bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary optimization of an anatomical suction cup: Lip collagen content and its correlation with flow and substrate in Neotropical suckermouth catfishes (Loricarioidei)
Authors: Bressman Noah R. , Armbruster Jonathan W. , Lujan Nathan K. , Udoh Imoh , Ashley‐Ross Miriam A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn riverine ecosystems, downstream drag caused by fast‐flowing water poses a significant challenge to rheophilic organisms. In neotropical rivers, many members of a diverse radiation of suckermouth catfishes (Loricarioidei) resist drag in part by using modified lips that form an oral suction cup composed of thick flesh. Histological composition and morphology of this cup are interspecifically highly variable. Through an examination of 23 loricarioid species, we determined that the tissue most responsible for lip fleshiness is collagen. We hypothesized that lip collagen content is interspecifically correlated with substrate and flow so that fishes living on rocky substrates in high‐flow environments have the largest, most collagenous lips. By mapping the amount and distribution of lip collagen onto a phylogeny and conducting ANOVA tests, we found support for this hypothesis. Moreover, these traits evolved multiple times in correlation with substrate and flow, suggesting they are an effective means for improving suction‐based attachment. We hypothesize that collagen functions to reinforce oral suction cups, reducing the likelihood of slipping, buckling, and failure under high‐flow, high‐drag conditions. Macroevolutionary patterns among loricarioid catfishes suggest that for maximum performance, biomimetic suction cups should vary in material density according to drag and substrate requirements.
Fine structure of the nervous system of Cercaria parvicaudata Stunkard & Shaw, 1931 (Digenea, Renicolidae)
Authors: Denisova Sofia A. , Shchenkov Sergei V. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe biology of free‐living and parasitic Platyhelminthes is diverse. Taking into account the widespread prevalence of parasitic flatworms, Digenea is the least studied group regarding the fine structure of nervous system especially of the cercarial life stage. Here, we present a description of the fine structure of central nervous system (CNS) and two types of uniciliate sensory papillae of xiphidiocercaria Cercaria parvicaudata (Microphalloidea, Renicolidae). The present study documents that C. parvicaudata has a complex nervous system that includes a well‐developed ganglion with a cortex of perikarya and glia‐like sheaths, myelin‐like structures within one of the dorsal nerve cords and four types of polarized synapses between neurites. Different types of neurons in the CNS could not be distinguished on ultrastructural level due to high similarity in their fine structure. Shared polarized synapses with high electron density of presynaptic components are numerous in the neuropile and nerve cords of this larva. Within the larval body, we detected specialized “support” processes that relate to different tissues. Some “support” processes are also closely related to the nervous system of C. parvicaudata, where they are considered as glia‐like structures. In this case, the fine structure of glia‐like “support” cells of C. parvicaudata differs from those described as glia‐like cells in adult flatworms. We suggest a wide prevalence of glia‐like cells among cercariae, as well as the fact that glia‐like structures in digenean nervous systems can develop from various nonneuronal tissues.
Clinical features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 from a designated hospital in Beijing, China
