bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and utility of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with walking-based therapy for people with motor incomplete spinal cord injury
Authors: McHugh Liza V. , Miller Ashley A. , Leech Kristan A. , Salorio Cynthia , Martin Rebecca H. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Study design
Prospective case series.

Objectives
To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of combining transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) with walking-based physical therapy.

Setting
Hospital-based outpatient center in Maryland, United States.

Methods
Ten individuals with chronic (>1 year) motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) completed 23 sessions of 2-h therapy over 8 weeks. TSCS was delivered for the first 30 min of each session using a clinically available device with adjustable current. To assess feasibility of the intervention, we tracked pain, adverse events, and participant retention. Preliminary efficacy was assessed by evaluating changes in walking speed, endurance, and quality following the intervention with select functional outcome measures (10-m walk test (10MWT), 6-min walk test (6MWT), timed up and go, and walking index for spinal cord injury II).

Results
We found that the combined intervention was feasible in an outpatient clinical setting. Participants tolerated the TSCS well, with no reports of significant adverse events or other issues (e.g., skin irritation or pain that disrupted training). None of the participants elected to discontinue the study. Participants also showed significant improvements in each measure of walking function following the intervention. Changes in walking speed, as measured by the 10MWT (0.56 ± 0.29 m/s to 0.72 ± 0.36 m/s), exceeded the minimal clinically important difference for individuals with iSCI. Changes in walking quality and endurance, as measured by the 6MWT (149.88 ± 99.87 m to 194.53 ± 106.56 m), exceeded the minimal detectable change for individuals with iSCI.

Conclusions
These results indicate that TSCS is clinically feasible and may be useful as an adjunct to walking-based therapy for adults with iSCI.
A versatile and customizable low-cost 3D-printed open standard for microscopic imaging
Authors: Diederich Benedict , Lachmann René , Carlstedt Swen , Marsikova Barbora , Wang Haoran , Uwurukundo Xavier , Mosig Alexander S. , Heintzmann Rainer 
Published: November 2020

AbstractModern microscopes used for biological imaging often present themselves as black boxes whose precise operating principle remains unknown, and whose optical resolution and price seem to be in inverse proportion to each other. With UC2 (You. See. Too.) we present a low-cost, 3D-printed, open-source, modular microscopy toolbox and demonstrate its versatility by realizing a complete microscope development cycle from concept to experimental phase. The self-contained incubator-enclosed brightfield microscope monitors monocyte to macrophage cell differentiation for seven days at cellular resolution level (e.g. 2 μm). Furthermore, by including very few additional components, the geometry is transferred into a 400 Euro light sheet fluorescence microscope for volumetric observations of a transgenic Zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). With this, we aim to establish an open standard in optics to facilitate interfacing with various complementary platforms. By making the content and comprehensive documentation publicly available, the systems presented here lend themselves to easy and straightforward replications, modifications, and extensions.
Stretchable, dynamic covalent polymers for soft, long-lived bioresorbable electronic stimulators designed to facilitate neuromuscular regeneration
Authors: Choi Yeon Sik , Hsueh Yuan-Yu , Koo Jahyun , Yang Quansan , Avila Raudel , Hu Buwei , Xie Zhaoqian , Lee Geumbee , Ning Zheng , Liu Claire , Xu Yameng , Lee Young Joong , Zhao Weikang , Fang Jun , Deng Yujun , Lee Seung Min , Vázquez-Guardado Abraham , Stepien Iwona , Yan Ying , Song Joseph W. , Haney Chad , Oh Yong Suk , Liu Wentai , Yoon Hong-Joon , Banks Anthony , MacEwan Matthew R. , Ameer Guillermo A. , Ray Wilson Z. , Huang Yonggang , Xie Tao , Franz Colin K. , Li Song , Rogers John A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBioresorbable electronic stimulators are of rapidly growing interest as unusual therapeutic platforms, i.e., bioelectronic medicines, for treating disease states, accelerating wound healing processes and eliminating infections. Here, we present advanced materials that support operation in these systems over clinically relevant timeframes, ultimately bioresorbing harmlessly to benign products without residues, to eliminate the need for surgical extraction. Our findings overcome key challenges of bioresorbable electronic devices by realizing lifetimes that match clinical needs. The devices exploit a bioresorbable dynamic covalent polymer that facilitates tight bonding to itself and other surfaces, as a soft, elastic substrate and encapsulation coating for wireless electronic components. We describe the underlying features and chemical design considerations for this polymer, and the biocompatibility of its constituent materials. In devices with optimized, wireless designs, these polymers enable stable, long-lived operation as distal stimulators in a rat model of peripheral nerve injuries, thereby demonstrating the potential of programmable long-term electrical stimulation for maintaining muscle receptivity and enhancing functional recovery.
