bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Native soil amendments combined with commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase biomass of Panicum amarum
Authors: Luecke Noah C. , Mejia Austin J. , Crawford Kerri M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCoastal dune restorations often fail because of poorly performing plants. The addition of beneficial microbes can improve plant performance, though it is unclear if the source of microbes matters. Here, we tested how native soil amendments and commercially available arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi influenced performance of Panicum amarum, a dominant grass on Texas coastal dunes. In a greenhouse experiment, we manipulated the identity of native soil amendments (from P. amarum, Uniola paniculata, or unvegetated areas), the presence of soil microbes in the native soil amendments (live or sterile), and the presence of the commercial AM fungi (present or absent). Native soils from vegetated areas contained 149% more AM fungal spores than unvegetated areas. The commercial AM fungi, when combined with previously vegetated native soils, increased aboveground biomass of P. amarum by 26%. Effects on belowground biomass were weaker, although the addition of any microbes decreased the root:shoot ratio. The origin of native soil amendments can influence restoration outcomes. In this case soil from areas with vegetation outperformed soil from areas without vegetation. Combining native soils with commercial AM fungi may provide a strategy for increasing plant performance while also maintaining other ecosystem functions provided by native microbes.
Assessing outcomes of ear molding therapy by health care providers and convolutional neural network
Authors: Hallac Rami R. , Jackson Sarah A. , Grant Jessica , Fisher Kaylyn , Scheiwe Sarah , Wetz Elizabeth , Perez Jeyna , Lee Jeon , Chitta Krishna , Seaward James R. , Kane Alex A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractEar molding therapy is a nonsurgical technique to correct certain congenital auricular deformities. While the advantages of nonsurgical treatments over otoplasty are well-described, few studies have assessed aesthetic outcomes. In this study, we compared assessments of outcomes of ear molding therapy for 283 ears by experienced healthcare providers and a previously developed deep learning CNN model. 2D photographs of ears were obtained as a standard of care in our onsite photography studio. Physician assistants (PAs) rated the photographs using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1(poor) to 5(excellent) and the CNN assessment was categorical, classifying each photo as either “normal” or “deformed”. On average, the PAs classified 75.6% of photographs as good to excellent outcomes (scores 4 and 5). Similarly, the CNN classified 75.3% of the photographs as normal. The inter-rater agreement between the PAs ranged between 72 and 81%, while there was a 69.6% agreement between the machine model and the inter-rater majority agreement between at least two PAs (i.e., when at least two PAs gave a simultaneous score < 4 or ≥ 4). This study shows that noninvasive ear molding therapy has excellent outcomes in general. In addition, it indicates that with further training and validation, machine learning techniques, like CNN, have the capability to accurately mimic provider assessment while removing the subjectivity of human evaluation making it a robust tool for ear deformity identification and outcome evaluation.
From decimeter-scale elevated ionic conductivity regions in the cloud to lightning initiation
