bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Genetic Susceptibility of Leprosy Recurrence
Authors: Uaska Sartori Priscila Verchai , Penna Gerson O. , Bührer-Sékula Samira , Pontes Maria A. A. , Gonçalves Heitor S. , Cruz Rossilene , Virmond Marcos C. L. , Dias-Baptista Ida M. F. , Rosa Patricia S. , Penna Maria L. F. , Medeiros Fava Vinicius , Stefani Mariane M. A. , Távora Mira Marcelo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHost genetic susceptibility to leprosy has been intensively investigated over the last decades; however, there are no studies on the role of genetic variants in disease recurrence. A previous initiative identified three recurrent cases of leprosy for which none of the M. leprae strains, as obtained in the first and the second diagnosis, had any known genomic variants associated to resistance to Multidrug therapy; in addition, whole genome sequencing indicated that the same M. leprae was causing two out of the three recurrences. Thus, these individuals were suspected of being particularly susceptible to M. leprae infection, either as relapse or reinfection. To verify this hypothesis, 19 genetic markers distributed across 11 loci (14 genes) classically associated with leprosy were genotyped in the recurrent and in three matching non-recurrent leprosy cases. An enrichment of risk alleles was observed in the recurrent cases, suggesting the existence of a particularly high susceptibility genetic profile among leprosy patients predisposing to disease recurrence.
Perception and decision mechanisms involved in average estimation of spatiotemporal ensembles
Authors: Yashiro Ryuto , Sato Hiromi , Oide Takumi , Motoyoshi Isamu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA number of studies on texture and ensemble perception have shown that humans can immediately estimate the average of spatially distributed visual information. The present study characterized mechanisms involved in estimating averages for information distributed over both space and time. Observers viewed a rapid sequence of texture patterns in which elements’ orientation were determined by dynamic Gaussian noise with variable spatial and temporal standard deviations (SDs). We found that discrimination thresholds increased beyond a certain spatial SD if temporal SD was small, but if temporal SD was large, thresholds remained nearly constant regardless of spatial SD. These data are at odds with predictions that threshold is uniquely determined by spatiotemporal SD. Moreover, a reverse correlation analysis revealed that observers judged the spatiotemporal average orientation largely depending on the spatial average orientation over the last few frames of the texture sequence – a recency effect widely observed in studies of perceptual decision making. Results are consistent with the notion that the visual system rapidly computes spatial ensembles and adaptively accumulates information over time to make a decision on spatiotemporal average. A simple computational model based on this notion successfully replicated observed data.
Metabolic profile and behavior of clethodim and spirotetramat in herbs during plant growth and processing under controlled conditions
Authors: Jankowska Magdalena , Kaczyński Piotr , Łozowicka Bożena 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHerbs may contain pesticide residues which are an important discriminator of food security and food quality. The challenge of the research was to assess the fate of the herbicide clethodim (CLE) and the insecticide spirotetramat (SPI) applied in herbs (BBCH 11-21) during herb growth and processing under controlled greenhouse trial conditions. The metabolic profile of CLE and SPI and their degradation products in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) and sage (Salvia officinalis L.) was also presented. The half-lives of CLE and SPI in herbs were 1.10–1.56 days and 0.51–0.83 days, respectively. The terminal residues of SPI (SPI-enol, SPI-ketohydroxy, SPI-monohydroxy and SPI-enol-glucoside) and CLE (CLE-sulfone and CLE-sulfoxide) in herbal matrices were measured below EU maximum residue limits. In this paper, we aimed to assess the impact of washing and dehydratation pretreatment and calculated processing factors (PFs) which can be applied to more accurate food safety assessments. The PF values of CLE and SPI after drying prior washing was below 1 indicating reduction of initial residues. Drying process without washing demonstrated increases of SPI concentrations (PF up to 1.50). The lowest PFs were obtained when raw herbal plants were washed before drying showing almost complete degradation of parent compound (93–99%).
