bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employing machine learning and microscopy images of AIB1‐stained biopsy material to assess the 5‐year survival of patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Theodosi Angeliki , Ouzounis Sotiris , Kostopoulos Spiros , Glotsos Dimitris , Kalatzis Ioannis , Asvestas Pantelis , Tzelepi Vassiliki , Ravazoula Panagiota , Cavouras Dionisis , Sakellaropoulos George 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOur purpose was to employ microscopy images of amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1)‐stained biopsy material of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) to: (a) find statistically significant differences (SSDs) in the texture and color of the epithelial gland tissue, between 5‐year survivors and non‐survivors after the first diagnosis and (b) employ machine learning (ML) methods for predicting the CRC‐patient 5‐year survival. We collected biopsy material from 54 patients with diagnosed CRC from the archives of the University Hospital of Patras, Greece. Twenty‐six of the patients had survived 5 years after the first diagnosis. We selected regions of interest containing the epithelial gland at different microscope lens magnifications. We computed 69 textural and color features. Furthermore, we identified features with SSDs between the two groups of patients and we designed a supervised ML system for predicting the CRC‐patient 5‐year survival. Additionally, we employed the VGG16 pretrained convolution neural network to extract deep learning (DL) features, the support vector machines classifier, and the bootstrap cross‐validation method for boosting the accuracy of predicting 5‐year survival. Fourteen features sustained SSDs between the two groups of patients. The supervised ML system achieved 87% accuracy in predicting 5‐year survival. In comparison, the DL system, using images from all magnifications, gave 97% classification accuracy. Glandular texture in 5‐year non‐survivors appeared to be of lower contrast, coarseness, roughness, local pixel correlation, and lower AIB1 variation, all indicating loss of textural definition. The supervised ML system revealed useful information regarding features that discriminate between 5‐year survivors and non‐survivors while the DL system displayed superior accuracy by employing DL features.
Palyno‐morphological characterization of selected allergenic taxa of family Poaceae from Islamabad‐Pakistan using microscopic techniques
Authors: Ullah Izhar , Ahmad Mushtaq , Jabeen Asma , Yusuf M. Osman , Arfan Muhammad , Kilic Omer , Bagci Eyüp , Zafar Muhammad , Sultana Shazia , Khan Siraj , Usma Anwer 
Published: April 2021

AbstractStatistics around the world show an increased risk of high allergies associated with plants. The role of allergenic pollen is now well known. The most serious allergenic diseases are asthma and rhinitis, which affect 5–30% of the population of industrialized countries. This work focuses on the exploration of allergenic grass species of Islamabad, Pakistan and use microscopic techniques to correctly identify them. This study contains 11 species of grasses which showed variations in pollen morphological features. The dominant pollen shape was prolate, prolate‐spheroidal and sub oblate. The largest polar diameter was calculated for Echinochloa crus‐galli (56.00 μm) while the largest equatorial diameter was found in Cenchrus ciliaris (45.00 μm). Exine ornamentation varied from Gemmate–verrucate, Scabrate–reugulate, Verrucate–reticulate, Gemmate–Scabrate, Fine–Gemmate, Gemmate–rugulate, Gemmate–reticulate, Gemmate–scabrate, Scabrate–verrucate, and Scabrate. Maximum exine thickness was found in Eleusine indica (4.90 μm) while in C. ciliaris (1.50 μm) the minimum thickness of exine was measured. In E. crus‐galli (1.54 μm), the largest P to E value was measured and the smallest value was noticed in Setaria verticillata (0.86 μm). The study was performed with an aim to identify the allergenic plant species in Islamabad‐Pakistan using pollen morphological studies. This study provides significant information, to arrange the pollen types within their defined classes and to discuss various pollen features for developing an allergenic pollen atlas.
Evolutionary insights into sexual behavior from whiptail lizards
Authors: O'Connell Lauren A. , Crews David 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIs the brain bipotential or is sex‐typical behavior determined during development? Thirty years of research in whiptail lizards transformed the field of behavioral neuroscience to show the brain is indeed bipotential, producing behaviors along a spectrum of male‐typical and female‐typical behavior via a parliamentary system of neural networks and not a predetermined program of constrained behavioral output. The unusual clade of whiptail lizards gave these insights as there are several parthenogenetic all‐female species that display both male‐typical and female‐typical sexual behavior. These descendant species exist alongside their ancestors, allowing a unique perspective into how brain–behavior relationships evolve. In this review, we celebrate the over 40‐year career of David Crews, beginning with the story of how he established whiptails as a model system through serendipitous behavioral observations and ending with advice to young scientists formulating their own questions. In between these personal notes, we discuss the discoveries that integrated hormones, neural activity, and gene expression to provide transformative insights into how brains function and reshaped our understanding of sexuality.
