bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterisation and mapping of scattered radiation fields in interventional radiology theatres
Authors: Nowak M. , Carbonez P. , Krauss M. , Verdun F. R. , Damet J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe used the Timepix3 hybrid pixel detector technology in order to determine the exposure of medical personnel to ionizing radiation in an interventional radiology room. We measured the energy spectra of the scattered radiation generated by the patient during X-ray image-guided interventional procedures. We performed measurements at different positions and heights within the theatre. We first observed a difference in fluence for each staff member. As expected, we found that the person closest to the X-ray tube is the most exposed while the least exposed staff member is positioned at the patient’s feet. Additionally, we observed a shift in energy from head to toe for practitioners, clearly indicating a non-homogenous energy exposure. The photon counting Timepix3 detector provides a new tool for radiation field characterisation that is easier-to-use and more compact than conventional X-ray spectrometers. The spectral information is particularly valuable for optimising the use of radiation protection gear and improving dosimetry surveillance programs. We also found the device very useful for training purposes to provide awareness and understanding about radiation protection principles among interventional radiology staff.
Climate-induced variability in South Atlantic wave direction over the past three millennia
Authors: Silva A. P. , Klein A. H. F. , Fetter-Filho A. F. H. , Hein C. J. , Méndez F. J. , Broggio M. F. , Dalinghaus C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThrough alteration of wave-generating atmospheric systems, global climate changes play a fundamental role in regional wave climate. However, long-term wave-climate cycles and their associated forcing mechanisms remain poorly constrained, in part due to a relative dearth of highly resolved archives. Here we use the morphology of former shorelines preserved in beach-foredune ridges (BFR) within a protected embayment to reconstruct changes in predominant wave directions in the Subtropical South Atlantic during the last ~ 3000 years. These analyses reveal multi-centennial cycles of oscillation in predominant wave direction in accordance with stronger (weaker) South Atlantic mid- to high-latitudes mean sea-level pressure gradient and zonal westerly winds, favouring wave generation zones in higher (lower) latitudes and consequent southerly (easterly) wave components. We identify the Southern Annular Mode as the primary climate driver responsible for these changes. Long-term variations in interhemispheric surface temperature anomalies coexist with oscillations in wave direction, which indicates the influence of temperature-driven atmospheric teleconnections on wave-generation cycles. These results provide a novel geomorphic proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstructions and present new insights into the role of global multi-decadal to multi-centennial climate variability in controlling coastal-ocean wave climate.
Cellular identity and Ca2+ signaling activity of the non-reproductive GnRH system in the Ciona intestinalis type A (Ciona robusta) larva
Authors: Okawa Nanako , Shimai Kotaro , Ohnishi Kohei , Ohkura Masamichi , Nakai Junichi , Horie Takeo , Kuhara Atsushi , Kusakabe Takehiro G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTunicate larvae have a non-reproductive gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system with multiple ligands and receptor heterodimerization enabling complex regulation. In Ciona intestinalis type A larvae, one of the gnrh genes, gnrh2, is conspicuously expressed in the motor ganglion and nerve cord, which are homologous structures to the hindbrain and spinal cord, respectively, of vertebrates. The gnrh2 gene is also expressed in the proto-placodal sensory neurons, which are the proposed homologue of vertebrate olfactory neurons. Tunicate larvae occupy a non-reproductive dispersal stage, yet the role of their GnRH system remains elusive. In this study, we investigated neuronal types of gnrh2-expressing cells in Ciona larvae and visualized the activity of these cells by fluorescence imaging using a calcium sensor protein. Some cholinergic neurons and dopaminergic cells express gnrh2, suggesting that GnRH plays a role in controlling swimming behavior. However, none of the gnrh2-expressing cells overlap with glycinergic or GABAergic neurons. A role in motor control is also suggested by a relationship between the activity of gnrh2-expressing cells and tail movements. Interestingly, gnrh2-positive ependymal cells in the nerve cord, known as a kind of glia cells, actively produced Ca2+ transients, suggesting that active intercellular signaling occurs in the glia cells of the nerve cord.
