bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High coercivity SmCo5 synthesized with assistance of colloidal SiO2
Authors: Tang Hao , Mamakhel Mohammad Aref Hasen , Christensen Mogens 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSmCo5 is one of the most promising candidates for achieving a hard magnet with a high coercivity. Usually, composition, morphology, and size determine the coercivity of a magnet, however, it is challenging to synthesize phase pure SmCo5 with optimal size and high coercivity. In this paper, we report on the successful synthesis of phase pure SmCo5 with spherical/prolate spheroids shape. Size control is obtained by utilizing colloidal SiO2 as a template preventing aggregation and growth of the precursor. The amount of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in the precursor tunes the average particle size (APS) of the synthesized SmCo5 with particle dimension from 740 to 504 nm. As-prepared pure SmCo5 fine powder obtained from using 2 ml SiO2 suspension possesses an APS of 625 nm and exhibits an excellent coercivity of 2986 kA m−1 (37.5 kOe) without alignment of the particles prior to magnetisation measurements. Comparing with a reference sample prepared without adding any SiO2 NPs, an enhancement of 35% of the coercivity was achieved. The improvement is due to phase purity, stable single-domain (SSD) size, and shape anisotropy originating from the prolate spheroid particles.
Pre-procedural proton pump inhibition is associated with fewer peri-oesophageal lesions after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Cordes F. , Ellermann C. , Dechering D. G. , Frommeyer G. , Kochhäuser S. , Lange P. S. , Pott C. , Lenze F. , Kabar I. , Schmidt H. , Ullerich H. , Eckardt L. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoenergy is safe and efficient for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Pre-existing upper gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies have been shown to increase the risk for AF. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing incidental pathologies of the upper GI tract in patients scheduled for PVI and to analyse the impact of patients’ characteristics on PVI safety outcome. In 71 AF patients, who participated in the MADE-PVI trial, oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and endosonography were prospectively performed directly before and the day after PVI to assess pre-existing upper GI pathologies and post-interventional occurrence of PVI-associated lesions. Subgroup analysis of the MADE-PVI trial identified clinically relevant incidental findings in 53 patients (74.6%) with age > 50 years being a significant risk factor. Pre-existing reflux oesophagitis increased risk for PVI-associated mediastinal oedema, while patients already treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) had significantly fewer mediastinal oedema. Our results suggest that AF patients with pre-existing reflux oesophagitis are at higher risk for PVI-associated mediastinal lesions, which is decreased in patients with constant PPI-treatment prior to PVI. Since PVI-associated mediastinal lesions are regarded as surrogate parameter for an increased risk of the fatal complication of an oesophago-atrial fistula, our findings hint at a beneficial effect of pre-interventional prophylactic PPI-treatment to reduce risk for PVI-associated complications.German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00016006; date of registration: 17/12/2018).
Protocol for preparation of heterogeneous biological samples for 3D electron microscopy: a case study for insects
Authors: Polilov Alexey A. , Makarova Anastasia A. , Pang Song , Shan Xu C. , Hess Harald 
Published: February 2021

AbstractModern morphological and structural studies are coming to a new level by incorporating the latest methods of three-dimensional electron microscopy (3D-EM). One of the key problems for the wide usage of these methods is posed by difficulties with sample preparation, since the methods work poorly with heterogeneous (consisting of tissues different in structure and in chemical composition) samples and require expensive equipment and usually much time. We have developed a simple protocol allows preparing heterogeneous biological samples suitable for 3D-EM in a laboratory that has a standard supply of equipment and reagents for electron microscopy. This protocol, combined with focused ion-beam scanning electron microscopy, makes it possible to study 3D ultrastructure of complex biological samples, e.g., whole insect heads, over their entire volume at the cellular and subcellular levels. The protocol provides new opportunities for many areas of study, including connectomics.
