bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating Visual Field Mean Deviation using Optical Coherence Tomographic Nerve Fiber Layer Measurements in Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Tan Ou , Greenfield David S. , Francis Brian A. , Varma Rohit , Schuman Joel S. , Huang David 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTo construct an optical coherence tomography (OCT) nerve fiber layer (NFL) parameter that has maximal correlation and agreement with visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD). The NFL_MD parameter in dB scale was calculated from the peripapillary NFL thickness profile nonlinear transformation and VF area-weighted averaging. From the Advanced Imaging for Glaucoma study, 245 normal, 420 pre-perimetric glaucoma (PPG), and 289 perimetric glaucoma (PG) eyes were selected. NFL_MD had significantly higher correlation (Pearson R: 0.68 vs 0.55, p < 0.001) with VF_MD than the overall NFL thickness. NFL_MD also had significantly higher sensitivity in detecting PPG (0.14 vs 0.08) and PG (0.60 vs 0.43) at the 99% specificity level. NFL_MD had better reproducibility than VF_MD (0.35 vs 0.69 dB, p < 0.001). The differences between NFL_MD and VF_MD were −0.34 ± 1.71 dB, −0.01 ± 2.08 dB and 3.54 ± 3.18 dB and 7.17 ± 2.68 dB for PPG, early PG, moderate PG, and severe PG subgroups, respectively. In summary, OCT-based NFL_MD has better correlation with VF_MD and greater diagnostic sensitivity than the average NFL thickness. It has better reproducibility than VF_MD, which may be advantageous in detecting progression. It agrees well with VF_MD in early glaucoma but underestimates damage in moderate~advanced stages.
Development and performance verification of a 3-D position-sensitive Compton camera for imaging MeV gamma rays
Authors: Hosokoshi Hiroki , Kataoka Jun , Mochizuki Saku , Yoneyama Masaki , Ito Soichiro , Kiji Hiroaki , Nishi Fumiya , Miyamoto Shuji , Shima Tatsushi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn gamma-ray astronomy, the 1–10 MeV range is one of the most challenging energy bands to observe owing to low photon signals and a considerable amount of background contamination. This energy band, however, comprises a substantial number of nuclear gamma-ray lines that may hold the key to understanding the nucleosynthesis at the core of stars, spatial distribution of cosmic rays, and interstellar medium. Although several studies have attempted to improve observation of this energy window, development of a detector for astronomy has not progressed since NASA launched the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) in 1991. In this work, we first developed a prototype 3-D position-sensitive Compton camera (3D-PSCC), and then conducted a performance verification at NewSUBARU, Hyogo in Japan. To mimic the situation of astronomical observation, we used a MeV gamma-ray beam produced by laser inverse Compton scattering. As a result, we obtained sharp peak images of incident gamma rays irradiating from incident angles of 0° and 20°. The angular resolution of the prototype 3D-PSCC was measured by the Angular Resolution Measure and estimated to be 3.4° ± 0.1° (full width at half maximum (FWHM)) at 1.7 MeV and 4.0° ± 0.5° (FWHM) at 3.9 MeV. Subsequently, we conceived a new geometry of the 3D-PSCC optimized for future astronomical observations, assuming a 50-kg class small satellite mission. The SΩ of the 3D-PSCC is 11 cm2sr, anticipated at 1 MeV, which is small but provides an interesting possibility to observe bright gamma-ray sources owing to the high intrinsic efficiency and large field of view (FoV).
Association between peripapillary scleral deformation and choroidal microvascular circulation in glaucoma
Authors: Shin Da Young , Jeon Soo Ji , Kim Eun Kyoung , Jung Kyoung In , Park Hae Young Lopilly , Park Chan Kee 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPeripapillary vessel density, which is reduced in eyes with glaucoma, has been proposed as a diagnostic tool for the desease and peripapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout(MvD) is considered one of pathophysiological manifestation of glaucomatous damage. However, little is known about the underlying pathogenic mechanism of dropout. According to recent studies, MvD is associated with structural changes in ONH structures. Therefore, we investigated the association between peripapillary scleral deformation and MvD. Data from 62 open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes with MvD and 36 eyes without MvD were analyzed in this study. And eyes with MvD were classified into two groups based on location: a juxtapapillary group and a non-juxtapapillary group for further analysis. More eyes with MvD had focal scleral deformation than did those without MvD (64.5% versus 2.8%; P < 0.001). Peripapillary choroidal thickness and focal scleral deformation were significantly associated with MvD. And juxtapapillary group was more associated with focal scleral deformation and coincidental RNFL defects than non-juxtapapillary groups. Peripapillary choroidal MvD was associated with the presence of scleral deformation, especially with juxtapapillary MvD, which was related to corresponding RNFL defects.
