bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical evaluation of the revolutionizing prosthetics modular prosthetic limb system for upper extremity amputees
Authors: Yu Kristin E. , Perry Briana N. , Moran Courtney W. , Armiger Robert S. , Johannes Matthew S. , Hawkins Abigail , Stentz Lauren , Vandersea Jamie , Tsao Jack W. , Pasquina Paul F. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIndividuals with upper extremity (UE) amputation abandon prostheses due to challenges with significant device weight—particularly among myoelectric prostheses—and limited device dexterity, durability, and reliability among both myoelectric and body-powered prostheses. The Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) system couples an advanced UE prosthesis with a pattern recognition paradigm for intuitive, non-invasive prosthetic control. Pattern recognition accuracy and functional assessment—Box & Blocks (BB), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT), and Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC)—scores comprised the main outcomes. 10 participants were included in analyses, including seven individuals with traumatic amputation, two individuals with congenital limb absence, and one with amputation secondary to malignancy. The average (SD) time since limb loss, excluding congenital participants, was 85.9 (59.5) months. Participants controlled an average of eight motion classes compared to three with their conventional prostheses. All participants made continuous improvements in motion classifier accuracy, pathway completion efficiency, and MPL manipulation. BB and JHFT improvements were not statistically significant. ACMC performance improved for all participants, with mean (SD) scores of 162.6 (105.3), 213.4 (196.2), and 383.2 (154.3), p = 0.02 between the baseline, midpoint, and exit assessments, respectively. Feedback included lengthening the training period to further improve motion classifier accuracy and MPL control. The MPL has potential to restore functionality to individuals with acquired or congenital UE loss.
Histone demethylase JMJD2B/KDM4B regulates transcriptional program via distinctive epigenetic targets and protein interactors for the maintenance of trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Mak Kylie Hin-Man , Lam Yuk Man , Ng Ray Kit 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTrophoblast stem cell (TSC) is crucial to the formation of placenta in mammals. Histone demethylase JMJD2 (also known as KDM4) family proteins have been previously shown to support self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. However, their roles in the context of the trophoblast lineage remain unclear. Here, we find that knockdown of Jmjd2b resulted in differentiation of TSCs, suggesting an indispensable role of JMJD2B/KDM4B in maintaining the stemness. Through the integration of transcriptome and ChIP-seq profiling data, we show that JMJD2B is associated with a loss of H3K36me3 in a subset of embryonic lineage genes which are marked by H3K9me3 for stable repression. By characterizing the JMJD2B binding motifs and other transcription factor binding datasets, we discover that JMJD2B forms a protein complex with AP-2 family transcription factor TFAP2C and histone demethylase LSD1. The JMJD2B–TFAP2C–LSD1 complex predominantly occupies active gene promoters, whereas the TFAP2C–LSD1 complex is located at putative enhancers, suggesting that these proteins mediate enhancer–promoter interaction for gene regulation. We conclude that JMJD2B is vital to the TSC transcriptional program and safeguards the trophoblast cell fate via distinctive protein interactors and epigenetic targets.
Performance and application analysis of ANFIS artificial intelligence for pressure prediction of nanofluid convective flow in a heated pipe
Authors: Babanezhad Meisam , Behroyan Iman , Nakhjiri Ali Taghvaie , Marjani Azam , Shirazian Saeed 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHeat transfer augmentation of the nanofluids is still an attractive concept for researchers due to rising demands for designing efficient heat transfer fluids. However, the pressure loss arisen from the suspension of nanoparticles in liquid is known as a drawback for developing such novel fluids. Therefore, prediction of the nanofluid pressure, especially in internal flows, has been focused on studies. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a commonly used approach for such a prediction of fluid flow. The CFD tools are perfect and precise in prediction of the fluid flow parameters. But they might be time-consuming and expensive, especially for complex models such as 3-dimension modeling and turbulent flow. In addition, the CFD could just predict the pressure, and it is disabled for finding the relationship of such variables. This study is intended to show the performance of the artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm as an auxiliary method for cooperation with the CFD. The turbulent flow of Cu/water nanofluid warming up in a pipe is considered as a sample of a physical phenomenon. The AI algorithm learns the CFD results. Then, the relation between the CFD results is discovered by the AI algorithm. For this purpose, the adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is adopted as AI tool. The intelligence condition of the ANFIS is checked by benchmarking the CFD results. The paper outcomes indicated that the ANFIS intelligence is met by employinggauss2mfin the model as the membership function and x, y, and z coordinates, the nanoparticle volume fraction, and the temperature as the inputs. The pressure predicted by the ANFIS at this condition is the same as that predicted by the CFD. The artificial intelligence of ANFIS could find the relation of the nanofluid pressure to the nanoparticle fraction and the temperature. The CFD simulation took much more time (90–110 min) than the total time of the learning and the prediction of the ANFIS (369 s). The CFD modeling was done on a workstation computer, while the ANFIS method was run on a normal desktop.
