bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving sensory representations using episodic memory
Authors: Görler Richard , Wiskott Laurenz , Cheng Sen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe medial temporal lobe (MTL) is well known to be essential for declarative memory. However, a growing body of research suggests that MTL structures might be involved in perceptual processes as well. Our previous modeling work suggests that sensory representations in cortex influence the accuracy of episodic memory retrieved from the MTL. We adopt that model here to show that, conversely, episodic memory can also influence the quality of sensory representations. We model the effect of episodic memory as (a) repeatedly replaying episodes from memory and (b) recombining episode fragments to form novel sequences that are more informative for learning sensory representations than the original episodes. We demonstrate that the performance in visual discrimination tasks is superior when episodic memory is present and that this difference is due to episodic memory driving the learning of a more optimized sensory representation. We conclude that the MTL can, even if it has only a purely mnemonic function, influence perceptual discrimination indirectly.
Motivational design to grab attention, establish relevance, build confidence, and achieve satisfaction about evidence‐based medicine for pharmacists
Authors: Lounsbery Jody L. , Reidt Shannon L. , Pittenger Amy L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntroductionA primary challenge of effectively teaching evidence‐based medicine (EBM) is a lack of learner motivation for the topic. The objective was to evaluate an online, EBM course created using motivational design principles.MethodsAn online EBM continuing education course was designed and delivered to pharmacy residents. The validated Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) and an open‐ended survey based on Keller's Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) components were used to evaluate the design and instructional materials. A mixed‐methods approach was used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data sources.ResultsTwenty‐six (96%) participants successfully completed the course. The overall mean score for the course was 87%. The mean IMMS score was 126.2 (standard deviation [SD] = 14.6). Mean scores for individual ARCS components were relevance 3.8 (SD = 1.0), confidence 3.7 (SD = 1.1), attention 3.4 (SD = 1.1), and satisfaction 3.0 (SD = 1.0). Design principles identified as being positive influencers of the ARCS components included organized and logical flow of activities, realistic examples and personalized application expectations, a manageable amount of effort and enough flexibility to fit into the busy practice position, and reminder prompts regarding upcoming due dates. The use of multiple learning formats (videos, readings, online discussions, etc.) emerged as positive influences of confidence and satisfaction.DiscussionEvidence‐based medicine can be a challenging topic for pharmacy learners. Motivational design was an effective strategy to help learners gain knowledge and skills related to EBM.
Current status and future outlook of nano‐based systems for burn wound management
Authors: Abazari Morteza , Ghaffari Azadeh , Rashidzadeh Hamid , Momeni badeleh Safa , Maleki Yaser 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWound healing process is a natural and intricate response of the body to its injuries and includes a well‐orchestrated sequence of biochemical and cellular phenomena to restore the integrity of skin and injured tissues. Complex nature and associated complications of burn wounds lead to an incomplete and prolonged recovery of these types of wounds. Among different materials and systems which have been used in treating the wounds, nanotechnology driven therapeutic systems showed a great opportunity to improvement and enhancement of the healing process of different type of wounds. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the recent studies about the various nanotechnology‐based management of burn wounds and the future outlook of these systems in this area. Laboratory and animal models for assessing the efficacy of these systems in burn wound management also discussed.