Structural and biochemical basis of the formation of isoaspartate in the complementarity-determining region of antibody 64M-5 Fab
Authors: Yokoyama Hideshi , Mizutani Ryuta , Noguchi Shuji , Hayashida Naoki 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe formation of the isoaspartate (isoAsp) is one of spontaneous degradation processes of proteins, affecting their stability and activity. Here, we report for the first time the crystal structures of an antibody Fab that contains isoAsp in the complementarity-determining region (CDR), along with biochemical studies to detect isoAsp. By comparing the elution profiles of cation-exchange chromatography, it was clarified that the antibody 64M-5 Fab is converted from the normal form to isoAsp form spontaneously and time-dependently under physiological conditions. The isoAsp residue was identified with tryptic peptide mapping, N-terminal sequencing, and the protein isoaspartyl methyltransferase assay. Based on the fluorescence quenching method, the isoAsp form of 64M-5 Fab shows a one order of magnitude lower binding constant for its dinucleotide ligand dT(6–4)T than the normal form. According to the structure of the isoAsp form, the conformation of CDR L1 is changed from the normal form to isoAsp form; the loss of hydrogen bonds involving the Asn28L side-chain, and structural conversion of the β-turn from type I to type II’. The formation of isoAsp leads to a large displacement of the side chain of His27dL, and decreased electrostatic interactions with the phosphate group of dT(6–4)T. Such structural changes should be responsible for the lower affinity of the isoAsp form for dT(6–4)T than the normal form. These findings may provide insight into neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and related diseases caused by misfolded proteins.
Early postnatal cardiac manifestations are associated with perinatal brain injury in preterm infants with twin to twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Cho Hannah , Shin Seung Han , Jun Jong Kwan , Shin Seung Hyun , Kim Yoo-Jin , Kim Seh Hyun , Kim Ee-Kyung , Kim Han-Suk 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAltered hemodynamics associated with twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) can be manifested in the fetal and neonatal heart. This study evaluated the association between cardiac manifestations immediately after birth and brain injury in preterm infants with TTTS. Medical records of preterm infants who were born at <35 weeks of gestation with TTTS and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Seoul National University Children’s Hospital between January 2011 and January 2018 were reviewed. TTTS was prenatally diagnosed and staged according to the Quintero criteria. Echocardiographic findings, brain ultrasound and MRI imaging findings were analyzed. Fifty-three infants were enrolled in this study. Thirty-two infants (60.3%) were treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation. Brain injury developed in 15 infants (28.3%). Hypotension within the first week and immediate postnatal cardiac manifestations were more prevalent in the brain injury group. In the multivariate analysis, acute kidney injury and cardiac manifestations, such as ventricular dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation, were statistically associated with brain injury in the study population. Immediate postnatal cardiac manifestations, such as ventricular dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation, can serve as surrogate markers for perinatal hemodynamic disturbance, which are associated with early neonatal brain injury in preterm infants with TTTS.
Chronic Disease Onset Among People Living with HIV and AIDS in a Large Private Insurance Claims Dataset
Authors: Yang Hsin-Yun , Beymer Matthew R. , Suen Sze-chuan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPeople living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have a growing life expectancy in the US due to early provision of effective antiretroviral treatment. This has resulted in increasing exposure to age-related chronic illness that may be exacerbated by HIV/AIDS or antiretroviral treatment. Prior work has suggested that PLWHA may be subject to accelerated aging, with earlier onset and higher risk of acquiring many chronic illnesses. However, the magnitude of these effects, controlling for chronic co-morbidities, has not been fully quantified. We evaluate the magnitude of association of HIV infection on developing chronic conditions while controlling for demographics, behavioral risk factors, and chronic comorbidities. We compare chronic disease risks of diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancers, lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cognitive impairment between PLWHA and HIV- individuals in a large, de-identified private insurance claims dataset (~24,000 PLWHA) using logistic regressions. HIV status is statistically significantly associated with higher levels for all chronic illnesses examined, a result which is robust to multiple model specifications and duration of analysis (2, 5, and 10 years from enrollment). Our results suggest that PLWHA may be at elevated risk for a wide variety of chronic illnesses and may require additional care as the aging PLWHA population grows.