Authors: Iudin D. I. , Rakov V. A. , Syssoev A. A. , Bulatov A. A. , Hayakawa M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this work, we represent the lightning initiation scenario as a sequence of two transitions of discharge activity to progressively larger spatial scales: the first one is from small-scale avalanches to intermediate-scale streamers; and the second one is from streamers to the lightning seed. We postulate the existence of ion production centers in the cloud, whose occurrence is caused by electric field bursts accompanying hydrometeor collisions (or near collisions) in the turbulent thundercloud environment. When a new ion production center is created inside (fully or partially) the residual ion spot left behind by a previously established center, there is a cumulative effect in the increasing of ion concentration. As a result, the essentially non-conducting thundercloud becomes seeded by elevated ion-conductivity regions (EICRs) with spatial extent of 0.1–1 m and a lifetime of 1–10 s. The electric field on the surface of an EICR (due to its conductivity being at least 4 orders of magnitude higher than ambient) is a factor of 3 or more higher than ambient. For a maximum ambient electric field of 100 kV/m typically measured in thunderclouds, such field enhancement is sufficient for initiation of positive streamers and their propagation over distances of the order of decimeters, and this will be happening naturally, without any external agents (e.g., superenergetic cosmic ray particles) or extraordinary in-cloud conditions, such as very high potential differences or very large hydrometeors. Provided that each EICR generates at least one streamer during its lifetime, the streamers will form a 3D network, some parts of which will contain hot channel segments created via the cumulative heating and/or thermal-ionizational instability. These hot channel segments will polarize, interact with each other, and cluster, forming longer conducting structures in the cloud. When the ambient potential difference bridged by such a conducting structure exceeds 3 MV, we assume that the lightning seed, capable of self-sustained bidirectional extension, is formed.
A body shape index is associated with endothelial dysfunction in both men and women
Authors: Kajikawa Masato , Maruhashi Tatsuya , Kishimoto Shinji , Yamaji Takayuki , Harada Takahiro , Hashimoto Yu , Han Yiming , Mizobuchi Aya , Aoki Gaku , Yoshimura Kenichi , Chayama Kazuaki , Goto Chikara , Yusoff Farina Mohamad , Nakashima Ayumu , Higashi Yukihito 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA body shape index (ABSI) was proposed for estimation of abdominal adiposity. ABSI has been reported to have associations with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events. However, there is no information on the association between ABSI and endothelial function. We examined cross-sectional associations of ABSI with endothelial function in 8823 subjects (6773 men and 2050 women). Subjects with a lower quartile of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were defined as subjects having endothelial dysfunction. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis revealed that ABSI was negatively correlated with FMD (men, r = − 0.23, P = 0.003; women, r = − 0.32, P < 0.001). The areas under the curves of ABSI and body mass index to predict endothelial dysfunction were 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.65) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.57–0.60) in men, and 0.68 (95% CI 0.66–0.71) and 0.59 (95% CI 0.56–0.61) in women, respectively. The cutoff values of ABSI for predicting subjects with endothelial dysfunction were 0.0796 (sensitivity, 55.2%; specificity, 65.5%) in men and 0.0823 (sensitivity, 56.2%; specificity, 73.4%) in women. Multivariate analysis revealed that an ABSI value higher than the cutoff value remained an independent predictor of endothelial dysfunction in both sexes. The results of our study suggest that ABSI calculation should be performed for evaluation of risk of cardiovascular events in both men and women.Clinical trial registration information URL for Clinical Trial: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm; Registration Number for Clinical Trial: UMIN000012952 (01/05/2010).
Regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor expression in triple negative breast cancer by EGFR-MAPK signaling
Authors: Scully Tiffany , Kase Nathan , Gallagher Emily J. , LeRoith Derek 
Published: September 2021