Evaluating genotype imputation pipeline for ultra-low coverage ancient genomes
Authors: Hui Ruoyun , D’Atanasio Eugenia , Cassidy Lara M. , Scheib Christiana L. , Kivisild Toomas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAlthough ancient DNA data have become increasingly more important in studies about past populations, it is often not feasible or practical to obtain high coverage genomes from poorly preserved samples. While methods of accurate genotype imputation from > 1 × coverage data have recently become a routine, a large proportion of ancient samples remain unusable for downstream analyses due to their low coverage. Here, we evaluate a two-step pipeline for the imputation of common variants in ancient genomes at 0.05–1 × coverage. We use the genotype likelihood input mode in Beagle and filter for confident genotypes as the input to impute missing genotypes. This procedure, when tested on ancient genomes, outperforms a single-step imputation from genotype likelihoods, suggesting that current genotype callers do not fully account for errors in ancient sequences and additional quality controls can be beneficial. We compared the effect of various genotype likelihood calling methods, post-calling, pre-imputation and post-imputation filters, different reference panels, as well as different imputation tools. In a Neolithic Hungarian genome, we obtain ~ 90% imputation accuracy for heterozygous common variants at coverage 0.05 × and > 97% accuracy at coverage 0.5 ×. We show that imputation can mitigate, though not eliminate reference bias in ultra-low coverage ancient genomes.
Engineering a vector-based pan-Leishmania vaccine for humans: proof of principle
Authors: Cecílio Pedro , Oristian James , Meneses Claudio , Serafim Tiago D. , Valenzuela Jesus G. , Cordeiro da Silva Anabela , Oliveira Fabiano 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLeishmaniasis is a spectrum of diseases transmitted by sand fly vectors that deposit Leishmania spp. parasites in the host skin during blood feeding. Currently, available treatment options are limited, associated with high toxicity and emerging resistance. Even though a vaccine for human leishmaniasis is considered an achievable goal, to date we still do not have one available, a consequence (amongst other factors) of a lack of pre-clinical to clinical translatability. Pre-exposure to uninfected sand fly bites or immunization with defined sand fly salivary proteins was shown to negatively impact infection. Still, cross-protection reports are rare and dependent on the phylogenetic proximity of the sand fly species, meaning that the applicability of a sand fly saliva-based vaccine will be limited to a defined geography, one parasite species and one form of leishmaniasis. As a proof of principle of a future vector saliva-based pan-Leishmania vaccine, we engineered through a reverse vaccinology approach that maximizes translation to humans, a fusion protein consisting of immunogenic portions of PdSP15 and LJL143, sand fly salivary proteins demonstrated as potential vaccine candidates against cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. The in silico analysis was validated ex vivo, through T cell proliferation experiments, proving that the fusion protein (administered as a DNA vaccine) maintained the immunogenicity of both PdSP15 and LJL143. Additionally, while no significant effect was detected in the context of L. major transmission by P. duboscqi, this DNA vaccine was defined as partially protective, in the context of L. major transmission by L. longipalpis sand flies. Importantly, a high IFNγ response alone was not enough to confer protection, that mainly correlated with low T cell mediated Leishmania-specific IL-4 and IL-10 responses, and consequently with high pro/anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios. Overall our immunogenicity data suggests that to design a potentially safe vector-based pan-Leishmania vaccine, without geographic restrictions and against all forms of leishmaniasis is an achievable goal. This is why we propose our approach as a proof-of principle, perhaps not only applicable to the anti-Leishmania vector-based vaccines’ field, but also to other branches of knowledge that require the design of multi-epitope T cell vaccines with a higher potential for translation.
N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine enhances in vitro pig embryo production and reduces oxidative stress
Authors: Cambra J. M. , Martinez C. A. , Rodriguez-Martinez H. , Martinez E. A. , Cuello C. , Gil M. A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of different concentrations (1, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM) of the antioxidantN-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (NMPG), during the culture of in vitro-fertilized porcine oocytes. While the highest concentrations of NMPG (50 and 100 µM) were toxic to the developing embryos during the first two days of culture, 25 µM NMPG achieved cleavage rates that were similar to those achieved by the control but did not sustain blastocyst production by Day 7 of culture. Compared to the control culture medium, the culture medium supplemented with 10 µM NMPG increased (P < 0.05) the rates of blastocyst formation, decreased (P < 0.05) the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen substances, and downregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of the oxidative stress related gene GPX1. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that supplementation of porcine embryo culture medium with 10 µM NMPG can attenuate oxidative stress and increase the yield of in vitro production of blastocysts.