Improved Visualization of the Necrotic Zone after Microwave Ablation Using Computed Tomography Volume Perfusion in an In Vivo Porcine Model
Authors: Bressem Keno K. , Vahldiek Janis L. , Erxleben Christoph , Shnayien Seyd , Poch Franz , Geyer Beatrice , Lehmann Kai S. , Hamm B. , Niehues Stefan M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAfter hepatic microwave ablation, the differentiation between fully necrotic and persistent vital tissue through contrast enhanced CT remains a clinical challenge. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate new imaging modalities, such as CT perfusion (CTP) to improve the visualization of coagulation necrosis. MWA and CTP were prospectively performed in five healthy pigs. After the procedure, the pigs were euthanized, and the livers explanted. Orthogonal histological slices of the ablations were stained with a vital stain, digitalized and the necrotic core was segmented. CTP maps were calculated using a dual-input deconvolution algorithm. The segmented necrotic zones were overlaid on the DICOM images to calculate the accuracy of depiction by CECT/CTP compared to the histological reference standard. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the agreement/true positive rate and disagreement/false discovery rate between CECT/CTP and histology. Standard CECT showed a true positive rate of 81% and a false discovery rate of 52% for display of the coagulation necrosis. Using CTP, delineation of the coagulation necrosis could be improved significantly through the display of hepatic blood volume and hepatic arterial blood flow (p < 0.001). The ratios of true positive rate/false discovery rate were 89%/25% and 90%/50% respectively. Other parameter maps showed an inferior performance compared to CECT.
Polypyrrole-multi walled carbon nanotube hybrid material
supported Pt NPs for hydrogen evolution from the hydrolysis of MeAB at mild
conditions
Authors: Karatas Yasar , Kuyuldar Esra , Acidereli Hilal , Gulcan Mehmet , Sen Fatih 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHerein, we report a facile method for the preparation of
polypyrrole-multi walled carbon nanotube hybrid material including Pt nanoparticles
(Pt@PPy-MWCNT NPs) and the use in methylamine borane (MeAB) for hydrolysis reaction
at mild conditions. The prepared catalyst of Pt@PPy-MWCNT NPs was characterized by
some advanced analytical methods. The catalytic experiments showed the Pt@PPy-MWCNT
NPs can catalyze MeAB in aquatic solution with high catalytical performance at mild
conditions. The reaction rate of catalytic hydrolysis with Pt@PPy-MWCNT NPs was
found to be
-d[CH3NH2BH3]/dt = + d[H2]/3dt = kobs[Pt@PPy-MWCNT]1.19
[MeAB]0.88. The TOF value for the hydrolysis of MeAB
catalyzed with Pt@PPy-MWCNT NPs was detected to be 10234.2 1/h (170.57 1/min) which
is very high compared with TOF values found for other catalysts. Enthalpy, entropy
and activation energy for the hydrolysis of MeAB were calculated to be
31.57 kJ mol−1,
−119.97 J mol−1 K and
34.27 kJ mol−1, respectively.
Estimating non-additive within-season temperature effects on maize yields using Bayesian approaches
Authors: Yu Jisang , Goh Gyuhyeong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDetrimental impacts of extreme heats on the U.S. crop yields have been well-documented by a number of empirical studies. However, less have focused on within-growing season weather variation and the interaction between temperature and precipitation. The objective of this study is to emphasize the importance of disaggregating temperature exposures within growing season. To achieve our objective, we estimate the impact of within-season monthly temperature and precipitation variations on maize yields in the U.S. corn belt region. We provide a discussion on variable selection methods in the context of estimating crop yield responses to climate variables. We find that the models that utilize within-growing season monthly variations performs better compared to the models with growing season aggregated weather variables and show the strength of Bayesian estimations. We also find that the warming impacts predicted by the models that utilize within-growing season variations are smaller than the predicted impacts of the models with aggregated weather variables. The findings indicate that the temperature effects are not additive across months within growing season.