Heterogeneity and Spatial Distribution of Intravertebral Trabecular Bone Mineral Density in the Lumbar Spine Is Associated With Prevalent Vertebral Fracture
Authors: Kaiser Jarred , Allaire Brett , Fein Paul M , Lu Darlene , Adams Alexander , Kiel Douglas P , Jarraya Mohamed , Guermazi Ali , Demissie Serkalem , Samelson Elizabeth J , Bouxsein Mary L , Morgan Elise F 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
The spatial heterogeneity in trabecular bone density within the vertebral centrum is associated with vertebral strength and could explain why volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) exhibits low sensitivity in identifying fracture risk. This study evaluated whether the heterogeneity and spatial distribution of trabecular vBMD are associated with prevalent vertebral fracture. We examined the volumetric quantitative computed tomography (QCT) scans of the L3 vertebra in 148 participants in the Framingham Heart Study Multidetector CT study. Of these individuals, 37 were identified as cases of prevalent fracture, and 111 were controls, matched on sex and age with three controls per case. vBMD was calculated within 5-mm contiguous cubic regions of the centrum. Two measures of heterogeneity were calculated: (i) interquartile range (IQR); and (ii) quartile coefficient of variation (QCV). Ratios in the spatial distributions of the trabecular vBMD were also calculated: anterior/posterior, central/outer, superior/mid-transverse, and inferior/mid-transverse. Heterogeneity and spatial distributions were compared between cases and controls using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and t tests and tested for association with prevalent fractures with conditional logistic regressions independent of integral vBMD. Prevalent fracture cases had lower mean ± SD integral vBMD (134 ± 38 versus165 ± 42 mg/cm3, p &lt; .001), higher QCV (0.22 ± 0.13 versus 0.17 ± 0.09, p = .003), and lower anterior/posterior rBMD (0.65 ± 0.13 versus 0.78 ± 0.16, p &lt; .001) than controls. QCV was positively associated with increased odds of prevalent fracture (OR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.49; p = .034), but this association was not independent of integral vBMD (p = .598). Increased anterior/posterior trabecular vBMD ratio was associated with decreased odds of prevalent fracture independent of integral vBMD (OR 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.71; p = .003). In conclusion, increased trabecular vBMD in the anterior versus posterior centrum, but not trabecular vBMD heterogeneity, was associated with decreased risk of prevalent fracture independent of integral vBMD. Regional measurements of trabecular vBMD could aid in determining the risk and underlying mechanisms of vertebral fracture. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Myeloma Cells Down-Regulate Adiponectin in Bone Marrow Adipocytes Via TNF-Alpha
Authors: Morris Emma V , Suchacki Karla J , Hocking Joseph , Cartwright Rachel , Sowman Aneka , Gamez Beatriz , Lea Ryan , Drake Matthew T , Cawthorn William P , Edwards Claire M 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
Multiple myeloma is caused by abnormal plasma cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interact with resident cells of the bone microenvironment to drive disease progression and development of an osteolytic bone disease. Bone marrow adipocytes (BMAds) are emerging as having important endocrine functions that can support myeloma cell growth and survival. However, how BMAds respond to infiltrating tumor cells remains poorly understood. Using the C57BL/KaLwRij murine model of myeloma, bone marrow adiposity was found to be increased in early stage myeloma with BMAds localizing along the tumor-bone interface at later stages of disease. Myeloma cells were found to uptake BMAd-derived lipids in vitro and in vivo, although lipid uptake was not associated with the ability of BMAds to promote myeloma cell growth and survival. However, BMAd-derived factors were found to increase myeloma cell migration, viability, and the evasion of apoptosis. BMAds are a major source of adiponectin, which is known to be myeloma-suppressive. Myeloma cells were found to downregulate adiponectin specifically in a model of BMAds but not in white adipocytes. The ability of myeloma cells to downregulate adiponectin was dependent at least in part on TNF-α. Collectively our data support the link between increased bone marrow adiposity and myeloma progression. By demonstrating how TNF-α downregulates BMAd-derived adiponectin, we reveal a new mechanism by which myeloma cells alter the bone microenvironment to support disease progression. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
LncRNA HOXB‐AS1 promotes cell growth in multiple myeloma via FUT4 mRNA stability by ELAVL1
Authors: Chen Rongsheng , Zhang Xiaobo , Wang Changsheng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is defined as the second most common hematological tumor in the globe. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play stimulative or suppressive role in the progression of different carcinomas. The investigation of lncRNAs in MM is still inadequate. LncRNA HOXB cluster antisense RNA 1 (HOXB‐AS1) was once revealed to facilitate glioma progression by affecting cellular activities of glioma cells. However, whether HOXB‐AS1 participates in the development of MM still remains an enigma. In this study, we unveiled that HOXB‐AS1 was highly expressed in MM and loss‐of‐function assays certified that HOXB‐AS1 obstruction suppressed MM cell proliferation, and stimulated cell apoptosis. In addition, HOXB‐AS1 could modulate fucosyltransferase 4 (FUT4) and FUT4‐mediated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. In subsequence, it was observed from mechanism assays that HOXB‐AS1 enhanced the interaction between ELAVL1 and FUT4 so as to stabilize FUT4 messenger RNA. In the end, rescue experiments affirmed that HOXB‐AS1 affected the cell growth through FUT4 in MM. In conclusion, the whole modulation mechanism of HOXB‐AS1/ELAVL1/FUT4 axis in MM was validated in this study, which suggested that HOXB‐AS1 might function as a powerful and promising therapeutic biomarker for the clinical treatment of patients with MM.