Tracking the recent dynamics of Mt. Vesuvius from joint investigations of ground deformation, seismicity and geofluid circulation
Authors: Ricco Ciro , Petrosino Simona , Aquino Ida , Cusano Paola , Madonia Paolo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe reconstruct the composite dynamics of Mt. Vesuvius volcano in the period 2012–2019 from the study of ground deformation, seismicity, and geofluid (groundwater and fumarolic fluids) circulation and recognize complex spatio-temporal variations in these observables at medium (years) and short (months) time-scales. We interpret the observed patterns as the combined effect of structural changes affecting the volcanic edifice and variations of the dynamics of the hydrothermal system. In particular, we identify a change in the activity state of Mt. Vesuvius. After the activity reached minimum levels in 2014, the centroid of the surface manifestations migrated towards the SE. Episodic variations of co-seismic and aseismic deformation and fluid release, if analysed separately, would likely have been interpreted as pseudo-random oscillations of the background geophysical and geochemical signals. When organised in a comprehensive, multiparametric fashion, they shed light on the evolution of the volcano in 4D (x,y,z, time) space. These inferences play a crucial role in the formulation of civil protection scenarios for Mt. Vesuvius, a high risk, densely urbanized volcanic area which has never experienced unrest episodes in the modern era of instrumental volcanology.
Explainable identification and mapping of trees using UAV RGB image and deep learning
Authors: Onishi Masanori , Ise Takeshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe identification and mapping of trees via remotely sensed data for application in forest management is an active area of research. Previously proposed methods using airborne and hyperspectral sensors can identify tree species with high accuracy but are costly and are thus unsuitable for small-scale forest managers. In this work, we constructed a machine vision system for tree identification and mapping using Red–Green–Blue (RGB) image taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a convolutional neural network (CNN). In this system, we first calculated the slope from the three-dimensional model obtained by the UAV, and segmented the UAV RGB photograph of the forest into several tree crown objects automatically using colour and three-dimensional information and the slope model, and lastly applied object-based CNN classification for each crown image. This system succeeded in classifying seven tree classes, including several tree species with more than 90% accuracy. The guided gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Guided Grad-CAM) showed that the CNN classified trees according to their shapes and leaf contrasts, which enhances the potential of the system for classifying individual trees with similar colours in a cost-effective manner—a useful feature for forest management.
Altered hippocampal gene expression, glial cell population, and neuronal excitability in aminopeptidase P1 deficiency
Authors: Yoon Sang Ho , Bae Young-Soo , Oh Sung Pyo , Song Woo Seok , Chang Hanna , Kim Myoung-Hwan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInborn errors of metabolism are often associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and brain injury. A deficiency of aminopeptidase P1, a proline-specific endopeptidase encoded by the Xpnpep1 gene, causes neurological complications in both humans and mice. In addition, aminopeptidase P1-deficient mice exhibit hippocampal neurodegeneration and impaired hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. However, the molecular and cellular changes associated with hippocampal pathology in aminopeptidase P1 deficiency are unclear. We show here that a deficiency of aminopeptidase P1 modifies the glial population and neuronal excitability in the hippocampus. Microarray and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses identified 14 differentially expressed genes (Casp1, Ccnd1, Myoc, Opalin, Aldh1a2, Aspa, Spp1, Gstm6, Serpinb1a, Pdlim1, Dsp, Tnfaip6, Slc6a20a, Slc22a2) in the Xpnpep1−/− hippocampus. In the hippocampus, aminopeptidase P1-expression signals were mainly detected in neurons. However, deficiency of aminopeptidase P1 resulted in fewer hippocampal astrocytes and increased density of microglia in the hippocampal CA3 area. In addition, Xpnpep1−/− CA3b pyramidal neurons were more excitable than wild-type neurons. These results indicate that insufficient astrocytic neuroprotection and enhanced neuronal excitability may underlie neurodegeneration and hippocampal dysfunction in aminopeptidase P1 deficiency.