Eugenol prevents fMLF-induced superoxide anion production in human neutrophils by inhibiting ERK1/2 signaling pathway and p47phox phosphorylation
Authors: Chniguir Amina , Pintard Coralie , Liu Dan , Dang Pham My-Chan , El-Benna Jamel , Bachoual Rafik 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEugenol is a polyphenol extracted from Syzygium aromaticum essential oil. It is known to have anti-inflammatory and chemoprotective properties as well as a potent anti-oxidant activity due the presence of its phenolic group. In this study, we examined the effects of eugenol on neutrophil superoxide production, a key process involved in innate immunity and inflammation. Superoxide anion generationin human neutrophils was measured by cytochrome c reduction assay. Western blotting was used to analyze the phosphorylation of, p47phox, MAPKinases (p38 and ERK1/2), MEK1/2 and Raf, key proteins involved in the activation of NADPH oxidase. Pretreatment of neutrophils by increasing concentrations (2.5 µg/mL–20 µg/mL) of eugenol for 30 min, inhibited significantly (p < 0.001) superoxide anion generation induced by the chemotactic peptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF) with an IC50 of 5 µg/mL. Phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated O2− production was affected only at the highest eugenol concentration (20 µg/mL). Results showed that eugenol decreased the phosphorylation of p47phox onSer-345 and Ser-328, the translocation of p47phox to the membranesand the phosphorylation of Raf, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 proteins. Taken together, our results suggest that eugenol inhibits the generation of superoxide anion by neutrophils via the inhibition of Raf/MEK/ERK1/2/p47phox-phosphorylation pathway.
Polymorphisms of MFGE8 are associated with susceptibility and clinical manifestations through gene expression modulation in Koreans with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Baek Wook-Young , Woo Ji-Min , Kim Hyoun-Ah , Jung Ju-Yang , Suh Chang-Hee 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by impaired clearance of apoptotic cells. Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 (MFGE8) is a protein that connects αvβ3 integrin on phagocytic macrophages with phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells. We investigated whether genetic variation of the MFGE8 gene and serum MFGE8 concentration are associated with SLE. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped and serum concentrations were analyzed. The rs2271715 C allele and rs3743388 G allele showed higher frequency in SLE than in healthy subjects (HSs). Three haplotypes were found among 4 SNPs (rs4945, rs1878327, rs2271715, and rs3743388): AACG, CGCG, and CGTC. CGCG haplotype was significantly more common in SLE than in HSs. rs4945 was associated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and rs1878327 was associated with alopecia, C-reactive protein, complement 3, anti-dsDNA antibody, and high disease activity. rs2271715 and rs3743388 were associated with renal disease, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, and cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil use. Serum MFGE8 concentrations were significantly higher in SLE than in HSs. Furthermore, the levels of MFGE8 were significantly higher in SLE than HSs of the rs2271715 CC genotype. In conclusion, MFGE8 genetic polymorphisms are associated not only with susceptibility to SLE but also with disease activity through modulation of gene expression.
Land use change effects on diversity of soil bacterial, Acidobacterial and fungal communities in wetlands of the Sanjiang Plain, northeastern China
Authors: Sui Xin , Zhang Rongtao , Frey Beat , Yang Libin , Li Mai-He , Ni Hongwei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe bacterial, acidobacterial, and fungal communities in wetlands can undergo perturbations by various human activities, such as disturbances caused by cultivation and during the process of system restoration. In this study, we investigated the relationships between the composition of the soil bacterial, acidobacterial, and fungal communities and the transformation of wetlands by human activities in the Sanjiang Plain. Soil microbial communities were assessed in wetland soils collected from pristine marsh, neighboring cropland (wetland turned into arable land), and land that had been reforested with Larix gmelinii. The alpha-diversities of bacteria, Acidobacteria, and fungi were affected by land-use change and were highest in the arable land and lowest in the wetland soils. The soil microbial community structures were also altered with changing land-use. Canonical correlation analyses showed that beta-diversity was significantly affected by soil pH, available phosphorus, soil nitrogen, and total organic carbon. Overall, our results showed that the agricultural cultivation of wetlands changes the available soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus pools, thereby influencing the bacterial, acidobacterial, and fungal diversity and community structure. Once the soil microbial community has been altered by human activity, it might be difficult to restore it to its original state. These findings highlight the importance of effectively maintaining the diversity of soil bacterial, Acidobacterial, and fungal communities despite land use change in order to sustain a microbial community diversity and ecosystem function.