Zika virus targets the human thymic epithelium
Authors: Messias Carolina V. , Loss-Morais Guilherme , Carvalho Joseane Biso de , González Mariela N. , Cunha Daniela P. , Vasconcelos Zilton , Arge Luis W. P. , Farias-de-Oliveira Désio A. , Gerber Alexandra L. , Portari Elyzabeth A. , Ferreira Nilma , Raphael Lidiane M. S. , Bonaldo Myrna C. , Riederer Ingo , Lopes Moreira Maria E. , Cotta-de-Almeida Vinicius , Vasconcelos Ana T. R. , Mendes-da-Cruz Daniella A. , Savino Wilson 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPrevious work showed that the thymus can be infected by RNA viruses as HIV and HTLV-1. We thus hypothesized that the thymus might also be infected by the Zika virus (ZIKV). Herein we provide compelling evidence that ZIKV targets human thymic epithelial cells (TEC)in vivoandin vitro. ZIKV-infection enhances keratinization of TEC, with a decrease in proliferation and increase in cell death. Moreover, ZIKV modulates a high amount of coding RNAs with upregulation of genes related to cell adhesion and migration, as well as non-coding genes including miRNAs, circRNAs and lncRNAs. Moreover, we observed enhanced attachment of lymphoblastic T-cells to infected TEC, as well as virus transfer to those cells. Lastly, alterations in thymuses from babies congenitally infected were seen, with the presence of viral envelope protein in TEC. Taken together, our data reveals that the thymus, particularly the thymic epithelium, is a target for the ZIKV with changes in the expression of molecules that are relevant for interactions with developing thymocytes.
Native aggregation is a common feature among triosephosphate isomerases of different species
Authors: Rodríguez-Bolaños Mónica , Miranda-Astudillo Héctor , Pérez-Castañeda Edgar , González-Halphen Diego , Perez-Montfort Ruy 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTriosephosphate isomerase (TIM) is an enzyme of the glycolysis pathway which exists in almost all types of cells. Its structure is the prototype of a motif called TIM-barrel or (α/β)8 barrel, which is the most common fold of all known enzyme structures. The simplest form in which TIM is catalytically active is a homodimer, in many species of bacteria and eukaryotes, or a homotetramer in some archaea. Here we show that the purified homodimeric TIMs from nine different species of eukaryotes and one of an extremophile bacterium spontaneously form higher order aggregates that can range from 3 to 21 dimers per macromolecular complex. We analysed these aggregates with clear native electrophoresis with normal and inverse polarity, blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, dynamic light scattering, thermal shift assay and transmission electron and fluorescence microscopies, we also performed bioinformatic analysis of the sequences of all enzymes to identify and predict regions that are prone to aggregation. Additionally, the capacity of TIM from Trypanosoma brucei to form fibrillar aggregates was characterized. Our results indicate that all the TIMs we studied are capable of forming oligomers of different sizes. This is significant because aggregation of TIM may be important in some of its non-catalytic moonlighting functions, like being a potent food allergen, or in its role associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Voluntary running does not reduce neuroinflammation or improve non-cognitive behavior in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Svensson Martina , Andersson Emelie , Manouchehrian Oscar , Yang Yiyi , Deierborg Tomas 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPhysical exercise has been suggested to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as well as ameliorate the progression of the disease. However, we recently published results from two large epidemiological studies showing no such beneficial effects on the development of AD. In addition, long-term, voluntary running in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD did not affect levels of soluble amyloid beta (Aβ), synaptic proteins or cognitive function. In this follow-up study, we investigate whether running could impact other pathological aspects of the disease, such as insoluble Aβ levels, the neuroinflammatory response and non-cognitive behavioral impairments. We investigated the effects of 24 weeks of voluntary wheel running in female 5xFAD mice (n = 30) starting at 2–3 months of age, before substantial extracellular plaque formation. Running mice developed hindlimb clasping earlier (p = 0.009) compared to sedentary controls. Further, running exacerbated the exploratory behavior in Elevated plus maze (p = 0.001) and anxiety in Open field (p = 0.024) tests. Additionally, microglia, cytokines and insoluble Aβ levels were not affected. Taken together, our findings suggest that voluntary wheel running is not a beneficial intervention to halt disease progression in 5xFAD mice.