Female-to-male sex conversion in Ceratitis capitata by CRISPR/Cas9 HDR-induced point mutations in the sex determination gene transformer-2
Authors: Aumann Roswitha A. , Häcker Irina , Schetelig Marc F. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is based on the mass release of sterilized male insects to reduce the pest population size via infertile mating. Critical for all SIT programs is a conditional sexing strain to enable the cost-effective production of male-only populations. Compared to current female-elimination strategies based on killing or sex sorting, generating male-only offspring via sex conversion would be economically beneficial by doubling the male output. Temperature-sensitive mutations known from the D. melanogaster transformer-2 gene (tra2ts) induce sex conversion at restrictive temperatures, while regular breeding of mutant strains is possible at permissive temperatures. Since tra2 is a conserved sex determination gene in many Diptera, including the major agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata, it is a promising candidate for the creation of a conditional sex conversion strategy in this Tephritid. Here, CRISPR/Cas9 homology-directed repair was used to induce the D. melanogaster-specific tra2ts SNPs in Cctra2. 100% female to male conversion was successfully achieved in flies homozygous for the tra2ts2 mutation. However, it was not possible, to identify a permissive temperature for the mutation allowing the rearing of a tra2ts2 homozygous line, as lowering the temperature below 18.5 °C interferes with regular breeding of the flies.
Correlation between executive function and quantitative EEG in patients with anxiety by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework
Authors: Bong Su Hyun , Choi Tae Young , Kim Kyoung Min , Lee Jaewon , Kim Jun Won 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project was proposed by the National Institute of Mental Health in 2010 to create a new diagnostic system including symptoms and data from genetics, neuroscience, physiology, and self-reports. The purpose of this study was to determine the link between anxiety and executive functions through quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) based on the RDoC system. Nineteen-channel EEGs were recorded at the psychiatric clinic from 41 patients with symptoms of anxiety. The EEG power spectra were analysed. The Executive Intelligence Test (EXIT) including the K-WAIS-IV, Stroop, controlled oral word association, and the design fluency tests were performed. A partial, inversed, and significant association was observed between executive intelligence quotient (EIQ) and the absolute delta power in the central region. Similarly, a partial, inversed, and significant association was observed between design fluency and the absolute delta power in the left parietal area. Our findings suggest that the increase in delta power in the central region and left P3 was negatively correlated with the decrease in executive function. It is expected that the absolute delta power plays a specific role in the task-negative default mode network in the relationship between anxiety and executive function.
Numerical study of a highly efficient light trapping nanostructure of perovskite solar cell on a textured silicon substrate
Authors: Tooghi Alireza , Fathi Davood , Eskandari Mehdi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a nanostructured perovskite solar cell (PSC) on a textured silicon substrate is examined, and its performance is analyzed. First, its configuration and the simulated unit cell are discussed, and its fabrication method is explained. In this proposed structure, poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used instead of glass. It is shown that the use of PDMS dramatically reduces the reflection from the cell surface. Furthermore, the light absorption is found to be greatly increased due to the light trapping and plasmonic enhancement of the electric field in the active layer. Then, three different structures, are compared with the main proposed structure in terms of absorption, considering the imperfect fabrication conditions and the characteristics of the built PSC. The findings show that in the worst fabrication conditions considered structure (FCCS), short-circuit current density (Jsc) is 22.28 mA/cm2, which is 27% higher than that of the planar structure with a value of 17.51 mA/cm2. As a result, the efficiencies of these FCCSs are significant as well. In the main proposed structure, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is observed to be improved by 32%, from 13.86% for the planar structure to 18.29%.