Genetic evidence against monophyly of Oniscidea implies a need to revise scenarios for the origin of terrestrial isopods
Authors: Dimitriou Andreas C. , Taiti Stefano , Sfenthourakis Spyros 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAmong the few crustacean taxa that managed to inhabit terrestrial environments, Oniscidea includes the most successful colonizers in terms of species richness and abundance. However, neither morphological traits nor molecular markers have definitively resolved phylogenetic relationships among major Oniscidea clades or established the monophyly of the taxon. Herein, we employed the highly conserved, nuclear protein-coding genes Sodium-Potassium Pump (NAK) and Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (PEPCK), along with the traditionally used 18 s and 28 s ribosomal RNA genes, in an attempt to clarify these questions. Our dataset included sequences representing all major Oniscidea clades and closely related aquatic taxa, as suggested by previous studies. We applied Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods and produced a robust and fully resolved phylogenetic tree that offers strong evidence against the monophyly of Oniscidea. The amphibious genusLigiaappears to be more closely related to representatives of marine suborders, while the phylogenetic pattern of the remaining Oniscidea implies a complex history of the transition from the marine environment to land. With the exception of the basal clade, all other established major clades have been recovered as monophyletic, even though relationships within these clades call for a revised interpretation of morphological characters used in terrestrial isopod taxonomy.
The origins and implications of glycerol ether lipids in China coastal wetland sediments
Authors: Lü Xiaoxia , Liu Xiaolei , Xu Changgui , Song Jinming , Li Xuegang , Yuan Huamao , Li Ning , Wang Deying , Yuan Hongming , Ye Siyuan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCoastal wetlands are terrestrial-marine transition zones harboring diverse active microbial communities. The origins of diverse glycerol ether lipids preserved in coastal wetlands are rarely investigated. 16 surface sediments were collected from the coastal wetland at Guangrao (GR), Changyi (CY) and Xiamen (XM), where both climate and sedimentary environment show significant differences. Ten groups of glycerol ether lipids, including isoprenoidal and branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (iGDGTs and bGDGTs), isoprenoidal and branched glycerol dialkanol diethers (iGDDs and bGDDs), hydroxylated isoprenoidal GDGTs and GDDs (OH-GDGTs and OH-GDDs), overly branched GDGTs (OB-GDGTs), sparsely branched GDGTs (SB-GDGTs), hybrid isoprenoid/branched GDGTs (IB-GDGTs) and a tentatively assigned H-shaped branched GDGTs (H-B-GDGTs) were detected and quantified. Sediments collected in the north (Guangrao and Changyi) contain, in general, a lower abundance of GDGT (3.7–55.9 ng/g sed) than samples from south (Xiamen; 251–1020 ng/g sed). iGDGTs and bGDGTs are the predominant components at all sites and account for 17.2–74.3% and 16.1–75.1% of total ether lipids, respectively. The relative abundance of iGDGTs decreases but that of bGDGTs increases with the distance from sea, suggesting a marine vs. terrestrial origin of iGDGT and bGDGTs, respectively. In addition, the methylation index (MIOB/B/SB) of branched GDGTs shows a significant inverse correlation with water content, suggesting that marine waters have a major influence on the microbial communities inhabiting wetland sediment. Such an assumption was confirmed by the distinct lipid pattern of three low water content (<5%) samples collected in an area isolated from tidal flushing. The other isoprenoidal ether lipids, such as iGDDs, OH-GDGTs and OH-GDGTs, have a similar distribution as iGDGTs, indicating a common biological source, so do the corresponding non-isoprenoidal ether lipid series with bGDGTs. The BIT value increases with increasing distance from the sea, which implies that the BIT index can be probably applied to trace past sea level change in costal wetland settings. The reconstructed temperature from TEX86 shows significant offset from observed data, but only little deviation for the MBT/CBT calculated temperature. This suggests that the MBT/CBT has the potential to reconstruct past temperatures in coastal wetland settings.