Gene expression and DNA methylation analyses suggest that immune process‐related ADCY6 is a prognostic factor of luminal‐like breast cancer
Authors: Li Weijing , Sang Meixiang , Hao Xiaoguang , Jia Li , Wang Yong , Shan Baoen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBreast cancer is a malignant tumor that seriously threatens women's health, and luminal‐like cancer subtypes account for the majority of the cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among DNA methylation, gene expression profile, and the tumor‐immune microenvironment of luminal‐like breast cancer, and to identify the potential key genes that regulate immune cell infiltration in luminal‐like breast cancer. The ESTIMATE algorithm was applied to calculate immune scores and stromal scores of patients with breast cancer. Kaplan‐Meier curves were generated for survival analysis. The clusterProfile package was used for Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. The protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Correlations between ADCY6 expression and immune cell infiltration‐related pathways were analyzed by gene set variation analysis. R software was used for the statistical analysis and figure generation. Disease‐free survival was higher in the immune score‐high group than it was in the immune score‐low group, while the stromal score had no correlation with prognosis. There were 515 genes that differed in both gene expression and DNA methylation levels, and these genes were mainly enriched in immune process‐related pathways. ADCY6 was enriched in module A of the PPI network. Patients with downregulation and hypermethylation of ADCY6 associated with a better prognosis. ADCY6 expression was negatively correlated with the activation of immune process‐related signaling pathways, immune checkpoint receptors, and ligands, except for CLEC4G. DNA methylation was found to be involved in the regulation of the key cellular pathways of luminal‐like breast cancer immune cell infiltration. Additionally, ADCY6 was identified as a prognostic factor involved in the DNA methylation‐regulated immune processes in luminal‐like breast cancer.
Sarcopenia, long‐term conditions, and multimorbidity: findings from UK Biobank participants
Authors: Dodds Richard M. , Granic Antoneta , Robinson Sian M. , Sayer Avan A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia, the loss of muscle strength and mass, predicts adverse outcomes and becomes common with age. There is recognition that sarcopenia may occur at younger ages in those with long‐term conditions (LTCs) as well as those with multimorbidity (the presence of two or more LTCs), but their relationships have been little explored. Our aims were to describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in UK Biobank, a large sample of men and women aged 40–70 years, and to explore relationships with different categories of LTCs and multimorbidity.MethodsWe used data from 499 046 participants in the baseline of UK Biobank. Our main outcome was probable sarcopenia based on maximum grip strength below sex‐specific cut‐points. Participants' LTCs were recorded during an interview and categorized against a hierarchy. We used logistic regression to examine the independent associations between each category of LTCs and probable sarcopenia, including adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. We also examined the association with multimorbidity.ResultsProbable sarcopenia had an overall prevalence of 5.3% and increased with age. The categories with the strongest associations with probable sarcopenia were musculoskeletal/trauma [OR 2.17 (95% CI: 2.11, 2.23)], endocrine/diabetes [OR 1.49 (95% CI: 1.45, 1.55)], and neurological/psychiatric [OR 1.39 (95% CI: 1.34, 1.43)] LTCs. Almost half of the sample (44.5%) had multimorbidity, and they were at nearly twice the odds of probable sarcopenia [OR 1.96 (95% CI: 1.91, 2.02)] compared with those without.ConclusionsWe have shown an overall prevalence of 5.3% of probable sarcopenia at ages 40–70 in UK Biobank. The risk of probable sarcopenia was higher in those with some categories of LTCs, suggesting that these groups may stand to benefit from assessment of sarcopenia, during mid‐life as well as old age.
