bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine learning approach for differentiating cytomegalovirus esophagitis from herpes simplex virus esophagitis
Authors: Lee Jung Su , Yun Jihye , Ham Sungwon , Park Hyunjung , Lee Hyunsu , Kim Jeongseok , Byeon Jeong-Sik , Jung Hwoon-Yong , Kim Namkug , Kim Do Hoon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe endoscopic features between herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) esophagitis overlap significantly, and hence the differential diagnosis between HSV and CMV esophagitis is sometimes difficult. Therefore, we developed a machine-learning-based classifier to discriminate between CMV and HSV esophagitis. We analyzed 87 patients with HSV esophagitis and 63 patients with CMV esophagitis and developed a machine-learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) system using a total of 666 endoscopic images with HSV esophagitis and 416 endoscopic images with CMV esophagitis. In the five repeated five-fold cross-validations based on the hue–saturation–brightness color model, logistic regression with a least absolute shrinkage and selection operation showed the best performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 1.0, respectively). Previous history of transplantation was included in classifiers as a clinical factor; the lower the performance of these classifiers, the greater the effect of including this clinical factor. Our machine-learning-based AI system for differential diagnosis between HSV and CMV esophagitis showed high accuracy, which could help clinicians with diagnoses.
Twenty-one days of low-intensity eccentric training improve morphological characteristics and function of soleus muscles of mdx mice
Authors: Pedrazzani Paulo S. , Araújo Tatiana O. P. , Sigoli Emilly , da Silva Isabella R. , da Roza Daiane Leite , Chesca Deise Lucia , Rassier Dilson E. , Cornachione Anabelle S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDuchene muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the absence of the protein dystrophin, which leads to muscle weakness, progressive degeneration, and eventually death due to respiratory failure. Low-intensity eccentric training (LIET) has been used as a rehabilitation method in skeletal muscles after disuse. Recently, LIET has also been used for rehabilitating dystrophic muscles, but its effects are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 21 days of LIET in dystrophic soleus muscle. Thirty-six male mdx mice were randomized into six groups (n = 6/each): mdx sedentary group; mdx training group-3 days; mdx training group-21 days; wild-type sedentary group; wild-type training group-3 days and wild-type training group-21 days. After the training sessions, animals were euthanized, and fragments of soleus muscles were removed for immunofluorescence and histological analyses, and measurements of active force and Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. Muscles of the mdx training group-21 days showed an improvement in morphological characteristics and an increase of active force when compared to the sedentary mdx group. The results show that LIET can improve the functionality of dystrophic soleus muscle in mice.
Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease genotype and phenotype correlation in a Chinese cohort
Authors: Gong Kunjing , Xia Min , Wang Yaqin , Wang Na , Liu Ying , Zhang Victor Wei , Cheng Hong , Chen Yuqing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGenes of UMOD, HNF1B, MUC1, REN and SEC61A1 were reported to be associated with autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD). 48 probands and their family members (N = 27) were enrolled in this genetic screening study. A combination of methods was employed for comprehensive molecular analysis of both copy number variations (CNVs) and single nucleotide variants (SNVs). 35 probands were followed for years. The phenotype-genotype and genotype-outcome correlation were inferred from these datasets. In this cohort, 18 probands were diagnosed with ADTKD, according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guideline. Moreover, 11 probands were diagnosed with ADTKD-UMOD, one with ADTKD-REN and one with ADTKD-HNF1B, based on molecularly confirmed pathogenic variants. The 11 UMOD variants were mainly located in codons 28 to 289 and half of the variants were found to change the cysteine amino acid. According to the follow-up data, suspected ADTKD individuals had a better prognosis compared to ADTKD individuals (p = 0.029). Individuals with a cysteine substitution in the UMOD gene appeared to have a better prognosis than individuals with other amino acid substitutions (p = 0.015).