Genetic predisposition to hypertension is associated with preeclampsia in European and Central Asian women
Authors: Steinthorsdottir Valgerdur , McGinnis Ralph , Williams Nicholas O. , Stefansdottir Lilja , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Shooter Scott , Fadista João , Sigurdsson Jon K. , Auro Kirsi M. , Berezina Galina , Borges Maria-Carolina , Bumpstead Suzannah , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Colgiu Irina , Dolby Vivien A. , Dudbridge Frank , Engel Stephanie M. , Franklin Christopher S. , Frigge Michael L. , Frisbaek Yr , Geirsson Reynir T. , Geller Frank , Gretarsdottir Solveig , Gudbjartsson Daniel F. , Harmon Quaker , Hougaard David Michael , Hegay Tatyana , Helgadottir Anna , Hjartardottir Sigrun , Jääskeläinen Tiina , Johannsdottir Hrefna , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Juliusdottir Thorhildur , Kalsheker Noor , Kasimov Abdumadjit , Kemp John P. , Kivinen Katja , Klungsøyr Kari , Lee Wai K. , Melbye Mads , Miedzybrodska Zosia , Moffett Ashley , Najmutdinova Dilbar , Nishanova Firuza , Olafsdottir Thorunn , Perola Markus , Pipkin Fiona Broughton , Poston Lucilla , Prescott Gordon , Saevarsdottir Saedis , Salimbayeva Damilya , Scaife Paula Juliet , Skotte Line , Staines-Urias Eleonora , Stefansson Olafur A. , Sørensen Karina Meden , Thomsen Liv Cecilie Vestrheim , Tragante Vinicius , Trogstad Lill , Simpson Nigel A. B. ,   FINNPEC Consortium, Laivuori Hannele , Heinonen Seppo , Kajantie Eero , Kere Juha , Kivinen Katja , Pouta Anneli ,   GOPEC Consortium, Morgan Linda , Pipkin Fiona Broughton , Kalsheker Noor , Walker James J. , Macphail Sheila , Kilby Mark , Habiba Marwan , Williamson Catherine , O’Shaughnessy Kevin , O’Brien Shaughn , Cameron Alan , Redman Christopher W. G. , Farrall Martin , Caulfield Mark , Dominiczak Anna F. , Aripova Tamara , Casas Juan P. , Dominiczak Anna F. , Walker James J. , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Iversen Ann-Charlotte , Feenstra Bjarke , Lawlor Deborah A. , Boyd Heather Allison , Magnus Per , Laivuori Hannele , Zakhidova Nodira , Svyatova Gulnara , Stefansson Kari , Morgan Linda 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPreeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, affecting both maternal and fetal health. In genome-wide association meta-analysis of European and Central Asian mothers, we identify sequence variants that associate with preeclampsia in the maternal genome atZNF831/20q13 andFTO/16q12. These are previously established variants for blood pressure (BP) and theFTOvariant has also been associated with body mass index (BMI). Further analysis of BP variants establishes that variants atMECOM/3q26,FGF5/4q21 andSH2B3/12q24 also associate with preeclampsia through the maternal genome. We further show that a polygenic risk score for hypertension associates with preeclampsia. However, comparison with gestational hypertension indicates that additional factors modify the risk of preeclampsia.
Biased localization of actin binding proteins by actin filament conformation
Authors: Harris Andrew R. , Jreij Pamela , Belardi Brian , Joffe Aaron M. , Bausch Andreas R. , Fletcher Daniel A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe assembly of actin filaments into distinct cytoskeletal structures plays a critical role in cell physiology, but how proteins localize differentially to these structures within a shared cytoplasm remains unclear. Here, we show that the actin-binding domains of accessory proteins can be sensitive to filament conformational changes. Using a combination of live cell imaging and in vitro single molecule binding measurements, we show that tandem calponin homology domains (CH1–CH2) can be mutated to preferentially bind actin networks at the front or rear of motile cells. We demonstrate that the binding kinetics of CH1–CH2 domain mutants varies as actin filament conformation is altered by perturbations that include stabilizing drugs and other binding proteins. These findings suggest that conformational changes of actin filaments in cells could help to direct accessory binding proteins to different actin cytoskeletal structures through a biophysical feedback loop.
