bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human laminin-111 and laminin-211 protein therapy prevents muscle disease progression in an immunodeficient mouse model of LAMA2-CMD
Authors: Barraza-Flores Pamela , Hermann Hailey J. , Bates Christina R. , Allen Tyler G. , Grunert Timothy T. , Burkin Dean J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundLaminin-α2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD) is a devastating genetic disease caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene. These mutations result in progressive muscle wasting and inflammation leading to delayed milestones, and reduced lifespan in affected patients. There is currently no cure or treatment for LAMA2-CMD. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that mouse laminin-111 can serve as an effective protein replacement therapy in a mouse model of LAMA2-CMD.MethodsIn this study, we generated a novel immunocompromised dyWmouse model of LAMA2-CMD to study the role the immune system plays in muscle disease progression. We used this immune-deficient dyWmouse model to test the therapeutic benefits of recombinant human laminin-111 and laminin-211 protein therapy on laminin-α2-deficient muscle disease progression.ResultsWe show that immunodeficient laminin-α2 null mice demonstrate subtle differences in muscle regeneration compared to immunocompetent animals during early disease stages but overall exhibit a comparable muscle disease progression. We found human laminin-111 and laminin-211 could serve as effective protein replacement strategies with mice showing improvements in muscle pathology and function. We observed that human laminin-111 and laminin-211 exhibit differences on satellite and myoblast cell populations and differentially affect muscle repair.ConclusionsThis study describes the generation of a novel immunodeficient mouse model that allows investigation of the role the immune system plays in LAMA2-CMD. This model can be used to assess the therapeutic potential of heterologous therapies that would elicit an immune response. Using this model, we show that recombinant human laminin-111 can serve as effective protein replacement therapy for the treatment of LAMA2-CMD.
Approximation analysis of ontology learning algorithm in linear combination setting
Authors: Gao Wei , Chen Yaojun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn the past ten years, researchers have always attached great importance to the application of ontology to its relevant specific fields. At the same time, applying learning algorithms to many ontology algorithms is also a hot topic. For example, ontology learning technology and knowledge are used in the field of semantic retrieval and machine translation. The field of discovery and information systems can also be integrated with ontology learning techniques. Among several ontology learning tricks, multi-dividing ontology learning is the most popular one which proved to be in high efficiency for the similarity calculation of tree structure ontology. In this work, we study the multi-dividing ontology learning algorithm from the mathematical point of view, and an approximation conclusion is presented under the linear representation assumption. The theoretical result obtained here has constructive meaning for the similarity calculation and concrete engineering applications of tree-shaped ontologies. Finally, linear combination multi-dividing ontology learning is applied to university ontologies and mathematical ontologies, and the experimental results imply that the higher efficiency of the proposed approach in actual applications.
Mechanistic insights into the attenuation of intestinal inflammation and modulation of the gut microbiome by krill oil using in vitro and in vivo models
Authors: Liu Fang , Smith Allen D. , Solano-Aguilar Gloria , Wang Thomas T. Y. , Pham Quynhchi , Beshah Ethiopia , Tang Qingjuan , Urban Joseph F. , Xue Changhu , Li Robert W. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The anti-inflammatory property of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been exploited in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with promising results. However, it remains unclear if PUFA play a significant role in the resolution of inflammation and promotion of mucosal healing. Krill oil (KO) is a natural product rich in PUFA and the potent antioxidant, astaxanthin. In this study, we attempted to understand the mechanisms through which KO modulates the gut microbiome and metabolome using in vitro and in vivo colitis models and a multi-omics based approach.

Results
KO significantly decreased LPS-induced IL1β and TNFα expression in human macrophages in vitro in a dose-dependent manner by regulating a broad spectrum of signaling pathways, including NF-κB and NOD-like receptor signaling, and displayed a synergistic effect with COX2 and IKK2 inhibitors in attenuating inflammatory pathways. Moreover, KO was involved in the resolution of inflammation by promoting M2 polarization and enhancing macrophage-mediated intracellular bacterial killing. Parasite-dependent intestinal mucosal damage and microbial dysbiosis induced by Trichuris suis infection in pigs were partially restored by feeding KO. KO supplementation reduced the abundance of Rickettsiales and several species of Lactobacillus, which were among the important features identified by random forests analysis contributing to classification accuracy for KO supplementation. Several microbial signatures with strong predictive power for the status of both infection and supplementation were identified. The inhibitory effect of KO on histidine metabolism was identified using untargeted metabolomics. KO supplementation reduced several key metabolites related to histamine metabolism by suppressing the expression of a gene encoding l-histidine decarboxylase in the colon mucosa and reducing histamine biosynthesis of microbial origin. Moreover, the pro-resolving properties of KO were validated using a Citrobacter rodentium-induced Th1-dependent colitis murine model. Further, microbial signatures with high prediction accuracy for colitis-related pathophysiological traits were identified in mice.

