bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photoacoustic imaging of cells in a three-dimensional microenvironment
Authors: Liu Wei-Wen , Li Pai-Chi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractImaging live cells in a three-dimensional (3D) culture system yields more accurate information and spatial visualization of the interplay of cells and the surrounding matrix components compared to using a two-dimensional (2D) cell culture system. However, the thickness of 3D cultures results in a high degree of scattering that makes it difficult for the light to penetrate deeply to allow clear optical imaging. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a powerful imaging modality that relies on a PA effect generated when light is absorbed by exogenous contrast agents or endogenous molecules in a medium. It combines a high optical contrast with a high acoustic spatiotemporal resolution, allowing the noninvasive visualization of 3D cellular scaffolds at considerable depths with a high resolution and no image distortion. Moreover, advances in targeted contrast agents have also made PA imaging capable of molecular and cellular characterization for use in preclinical personalized diagnostics or PA imaging-guided therapeutics. Here we review the applications and challenges of PA imaging in a 3D cellular microenvironment. Potential future developments of PA imaging in preclinical applications are also discussed.
Immune-related gene signature for predicting the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: She Yangyang , Kong Xiangbo , Ge Yaping , Yin Ping , Liu Zhiyong , Chen Jieyu , Gao Feng , Fang Silian 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Immune-related genes (IRGs) were linked to the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to identify the effects of an immune-related gene signature (IRGS) that can predict the of HNSCC prognosis.

Methods
The expression data of 770 HNSCC patients from the TCGA database and the GEO database were used. To explore a predictive model, the Cox proportional hazards model was applied. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, as well as univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the independent predictive value of IRGS. To explore biological functions of IRGS, enrichment analyses and pathway annotation for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different immune groups were applied, as well as the immune infiltration.

Results
A prognostic signature comprising 27 IRGs was generated. IRGS significantly stratified HNSCC patients into high and low immune risk groups in regard to overall survival in the training cohort (HR = 3.69, 95% CI 2.73–4.98, P < 0.001). Likewise, IRGS could be linked to the prognosis of HNSCC in patients of the validation cohort (HR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.21–2.81, P < 0.01). Even after adjusting for TNM stage, IRGS was maintained as an independent predictor in the multivariate analysis (HR = 3.62, 95% CI 2.58–5.09, P < 0.001), and in the validation cohort (HR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.12–2.67, P = 0.014). The IFN-α response, the IFN-γ response, IL-2/STAT5 signaling, and IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling were all negatively correlated with the immune risk (P < 0.01). Immune infiltration of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group (P < 0.01). Most notably, the infiltration of CD8 T cells, memory-activated CD4 T cells, and regulatory T cells was strongly upregulated in the low immune risk groups, while memory resting CD4 T cell infiltration was downregulated (P < 0.01).