Facile synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds based on pyridine moiety with pharmaceutical activities
Authors: Mahmoud Naglaa F. H. , El‐Sewedy Ahmed 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA novel run of fused heterocyclic derivatives containing pyridine moieties has been disclosed by allowing 2‐amino‐4‐phenyl‐6‐(phenyl amino)pyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile 1 to undergo annulation reactions with different reagents. Most of synthesized compounds have moderate to strong antitumor activity against HePG‐2 and MCF‐7. Moreover, MOE 2014.09 software was used to run the computational studies to support the biological activity results. The assigned structures for all the newly prepared derivatives were ascertained on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data.
Self‐adaptive fractional‐order LQ‐PID voltage controller for robust disturbance compensation in DC‐DC buck converters
Authors: Saleem Omer , Awan Fahim Gohar , Mahmood‐ul‐Hasan Khalid , Ahmad Muaaz 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper presents a state‐dependent self‐tuning fractional control strategy for a DC‐DC buck converter in order to enhance its output voltage regulation and disturbance attenuation capability. The proposed control scheme primarily employs a ubiquitous proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller, where gains are optimally selected using a linear‐quadratic state‐space tuning approach. The optimal PID controller is then augmented with fractional‐order integral and derivative operators in order to improve the controller's degrees‐of‐freedom as well as the system's overall time‐domain performance. The fractional controller's robustness against bounded exogenous disturbances, contributed by the input fluctuations and load‐step transients, is further enhanced by adaptively modulating the fractional‐orders of the integro‐differential operators as a smooth nonlinear function of controlled‐variable's error‐dynamics. An online dynamic adjustment law, comprising of a zero‐mean Gaussian function of error and its derivative, is used to individually update the two fractional orders after every sampling interval. The error derivative is evaluated by measuring the output capacitor's current in order to compensate the noise injected by parasitic impedance. The other controller parameters are tuned via particle‐swarm‐optimization algorithm. The proposed self‐adaptive control strategy renders rapid transits, minimum transient recovery time, and minimal fluctuations around steady state in the response. Its efficacy is validated through hardware in‐the‐loop experiments conducted on a buck converter prototype.
Thermal seasons in northern Europe in projected future climate
Authors: Ruosteenoja Kimmo , Markkanen Tiina , Räisänen Jouni 
Published: December 2019

AbstractGlobal warming acts to prolong thermal summers and shorten winters. In this work, future changes in the lengths and timing of four thermal seasons in northern Europe, with threshold temperatures 0 and 10°C, are derived from bias‐adjusted output data from 23 CMIP5 global climate models. Three future periods and two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios are discussed. The focus is on the period 2040–2069 under RCP4.5, which approximately corresponds to a 2°C global warming relative to the preindustrial era. By the period 2040–2069, the average length of the thermal summer increases by nearly 30 days relative to 1971–2000, and the thermal winter shortens by 30–60 days. The timing of the thermal springs advances while autumns delay. Within the model ensemble, there is a high linear correlation between the modelled annual‐mean temperature increase and shifts in the thermal seasons. Thermal summers lengthen by about 10 days and winters shorten by 10–24 days per 1°C of local warming. In the mid‐21st century, about two‐thirds of all summers (winters) are projected to be very long (very short) according to the baseline‐period standards, with an anomaly greater than 20 days relative to the late‐20th century temporal mean. The proportion of years without a thermal winter increases remarkably in the Baltic countries and southern Scandinavian peninsula. Implications of the changing thermal seasons on nature and human society are discussed in a literature review.
