bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The molecular structure and role of LECT2 or CHM‐II in arthritis, cancer, and other diseases
Authors: Zhu Sipin , Bennett Samuel , Li Yihe , Liu Mei , Xu Jiake 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLeukocyte cell‐derived chemotaxin‐2 (LECT2 or LECT‐2), also called chondromodulin II (ChM‐II or CHM2) plays a versatile role in various tissues. It was first identified as a chemotactic factor to promote the migration of neutrophils. It was also reported as a hepatokine to regulate glucose metabolism, obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. As a secreted factor, LECT2 binds to several cell surface receptors CD209a, Tie1, and Met to regulate inflammatory reaction, fibrogenesis, vascular invasion, and tumor metastasis in various cell types. As an intracellular molecule, it is associated with LECT2‐mediated amyloidosis, in which LECT2 misfolding results in insoluble fibrils in multiple tissues such as the kidney, liver, and lung. Recently, LECT2 was found to be associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, involving the dysregulation of osteoclasts, mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and endothelial cells in the bone microenvironment. LECT2 is implicated in the development of cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma via MET‐mediated PTP1B/Raf1/ERK signaling pathways and is proposed as a biomarker. The mechanisms by which LECT2 regulates diverse pathogenic conditions in various tissues remain to be fully elucidated. Further research to understand the role of LECT2 in a tissue tropism‐dependent manner would facilitate the development of LECT2 as a biomarker for diagnosis and therapeutic target.
Sustainable and continuous removal of trimethylamine in a bio‐photoelectrochemical reactor using g‐C3N4/TiO2 photocathode with power generation
Authors: Han Jianqing , Liu Lifen , Lu Xuguang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDTrimethylamine (TMA), as a harmful nitrogenous gas, is potentially toxic to animals and human beings. In recent years, the emission of TMA has caused huge environmental problems. TMA is strongly toxic and carcinogenic and requires efficient treatment technology. Photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) have attracted great interest because of their environmental friendliness and high efficiency. The key problem is how to construct high‐efficiency systems and prepare high‐activity catalysts.RESULTSTo eradicate TMA in air, an efficient electrochemical system with bio‐anode and photocathode (g‐C3N4‐TiO2) was designed. It removed TMA in air continuously and efficiently, for both single‐cathode and double‐cathode systems. This is the first report about TMA removal in such integrated g‐C3N4/TiO2 photocathode and bio‐electrochemical system. Effects of reaction conditions were investigated, such as the TMA concentrations and flow rates. The highest efficiency for TMA removal was in an integrated PEC and microbial fuel cell (MFC) system with potassium persulfate (PS) activation. The double‐cathode PEC–MFC–PS system could remove more TMA (1.9 g m−3 h−1 versus 1.3 g m−3 h−1) compared with the double‐cathode PEC–MFC system.CONCLUSIONSA novel TMA treatment system – PEC–MFC system – was constructed, coupling PEC with MFC for continuous removal of TMA from air. Combined with activated PS, a PEC–MFC–PS system was designed and constructed and proved effective in oxidizing gaseous TMA and generating electricity at the same time, which has practical application prospects for the treatment of TMA pollution. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The squirrel is in the detail: Anatomy and morphometry of the tail in Sciuromorpha (Rodentia, Mammalia)
Authors: Hofmann Rebecca , Lehmann Thomas , Warren Dan L. , Ruf Irina 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn mammals, the caudal vertebrae are certainly among the least studied elements of their skeleton. However, the tail plays an important role in locomotion (e.g., balance, prehensility) and behavior (e.g., signaling). Previous studies largely focused on prehensile tails in Primates and Carnivora, in which certain osteological features were selected and used to define tail regions (proximal, transitional, distal). Interestingly, the distribution pattern of these anatomical characters and the relative proportions of the tail regions were similar in both orders. In order to test if such tail regionalization can be applied to Rodentia, we investigated the caudal vertebrae of 20 Sciuridae and six Gliridae species. Furthermore, we examined relationships between tail anatomy/morphometry and locomotion. The position of selected characters along the tail was recorded and their distribution was compared statistically using Spearman rank correlation. Vertebral body length (VBL) was measured to calculate the proportions of each tail region and to perform procrustes analysis on the shape of relative vertebral body length (rVBL) progressions. Our results show that tail regionalization, as defined for Primates and Carnivora, can be applied to almost all investigated squirrels, regardless of their locomotor category. Moreover, major locomotor categories can be distinguished by rVBL progression and tail region proportions. In particular, the small flying squirrels Glaucomys volans and Hylopetes sagitta show an extremely short transitional region. Likewise, several semifossorial taxa can be distinguished by their short distal region. Moreover, among flying squirrels, Petaurista petaurista shows differences with the small flying squirrels, mirroring previous observations on locomotory adaptations based on their inner ear morphometry. Our results show furthermore that the tail region proportions of P. petaurista, phylogenetically more basal than the small flying squirrels, are similar to those of bauplan‐conservative arboreal squirrels.