Genome-wide association study in hexaploid wheat identifies novel genomic regions associated with resistance to root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei)
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Sharma Shiveta , Sharma Rajiv , Pundir Saksham , Singh Vikas Kumar , Chaturvedi Deepti , Singh Bansa , Kumar Sundeep , Sharma Shailendra 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRoot lesion nematode (RLN; Pratylenchus thornei) causes extensive yield losses in wheat worldwide and thus pose serious threat to global food security. Reliance on fumigants (such as methyl bromide) and nematicides for crop protection has been discouraged due to environmental concerns. Hence, alternative environment friendly control measures like finding and deployment of resistance genes against Pratylenchus thornei are of significant importance. In the present study, genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using single-locus and multi-locus methods. In total, 143 wheat genotypes collected from pan-Indian wheat cultivation states were used for nematode screening. Genotypic data consisted of  > 7K SNPs with known genetic positions on the high-density consensus map was used for association analysis. Principal component analysis indicated the existence of sub-populations with no major structuring of populations due to the origin. Altogether, 25 significant marker trait associations were detected with − log10 (p value) > 4.0. Three large linkage disequilibrium blocks and the corresponding haplotypes were found to be associated with significant SNPs. In total, 37 candidate genes with nine genes having a putative role in disease resistance (F-box-like domain superfamily, Leucine-rich repeat, cysteine-containing subtype, Cytochrome P450 superfamily, Zinc finger C2H2-type, RING/FYVE/PHD-type, etc.) were identified. Genomic selection was conducted to investigate how well one could predict the phenotype of the nematode count without performing the screening experiments. Prediction value of r = 0.40 to 0.44 was observed when 56 to 70% of the population was used as a training set. This is the first report where GWAS has been conducted to find resistance against root lesion nematode (P. thornei) in Indian wheat germplasm.
Prenatal diagnosis of severe mitochondrial diseases caused by nuclear gene defects: a study in Japan
Authors: Akiyama Nana , Shimura Masaru , Yamazaki Taro , Harashima Hiroko , Fushimi Takuya , Tsuruoka Tomoko , Ebihara Tomohiro , Ichimoto Keiko , Matsunaga Ayako , Saito-Tsuruoka Megumi , Yatsuka Yukiko , Kishita Yoshihito , Kohda Masakazu , Namba Akira , Kamei Yoshimasa , Okazaki Yasushi , Kosugi Shinji , Ohtake Akira , Murayama Kei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPrenatal diagnoses of mitochondrial diseases caused by defects in nuclear DNA (nDNA) or mitochondrial DNA have been reported in several countries except for Japan. The present study aimed to clarify the status of prenatal genetic diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases caused by nDNA defects in Japan. A comprehensive genomic analysis was performed to diagnose more than 400 patients, of which, 13 families (16 cases) had requested prenatal diagnoses. Eight cases diagnosed with wild type homozygous or heterozygous variants same as either of the heterozygous parents continued the pregnancy and delivered healthy babies. Another eight cases were diagnosed with homozygous, compound heterozygous, or hemizygous variants same as the proband. Of these, seven families chose to terminate the pregnancy, while one decided to continue the pregnancy. Neonatal- or infantile-onset mitochondrial diseases show severe phenotypes and lead to lethality. Therefore, such diseases could be candidates for prenatal diagnosis with careful genetic counseling, and prenatal testing could be a viable option for families.
Serum estradiol level according to dose and formulation of oral estrogens in postmenopausal women
Authors: Kim Soo-Min , Kim Sung Eun , Lee Dong-Yun , Choi DooSeok 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study was performed to evaluate serum estradiol level in postmenopausal women using oral menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) with different doses and formulations of estrogens. A total of 344 postmenopausal women who received oral MHT was included in this cross-sectional study. Serum estradiol level was compared according to formulation (estradiol hemihydrate [EH] or valerate [EV], conjugated estrogen [CE]) and dose (estradiol 1 or 2 mg, CE 0.45 or 0.625 mg) of the estrogens. Mean age and years since menopause were 56.9 and 7.9 years, respectively. Mean duration of MHT was 27.4 months. Since serum estradiol levels were not significantly different at either dose, EH and EV at the same dose were combined for comparisons: estradiol 1 mg and 2 mg. The serum estradiol level with estradiol 2 mg (107.6 pg/mL) was significantly higher by 60% than with estradiol 1 mg (65.8 pg/mL) or CE 0.45 mg (60.1 pg/mL), and it was also significantly higher than with CE 0.625 mg (76.8 pg/mL). Our findings suggest that serum estradiol level is not directly proportional to estrogen dose. In terms of serum concentration, CE 0.45 mg is equivalent to estradiol 1 mg.