High-resolution sampling of beam-driven plasma wakefields
Authors: Schröder S. , Lindstrøm C. A. , Bohlen S. , Boyle G. , D’Arcy R. , Diederichs S. , Garland M. J. , Gonzalez P. , Knetsch A. , Libov V. , Niknejadi P. , Põder Kris , Schaper L. , Schmidt B. , Sheeran B. , Tauscher G. , Wesch S. , Zemella J. , Zeng M. , Osterhoff J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPlasma-wakefield accelerators driven by intense particle beams promise to significantly reduce the size of future high-energy facilities. Such applications require particle beams with a well-controlled energy spectrum, which necessitates detailed tailoring of the plasma wakefield. Precise measurements of the effective wakefield structure are therefore essential for optimising the acceleration process. Here we propose and demonstrate such a measurement technique that enables femtosecond-level (15 fs) sampling of longitudinal electric fields of order gigavolts-per-meter (0.8 GV m−1). This method—based on energy collimation of the incoming bunch—made it possible to investigate the effect of beam and plasma parameters on the beam-loaded longitudinally integrated plasma wakefield, showing good agreement with particle-in-cell simulations. These results open the door to high-quality operation of future plasma accelerators through precise control of the acceleration process.
The barley pan-genome reveals the hidden legacy of mutation breeding
Authors: Jayakodi Murukarthick , Padmarasu Sudharsan , Haberer Georg , Bonthala Venkata Suresh , Gundlach Heidrun , Monat Cécile , Lux Thomas , Kamal Nadia , Lang Daniel , Himmelbach Axel , Ens Jennifer , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Angessa Tefera T. , Zhou Gaofeng , Tan Cong , Hill Camilla , Wang Penghao , Schreiber Miriam , Boston Lori B. , Plott Christopher , Jenkins Jerry , Guo Yu , Fiebig Anne , Budak Hikmet , Xu Dongdong , Zhang Jing , Wang Chunchao , Grimwood Jane , Schmutz Jeremy , Guo Ganggang , Zhang Guoping , Mochida Keiichi , Hirayama Takashi , Sato Kazuhiro , Chalmers Kenneth J. , Langridge Peter , Waugh Robbie , Pozniak Curtis J. , Scholz Uwe , Mayer Klaus F. X. , Spannagl Manuel , Li Chengdao , Mascher Martin , Stein Nils 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGenetic diversity is key to crop improvement. Owing to pervasive genomic structural variation, a single reference genome assembly cannot capture the full complement of sequence diversity of a crop species (known as the ‘pan-genome’1). Multiple high-quality sequence assemblies are an indispensable component of a pan-genome infrastructure. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop with a long history of cultivation that is adapted to a wide range of agro-climatic conditions2. Here we report the construction of chromosome-scale sequence assemblies for the genotypes of 20 varieties of barley—comprising landraces, cultivars and a wild barley—that were selected as representatives of global barley diversity. We catalogued genomic presence/absence variants and explored the use of structural variants for quantitative genetic analysis through whole-genome shotgun sequencing of 300 gene bank accessions. We discovered abundant large inversion polymorphisms and analysed in detail two inversions that are frequently found in current elite barley germplasm; one is probably the product of mutation breeding and the other is tightly linked to a locus that is involved in the expansion of geographical range. This first-generation barley pan-genome makes previously hidden genetic variation accessible to genetic studies and breeding.
Combinations of modifiable lifestyle behaviours in relation to colorectal cancer risk in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project
Authors: O’Sullivan Dylan E. , Metcalfe Amy , Hillier Troy W. R. , King Will D. , Lee Sangmin , Pader Joy , Brenner Darren R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe objective of this study was to identify distinct clusters of individuals that exhibit unique patterns of modifiable lifestyle-related behaviours and to determine how these patterns are associated with the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The study consisted of 26,460 participants and 267 CRC cases from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project. Exploratory latent class analysis of risk behaviours (obesity, physical inactivity, meat consumption, smoking, alcohol consumption, and fruit and vegetable consumption) and Cox proportional hazard models were utilized. Seven unique behavioural groups were identified, where the risk of CRC was 2.34 to 2.87 times greater for high risk groups compared to the low risk group. Sex-specific models identified higher risk groups among men (Hazard Ratios [HRs]: 3.15 to 3.89) than among women (HRs: 1.99 to 2.19). Targeting groups defined by clustering of behaviours could potentially lead to more effective prevention of CRC on a population level.