Induced changes of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical traits of sewage sludge and on the potential ecological risks
Authors: de Souza Souza Claudineia , Bomfim Marcela Rebouças , Conceição de Almeida Maria da , Alves Lucas de Souza , de Santana Welder Neves , da Silva Amorim Itamar Carlos , Santos Jorge Antonio Gonzaga 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBiochar from sewage sludge is a low-cost sorbent that may be used for several environmental functions. This study evaluates the induced effects of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical characteristics of sewage sludge (SS) biochar produced at 350 (SSB350), 450 (SSB450) and 600 (SSB600), based on the metal enrichment index, metal mobility index (MMI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI) of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Increased pyrolysis temperature reduced the biochar concentration of elements that are lost as volatile compounds (C, N, H, O, and S), while the concentration of stable aromatic carbon, ash, alkalinity, some macro (Ca, Mg, P2O5, and K2O) and micronutrients (Cu and Zn), and toxic elements such as Pb and Cd increased. Increasing the pyrolysis temperature is also important in the transformation of metals from toxic and available forms into more stable potentially available and non-available forms. Based on the individual potential ecological risk index, Cd in the SS and SSB450 were in the moderate and considerable contamination ranges, respectively. For all pyrolysis temperature biochar Cd was the highest metal contributor to the PERI. Despite this, the potential ecological risk index of the SS and SSBs was graded as low.
Interferon-γ enhances the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells on experimental renal fibrosis
Authors: Kanai Ryo , Nakashima Ayumu , Doi Shigehiro , Kimura Tomoe , Yoshida Ken , Maeda Satoshi , Ishiuchi Naoki , Yamada Yumi , Ike Takeshi , Doi Toshiki , Kato Yukio , Masaki Takao 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) administered for therapeutic purposes can be activated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreted from natural killer cells in injured tissues and exert anti-inflammatory effects. These processes require a substantial period of time, leading to a delayed onset of MSCs’ therapeutic effects. In this study, we investigated whether pretreatment with IFN-γ could potentiate the anti-fibrotic ability of MSCs in rats with ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) and unilateral ureter obstruction. Administration of MSCs treated with IFN-γ strongly reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and ameliorated interstitial fibrosis compared with control MSCs without IFN-γ treatment. In addition, conditioned medium obtained from IFN-γ-treated MSCs decreased fibrotic changes in cultured cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 more efficiently than that from control MSCs. Most notably, secretion of prostaglandin E2 from MSCs was significantly increased by treatment with IFN-γ. Increased prostaglandin E2 in conditioned medium obtained from IFN-γ-treated MSCs induced polarization of immunosuppressive CD163 and CD206-positive macrophages. In addition, knockdown of prostaglandin E synthase weakened the anti-fibrotic effects of MSCs treated with IFN-γ in IRI rats, suggesting the involvement of prostaglandin E2 in the beneficial effects of IFN-γ. Administration of MSCs treated with IFN-γ might represent a promising therapy to prevent the progression of renal fibrosis.