The earth’s gravity field recovery using the third invariant of the gravity gradient tensor from GOCE
Authors: Cai Lin , Wan Xiaoyun , Hsu Houtse , Ran Jiangjun , Meng Xiangchao , Luo Zhicai , Zhou Zebing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDue to the independence of the gradiometer instrument’s orientation in space, the second invariant$$I_2$$I2of gravity gradients in combination with individual gravity gradients are demonstrated to be valid for gravity field determination. In this contribution, we develop a novel gravity field model named I3GG, which is built mainly based on three novel elements: (1) proposing to utilize the third invariant$$I_3$$I3of the gravity field and steady-state ocean circulation explorer (GOCE) gravity gradient tensor, instead of using the$$I_2$$I2, similar to the previous studies; (2) applying an alternative two-dimensional fast fourier transform (2D FFT) method; (3) showing the advantages of$$I_3$$I3over$$I_2$$I2in the effect of measurement noise from the theoretical and practical computations. For the purpose of implementing the linearization of the third invariant, this study employs the theory of boundary value problems with sphere approximation at an accuracy level of$$O(J_2^2\cdot T_{ij})$$O(J22·Tij). In order to efficiently solve the boundary value problems, we proposed an alternative method of 2D FFT, which uses the coherent sampling theory to obtain the relationship between the 2D FFT and the third invariant measurements and uses the pseudo-inverse via QR factorization to transform the 2D Fourier coefficients to spherical harmonic ones. Based on the GOCE gravity gradient data of the nominal mission phase, a novel global gravity field model (I3GG) is derived up to maximum degree/order 240, corresponding to a spatial resolution of 83 km at the equator. Moreover, in order to investigate the differences of gravity field determination between$$I_3$$I3with$$I_2$$I2, we applied the same processing strategy on the second invariant measurements of the GOCE mission and we obtained another gravity field model (I2GG) with a maximum degree of 220, which is 20 degrees lower than that of I3GG. The root-mean-square (RMS) values of geoid differences indicates that the effects of measurement noise of I3GG is about 20% lower than that on I2GG when compared to the gravity field model EGM2008 (Earth Gravitational Model 2008) or EIGEN-5C (EIGEN: European Improved Gravity model of the Earth by New techniques). Then the accuracy of I3GG is evaluated independently by comparison the RMS differences between Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/leveling data and the model-derived geoid heights. Meanwhile, the re-calibrated GOCE data released in 2018 is also dealt with and the corresponding result also shows the similar characteristics.
Inhibition of androgen/AR signaling inhibits diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced tumour initiation and remodels liver immune cell networks
Authors: Helms Timothy H. , Mullins Riley D. , Thomas-Ahner Jennifer M. , Kulp Samuel K. , Campbell Moray J. , Lucas Fabienne , Schmidt Nathan , LeMoine Dana M. , Getaneh Surafel , Xie Zhiliang , Phelps Mitch A. , Clinton Steven K. , Coss Christopher C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA promotional role for androgen receptor (AR) signaling in hepatocellular carcinogenesis is emerging. In pre-clinical models, including diethylnitrosamine- (DEN-) induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), anti-androgen therapies delay hepatocarcinogenesis. However, pharmacologic anti-androgen therapy in advanced HCC patients fails, suggesting that AR plays a role in HCC onset. This study aims to characterize AR expression and function throughout DEN-induced liver inflammation and carcinogenesis and evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic AR antagonism to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis. We demonstrate that pharmacologic AR antagonism with enzalutamide inhibits hepatocellular carcinogenesis. With enzalutamide treatment, we observe decreased CYP2E1 expression, reducing DEN-induced hepatocyte death and DNA ethyl-adducts. AR protein expression analyses show that DEN causes an initial upregulation of AR in portal fibroblasts and leukocytes, but not hepatocytes, suggesting that hepatocyte-autonomous AR signaling is not essential for DEN-induced carcinogenesis. Ablating androgen signaling by surgical castration reduced pre-carcinogen Kupffer cell populations but did not alter DEN-mediated immune cell recruitment nor AR expression. In this study, we identified that anti-androgen interventions modulate mutagenic DNA adducts, tumour initiation, and immune cell composition. Additionally, we find that AR expression in hepatocytes is not present during nor required for early DEN-mediated carcinogenesis.