Conclusion
Our analysis provides a comprehensive prognosis of the immune microenvironments and outcomes for different individuals. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical application of this signature.
Molecular characteristics of odorant-binding protein 1 in Anopheles maculipennis
Authors: Ghavami Mohammad Bagher , Khoeini Sakineh , Djadid Navid Dinparast 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAnopheles maculipenniscomplex, the historic vector of malaria, causes serious medical problems worldwide and exhibits different behaviours. Studying the odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), which influence the chemosensory system and behavioural responses, is essential to understanding the population structure and developing effective control measures against this vector. The present study was designed to identify and analyse theobp1gene inAn. maculipennis.MethodsAdults ofAn. maculipennissensu stricto were collected in Zanjan Province, northwest of Iran, and gDNAs of female mosquitoes were extracted. Fragments ofAn. maculipennis obp1(Amacobp1) gene were amplified using degenerate and specific primers, and some of amplicons were selected for sequencing.ResultsAnalysis of amplified products identified that the sequence ofAmacobp1gene was 1341 bp long. This gene contains three exons (5′, internal, and 3′of 160, 256, and 18 bp, respectively) and encodes 144 amino acids. The sizes of introns I and II in deduced gene are 268 and 358 nucleotides, respectively. The amino acid sequence in the C-terminal of AmacOBP1 is similar to that of major malaria vectorAnophelesspecies. However, its N-terminal has a specific signal peptide with 19 amino acids. This peptide is conserved in different studied populations, and its sequence of amino acids shows the most variation among anopheline species.ConclusionsDegenerate primers in this study are suggested for studyingobp1gene inAnophelesspecies.Amacobp1gene is proposed as a molecular marker for the detection of intraspecific ecotypes and diagnosis of different species within Maculipennis Group. Moreover, the N-terminal ofAmacOBP1peptide is recommended as a molecular marker to identify the Amacobp1 expression patterns in different chemosensory organs for assessing the molecular mechanisms and developing novel behavioural disturbance agents to controlAn. maculipennis.
The progress of gut microbiome research related to brain disorders
Authors: Zhu Sibo , Jiang Yanfeng , Xu Kelin , Cui Mei , Ye Weimin , Zhao Genming , Jin Li , Chen Xingdong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThere is increasing evidence showing that the dynamic changes in the gut microbiota can alter brain physiology and behavior. Cognition was originally thought to be regulated only by the central nervous system. However, it is now becoming clear that many non-nervous system factors, including the gut-resident bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract, regulate and influence cognitive dysfunction as well as the process of neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular diseases. Extrinsic and intrinsic factors including dietary habits can regulate the composition of the microbiota. Microbes release metabolites and microbiota-derived molecules to further trigger host-derived cytokines and inflammation in the central nervous system, which contribute greatly to the pathogenesis of host brain disorders such as pain, depression, anxiety, autism, Alzheimer’s diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Change of blood–brain barrier permeability, brain vascular physiology, and brain structure are among the most critical causes of the development of downstream neurological dysfunction. In this review, we will discuss the following parts:
Overview of technical approaches used in gut microbiome studiesMicrobiota and immunityGut microbiota and metabolitesMicrobiota-induced blood–brain barrier dysfunctionNeuropsychiatric diseases
■ Stress and depression■ Pain and migraine■ Autism spectrum disordersNeurodegenerative diseases
■ Parkinson’s disease■ Alzheimer’s disease■ Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis■ Multiple sclerosisCerebrovascular disease
■ Atherosclerosis■ Stroke■ Arteriovenous malformationConclusions and perspectives
Determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status among population in southern China by a high accuracy LC-MS/MS method traced to reference measurement procedure