Airspace Dimension Assessment (AiDA) by inhaled nanoparticles: benchmarking with hyperpolarised 129Xe diffusion-weighted lung MRI
Authors: Petersson-Sjögren Madeleine , Chan Ho-Fung , Collier Guilhem J. , Norquay Graham , Olsson Lars E. , Wollmer Per , Löndahl Jakob , Wild Jim M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEnlargements of distal airspaces can indicate pathological changes in the lung, but accessible and precise techniques able to measure these regions are lacking. Airspace Dimension Assessment with inhaled nanoparticles (AiDA) is a new method developed for in vivo measurement of distal airspace dimensions. The aim of this study was to benchmark the AiDA method against quantitative measurements of distal airspaces from hyperpolarised 129Xe diffusion-weighted (DW)-lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). AiDA and 129Xe DW-MRI measurements were performed in 23 healthy volunteers who spanned an age range of 23–70 years. The relationship between the 129Xe DW-MRI and AiDA metrics was tested using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Significant correlations were observed between AiDA distal airspace radius (rAiDA) and mean 129Xe apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) (p < 0.005), distributed diffusivity coefficient (DDC) (p < 0.001) and distal airspace dimension (LmD) (p < 0.001). A mean bias of − 1.2 µm towards rAiDA was observed between 129Xe LmD and rAiDA, indicating that rAiDA is a measure of distal airspace dimension. The AiDA R0 intercept correlated with MRI 129Xe α (p = 0.02), a marker of distal airspace heterogeneity. This study demonstrates that AiDA has potential to characterize the distal airspace microstructures and may serve as an alternative method for clinical examination of the lungs.
Time-for-space substitution in N-mixture models for estimating population trends: a simulation-based evaluation
Authors: Costa Andrea , Salvidio Sebastiano , Penner Johannes , Basile Marco 
Published: February 2021

AbstractN-mixture models usually rely on a meta-population design, in which repeated counts of individuals in multiple sampling locations are obtained over time. The time-for-space substitution (TSS) in N-mixture models allows to estimate population abundance and trend of a single population, without spatial replication. This application could be of great interest in ecological studies and conservation programs; however, its reliability has only been evaluated on a single case study. Here we perform a simulation-based evaluation of this particular application of N-mixture modelling. We generated count data, under 144 simulated scenarios, from a single population surveyed several times per year and subject to different dynamics. We compared simulated abundance and trend values with TSS estimates. TSS estimates are overall in good agreement with real abundance. Trend and abundance estimation is mainly affected by detection probability and population size. After evaluating the reliability of TSS, both against real world data, and simulations, we suggest that this particular application of N-mixture model could be reliable for monitoring abundance in single populations of rare or difficult to study species, in particular in cases of species with very narrow geographic ranges, or known only for few localities.
Asthma and asthma symptom control in relation to incidence of lung cancer in the HUNT study
Authors: Jiang Lin , Sun Yi-Qian , Langhammer Arnulf , Brumpton Ben Michael , Chen Yue , Nilsen Tom IL , Leivseth Linda , Wahl Sissel Gyrid Freim , Mai Xiao-Mei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLarge prospective studies on asthma, especially asthma symptom control, as a potential risk factor for lung cancer are limited. We followed up 62,791 cancer-free Norwegian adults from 1995–1997 to 2017. Self-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma was categorized into active and non-active asthma. Levels of asthma symptom control were classified into controlled and partially controlled (including partly controlled and uncontrolled) according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Incident lung cancer cases were ascertained from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for possible associations. Totally, 984 participants developed lung cancer during a median follow-up of 21.1 years. After adjustment for smoking and other potential confounders, an increased incidence of lung cancer was found for adults with partially controlled asthma (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.00–1.92) compared with those without asthma at baseline. Adults with active asthma had a tendency of increased lung cancer incidence (HR 1.29, 95% CI 0.95–1.75). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the observed associations were less likely resulted from reverse causation or residual confounding by smoking. Our findings suggested that proper control of asthma symptoms might contribute to a reduced incidence of lung cancer.