Regulation of the biosynthesis of endogenous nitric oxide and abscisic acid in stored peaches by exogenous nitric oxide and abscisic acid
Authors: Tian Wen , Huang Dandan , Geng Biao , Zhang Qitong , Feng Jianrong , Zhu Shuhua 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDNitric oxide (NO) and abscisic acid (ABA) are important regulators of plant response to cold stress, and they interact in response to cold signals. The primary goal of this study was to determine the roles of exogenous NO and ABA on the synthesis of endogenous NO and ABA in cold‐stored peach fruit.RESULTSExogenous NO and ABA maintained a relatively high content of NO, increased nitrate reductase (NR) activity, and inhibited the activity of NO synthase (NOS)‐like and the levels of polyamine biosynthesis in peaches during cold storage. Treatments of potassium 2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide (c‐PTIO), NO, N‐nitro‐l‐Arg‐methyl ester (L‐NAME), and sodium tungstate did not influence ABA content. Exogenous ABA increased the content of carotenoids and the activities of aldehyde oxidase (AO), 9‐cis‐epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), and zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) of ABA synthesis in peaches during cold storage, and upregulated the gene expression of PpAO1, PpNCED1, PpNCED2, and PpZEP. The production of endogenous NO was differentially inhibited by NO scavengers, ABA inhibitors, and NR inhibitors, but not affected by NOS‐like inhibitors during cold storage.CONCLUSIONExogenous NO and ABA can induce endogenous NO synthesis in cold‐stored peaches by the nitrate reductase pathway, and ABA can mediate endogenous ABA synthesis by the autocatalytic reaction. NO does not regulate ABA synthesis. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Predicting the Number of Fibular Segments to Reconstruct Mandibular Defects
Authors: Shkedy Yotam , Howlett Joel , Wang Edward , Ongko Jennifer , Scott Durham J. , Prisman Eitan 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesSeveral classification schemes have been proposed to categorize mandibular defects following surgical resection; however, there is a paucity of data to guide an optimal reconstruction. This study examines the feasibility of using a geometric algorithm to simplify and determine the optimal reconstruction for a given mandibular defect. This algorithm is then applied to three different mandible defect classification schemes to correlate the defect type and number of bony segments required for reconstruction.MethodsComputed tomography (CT) scans of 48 mandibles were decomposed into curvilinear representations and analyzed using the Ramer‐Douglas‐Peucker algorithm. In total, 720 mandibular defects were created and subsequently analyzed utilizing three commonly referenced classification systems. For each defect, the number of bony segments required to reconstruct each defect was computed.ResultsA wide variance in the number of segments needed for optimal reconstruction was observed across existing classifications. A six‐segment total mandible reconstruction best reconstituted mandibular form in all 48 mandibles.ConclusionDefect classification schemes are not adaptable to predicting the number of fibula segments required for a given defect. Additionally, cephalometric templates may not be applicable in all clinical settings. The Ramer‐Douglas‐Peucker algorithm is well suited for providing case‐specific predictions of reconstruction plans in a reproducible manner.Level of EvidenceIV Laryngoscope, 130:E619–E624, 2020
Estimation of soil available potassium in Chinese agricultural fields using a modified sodium tetraphenyl boron method
Authors: Chen Xiaoqin , Li Ting , Lu Dianjun , Cheng Liang , Zhou Jianmin , Wang Huoyan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractChina has a long history and has made a substantial contribution to global crop production, but lacking in potassium (K) mineral resource, have led to numerous studies of K availability in Chinese agricultural soils. In this study, we collected 2,428 surface soil samples from nine important agricultural regions to investigate available K reserves in Chinese agricultural soils. Soil highly available K (HAK) and maximally available K (MAK) were estimated using a modified sodium tetraphenyl boron (NaTPB) method. With HAK and MAK distribution maps constructed, the characteristics of available K contents distribution were visibly observed as higher in Western and Northern China, and lower in the East and South. We then used the Kriging method to estimate the HAK reserve and its potential utilization. The soil HAK reserve was predicted to maintain only crops producing >70% of the relative biomass yield for approximately 10 years in the absence of external K application. With straw returning, this utilization period was predicted to increase to about 40 years. Soil MAK content was generally less than 1,000 mg kg–1, and reached as low as <500 mg kg–1 throughout most of central and Eastern China. The results of this study graphically demonstrate the shortage of K storage in Chinese agricultural soil and its looming sustainability crisis. These findings provide a scientific basis support the improved use and protection of agricultural resources in China.