bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-resolution spectral information enables phenotyping of leaf epicuticular wax in wheat
Authors: Camarillo-Castillo Fátima , Huggins Trevis D. , Mondal Suchismita , Reynolds Matthew P. , Tilley Michael , Hays Dirk B. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Epicuticular wax (EW) is the first line of defense in plants for protection against biotic and abiotic factors in the environment. In wheat, EW is associated with resilience to heat and drought stress, however, the current limitations on phenotyping EW restrict the integration of this secondary trait into wheat breeding pipelines. In this study we evaluated the use of light reflectance as a proxy for EW load and developed an efficient indirect method for the selection of genotypes with high EW density.

Results
Cuticular waxes affect the light that is reflected, absorbed and transmitted by plants. The narrow spectral regions statistically associated with EW overlap with bands linked to photosynthetic radiation (500 nm), carotenoid absorbance (400 nm) and water content (~ 900 nm) in plants. The narrow spectral indices developed predicted 65% (EWI-13) and 44% (EWI-1) of the variation in this trait utilizing single-leaf reflectance. However, the normalized difference indices EWI-4 and EWI-9 improved the phenotyping efficiency with canopy reflectance across all field experimental trials. Indirect selection for EW with EWI-4 and EWI-9 led to a selection efficiency of 70% compared to phenotyping with the chemical method. The regression model EWM-7 integrated eight narrow wavelengths and accurately predicted 71% of the variation in the EW load (mg·dm−2) with leaf reflectance, but under field conditions, a single-wavelength model consistently estimated EW with an average RMSE of 1.24 mg·dm−2 utilizing ground and aerial canopy reflectance.

Conclusions
Overall, the indices EWI-1, EWI-13 and the model EWM-7 are reliable tools for indirect selection for EW based on leaf reflectance, and the indices EWI-4, EWI-9 and the model EWM-1 are reliable for selection based on canopy reflectance. However, further research is needed to define how the background effects and geometry of the canopy impact the accuracy of these phenotyping methods.
Estimating the tolerance of brachial plexus to hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy: a modelling-based approach from clinical experience
Authors: Kapitanova Irina , Biswas Sharmi , Divekar Sabrina , Kemmerer Eric J. , Rostock Robert A. , Forster Kenneth M. , Grimm Rachel J. , Scofield Carla J. , Grimm Jimm , Emami Bahman , Mahadevan Anand 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Brachial plexopathy is a potentially serious complication from stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) that has not been widely studied. Therefore, we compared datasets from two different institutions and generated a brachial plexus dose–response model, to quantify what dose constraints would be needed to minimize the effect on normal tissue while still enabling potent therapy for the tumor.

Methods
Two published SBRT datasets were pooled and modeled from patients at Indiana University and the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center from 1998 to 2007, as well as the Karolinska Institute from 2008 to 2013. All patients in both studies were treated with SBRT for apically located lung tumors localized superior to the aortic arch. Toxicities were graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, and a probit dose response model was created with maximum likelihood parameter fitting.

Results
This analysis includes a total of 89 brachial plexus maximum point dose (Dmax) values from both institutions. Among the 14 patients who developed brachial plexopathy, the most common complications were grade 2, comprising 7 patients. The median follow-up was 30 months (range 6.1–72.2) in the Karolinska dataset, and the Indiana dataset had a median of 13 months (range 1–71). Both studies had a median range of 3 fractions, but in the Indiana dataset, 9 patients were treated in 4 fractions, and the paper did not differentiate between the two, so our analysis is considered to be in 3–4 fractions, one of the main limitations. The probit model showed that the risk of brachial plexopathy with Dmax of 26 Gy in 3–4 fractions is 10%, and 50% with Dmax of 70 Gy in 3–4 fractions.

