bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional COL1A1 variants are associated with the risk of acute musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries
Authors: Gibbon Andrea , Raleigh Stuart M. , Ribbans William J. , Posthumus Michael , Collins Malcolm , September Alison V. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStudies have reported the association of the COL1A1 Sp1 binding site variant (rs1800012) with the risk of acute musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Interaction with the COL1A1 promoter variant (rs1107946) has also been proposed to modulate acute injury risk. Conversely, neither of these loci have been associated with chronic musculoskeletal soft tissue phenotypes. Therefore, the primary aim of this study involved characterizing these variants in a cohort of participants with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Second, this study aimed to support the contribution of the rs1107946 and rs1800012 variants to the profile predisposing for acute musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries including Achilles tendon and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. A hypothesis‐driven association study was conducted. In total, 295 control participants, 210 participants with clinically diagnosed Achilles tendinopathy, and 72 participants with Achilles tendon ruptures recruited independently from South Africa and the United Kingdom were genotyped for the prioritized variants. In addition, a cohort including 232 control participants and 234 participants with surgically diagnosed ACL ruptures was also analyzed. Although no associations were observed in the recruited cohorts, the rare rs1800012 TT genotype was associated with decreased ACL injury risk when the results from the current study were combined with that from previously published studies (P = .040, OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.0‐11.0). In addition, the G‐T (rs1107946‐rs1800012) inferred haplotype was associated with decreased risk for Achilles tendon ruptures. These results support previous observations and reiterate the heterogeneity of musculoskeletal phenlotypes whereby certain markers may be common to the predisposing profiles while others may be unique.
Effect of Weissella cibaria on the reduction of periodontal tissue destruction in mice
Authors: Kim Jae‐Won , Jung Bo Hyun , Lee Jong Hun , Yoo Ki‐Yeon , Lee Heesu , Kang Mi‐Sun , Lee Jae‐Kwan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontitis is associated with dysbiosis of microbial flora in the oral cavity. We evaluated the effects of an oral care probiotic, Weissella cibaria CMU, on periodontal tissue destruction and regulation of inflammatory cytokines in mice with ligature‐induced periodontitis (LIP).MethodsFourteen‐day LIP model was used. Ninety animals were randomly divided into six groups: negative control (Ctrl), positive control (LIP/Ctrl), PBS‐treated (LIP/PBS), W. cibaria‐low (1 × 107 colony forming unit (CFU)/d; LIP/WC‐L), W. cibaria‐medium (1 × 108 CFU/d; LIP/WC‐M), and W. cibaria‐high (1 × 109 CFU/d; LIP/WC‐H). After the 14‐day treatment, alveolar bone loss was determined using micro‐computed tomography. The gingival tissue and serum samples from Ctrl, LIP/Ctrl, and LIP/WC‐H groups were immunoassayed for cytokines. Measurements of Porphyromonas gingivalis, total bacteria, and W. cibaria in the gingiva were performed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsMice in the LIP/WC‐H group showed significant reduction in alveolar bone loss at the distal aspect of the ligatured teeth compared to those in the LIP/Ctrl group. There was a dose‐dependent reduction (non‐significant) in periodontal tissue destruction with increased W. cibaria concentration. Pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in LIP/WC‐H than in LIP/Ctrl. The LIP/WC‐H group showed significantly fewer total bacteria compared to the LIP/Ctrl group but it was similar to that in Ctrl groups, and P. gingivalis was not detected in the gingival tissue.ConclusionsW. cibaria CMU reduces periodontal tissue destruction apparently by regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and by reducing oral bacteria in a model for periodontal disease.