Authors: Sun Lijun , Shen Lijun , Fan Junfen , Gu Fengjun , Hu Mei , An Yiran , Zhou Qing , Fan Huahao , Bi Jingfeng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractClinical and laboratory data on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Beijing, China, remain extremely limited. In this study, we summarized the clinical characteristics of patients with COVID‐19 from a designated hospital in Beijing. In total, 55 patients with laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in Beijing 302 Hospital were enrolled in this study. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory values, treatments, and clinical outcomes were all collected and retrospectively analyzed. A total of 15 (27.3%) patients had severe symptoms, the mean age was 44.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 34.0‐56.0), and the median incubation period was 7.5 days (IQR, 5.0‐11.8). A total of 26 (47.3%) patients had exposure history in Wuhan of less than 2 weeks, whereas 20 (36.4%) patients were associated with familial clusters. Also, eighteen (32.7%) patients had underlying comorbidities including hypertension. The most common symptom of illness was fever (45; 81.8%); 51 (92.7%) patients had abnormal findings on chest computed tomography. Laboratory findings showed that neutrophil count, percentage of lymphocyte, percentage of eosinophil, eosinophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumin, and serum ferritin are potential risk factors for patients with a poor prognosis. A total of 26 patients (47.3%) were still hospitalized, whereas 29 (52.7%) patients had been discharged. Compared with patients in Wuhan, China, the symptoms of patients in Beijing are relatively mild. Older age, more comorbidities, and more abnormal prominent laboratory markers were associated with a severe condition. On the basis of antiviral drugs, it is observed that antibiotics treatment, appropriate dosage of corticosteroid, and gamma globulin therapy significantly improve patients' outcomes. Early identification and timely medical treatment are important to reduce the severity of patients with COVID‐19.
Low rates of active hepatitis B and C infections among adults and children living with HIV and taking antiretroviral therapy: A multicenter screening study in Lesotho
Authors: Amstutz Alain , Nsakala Bienvenu L. , Cheleboi Molisana , Lejone Thabo I. , Hobbins Michael A. , Battegay Manuel , Klimkait Thomas , Labhardt Niklaus D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLesotho presents the second‐highest adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence globally. Among people living with HIV, data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection are limited. We report HBV and HCV coinfection data from a multicentre cross‐sectional study among adult and pediatric patients taking antiretroviral therapy in 10 health facilities in Lesotho. Among 1318 adults screened (68% female; median age, 44 years), 262 (20%) had immunologically controlled HBV infection, 99 (7.6%) tested anti‐HBs positive and anti‐HBc negative, indicating vaccination, and 57 (4.3%) had chronic HBV infection. Among the patients with chronic HBV infection, 15 tested hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) positive and eight had detectable HBV viremia (median, 2 477 400 copies/mL; interquartile range, 205‐34 400 000) with a mean aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index of 0.48 (SD, 0.40). Prevalence of HCV coinfection was 1.7% (22 of 1318), and only one patient had detectable HCV viremia. Among 162 pediatric patients screened, three (1.9%) had chronic HBV infection, whereby two also tested HBeAg‐positive, and one had detectable HBV viral load (210 copies/mL). Six of 162 (3.7%) had anti‐HCV antibodies, all with undetectable HCV viral loads.Overall prevalence of chronic HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV coinfection among adults and children was relatively low, comparable to earlier reports from the same region. But prevalence of immunologically controlled HBV infection among adults was high. Of those patients with chronic HBV infection, a minority had detectable HBV‐DNA.
Utility of Tracheostomy in Patients With COVID‐19 and Other Special Considerations
Authors: Mecham Jeffrey C. , Thomas Olivia J. , Pirgousis Phillip , Janus Jeffrey R. 
Published: May 2020