Diversity, dynamics, direction, and magnitude of high-altitude migrating insects in the Sahel
Authors: Florio Jenna , Verú Laura M. , Dao Adama , Yaro Alpha S. , Diallo Moussa , Sanogo Zana L. , Samaké Djibril , Huestis Diana L. , Yossi Ousman , Talamas Elijah , Chamorro M. Lourdes , Frank J. Howard , Biondi Maurizio , Morkel Carsten , Bartlett Charles , Linton Yvonne-Marie , Strobach Ehud , Chapman Jason W. , Reynolds Don R. , Faiman Roy , Krajacich Benjamin J. , Smith Corey S. , Lehmann Tovi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLong-distance migration of insects impacts food security, public health, and conservation–issues that are especially significant in Africa. Windborne migration is a key strategy enabling exploitation of ephemeral havens such as the Sahel, however, its knowledge remains sparse. In this first cross-season investigation (3 years) of the aerial fauna over Africa, we sampled insects flying 40–290 m above ground in Mali, using nets mounted on tethered helium-filled balloons. Nearly half a million insects were caught, representing at least 100 families from thirteen orders. Control nets confirmed that the insects were captured at altitude. Thirteen ecologically and phylogenetically diverse species were studied in detail. Migration of all species peaked during the wet season every year across localities, suggesting regular migrations. Species differed in flight altitude, seasonality, and associated weather conditions. All taxa exhibited frequent flights on southerly winds, accounting for the recolonization of the Sahel from southern source populations. “Return” southward movement occurred in most taxa. Estimates of the seasonal number of migrants per species crossing Mali at latitude 14°N were in the trillions, and the nightly distances traversed reached hundreds of kilometers. The magnitude and diversity of windborne insect migration highlight its importance and impacts on Sahelian and neighboring ecosystems.
Multivariate sea storm hindcasting and design: the isotropic buoy-ungauged generator procedure
Authors: Salvadori Gianfausto , Tomasicchio Giuseppe Roberto , D’Alessandro Felice , Lusito Letizia , Francone Antonio 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe present work provides indications for assessment of wave climate and design of structures at sea at ungauged sites, both critical issues in Ocean sciences. The paper is of methodological nature and of global worldwide applicability. It shows how suitable wave hindcasting relations can be exploited in order to provide sea storm scenarios at an ungauged (Target) location useful for design purposes: in particular, only geographical information and the knowledge of another gauged (Source) buoy are used. Several are the novelties introduced. (i) New hindcasting relations are derived. (ii) A full statistical model is set up for the Target area, whereas traditional hindcasting simply transfers time series from a gauged to an ungauged site: this gives the possibility to appropriately deal with design and hazard assessment at the Target location. (iii) The multivariate behavior of non-independent random variables is properly modelled by using the Theory of Copulas. As an illustration, a number of case studies is investigated, involving four pairs of buoys which, given their positions and exposures, are representative of a wide variety of sea states and conditions, as well as of different wave generation mechanisms.
Lipopolysaccharide directly inhibits bicarbonate absorption by the renal outer medullary collecting duct
Authors: Tsuruoka Shuichi , Purkerson Jeffrey M. , Schwartz George J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAcidosis is associated with E. coli induced pyelonephritis but whether bacterial cell wall constituents inhibit HCO3 transport in the outer medullary collecting duct from the inner stripe (OMCDi) is not known. We examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), on HCO3 absorption in isolated perfused rabbit OMCDi. LPS caused a ~ 40% decrease in HCO3 absorption, providing a mechanism for E. coli pyelonephritis-induced acidosis. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a detoxified TLR4 agonist, and Wortmannin, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, prevented the LPS-mediated decrease, demonstrating the role of TLR4-PI3-kinase signaling and providing proof-of-concept for therapeutic interventions aimed at ameliorating OMCDi dysfunction and pyelonephritis-induced acidosis.
