bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishment of an efficient in vitro propagation protocol for Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and confirmation of the genetic homogeneity
Authors: Amiri Saleh , Mohammadi Reza 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe conventional reproduction methods are not efficient for regeneration of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.). The purpose of this work was to study the micropropagation of R. coriaria using lateral buds as explant in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of plant growth regulator (PGRs). Four concentrations of Benzylaminopurine (BAP) in combination with three concentrations of indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1.0 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA3) were tested for establishment and shoot multiplication. For root induction, IBA was used at four levels combined with 0, 0.5 and 1 mg/L of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in full and half strength of MS medium. BAP at 2 mg/L with 1 mg/L IBA was best, with 88.88% of establishment. The highest shoot proliferation (12.30 ± 0.30) was obtained in medium fortified with 2 mg/L BAP plus 0.5 mg/L IBA and the highest shoot length (8.50 cm) was obtained at 3 mg/L BAP plus 1 mg/L IBA. The highest rooting (100%) was observed in 1/2-strength MS medium containing 1 mg/L IBA with 0.5 mg/L NAA. In conclusion, an efficient protocol with high rate of proliferation and rooting is described for R. coriaria, which can be used in massive propagation.
Surgical outcomes after collagenase Clostridium histolyticum failure in patients with Peyronie’s disease in a multicenter clinical study
Authors: Cocci Andrea , Ralph David , Djinovic Rados , Hatzichristodoulou Georgios , Morelli Girolamo , Salonia Andrea , Capogrosso Paolo , Romano Andrea , Cito Gianmartin , Di Maida Fabrizio , Fernández-Pascual Esaú , Romero-Otero Javier , Egydio Paulo , Falcone Marco , Preto Mirko , Chiriacò Giovanni , Beck Jack , Albersen Maarten , Minhas Suks , Cacciamani Giovanni , Salamanca Juan Ignacio Martinez , Mondani Nicola , Minervini Andrea , Russo Giorgio Ivan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the present study we aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes of patients with persistent penile curvature (PC) after Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) intraplaque injections. Data from 90 patients with persistent PC after CCH in a multicentre study from 6 andrological centres were retrospectively reviewed. Three standardized surgical techniques were performed. Group 1: plaque incision grafting (PIG) with penile prosthesis implant (PPI); Group 2: PIG without PPI; Group 3: Nesbit technique. Hospital stay, operative time, postoperative complications and PC persistency/recurrence (> 20°) were evaluated. Overall satisfaction and functional outcomes were assessed through International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF), Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) administered pre and 3 months postoperatively. Of all, 25 (27.8%) patients received grafting procedure + PPI (Group 1), 18 (20.0%) patients belonged to Group 2, and 47 (52.2%) to Group 3. Bovine pericardium graft and collagen fleece have been used in in 22 (51.2%) and 21 (48.8%) patients, respectively. Median penile length after surgery was 13.0 cm (IQR 12.0–15.0). After surgery, Group 1 showed higher increase in penile length after surgery and better improvements in terms of PDQ-PS. In contrast, both IIEF-EF and FSFI scores did not differ among groups. Overall, 86 (95.6%) did not report any complication. 4 (4.4%) patients had PC recurrence; of those, 2 (8.0%), 1 (5.6%) and 1 (2.1%) cases were observed in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3, respectively. In case of persistent PC after CCH, surgical correction by grafting with or without concomitant PPI or Nesbit technique emerged as a technically feasible, effective and safe procedure, with no significant postoperative complications.