Conclusion
The findings from this study provided a mechanistic basis for optimizing microbiome-inspired alternative therapeutics in the management of IBD. The microbial signatures identified, particularly those with strong predictive accuracy for colitis phenotypes, will facilitate the development of biomarkers associated with appropriate dietary intervention to manage intestinal inflammation.
Earth microbial co-occurrence network reveals interconnection pattern across microbiomes
Authors: Ma Bin , Wang Yiling , Ye Shudi , Liu Shan , Stirling Erinne , Gilbert Jack A. , Faust Karoline , Knight Rob , Jansson Janet K. , Cardona Cesar , Röttjers Lisa , Xu Jianming 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Microbial interactions shape the structure and function of microbial communities; microbial co-occurrence networks in specific environments have been widely developed to explore these complex systems, but their interconnection pattern across microbiomes in various environments at the global scale remains unexplored. Here, we have inferred an Earth microbial co-occurrence network from a communal catalog with 23,595 samples and 12,646 exact sequence variants from 14 environments in the Earth Microbiome Project dataset.

Results
This non-random scale-free Earth microbial co-occurrence network consisted of 8 taxonomy distinct modules linked with different environments, which featured environment specific microbial co-occurrence relationships. Different topological features of subnetworks inferred from datasets trimmed into uniform size indicate distinct co-occurrence patterns in the microbiomes of various environments. The high number of specialist edges highlights that environmental specific co-occurrence relationships are essential features across microbiomes. The microbiomes of various environments were clustered into two groups, which were mainly bridged by the microbiomes of plant and animal surface. Acidobacteria Gp2 and Nisaea were identified as hubs in most of subnetworks. Negative edges proportions ranged from 1.9% in the soil subnetwork to 48.9% the non-saline surface subnetwork, suggesting various environments experience distinct intensities of competition or niche differentiation.

Conclusion
This investigation highlights the interconnection patterns across microbiomes in various environments and emphasizes the importance of understanding co-occurrence feature of microbiomes from a network perspective.
Effect of aerosolized nicotine on human bronchial epithelial cells is amplified after co-administration with cannabidiol (CBD): a pilot in vitro study
Authors: Leigh Noel J. , Goniewicz Maciej L. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Population-based studies suggest increasing rates of concurrent use of vaping products that contain either nicotine or cannabinoids. The aim of this pilot study was to test in vitro the acute inhalation toxicity of vaporized flavored and unflavored nicotine solutions co-administered with cannabidiol (CBD).

Methods
Bronchial epithelial cells (H292) were exposed directly to aerosol generated from electronic cigarettes refilled with propylene glycol only, unflavored nicotine solutions in propylene glycol with and without CBD, as well as to solutions containing only CBD. Cells were also exposed to a commercially available flavored solution containing nicotine and CBD. The in vitro toxicological effects were assessed after exposure using the following methods: 1) a trypan blue exclusion assay (cell viability), 2) neutral red uptake assay (metabolic activity) and 3) ELISA (concentrations of inflammatory mediators).

Results
Unflavored solution containing only CBD was significantly more cytotoxic than unflavored solution containing only nicotine. Unflavored solution containing both CBD and nicotine was significantly more cytotoxic than unflavored solutions with only nicotine. Levels of released cytokines were significantly higher when cells were co-exposed to nicotine and CBD as compared to cells exposed to only nicotine or only CBD. Overall, flavored products showed increased toxicity as compared to unflavored solutions.