Conclusions
This analysis is only a preliminary result because more details are needed as well as additional comprehensive datasets from a much broader cross-section of clinical practices. When more institutions join the QUANTEC and HyTEC methodology of reporting sufficient details to enable data pooling, our field will finally reach an improved understanding of human dose tolerance.
Maternal bile acid profile and subtype analysis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Shao Yong , Chen Siyu , Li Huan , Tang Qin , Xu Di 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
ICP pregnant women have a unique profile of serum bile acid metabolism, thus the early and accurate identification of ICP patients is beneficial to early appropriate treatment and improvement of pregnancy outcomes. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the 15 types of serum bile acid profiles among patients with ICP in third trimester, patients with cholelithiasis, and patients with hepatitis B virus. The ICP diagnostic model established by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to screen the differential bile acids for clinical subtypes of ICP. 144 cases of ICP patients were involved in this study, and divided into four subgroups according to serum level of TBA, DBIL, and ALT.

Results
(1) The differential serum bile acid profiles of ICP group and normal pregnant women were DCA, TDCA, TCA, GDCA and GLCA. (2) The differential serum bile acid profiles of the ICP1 group (ICP with jaundice) and normal pregnant women were TCDCA, TCA, GCA, GCDCA, TUDCA and GUDCA. (3) The differential serum bile acid profiles of the ICP3 group (Hyperchoicemia of pregnancy) and normal pregnant group was GUDCA, LCA, GLCA, UDCA, TUDCA, CDCA, and TLCA (P < 0.05). (4) The differential serum bile acid profiles of ICP4 group (idiopathic aminotransferase abnormality during pregnancy) and normal pregnant group was UDCA, GUDCA, TUDCA, GCA and GLCA (P < 0.05). (5) The occurrence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, premature delivery and cesarean section in ICP1 group was significantly higher than normal group, ICP2 group, ICP3 group, and ICP4 group (P < 0.05); The occurrence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, premature delivery and cesarean section in ICP2 group, ICP3 group, and ICP4 group was significantly higher than normal group (P < 0.05), but no difference was found among ICP2 group, ICP3 group, and ICP4 group (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
Maternal serum bile acid profiles are useful to differentiate the four subtypes of ICP. ICP with jaundice could be an important predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes of ICP.
Inverse association of falciparum positivity with endemic Burkitt lymphoma is robust in analyses adjusting for pre-enrollment malaria in the EMBLEM case-control study
Authors: Peprah Sally , Ogwang Martin D. , Kerchan Patrick , Reynolds Steven J. , Tenge Constance N. , Were Pamela A. , Kuremu Robert T. , Wekesa Walter N. , Masalu Nestory , Kawira Esther , Otim Isaac , Legason Ismail D. , Ayers Leona W. , Bhatia Kishor , Goedert James J. , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Mbulaiteye Sam M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Falciparum and endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) are co-endemic in Africa, but the malaria experience in eBL patients is unknown. A lower prevalence of falciparum has been reported in eBL patients, but those results are anecdotally attributed to pre-enrollment anti-malaria treatment.

Methods
We studied 677 eBL patients and 2920 community controls aged 0–15 years enrolled in six regions in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya during 2010–2016. Falciparum was diagnosed using thick blood film microscopy (TFM) and antigen-capture rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Guardians of the children answered a 40-item structured questionnaire about their child’s pre-enrollment lifetime malaria history and treatment, demographics, socioeconomics, animal exposures, fevers, and hospitalizations. We utilized exploratory factor analysis to reduce the 40 questionnaire variables into six factors, including Inpatient malaria and Outpatient malaria factors that were surrogates of pre-enrollment anti-malaria treatment. The six factors accounted for 83–90% of the variance in the questionnaire data. We calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR 95% CI) of association of eBL with falciparum positivity, defined as positive both on TFM or RDTs, or only RDTs (indicative of recent infection) or TFM (indicative of current falciparum infection) versus no infection, using multivariable logistic regression, controlling for group of age (0–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–11 and 12–15 years), sex, and study site and the afore-mentioned pre-enrollment factors.

Results
The prevalence of falciparum infection was 25.6% in the eBL cases and 45.7% in community controls (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.47; P < 0.0001). The results were similar for recent falciparum infection (6.9% versus 13.5%, aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.50; P < 0.0001) and current falciparum infection (18.7% versus 32.1%, aOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.51; P < 0.0001). These aORs for any, recent and current falciparum infection did not change when we adjusted for pre-enrollment factors (aORs = 0.46, =0.44, and = 0.51, respectively) were significantly lower in stratified analysis for any infection in children < 5 years (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.75) or ≥ 10 years (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.71).