Experimental demonstration of negative refraction with 3D locally resonant acoustic metafluids
Authors: Tallon Benoit , Kovalenko Artem , Poncelet Olivier , Aristégui Christophe , Mondain-Monval Olivier , Brunet Thomas 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNegative refraction of acoustic waves is demonstrated through underwater experiments conducted at ultrasonic frequencies on a 3D locally resonant acoustic metafluid made of soft porous silicone-rubber micro-beads suspended in a yield-stress fluid. By measuring the refracted angle of the acoustic beam transmitted through this metafluid shaped as a prism, we determine the acoustic index to water according to Snell’s law. These experimental data are then compared with an excellent agreement to calculations performed in the framework of Multiple Scattering Theory showing that the emergence of negative refraction depends on the volume fraction $$\Phi$$
Φ
of the resonant micro-beads. For diluted metafluid ($$\Phi =3\%$$

Φ
=
3
%

), only positive refraction occurs whereas negative refraction is demonstrated over a broad frequency band with concentrated metafluid ($$\Phi =17\%$$

Φ
=
17
%

).
The dominance model for heterosis explains culm length genetics in a hybrid sorghum variety
Authors: Hashimoto Shumpei , Wake Tatsuro , Nakamura Haruki , Minamiyama Masaki , Araki-Nakamura Satoko , Ohmae-Shinohara Kozue , Koketsu Eriko , Okamura Shinnosuke , Miura Kotaro , Kawaguchi Hideo , Kasuga Shigemitsu , Sazuka Takashi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHeterosis helps increase the biomass of many crops; however, while models for its mechanisms have been proposed, it is not yet fully understood. Here, we use a QTL analysis of the progeny of a high-biomass sorghum F1 hybrid to examine heterosis. Five QTLs were identified for culm length and were explained using the dominance model. Five resultant homozygous dominant alleles were used to develop pyramided lines, which produced biomasses like the original F1 line. Cloning of one of the uncharacterised genes (Dw7a) revealed that it encoded a MYB transcription factor, that was not yet proactively used in modern breeding, suggesting that combining classic dw1or dw3, and new (dw7a) genes is an important breeding strategy. In conclusion, heterosis is explained in this situation by the dominance model and a combination of genes that balance the shortness and early flowering of the parents, to produce F1 seed yields.
Role of sex in the association between childhood socioeconomic position and cognitive ageing in later life
Authors: Wolfova Katrin , Csajbok Zsofia , Kagstrom Anna , Kåreholt Ingemar , Cermakova Pavla 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe aimed to explore sex differences in the association of childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) with the level of cognitive performance and the rate of cognitive decline. We studied 84,059 individuals (55% women; mean age 64 years) from the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Sex differences in the association of childhood SEP (household characteristics at age 10) with the level of cognitive performance (verbal fluency, immediate recall, delayed recall) were analysed using multilevel linear regression. Structural equation modelling tested education, depressive symptoms and physical state as mediators. The relationship between childhood socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage and the rate of cognitive decline was assessed using linear mixed-effects models. Higher childhood SEP was associated with a higher level of cognitive performance to a greater extent in women (B = 0.122; 95% CI 0.092–0.151) than in men (B = 0.109; 95% CI 0.084–0.135). The strongest mediator was education. Childhood socioeconomic disadvantage was related to a higher rate of decline in delayed recall in both sexes, with a greater association in women. Strategies to prevent impaired late-life cognitive functioning, such as reducing childhood socioeconomic disadvantages and improving education, might have a greater benefit for women.
Fast visual exploration of mass spectrometry images with interactive dynamic spectral similarity pseudocoloring
Authors: Wüllems Karsten , Zurowietz Annika , Zurowietz Martin , Schneider Roland , Bednarz Hanna , Niehaus Karsten , Nattkemper Tim W. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) is an established and still evolving technique for the spatial analysis of molecular co-location in biological samples. Nowadays, MSI is expanding into new domains such as clinical pathology. In order to increase the value of MSI data, software for visual analysis is required that is intuitive and technique independent. Here, we present QUIMBI (QUIck exploration tool for Multivariate BioImages) a new tool for the visual analysis of MSI data. QUIMBI is an interactive visual exploration tool that provides the user with a convenient and straightforward visual exploration of morphological and spectral features of MSI data. To improve the overall quality of MSI data by reducing non-tissue specific signals and to ensure optimal compatibility with QUIMBI, the tool is combined with the new pre-processing tool ProViM (Processing for Visualization and multivariate analysis of MSI Data), presented in this work. The features of the proposed visual analysis approach for MSI data analysis are demonstrated with two use cases. The results show that the use of ProViM and QUIMBI not only provides a new fast and intuitive visual analysis, but also allows the detection of new co-location patterns in MSI data that are difficult to find with other methods.
