bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac visceral fat volume estimation from low-dose chest computed tomography: a study with a designed beating heart phantom
Authors: Chernina V. Yu. , Kulberg N. S. , Aleshina O. O. , Korb T. A. , Blokhin I. A. , Morozov S. P. , Gombolevskiy V. A. 
Published: March 2021

Background: Since 2017, a pilot project for lung cancer screening by chest low dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been implemented in Moscow. Patients to be included into the screening have risk factors for ischemic heart disease (IHD). The association between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and coronary artery atherosclerosis, IHD, and atrial fibrillation has been demonstrated previously.Aim: To demonstrate the feasibility of LDCTbased EAT volumetry using a dynamic (contracting) heart phantom.Materials and methods: The study was performed with the designed dynamic heart phantom and chest phantom in two stages. At stage I, two adipose tissue pieces were scanned inside and outside the chest phantom using CT and LDCT. At stage II, the dynamic heart phantom was scanned outside and inside the chest phantom. In addition, we scanned the heart phantom with a coronary calcium phantom. The contracting heart phantom was developed within three months. All scans of the phantom were performed within one day. We determined the adipose tissue thresholds in LDCT and the EAT volumetric error with both chest CT and LDCT. Measurements of the adipose tissue volumes were performed by the radiologist twice with semi-automatic software.Results: The results of stage I helped to identify optimal density thresholds for LDCT-based adipose tissue volumetry in lung cancer screening, ranging from -250 HU to -30 HU. The stage II results showed that for all heart phantom scanning variants, the average EAT volumetry error did not exceed 5%, except for the case of contracting heart phantom with added coronary calcium in a chest phantom with body mass index (BMI) 29 (-5.92%). Adding the coronary calcium phantom to the heart phantom in LDCT increased the error by an average of 4% in BMI 23 and BMI 29 chest phantoms.Conclusion: LDCT-based EAT volumetry with fat density threshold from -250 HU to -30 HU is feasible in lung cancer screening, including patients with coronary calcium. However, considering the phantom design, further patient studies, and correlation of EAT volumes between LDCT for lung cancer screening and сoronary CT angiography are required.
Assessment of carotid arteries and brain matter in patients with isolated abnormal tortuosities and those combined with occlusion by computed tomography angiography
Authors: Vishnyakova Jr. M. V. , Lar'kov R. N. , Vishnyakova M. V. , Salomatin P. V. 
Published: March 2021

Rationale: The prevalence of malformation of internal carotid arteries (ICA) in the population amounts to 46%. In 4 to 16% of the cases, it is associated with clinical manifestations of cerebrovascular insufficiency. Hemodynamic changes in the abnormal arterial vasculature and neurological symptoms are the main indications for surgical intervention. Computed tomography (CT) angiography has shown its high information value in the assessment of ICA occlusions; however, its informativity in the diagnosis of ICA malformations has not been established.Aim: To assess ICA and brain matter in the patients with abnormal tortuosities, both isolated and combined with occlusion, by CT angiography.Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical files of 58 inpatients, who underwent ultrasound examination and CT angiography of extra and intracranial parts of brachycephalic arteries with 256 slice multidetector computer scanner (Philips iCT). CT angiography included native imaging, and contrast-enhanced arterial and venous phases. We assessed the impact of ICA abnormalities on the degree of brain matter lesions in patients with isolated ICA malformations (n=27) and with combination of ICA malformations with its occlusion (n=31).Results: In the group of the patients with isolated ICA malformations, there were no brain focal lesions in 14, small vessel focal lesions and single liquor cysts in 9, and areas and zones of cystic and glial abnormalities in 4. The most frequent in this group were S-like and C-like malformations, together with 2 saccular aneurysms (one of them true and one false). In the group of patients with combination of abnormal ICA tortuosities and occlusions, there were areas and zones of cystic and glial abnormalities in 7, various degrees of small vessel disease and few liquor cysts in 18, and no abnormal brain matter foci in 6. No ICA malformations in combination with true or false aneurysms were found. The patients with combination of ICA malformations and stenosis, the signs of chronic brain ischemia were more advanced, compared to those in the patients with isolated ICA malformations (p=0.012).Conclusion: CT angiography is a highly informative method for the assessment of carotid arteries and brain matter in patients with ICA malformations. The combination with ICA malformations and occlusion is associated with more advanced lesions of brain matter.