Seventy‐year disruption of seasons characteristics in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Ajjur Salah Basem , Al‐Ghamdi Sami G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractClimate change has significantly influenced the characteristics of seasons and negatively affected ecosystems and socio‐economic life. This study presents a new, objective definition for seasons in the Arabian Peninsula. Specifically, the study determines disruptions in the onset, cessation, and duration of winter, spring, summer, and autumn based on mean intra‐annual changes of 12 climatological parameters from 1950 to 2019. Data for climatological parameters were obtained from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) reanalysis. These data were analysed using two multivariate statistical methods: principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The results show that the characteristics of the four seasons differ from conventionally defined seasons. The differing characteristics of the four seasons are (a) that winter extends for 91 days, between 2 November (the previous year) and 31 January; (b) spring extends for 111 days, until 22 May; (c) summer extends for 106 days, until 5 September and, finally; (d) autumn completes the cycle, extending for 57 days. To investigate the decadal disruption of seasons' characteristics, the analysis was performed on the data collected during five overlapping 30‐year periods: 1950–1979, 1960–1989, 1970–1999, 1980–2009, and 1990–2019. The most remarkable changes were noticed during the last 30 years. Compared to the 70‐year analysis, the 1990–2019 analysis showed extra prolongation in the duration of summer and a shortage in winter, which aligns with the recent warming and drying of the Arabian Peninsula. Summer (winter) lasts for 126 (76) days. All analyses propose that all seasons start earlier, compared with the astronomical definition. The findings of this study are key to understanding the consequences of seasons changes in the Arabian Peninsula. These consequences include impacts on agriculture, water deficits, ecosystems, and land cover.
Diurnal cycle of summer precipitation over the North China Plain and associated land–atmosphere interactions: Evaluation of ERA5 and MERRA‐2
Authors: Song Yuanyuan , Wei Jiangfeng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe diurnal cycle of precipitation is influenced by the dynamic and thermodynamic processes of the land–atmosphere system and is a gateway for understanding land–atmosphere interactions. Here, we use satellite‐based precipitation data from CMORPH and TRMM 3B42 to evaluate the ability of ERA5 and MERRA‐2 reanalyses to depict the diurnal cycle of summer precipitation over the North China Plain (NCP). The observed diurnal cycles generally have a peak time in the afternoon or in the night to early morning, depending on the region. Both ERA5 and MERRA‐2 can reproduce the observed night to early morning precipitation peak, but the observed afternoon precipitation peak is only shown in ERA5. Moisture flux convergence is the main driver for night and early morning precipitation, while local land surface evapotranspiration and moisture flux convergence jointly drive afternoon rainfall. Compared with ERA5, the land surface is more strongly coupled with the atmosphere in MERRA‐2, and MERRA‐2 precipitation is more sensitive to precipitable water. The low‐level wind field is more divergent in MERRA‐2 than in ERA5 during afternoon, which causes weaker ascending motions, less precipitable water, and lower precipitation efficiency. The less favourable atmospheric conditions for precipitation, exacerbated by the strong land–atmosphere coupling, lead to the absence of afternoon rainfall in MERRA‐2.
Lake Neor reveals how mountain vegetation responded to 7000 years of hydroclimate variability in northwestern Iran
Authors: Alinezhad Khadijeh , Ramezani Elias , Djamali Morteza , Sharifi Arash , Naqinezhad Alireza , Aubert Cyril , Gandouin Emmanuel , Pourmand Ali 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTPalynological and geochemical analyses provide valuable information about modern and past climatic regimes and vegetation. The impact of climate and humans on past vegetation in the semi‐arid areas of northwestern Iran has received increased interest in the wake of warming temperatures in the Middle East. Palynological and down‐core XRF elemental abundances from a peat core from Lake Neor enabled a reconstruction of vegetational changes of the past 7000 years over the highlands of northwestern Iran. Periods of increased arboreal pollen (AP) types and high (Artemisia + Poaceae)/Chenopodiaceae ratios along with low titanium abundances, high percentages of total organic carbon, more negative δD values, and higher carbon accumulation rates suggest a relatively wet climate. These conditions have persisted during the periods 6700–6200, 5200–4450 and 3200–2200 cal a bp. The overall low AP values, substantial rise of Chenopodiaceae, high Ti abundances and low values of palaeo‐redox proxies, are all evidences of a drier climate, as has been reconstructed for the periods 6200–5200 and 4030–3150 cal a bp and the last 2200 years. An important feature of the last centuries is the increase of anthropogenic and pastoral indicator pollen types. Our results may provide basic data to predict future trends in vegetation dynamics under future climate change in western Asia.