Upshot of heterogeneous catalysis in a nanofluid flow over a rotating disk with slip effects and Entropy optimization analysis
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad , Riasat Saima , Chung Jae Dong , Chu Yu-Ming , Sheikholeslami M. , Kadry Seifedine , Howari Fares 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe present study examines homogeneous (HOM)–heterogeneous (HET) reaction in magnetohydrodynamic flow through a porous media on the surface of a rotating disk. Preceding investigations mainly concentrated on the catalysis for the rotating disk; we modeled the impact of HET catalysis in a permeable media over a rotating disk with slip condition at the boundary. The HOM reaction is followed by isothermal cubic autocatalysis, however, the HET reactions occur on the surface governed by first-order kinetics. Additionally, entropy minimization analysis is also conducted for the envisioned mathematical model. The similarity transformations are employed to convert the envisaged model into a non-dimensional form. The system of the modeled problem with ordinary differential equations is analyzed numerically by using MATLAB built-in bvp4c function. The behavior of the emerging parameters versus the thermal, concentration, and velocity distributions are depicted graphically with requisite discussion abiding the thumb rules. It is learned that the rate of the surface catalyzed reaction is strengthened if the interfacial area of the permeable media is enhanced. Thus, a spongy medium can significantly curtail the reaction time. It is also noticed that the amplitude of velocity and thermal profile is maximum for the smallest value of the velocity slip parameter. Heat transfer rate declines for thermophoresis and the Brownian motion parameter with respect to the thermal slip parameter. The cogency of the developed model is also validated by making a comparison of the existing results with a published article under some constraints. Excellent harmony between the two results is noted.
Relationship between the frequency of electrocautery of Hunner lesions and changes in bladder capacity in patients with Hunner type interstitial cystitis
Authors: Akiyama Yoshiyuki , Zaitsu Masayoshi , Watanabe Daiji , Yoshimura Itsuki , Niimi Aya , Nomiya Akira , Yamada Yuta , Sato Yusuke , Nakamura Masaki , Kawai Taketo , Yamada Daisuke , Suzuki Motofumi , Kume Haruki , Homma Yukio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractElectrocautery is a promising treatment option for patients with Hunner type interstitial cystitis (HIC), but frequently requires multiple sessions due to recurrence of the lesions. In the present study, we assessed the relationship between the frequency of electrocautery of Hunner lesions and changes in maximum bladder capacity (MBC) at hydrodistension in a large cohort of 118 HIC patients. Three mixed-effect linear regression analyses were conducted for MBC against (1) the number of sessions; (2) the number of sessions and the time between each session and the first session; and (3) other relevant clinical parameters in addition to the Model (2). The mean number of sessions was 2.8 times. MBC decreased approximately 50 mL for each additional electrocautery session, but this loss was offset by 10 mL for each year the subsequent session was postponed. MBC of < 400 mL at the first session was a significant risk factor for MBC loss with further sessions. No other clinical parameters were associated with MBC over time. This study demonstrates a significant relationship between the frequency of electrocautery of Hunner lesions and MBC changes in HIC patients. Low MBC at the first session is a poor prognostic marker for MBC loss over multiple sessions.
Transcranial direct current stimulation of the posterior parietal cortex biases human hand choice
Authors: Hirayama Kento , Koga Takayuki , Takahashi Toru , Osu Rieko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHand choices—deciding which hand to use to reach for targets—represent continuous, daily, unconscious decisions. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) contralateral to the selected hand is activated during a hand-choice task, and disruption of left PPC activity with a single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation prior to the execution of the motion suppresses the choice to use the right hand but not vice versa. These findings imply the involvement of either bilateral or left PPC in hand choice. To determine whether the effects of PPC’s activity are essential and/or symmetrical in hand choice, we increased or decreased PPC excitability in 16 healthy participants using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; 10 min, 2 mA, 5 × 7 cm) and examined its online and residual effects on hand-choice probability and reaction time. After the right PPC was stimulated with an anode and the left PPC with a cathode, the probability of left-hand choice significantly increased and reaction time significantly decreased. However, no significant changes were observed with the stimulation of the right PPC with a cathode and the left PPC with an anode. These findings, thus, reveal the asymmetry of PPC-mediated regulation in hand choice.