Conclusions
This pilot in vitro study suggests independent and additive toxic effects of vaporized nicotine and CBD. Observed toxic effects are accentuated by flavorings. Future studies are needed to determine the potential long-term health consequences of concurrent use of vaporized nicotine and cannabis products.
Image-based metric heritage modeling in the near-infrared spectrum
Authors: Adamopoulos Efstathios , Bovero Alessandro , Rinaudo Fulvio 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Digital photogrammetry and spectral imaging are widely used in heritage sciences towards the comprehensive recording, understanding, and protection of historical artifacts and artworks. The availability of consumer-grade modified cameras for spectral acquisition, as an alternative to expensive multispectral sensors and multi-sensor apparatuses, along with semi-automatic software implementations of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and Multiple-View-Stereo (MVS) algorithms, has made more feasible than ever the combination of those techniques. In the research presented here, the authors assess image-based modeling from near-infrared (NIR) imagery acquired with modified consumer-grade cameras, with applications on tangible heritage. Three-dimensional (3D) meshes, textured with the non-visible data, are produced and evaluated. Specifically, metric evaluations are conducted through extensive comparisons with models produced with image-based modeling from visible (VIS) imagery and with structured light scanning, to check the accuracy of results. Furthermore, the authors observe and discuss, how the implemented NIR modeling approach, affects the surface of the reconstructed models, and may counteract specific problems which arise from lighting conditions during VIS acquisition. The radiometric properties of the produced results are evaluated, in comparison to the respective results in the visible spectrum, on the capacity to enhance observation towards the characterization of the surface and under-surface state of preservation, and consequently, to support conservation interventions.
Subtle sexual plumage color dimorphism and size dimorphism in a South American colonial breeder, the Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
Authors: Morales Macarena , Gigena Deysi J. , Benitez-Vieyra Santiago M. , Valdez Diego J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundParrots (Psittacidae Family) are one of the most colorful groups of birds in the world, their colors produced both structurally and via unusual pigments (psittacofulvins). Most species are considered to be monogamous, and many have been viewed historically as sexually monomorphic and monochromatic. However, studies using morphometric analysis and spectrophotometric techniques have revealed sexual size dimorphism and also sexual plumage color dimorphism among some species. The Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), a native parrot of South America, is an interesting species for the study of plumage coloration and size since it is considered sexually monochromatic and monomorphic. Furthermore, recent studies show that the Monk Parakeet has extra-bond paternity behavior and even breeding trios, which suggests that sexual selection may play an important role in this species, and that it might have sexually dimorphic plumage (albeit imperceptible by humans) and be dimorphic in size.MethodsFor the determination of plumage color we used spectrophotometry in the range of avian vision (300‒700 nm) and performed a morphological analysis.ResultsOur spectrophotometric results indicate that the Monk Parakeet shows subtle sexual plumage color dimorphism in three (crown, nape and wing) out of twelve body regions. Similarly, our morphometric analysis showed that there are subtle sex differences in body size (bill and weight).ConclusionsAlthough the Monk Parakeet shows extra-bond paternity and breeding trio behaviors which could increase sexual dimorphism, these behaviors occur among highly related individuals; perhaps the high rate of inbreeding is responsible for the attenuation of sexual plumage color dimorphism and sex differences in body size observed.
Hepatoprotective potentials of Acridocarpus orientalis in mice
Authors: Lotfy Mohamed , Al-Hammadi Rasheed , Palakkott Abdul Rasheed , Yasin Javed , Al-Hammadi Suleiman , Ksiksi Taoufik 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Overdose of paracetamol affects liver cells leading to cell death. This is done through hepatic necrosis, which is characterized by a rupture of the plasma membrane. A variety of investigations has been conducted using herbal extracts to assess liver toxicity induced by paracetamol. Here we examined herbal plant species, Acridocarpus orientalis (A. orientalis), ethanolic extract to study its potential to protect against hepatotoxicity in mice. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) enzymes were estimated for all mice groups. A phytochemical screening was also conducted.

Results
Phytochemical screening showed that A. orientalis contains flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates and phenolics derivatives. A. orientalis pretreatment showed significant reduction of liver marker enzymes ALT and AST in almost all concentrations. Furthermore, serum GSH levels were significantly increased in A. orientalis pretreated mice groups. In addition, a reduction in liver weights in pretreated mice with A. orientalis showed significant weight loss at dose 250 mg/kg BW (P < 0.05). Moreover, the histological liver analysis showed near normal restoration of liver architecture in A. orientalis pretreated mice.

Conclusion
pretreatment with A. orientalis protects mice against heplatotoxic adverse effects of paracetamol as indicated by reduction of serum ALT and AST enzymes, with elevation of GSH antioxidant protective enzyme, which may have contributed to the main hepatoprotective action of A. orientalis.
Encoding candlesticks as images for pattern classification using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Chen Jun-Hao , Tsai Yun-Cheng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCandlestick charts display the high, low, opening, and closing prices in a specific period. Candlestick patterns emerge because human actions and reactions are patterned and continuously replicate. These patterns capture information on the candles. According to Thomas Bulkowski’s Encyclopedia of Candlestick Charts, there are 103 candlestick patterns. Traders use these patterns to determine when to enter and exit. Candlestick pattern classification approaches take the hard work out of visually identifying these patterns. To highlight its capabilities, we propose a two-steps approach to recognize candlestick patterns automatically. The first step uses the Gramian Angular Field (GAF) to encode the time series as different types of images. The second step uses the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with the GAF images to learn eight critical kinds of candlestick patterns. In this paper, we call the approach GAF-CNN. In the experiments, our approach can identify the eight types of candlestick patterns with 90.7% average accuracy automatically in real-world data, outperforming the LSTM model.
In vitro effects of febrifugine on Schistosoma mansoni adult worms
Authors: Mitsui Yoshinori , Miura Mitsumasa , Kato Kentaro 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Reports on the antischistosomal effect of several antimalarial drugs such as artesunate, mefloquine, and amodiaquine suggest that febrifugine, which exerts an antimalarial effect, can also be expected to possess antischistosomal potential. The present study investigates the antischistosomal effects of febrifugine.