A simple and efficient sample preparation for taxanes in Taxus chinensis needles with natural menthol‐based aqueous deep eutectic solvent
Authors: Fan Xiao‐Hong , Chang Yuan‐Hang , Wang Li‐Tao , Zhu Ya‐Wei , Dong Ming‐Zhu , Lv Mu‐Jie , An Juan‐Yan , Yang Qing , Jiao Jiao , Meng Dong , Fu Yu‐Jie 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTaxanes are natural anticancer constituents, and the sample preparation from matrix normally depends on organochlorine solvents. In this study, green and natural menthol‐based aqueous deep eutectic solvent was synthesized and used for sample preparation for taxanes. Five key parameters were optimized and the optimal preparation conditions were as follows: menthol/1‐propanol ratio 1:1 (mol/mol), solid–liquid ratio 1:30 g/mL, extraction time 30 min, ultrasonic power 250 W, and water content 80%. Under the above conditions, the total extraction efficiency of seven main taxanes was 1.25‐ to 1.44‐fold to the conventional methods. In addition, a high‐performance liquid chromatography method with C18 column was established for quantitation of seven main taxanes in <25 min, which had excellent linearity (R2 > 0.9986), precision (relative standard deviation < 3.00%), repeatability (relative standard deviation < 3.69%), and recovery (90.26–109.00%). This method performed the extraction, and enrichment processes simultaneously, and it had advantages such as high extraction efficiency, simple operation, low cost, and eco‐friendliness. This work indicated that the natural menthol‐based deep eutectic solvent aqueous could be an excellent alternative to the sample preparation from Taxus or other plants.
Is Habitat Constraining Bighorn Sheep Restoration? A Case Study
Authors: Lula Ethan S. , Lowrey Blake , Proffitt Kelly M. , Litt Andrea R. , Cunningham Julie A. , Butler Carson J. , Garrott Robert A. 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTRocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) restoration continues to be a challenge throughout western North America despite nearly a century of efforts dedicated to the species' recovery. Though bighorn sheep restoration may be constrained by several environmental factors and behavioral tendencies, areas with unrealized restoration potential may exist if novel restoration strategies are considered. We used global positioning system (GPS) location data from 27 female bighorn sheep within the southern portion of the Madison Range in southwest Montana, USA, 2015–2017, to develop and validate winter and summer habitat models, which we extrapolated throughout the entire Madison Range to identify potential seasonal habitat. We estimated potential bighorn sheep minimum population estimates within the extrapolation area by linking our top‐ranked winter habitat model to population count data. During summer, female bighorn sheep selected areas characterized by rugged and steep terrain, reduced canopy cover, southwestern aspects, and ridgelines. During winter, female bighorn sheep selected areas characterized by low elevations, southwestern aspects, steep slopes, reduced canopy cover, ridgelines, high normalized difference vegetation index amplitude, and areas close to steep terrain. Predicted summer habitat was concentrated along the high‐elevation ridgelines associated with steep slopes and reduced canopy cover. Predicted winter habitat occurred in a non‐contiguous distribution primarily along the low‐elevation, southwest‐facing aspects along the western slopes of the Madison Range. Our results suggest that the Madison Range may be capable of supporting 780–1,730 animals, which is 2–4 times the number of bighorn sheep currently observed within the range. Further, our findings provide managers with a quantification of female bighorn sheep habitat and suggests that a strategy focused on establishing a metapopulation through a series of within‐range translocations may enhance bighorn sheep restoration. We suggest that similar restoration opportunities may be common in other unoccupied areas of bighorn sheep historical range. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Cellulose Nanocrystals Extracted from Grape Pomace with Deep Eutectic Solvents and Application for Self‐Healing Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Authors: Wu Ruiyue , Liu Kaiyue , Ren Juanjuan , Yu Zhiwei , Zhang Yingnan , Bai Liangjiu , Wang Wenxiang , Chen Hou , Yang Huawei 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn the progress of red‐winemaking, eco‐friendly, facile, and efficient reutilization of grape pomace is an important issue for sustainable industrial processes. In this manuscript, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as extensive and expensive nanomaterials, are efficiently extracted from grape pomace by using deep eutectic solvents. Moreover, the obtained CNCs as the renewable reinforcing agent are successfully fabricated of self‐healing nanocomposite hydrogels. The self‐healing (93.5%) and mechanical strength (4.77 MPa) in hydrogels are outstandingly improved by the addition of functional CNCs, in which abundant carboxyl functional groups are modified by in situ esterification in the process of extracting CNCs. Importantly, these strain‐sensitive and self‐healing nanocomposite hydrogels can be further used as flexible strain sensors to detect human motion.