Pure thermal spin current and perfect spin-filtering with negative differential thermoelectric resistance induced by proximity effect in graphene/silicene junctions
Authors: Gholami Zainab , Khoeini Farhad 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) and thermal spin-filtering effect (SFE) are now considered as the essential aspects of the spin caloritronics, which can efficiently explore the relationships between the spin and heat transport in the materials. However, there is still a challenge to get a thermally-induced spin current with no thermal electron current. This paper aims to numerically investigate the spin-dependent transport properties in hybrid graphene/silicene nanoribbons (GSNRs), using the nonequilibrium Green’s function method. The effects of temperature gradient between the left and right leads, the ferromagnetic exchange field, and the local external electric fields are also included. The results showed that the spin-up and spin-down currents are produced and flow in opposite directions with almost equal magnitudes. This evidently shows that the carrier transport is dominated by the thermal spin current, whereas the thermal electron current is almost disappeared. A pure thermal spin current with the finite threshold temperatures can be obtained by modulating the temperature, and a negative differential thermoelectric resistance is obtained for the thermal electron current. A nearly zero charge thermopower is also obtained, which further demonstrates the emergence of the SDSE. The response of the hybrid system is then varied by changing the magnitudes of the ferromagnetic exchange field and local external electric fields. Thus, a nearly perfect SFE can be observed at room temperature, whereas the spin polarization efficiency is reached up to 99%. It is believed that the results obtained from this study can be useful to well understand the inspiring thermospin phenomena, and to enhance the spin caloritronics material with lower energy consumption.
Fully automated preoperative segmentation of temporal bone structures from clinical CT scans
Authors: Neves C. A. , Tran E. D. , Kessler I. M. , Blevins N. H. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMiddle- and inner-ear surgery is a vital treatment option in hearing loss, infections, and tumors of the lateral skull base. Segmentation of otologic structures from computed tomography (CT) has many potential applications for improving surgical planning but can be an arduous and time-consuming task. We propose an end-to-end solution for the automated segmentation of temporal bone CT using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Using 150 manually segmented CT scans, a comparison of 3 CNN models (AH-Net, U-Net, ResNet) was conducted to compare Dice coefficient, Hausdorff distance, and speed of segmentation of the inner ear, ossicles, facial nerve and sigmoid sinus. Using AH-Net, the Dice coefficient was 0.91 for the inner ear; 0.85 for the ossicles; 0.75 for the facial nerve; and 0.86 for the sigmoid sinus. The average Hausdorff distance was 0.25, 0.21, 0.24 and 0.45 mm, respectively. Blinded experts assessed the accuracy of both techniques, and there was no statistical difference between the ratings for the two methods (p = 0.93). Objective and subjective assessment confirm good correlation between automated segmentation of otologic structures and manual segmentation performed by a specialist. This end-to-end automated segmentation pipeline can help to advance the systematic application of augmented reality, simulation, and automation in otologic procedures.
Shift in polar benthic community structure in a fast retreating glacial area of Marian Cove, West Antarctica
Authors: Bae Hanna , Ahn In-Young , Park Jinsoon , Song Sung Joon , Noh Junsung , Kim Hosang , Khim Jong Seong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractGlacier retreat is a major long-standing global issue; however, the ecological impacts of such retreats on marine organisms remain unanswered. Here, we examined changes to the polar benthic community structure of “diatoms” under current global warming in a recently retreated glacial area of Marian Cove, Antarctica. The environments and spatiotemporal assemblages of benthic diatoms surveyed in 2018–2019 significantly varied between the intertidal (tidal height of 2.5 m) and subtidal zone (10 and 30 m). A distinct floral distribution along the cove (~ 4.5 km) was characterized by the adaptive strategy of species present, with chain-forming species predominating near the glacier. The predominant chain-forming diatoms, such asFragilaria striatulaandParaliasp., are widely distributed in the innermost cove over years, indicating sensitive responses of benthic species to the fast-evolving polar environment. The site-specific and substrate-dependent distributions of certain indicator species (e.g.,F. striatula,Navicula glaciei,Cocconeiscf.pinnata) generally reflected such shifts in the benthic community. Our review revealed that the inner glacier region reflected trophic association, featured with higher diversity, abundance, and biomass of benthic diatoms and macrofauna. Overall, the polar benthic community shift observed along the cove generally represented changing environmental conditions, (in)directly linked to ice-melting due to the recent glacier retreat.