First record of gregarine protists (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) in Asian fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi (Blattaria: Termitidae)
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Lin Zijia , Huang Qihong , Shen Yulong , Ni Jinfeng 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMacrotermes barneyi, widely distributed in southern China, is the major fungus-growing termite in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. It has no flagellated protists in the guts. Here, we report occurrence of gregarine, a protozoan parasite in the digestive tract of M. barneyi. The general morphology and ultrastructure of the gregarine gamonts and syzygies by light micrograph and scanning electron micrograph are presented. SSU rDNA sequence analysis showed that the termite gregarine has the highest identity (90.10%) to that of Gregarina blattarum from cockroaches. Phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rDNA sequences from diverse insect eugregarines indicated that the gregarine from M. barneyi is phylogenetically close to G. blattarus, L. erratica and G. tropica from Gregarinidae and Leidyanidae families, and may represent a novel species. This study expands our knowledge about the diversity of terrestrial eugregarines parasitizing in termites.
An observational study on the effect of hypercholesterolemia developed after living donor liver transplantation on cardiac event and graft failure
Authors: Park Jungchan , Lee Seung-Hwa , Han Sangbin , Oh Ah Ran , Lee Suk-Koo , Choi Gyu-Seong , Park Myung Soo , Carriere Keumhee , Ahn Joonghyun , Kim Gaab Soo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study sought to evaluate the association between newly-developed significant hypercholesterolemia within one year following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and long term outcomes in light of cardiovascular events and graft failure. From October 2003 to July 2017, 877 LDLT recipients were stratified according to development of significant hypercholesterolemia within one year following LDLT. The primary outcome was occurrence of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization after LDLT. The incidence of graft failure, defined as all-cause death or retransplantation, was also compared. A total of 113 (12.9%) recipients developed significant hypercholesterolemia within one year. The differences in incidences of cardiac related events and graft related events began emerging significantly higher in the hypercholesterolemia group after 24 months and 60 months since the LDLT, respectively. After adjustment using the inverse probability of weighting, the hazard ratio (HR) for MACE was 2.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–6.61; p = 0.02), while that for graft failure was 3.76 (95% CI 1.97–7.17, p < 0.001). A significant hypercholesterolemia after LDLT may be associated with cardiac and graft-related outcome; therefore, a further study and close monitoring of cholesterol level after LDLT is needed.
Repeatability of automated measurements by a new anterior segment optical coherence tomographer and biometer and agreement with standard devices
Authors: Schiano-Lomoriello Domenico , Hoffer Kenneth J. , Abicca Irene , Savini Giacomo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe assess repeatability of automatic measurements of a new anterior segment optical coherence tomographer and biometer (ANTERION) and their agreement with those provided by an anterior segment-optical coherence tomography device combined with Placido-disk corneal topography (MS-39) and a validated optical biometer (IOLMaster 500). A consecutive series of patients underwent three measurements with ANTERION and one with MS-39. A subgroup of patients underwent biometry also with IOLMaster 500. Repeatability was assessed by means of within-subject standard deviation, coefficient of variation (COV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement was investigated with the 95% limits of agreement. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs test were performed to compare the measurements of the different devices. Repeatability of ANTERION measurements was high, with ICC > 0.98 for all parameters except astigmatism (0.963); all parameters apart from those related to astigmatism revealed a COV < 1%. Repeatability of astigmatism improved when only eyes whose keratometric astigmatism was higher than 1.0 D were investigated. Most measurements by ANTERION and MS-39 showed good agreement. No significant differences were found between measurements by ANTERION and IOLMaster, but for corneal diameter. ANTERION revealed high repeatability of automatic measurements and good agreement with both MS-39 and IOLMaster for most parameters.