Radiomic Features on Multiparametric MRI for Preoperative Evaluation of Pituitary Macroadenomas Consistency: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Wan Tao , Wu Chunxue , Meng Ming , Liu Tao , Li Chuzhong , Ma Jun , Qin Zengchang 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundPreoperative assessment of the consistency of pituitary macroadenomas (PMA) might be needed for surgical planning.PurposeTo investigate the diagnostic performance of radiomics models based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for preoperatively evaluating the tumor consistency of PMA.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationOne hundred and fifty‐six PMA patients (soft consistency, N = 104 vs. hard consistency, N = 52), divided into training (N = 108) and test (N = 48) cohorts. The tumor consistency was determined on surgical findings.Field Strength/SequenceT1‐weighted imaging (T1WI), contrast‐enhanced T1WI (T1CE), and T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) using spin‐echo sequences with a 3.0‐T scanner.AssessmentAn automated three‐dimensional (3D) segmentation was performed to generate the volume of interest (VOI) on T2WI, then T1WI/T1CE were coregistered to T2WI. A total of 388 radiomic features were extracted on each VOI of mpMRI. The top‐discriminative features were identified using the minimum‐redundancy maximum‐relevance method and 0.632+ bootstrapping. The radiomics models based on each sequence and their combinations were established via the random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM), and independently evaluated for their ability in distinguishing PMA consistency.Statistical TestsMann–Whitney U‐test and Chi‐square test were used for comparison analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), and relative standard deviation (RSD) were calculated to evaluate each model's performance. ACC with P‐value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsEleven mpMRI‐based features exhibited statistically significant differences between soft and hard PMA in the training cohort. The radiomics model built on combined T1WI/T1CE/T2WI demonstrated the best performance among all the radiomics models with an AUC of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87–0.92), ACC of 0.87 (CI: 0.84–0.89), SEN of 0.83 (CI: 0.81–0.85), and SPE of 0.87 (CI: 0.85–0.99) in the test cohort.Data ConclusionRadiomic features based on mpMRI have good performance in the presurgical evaluation of PMA consistency.Level of Evidence3Technical EfficacyStage 2
Impact of BMI on Left Atrial Strain and Abnormal Atrioventricular Interaction in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking Study
Authors: Shen Meng‐ting , Guo Ying‐kun , Liu Xi , Ren Yan , Jiang Li , Xie Lin‐jun , Gao Yue , Zhang Yi , Deng Ming‐yan , Li Yuan , Yang Zhi‐gang 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity often coexist and together contribute to left atrial (LA) functional abnormalities. However, little is known about the impact of body mass index (BMI) on LA strains measured using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (MR‐FT).PurposeTo investigate the additive effect of BMI on LA functional remodeling using MR‐FT as well as to explore abnormal atrioventricular interaction in T2DM patients.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationOne hundred and fifty‐nine T2DM patients (53, 34, and 72 normal‐weight, overweight, and obese individuals) and 105 non‐diabetic controls (46, 32, and 27 normal‐weight, overweight, and obese individuals).Field Strength/Sequence3.0 T/balanced steady‐state free precession.AssessmentLA reservoir strain (εs), conduit strain (εe), and active strain (εa) and their corresponding strain rates (SRs, SRe, SRa) were measured together with left ventricular (LV) radial, circumferential, and longitudinal peak strain, peak systolic strain rate, and peak diastolic strain rate.Statistical TestsStudent's t‐test or Mann–Whitney U test, one‐way ANOVA, univariate and multivariate linear regression. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsCompared to controls in the same BMI category, T2DM patients had significantly decreased reservoir and conduit function, while pump function was not significantly different (εa and SRa: P = 0.757 and 0.583 for normal‐weight, P = 0.171 and 0.426 for overweight, P = 0.067 and 0.330 for obese). LA strains were significantly correlated with BMI (r = −0.346 for εs, −0.345 for εe) in T2DM patients. Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that BMI was independently associated with LA εs and εe, LV global longitudinal strain was independently associated with LA εs and εa, and LV circumferential peak diastolic strain rate was independently associated with LA εe.Data ConclusionThese findings suggest that the coexistence of increased body weight and T2DM patients can exacerbate the impairment of LA strains and indicate abnormal atrioventricular interactions.Level of Evidence3Technical EfficacyStage 3
New fractionations in breast cancer: a dosimetric study of 3D‐CRT versus VMAT