The impact of rising sea temperatures on an Arctic top predator, the narwhal
Authors: Chambault P. , Tervo O. M. , Garde E. , Hansen R. G. , Blackwell S. B. , Williams T. M. , Dietz R. , Albertsen C. M. , Laidre K. L. , Nielsen N. H. , Richard P. , Sinding M. H. S. , Schmidt H. C. , Heide-Jørgensen M. P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractArctic top predators are expected to be impacted by increasing temperatures associated with climate change, but the relationship between increasing sea temperatures and population dynamics of Arctic cetaceans remains largely unexplored. Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are considered to be among the most sensitive of Arctic endemic marine mammals to climate change due to their limited prey selection, strict migratory patterns and high site fidelity. In the context of climate change, we assume that the population dynamics of narwhals are partly influenced by changes in environmental conditions, with warm areas of increasing sea temperatures having lower abundance of narwhals. Using a unique large dataset of 144 satellite tracked narwhals, sea surface temperature (SST) data spanning 25 years (1993–2018) and narwhal abundance estimates from 17 localities, we (1) assessed the thermal exposure of this species, (2) investigated the SST trends at the summer foraging grounds, and (3) assessed the relationship between SST and abundance of narwhals. We showed a sharp SST increase in Northwest, Mideast and Southeast Greenland, whereas no change could be detected in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) and in the Greenland Sea. The rising sea temperatures were correlated with the smallest narwhal abundance observed in the Mideast and Southeast Greenland (< 2000 individuals), where the mean summer sea temperatures were the highest (6.3 °C) compared to the cold waters of the CAA (0.7 °C) that were associated with the largest narwhal populations (> 40,000 individuals). These results support the hypothesis that warming ocean waters will restrict the habitat range of the narwhal, further suggesting that narwhals from Mideast and Southeast Greenland may be under pressure to abandon their traditional habitats due to ocean warming, and consequently either migrate further North or locally go extinct.
Monitoring of tumor growth and vascularization with repetitive ultrasonography in the chicken chorioallantoic-membrane-assay
Authors: Eckrich Jonas , Kugler Philipp , Buhr Christoph Raphael , Ernst Benjamin Philipp , Mendler Simone , Baumgart Jan , Brieger Juergen , Wiesmann Nadine 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe chorioallantoic-membrane (CAM)-assay is an established model for in vivo tumor research. Contrary to rodent-xenograft-models, the CAM-assay does not require breeding of immunodeficient strains due to native immunodeficiency. This allows xenografts to grow on the non-innervated CAM without pain or impairment for the embryo. Considering multidirectional tumor growth, limited monitoring capability of tumor size is the main methodological limitation of the CAM-assay for tumor research. Enclosure of the tumor by the radiopaque eggshell and the small structural size only allows monitoring from above and challenges established imaging techniques. We report the eligibility of ultrasonography for repetitive visualization of tumor growth and vascularization in the CAM-assay. After tumor ingrowth, ultrasonography was repetitively performed in ovo using a commercial ultrasonographic scanner. Finally, the tumor was excised and histologically analyzed. Tumor growth and angiogenesis were successfully monitored and findings in ultrasonographic imaging significantly correlated with results obtained in histological analysis. Ultrasonography is cost efficient and widely available. Tumor imaging in ovo enables the longitudinal monitoring of tumoral development, yet allowing high quantitative output due to the CAM-assays simple and cheap methodology. Thus, this methodological novelty improves reproducibility in the field of in vivo tumor experimentation emphasizing the CAM-assay as an alternative to rodent-xenograft-models.
A sciaenid swim bladder with long skinny fingers produces sound with an unusual frequency spectrum
Authors: Mok Hin-Kiu , Wu Shih-Chia , Sirisuary Soranuth , Fine Michael L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSwim bladders in sciaenid fishes function in hearing in some and sound production in almost all species. Sciaenid swim bladders vary from simple carrot-shaped to two-chambered to possessing various diverticula. Diverticula that terminate close to the ears improve hearing. Other unusual diverticula heading in a caudal direction have not been studied. The fresh-water Asian speciesBoesemania microlepishas an unusual swim bladder with a slightly restricted anterior region and 6 long-slender caudally-directed diverticula bilaterally. We hypothesized that these diverticula modify sound spectra. Evening advertisement calls consist of a series of multicycle tonal pulses, but the fundamental frequency and first several harmonics are missing or attenuated, and peak frequencies are high, varying between < 1–2 kHz. The fundamental frequency is reflected in the pulse repetition rate and in ripples on the frequency spectrum but not in the number of cycles within a pulse. We suggest that diverticula function as Helmholz absorbers turning the swim bladder into a high-pass filter responsible for the absence of low frequencies typically present in sciaenid calls. Further, we hypothesize that the multicycle pulses are driven by the stretched aponeuroses (flat tendons that connect the sonic muscles to the swim bladder) in this and other sciaenids.