Dynamic changes of Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB expression in Circulating Tumor Cells during Denosumab predict treatment effectiveness in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Pantano Francesco , Rossi Elisabetta , Iuliani Michele , Facchinetti Antonella , Simonetti Sonia , Ribelli Giulia , Zoccoli Alice , Vincenzi Bruno , Tonini Giuseppe , Zamarchi Rita , Santini Daniele 
Published: January 2020

AbstractReceptor-activator of nuclear-factor –κB-ligand (RANKL) and its receptor RANK have been recently identified as key players in breast cancer bone metastases. Since Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are considered a crucial step of metastatic process, we explored RANK expression on CTCs in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and the predictive value of RANK-positive CTCs in monitoring patients during treatment with denosumab (anti-RANKL antibody). To this purpose, we developed a novel CTC assay to quantify RANK-positive CTCs in forty-two bone MBC patients, candidates to denosumab treatment. Companion algorithms ΔAUC and Slope were developed, and correlated with time to first skeletal-related-events (SRE), time to bone metastasis progression and time to visceral metastasis progression. Twenty-seven patients had at least one CTC at baseline and, among these, nineteen (70%) had one or more RANK–positive CTCs. Notably, the baseline total CTCs, but not the RANK-positive, were associated with Time-to-first-SRE, Time-to-Bone-Metastasis-Progression and Time-to-Visceral-Metastasis-Progression. Conversely, during treatment monitoring, positive ΔAUC value, expression of RANK-positive CTCs persistence, correlated with longer Time-to-first-SRE (p = 0.0002) and Time-to-Bone-Metastasis-Progression (p = 0.0012). Furthermore, the early increase at second day, in RANK-positive CTCs (Positive-Slope) was associated with delay in time-to-first-SRE (p = 0.0038) and Time-to-Bone-Metastasis-Progression (p = 0.0024). We demonstrate, for the first time, the expression of RANK on CTCs in MBC patients and that the persistence of RANK expression determines denosumab effectiveness.
A serum metabolomics study of patients with nAMD in response to anti-VEGF therapy
Authors: Gao Yan , Teo Yi Chong Kelvin , Beuerman Roger W. , Wong Tien Yin , Zhou Lei , Cheung Chui Ming Gemmy 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) is the current standard of treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), but there are no diagnostic tools to predict response of these therapies. We hypothesize that differences in baseline metabolic profiles of patients with nAMD may influence responsiveness to anti-VEGF therapy, and thus provide prognosticating information for these patients. A prospective study was performed on 100 patients with nAMD treated with anti-VEGF therapy. We classified patients into two groups: responders (n = 54) and non-responders (n = 46). The expression levels of glycerophosphocholine,LysoPC (18:2) and PS (18:0/20:4) were higher in non-responders and these findings were verified in the validation cohort, implicating that reductions in these three metabolites can be used as predictors for responsiveness to anti-VEGF therapy during the initial loading phase for patients with nAMD. Our study also provided new insights into the pathophysiological changes and molecular mechanism of anti- VEGF therapy for nAMD patients.
Developing, Implementing, and Improving Assessment and Treatment Fidelity in Clinical Aphasia Research
Authors: Spell Leigh Ann , Richardson Jessica D. , Basilakos Alexandra , Stark Brielle C. , Teklehaimanot Abeba , Hillis Argye E. , Fridriksson Julius 
Published: January 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe the development and implementation of a fidelity program for an ongoing, multifacility, aphasia intervention study and to explain how initial fidelity measures are being used to improve study integrity.MethodA Clinical Core team developed and incorporated a fidelity plan in this study. The aims of the Clinical Core team were to (a) supervise data collection and data management at each clinical site, (b) optimize and monitor assessment fidelity, and (c) optimize and monitor treatment fidelity. Preliminary data are being used to guide ongoing efforts to preserve and improve the fidelity of this intervention study.ResultsPreliminary results show that specific recruitment strategies help to improve appropriate referrals and that accommodations to participants and their families help to maintain excellent retention. A streamlined and centralized training program assures the reliability of assessors and raters for the study's assessment and treatment protocols. Ongoing monitoring of both assessment and treatment tasks helps to maintain study integrity. Less-than-optimal interrater reliability data for the raters of some of the discourse measures guided the Clinical Core team to address the training and coding inconsistencies in a timely manner.ConclusionsThe creation of a Clinical Core team is instrumental in developing and implementing a fidelity plan for improved assessment and treatment fidelity. Intentional planning and assignment of study staff to implement and monitor ongoing fidelity measures assures that clinical data are reliable and valid. Ongoing review of the plan shows areas of strengths and weaknesses for continuing adjustments and improvement of study fidelity.