Morpho-functional changes of cardiac telocytes in isolated atrial amyloidosis in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sukhacheva Tatyana V. , Nizyaeva Natalia V. , Samsonova Maria V. , Cherniaev Andrey L. , Burov Artem A. , Iurova Mariia V. , Shchegolev Aleksandr I. , Serov Roman A. , Sukhikh Gennady T. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTelocytes are interstitial cells with long, thin processes by which they contact each other and form a network in the interstitium. Myocardial remodeling of adult patients with different forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs with an increase in fibrosis, age-related isolated atrial amyloidosis (IAA), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and myolysis. This study aimed to determine the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of cardiac telocytes in patients with AF and AF + IAA. IAA associated with accumulation of atrial natriuretic factor was detected in 4.3–25% biopsies of left (LAA) and 21.7–41.7% of right (RAA) atrial appendage myocardium. Telocytes were identified at ultrastructural level more often in AF + IAA, than in AF group and correlated with AF duration and mitral valve regurgitation. Telocytes had ultrastructural signs of synthetic, proliferative, and phagocytic activity. Telocytes corresponded to CD117+, vimentin+, CD34+, CD44+, CD68+, CD16+, S100-, CD105- immunophenotype. No significant differences in telocytes morphology and immunophenotype were found in patients with various forms of AF. CD68-positive cells were detected more often in AF + IAA than AF group. We assume that in aged AF + IAA patients remodeling of atrial myocardium provoked transformation of telocytes into “transitional forms” combining the morphological and immunohistochemical features with signs of fibroblast-, histiocyte- and endotheliocyte-like cells.
Transgenic inhibition of interleukin-6 trans-signaling does not prevent skeletal pathologies in mucolipidosis type II mice
Authors: Westermann Lena Marie , Baranowsky Anke , Di Lorenzo Giorgia , Danyukova Tatyana , Soul Jamie , Schwartz Jean-Marc , Hendrickx Gretl , Amling Michael , Rose-John Stefan , Garbers Christoph , Schinke Thorsten , Pohl Sandra 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSevere skeletal alterations are common symptoms in patients with mucolipidosis type II (MLII), a rare lysosomal storage disorder of childhood. We have previously reported that progressive bone loss in a mouse model for MLII is caused by an increased number of bone-resorbing osteoclasts, which is accompanied by elevated expression of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the bone microenvironment. In the present study we addressed the question, if pharmacological blockade of IL-6 can prevent the low bone mass phenotype of MLII mice. Since the cellular IL-6 response can be mediated by either the membrane-bound (classic signaling) or the soluble IL-6 receptor (trans-signaling), we first performed cell culture assays and found that both pathways can increase osteoclastogenesis. We then crossed MLII mice with transgenic mice expressing the recombinant soluble fusion protein sgp130Fc, which represents a natural inhibitor of IL-6trans-signaling. By undecalcified histology and bone-specific histomorphometry we found that high circulating sgp130Fc levels do not affect skeletal growth or remodeling in wild-type mice. Most importantly, blockade of IL-6trans-signaling did neither reduce osteoclastogenesis, nor increase bone mass in MLII mice. Therefore, our data clearly demonstrate that the bone phenotype of MLII mice cannot be corrected by blocking the IL-6trans-signaling.