Relationship between basal sodium intake and the effects of dapagliflozin in albuminuric diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Kinguchi Sho , Wakui Hiromichi , Ito Yuzuru , Kondo Yoshinobu , Azushima Kengo , Osada Uru , Yamakawa Tadashi , Iwamoto Tamio , Yutoh Jun , Misumi Toshihiro , Yasuda Gen , Yoshii Taishi , Haruhara Kotaro , Kobayashi Yusuke , Yamanaka Takeharu , Terauchi Yasuo , Tamura Kouichi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe investigated the impact of basal dietary sodium intake on the dapagliflozin-induced changes in albuminuria and blood pressure (BP) measured at home in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).This was a secondary analysis of the Y-AIDA Study, in which DKD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73 m2and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30 mg/g creatinine were administered dapagliflozin for 24 weeks, and dapagliflozin significantly improved albuminuria levels and home BP profiles. The effects on UACR, home-measured BP, and eGFR were compared between high- and low-sodium intake groups (HS and LS groups), which were created using baseline urinary sodium-to-creatinine ratio of 84 participants with available basal sodium-to-creatinine ratios. At baseline, clinic-/home-measured BPs, UACR, and eGFR, were comparable in the two groups. After 24 weeks, the reductions from baseline in ln-UACR were comparable in the two groups. In contrast, the reductions in evening home systolic BP and eGFR from baseline were larger in HS than in LS (BP: − 13 ± 2.08 vs. − 6 ± 1.88,P = 0.020; eGFR: − 3.33 ± 1.32 vs. 0.37 ± 1.29,P = 0.049). The home BP-lowering effects of dapagliflozin are larger in HS than LS, concomitant with a larger reduction in eGFR, suggesting a dapagliflozin-induced improvement in glomerular relative hyperfiltration in HS.
Preceding endoscopic submucosal dissection in submucosal invasive gastric cancer patients does not impact clinical outcomes
Authors: Kuroki Kazutaka , Oka Shiro , Tanaka Shinji , Yorita Naoki , Hata Kosaku , Kotachi Takahiro , Boda Tomoyuki , Arihiro Koji , Shimamoto Fumio , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSubmucosal deep invasion of gastric cancer (T1b2; depth of submucosal invasion ≥ 500 μm) is a risk factor for lymph node metastasis and, thus, is one of the criteria for curative treatment. Our aim was to evaluate the specific influence of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) on the prognosis of patients with T1b2 gastric cancer. This was a retrospective analysis of 248 consecutive patients, with 252 pT1b2 gastric cancer lesions, who underwent ESD prior to additional surgery (Group A, n = 101) or surgery only (Group B, n = 147). After propensity score-matching (for sex, age, tumor diameter and gross type), we compared pathological characteristics between the 2 groups and the prognosis over a follow-up period ≥ 60 months. Compared to Group B, patients in Group A were older, with a higher proportion of men. The proportion of depressed and undifferentiated type tumors was greater in Group B than A, with larger tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion as well. There was no incidence of local recurrence, but distant metastasis was identified in 5% of cases in Group A and 3% in Group B. After propensity score-matching, there were no difference in the 5-year overall survival rate between Group A and B (87.5% vs. 91.2%, respectively), nor in the 5-year disease-specific survival rate (96.3% vs. 96.4%, respectively). ESD prior to surgery for T1b2 gastric cancer did not adversely affect clinical outcomes after additional surgery.
Colony spreading of the gliding bacterium Flavobacterium johnsoniae in the absence of the motility adhesin SprB
Authors: Sato Keiko , Naya Masami , Hatano Yuri , Kondo Yoshio , Sato Mari , Narita Yuka , Nagano Keiji , Naito Mariko , Nakayama Koji , Sato Chikara 
Published: January 2021

AbstractColony spreading of Flavobacterium johnsoniae is shown to include gliding motility using the cell surface adhesin SprB, and is drastically affected by agar and glucose concentrations. Wild-type (WT) and ΔsprB mutant cells formed nonspreading colonies on soft agar, but spreading dendritic colonies on soft agar containing glucose. In the presence of glucose, an initial cell growth-dependent phase was followed by a secondary SprB-independent, gliding motility-dependent phase. The branching pattern of a ΔsprB colony was less complex than the pattern formed by the WT. Mesoscopic and microstructural information was obtained by atmospheric scanning electron microscopy (ASEM) and transmission EM, respectively. In the growth-dependent phase of WT colonies, dendritic tips spread rapidly by the movement of individual cells. In the following SprB-independent phase, leading tips were extended outwards by the movement of dynamic windmill-like rolling centers, and the lipoproteins were expressed more abundantly. Dark spots in WT cells during the growth-dependent spreading phase were not observed in the SprB-independent phase. Various mutations showed that the lipoproteins and the motility machinery were necessary for SprB-independent spreading. Overall, SprB-independent colony spreading is influenced by the lipoproteins, some of which are involved in the gliding machinery, and medium conditions, which together determine the nutrient-seeking behavior.