Chemical abundances of 1111 FGK stars from the HARPS-GTO planet search sample
Authors: Costa Silva A. R. , Delgado Mena E. , Tsantaki M. 
Published: January 2020

Context. Elemental abundances are of prime importance to help us reconstruct the origin and evolution of stars and galaxies in our Universe. Sulfur abundances have not been as heavily studied as other elements, so some details regarding their behaviour are still unclear.
Aims. We aim to investigate [S/Fe] ratios in stars of the solar neighbourhood in order to analyse the chemical evolution of sulfur and probe for possible differences in abundances of planet host and non-planet host stars.
Methods. We used the code MOOG to perform spectral synthesis and derive v sin i values and [S/Fe] ratios for 719 FGK stars with high-resolution (R ~ 115 000) and high-quality spectra from the HARPS-GTO programme. We found the best fit and corresponding parameter values by performing χ2 minimisation of the deviation between synthetic profiles and observational spectra.
Results. Our results reveal that sulfur behaves as a typical α-element, with low abundances in young thin disc stars and high abundances in old thick disc stars, following what was expected from our understanding of the Galactic chemical evolution (GCE). Nevertheless, further studies into the abundances of sulfur in very metal-poor stars are required as our sample only derived sulfur abundances of stars with metallicity as low as [Fe/H] = − 1.13 dex. High-α metal rich stars are more enhanced in sulfur compared to their thin disc counterparts at the same metallicity. We compare our results to GCE models from other authors in the [S/Fe] versus [Fe/H] plane. The [S/Fe]-age relationship is a good proxy for time, just as is the case with other α-elements. We report no differences in the abundances of sulfur between stars with and without planetary companions in the metallicity range [Fe/H] ≥−0.3 dex.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of multiple particle acceleration regions during a coronal mass ejection
Authors: Morosan D. E. , Palmerio E. , Pomoell J. , Vainio R. , Palmroth M. , Kilpua E. K. J. 
Published: January 2020

Context. Some of the most prominent sources for particle acceleration in our Solar System are large eruptions of magnetised plasma from the Sun called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These accelerated particles can generate radio emission through various mechanisms.
Aims. CMEs are often accompanied by a variety of solar radio bursts with different shapes and characteristics in dynamic spectra. Radio bursts directly associated with CMEs often show movement in the direction of CME expansion. Here, we aim to determine the emission mechanism of multiple moving radio bursts that accompanied a flare and CME that took place on 14 June 2012.
Methods. We used radio imaging from the Nançay Radioheliograph, combined with observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft, to analyse these moving radio bursts in order to determine their emission mechanism and three-dimensional (3D) location with respect to the expanding CME.
Results. In using a 3D representation of the particle acceleration locations in relation to the overlying coronal magnetic field and the CME propagation, for the first time, we provide evidence that these moving radio bursts originate near the CME flanks and that some are possible signatures of shock-accelerated electrons following the fast CME expansion in the low corona.
Conclusions. The moving radio bursts, as well as other stationary bursts observed during the eruption, occur simultaneously with a type IV continuum in dynamic spectra, which is not usually associated with emission at the CME flanks. Our results show that moving radio bursts that could traditionally be classified as moving type IVs can represent shock signatures associated with CME flanks or plasma emission inside the CME behind its flanks, which are closely related to the lateral expansion of the CME in the low corona. In addition, the acceleration of electrons generating this radio emission appears to be favoured at the CME flanks, where the CME encounters coronal streamers and open field regions.
A multiplicity study of transiting exoplanet host stars
Authors: Southworth J. , Bohn A. J. , Kenworthy M. A. , Ginski C. , Mancini L. 
Published: January 2020

Context. Binarity is a widespread phenomenon around solar-type stars, including the host stars of transiting extrasolar planets.