Methods
In experiment 1, Schistosoma mansoni adult worm pairs were incubated in a medium alone as a control or supplemented with febrifugine at 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 μg/ml for 14 days. The morphology of the worms and the egg production of the female worms were observed simultaneously. In experiment 2, the incubation was conducted as in experiment 1, except that the febrifugine concentrations were reduced to 0.005, 0.01, and 0.02 μg/ml. In addition, S. mansoni adult worms were incubated with either 0.5 μg/ml febrifugine or none as a control for 5 days and stained with neutral red dye.

Results
Febrifugine significantly reduced the survival of S. mansoni male and female worms at concentrations of 0.02–0.5 μg/ml following incubation for 14 days and remarkably inhibited the daily egg output of the female worms. The non-treated male and female worms remained morphologically normal within the period of 14 days, whereas male and female worms treated with febrifugine at different concentrations gradually twisted and subsequently died. In addition, S. mansoni adult worms were incubated with either 0.5 μg/ml febrifugine or none as a control for 5 days and stained with neutral red dye. Non-treated male worms were morphologically normal and stained dark red with neutral red, while febrifugine-treated male worms appeared similar to those in the control group and were stained at a slightly lower level of dark red than the non-treated male worms. Non-treated female worms were morphologically normal, and their intestinal tract and vitellaria were stained deep red and dark red, respectively. In contrast, febrifugine-treated female worms were morphologically damaged, and their intestinal tract and vitellaria remained mostly unstained and stained dark red, respectively.

Conclusion
Febrifugine exerts potent antischistosomal effects and can be expected to contribute to the development of a novel antischistosomal drug.
Intratympanic injection of dexamethasone 4 mg/mL versus 10 mg/mL for management of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Shewel Yasser , Asal Samir I. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to determine whether different concentrations of intratympanic (IT) injection of dexamethasone at a dose of 4 and 10 mg/mL have an effect on hearing outcomes in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Results
Our study was conducted on 30 adult patients with unilateral ISSNHL who failed to respond or with contraindications to systemic steroids. Patients were categorized into two groups; each one included 15 patients. IT injection of 4 mg/mL dexamethasone was done in one group (IT dexamethasone (Dex) 4 mg/mL), while 10 mg/mL dexamethasone was administered intratympanically in the other group (IT Dex 10 mg/mL). IT injection was performed twice weekly for two successive weeks. PTA thresholds were assessed at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz before and 1 month after the treatment.
In the group with IT Dex 10 mg/mL, the average PTA improved significantly from 75.50 ± 12.59 to 49 ± 24.04 dB with an average gain of 26.50 ± 14.25 (p = 0.0007). In the group with IT Dex 4 mg/mL, there was a significant change of PTA from a pretreatment value of 76.92 ± 11.89 dB to a post-treatment value of 59.27 ± 92.10 dB with an average gain of 17.65 ± 8.36 dB.
A comparison of the post-treatment gain of PTA in both groups showed better improvement of hearing in a group treated by IT Dex 10 mg/mL compared with 4 mg/mL.

Conclusion
This study demonstrated that IT injection of dexamethasone at a dose of 10 mg/ml was associated with better hearing outcomes compared with 4 mg/mL for the treatment of ISSNHL.
Vector-acoustic full-waveform inversion: Taking advantage of wavefield separation and dealiasing
Authors: Zheglova Polina , Malcolm Alison 
Published: June 2020

Vector-acoustic full-waveform inversion (VAFWI) directly inverts vector-acoustic (VA) data, which consist of pressure and particle displacement components, at the cost of conventional acoustic full-waveform inversion (FWI). VA data contain information about the direction of arrival of the recorded seismic waves. In VAFWI, this directional information is taken into account by introducing an appropriate data weighting. With this weighting, in the geometry of a marine seismic experiment, the VAFWI adjoint calculation approximates inverse wavefield extrapolation, resulting in the natural separation of up- and downgoing recorded waves. If the free-surface effects are modeled during the inversion, the wave separation leads to (1) suppression of surface-related artifacts, (2) constructive interference of receiver ghosts with their primaries leading to preservation of the low-frequency content in the adjoint fields, and (3) compensation for insufficient spatial wavefield sampling on the receiver side. The horizontal displacement component helps interpolate the missing data. Synthetic examples demonstrate that for undersampled data, VAFWI consistently recovers the subsurface properties with higher resolution and fewer artifacts than conventional FWI.