Recent insights in the PI3K/Akt pathway as a promising therapeutic target in combination with EGFR‐targeting agents to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zaryouh Hannah , De Pauw Ines , Baysal Hasan , Peeters Marc , Vermorken Jan Baptist , Lardon Filip , Wouters An 
Published: April 2021

AbstractResistance to therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), such as cetuximab, remains a major roadblock in the search for effective therapeutic strategies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Due to its close interaction with the EGFR pathway, redundant or compensatory activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway has been proposed as a major driver of resistance to EGFR inhibitors. Understanding the role of each of the main proteins involved in this pathway is utterly important to develop rational combination strategies able to circumvent resistance. Therefore, the current work reviewed the role of PI3K/Akt pathway proteins, including Ras, PI3K, tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensing homolog, Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin in resistance to anti‐EGFR treatment in HNSCC. In addition, we summarize PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors that are currently under (pre)clinical investigation with focus on overcoming resistance to EGFR inhibitors. In conclusion, genomic alterations in and/or overexpression of one or more of these proteins are common in both human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive and HPV‐negative HNSCC tumors. Therefore, downstream effectors of the PI3K/Akt pathway serve as promising drug targets in the search for novel therapeutic strategies that are able to overcome resistance to anti‐EGFR treatment. Co‐targeting EGFR and the PI3K/Akt pathway can lead to synergistic drug interactions, possibly restoring sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors and hereby improving clinical efficacy. Better understanding of the predictive value of PI3K/Akt pathway alterations is needed to allow the identification of patient populations that might benefit most from these combination strategies.
Sulforaphane Balances Ca2+ Homeostasis Injured by Excessive Fat via Mitochondria‐Associated Membrane (MAM)
Authors: Tian Sicong , Lei Peng , Zhang Jing , Sun Yao , Li Baolong , Shan Yujuan 
Published: April 2021

ScopeMitochondria‐associated membrane (MAM) connects endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria plays a significant role in lipid metabolism and Ca2+ homeostasis. Albeit sulforaphane (SFN) shows potential in ameliorating excessive fat accumulation and mitochondrial function; whether MAM is a target of SFN and its underlying mechanisms are still unclear.Methods and ResultsHigh‐fat‐intake models are established both in vivo and in vitro. SFN widens the distance between ER and mitochondria and down‐regulates MAM tether protein mitofusin‐2. SFN reverses the increase of Ca2+ induced by fatty acid and inhibits the Ca2+ channel inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor (IP3R). Compared with high fat group, SFN alleviates Ca2+ overload in the mitochondria and suppresses mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). Furthermore, SFN increases mitochondrial DNA quantities and mitochondria membrane potential, while decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Finally, SFN increases mitochondria complexes IV content and ATP synthesis.ConclusionThese results suggest that SFN balances the Ca2+ homeostasis in the MAM through regulating Ca2+ flux by Ca2+ channel IP3R and MCU.
Prevalence of low computed tomography–measured skeletal muscle index and handgrip strength in a general medical population
Authors: Van Jacobs Amanda , Coltman Anne , Gomez‐Perez Sandra L. , Bienia Benjamin , Sclamberg Joy S. , Peterson Sarah J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia is defined as the loss of muscle mass and function and has been associated with worsened outcomes, including disability and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients who had an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan completed within 7 days of hospital admission.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted. Adult patients admitted to either the general medical or surgical floor were included. Muscle function was assessed using handgrip strength (HGS, kg), completed within the first 48 hours of admission. Skeletal muscle index (SMI, kg/m2) at the third lumber region was calculated among patients who had an abdominal CT scan completed within 7 days of admission. Sarcopenia was identified by the combination of low SMI and HGS. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients diagnosed with sarcopenia.ResultsA total of 1318 patients were admitted; 11% (n = 141) had an abdominal CT scan completed within 7 days of admission. Only race and prevalence of malnutrition were different between patients who did and did not have a CT completed. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 13% (n = 18/141). Additionally, 39% of the sample was at risk for sarcopenia, with either low SMI (n = 13/141) or low HGS (n = 42/141).ConclusionsOverall prevalence of sarcopenia was low, but more than one‐third of patients had either low SMI or low HGS. Minimal differences were observed between patients who did and did not have an abdominal CT scan completed upon admission.