CircSLC8A1 and circNFIX can be used as auxiliary diagnostic markers for sudden cardiac death caused by acute ischemic heart disease
Authors: Tian Meihui , Xue Jiajia , Dai Cuiyun , Jiang Enzhu , Zhu Baoli , Pang Hao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by acute ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of sudden death worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abundant in the heart and play important roles in cardiovascular diseases, but the role of circRNAs as biomarkers in the forensic diagnosis of SCD caused by acute IHD remains poorly characterized. To investigate the potential of two heart-enriched circRNAs, circNFIX and circSLC8A1, we explored the expression of these two circRNAs in different kinds of commonly used IHD models, and further verified their expressions in forensic autopsy cases. The results from both the IHD rat and H9c2 cell models revealed that circSlc8a1 level was upregulated, while the circNfix level was elevated in the early stage of ischemia and subsequently downregulated. The time-dependent expression patterns of the two circRNAs suggested their potential as SCD biomarkers. In autopsy cases, the results showed that the expression of these two circRNAs in the myocardium with acute IHD-related SCDs corresponded to the observations in the ischemic models. Further analysis related to myocardial ischemia indicated that circSLC8A1 showed high sensitivity and specificity for myocardial infarction and was positively correlated with creatine kinase MB in pericardial fluid. Downregulated circNFIX level could indicate the ischemic myocardial damage, and it was negatively correlated with the coronary artery stenosis grade. The combination of circSLC8A1 and circNFIX had better performance to discriminate IHD-related SCDs. The results suggested that circSLC8A1 and circNFIX may be used as auxiliary diagnostic markers for SCD caused by acute IHD in forensic medicine.
Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts in a stroma-rich xenograft model
Authors: Miyazaki Yoshihiro , Oda Tatsuya , Inagaki Yuki , Kushige Hiroko , Saito Yutaka , Mori Nobuhito , Takayama Yuzo , Kumagai Yutaro , Mitsuyama Toutai , Kida Yasuyuki S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the key components of the densely proliferated stroma in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and contribute to tumor progression and drug resistance. CAFs comprise heterogeneous subpopulations playing unique and vital roles. However, the commonly used mouse models have not been able to fully reproduce the histological and functional characteristics of clinical human CAF. Here, we generated a human cell-derived stroma-rich CDX (Sr-CDX) model, to reproduce the clinical tumor microenvironment. By co-transplanting human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and a human PDAC cell line (Capan-1) into mice, the Sr-CDX model recapitulated the characteristics of clinical pancreatic cancer, such as accelerated tumor growth, abundant stromal proliferation, chemoresistance, and dense stroma formed from the heterogeneous CAFs. Global RNA sequencing, single-cell based RNA sequencing, and histological analysis of CAFs in the Sr-CDX model revealed that the CAFs of the Sr-CDX mice were derived from the transplanted AD-MSCs and composed of heterogeneous subpopulations of CAF, including known and unknown subtypes. These lines of evidences suggest that our new tumor-bearing mouse model has the potential to address an open question in CAF research, that is the mechanism of CAF differentiation.
The effect of deformation of absorbing scatterers on Mie-type signatures in infrared microspectroscopy
Authors: Brandsrud Maren Anna , Blümel Reinhold , Solheim Johanne Heitmann , Kohler Achim 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMie-type scattering features such as ripples (i.e., sharp shape-resonance peaks) and wiggles (i.e., broad oscillations), are frequently-observed scattering phenomena in infrared microspectroscopy of cells and tissues. They appear in general when the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation is of the same order as the size of the scatterer. By use of approximations to the Mie solutions for spheres, iterative algorithms have been developed to retrieve pure absorbance spectra. However, the question remains to what extent the Mie solutions, and approximations thereof, describe the extinction efficiency in practical situations where the shapes of scatterers deviate considerably from spheres. The aim of the current study is to investigate how deviations from a spherical scatterer can change the extinction properties of the scatterer in the context of chaos in wave systems. For this purpose, we investigate a chaotic scatterer and compare it with an elliptically shaped scatterer, which exhibits only regular scattering. We find that chaotic scattering has an accelerating effect on the disappearance of Mie ripples. We further show that the presence of absorption and the high numerical aperture of infrared microscopes does not explain the absence of ripples in most measurements of biological samples.