MOLLUSCAN LIVE-DEAD FIDELITY OF A STORM-DOMINATED SHALLOW-MARINE SETTING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
Authors: BHATTACHERJEE MADHURA , CHATTOPADHYAY DEVAPRIYA , SOM BIDISHA , SANKAR AMMU S. , MAZUMDER SATYAKI 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
Actualistic studies are important for evaluating the fidelity of fossil assemblages in representing the living community. Poor live-dead (LD) fidelity in molluscan assemblages may result from transport-induced mixing. Large-scale mixing is more common in siliciclastic settings with a narrow shelf, high sedimentation rate, and those that are frequented by episodically high-energy events. Chandipur-on-sea, on the east coast of India has an optimal setting to promote such conditions. By studying the LD fidelity and modeling size-frequency distribution (SFD) of the fauna, we attempted to evaluate the contribution of “out-of-habitat” versus “within-habitat” mixing in developing the molluscan death assemblage. The correlation between the composition of live (LA) and death assemblages (DA) was insufficient; unlike LAs, the DAs do not show environmental partitioning in ordination space. A numerical simulation of the shell size frequency distribution (SFD) for DAs from LAs was compared with the observed SFD of the DAs. The results of this simulation indicate that DAs are not likely to be a product of within-habitat mixing. DAs probably received considerable input via regional transport, facilitated by frequent tropical cyclones affecting the coast of Odisha. Chandipur receives a large proportion of cyclones originating above 15°N, which causes a high degree of lateral transport and shell mixing between 15° to 21°N, explained by the high compositional similarity of species within this latitudinal extent. Our study highlights the significance of out-of-habitat transport in shaping the regional distribution of marine fossil assemblages, especially in storm dominated siliciclastic shallow-marine settings.
Do we need a confederate in full-scale medical simulation? A randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Traoré Jeremie , Balen Frédéric , Geeraerts Thomas , Charpentier Sandrine , Dubucs Xavier , Houzé-Cerfon Charles-Henri 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: During simulation training, the confederate is a member of the pedagogical team. Its role is to facilitate the interaction between participants and the environment, and is thought to increase realism and immersion. Its influence on participants' performance in full-scale simulation remains however unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of the presence of a confederate on the participants’ performance during full-scale simulation of crisis medical situations. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized study comparing 2 parallel groups. Participants were emergency medicine residents engaging in a simulation session, with or without confederates. Participants were then evaluated on their Crisis Resource Management performance (CRM). The overall performance score on the Ottawa Global Rating Scale was assessed as primary outcome and the 5 non-technical CRM skills as secondary outcomes.Results: A total of 63 simulation sessions, including 63 residents, were included for statistical analysis (n= 32 for Control group and 31 for Confederate group). The mean Overall Performance score was 3.9± 0.8 in the Control group and 4.0± 1.1 in the Confederate group, 95% confidence interval of the difference [-0.6; 0.4], p=0.60. No significant differences between the two groups were observed on each CRM items (leadership, situational awareness, communication, problem solving, resource utilization)Conclusion: In this randomized and controlled study, the presence of confederates during full-scale simulated practice of crisis medical situations does not seem to improve the CRM skills performance of Emergency medicine residents. Trial registration: this study does not need to be registered on Clintrial as it doesn’t report a health care intervention on human participants.
The Overexpression of Four MiTFL1 Genes from Mango Delays the Flowering Time in Transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Yi-Han , He Xin-Hua , Yu Hai-Xia , Mo Xiao , Fan Yan , Fan Zhi-Yi , Xie Xiao-Jie , Liu Yuan , Luo Cong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) belongs to the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family, which is involved in inflorescence meristem development and represses flowering in several plant species. In the present study, four TFL1 genes were cloned from the mango (Mangifera indica L.) variety ‘SiJiMi’ and named MiTFL1-1, MiTFL1-2, MiTFL1-3 and MiTFL1-4.Results: A sequence analysis showed that the encoded MiTFL1 proteins contained a conserved PEBP domain and belonged to the TFL1 group. The expression of the MiTFL1 genes was examined in several tissues, including juvenile leaves, mature leaves, mature stems, and flowers. The highest MiTFL1 expression level was detected in mature stems followed by juvenile leaves but was lower in mature leaves and flowers during the flowering period. Further expression studies showed that MiTFL1s were highly expressed in leaves during the floral induction and differentiation periods. Overexpression of the four MiTFL1 genes delayed the flowering time in transgenic Arabidopsis. The results also showed that MiTFL1-1 and MiTFL1-3 could change the flower morphology in some transgenic plants. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that several stress-related proteins can interact with MiTFL1s.Conclusions: Four MiTFL1 genes exhibit a similar expression pattern, and overexpressed in Arabidopsis resulted in delayed flowering. In addition, MiTFL1-1 and MiTFL1-3 overexpression affected floral organ development. MiTFL1s can interact with bHLH and 14-3-3 proteins. These results indicate that MiTFL1s might play an important role in the flowering process in mango.