AbstractExpression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) has been shown to play a critical role in hypercholesterolemia-associated breast cancer growth and is associated with shorter recurrence-free survival in human breast cancer studies. We sought to identify how circulating LDL cholesterol and tumor LDLR might accelerate oncogenic processes by determining whether increased LDLR expression and cholesterol uptake are associated with the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. EGF stimulation of MDA-MB-468 (MDA468) cells activated p44/42MAPK (MAPK), increased expression of LDLR, and fluorescent LDL cholesterol uptake. However, stimulation of MDA-MB-231 (MDA231) cells with EGF did not lead to increased expression of LDLR despite inducing phosphorylation of EGFR. Inhibition of MAPK using UO126 in MDA231 cells reduced LDLR expression, and in MDA468 cells, UO126 impaired the LDLR increase in response to EGF. MDA468 cells exposed to the transcription inhibitor, Actinomycin, prior to treatment with EGF showed reduced degradation of LDLR mRNA compared to vehicle-treated cells. Our results suggest that the EGF-associated increase in LDLR protein expression is cell line-specific. The common pathway regulating LDLR expression was MAPK in both TNBC cell lines.
Effects of gender, age, experience, and practice on driver reaction and acceptance of traffic jam chauffeur systems
Authors: Muslim Husam , Itoh Makoto , Liang Cho Kiu , Antona-Makoshi Jacobo , Uchida Nobuyuki 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study conducted a driving simulation experiment to compare four automated driving systems (ADS) designs during lane change demanding traffic situations on highways while accounting for the drivers’ gender, age, experience, and practice. A lane-change maneuver was required when the automated vehicle approaches traffic congestion on the left-hand lane. ADS-1 can only reduce the speed to synchronize with the congestion. ADS-2 reduces the speed and issues an optional request to intervene, advising the driver to change lanes manually. ADS-3 offers to overtake the congestion autonomously if the driver approves it. ADS-4 overtakes the congestion autonomously without the driver’s approval. Results of drivers’ reaction, acceptance, and trust indicated that differences between ADS designs increase when considering the combined effect of drivers’ demographic factors more than the individual effect of each factor. However, the more ADS seems to have driver-like capacities, the more impact of demographic factors is expected. While preliminary, these findings may help us understand how ADS users’ behavior can differ based on the interaction between human demographic factors and system design.
Perioperative rifaximin is not associated with enhanced functional and volumetric recovery after major liver resection
Authors: Bednarsch Jan , Czigany Zoltan , Loosen Sven H. , Heij Lara , Ruckgaber Lorenz , Maes Henning , Krause Jan-Pit , Reen Matthias , Toteva Beata , Vosdellen Theresa , Bruners Philipp , Lang Sven Arke , Ulmer Tom Florian , Roderburg Christoph , Luedde Tom , Neumann Ulf Peter 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the impact of rifaximin on the course of liver function, liver regeneration and volumetric recovery in patients undergoing major hepatectomy. The ARROW trial was an investigator initiated, single-center, open-label, phase 3 RCT with two parallel treatment groups, conducted at our hepatobiliary center from 03/2016 to 07/2020. Patients undergoing major hepatectomy were eligible and randomly assigned 1:1 to receive oral rifaximin (550 mg twice daily for 7–10 or 14–21 days in case of portal vein embolization preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively) versus no intervention. Primary endpoint was the relative increase in postoperative liver function measured by LiMAx from postoperative day (POD) 4 to 7. Secondary endpoint were the course of liver function and liver volume during the study period as well as postoperative morbidity and mortality. Between 2016 and 2020, 45 patients were randomized and 35 patients (16 individuals in the rifaximin and 19 individuals in the control group) were eligible for per-protocol analysis. The study was prematurely terminated following interim analysis, due to the unlikelihood of reaching a significant primary endpoint. The median relative increase in liver function from POD 4 to POD 7 was 27% in the rifaximin group and 41% in the control group (p = 0.399). Further, no significant difference was found in terms of any other endpoints of functional liver- and volume regeneration or perioperative surgical complications following the application of rifaximin versus no intervention. Perioperative application of rifaximin has no effect on functional or volumetric regeneration after major hepatectomy (NCT02555293; EudraCT 2013-004644-28).
Cytokeratin 7 expression as a predictor of an unfavorable prognosis in colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Hrudka Jan , Fišerová Hana , Jelínková Karolína , Matěj Radoslav , Waldauf Petr 
Published: September 2021