Conclusion
Our study results reduce support for pre-enrollment antimalaria treatment as a sole explanation for the observed lower falciparum prevalence in eBL cases and open a space to consider alternative immunology-based hypotheses.
The cerebral mechanism of acupuncture for chronic insomnia with gastrointestinal disorder: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Peng Wei , Hong Xiaojuan , Huangfu Yaru , Sun Zhao , Shen Wei , Feng Fen , Gong Liang , Shen Zhifu , Guo Baojun , Zhang Leixiao , Wang Yanan , Zhao Ying , Zhu Tianmin , Hu Youping , Yu Siyi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundMany patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. First-line insomnia medications do not treat GI problems. Acupuncture has a comprehensive regulative action on both CID and GI disorder and is receiving increasing attention. Recent studies indicate that both CID and GI diseases may cause abnormal brain activity. However, the neurological mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture on such diseases is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the pathological mechanisms of CID with GI discomfort, as well as the main response characteristics of acupuncture treatment from multiple perspectives using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsA total of 60 participants with CID and GI disorders will be randomly divided into two groups (real acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group; ratio of 1:1). Patients will receive 20 sessions (five sessions per week) of real acupuncture treatment or sham acupuncture treatment. The primary outcome is the aggregate score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Secondary outcomes are scores on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Multimodal MRI scans and clinical assessments will be performed both at baseline and post-treatment. Another 30 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy subjects will be recruited as controls and will receive MRI scans and clinical evaluations.DiscussionThis study aims to provide scientific evidence for the mechanism of acupuncture in treating CID with GI disorder using multimodal MRI imaging data on brain structure, function, and metabolism.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017092 (URL:http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=27173). Registered on July 11, 2018.
Infectivity of gastropod-shed third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis to dogs
Authors: Robbins William , Conboy Gary , Greenwood Spencer , Schaper Roland 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundMetastrongyloid parasitesAngiostrongylus vasorumandCrenosoma vulpisinfect wild and domestic canids and are important pathogens in dogs. Recent studies indicate that gastropod intermediate hosts infected with various metastrongyloids spontaneously shed infective third-stage larvae (L3) into the environment via feces and mucus under laboratory conditions. Shed L3 retain motility up to 120 days, but whether they retain infectivity was unknown.MethodsTo assess the infectivity of shed L3, the heart/lungs of six red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were obtained from trappers in Newfoundland, Canada. Lungs were examined for first-stage larvae (L1) by the Baermann technique. A high number of viableA. vasorumL1 and a low number ofC. vulpisL1 were recovered from one fox; these were used to infect naïve laboratory-raisedLimax maximus. L3 recovered from slugs by artificial digestion were fed to two naïve purpose-bred research beagles (100 L3/dog). L1 shed by these two dogs was used to infect 546L. maximus(2000–10,000 L1/slug). L3 shedding was induced by anesthetizing slugs in soda water and transferring them into warm (45 °C) tap water for at least 8 h. Shed L3 recovered from slugs were aliquoted on romaine lettuce in six-well tissue culture plates (80–500 L3/well) and stored at 16 °C/75% relative humidity. Four naïve research beagles were then exposed to 100 L3/dog from larvae stored for 0, 2, 4, or 8 weeks, respectively, after shedding.ResultsAll four dogs began sheddingC. vulpisL1 by 26–36 days post-infection (PI). All four dogs began sheddingA. vasorumL1 by 50 days PI.ConclusionsL3 infectivity for the definitive host was retained in both metastrongyloids, indicating the potential for natural infection in dogs through exposure from environmental contamination. As an additional exposure route, eating or licking plant or other material(s) contaminated with metastrongyloid L3 could dramatically increase the number of dogs at risk of infection from these parasites.Graphical Abstract
Evaluation on two types of paramyosin vaccines for the control of Haemaphysalis longicornis infestations in rabbits
Authors: Wu Pin-Xing , Cui Xue-Jiao , Cao Mi-Xue , Lv Li-Hong , Dong Hong-Meng , Xiao Shu-Wen , Liu Jing-Ze , Hu Yong-Hong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Haemaphysalislongicornis is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that transmits a variety of pathogens causing life-threatening diseases in humans and animals. Paramyosin (Pmy) is not only an invertebrate-specific myofibrillar protein but also an important immunomodulatory protein. Therefore, it is one of the ideal candidate antigens for vaccines.