Lignin phenols in sediment cores and its indications of degradation and organic carbon sources of the Yantan Reservoir, China
Authors: Lin Xin , Gao Li , Huang Jiaqi , Fan Jun , Yang Ming , Ma Jing , Wang Fushun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Three sediment cores collected from the Yantan Reservoir, located in the Pearl River, southwest China, were analyzed for lignin phenols, elemental and stable carbon isotopic composition to investigate the variation patterns, vegetation sources, degradation stage, and relative proportions of terrestrial sedimentary organic carbon (OC). Significant temporal and spatial heterogeneity in terrestrial OC burial was indicated by the changes of lignin contents at different depths in different sampling sites: the inlet zone, the central reservoir zone in front of dam and the reservoir bay. The interception impact of upstream dam, the influence of artificial regulation, as well as the role of interzonal recharge made the terrestrial OC burial remains complex in the reservoir. The oxidized lignin signatures showed spatial heterogeneity suggesting active oxidative degradation and demethylation/demethoxy degradation of sedimentary lignin during deposition, especially in the inlet zone. An angiosperm herbaceous tissue and gymnosperm woody tissue contributed the sedimentary lignin. A soil-plankton-plant three-end-member mixing model revealed that soil-derived OC dominated before impoundment and at the early stage of reservoir operation, while the contribution of autochthonous OC began to dominate after gradually aging and eutrophicating of the reservoir. Our study of lignin evolution in reservoir highlights important temporal and spatial reservoir carbon components and their contribution to sedimentary carbon pools, providing new insights into the estimation of organic carbon burial in reservoirs.
Evaluation of Acute Renal Failure After Acinetobacter Baumannii-based Ventilator-associated Event: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: AYILGAN Fatih Turan , SEVDI Mehmet Salih , DEMIRGAN Serdar , OZCAN Funda GUMUS , ERKALP Kerem , SELCAN Aysin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Ventilator-associated event (VAE) is the major complication caused mechanical ventilation (MV). We aimed to evaluate whether acute renal failure (ARF) has developed in patients who had been followed-up due to diagnosis of VAE with Acinetobacter baumannii (AcB), and whether renal replacement therapy (RRT) was used, and its relationship with mortality in patients who developed colistin during their treatment.Methods: Retrospective evaluation of the hospital electronic information system records of 2,622 patients were conducted in three years. Patients who had AcB-related VAE and underwent parental colistin treatment were evaluated according to age, gender, diagnosis for intensive care unit (ICU) administration, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, colistin dose and treatment duration, requirement for additional antibiotics, total time required for MV, total duration of ICU stay, presence of septic shock, requirement for percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy (PDT), ARF staging according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria, requirement for RRT and mortality.Results: Total number of VAE cases was 85 (3.19%). AcB-related VAE was detected in 28 patients (32.9%). Bacterial eradication was achieved in 14 patients (50%), clinical response was received in 14 patients (50%), mean colistin dose was 298.2±85.5 mg/day, mean duration of colistin treatment was 14.3±8.6 days. ARF was detected as Stage-I in eight patients (28.6%), Stage-II in four (14.3%) and Stage-III in eight patients (28.6%). There was no difference between patients in need of RRT and those who did not, in terms of age, gender and body mass index. APACHE II score, bacterial eradication, presence of septic shock, clinical response to therapy, daily dose of colistin, duration of colistin treatment, MV duration, PDT requirement and time were similar in groups receiving RRT or not.Conclusion: Colistin treatment of AcB-related VAE caused ARF in 71.5% of the patients and led to serious conditions in 25% of patients requiring RRT.
The Impact of Globalization on The Ecological Footprint: Do Convergence Clubs Matter?
Authors: Apaydın Şükrü , Ursavas Ugur , Koc Umit 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This paper investigates the impact of globalization on the ecological footprint for 130 countries over the period 1980-2016. To do so, we follow a two-step procedure. First, we analyze convergence in ecological footprint and identify possible convergence clubs across countries using a novel approach proposed by Phillips and Sul (2007). Then, we investigate the impact of globalization on ecological footprint using panel FMOLS (Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares) and panel DOLS (Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares) methods. The results show that globalization is significantly and positively related to the ecological footprint both for the full panel sample and for all convergence clubs. However, the impact of globalization on ecological footprint significantly varies across convergence clubs and full panel sample. Furthermore, the findings show that the convergence club with the lowest impact of globalization on the ecological footprint is the closest club to the panel average.
Anti-inflammatory Properties of Fangji Huangqi Tang: Discovery Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Arrowsmith Tools
Authors: Jiang Qingtao , Han Lei , Liu Xin , Zhang Feng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Fangji Huangqi Tang (FHT) is a classical formula widely used in Chinese clinical practice. In this study, a creative application of FHT for inflammation has been identified by network pharmacology-based framework. Specifically, a total of 17 bioactive compounds including 42 potential targets of FHT, and 205 related targets involved in inflammation were retrieved from mainstream databases and subjected to network analysis. 13 intersection targets indicated the principal elements linked to inflammation therapy. Top terms of Gene Ontology (GO) analysis were identified, while 7 related signaling pathways were revealed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) results. Subsequently, Calycosin-PTGS2 with tight binding affinity (BA) was manifested by molecular docking as the critical compound-target couple. Meaningful links between Calycosin and inflammation were implied through Arrowsmith, which overlapped with the findings in enrichment analysis, such as MAPK, NF-κB that could be regulators of PTGS2. In summary, the present study explored the potential targets and signaling pathways of FHT against inflammation, which may help to illustrate the mechanisms responsible for the action of FHT and provide a better understanding of its anti-inflammatory effects.