IntroductionPatients who become severely ill from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have a high likelihood of needing prolonged intubation, making tracheostomy a likely consideration. The infectious nature of COVID‐19 poses an additional risk of transmission to healthcare workers that should be taken into consideration.MethodsWe explore current literature and recommendations for tracheostomy in patients with COVID‐19 and look back at previous data from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS‐CoV‐1), the virus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003.ResultsGiven the severity and clinical uncertainty of patients with COVID‐19 and the increased risk of transmission to clinicians, careful consideration should be taken prior to performing tracheostomy. If tracheostomy is performed, we recommend a bedside approach to limit exposure time and number of exposed personnel. Bronchoscopy use with a percutaneous approach should be limited in order to decrease viral exposure.ConclusionThorough preprocedural planning, use of experienced personnel, enhanced personal protective equipment where available, and a thoughtful anesthesia approach are instrumental in maximizing positive patient outcomes while successfully protecting the safety of healthcare personnel. Laryngoscope, 130:2546–2549, 2020
Recognizing both denitrification and nitrogen consumption improves performance of stream diel N2 flux models
Authors: Nifong Rachel L. , Taylor Jason M. , Adams Grant , Moore Matthew T. , Farris Jerry L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThere is keen interest to enhance denitrification within intervening aquatic habitats between agricultural areas and downstream aquatic ecosystems to reduce nitrogen (N) loading impacts to receiving ecosystems. We conducted a series of measurements to examine whole system in situ diel denitrification estimates in experimental ditch and stream environments using a Bayesian one‐station diel N2 flux model. Model estimates revealed complex patterns that indicate fluxes may be controlled by the balance of both N2 production via denitrification and consumption driven by physical or biological processes associated with strong diel patterns in environmental conditions. We investigated potential improvements in model fits to observed data associated with the addition of a N2 consumption term to represent biological (N2 fixation) or physical (bubble formation and N2 scavenging) mechanisms associated with daytime photosynthesis. We also expanded the current one‐station diel flux model to a two‐station model to estimate denitrification in discrete reaches. Our modified diel N2 flux models improved model fit significantly across three metrics (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, root mean square ratio, and percent bias) increasing their utility in shallow, open canopy, lotic systems. While more studies are needed to understand specific mechanisms associated with N2 consumption processes in small agricultural drainages as well as environmental conditions affecting their relative importance, these results improve estimates of N2 flux where dynamic conditions and heterogeneity of habitats create severe diel patterns in factors controlling dissolved gas concentrations and prohibit accurate estimates of N2 flux using existing models.
Genetic variants of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway genes and risk of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Liu Xiaowen , Qian Danwen , Liu Hongliang , Abbruzzese James L. , Luo Sheng , Walsh Kyle M. , Wei Qingyi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBecause the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway is involved in development and progression of pancreatic cancer, we investigated associations between genetic variants of the PPAR pathway genes and pancreatic cancer risk by using three published genome‐wide association study datasets including 8477 cases and 6946 controls of European ancestry. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis was also performed for correlations between genotypes of the identified genetic variants and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of their genes by using available databases of the 1000 Genomes, TCGA, and GTEx projects. In the single‐locus logistic regression analysis, we identified 1141 out of 17 532 significant single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 112 PPAR pathway genes. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three independent, potentially functional loci (rs12947620 in MED1, rs11079651 in PRKCA, and rs34367566 in PRKCB) for pancreatic cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI], [1.06‐1.17], P = 5.46 × 10−5; OR = 1.10, 95% CI, [1.04‐1.15], P = 1.99 × 10−4; and OR = 1.09, 95% CI, [1.04‐1.14], P = 3.16 × 10−4, respectively) among 65 SNPs that passed multiple comparison correction by false discovery rate (< 0.2). When risk genotypes of these three SNPs were combined, carriers with 2 to 3 unfavorable genotypes (NUGs) had a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than those with 0 to 1 NUGs. The eQTL analysis showed that rs34367566 A>AG was associated with decreased expression levels of PRKCB mRNA in 373 lymphoblastoid cell lines. Our findings indicate that genetic variants of the PPAR pathway genes, particularly MED1, PRKCA, and PRKCB, may contribute to susceptibility to pancreatic cancer.
Magnetic Susceptibility Associates With Dopaminergic Deficits and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Uchida Yuto , Kan Hirohito , Sakurai Keita , Inui Shohei , Kobayashi Susumu , Akagawa Yoshihiro , Shibuya Kazuyoshi , Ueki Yoshino , Matsukawa Noriyuki 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the relationship between nigrostriatal magnetic susceptibility and dopamine transporter abnormality and their associations with behavioral and cognitive impairments in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsFor this case‐control study, we enrolled 41 patients with PD and 20 age‐matched healthy controls. All participants underwent global physical and cognitive assessments, 3‐Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging including quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM; iron deposition measure), and123I‐N‐v‐fluoropropyl‐2b‐carbomethoxy‐3b‐(4‐iodophenyl) nortropane single‐photon emission computed tomography (dopamine transporter measure). We subdivided the striatum into the putamen, caudate nucleus, and nucleus accumbens and measured the nigrostriatal QSM values and dopamine transporter–specific binding ratios using an atlas‐based approach.ResultsThe patients with PD had higher QSM values in the substantia nigra and subdivisions of the striatum than did the healthy controls. The striatal dopamine transporter–specific binding ratios were not correlated with the QSM values of the substantia nigra but were inversely correlated with those of the striatum (putamen,r= −0.478,P= 0.009; caudate nucleus,r= −0.462,P= 0.011). The QSM values of the putamen were positively correlated with motor parkinsonism scores (Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale,r= 0.505,P= 0.003), and those of the caudate nucleus were negatively correlated with cognitive impairment scores (Montreal Cognitive Assessment,r= −0.525,P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study showed that striatal iron accumulations were correlated with dopaminergic deficits and neurophysiological signs in patients with PD, highlighting the potential of QSM as an auxiliary biomarker for parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Technical Note: Ultra high‐resolution radiotracer‐specific digital pet brain phantoms based on the BigBrain atlas
Authors: Belzunce Martin A. , Reader Andrew J. 
Published: May 2020