The influence of human genetic variation on Epstein–Barr virus sequence diversity
Authors: Rüeger Sina , Hammer Christian , Loetscher Alexis , McLaren Paul J. , Lawless Dylan , Naret Olivier , Khanna Nina , Bernasconi Enos , Cavassini Matthias , Günthard Huldrych F. , Kahlert Christian R. , Rauch Andri , Depledge Daniel P. , Morfopoulou Sofia , Breuer Judith , Zdobnov Evgeny , Fellay Jacques ,   the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, Aebi-Popp Karoline , Anagnostopoulos Alexia , Battegay Manuel , Bernasconi Enos , Böni Jürg , Braun Dominique , Bucher Heiner , Calmy Alexandra , Cavassini Matthias , Ciuffi Angela , Dollenmaier Guenter , Egger Matthias , Elzi Luigia , Fehr Jan , Fellay Jacques , Furrer Hansjakob , Fux Christoph , Günthard Huldrych F. , Haerry David , Hasse Barbara , Hirsch Hans , Hoffmann Matthias , Hösli Irene , Huber Michael , Kahlert Christian R. , Kaiser Laurent , Keiser Olivia , Klimkait Thomas , Kottanattu Lisa , Kouyos Roger , Kovari Helen , Ledergerber Bruno , Martinetti Gladys , de Tejada Begoña Martinez , Marzolini Catia , Metzner Karin , Müller Nicolas , Nicca Dunja , Paioni Paolo , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Perreau Matthieu , Rauch Andri , Rudin Christoph , Scherrer Alexandra , Schmid Patrick , Speck Roberto , Stöckle Marcel , Tarr Philip , Trkola Alexandra , Vernazza Pietro , Wagner Noémie , Wandeler Gilles , Weber Rainer , Yerly Sabine 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEpstein–Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common viruses latently infecting humans. Little is known about the impact of human genetic variation on the large inter-individual differences observed in response to EBV infection. To search for a potential imprint of host genomic variation on the EBV sequence, we jointly analyzed paired viral and human genomic data from 268 HIV-coinfected individuals with CD4 + T cell count < 200/mm3and elevated EBV viremia. We hypothesized that the reactivated virus circulating in these patients could carry sequence variants acquired during primary EBV infection, thereby providing a snapshot of early adaptation to the pressure exerted on EBV by the individual immune response. We searched for associations between host and pathogen genetic variants, taking into account human and EBV population structure. Our analyses revealed significant associations between human and EBV sequence variation. Three polymorphic regions in the human genome were found to be associated with EBV variation: one at the amino acid level (BRLF1:p.Lys316Glu); and two at the gene level (burden testing of rare variants in BALF5 and BBRF1). Our findings confirm that jointly analyzing host and pathogen genomes can identify sites of genomic interactions, which could help dissect pathogenic mechanisms and suggest new therapeutic avenues.
Molecular imaging of orthotopic prostate cancer with nanobubble ultrasound contrast agents targeted to PSMA
Authors: Wang Yu , De Leon Al Christopher , Perera Reshani , Abenojar Eric , Gopalakrishnan Ramamurthy , Basilion James P. , Wang Xinning , Exner Agata A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUltrasound imaging is routinely used to guide prostate biopsies, yet delineation of tumors within the prostate gland is extremely challenging, even with microbubble (MB) contrast. A more effective ultrasound protocol is needed that can effectively localize malignancies for targeted biopsy or aid in patient selection and treatment planning for organ-sparing focal therapy. This study focused on evaluating the application of a novel nanobubble ultrasound contrast agent targeted to the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA-targeted NBs) in ultrasound imaging of prostate cancer (PCa) in vivo using a clinically relevant orthotopic tumor model in nude mice. Our results demonstrated that PSMA-targeted NBs had increased extravasation and retention in PSMA-expressing orthotopic mouse tumors. These processes are reflected in significantly different time intensity curve (TIC) and several kinetic parameters for targeted versus non-targeted NBs or LUMASON MBs. These, may in turn, lead to improved image-based detection and diagnosis of PCa in the future.