Methods
We conducted two vaccine trials to evaluate the protective efficacy of Pmy recombinant protein (rPmy) and peptide vaccine (KLH-LEE). Each rabbit was immunized with three doses of rPmy or KLH-LEE adjuvanted with Freund’s complete/incomplete at 500 μg/dose at 2-week intervals before challenge with 40 female H.longicornis/rabbit. PBS plus adjuvant, Trx or KLH was used as control group. The antibodies of rabbits were detected by ELISA. Then, female ticks were fed on the rabbits until detachment.

Results
ELISA results showed that both vaccines induced rabbits to produce antibodies. Compared with the Trx group, the engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of the rPmy group decreased by 8.87%, 26.83% and 38.86%, respectively. On the other hand, engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of female ticks in the KLH-LEE group correspondingly resulted in 27.03%, 53.15% and 38.40% reduction compared with that of the KLH group. Considering the cumulative effect of vaccination on the evaluated parameters, results showed 60.37% efficacy of the rPmy vaccine formulation and 70.86% efficacy in the KLH-LEE group.

Conclusions
Pmy and particularly epitope LEE have potential for further development of an effective candidate vaccine to protect the host against tick infection.

Graphical Abstarct
Does one heavy load back squat set lead to postactivation performance enhancement of three-point explosion and sprint in third division American football players?
Authors: Bielitzki Robert , Hamacher Daniel , Zech Astrid 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
American football players need the ability to provide maximal muscular power in a modicum of time. Postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE), which is characterized by an acute improvement of a performance measure following conditioning contractions, could be of value for American football players. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a heavy load back squat PAPE protocol on three-point explosion (TPE; an essential blocking technique and drill) and 40-yard dash (40YD) performance compared to a traditional warm-up in American football players.

Methods
In a crossover study design, eighteen male competitive regional league American football players (mean ± SD: body mass 93.9 ± 15.5 kg, height 181.4 ± 6.8 cm, age 24.8 ± 3.9 years) performed a TPE on a double blocking sled (weight: 150 kg) and a 40YD (36.6 m with a 5 and 10 m split) 8 min after two different warm-up conditions. One condition was a traditional, football specific warm-up (TWU) consisting of game related movements (e.g. backward lunges, lateral power steps), whereas the other condition (PAPE) consisted of three explosive back squats with a load of 91 % one-repetition maximum.

Results
There was no significant difference in TPE between TWU and PAPE. For the 40YD, we found significantly shorter sprint times in the PAPE condition with medium effect sizes for the 5 m (p = 0.007; r = 0.45) and 10 m (p = 0.020; r = 0.39) but not for the whole 36.6 m distance (p = 0.084; r = 0.29) compared to the TWU condition.