PurposeTo introduce a method that allows the generation of ultra high‐resolution (submillimeter) heterogeneous digital PET brain phantoms and to provide a new publicly available [

]FDG phantom as an example.MethodThe radiotracer distribution of the phantom is estimated by minimizing the Kullback–Leibler distance between the parameterized unknown phantom distribution and a radiotracer‐specific template used as a reference. The phantom is modelled using the histological and tissue classified volumes of the BigBrain atlas to provide both high resolution and heterogeneity. The Hammersmith brain atlas is also included to allow the estimation of different activity values in different anatomical regions of the brain. Using this method, a realistic [

]FDG phantom was produced, where a single real [

]FDG scan was used as the reference to match. An MRI T1‐weighted image, obtained from the BigBrain atlas, and a pseudo‐CT are included to complete the dataset. A full PET‐MRI dataset was simulated and reconstructed with MR‐guided methods for the new [

]FDG phantom.ResultsAn ultra high‐resolution (400 μm voxel size) and heterogeneous phantom for [

]FDG was obtained. The radiotracer activity follows the patterns observed in the scan used as a reference. The simulated PET‐MRI dataset provided a realistic simulation that was able to be reconstructed with MR‐guided methods. By visual inspection, the reconstructed images showed similar patterns to the real data and the improvements in contrast and noise with respect to the standard MLEM reconstruction were more modest compared to simulations done with a simpler phantom, which was created from the same MRI image used to assist the reconstruction.ConclusionsA method to create high‐resolution heterogeneous digital brain phantoms for different PET radiotracers has been presented and successfully employed to create a new publicly available [

]FDG phantom. The generated phantom is of high resolution, is heterogeneous, and simulates the uptake of the radiotracer in the different regions of the brain.
POD‐DOSI: A dedicated dosimetry system for GammaPod commissioning and quality assurance
Authors: Parsons David , Zhang You , Gu Xuejun , Lu Weiguo 
Published: May 2020