Tumor immune microenvironment in head and neck cancers
Authors: Chen Samantha M. Y. , Krinsky Alexandra L. , Woolaver Rachel A. , Wang Xiaoguang , Chen Zhangguo , Wang Jing H. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHead and neck cancers are a heterogeneous group of tumors that are highly aggressive and collectively represent the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Ninety percent of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). The tumor microenvironment (TME) of HNSCCs consists of many different subsets of cells that infiltrate the tumors and interact with the tumor cells or with each other through various networks. Both innate and adaptive immune cells play a crucial role in mediating immune surveillance and controlling tumor growth. Here, we discuss the different subsets of immune cells and how they contribute to an immunosuppressive TME of HNSCCs. We also briefly summarize recent advances in immunotherapeutic approaches for HNSCC treatment. A better understanding of the multiple factors that play pivotal roles in HNSCC tumorigenesis and tumor progression may help define novel targets to develop more effective immunotherapies for patients with HNSCC.
Evaluating Population Recovery Characteristics and Potential Recovery Actions for a Long-Lived Protected Species: A Case History of Gulf Sturgeon in the Apalachicola River
Authors: Flowers H. Jared , Pine William E. , van Poorten Brett T. , Camp Edward V. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi supported an intense and short-lived commercial fishery in the early twentieth century. Thereafter, it persisted at very low levels until the fishery was closed by individual U.S. states in the Gulf of Mexico region in the mid-1980s. Despite the closure of the fishery, the stock has not recovered and there have been threats to population recovery including the potential effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, storm events, and harmful algal blooms. We developed an age-structured population model for Gulf Sturgeon to examine their population recovery characteristics. We paired this model with simple population reference points to assess the factors that influence the population recovery rate and strategies that resource managers could adopt to promote the recovery of the species. We used the Gulf Sturgeon population in the Apalachicola River as a case history and the date of 2023 that has been identified in Gulf Sturgeon Recovery Plan (GSRP) as the point at which to evaluate recovery, and under current management we predict that (1) age-4+ Gulf Sturgeon (fish 4 years of age and older) will be approaching 50% of current estimated carrying capacity; (2) the dynamic spawning potential ratio is likely &gt;0.3, suggesting a low chance of recruitment overfishing; (3) the population age structure is likely slowly recovering; (4) the recovery of the Gulf Sturgeon population is sensitive to increases in total mortality; and (5) the estimated values for exploitation rate (UMSY) and biomass at maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) are about 0.058 and 1,859 kg (or &lt;200 age-4+ fish per year [age-4 and older fish]), respectively. Our results demonstrate the relative efficacy and influence of various recovery efforts and threats, respectively, and demonstrate that “recovery” is much different when it is based on historic versus currently available habitat. These model results provide reference points for comparing field assessments as part of the planned restoration efforts and upcoming population status reviews for Gulf Sturgeon that are funded as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
RETRACTED: Genetic diversity and phylogenetic structure of four Tibeto‐Burman‐speaking populations in Tibetan‐Yi corridor revealed by insertion/deletion polymorphisms
Authors: Zou Xing , He Guanglin , Wang Mengge , Huo Liwen , Chen Xu , Liu Jing , Wang Shouyu , Ye Ziwei , Wang Fei , Wang Zheng , Hou Yiping 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundInsertion/deletion polymorphisms (InDels), combined with all the desirable features of both short tandem repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism, have been used in archaeological and anthropological research, population genetics and forensic application.MethodsThirty InDels in 530 individuals residing in the Tibetan‐Yi corridor (142 Dujiangyan Tibetans, 164 Muli Tibetans, 187 Xichang Yis, and 37 Yanyuan Mosuos) were genotyped using the Investigator DIPplex. Forensic parameters and allele frequency spectrum were calculated. Genetic relationships between the investigated populations and worldwide and nationwide populations were assessed based on both the allele frequency distribution and genotype data.ResultsThe combined powers of exclusion were 0.9807 (Dujiangyan Tibetan), 0.9880 (Muli Tibetan), 0.9852 (Xichang Yi) and 0.9892 (Yanyuan Mosuo). The combined powers of discrimination were 0.999999999983 (Dujiangyan Tibetan), 0.999999999942 (Muli Tibetan), 0.999999999982 (Xichang Yi) and 0.999999999962 (Yanyuan Mosuo), respectively. The comprehensive population comparisons among worldwide and nationwide populations uniformly illustrated that the investigated populations have a genetically closer relationship with Tibeto‐Burman‐speaking populations and geographically adjacent populations.ConclusionThese 30 loci can be regarded as an efficient genetic tool in forensic individual identification and as a supplementary tool in paternity testing in Dujiangyan Tibetan, Muli Tibetan, Xichang Yi, and Yanyuan Mosuo. The genetic proximity between the four populations in the Tibetan‐Yi corridor and other populations is strongly correlated with the linguistic origin and geographical distance.