Oct4-dependent FoxC1 Activation Improves the Survival and Neovascularization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells under Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Ji Zhou , Chen Songsheng , Cui Jin , Huang Weiguang , Zhang Rui , Zhang Shaoheng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background:The administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remains the most promising approach for cardiac repair after myocardial infarct (MI). However, their poor survival and potential in the ischemic environment limits their therapeutic efficacy for heart repair after MI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of FoxC1-induced vascular niche on the activation of octamer‑binding protein 4 (Oct4) and the fate of MSCs under hypoxic/ischemic conditions. Methods:Vascular microenvironment/niche was induced by efficient delivery of FoxC1 transfection into hypoxic endothelial cells (ECs) or infarcted hearts. MSCs were cultured or injected into this niche by utilizing an in vitro coculture model and a rat MI model. Survival and neovascularization of MSCs regulated by Oct4 were explored using gene transfer and functional studies. Results:Here, using gene expression heatmap, we demonstrate that cardiac ECs rapidly up-regulated FoxC1 after acute ischemic cardiac injury, contributing to an intrinsic angiogenesis. In vitro, FoxC1 accelerated tube-like structure formation and increased survival of ECs, resulting in inducing a vascular microenvironment. Overexpression of FoxC1 in ECs promoted survival and neovascularization of MSCs under hypoxic coculture. Overexpression of Oct4, a FoxC1 target gene, in MSCs enhanced their mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition (MEndoT) while knockdown of Oct4 by siRNA altering vascularization. In a rat MI model, overexpression of FoxC1 in ischemic hearts increases post infarct vascular density and improves cardiac function. Transplantation of adOct4-pretreated MSCs into these ischemic niches augments MEndoT, enhances vascularity and further improves cardiac function. Consistently, these cardioprotective effects of FoxC1 was abrogated when Oct4 was depleted in the MSCs and was mimicked by overexpression of Oct4. Conclusions:Together, these studies demonstrate that the FoxC1/Oct4 axis is an essential aspect for survival and neovascularization of MSCs in the ischemic conditions and represents a potential therapeutic target for enhancing cardiac repair.
GWAS identifies a wheat orthologue of the rice D11 gene as an important contributor to grain size in an international collection of hexaploid wheat
Authors: Tekeu Honoré , Ngonkeu Eddy L.M. , Bélanger Sébastien , Djocgoué Pierre F. , Abed Amina , Torkamaneh Davoud , Boyle Brian , Tsimi Patrick , Tadesse Wuletaw , Jean Martine , Belzile François 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Grain size is a key agronomic trait that contributes to grain yield in hexaploid wheat. Grain length and width were evaluated in an international collection of 159 wheat accessions. These accessions were genetically characterized using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) protocol that produced 73,784 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. GBS-derived genotype calls obtained on Chinese Spring proved extremely accurate when compared to the reference (> 99.9%) and showed > 95% agreement with calls made at SNP loci shared with the 90K SNP array on a subset of 71 Canadian wheat accessions for which both types of data were available. This indicates that GBS can yield a large amount of highly accurate SNP data in hexaploid wheat. The genetic diversity analysis performed using this set of SNP markers revealed the presence of six distinct groups within this collection. A GWAS was conducted to uncover genomic regions controlling variation for grain length and width. In total, seven SNPs were found to be associated with one or both traits, identifying three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) located on chromosomes 1D, 2D and 4A. In the vicinity of the peak SNP on chromosome 2D, we found a promising candidate gene (TraesCS2D01G331100), whose rice ortholog (D11) had previously been reported to be involved in the regulation of grain size. These markers will be useful in breeding for enhanced wheat productivity.
Photocontrollable Crystallization at the Topological Defect of a Liquid Crystalline Droplet
Authors: Katayama Kenji , Sakai Yota 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Photo-controllable crystallization at the topological defect in an LC droplet was demonstrated. The dye molecules dissolved in a surfactant solution outside the LC droplet were promoted to move into the droplet by the light absorption. Nuclei emerged tens of seconds after light irradiation and moved toward the topological defect located at the droplet center, forming a branch-shaped crystal. This phenomenon was reproduced for three different dyes, and photo-induced migration, nucleation, and crystal formation were discussed as a possible mechanism.