Layer by layer controlled synthesis at room temperature of tri‐modal (MRI, fluorescence and CT) core/shell superparamagnetic IO/human serum albumin nanoparticles for diagnostic applications
Authors: Ganguly Sayan , Neelam  , Grinberg Igor , Margel Shlomo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are drawing attention since few decades because of its tunable properties. It is well known that the degradation of plasma proteins like albumin in cancer cells is significantly faster than in normal cells. Hereby, we combined the advantages of human serum albumin (HSA) and iron oxide NPs (IO NPs) to prepare mono‐, bi‐ and tri‐modal IO/HSA core‐shell NPs for diagnostic applications, to promote the smooth and precise assessment of signals obtained from diagnostic machines. HSA is well known as a physiological carrier for many biomaterials (e.g., fatty acids, metal ions, amino acids, peptides, drugs, etc.). Mono‐modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) IO NPs were prepared via nucleation at room temperature of IO layers onto IO‐HSA nuclei. Mono‐modal IO/HSA NPs were produced by heating the IO NPs aqueous HSA dispersion to 80°C, followed by HSA precipitation via cooling to RT. Bi‐modal (MRI and fluorescence [FL]) IO/HSA NPs were prepared similarly, substituting the HSA for Cy7‐conjugated HSA. Tri‐modal (MRI, FL and computed tomography (CT) IO/HSA were prepared similarly, substituting the aqueous continuous phase for aqueous continuous phase containing iohexol (a water‐soluble CT contrast agent), thereby entrapping the iohexol within the precipitated HSA. Cytotoxicity tests in HCT116 (colon), MCF7 (breast) and A127 (glioblastoma) cells showed that the IO/HSA NPs are non‐toxic toward these cells. Moreover, these non‐cytotoxic NPs were incubated with HCT116 cells and tested against three different diagnostic tools (FL, MRI and CT). The calibration and signal assessment of the results showed almost identical intensities obtained from these diagnostic tools that could promote these NPs as the multi‐modal probe.
Rapid analysis and identification of dianthrone glycosides in Polygoni Multiflori Caulis based on enrichment of macroporous absorbent resin and UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS
Authors: Bo Rui , Wu Jian , Wu Jiacai , Bai Lisha , Ye Mingzhu , Huang Li , Chen Hongyuan , Rui Wen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionPolygoni Multiflori Caulis (PMC) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for a long time in China. However, hepatotoxic events of PMC have been reported in recent years, but the potential toxic compounds have remained unclear. Dianthrones as the secondary plant metabolites were revealed to potential hepatotoxicity in a previous study. However, no reports focused on dianthrones in PMC.ObjectiveIn the quest for exploring potential hepatotoxic compounds in PMC, the aim of this work was to undertake a comprehensive characterisation of dianthrones in PMC.MethodsA simple and effective macroporous absorbent resin column chromatography method was established in this study to enrich the minor dianthrones from PMC extracts. Exploration and characterisation of dianthrones in PMC was conducted by an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS) method and information dependent acquisition (IDA) mode. The aglycones of dianthrone glycosides were further verified by acid hydrolysis method.ResultsSeventy‐two dianthrone glycosides and their five aglycones were discovered and tentatively characterised in PMC for the first time, of which 29 dianthrones were identified as potential new compounds. Dianthrone glycosides could be classified into three types according to their aglycone structures, and their fragmentation pathway rules and diagnosed ions were also summarised comprehensively.ConclusionThis was the first comprehensive investigation on dianthrones in PMC. The result would help to fully understand the phytochemical constituents and toxic components in PMC, and highlight the need for further toxicological investigations of the dianthrones in PMC due to their potential hepatotoxicity correlation.
Investigating whole‐brain metabolite abnormalities in the chronic stages of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Lin Joanne C. , Mueller Christina , Campbell Kelsey A. , Thannickal Halle H. , Daredia Altamish F. , Sheriff Sulaiman , Maudsley Andrew A. , Brunner Robert C. , Younger Jarred W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundEvidence suggests that neurometabolic abnormalities can persist after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and drive clinical symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive disruption. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to investigate metabolite abnormalities following TBI, but few studies have obtained data beyond the subacute stage or over large brain regions.ObjectiveTo measure whole‐brain metabolites in chronic stages of TBI.DesignObservational study.SettingUniversity.ParticipantsEleven men with a moderate or severe TBI more than 12 months prior and 10 age‐matched healthy controls completed whole‐brain spectroscopic imaging.Main MeasuresRatios of N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (CHO), and myo‐inositol (MI) to creatine (CR) were measured in whole‐brain gray and white matter as well as 64 brain regions of interest. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) data were also collected to investigate whether metabolite abnormalities were accompanied by differences in cerebral perfusion.ResultsThere were no differences in metabolite ratios within whole‐brain gray and white matter regions of interest (ROIs). Linear regression showed lower NAA/CR in the white matter of the left occipital lobe but higher NAA/CR in the gray matter of the left parietal lobe. Metabolite abnormalities were observed in several brain regions in the TBI group including the corpus callosum, putamen, and posterior cingulate. However, none of the findings survived correction for multiple comparison. There were no differences in cerebral blood flow between patients and controls.ConclusionHigher MI/CR may indicate ongoing gliosis, and it has been suggested that low CHO/CR at chronic time points may indicate cell death or lack of healthy turnover and repair. However, with the small sample size of this study, we caution against the over interpretation of our results. None of the findings within ROIs survived correction for multiple comparison. Thus, they may be considered possible avenues for future research in this area.