Establish axenic cultures of armored and unarmored marine dinoflagellate species using density separation, antibacterial treatments and stepwise dilution selection
Authors: Lee Thomas Chun-Hung , Chan Ping-Lung , Tam Nora Fung-Yee , Xu Steven Jing-Liang , Lee Fred Wang-Fat 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAcademic research on dinoflagellate, the primary causative agent of harmful algal blooms (HABs), is often hindered by the coexistence with bacteria in laboratory cultures. The development of axenic dinoflagellate cultures is challenging and no universally accepted method suit for different algal species. In this study, we demonstrated a promising approach combined density gradient centrifugation, antibiotic treatment, and serial dilution to generate axenic cultures ofKarenia mikimotoi(KMHK). Density gradient centrifugation and antibiotic treatments reduced the bacterial population from 5.79 ± 0.22 log10CFU/mL to 1.13 ± 0.07 log10CFU/mL. The treated KMHK cells were rendered axenic through serial dilution, and algal cells in different dilutions with the absence of unculturable bacteria were isolated. Axenicity was verified through bacterial (16S) and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and DAPI epifluorescence microscopy. Axenic KMHK culture regrew from 1000 to 9408 cells/mL in 7 days, comparable with a normal culture. The established methodology was validated with other dinoflagellate,Alexandrium tamarense(AT6) and successfully obtained the axenic culture. The axenic status of both cultures was maintained more than 30 generations without antibiotics. This efficient, straightforward and inexpensive approach suits for both armored and unarmored dinoflagellate species.
Moderate rate of implementation of spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: does it improve neonatal well-being? A case–control study
Authors: Sugo Yuki , Kubota Mirei , Niwa Hidetomo , Hirota Kazuyoshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBefore 2013, almost none of the cesarean section (CS) deliveries at our institution were performed with spinal anesthesia (SA), but after 2013 SA became the first-choice anesthesia for CS because it achieved better neonatal outcomes. However, the current rate of SA implementation at our institution was estimated to be approx. 60–70%, which is intermediate between these at other institutions in Japan or in other countries. This raises a question: What rate of SA use among CS cases achieves the best neonatal outcomes? To answer this question, we conducted this single-center case–control study with 1326 CS cases between 1994 and 2017 and compared the neonatal outcomes before to those after 2013. The logistic regression models were prepared to estimate the risk of birth asphyxia defined as a 5-min Apgar of < 7, associated with eight potential confounders, including the modified anesthetic protocol. The modified protocol was not a significant independent factor for neonatal asphyxia, indicating that our moderate SA priority protocol did not improve the neonatal outcomes even when compared to the outcomes at a 0% SA rate. A > 70% rate of SA implementation may be needed to provide better neonatal outcomes.
Synergistic protective effect of Beta vulgaris with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid against lead-induced neurotoxicity in male rats
Authors: Shaban Nadia Z. , Abd El-Kader Sara E. , Mogahed Fayed A. K. , El-Kersh Mohamed A. L. , Habashy Noha H. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLead (Pb) toxicity is one of the most prevalent causes of human neurotoxicity. The available chelator drugs used now have many adverse effects. So, in this study, the protective role of Betavulgaris juice (BVJ) on rat neurotoxicity induced by Pb was evaluated and the results were compared with the results of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA, as used drug). Additionally, the synergistic effect of BVJ and DMSA against Pb-induced neurotoxicity was assessed. The study focused on the determination of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurological potential of BVJ (alone, and with DMSA) towards lead-induced neurotoxicity. Also, the characterization of BVJ was studied. The results showed that BVJ contains considerable quantities of polyphenols, triterpenoids, and betalains which play an important role as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. BVJ exhibited a protective effect against neurotoxicity via the reduction of Pb levels in blood and brain. Moreover, BVJ decreased the oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death induced by Pb. Also, BVJ regulated the activities of acetylcholine esterase and monoamine oxidase-A which changed by Pb toxicity. BVJ and DMSA combination displayed a synergistic antineurotoxic effect (combination index ˂ 1). These results were in harmony with brain histopathology. Conclusion: BVJ has a powerful efficacy in the protection from brain toxicity via diminishing Pb in the brain and blood circulation, resulting in the prevention of the oxidative and inflammatory stress. Treatment with BVJ in combination with DMSA revealed a synergistic effect in the reduction of neurotoxicity induced by Pb. Also, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the BVJ lead to the improvement of DMSA therapy.