AbstractColorectal carcinoma (CRC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cytokeratins (CKs) are widely expressed in various types of carcinomas, whereas in CRC it is usually CK7 − and CK20 + . A subset of CRCs is CK7 + . This study aims to determine the prevalence of CK7 expression in CRC and its impact on overall survival. We analyzed 300 randomly selected surgically treated CRC cases using paraffin embedded tumor tissue samples and evaluated CK7 and CK20 expression using the tissue microarray method. Tumors with positivity > 10% and > 25% of tumor cells were considered CK7 and CK20 positive, respectively. Expression of both CKs and several clinical-pathological variables (stage, grade, laterality, mismatch-repair/MMR status) were evaluated using patient follow up data (Kaplan–Meier analysis of cancer-specific survival (CSS)). Significant results include shorter CSS (restricted mean 4.98 vs. 7.74 years, P = 0.007) and 5-year survival (29.4% vs. 64.6%, P = 0.0221) in CK7 + tumors compared to CK7 − tumors, respectively; without significant association with grade, stage or right-sided location. These results were significant in a multivariate analysis. CK20 + tumors are more frequently MMR-proficient and left-sided. MMR-deficient tumors are more frequently right-sided and had longer survival. CK7 expression, right-sided location (rmean CSS 6.83 vs. 8.0 years, P = 0.043), MMR-proficiency (rmean CSS 7.41 vs. 9.32 years, P = 0.012), and UICC stages III + IV (rmean CSS 6.03 vs. 8.92 years, P < 0.001) of the tumor correlated with negative prognostic outcomes, whereas the most significant results concern stage and CK7 positivity. The result concerning negative prognostic role of CK7 differs from those obtained by several previous studies focused on this topic.
Early activation of the cardiac CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis delays β-adrenergic-induced heart failure
Authors: Flamant M. , Mougenot N. , Balse E. , Le Fèvre L. , Atassi F. , Gautier E. L. , Le Goff W. , Keck M. , Nadaud S. , Combadière C. , Boissonnas A. , Pavoine C. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe recently highlighted a novel potential protective paracrine role of cardiac myeloid CD11b/c cells improving resistance of adult hypertrophied cardiomyocytes to oxidative stress and potentially delaying evolution towards heart failure (HF) in response to early β-adrenergic stimulation. Here we characterized macrophages (Mφ) in hearts early infused with isoproterenol as compared to control and failing hearts and evaluated the role of upregulated CX3CL1 in cardiac remodeling. Flow cytometry, immunohistology and Mφ-depletion experiments evidenced a transient increase in Mφ number in isoproterenol-infused hearts, proportional to early concentric hypertrophy (ECH) remodeling and limiting HF. Combining transcriptomic and secretomic approaches we characterized Mφ-enriched CD45+ cells from ECH hearts as CX3CL1- and TNFα-secreting cells. In-vivo experiments, using intramyocardial injection in ECH hearts of either Cx3cl1 or Cx3cr1 siRNA, or Cx3cr1−/− knockout mice, identified the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis as a protective pathway delaying transition to HF. In-vitro results showed that CX3CL1 not only enhanced ECH Mφ proliferation and expansion but also supported adult cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via a synergistic action with TNFα. Our data underscore the in-vivo transient protective role of the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis in ECH remodeling and suggest the participation of CX3CL1-secreting Mφ and their crosstalk with CX3CR1-expressing cardiomyocytes to delay HF.
Tumor budding correlates with tumor invasiveness and predicts worse survival in pT1 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Eckstein Markus , Kimmel Charlotte , Bruendl Johannes , Weber Florian , Denzinger Stefan , Gierth Michael , Burger Maximilian , Hartmann Arndt , Otto Wolfgang , Breyer Johannes 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTumor budding is defined as a single cell or a cluster of up to 5 tumor cells at the invasion front. Due to the difficulty of identifying patients at high risk for pT1 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and the difficulties in T1 substaging, tumor budding was evaluated as a potential alternative and prognostic parameter in these patients. Tumor budding as well as growth pattern, invasion pattern and lamina propria infiltration were retrospectively evaluated in transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) specimens from 92 patients with stage pT1 NMIBC. The presence of tumor budding correlated with multifocal tumors (p = 0.003), discontinuous invasion pattern (p = 0.039), discohesive growth pattern (p < 0.001) and extensive lamina propria invasion (p < 0.001). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, tumor budding was associated with significantly worse RFS (p = 0.005), PFS (p = 0.017) and CSS (p = 0.002). In patients who received BCG instillation therapy (n = 65), the absence of tumor budding was associated with improved RFS (p = 0.012), PFS (p = 0.011) and CSS (p = 0.022), with none of the patients suffering from progression or dying from the disease. Tumor budding is associated with a more aggressive and invasive stage of pT1 NMIBC and a worse outcome. This easy-to-assess parameter could help stratify patients into BCG therapy or early cystectomy treatment groups.