Conclusions
The used heavy load back squat PAPE protocol improved sprint performance over short distances (≤ 10 m) but not complex movements like the three-point explosion.
Automated and robust organ segmentation for 3D-based internal dose calculation
Authors: Nazari Mahmood , Jiménez-Franco Luis David , Schroeder Michael , Kluge Andreas , Bronzel Marcus , Kimiaei Sharok 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeIn this work, we address image segmentation in the scope of dosimetry using deep learning and make three main contributions: (a) to extend and optimize the architecture of an existing convolutional neural network (CNN) in order to obtain a fast, robust and accurate computed tomography (CT)-based organ segmentation method for kidneys and livers; (b) to train the CNN with an inhomogeneous set of CT scans and validate the CNN for daily dosimetry; and (c) to evaluate dosimetry results obtained using automated organ segmentation in comparison with manual segmentation done by two independent experts.MethodsWe adapted a performant deep learning approach using CT-images to delineate organ boundaries with sufficiently high accuracy and adequate processing time. The segmented organs were consequently used as binary masks for further convolution with a point spread function to retrieve the activity values from quantitatively reconstructed SPECT images for “volumetric”/3D dosimetry. The resulting activities were used to perform dosimetry calculations with the kidneys as source organs.ResultsThe computational expense of the algorithm was sufficient for clinical daily routine, required minimum pre-processing and performed with acceptable accuracy a Dice coefficient of$$93\%$$93%for liver segmentation and of$$94\%$$94%for kidney segmentation, respectively. In addition, kidney self-absorbed doses calculated using automated segmentation differed by$$7\%$$7%from dosimetry performed by two medical physicists in 8 patients.ConclusionThe proposed approach may accelerate volumetric dosimetry of kidneys in molecular radiotherapy with 177Lu-labelled radiopharmaceuticals such as 177Lu-DOTATOC. However, even though a fully automated segmentation methodology based on CT images accelerates organ segmentation and performs with high accuracy, it does not remove the need for supervision and corrections by experts, mostly due to misalignments in the co-registration between SPECT and CT images.Trial registrationEudraCT, 2016-001897-13. Registered 26.04.2016,www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2016-001897-13.
Spermidine induces cytoprotective autophagy of female germline stem cells in vitro and ameliorates aging caused by oxidative stress through upregulated sequestosome-1/p62 expression
Authors: Yuan Xiaoyan , Tian Geng. G. , Pei Xiuying , Hu Xiaopeng , Wu Ji 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundAutophagy is required for oogenesis and plays a critical role in response to aging caused by oxidative stress. However, there have been no reports on regulation of cytoprotective autophagy in female germline stem cells (FGSCs) in response to aging caused by oxidative stress.ResultsWe found that Spermidine (SPD) significantly increased protein expression of autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta-II (MAP1LC3B-II/LC3B-II) and sequestosome-1/p62 (SQSTM1/p62), and evoked autophagic flux in FGSCs. Moreover, SPD increased the number and viability of FGSCs in vitro. Further, we found that SPD significantly reduced basal or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced up-regulated protein expression of the aging markers, cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16/CDKN2A) and tumor protein 53 (p53). After knockdown of p62 in FGSCs, p16 protein levels were significant higher compared with controls. However, protein p16 levels were not significantly changed in p62 knockdown FGSCs with SPD treatment compared with without SPD. Moreover, SPD significantly changed the expression of autophagy-related genes and pathways in FGSCs, as shown by bioinformatics analysis of RNA sequencing data. Additionally, SPD significantly inhibited AKT/mTOR phosphorylation.ConclusionsSPD induces cytoprotective autophagy in FGSCs in vitro and ameliorates cellular senescence of FGSCs induced by H2O2. Furthermore, SPD can ameliorate cellular senescence of FGSCs through p62. SPD might induce autophagy in FGSCs via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Our findings could be helpful for delaying aging of female germ cells due to oxidative stress and preserving female fertility.
An experimental study of fog and cloud computing in CEP-based Real-Time IoT applications
Authors: Mondragón-Ruiz Giovanny , Tenorio-Trigoso Alonso , Castillo-Cara Manuel , Caminero Blanca , Carrión Carmen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractInternet of Things (IoT) has posed new requirements to the underlying processing architecture, specially for real-time applications, such as event-detection services. Complex Event Processing (CEP) engines provide a powerful tool to implement these services. Fog computing has raised as a solution to support IoT real-time applications, in contrast to the Cloud-based approach. This work is aimed at analysing a CEP-based Fog architecture for real-time IoT applications that uses a publish-subscribe protocol. A testbed has been developed with low-cost and local resources to verify the suitability of CEP-engines to low-cost computing resources. To assess performance we have analysed the effectiveness and cost of the proposal in terms of latency and resource usage, respectively. Results show that the fog computing architecture reduces event-detection latencies up to 35%, while the available computing resources are being used more efficiently, when compared to a Cloud deployment. Performance evaluation also identifies the communication between the CEP-engine and the final users as the most time consuming component of latency. Moreover, the latency analysis concludes that the time required by CEP-engine is related to the compute resources, but is nonlinear dependent of the number of things connected.