Authors: Cai Zhiliang , Zhang Qiaoxuan , Xia Ziqiang , Zheng Songbai , Zeng Lilan , Han Liqiao , Yan Jun , Ke Peifeng , Zhuang Junhua , Wu Xinzhong , Huang Xianzhang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to describe the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status of southern Chinese individuals by a high-accuracy liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method which can trace to reference measurement procedure.Materials and methodsFrom January 2018 to June 2019, a total of 4775 southern Chinese individuals were evaluated in our study. The serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were detected simultaneously in 162 cases. 25(OH)D was determined by LC-MS/MS, and PTH was detected using routine automated analysers. The distribution of the concentration, prevalence and seasonal variability of 25(OH)D in males and females of different age groups were studied.ResultsThe mean 25(OH)D concentration in our study was 32.57 ng/mL (4.20–101.40 ng/mL). The global 25(OH)D concentration in males was higher than that in females of different age group. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) in females (16.65%) was higher than that in males (6.83%). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) was most common in winter (22.98% of all women and 15.49% of all men). 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in those from whom blood samples were collected in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. 25(OH)D2was detected in 672 serum samples (14.07%). In addition, there was a negative correlation between the concentrations of 25(OH)D and serum PTH (r = − 0.149,P < 0.05).ConclusionOur study demonstrated that the average serum 25(OH)D concentration in southern Chinese individuals was higher than that in other Chinese cohorts by a high-accuracy LC-MS/MS method. The global 25(OH)D concentration in males was higher than that in females of different ages, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in females was higher than that in males. Seasonal change was an important aspect of 25(OH)D concentration in young and middle-aged people but became less relevant for that in older subjects. 25(OH)D2detection was of minor practical significance in our study. In addition, we also found that there was a negative correlation between the serum levels of 25(OH)D and PTH in southern Chinese individuals.
Associated abdominal injuries do not influence quality of care in pelvic fractures—a multicenter cohort study from the German Pelvic Registry
Authors:   Working Group on Pelvic Fractures of the German Trauma Society, Küper Markus A. , Bachmann Robert , Wenig Götz F. , Ziegler Patrick , Trulson Alexander , Trulson Inga M. , Minarski Christian , Ladurner Ruth , Stöckle Ulrich , Höch Andreas , Herath Steven C. , Stuby Fabian M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundPelvic fractures are rare but serious injuries. The influence of a concomitant abdominal trauma on the time point of surgery and the quality of care regarding quality of reduction or the clinical course in pelvic injuries has not been investigated yet.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the prospective consecutive cohort from the multicenter German Pelvic Registry of the German Trauma Society in the years 2003–2017. Demographic, clinical, and operative parameters were recorded and compared for two groups (isolated pelvic fracture vs. combined abdominal/pelvic trauma).Results16.359 patients with pelvic injuries were treated during this period. 21.6% had a concomitant abdominal trauma. The mean age was 61.4 ± 23.5 years. Comparing the two groups, patients with a combination of pelvic and abdominal trauma were significantly younger (47.3 ± 22.0 vs. 70.5 ± 20.4 years;p< 0.001). Both, complication (21.9% vs. 9.9%;p< 0.001) and mortality (8.0% vs. 1.9%;p< 0.001) rates, were significantly higher.In the subgroup of acetabular fractures, the operation time was significantly longer in the group with the combined injury (198 ± 104 vs. 176 ± 81 min,p= 0.001). The grade of successful anatomic reduction of the acetabular fracture did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionPatients with a pelvic injury have a concomitant abdominal trauma in about 20% of the cases. The clinical course is significantly prolonged in patients with a combined injury, with increased rates of morbidity and mortality. However, the quality of the reduction in the subgroup of acetabular fractures is not influenced by a concomitant abdominal injury.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov,NCT03952026, Registered 16 May 2019, retrospectively registered
Blood consumption in total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Werner Raphael Sven , Lipps Christoph , Waldhans Stefan , Künzli Andreas 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Accumulating evidence consistently demonstrates that blood transfusion in cardiac surgery is related to decreased short- and long-term survival. We aimed to evaluate periprocedural blood loss and transfusion rates in elective, isolated total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using exclusively skeletonized bilateral internal mammary arteries (IMAs).