Genetic structure analysis of cultivated and wild chestnut populations reveals gene flow from cultivars to natural stands
Authors: Nishio Sogo , Takada Norio , Terakami Shingo , Takeuchi Yukie , Kimura Megumi K. , Isoda Keiya , Saito Toshihiro , Iketani Hiroyuki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractJapanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb. et Zucc.), the only fruit tree species domesticated in Japan, has been cultivated alongside natural stands since prehistorical times. Understanding the genetic diversity of this species and the relationships between cultivated and wild chestnut is important for clarifying its breeding history and determining conservation strategies. We assessed 3 chestnut cultivar populations and 29 wild chestnut populations (618 accessions). Genetic distance analysis revealed that wild populations in the Kyushu region are genetically distant from other populations, whereas other wild and cultivar populations are comparatively similar. Assignment tests suggested that cultivars were relatively similar to populations from central to western Honshu. Bayesian structure analyses showed that wild individuals were roughly classified according to geographical distribution along the Japanese archipelago, except that some wild individuals carried the genetic cluster prevalent in cultivars. Parentage analyses between cultivars and wild individuals identified 26 wild individuals presumed to have a parent–offspring relationship with a cultivar. These results suggested that the genetic structure of some wild individuals in natural stands was influenced by gene flow from cultivars. To conserve wild individuals carrying true “wild” genetic clusters, these individuals should be collected and preserved by ex situ conservation programs.
Morphogenesis and evolution mechanisms of bacterially-induced struvite
Authors: Zhao Tian-Lei , Li Han , Jiang Hao-Fan , Yao Qi-Zhi , Huang Ying , Zhou Gen-Tao 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBacteria are able to induce struvite precipitation, and modify struvite morphology, leading to the mineral with various growth habits. However, the relevant work involving the morphogenesis is limited, thereby obstructing our understanding of bacterially mediated struvite mineralization. Here, an actinomycete Microbacterium marinum sp. nov. H207 was chosen to study its effect on struvite morphology. A combination of bacterial mineralization and biomimetic mineralization techniques was adopted. The bacterial mineralization results showed that strain H207 could induce the formation of struvite with grouping structure (i.e., a small coffin-like crystal grown on a large trapezoid-like substrate crystal), and the overgrowth structure gradually disappeared, while the substrate crystal further evolved into coffin-like, and quadrangular tabular morphology with time. The biomimetic experiments with different organic components confirmed that the soluble macromolecules rich in electronegative carboxyl groups secreted by strain H207 dominate the formation of the struvite grouping. The time-course biomimetic experiments with supernatant testified that the increase in pH and NH4+ content promoted the evolution of crystal habits. Moreover, the evolution process of substrate crystal can be divided into two stages. At the first stage, the crystal grew along the crystallographic b axis. At the later stage, coupled dissolution–precipitation process occurred, and the crystals grew along the corners (i.e., [110] and [1-10] directions). In the case of dissolution, it was also found that the (00-1) face of substrate crystal preferentially dissolved, which results from the low initial phosphate content and high PO43− density on this face. As a result, present work can provide a deeper insight into bio-struvite mineralization.
Increased lead concentrations in the hairs of radiographers in general hospitals
Authors: Hung Mao-Chin , Chang Peter 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study investigated lead concentrations in the hairs of radiographers working in the radiological departments of general hospitals that used lead shielding for radiation protection. We collected scalp hair samples from 32 radiographers working in four radiology departments with lead shielding and 18 administration personnel in the same hospitals without lead shielding. Samples were analyzed for lead concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. As a result, lead concentrations in the hairs of the radiological technologists were significantly higher than those in the administration staffs (0.72 ± 0.51 vs. 0.19 ± 0.27 μg/g, P < 0.001). The hair lead concentrations were positively and significantly associated with environmental lead concentrations (r = 0.6, P = 0.001), but not associated with age, working duration, and gender distribution.