PurposeGammaPod, a stereotactic partial breast irradiator allowing highly conformal radiation dose delivery, has its unique mechanical design and treatment planning system (TPS). However, the uniqueness of the system poses challenges regarding initial GammaPod system commissioning and routine quality assurance (QA). In this study, we report POD‐DOSI, a dedicated dosimetry system for accurate and efficient commissioning and QA of GammaPod.Materials and methodsThe POD‐DOSI system consists of two subsystems, POD‐Scanner and POD‐Calculator. The POD‐Scanner is an automatic ion‐chamber positioning system driven by two translational stepper motors for anterior–posterior, longitudinal, and lateral beam scanning. The stepper motors are controlled by a microcomputer through an in‐house‐developed graphical user interface, which can be remotely accessed by a laptop via wireless connection. The POD‐Calculator is a commissioned GPU‐based Monte Carlo dose calculation engine, which calculates dose by transporting particles from phase space constructed for GammaPod. In our institution, the POD‐DOSI system was used for GammaPod TPS commissioning and dose verification. The POD‐Calculator was further developed as a secondary dose calculation tool performing patient‐specific plan QA before each treatment.ResultsThe POD‐DOSI system has been fully evaluated and tested, both mechanically and dosimetrically, and applied successfully to drive the commissioning of our GammaPod system. The POD‐Scanner achieved 0.1 mm accuracy in ion‐chamber positioning tests. The POD‐Calculator generated dose profiles matched well with water phantom measurements and TPS calculations to <0.5 mm accuracy. For end‐to‐end test on 56 different treatment plans, in‐water point dose measurements by POD‐Scanner were within ±2.20% of the doses calculated by POD‐Calculator (range: −2.01% to 2.20%, mean: 0.04%, std_dev: 1.10%). Correspondingly, when switching the calculation medium from water to breast tissue, the point doses calculated by the POD‐Calculator were within ±1.60% of the point doses calculated by the GammaPOD TPS (range: −1.59% to 1.51%, mean: −0.02%, std_dev: 0.73%). The average three‐dimensional gamma passing rate between the GammaPod TPS doses and the POD‐Calculator doses was 97.10% under the 2%/1 mm gamma criteria. The POD‐DOSI system substantially shortened the GammaPod dosimetry commissioning time from weeks to days.ConclusionThe developed POD‐DOSI system resolves the challenges and streamlines the process of GammaPod commissioning and QA. It improves the efficiency and accuracy for both GammaPod commissioning and routine patient‐specific QA.
Motor unit number index in children with later‐onset spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Verma Sumit , Forte Jasmine , Ritchey Mary , Shah Durga 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMotor unit number index (MUNIX) is a validated electrophysiological biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. MUNIX studies in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are limited.MethodsLater‐onset SMA children (n = 13; three SMN2 copy number) were evaluated for Hammersmith Motor Function Scale Expanded (HMFSE) and MUNIX of right abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles. Age‐matched healthy controls (n = 8) were enrolled to obtain normative APB and ADM MUNIX values.ResultsMean APB and ADM MUNIX values in SMA subjects were significantly reduced (P < .001) compared with controls. HMFSE scores strongly correlated with ADM MUNIX (r 0.63).ConclusionsAPB and ADM muscle MUNIX studies are feasible in SMA type 2 children. ADM MUNIX correlated with disease severity on motor function testing. MUNIX studies in later‐onset SMA could be a potential biomarker of motor neuron loss.
Numerical solutions of the equal width equation by trigonometric cubic B‐spline collocation method based on Rubin–Graves type linearization
Authors: Yağmurlu Nuri Murat , Karakaş Ali Sercan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this article, the equal width (EW) equation is going to be solved numerically. In order to show the accuracy of the presented method, six test problems namely single solitary wave, interaction of two solitary waves, interaction of three solitary waves, Maxwellian initial condition, undular bore, and soliton collision are going to be solved. For the first test problem, since it has exact solution, the error norms L2 and L∞ are going to be calculated and compared with some of the earlier studies existing in the literature. Moreover, the three invariants I1, I2, and I3 of the given problems during the simulations are calculated and tabulated. Besides those comparisons, the relative changes of the invariants are given. Finally, a comparison of those error norms and invariants has clearly shown that the present approach obtained compatible and better results than most of the earlier works by using the same parameters.
Molecular modeling approach for designing of amino‐derived anti‐Alzheimer agents: A computational study
Authors: Raza Muhammad Asam , Fatima Kiran 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTheoretical chemistry involves number of steps for drug designing, which are cost and time effective. In order to remove these barriers in drug designing, computational studies are helpful. Computer‐assisted molecular modeling is valuable in drug designing. Nowadays, molecular docking is routinely used for prediction of protein−ligand interactions and to help in selecting potent molecules as a part of virtual screening of large databases. In this piece of work, we have proposed eight amino‐based estearses (AChE and BChE) inhibitors (dithiocarbamates). The hypothetical structures were optimized via density functional theory (DFT) studies using B3LYP basis set and calculated their different physical properties, which stated that these compounds may be prepared in the wet lab. The energy gap between HOMO and LUMO was ranged from 0.1517 to 0.1789. The proposed molecules were also docked with MOE, and it was depicted from docking results that they are moderate inhibitors against targeted enzymes. ADMET studies were also done for these compounds in order to check their pharmacological parameters. All these results suggested that dithiocarbamates may be good inhibitors in future.