In-house reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection of SARS-CoV-2 with increased sensitivity
Authors: Kalita Manash Jyoti , Dutta Kalpajit , Hazarika Gautam , Dutta Ridip , Kalita Simanta , Das Partha Pratim , Sarma Manash P. , Banu Sofia , Idris Md. Ghaznavi , Talukdar Anjan Jyoti , Dutta Sangitanjan , Sharma Ajanta , Medhi Subhash 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAs the COVID-19 infection continues to ravage the world, the advent of an efficient as well as the economization of the existing RT-PCR based detection assay essentially can become a blessing in these testing times and significantly help in the management of the pandemic. This study demonstrated an innovative and rapid corroboration of COVID-19 test based on innovative multiplex PCR. An assessment of optimal PCR conditions to simultaneously amplify the SARS-CoV-2 genes E, S and RdRp has been made by fast-conventional and HRM coupled multiplex real-time PCR using the same sets of primers. All variables of practical value were studied by amplifying known target-sequences from ten-fold dilutions of archived positive samples of COVID-19 disease. The multiplexing with newly designed E, S and RdRp primers have shown an efficient amplification of the target region of SARS-CoV-2. A distinct amplification was observed in 37 min using thermal cycler while it took 96 min in HRM coupled real time detection using SYBR green over a wide range of template concentrations. Our findings revealed decent concordance with other commercially available detection kits. This fast HRM coupled multiplex real-time PCR with SYBR green approach offers rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a cost-effective manner apart from the added advantage of primer compatibility for use in conventional multiplex PCR. The highly reproducible novel approach can propel extended applicability for developing sustainable commercial product besides providing relief to a resource limited setting.
Landscape genetics and the genetic legacy of Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers in the modern Caucasus
Authors: Gavashelishvili Alexander , Yanchukov Alexey , Tarkhnishvili David , Murtskhvaladze Marine , Akhvlediani Irakli , Kazancı Ceren 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study clarifies the role of refugia and landscape permeability in the formation of the current genetic structure of peoples of the Caucasus. We report novel genome-wide data for modern individuals from the Caucasus, and analyze them together with available Paleolithic and Mesolithic individuals from Eurasia and Africa in order (1) to link the current and ancient genetic structures via landscape permeability, and (2) thus to identify movement paths between the ancient refugial populations and the Caucasus. The ancient genetic ancestry is best explained by landscape permeability implying that human movement is impeded by terrain ruggedness, swamps, glaciers and desert. Major refugial source populations for the modern Caucasus are those of the Caucasus, Anatolia, the Balkans and Siberia. In Rugged areas new genetic signatures take a long time to form, but once they do so, they remain for a long time. These areas act as time capsules harboring genetic signatures of ancient source populations and making it possible to help reconstruct human history based on patterns of variation today.
Spin structures of the ground states of four body bound systems with spin 3 cold atoms
Authors: Liu Y. M. , Bao C. G. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe consider the case that four spin-3 atoms are confined in an optical trap. The temperature is so low that the spatial degrees of freedom have been frozen. Exact numerical and analytical solutions for the spin-states have been both obtained. Two kinds of phase-diagrams for the ground states (g.s.) have been plotted. In general, the eigen-states with the total-spin S (a good quantum number) can be expanded in terms of a few basis-states $$f_{S,i}$$

f

S
,
i

. Let $$P_{f_{S,i}}^{\lambda }$$

P

f

S
,
i

λ

be the probability of a pair of spins coupled to $$\lambda =0, 2, 4$$

λ
=
0
,
2
,
4

, and 6 in the $$f_{S,i}$$

f

S
,
i

state. Obviously, when the strength $$g_{\lambda }$$

g
λ

of the $$\lambda $$
λ
-channel is more negative, the basis-state with the largest $$P_{f_{S,i}}^{\lambda }$$

P

f

S
,
i

λ

would be more preferred by the g.s.. When two strengths are more negative, the two basis-states with the two largest probabilities would be more important components. Thus, based on the probabilities, the spin-structures (described via the basis-states) can be understood. Furthermore, all the details in the phase-diagrams, say, the critical points of transition, can also be explained. Note that, for $$f_{S,i}$$

f

S
,
i

, $$P_{f_{S,i}}^{\lambda }$$

P

f

S
,
i

λ

is completely determined by symmetry. Thus, symmetry plays a very important role in determining the spin-structure of the g.s..