LungRegNet: An unsupervised deformable image registration method for 4D‐CT lung
Authors: Fu Yabo , Lei Yang , Wang Tonghe , Higgins Kristin , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Curran Walter J. , Liu Tian , Yang Xiaofeng 
Published: February 2020

PurposeTo develop an accurate and fast deformable image registration (DIR) method for four‐dimensional computed tomography (4D‐CT) lung images. Deep learning‐based methods have the potential to quickly predict the deformation vector field (DVF) in a few forward predictions. We have developed an unsupervised deep learning method for 4D‐CT lung DIR with excellent performances in terms of registration accuracies, robustness, and computational speed.MethodsA fast and accurate 4D‐CT lung DIR method, namely LungRegNet, was proposed using deep learning. LungRegNet consists of two subnetworks which are CoarseNet and FineNet. As the name suggests, CoarseNet predicts large lung motion on a coarse scale image while FineNet predicts local lung motion on a fine scale image. Both the CoarseNet and FineNet include a generator and a discriminator. The generator was trained to directly predict the DVF to deform the moving image. The discriminator was trained to distinguish the deformed images from the original images. CoarseNet was first trained to deform the moving images. The deformed images were then used by the FineNet for FineNet training. To increase the registration accuracy of the LungRegNet, we generated vessel‐enhanced images by generating pulmonary vasculature probability maps prior to the network prediction.ResultsWe performed fivefold cross validation on ten 4D‐CT datasets from our department. To compare with other methods, we also tested our method using separate 10 DIRLAB datasets that provide 300 manual landmark pairs per case for target registration error (TRE) calculation. Our results suggested that LungRegNet has achieved better registration accuracy in terms of TRE than other deep learning‐based methods available in the literature on DIRLAB datasets. Compared to conventional DIR methods, LungRegNet could generate comparable registration accuracy with TRE smaller than 2 mm. The integration of both the discriminator and pulmonary vessel enhancements into the network was crucial to obtain high registration accuracy for 4D‐CT lung DIR. The mean and standard deviation of TRE were 1.00 ± 0.53 mm and 1.59 ± 1.58 mm on our datasets and DIRLAB datasets respectively.ConclusionsAn unsupervised deep learning‐based method has been developed to rapidly and accurately register 4D‐CT lung images. LungRegNet has outperformed its deep‐learning‐based peers and achieved excellent registration accuracy in terms of TRE.
A convolutional neural network‐based model observer for breast CT images
Authors: Kim Gihun , Han Minah , Shim Hyunjung , Baek Jongduk 
Published: February 2020

PurposeIn this paper, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based efficient model observer for breast computed tomography (CT) images.MethodsWe first showed that the CNN‐based model observer provided similar detection performance to the ideal observer (IO) for signal‐known‐exactly and background‐known‐exactly detection tasks with an uncorrelated Gaussian background noise image. We then demonstrated that a single‐layer CNN without a nonlinear activation function provided similar detection performance in breast CT images to the Hotelling observer (HO). To train the CNN‐based model observer, we generated simulated breast CT images to produce a training dataset in which different background noise structures were generated using filtered back projection with a ramp, or a Hanning weighted ramp, filter. Circular, elliptical, and spiculated signals were used for the detection tasks. The optimal depth and the number of channels for the CNN‐based model observer were determined for each task. The detection performances of the HO and a channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) with Laguerre‐Gauss (LG) and partial least squares (PLS) channels were also estimated for comparison.ResultsThe results showed that the CNN‐based model observer provided higher detection performance than the HO, LG‐CHO, and PLS‐CHO for all tasks. In addition, it was shown that the proposed CNN‐based model observer provided higher detection performance than the HO using a smaller training dataset.ConclusionsIn the presence of nonlinearity in the CNN, the proposed CNN‐based model observer showed better performance than other linear observers.