Hounsfield unit attenuation value can differentiate pyonephrosis from hydronephrosis and predict septic complications in patients with obstructive uropathy
Authors: Boeri Luca , Fulgheri Irene , Palmisano Franco , Lievore Elena , Lorusso Vito , Ripa Francesco , D’Amico Mario , Spinelli Matteo Giulio , Salonia Andrea , Carrafiello Gianpaolo , Montanari Emanuele 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe aimed to assess the role of computerized tomography attenuation values (Hounsfield unit—HU) for differentiating pyonephrosis from hydronephrosis and for predicting postoperative infectious complications in patients with obstructive uropathy. We analysed data from 122 patients who underwent nephrostomy tube or ureteral catheter placement for obstructive uropathy. A radiologist drew the region of interest for quantitative measurement of the HU values in the hydronephrotic region of the affected kidney. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models tested the predictive value of HU determination in differentiating pyonephrosis from hydronephrosis and in predicting postoperative sepsis. A HU cut-off value of 6.3 could diagnose the presence of pyonephrosis with 71.6% sensitivity and 71.5% specificity (AUC 0.76; 95%CI: 0.66–0.85). At multivariable logistic regression analysis HU ≥ 6.3 (p ≤ 0.001) was independently associated with pyonephrosis. Patients who developed sepsis had higher HU values (p ≤ 0.001) than those without sepsis. A HU cut-off value of 7.3 could diagnose the presence of sepsis with 76.5% sensitivity and 74.3% specificity (AUC 0.79; 95%CI: 0.71–0.90). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, HU ≥ 7.3 (p ≤ 0.001) was independently associated with sepsis, after accounting for clinical and laboratory parameters. Measuring HU values of the fluid of the dilated collecting system may be useful to differentiate pyonephrosis from hydronephrosis and to predict septic complications in patients with obstructive uropathy.
Automated synthesis and preliminary evaluation of [18F]FDPA for cardiac inflammation imaging in rats after myocardial infarction
Authors: Mou Tiantian , Tian Jing , Tian Yi , Yun Mingkai , Li Junqi , Dong Wei , Lu Xia , Zhu Ziwei , Mi Hongzhi , Zhang Xiaoli , Li Xiang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA translocator protein 18 kDa targeted radiotracer, N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-[18F]fluorophenyl)-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-3-yl) acetamide ([18F]FDPA), was automated synthetized and evaluated for cardiac inflammation imaging. Various reaction conditions for an automated synthesis were systematically optimized. MicroPET/CT imaging were performed on normal rats and rats with myocardial infarction (MI). Normalized SUV ratios of [18F]FDPA to [13N]NH3 (NSRs) in different regions were calculated to normalize the uptake of [18F]FDPA to perfusion. The amount of TBAOMs and the volume/proportion of water were crucial for synthesis. After optimization, the total synthesis time was 68 min. The non-decay corrected radiochemical yields (RCYs) and molar activities were 19.9 ± 1.7% and 169.7 ± 46.5 GBq/μmol, respectively. In normal rats, [18F]FDPA showed a high and stable cardiac uptake and fast clearance from other organs. In MI rats, NSRs in the peri-infarct and infarct regions, which were infiltrated with massive inflammatory cells revealed by pathology, were higher than that in the remote region (1.20 ± 0.01 and 1.08 ± 0.10 vs. 0.89 ± 0.05, respectively). [18F]FDPA was automated synthesized with high RCYs and molar activities. It showed a high uptake in inflammation regions and offered a wide time window for cardiac imaging, indicating it could be a potential cardiac inflammation imaging agent.