Longitudinal analysis of premotor anthropometric and serological markers of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Yokoi Katsunori , Hattori Makoto , Satake Yuki , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Sato Maki , Hashizume Atsushi , Hori Akihiro , Kawashima Motoshi , Hirakawa Akihiro , Watanabe Hirohisa , Katsuno Masahisa 
Published: November 2020

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder in which nonmotor symptoms, such as constipation and hyposmia, precede the onset of motor symptoms by 20 years. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers at the premotor stage of PD. We assessed the differences in longitudinal changes in anthropometric and serological indices obtained from health check-up data before and after the onset of motor symptoms between male and female PD patients and healthy subjects. We enrolled 22 male and 23 female PD patients and 60 male and 60 female healthy controls. A mixed-effects model was used to estimate the trajectory of each clinical marker over the years before and after motor symptoms onset in the PD subjects, which were then compared with the trajectories of the healthy controls. The results showed a premotor blood pressure increase in female PD patients and premotor decreases in haematocrit, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the male patients. Our results indicated that blood pressure, haematocrit and serum cholesterol levels are potential premotor markers of PD. Additionally, the changes in anthropometric and serological indices before PD motor symptoms onset were sex specific.
Modulating tiller formation in cereal crops by the signalling function of fertilizer nitrogen forms
Authors: Bauer Bernhard , von Wirén Nicolaus 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCereal crop yield comprises interrelated components, among which the number of tillers is highly responsive to nitrogen fertilization. We addressed the hypothesis of whether the supply of different nitrogen forms can be employed to manipulate the tiller number in cereal crops. Relative to urea or ammonium, exclusive supply of nitrate increased tiller number in hydroponically-grown barley plants. Thereby, tiller number correlated positively with the root-to-shoot translocation rate of endogenous cytokinins. External supply of a synthetic cytokinin analog further stimulated tillering in nitrate-containing but not in urea-containing nutrient solution. When the cytokinin analog 6-benzylaminopurine riboside was externally supplied to roots, its translocation to shoots was 2.5 times higher in presence of nitrate than in presence of urea or ammonium, suggesting that cytokinin loading into the xylem is affected by different nitrogen forms. We then translated this finding to field scale, cultivated winter wheat in four environments, and confirmed that nitrate fertilization significantly increased tiller number in a dose-dependent manner. As assessed in 22 winter wheat cultivars, nitrogen form-dependent tiller formation was subject to substantial genotypic variation. We conclude that cytokinin-mediated signaling effects of fertilizer nitrogen forms can be employed as a management tool to regulate the tiller number in cereal crops.
Prognostic factors analysis for oral cavity cancer survival in the Netherlands and Taiwan using a privacy-preserving federated infrastructure
Authors: Geleijnse Gijs , Chiang RuRu Chun-Ju , Sieswerda Melle , Schuurman Melinda , Lee K. C. , van Soest Johan , Dekker Andre , Lee Wen-Chung , Verbeek Xander A. A. M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe difference in incidence of oral cavity cancer (OCC) between Taiwan and the Netherlands is striking. Different risk factors and treatment expertise may result in survival differences between the two countries. However due to regulatory restrictions, patient-level analyses of combined data from the Netherlands and Taiwan are infeasible. We implemented a software infrastructure for federated analyses on data from multiple organisations. We included 41,633‬ patients with single-tumour OCC between 2004 and 2016, undergoing surgery, from the Taiwan Cancer Registry and Netherlands Cancer Registry. Federated Cox Proportional Hazard was used to analyse associations between patient and tumour characteristics, country, treatment and hospital volume with survival. Five factors showed differential effects on survival of OCC patients in the Netherlands and Taiwan: age at diagnosis, stage, grade, treatment and hospital volume. The risk of death for OCC patients younger than 60 years, with advanced stage, higher grade or receiving adjuvant therapy after surgery was lower in the Netherlands than in Taiwan; but patients older than 70 years, with early stage, lower grade and receiving surgery alone in the Netherlands were at higher risk of death than those in Taiwan. The mortality risk of OCC in Taiwanese patients treated in hospitals with higher hospital volume (≥ 50 surgeries per year) was lower than in Dutch patients. We conducted analyses without exchanging patient-level information, overcoming barriers for sharing privacy sensitive information. The outcomes of patients treated in the Netherlands and Taiwan were slightly different after controlling for other prognostic factors.