The extracellular calcium‐sensing receptor promotes porcine egg activation via calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II
Authors: Liu Cong , Liu Huage , Luo Yan , Lu Tengfei , Fu Xiangwei , Cui Sheng , Zhu Shien , Hou Yunpeng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractExtracellular calcium is required for intracellular Ca2+ oscillations needed for egg activation, but the regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. The present study was designed to demonstrate the function of calcium‐sensing receptor (CASR), which could recognize extracellular calcium as first messenger, during porcine egg activation. CASR expression was markedly upregulated following egg activation. Functionally, the addition of CASR agonist NPS R‐568 significantly enhanced pronuclear formation rate, while supplementation of CASR antagonist NPS2390 compromised egg activation. There was no change in NPS R‐568 group compared with control group when the egg activation was performed without extracellular calcium addition. The addition of NPS2390 precluded the activation‐dependent [Ca2+]i rise. When egg activation was conducted in intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA‐AM and NPS R‐568 containing medium, CASR function was abolished. Meanwhile, CASR activation increased the level of the [Ca2+]i effector p‐CAMKII, and the presence of KN‐93, an inhibitor of CAMKII, significantly reduced the CASR‐mediated increasement of pronuclear formation rate. Furthermore, the increase of CASR expression following activation was reversed by inhibiting CAMKII activity, supporting a positive feedback loop between CAMKII and CASR. Altogether, these findings provide a new pathway of egg activation about CASR, as the extracellular Ca2+ effector, promotes egg activation via its downstream effector and upstream regulator CAMKII.
Deep learning–based MR fingerprinting ASL ReconStruction (DeepMARS)
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Su Pan , Chen Zhensen , Liao Ying , Chen Shuo , Guo Rui , Qi Haikun , Li Xuesong , Zhang Xue , Hu Zhangxuan , Lu Hanzhang , Chen Huijun 
Published: February 2020

PurposeTo develop a reproducible and fast method to reconstruct MR fingerprinting arterial spin labeling (MRF‐ASL) perfusion maps using deep learning.MethodA fully connected neural network, denoted as DeepMARS, was trained using simulation data and added Gaussian noise. Two MRF‐ASL models were used to generate the simulation data, specifically a single‐compartment model with 4 unknowns parameters and a two‐compartment model with 7 unknown parameters. The DeepMARS method was evaluated using MRF‐ASL data from healthy subjects (N = 7) and patients with Moymoya disease (N = 3). Computation time, coefficient of determination (R2), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were compared between DeepMARS and conventional dictionary matching (DM). The relationship between DeepMARS and Look–Locker PASL was evaluated by a linear mixed model.ResultsComputation time per voxel was <0.5 ms for DeepMARS and >4 seconds for DM in the single‐compartment model. Compared with DM, the DeepMARS showed higher R2 and significantly improved ICC for single‐compartment derived bolus arrival time (BAT) and two‐compartment derived cerebral blood flow (CBF) and higher or similar R2/ICC for other parameters. In addition, the DeepMARS was significantly correlated with Look–Locker PASL for BAT (single‐compartment) and CBF (two‐compartment). Moreover, for Moyamoya patients, the location of diminished CBF and prolonged BAT shown in DeepMARS was consistent with the position of occluded arteries shown in time‐of‐flight MR angiography.ConclusionReconstruction of MRF‐ASL with DeepMARS is faster and more reproducible than DM.