Methods
We identified 1011 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease who underwent CABG between 1/2007 and 12/2014. Of them, 595 patients who presented preoperative hemoglobin levels >9md/dl and underwent elective, isolated CABG for multi-vessel coronary artery disease were included in the study population. 419 patients (70.4%) received total arterial CABG using skeletonized bilateral IMAs, in 176 patients (29.6%) mixed CABG (single IMA & saphenous vein) was performed. Propensity score adjustment using 16 variables was applied to control for treatment effect.

Results
In patients undergoing total arterial CABG, heterologous blood transfusion could be avoided in 87.8% of all cases. Propensity score adjusted results showed a significantly lower incidence of erythrocyte concentrate transfusion in patients undergoing total arterial CABG compared to mixed CABG (odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval 1.38–5.43, P = 0.004). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of thrombocyte concentrate (P = 0.39) and fresh frozen plasma transfusions (P = 0.07).

Conclusions
In this study, patients who underwent elective, isolated total arterial CABG using exclusively skeletonized bilateral IMAs showed reduced transfusion rates of erythrocyte concentrates compared to mixed CABG using a combination of single IMA and saphenous vein grafts. No evidence for a higher incidence of complications was found with a total arterial approach.
Evaluation of retinal microvascular perfusion in hereditary angioedema: a case-control study
Authors: Triggianese Paola , Cesareo Massimo , Guarino Maria Domenica , Conigliaro Paola , Chimenti Maria Sole , Cedola Francesca , Mazzeo Caterina , Nucci Carlo , Perricone Roberto 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEvidence supports that hereditary angioedema (HAE) may be considered as a paroxysmal permeability disorder with defective but self-limiting endothelial barrier dysfunction. A potential subclinical abnormal vascular permeability at retinal capillaries could induce damage resulting in retinopathy. We aimed at exploring for the first time the presence of microangiopathy at retinal level from a highly selective cohort of patients with HAE due to C1 esterase inhibitor protein (C1INH) deficiency (type I). We conducted a pilot, prospective, case-control study including 20 type I HAE patients and 20 age−/sex-matched healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent standard ophthalmological examination including visual fields. Superficial and deep capillary plexi in the retina were analyzed by using new optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). A total of 40 eyes from 20 HAE patients and 20 eyes from HC were evaluated. Perimetric indices of visual field were slightly worse in HAE than in controls. OCT-angiograms documented in HAE patients a lower retinal capillary density in both superficial and deep scans and a higher retinal thickness compared to healthy eyes. Our findings firstly documented subclinical abnormalities in retinal microvascular network in type I HAE patients that might be associated with early subtle functional changes. This preliminary evidence supports the hypothesis of a recurrent endothelial barrier failure at retinal level in HAE patients potentially resulting in chronic damage.
Quantitative visualization of subcellular lignocellulose revealing the mechanism of alkali pretreatment to promote methane production of rice straw
Authors: Li Xiaoli , Sha Junjing , Xia Yihua , Sheng Kuichuan , Liu Yufei , He Yong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAs a renewable carbon source, biomass energy not only helps in resolving the management problems of lignocellulosic wastes, but also helps to alleviate the global climate change by controlling environmental pollution raised by their generation on a large scale. However, the bottleneck problem of extensive production of biofuels lies in the filamentous crystal structure of cellulose and the embedded connection with lignin in biomass that leads to poor accessibility, weak degradation and digestion by microorganisms. Some pretreatment methods have shown significant improvement of methane yield and production rate, but the promotion mechanism has not been thoroughly studied. Revealing the temporal and spatial effects of pretreatment on lignocellulose will greatly help deepen our understanding of the optimization mechanism of pretreatment, and promote efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. Here, we propose an approach for qualitative, quantitative, and location analysis of subcellular lignocellulosic changes induced by alkali treatment based on label-free Raman microspectroscopy combined with chemometrics.ResultsFirstly, the variations of rice straw induced by alkali treatment were characterized by the Raman spectra, and the Raman fingerprint characteristics for classification of rice straw were captured. Then, a label-free Raman chemical imaging strategy was executed to obtain subcellular distribution of the lignocellulose, in the strategy a serious interference of plant tissues’ fluorescence background was effectively removed. Finally, the effects of alkali pretreatment on the subcellular spatial distribution of lignocellulose in different types of cells were discovered.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated the mechanism of alkali treatment that promotes methane production in rice straw through anaerobic digestion by means of a systemic study of the evidence from the macroscopic measurement and Raman microscopic quantitative and localization two-angle views. Raman chemical imaging combined with chemometrics could nondestructively realize qualitative, quantitative, and location analysis of the lignocellulose of rice straw at a subcellular level in a label-free way, which was beneficial to optimize pretreatment for the improvement of biomass conversion efficiency and promote extensive utilization of biofuel.
Two unconditionally stable difference schemes for time distributed-order differential equation based on Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivative
Authors: Qiao Haili , Liu Zhengguang , Cheng Aijie 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe consider distributed-order partial differential equations with time fractional derivative proposed by Caputo and Fabrizio in a one-dimensional space. Two finite difference schemes are established via Grünwald formula. We show that these two schemes are unconditionally stable with convergence rates $O(\tau ^{2}+h^{2}+ \Delta \alpha ^{2})$O(τ2+h2+Δα2) and $O(\tau ^{2}+h^{4}+\Delta \alpha ^{4})$O(τ2+h4+Δα4) in discrete $L^{2}$L2, respectively, where Δα, h, and τ are step sizes for distributed-order, space, and time variables, respectively. Finally, the performance of difference schemes is illustrated via numerical examples.
Qualitative and quantitative dermatoglyphics of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijerathne Buddhika Thilanga Bandara , Meier Robert John , Salgado Sujatha Senadeera , Agampodi Suneth Buddhika 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Dermatoglyphics has been used widely in fields of medicine as a non-invasive diagnostic tool and an early assessment of risk for certain medical conditions. It reflects disturbances in fetal development during early prenatal weeks 14–22 when fingerprints develop. Dermatoglyphic asymmetry has been used to measure developmental instability during a specific period of human fetal development. Thus, the present study was planned to investigate whether digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) patients in Sri Lanka are different from healthy people.

Methods
A case control study was carried out among CKDu patients (90 males, 90 females) from a CKDu endemic area and gender-matched two control groups; one group from a CKDu endemic region (90 males, 90 females) and another group from a CKDu non-endemic region (90 males, 90 females). Dermatoglyphics were obtained using photographic methods. Both qualitative and quantitative dermatoglyphic variables were defined and analyzed according to standard criteria. Both directional (DA) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) were assessed.

Results
Several qualitative dermatoglyphic variables had significant association with CKDu. The triradii a1 variable was less evident in palms of CKDu cases in both genders when compared to both control groups. The FA of pattern discordance (right vs left hands) between CKDu cases and control group were significant in several digits. The FA of the ridge count was found significant in several digits, and also significant for A-B ridge count and total ridge count.

Conclusion
Based on these results, it is proposed that the mechanisms responsible for the development of CKDu might be associated with those responsible for FA observed in CKDu patients. Accordingly, a diagnostic tool based on FA could be developed for predicting risk prior to the development of CKDu.