Authors: Piras Antonio , Menna Sebastiano , D’Aviero Andrea , Marazzi Fabio , Mazzini Alberto , Cusumano Davide , Massaccesi Mariangela , Mattiucci Gian Carlo , Daidone Antonino , Valentini Vincenzo , Boldrini Luca 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroductionAdjuvant radiation therapy (RT) following primary surgery in women affected by early breast cancer (EBC) plays a central role in reducing local recurrences and overall mortality. The FAST‐FORWARD trial recently demonstrated that 1‐week hypofractionated adjuvant RT is not inferior to the standard schedule in terms of local relapse, cosmetic outcomes and toxicity. The aim of this in silico study was to evaluate the dosimetric aspects of a 1‐week RT course, administered through volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), compared with traditional three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D‐CRT) with tangential fields.MethodsPatients affected by left‐side EBC undergoing adjuvant RT were selected. ESTRO guidelines for the clinical target volume (CTV) delineation and FAST‐FORWARD protocol for CTV to planning target volume (PTV) margin definition were followed. Total prescribed dose was 26 Gy in five fractions. The homogeneity index (HI) and the global conformity index (GCI) were taken into account for planning and dose distribution optimisation purposes. Both 3D‐CRT tangential fields and VMAT plans were generated for each patient.ResultsThe analysis included 21 patients. PTV coverage comparison between 3D‐CRT and VMAT plans showed significant increases for GCI (P < 0.05) in VMAT technique; no statistically significant differences were observed regarding HI. For organs at risks (OAR), statistically significant increases were observed in terms of skin V103% (P < 0.002) and ipsilateral lung V30% (P < 0.05) with 3D‐CRT and of heart V5% (P < 0.05) with VMAT technique.ConclusionsThis in silico study showed that both 3D‐CRT and VMAT are dosimetrically feasible techniques in the framework of 1‐week hypofractionated treatments for left EBC.
Taxonomic analysis of the Quaternary archaeofauna found at The Lapa do Santo site, Lagoa Santa region, Brazil
Authors: Chahud Artur , Figueiredo Gisele Ferreira , Mingatos Gabriela Sartori , Okumura Mercedes 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTThe Lapa do Santo archaeological site, located in the Lagoa Santa region, Brazil, represents an important hunter‐gatherer occupation dated from the Early and Middle Holocene. Prior studies of archaeofauna dating to this period are few and most of them only provide basic faunal identification with limited information on taphonomic processes. The main goal of this study is to identify the archaeofauna, record the taphonomic processes, and make inferences about its natural (interpreted as the death of the animal in the rockshelter area due to natural causes or due to predation) or anthropic origins. No extinct species (including megamastofauna) were identified. Taxonomic analysis indicated that most faunal remains consist of taxa that may be of mixed origin (natural or anthropic), such as microvertebrates and carnivorous mammals. The Cervidae are the main vertebrate family found in the studied material and these are likely the result of hunting. The CervidaeOzotocerossupport the presence of a fauna that is typical of savannah environments, although the assemblage contains mostly generalist fauna that can thrive in a variety of environments. Very few remains showed clear evidence for taphonomic processes related to human interaction, such as burnt bones.
Lymphatic regeneration after implantation of aligned nanofibrillar collagen scaffolds: Preliminary preclinical and clinical results
Authors: Nguyen Dung , Zaitseva Tatiana S. , Zhou Anna , Rochlin Danielle , Sue Gloria , Deptula Peter , Tabada Peter , Wan Derrick , Loening Andreas , Paukshto Michael , Dionyssiou Dimitrios 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe tested our hypothesis that implantation of aligned nanofibrillar collagen scaffolds (BioBridge™) can both prevent and reduce established lymphedema in the rat lymphedema model. Our authors report clinical cases that demonstrate new lymphatic formation guided by BioBridge™ as seen by near‐infrared (NIR) fluoroscopy and magnetic resonance (MR) lymphography.MethodsA rat lymphedema model was utilized. A prevention group received implantation of BioBridge™ immediately after lymphadenectomy. A lymphedema group received implantation of BioBridge™ with autologous adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSC; treatment group) or remained untreated (control group). All subjects were observed for 4 months after lymphadenectomy. The hindlimb change was evaluated using computed tomography‐based volumetric analysis. Lymphagiogenesis was assessed by indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography.ResultsAnimals in the treatment group showed a reduction in affected limb volume. Animals in the prevention group showed no increase in the affected limb volume. ICG fluoroscopy demonstrated lymph flow and formation of lymphatics toward healthy lymphatics.ConclusionsIn the rat lymphedema model, implantation of BioBridge™ at the time of lymph node removal prevents the development of lymphedema. Treatment of established lymphedema with the BioBridge™ and ADSC reduces lymphedema. New lymphatic vessels are demonstrated by NIR fluoroscopy and MR lymphography. These findings have implications for the treatment of lymphedema in human subjects.