Impact of synbiotics on gut microbiota during early life: a randomized, double-blind study
Authors: Phavichitr Nopaorn , Wang Shugui , Chomto Sirinuch , Tantibhaedhyangkul Ruangvith , Kakourou Alexia , Intarakhao Sukkrawan , Jongpiputvanich Sungkom ,   COLOR Study Group, Wongteerasut Anundorn , Ben-Amor Kaouther , Martin Rocio , Ting Steven , Suteerojntrakool Orapa , Visuthranukul Chonikarn , Piriyanon Punnapatch , Roeselers Guus , Knol Jan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHuman milk is considered the optimal nutrition for infants and found to contain significant numbers of viable bacteria. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a specific synbiotic combination at doses closer to the bacterial cells present in human milk, on intestinal bifidobacteria proportions (relative abundance), reduction of potential pathogens and gut physiological conditions. A clinical study was conducted in 290 healthy infants aged from 6 to 19 weeks. Infants received either a control infant formula or one of the two investigational infant formulas (control formula with 0.8 g/100 ml scGOS/lcFOS andBifidobacterium breveM-16V at either 1 × 104 cfu/ml or 1 × 106 cfu/ml). Exclusively breastfed infants were included as a reference. Analyses were performed on intention-to-treat groups and all-subjects-treated groups. After 6 weeks of intervention, the synbiotics at two different doses significantly increased the bifidobacteria proportions in healthy infants. The synbiotic supplementation also decreased the prevalence (infants with detectable levels) and the abundance ofC. difficile. Closer to the levels in the breastfed reference group, fecal pH was significantly lower whilel-lactate concentrations and acetate proportions were significantly higher in the synbiotic groups. All formulas were well tolerated and all groups showed a comparable safety profile based on the number and severity of adverse events and growth. In healthy infants, supplementation of infant-type bifidobacterial strainB. breveM-16V, at a dose close to bacterial numbers found in human milk, with scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) created a gut environment closer to the breastfed reference group. This specific synbiotic mixture may also support gut microbiota resilience during early life.Clinical Trial RegistrationThis clinical study named Color Synbiotics Study, was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on 18 March 2013. Registration number is NCT01813175.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01813175.
Small RNAs and their targets are associated with the transgenerational effects of water-deficit stress in durum wheat
Authors: Liu Haipei , Able Amanda J. , Able Jason A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWater-deficit stress negatively affects wheat yield and quality. Abiotic stress on parental plants during reproduction may have transgenerational effects on progeny. Here we investigated the transgenerational influence of pre-anthesis water-deficit stress by detailed analysis of the yield components, grain quality traits, and physiological traits in durum wheat. Next-generation sequencing analysis profiled the small RNA-omics, mRNA transcriptomics, and mRNA degradomics in first generation progeny. Parental water-deficit stress had positive impacts on the progeny for traits including harvest index and protein content in the less stress-tolerant variety. Small RNA-seq identified 1739 conserved and 774 novel microRNAs (miRNAs). Transcriptome-seq characterised the expression of 66,559 genes while degradome-seq profiled the miRNA-guided mRNA cleavage dynamics. Differentially expressed miRNAs and genes were identified, with significant regulatory patterns subject to trans- and inter-generational stress. Integrated analysis using three omics platforms revealed significant biological interactions between stress-responsive miRNA and targets, with transgenerational stress tolerance potentially contributed via pathways such as hormone signalling and nutrient metabolism. Our study provides the first confirmation of the transgenerational effects of water-deficit stress in durum wheat. New insights gained at the molecular level indicate that key miRNA-mRNA modules are candidates for transgenerational stress improvement.
Comparison of intravenous sedation using midazolam during dental treatment in elderly patients with/without dementia: a prospective, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Tatsuno Yuichi , Morimoto Yoshinari , Hayashi Megumi , Iida Takatoshi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe effects of intravenous sedation with midazolam on the cerebral function of elderly patients with severe dementia are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate its effects on parameters such as brainwaves and cerebral blood flow (CBF) and compare them between elderly individuals with dementia and without cognitive impairment. Ten patients with severe dementia and 10 without cognitive impairment were registered. The bispectral index (BIS) and normalized tissue hemoglobin index (nTHI), which reflects CBF using near-infrared spectroscopy, were measured. Midazolam was administered until a Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score of 2 was reached. The chi-squared, Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Friedman tests and multiple regression analysis were used for comparisons. Whereas a similar decline in BIS values was observed in both groups after midazolam administration (P < 0.018), there was a significant decrease by 9% in the nTHI of the dementia-positive group (P < 0.013). However, there was no significant difference in the nTHI between the dementia-positive and dementia-negative group according to the multiple regression analysis (P = 0.058). In the dementia-negative group, none of the measured values differed from the baseline values. In the dementia-positive group, sedation with midazolam resulted in a 9% decrease in the CBF.