24 and 96 hr after fertilization (HAF), respectively, in rice. The two indica and one of the tropical japonica accessions exhibited severe heat sensitivity with increased seed abortion; three tropical japonicas and an aus accession showed moderate heat tolerance, while temperate japonicas exhibited strong heat tolerance. The accessions exhibiting extreme heat sensitivity maintain seed size at the expense of number of fully developed mature seeds, while the accessions showing relative resilience to the transient HS maintained number of fully developed seeds but compromised on seed size, especially seed length. Further, histochemical analysis revealed that all the tested accessions have delayed endosperm cellularization upon exposure to the transient HS by 96 HAF; however, the rate of cellularization was different among the accessions. These findings were further corroborated by upregulation of cellularization‐associated marker genes in the developing seeds from the heat‐stressed samples.
Effect of Aluminum Particle Size on the Performance of Aluminized Explosives
Authors: Li Xinghan , Pei Hongbo , Zhang Xu , Zheng Xianxu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTo characterize the effect of the particle size on the combustion time of aluminum (Al) in aluminized explosives, a series of cylinder tests was performed with RDX and Al compositions (median size of 2, 10, and 47 μm). Similar compositions were also prepared with RDX and lithium fluoride (LiF). The expanding velocities of the cylinders were measured using photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV). The results show that the Al reaction delay is less than 3 μs, and the majority of the Al reaction is less than 25 μs. Among the RDX/Al formulas with 0 %, 15 %, and 30 % weight percent of Al, the formula with 15 % Al has the best metal acceleration ability. The effects of the particle size on the cylinder test are surprisingly negligible over the range of 2–47 μm, which implies that the Al particle combustion in the detonation product does not obey the classical d1 law. Finally, a novel Al combustion model in the detonation product was proposed based on the experimental result and theoretical analysis. The model suggests that the Al particle breakup plays an important role in the post‐detonation combustion of Al.
Coupled Mechanical−Thermal Model for Numerical Simulations of Polymer−Bonded Explosives under Low−Velocity Impacts
Authors: Xiao Youcai , Fan Chenyang , Wang Zhijun , Sun Yi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDue to the significant thermal−mechanical effects during hot spot formation in polymer‐bonded explosives (PBXs), a coupled mechanical−thermal constitutive relationship was developed to predict the mechanical behaviors and the thermal reactions of polymer‐bonded explosives (PBXs), which includes viscoelastic responses, the Visco‐SCRAM model, equations of state, and the Arrhenius first‐order chemical kinetics model. The proposed model was implemented in the finite element code ABAQUS using the user subroutine VUMAT. Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and confined Steven test simulations for PBX 9501 were performed to verify the model and understand the stress and temperature fields under different low impact velocities. The results predicted by the proposed model agreed well with the experimental results. This suggested that the model could be used to better simulate the thermal−mechanical responses of explosives. Moreover, compared with the previous analysis models and methods, the method in this paper has wider applicability because it does not require an empirical ignition criterion and hotspot model. It can provide a reference for the study of the thermal−mechanical responses of explosives and the localized ignition problem under low amplitude impact scenarios.
Effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on survival and wing dimorphism of two species of rice planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) under interaction
Authors: Wang Caiyun , Fei Minghui , Meng Ling , Harvey Jeffrey A , Li Baoping 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnthropogenic climate change (ACC) may have significant impacts on insect herbivore communities including pests. Two of the most important climate‐change related factors are increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), and increasing mean global temperature. Although increasing attention is being paid to the biological and ecological effects of ACC, important processes such as interspecific interaction between insect herbivores have been little explored. Here, in a field experiment using the FACE (free‐air CO2 enrichment) system, we investigated the effect of elevated CO2 and temperature on survival and wing dimorphism of two species of rice planthoppers, Laodelphax striatellus and Nilaparvata lugens under interaction.RESULTSThe two species were grouped into five treatments of relative density (0/50, 13/37, 25/25, and 37/13, 50/0), each of which was allocated to one of a factorial combination of two CO2 concentrations and two temperature treatments (elevated and ambient levels). Our results revealed that climatic treatment has no effects on survivorship of interspecific competing planthoppers. However, climatic treatment affected wing‐form of planthoppers under interspecific interaction. For females of N. lugens, in the 37/13 ratio, proportion macropterours form was lower under elevated CO2 + temperature than under the ambient environment or than under elevated temperature. For females of L. striatellus, proportion macropterous form did not differ among climatic treatments at each ratio treatment.CONCLUSIONThese findings illustrate that climate change‐related factors, by affecting the macropetry of interspecific competing planthoppers, may influence planthopper fitness. We provide new information that could assist with forecasting outbreaks of these migratory pests. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
K‐FLEX: A flexible robotic platform for scar‐free endoscopic surgery
Authors: Hwang Minho , Kwon Dong‐Soo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite its high lesion accessibility and versatility, endoscopic platforms have suffered from designing flexible manipulators with high payload capability sufficient to perform advanced endoscopic procedures.MethodsA flexible robotic platform, K‐FLEX, has been developed with a design of 17 mm in overall diameter. To overcome the shape distortion and deflection in payload handling, a strong continuum manipulator has been designed to have maximum resistance to the distortion. The kinematic analysis and mapping strategy have been established for the master‐slave teleoperation.ResultsThe proposed manipulator has shown 7.5 mm in trajectory variation to lift the weight of 300 g. Finally, the feasibility of the integrated K‐FLEX system has been verified through three kinds of simulated surgical tasks.ConclusionsThe initial prototype of the proposed robot showed the possibility of advanced endoscopic surgery with improved payload capability.
Zum Riss‐ und Verformungsverhalten von Stahlverbundträgern mit Ganzfertigteilen
Authors: Mager Matthias , Geißler Karsten 
Published: January 2020

AbstractVerbundträger mit Ganzfertigteilen weisen aufgrund der Bildung von Sammelrissen einige Besonderheiten im Vergleich zu Verbundträgern mit Ortbetonplatte und auch solchen mit Teilfertigteilen auf, die mit den herkömmlichen Berechnungsverfahren nicht ausreichend beschrieben werden können. Dieser Beitrag stellt Berechnungsansätze vor, mit denen die Sammelrisse und das spezifische Tragverhalten erfasst und Rissbildung, Rissbreiten sowie Verformungen wirklichkeitsnah beschrieben werden können.