Regionalization of hurricane rainfall in the forests, protected and reserved zones of Mexico
Authors: Gutierrez‐Lopez Alfonso 
Published: September 2021

AbstractExtreme events such as hurricanes repeatedly affect coastal areas in several tropical regions of the world. The economic and biodiversity losses caused by these extreme events are considerable. Mexico's coasts are exposed to hurricanes annually. A hydrological characterization and regionalization of the storms caused by the rain fields generated by all the hurricanes that touched the Mexican coast from 1966 to 2017 were carried out. Adimensional Huff curves are proposed to get precipitation hyetograms from which the erosion factor of a storm is obtained, using the universal soil loss equation (USLE). The results made it possible to get the typical precipitation hyetograms in the forests and protected areas before, during, and after the impact of a hurricane. The proposed hydrological regionalization made it possible to estimate the rainfall intensity in 30 min to characterize the start of rain erosion. The method proposed in this research was applied in the 177 natural protected areas (25,628,239 ha) as well as in the 370 voluntarily designated areas for conservation (399,643 ha) in Mexico. It is concluded that, with the regionalization and the proposed equations, it is possible to get typical hurricane precipitation hyetograms, which would allow us to detail the forest management plans in forests, ecological reserves, and protected areas of Mexico.
Oceanic Water Temperatures Less Than 20°C May Partly Account for Bias in American Eel Elver Otolith Age Estimates
Authors: Jessop B. M. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The mystery of the discrepancy between American Eel Anguilla rostrata larval, glass, and elver ages derived from otolith examination and from observed spawning and recruitment dates is long standing. A variety of solutions have been proposed but none have been validated. Japanese Eels Anguilla japonica do not deposit daily otolith growth rings at water temperatures ≤10°C and have less than daily deposition at temperatures 10–20°C, which may apply to American Eels. Oceanic water temperatures ≤10°C between continental sites and the Gulf Stream during glass and elver eel migration periods have little effect on ages imputed from otolith ring counts of eels migrating to sites south of Cape Hatteras because coastal water temperatures infrequently, and usually only for a few days, decline below 10°C between Cape Hatteras and South Carolina. Coastal and estuarine water temperatures of 10–20°C may have more effect. North of Cape Hatteras, the temperature effect on otolith ages increased with distances north of and from the Gulf Stream. Adjustment to otolith ages for low estuarine/freshwater temperatures may more fully account for the difference between otolith and observed ages over the recruitment period at sites north and south of Cape Hatteras. The effect of recent higher oceanic water temperatures north of Cape Hatteras on otolith daily growth increments remains to be learned but may increase otolith age estimates. Otolith ages for glass and elver American Eels should be used with caution unless adjusted for seasonal low oceanic, estuarine, and freshwater temperatures; even then otolith aging issues remain. A greater understanding of oceanic migratory paths and durations is needed for American Eels.
Polymorphisms in NQO1 and MPO genes and risk for bladder cancer in Tunisian population
Authors: Hemissi Imen , Ayed Haroun , Naimi Zeineb , Meddeb Khedija , Ayadi Mouna , Zouari Skander , Zaghbib Selim , Talbi Emna , Chebil Mohamed , Ouerhani Slah 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundNAD (P) H: quinone oxidoreductase (1) (NQO1‐HGNC: 2874) and myeloperoxidase (MPO‐HGNC: 7218) are two enzymes involved in phase II of the xenobiotic metabolism pathway.MethodsIn this study, a case–control analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between genetic variations in the NQO1 (C609T, rs1800566; IVS1‐27 C >G, rs689452) and MPO (G463A, rs2333227) genes and the risk for bladder cancer among Tunisian population.ResultsWe have found that the MPO 463GA genotype was associated with a decreased risk of developing bladder cancer (p = 0.049; OR = 0.696; 95% CI 0.484–0.999). In contrast, we have found that the NQO1 609CT genotype could increase the risk of bladder cancer patients (p = 0.0039; OR = 1.454; 95% CI = 1.017–2.078). Moreover, patients with “NQO1 609 CT/IVS1‐27 CG” genotype show a 2.180‐fold increasing risk for developing bladder cancer in comparison to the control group with wild genotype. This OR is estimated at 5.6‐fold in smokers patients with “NQO1 609 CT/IVS1‐27 CG” genotype. Lastly, study findings suggest that the NQO1 IVS‐27 *CG genotype (rs689452) is associated with a risk of progression to muscle invasive bladder cancer.ConclusionOur study suggests that environmental risk factors in association to NQO1 genotypes (NQO1 609 CT/IVS1‐27 CG) play an important role in the development of bladder cancer in Tunisian population.
Locations of spikes for linearly coupled Schrödinger systems
Authors: Jin Ke , Shen Zifei , Wang Lushun 
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we consider the following Schrödinger system with linearly coupled terms:

where ε > 0, 0 < λ < 1, and Ω is a bounded smooth domain in
. Under the Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions, we study the locations and interaction of spikes for ground states of (A1) by the variation method, maximum principle, and blow up technique.