Aims. We performed a detailed study of six transiting planetary systems with relatively bright stars close enough to affect observations of these systems. These contaminants were characterised in a companion work.
Methods. We used theoretical spectra to propagate the observed K-band light ratios into the optical passbands used to observe these systems. Light curves were analysed whilst taking the contaminating light and its uncertainty into account. We present and applied a method to correct the velocity amplitudes of the host stars for the presence of contaminating light.
Results. We determined the physical properties of six systems (WASP-20, WASP-70, WASP-8, WASP-76, WASP-2, and WASP-131) whilst accounting for contaminating light. In the case of WASP-20, the measured physical properties are very different for the three scenarios considered: ignoring binarity, planet transits brighter star, and planet transits fainter star. In the other five cases, our results are very similar to those obtained when neglecting contaminating light. We used our results to determine the mean correction factors to planet radius, ⟨XR⟩, mass, ⟨XM⟩, and density, ⟨Xρ⟩, caused by nearby objects. We find ⟨XR⟩ = 1.009 ± 0.045, which is smaller than literature values because we were able to reject the possibility that the planet orbits the fainter star in all but one case. We find ⟨XM⟩ = 1.031 ± 0.019, which is larger than ⟨XR⟩ because of the strength of the effect of contaminating light on the radial velocity measurements of the host star. We find ⟨Xρ⟩ = 0.995 ± 0.046: the small size of this correction is due to two effects: the corrections on planet radius and mass partially cancel; and some nearby stars are close enough to contaminate the light curves of the system but not radial velocities of the host star. These corrections can be applied to samples of transiting hot Jupiters to statistically remove biases due to light contamination.
Conclusions. We conclude that binarity of planet host stars is important for the small number of transiting hot Jupiters with a very bright and close nearby star, but it has only a small effect on population-level studies of these objects.
Radiological Monitoring of Modern Immunotherapy: A Novel Challenge for Interdisciplinary Patient Care
Authors: Lennartz Simon , Diederich Stefan , Doehn Christian , Gebauer Bernhard , Grünwald Viktor , Notohamiprodjo Mike , Sommer Wieland , Schlemmer Heinz-Peter , Persigehl Thorsten 
Published: January 2020

Background Immunotherapy represents an effective therapeutic approach for many malignant diseases that were previously difficult to treat. However, since immunotherapy can lead to atypical therapy response patterns in the form of pseudo-progression or mixed responses and comprise an altered spectrum of adverse reactions, they present a new challenge for oncologic imaging. Detailed knowledge in this area is essential for oncologic clinical radiologists, since the radiological report is a cornerstone of response assessment, and increasingly influences therapy regimens and coverage by health insurances.
Method This white paper is based on an expert meeting in Frankfurt am Main and subsequent discussions between the authors. Based on the iRECIST criteria, it is intended to provide orientation for a response assessment of oncologic patients undergoing immunotherapy that can be applied in the clinical routine.
Results Radiological therapy monitoring outside clinical studies is subject to inherent limitations, but should be performed based on iRECIST criteria, according to the opinion of the expert panel. It should be taken into account that immunotherapies can in principle lead to pseudo-progression and autoimmunological side effects. Since radiological follow-up is currently the only method to accurately distinguish real progressive disease from pseudo-progression, clinically stable patients with disease progression under immunotherapy should undergo additional short-term follow-up imaging according to the suspected diagnosis. Biopsy should be used cautiously and predominately in curative settings.
Conclusion For response assessment of immunotherapy in clinical studies, the new iRECIST criteria were published in 2017. Outside studies, the application of iRECIST criteria in the clinical routine is subject to several limitations. The recommendations implied in these criteria can, however, be used in conjunction with the current literature as a guideline in clinical practice and outside studies.
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Das Genie beherrscht das Chaos
Authors: Hertlein Margit 
Published: January 2020

ZusammenfassungIm dritten Teil unserer Artikelserie geht es um das Zeit- und Selbstmanagement. Was bin ich für ein Typ und wovon lasse ich mich leicht stressen? Lesen Sie, wie Sie als Führungskraft innehalten können und Prioritäten setzen.